The folk(s) agitating against the earnings tax on the April 5th ballot in Kansas City have been spending money. We’re just not sure who’s bankrolling the bankrollers.

From the March 26th “24 Hour Expenditure Report”:

DIRECT EXPENDITURE REPORT

FREEDOM PAC 3/26/2011

B. BALLOT MEASURES

KC Earnings Tax

Kansas City

4/5/2011

$75,930.00

[emphasis added]

EXPENDITURES AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE

FREEDOM PAC 3/26/2011

B. Itemized Expenditures All Over $100

Smart Media Group

814 King Street

Suite 400

Alexandria VA 22314

3/25/2011

Media Buy

$75,930.00

[emphasis added]

From the March 28th “8 Day Before General Election” report:

CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS RECEIVED

FREEDOM PAC 3/28/2011

A. ITEMIZED CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED

The Adam Smith Foundation

P O Box 21

Jefferson City MO 65102

2/25/2011

$25,000.00

Integral Construction Services, Inc.

303 SW Market

Lees Summit MO 64063

3/4/2011

$1,000.00

American Democracy Alliance

1100 Main Street

Kansas City MO 64105

3/4/2011

$100,000.00

American Democracy Alliance

1100 Main Street

Kansas City MO 64105

3/10/2011

$100,000.00

American Democracy Alliance

1100 Main Street

Kansas City MO 64105

3/17/2011

$100,000.00

[emphasis added]

And who contributed all that money to the American Democracy Alliance? They’re not saying. So much for transparency.

The expenditures:

EXPENDITURES AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE

FREEDOM PAC 3/28/2011

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

Wilson Research Strategies, LLC

1319 Classen Drive

Oklahoma City OK 73103

3/21/2011

Survey

$5,562.50

Axiom Strategies, LLC

1251 NW Briarcliff Pkwy

Suite 85

Kansas City MO 64116

3/21/2011

Survey

$11,250.00

Axiom Strategies, LLC

1251 NW Briarcliff Pkwy

Suite 85

Kansas City MO 64116

3/21/2011

Various — Inv. #1432

$67,398.67

Wilson Research Strategies, LLC

1319 Classen Drive

Oklahoma City OK 73103

3/21/2011

Survey

$12,625.00

Axiom Strategies, LLC

1251 NW Briarcliff Pkwy

Suite 85

Kansas City MO 64116

3/21/2011

Various — Inv. #1447

$35,302.29

Missouri Ethics Commission

P O Box 1370

Jefferson City MO 65102

3/21/2011

Late Fee

$50.00

CRAFT | Media/Digital

706 7th St., SE

Washington DC 20003

3/23/2011

Media Work

$19,150.00

Law Office of James C. Thomas III

4131 N. Mulberry Drive

Suite 200

Kansas City MO 64116

3/23/2011

Legal Fees

$2,280.00

Gridiron Communications

12801 Sandy Court

Granger IN 46530

3/23/2011

Design and Layout

$750.00

Suede Group

5370 W. 95th Street

Prairie Village KS 66207

3/23/2011

Vidoe Work

$1,500.00

CRAFT | Media/Digital

706 7th St., SE

Washington DC 20003

3/24/2011

Ad Development

$15,675.00

Wilson Research Strategies, LLC

1319 Classen Drive

Oklahoma City OK 73103

3/24/2011

Survey

$5,000.00

[emphasis added]

Over $100,000.00 in “various”. That’s expensive stuff. Oh:

General Addendum:

Axiom Strategies, LLC — Invoice #1432 — General Consulting Fee (March); Field Staff (February); P.O. Box Rental; Online Advertising; Kansas City Voter Survey; Automated Advocacy Call; Research Package; Data Management;

General Addendum:

Axiom Strategies, LLC — Invoice #1432 (cont.) — Kansas City Voter Survey; Library Room Rental Fee for Press Conference; Voter Outreach (March)

General Addendum:

Axiom Strategies, LLC — Invoice #1447 — General Consulting Services (April); Field Staff (March & April); (March); Voter Outreach (1/2 + 1 full) Logo/Sign Design; Maps Design; Bumper Stickers; Yard Signs;

General Addendum:

Axiom Strategies, LLC — Invoice #1447 (cont.) — Focus Group Expenses; Voter Outreach – ducational event expenses

And the surveys. Also, too.

