Tag: Kansas City Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce

Bank account monitoring proposal draws opposition

Opinion

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by Murrel Bland

The Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing its annual Legislative Agenda — something that traditionally takes a few months. (Its Legislative Committee met Friday, Oct. 8, via Zoom.)

But a proposal that would let the IRS monitor the inflow and outflow of money from bank accounts has caused the chamber to move much more quickly. The issue is the proposal that would allow the IRS the power to monitor individual and business accounts with transactions of $600 or more.

Craig Gaffney, a former Chamber of Commerce chairman of the board and a senior officer with Country Club Bank, urged the chamber to oppose the IRS proposal. The chamber’s Board of Directors would need to approve any such issue.

Gaffney said the proposal would force financial institutions to hire additional employees.

Gaffney cited an editorial published Oct. 4 in The Wall Street Journal. The editorial said the proposal is part of President Joe Biden’s $3.5 trillion spending bill. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen says the proposal will help catch tax cheats; yet there is little or no evidence that the plan will work.

There is also concern that the proposal is a very serious invasion of privacy. Critics say the reporting would be a dragnet on regular taxpayers, not a target on the rich, according to an article in marketwatch.com.

Trade associations including the American Bankers Association, the Kansas Bankers Association and the Community Bankers Association of Kansas have opposed the IRS proposal.

Once the chamber has prepared its resolution, it will be forwarded to U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-3rd Dist.)

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.
Opinions expressed here are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the publication.

Chamber sponsors forums for Congressional candidates

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., left, faces a challenge from Amanda Adkins, right, Republican nominee. (Candidate photos)

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

The two candidates for U.S. Representative, Third District in Kansas, attended separate forums via Zoom sponsored by the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce.

The challenger, Republican Amanda Adkins appeared Thursday, Oct. 15; the incumbent, Democrat Sharice Davids, appeared Friday, Oct. 16, the usual time for the monthly meeting of the Congressional Forum. The chamber sponsors the Congressional Forum. The chamber had hoped that the two could come together for a debate.

Stephen Duerst, a lobbyist for the chamber, asked questions of the candidates. It was obvious that the candidates have political differences based on the responses to Duerst’s questions and other recent interviews.

Adkins wants the Affordable Care Act repealed, but favors saving the provision that allows keeping the pre-existing condition coverage. Rep. Davids favors Medicaid expansion; she has introduced legislation that would help people avoid large out-of-network costs.

Adkins favors well-funded police departments; Rep. Davids favors a ban on no-knock warrants and choke-holds. Adkins favors making the 2017 tax cuts permanent; Rep. Davids said the tax cuts favored the wealthiest and special interests.

Political ads that support Adkins tie Rep. Davids to the very liberal wing of the Democratic party including U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, who is the speaker of the House. Political ads favoring Rep. Davids tie Adkins to the “failed administration” of former Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican.

Both candidates said they agree on one thing—they both favor the Kansas City Chiefs winning the 2021 Super Bowl.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.

Chamber Ambassador of the Year

Mike Stone, Spangler Graphics, center, was awarded the Ambassador of the Year at the Kansas City, Kan., Area Chamber’s annual meeting on March 7. He is with Todd LaSala, right, Partner at Stinson Leonard Street and KCK Chamber Board chairman; and Pat Warren, left, president of Kansas Speedway and KCK Chamber Board Member. Kansas Speedway was the 2014 annual meeting presenting sponsor. (Photo from Kansas City, Kan., Area Chamber of Commerce)