Summary: TOPIC 1: THE LIST NARROWS. The Greater Kansas City Chamber has narrowed its list of 182 recommendations for the “Big Five” ideas to improve the metro area to 20. The chamber will select the final five in September. TOPIC 2: DOWNTOWN–COWTOWN? The American Royal Rodeo is moving from Kemper Arena to the Sprint Center. AEG officials say the event draws poorly at Kemper and will do much better downtown. TOPIC 3: BROWNBACK IN 2016? Steve Rose opines that Governor Brownback is doing everything possible to cement his solid credentials as a conservative. And these positions will stand him in good stead if he seeks the GOP presidential nomination again, perhaps in 2016. Rose says Brownback’s biggest liability is his lack of charisma. TOPIC 4: U.G. TAX INCREASE. UGH! Unified Government County Administrator Dennis Hayes is asking commissioners to approve an 8.9 percent property tax hike. Hayes warns of personnel and service cutbacks if the increase is not approved.