DIRECT EXPENDITURE REPORT

FREEDOM PAC 3/28/2011

B. BALLOT MEASURES

KC E-Tax

Kansas City

4/5/2011

$174,213.46

EXPENDITURES TO DATE $206,713.46

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Uh, we already knew about that (March 24, 2011)

Campaign Finance: Freedom PAC funded by the usual suspect(s) (March 18, 2011)

Campaign Finance: Who is bankrolling the bankrollers? (March 10, 2011)

Campaign Finance: your Friday big bucks contribution dump (March 4, 2011)

Campaign Finance: opponents of the earnings tax in Kansas City get a lot of help (February 26, 2011)

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Freedom PAC funded by the usual suspect(s) (March 18, 2011)

Campaign Finance: Who is bankrolling the bankrollers? (March 10, 2011)

Campaign Finance: your Friday big bucks contribution dump (March 4, 2011)

Campaign Finance: opponents of the earnings tax in Kansas City get a lot of help (February 26, 2011)

The proponents of the continuation of the earnings tax on the April ballot in Kansas City have a thing or two to say about who’s funding their opposition. Like, who are they?:

Keep KC Alive on their opposition.

Good question.

Who would have the deep pockets to be able to drop $100,000.00 at a pop on a right wingnut inspired campaign to defund public services in Missouri’s largest cities?

Keep KC Alive is also running television commercials along the same theme in the Kansas City television market. We’ll post it when we find an accessible version.  

The question remains, who’s bankrolling the bankrollers?

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Who is bankrolling the bankrollers? (March 10, 2011)

Campaign Finance: your Friday big bucks contribution dump (March 4, 2011)

Campaign Finance: opponents of the earnings tax in Kansas City get a lot of help (February 26, 2011)

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

C091269 FREEDOM PAC 3/18/2011

American Democracy Alliance

1100 Main Street Suite 2600

Kansas City, MO 64105

3/17/2011

$100,000.00

[emphasis added]

At this rate billionaires are gonna become millionaires really soon.

And they complain about the earnings tax in Kansas City and St. Louis?

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

A101430 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE [pdf] 3/1/2011

Sprint Nextell

P.O. Box 63670

Phoenix, AZ 85082

3/1/2011

$25,000.00

Oppenheimer

125 Broad Street

New York, NY 10004

3/1/2011

$7,500.00

[emphasis added]

Last week:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

A101430 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE [pdf] 2/25/2011

Oppenheimer & Co Inc

125 Broad Street

New York, NY 10004

2/25/2011

$7,500.00

[emphasis added]

The Save Kansas City Committee (in support of the continuation of the earnings tax on the April ballot) filed an amended 40 Day Before General Election-4/5/2011 report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on February 27th:

REPORT SUMMARY

SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE 2/27/2011

1. Total Receipts For This Election Previously Reported $0.00

2. All Monetary Contributions Received This Period $1,028,250.00

10. Expenditures made by cash or check this period $383,371.82

27. Money On Hand at the close of this reporting period $644,878.18

[emphasis added]

That’s a significant chunk of change.

