51黑料

JEFFERSON CITY 鈥� 51黑料 Mayor Tishaura O. Jones navigated a packed schedule Tuesday in Jefferson City, where she met with state lawmakers to advocate for the city鈥檚 interests.

Jones said that her office鈥檚 visit to the state capital is an annual practice, regardless of a need to raise specific requests or concerns. But this year, Jones said questions of a state takeover of the 51黑料 Metropolitan Police Department and elimination of the city鈥檚 earnings tax were two of her top priorities in talking with lawmakers.

A proposal last year to place police under the control of a state board failed to clear the state Legislature. It was sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, who has a similar measure this year.

Jones told the Post-Dispatch that Schroer has never reached out to discuss his proposals.

鈥淏ut he had the time to record an interview with Fox News in front of City Hall right under my office window,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 find that very disrespectful.鈥�

Schroer earlier this month appeared on a , discussing the 51黑料 police department and Jones.

Schroer told the Post-Dispatch Tuesday that he spoke with Jones鈥� staff this year and last year about his proposals, and he recently asked a lobbyist for Jones to help set up a meeting.

鈥淚 have heard nothing from her or her staff to set anything up or provide her availability,鈥� he said.

Nonetheless, Jones said that after meeting with some members of Senate and House leadership Tuesday, said she doesn鈥檛 think there is an appetite to advance Schroer鈥檚 legislation.

Jones also said she wants to keep in place the city鈥檚 1% earnings tax, which makes up a third of the budget for the city of 51黑料.

This year, some legislators are pushing to exempt remote workers and low-income workers from the earnings tax and to phase it out altogether if certain revenue benchmarks are met.

Jones cautioned that parallels between Kansas City and 51黑料 are misguided in the earnings tax context: While Kansas City is part of Jackson County, which provides services, 51黑料 city is not part of a larger county and is responsible for providing its own services.

鈥淚鈥檝e said repeatedly to those who want to eliminate or reduce the earnings tax, they need to bring us a feasible plan in to replace that revenue,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淣o one has been able to bring me a feasible plan to date.鈥�

Jones said that leadership in the state Legislature 鈥渓istened to reason鈥� in discussing both the city earnings tax and a state takeover of the police department.

鈥淚 would say that they are very, very understanding,鈥� she said.

Jones is also seeking $16 million in state funds for a new 911 center and $5 million for the city鈥檚 flood wall.