The Shell Game

I have neighbors who have lived with a collapsed stormwater inlet in front of their house for over ten years. Now I find out the City Manager wants to "redirect 0.5% of budgeted capital improvements projects to promote opportunities for youth in Kansas City?" Neighborhood projects are rejected year after year in the PIAC process because of lack of funding. Now we're supposed to accept taking more money out of that fund to support a youth employment program? Basically what this ordinance does is redirect money to provide employment opportunities for youth in Kansas City. Hey, I'm all for government providing opportunities for youth, but why does it have to come at the expense of funds which are apportioned by law? When the people of KC voted for the tax that fund capital improvements, there was no ballot language that said "oh and by the way we may "redirect" some of these funds for other projects not necessarily directly related to capital improvements." You want to give youth job opportunities? Make it a part of the bidding requirements for the firms that seem to consistently get the contracts to put in curbs, sidewalks, etc. You want a contract with the City? Hire a kid that needs a job. Simple. Someone gets a contract, someone gets a job, and someone gets a sidewalk. Why does every proposed solution from City Hall involve writing a check?