And what did they spend the money on?:

EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY – SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE 2/27/2011

Food for grand Head Quarters grand opening $76.97

Computer purchase consultation $40.00

Printing $152.82

Office supplies $34.76

voter data $25.00

P.O. Box fee $22.00

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE 2/27/2011

Cambridge Consultants 3965 W 83rd suite 291 Prairie Village KS 66208 12/20/2010 Poll $16,500.00

Market & Communications Research 4300 Bell St 2300 Kansas City MO 64111 12/21/2010 Focus Groups $6,500.00

Market & Communications Research 4300 Bell Street Kansas City MO 64111 12/21/2010 issue research $6,000.00

Glorioso Resources 4618 Warwick #7C Kansas city MO 64112 1/5/2011 media and political consulting $5,000.00

Cambridge Consultants 3965 W 83rd suite 291 Prairie Village KS 66208 1/18/2011 outdoor advertisint $28,950.00

Media Placements 4049 Central Kansas city MO 64111 1/24/2011 television production $445.00

VML 250 Northwest Richards Road Kansas City MO 64116 1/24/2011 web site design and host $30,000.00

Market & Communications research 4300 Bell Kansas city MO 64111 1/24/2011 campaign consulting $6,000.00

G & H Consulting 14405 E 96th street Kansas City MO 64139 1/28/2011 campaign consulting $10,000.00

Tinic 1627 Main Kansas City MO 64111 1/28/2011 design services $5,000.00

Cambridge Consultants 3965 W 83rd suite 291 Kansas City MO 66208 2/7/2011 management fees $15,000.00

Glorioso Resources 4618 Warwick #7C Kansas City MO 64112 2/7/2011 media and political consulting $5,000.00

PPS LLC 2903 SW 13th Lees summit MO 64081 2/7/2011 professional consulting services $2,500.00

VML 250 N Richards rd Kansas city MO 64116 2/10/2011 television time $150,000.00

Cambridge Consultants 3965 W 83rd suite 291 Prairie Village KS 66220 2/14/2011 yard signs $9,823.69

[emphasis added]

Well, what do you think, television and direct mail?

What, no t-shirts? I suppose we’ll have to ask Rex Sinquefield if he’s got any to spare. Nah, on second thought, I don’t think he’d contribute.

If the renewal of the earnings tax passes everyone better save their signs because they’ll have to do it all over again in five years. They can thank Rex Sinquefield for that, too.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: opponents of the earnings tax in Kansas City get a lot of help (February 26, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 8 (February 17, 2011)

Kansas City’s campaign in support of the earnings tax starts (February 14, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 7 (January 28, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 6 (January 24, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 5 (January 18, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 4 (January 13, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 3 (January 9, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 2 (January 4, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011 (January 3, 2011)

Finally, part 2 (December 20, 2010)

Finally (December 14, 2010)

HB 26: an attempt to fix some of the mess of Proposition A (December 3, 2010)

Where’s Kansas City on fundraising for the 2011 earnings tax vote? (November 27, 2010)

St. Louis leads the fundraising way on the April 2011 earnings tax vote (November 16, 2010)

Any bets that the Royals follow through for Kansas City? (November 13, 2010)

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

C091269 FREEDOM PAC [pdf] 2/25/2011

The Adam Smith Foundation

P O Box 21

Jefferson City, MO 65102

2/25/2011

$25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Adam Smith Foundation? Where have we seen that before? Oh, yeah:

Missouri’s Adam Smith Foundation gives $498,000 to repeal California’s greenhouse gas law (April 19, 2010)

Missouri’s Adam Smith Foundation and the repeal of California’s AB 32 – that $498,000, from where? (August 6, 2010)

Anyway, back to Freedom PAC which is opposing the renewal of the earnings tax on the April 5th ballot in Kansas City:

Paid for by FREEDOM PAC, James Thomas, Treasurer  © Copyright 2011 KANSAS CITY TAX REFORM.

What have they opposed locally in the recent past?:

DIRECT EXPENDITURE REPORT

FREEDOM PAC [pdf] 2/25/2011

B. BALLOT MEASURES

School District Levy

Lee’s Summit School Dist

2/8/2011

$1,000.00

KC E-Tax

KCMO

4/5/2011

$32,500.00

[emphasis added]

Ah, they’re one of those right wingnut front groups that wants to defund everything.

