Featuring Mike Sanders, Jackson County Executive
The Jackson County Executive is a firm supporter of regional rapid rail for Kansas City. He has proposed a $1 billion plan, which would include a 144-mile system connecting distant suburbs to downtown and the Kansas City International Airport. Mike Sanders envisions that the federal government is looking to promote this type of commuter system, and that much of the funds could come from federal stimulus money.
Mike Sanders is also reaching across the state line, proposing that Wyandotte County in Kansas coordinate with Clay and Platte Counties in Missouri to explore ways to pay for operation costs—costs that could amount to $22 million per year.
Elected as county executive in 2006, Sanders has pledged not to ask voters to approve new taxes. He has trimmed three straight budgets without compromising county services. Despite the fiscal belt-tightening, Sanders reestablished Jackson County Economic Development to encourage new business, and found funds to renovate and save the historic Jackson County Truman Courthouse on the Independence Square.
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