Kansas City contemplates bi-state tax for transit & trails

After lingering in the background of regional debates about stadiums and the arts, transportation is about to move to the forefront of the civic agenda.

The dialogue could lead to a regional sales tax to pay for expanded mass transit, more trails for biking and hiking and less stop-and-go driving.

For several years the Mid-America Regional Council has been working with local governments and transit agencies to develop the multifaceted transportation plan for the eight-county Kansas City region.

Now, the regional planning agency is about ready to move ahead with legislation allowing the area to vote on a sales tax of up to a half-cent.

The legislation proposal will not be final until later this month, but it would allow elections in Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties in Kansas and Jackson, Clay, Cass, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri.

The proposal is expected to go to the Missouri and Kansas legislatures next year with hopes that an election could be held as early as 2007 or 2008.