And who else has been giving them money?:

CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS RECEIVED

FREEDOM PAC [pdf] 2/25/2011

American Democracy Alliance

1100 Main Street

Kansas City MO 64105

1/28/2011

$50,000.00

[emphasis added]

Ah, the usual suspects. Now, if we could only figure out who is bankrolling their bankrollers.

And what have they been spending that money on?:

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

FREEDOM PAC [pdf] 2/25/2011

Wilson Research Strategies, LLC

1319 Classen Drive

Oklahoma City OK 73103

2/9/2011

benchmark study

$32,268.00

Law Office of James C. Thomas III

4131 N. Mulberry Drive

Suite 200

Kansas City MO 64116

2/9/2011

Legal Fees

$600.00

Axiom Strategies, LLC

1251 NW Briarcliff Pkwy

Suite 85

Kansas City MO 64116

2/11/2011

Survey

$1,000.00

Axiom Strategies, LLC

1251 NW Briarcliff Pkwy

Suite 85

Kansas City MO 64116

2/11/2011

General Consulting Services

$7,500.00

Axiom Strategies, LLC

1251 NW Briarcliff Pkwy

Suite 85

Kansas City MO 64116

2/1/2011

General Consulting and Field Staff

$10,000.00

Axiom Strategies, LLC

1251 NW Briarcliff Pkwy

Suite 85

Kanssa City MO 64116

2/11/2011

Tax Reform Website (production)

$15,000.00

[emphasis added]

Surveys, staff, a web site!

Any bets they’re planning on a monster direct mail campaign?

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

A101430 02/16/2011 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE John Sherman 5306 Sunset Kansas City MO 64112 Inergy 2/16/2011 $15,000.00

A101430 02/16/2011 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE HNTB 715 Kirk Dr Kansas City MO 64105 2/16/2011 $25,000.00

A101430 02/16/2011 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE Hallmark Global Services Inc P.O. Box 418307 Kansas City MO 64108 1/28/2011 $75,000.00

[emphasis added]

When they care enough to send Rex Sinquefield the very best.

Previously:

Kansas City’s campaign in support of the earnings tax starts (February 14, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 7 (January 28, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 6 (January 24, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 5 (January 18, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 4 (January 13, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 3 (January 9, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 2 (January 4, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011 (January 3, 2011)

Finally, part 2 (December 20, 2010)

Finally (December 14, 2010)

HB 26: an attempt to fix some of the mess of Proposition A (December 3, 2010)

Where’s Kansas City on fundraising for the 2011 earnings tax vote? (November 27, 2010)

St. Louis leads the fundraising way on the April 2011 earnings tax vote (November 16, 2010)

Any bets that the Royals follow through for Kansas City? (November 13, 2010)

The Kansas City campaign in support of the earnings tax kicks off today:

They have a nifty website, Keep KC Alive:

Keep Kansas City Alive,

Keep Vital Services Funded in Our City!

Vote YES Tuesday, April 5

The earnings tax is the lifeblood of Kansas City.  It generates approximately $200 million annually, accounting for fi [sic] nearly 40% of our city’s general fund, which pays for vital and essential city services. Without it, the City would be required to drastically reduce police and fire protection, ambulance service and other public safety services, such as 911. Funding for essential services, such as street maintenance (fixing pot holes and removing snow) would be reduced. Maintenance of our parks, boulevards, community centers and fountains would be cut. Trash collection and recycling will, by necessity, become fee-based. Funding for many arts, cultural and social service programs would be eliminated.

More than 50% of the workers who pay this one percent tax on wages and salaries are persons who work in the city, but who live outside the city limits, in Johnson County, Kansas, and elsewhere. This tax does not apply to social security, investments or other retirement income. Retired citizens, for instance, do not pay the earnings tax.

By voting YES on April 5, you will be approving continuation of the earnings tax, funding for vital and essential services, for five more years.

