Missouri voters approve constitutional amendment mandating higher funding for Kansas City police

Missouri voters have passed a constitutional amendment requiring Kansas City to spend at least a quarter of its budget on police, up from 20% previously. This highlights tension between Republicans concerned about potential police funding cuts and city leaders who believe local tax dollars should be spent as they see fit. Kansas City lacks local control of its police department, with a state board overseeing operations and budget. The city leaders deny any plans to eliminate the police department. Mayor Quinton Lucas hinted at a rival amendment for local control in all communities. The increase in police funding was initially approved in 2022 but was struck down by the state Supreme Court over cost estimates, leading to another vote this year which passed by about 51%. The struggle over police control dates back more than a century in Missouri. The state took over Kansas City police multiple times for various reasons. Recent efforts to divert police budget funds to social services and crime prevention programs were seen as attempts to defund the police. Critics view the issue as a reflection of systemic racism in law and call for continued efforts to address such injustices in the US.

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