Bryan Stalder
Contributor

Community members and city officials gathered at the Zhou B. Art Center, 1801 E 18th St, on Saturday, March 7, for the 2026 State of the Third District Address. Hosted by Third District Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley, the event featured a rare “cross-government” panel including Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, Jackson County Legislator Venessa Huskey, State Representative Patti Mansur, State Representative Michael Johnson, and Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) Board Chair Rita Cortes.

This program highlighted a city district in transition, where high-level federal funding is meeting grassroots neighborhood activism to drive local momentum.

A major highlight of the address was the appearance of Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, who pulled back the curtain on how federal dollars actually reach Kansas City streets. Cleaver spoke candidly about the importance of “earmarks”—the ability for members of Congress to direct funding to specific local projects.

Cleaver noted that President Barack Obama criticized earmark spending bills and began vetoing bills that included “pork barrel spending” in them, crediting the Biden administration with their reinstatement, which he says has allowed for critical local progress. He cited specific investments in the district, including:

• Improvements to Blue Ridge Boulevard in Grandview.
• The redevelopment of the City Market.
• The preservation of the Truman Farm, which Cleaver envisions as a top-tier visitor attraction.

Jackson County Legislator Venessa Huskey reinforced the need for these federal partnerships. She highlighted her sustained work on broadband expansion, which has evolved from an initial $800 million investment into a projected $1.7 billion for Missouri.

“Internet access is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for healthcare, education, and workforce development,” Huskey stated. The goal is to ensure the “urban core” and unserved rural areas alike are equipped for the modern economy.

Beyond big-budget policy, the address focused heavily on the power of individual residents. Drawing on a history of community liaison work, Huskey shared a story of “good neighbors” who make a difference through small actions—like a woman who picks up litter during her daily walks or neighbors who watch school bus stops to keep children safe.

“It takes a village,” Huskey said. “You don’t have to pull out a shotgun; you just have to know that you care. Little bitty things—like sitting on your porch to make your presence known—can change a neighborhood.”

The address took a serious turn as leaders looked toward the November 2026 elections. Both Cleaver and Huskey warned of the potential impacts of what they called a “gerrymandered map” and a proposal to eliminate the state income tax.

“2026 is an enormously consequential election year,” the Huskey noted, warning that an effort to eliminate the state income tax in the Missouri Legislature could shift the state toward higher sales taxes on services—like barber shops or landscaping—could hit small businesses hard. “They are counting on you being tired. I am asking you to show them that you are not.”

Councilwoman Patterson Hazley concluded with updates on local initiatives, including:

• The Vacant Land Initiative: Testing environmental contamination of over 500 parcels to prepare for affordable housing construction.
• Future Builders: A construction trade pipeline for 11th and 12th graders at Manuel Tech, ensuring local youth are prepared to build the city’s new infrastructure.

As the meeting moved into the “Heart of the City Spotlights,” the message to the Third District was clear: momentum is building, but it requires both federal “earmarks” and the watchful eyes of neighbors on their front porches to succeed.