[emphasis added]

And the voters of Kansas City can thank Rex Sinquefield for the cost of those elections every five years and for the increased cost of issuing bonds because of that five year clause in Proposition A from 2010.

He probably thinks it’s the best ten or so million dollars he’s ever been scammed out of by the right wingut political consultant welfare and self enrichment industrial complex.  

The past few days at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

A101430 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE [pdf] 1/27/2011

Lathrop & Gage LLP

2345 Grand Boulevard

Kansas City , MO 64108

1/27/2011

$15,000.00

Kessinger/Hunter & Company L.C.

2600 Grand Blvd. suite 700

Kansas City , MO 64108

1/27/2011

$15,000.00

[emphasis added]

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

A101430 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE [pdf] 1/25/2011

International Association of firefighters

Local 3808 Kansas City Chiefs

1021 Pennsulvania Ave.

Kansas City, MO 64105

1/25/2011

$16,000.00

[emphasis added]

You know, if the April earnings tax vote is successful all the good folks who have contributed money will have do it all over again five years from now. They can thank Rex Sinquefield for that.

Previously:

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 6 (January 24, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 5 (January 18, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 4 (January 13, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 3 (January 9, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 2 (January 4, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011 (January 3, 2011)

Finally, part 2 (December 20, 2010)

Finally (December 14, 2010)

HB 26: an attempt to fix some of the mess of Proposition A (December 3, 2010)

Where’s Kansas City on fundraising for the 2011 earnings tax vote? (November 27, 2010)

St. Louis leads the fundraising way on the April 2011 earnings tax vote (November 16, 2010)

Any bets that the Royals follow through for Kansas City? (November 13, 2010)

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

A101430 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE [pdf] 1/24/2011

Julia I Kauffman

5942 Overhill Circle

Mission Hills, KS 66208

1/24/2011

$10,000.00

Lockton Companies

444 W. 47th Street Suite 900

Kansas City, MO 64112

1/24/2011

$15,000.00

[emphasis added]

Yep, Kansas City people with the ability to do so are stepping up. I wonder what they think of Rex Sinquefield? Just asking.

Previously:

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 5 (January 18, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 4 (January 13, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 3 (January 9, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 2 (January 4, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011 (January 3, 2011)

Finally, part 2 (December 20, 2010)

Finally (December 14, 2010)

HB 26: an attempt to fix some of the mess of Proposition A (December 3, 2010)

Where’s Kansas City on fundraising for the 2011 earnings tax vote? (November 27, 2010)

St. Louis leads the fundraising way on the April 2011 earnings tax vote (November 16, 2010)

Any bets that the Royals follow through for Kansas City? (November 13, 2010)

Uh, that’s an understatement.

The past few days at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

A101430 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE [pdf] 1/15/2011

International Association of Fire Fighters

Local 42

6320 Manchester Ave suite 42A

Kansas City , MO 64133

1/15/2011

$150,000.00

Polsinelli Shughart

700 West 47th ST Suite 1000

Kansas City , MO 64112

1/15/2011

$20,000.00

[emphasis added]

Nope. That first one is not a typo. This is probably what people mean when the say they’re “going all in.”

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

A101430 SAVE KANSAS CITY COMMITTEE [pdf] 1/16/2011

George K. Baum & Company

4801 Main Street

Kansas City , MO 64131

1/16/2011

$7,500.00

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 4 (January 13, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 3 (January 9, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011, part 2 (January 4, 2011)

Kansas City antes up to support the earnings tax vote in 2011 (January 3, 2011)

Finally, part 2 (December 20, 2010)

Finally (December 14, 2010)

HB 26: an attempt to fix some of the mess of Proposition A (December 3, 2010)

Where’s Kansas City on fundraising for the 2011 earnings tax vote? (November 27, 2010)

St. Louis leads the fundraising way on the April 2011 earnings tax vote (November 16, 2010)

Any bets that the Royals follow through for Kansas City? (November 13, 2010)