Roundup: News & opinion about the Wichita's proposed 1% sales tax
Wichita voters will have the opportunity to vote on the proposal in a special election on Tuesday, March 3.
On Tuesday, the City of Wichita will hold a special election for a 1% sales tax proposal.
Advocacy group Wichita Forward proposed the tax in December. Over seven years, the tax will “fund a new performing arts center, a convention center expansion, public safety projects and Century II renovations while providing money to fight homelessness and to lower property taxes,” according to the group.
Given the implications for Wichita arts and cultural organizations, we decided to compile resources for voters who are still making up their minds. (They exist! We’ve spoken to them.)
How to vote in the special election
Registered voters living in Wichita are eligible to vote. However, your polling site may be different than usual, especially if you live in northeast Wichita.
- Will you vote in a different place for the March 3 sales tax election? Here are changes [Michael Stavola and Kylie Cameron for the Wichita Eagle]
If you requested a mail-in ballot, you might consider utilizing one of several drop-off locations (listed at the link below). Ballots received by the election office after 7 p.m. on Tuesday will not be counted.
- Planning to vote by mail in Wichita’s sales tax election? You’re running out of time [Lindsay Smith for The Wichita Eagle]
What advocacy groups have to say
Three CEOs of prominent family-owned Wichita businesses lead the Wichita Forward effort: Aaron Bastian of Fidelity Bank, Ben Hutton of Hutton Construction, and John Rolph of Thrive Restaurant Group. Joining them in advocating for the municipal sales tax are a coalition of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits.
The three men made their case on the Wichita Business Journal’s BizTalk podcast on February 20.
The Vote No coalition leads the opposition to the sales tax proposal. The group argues that the process has been rushed and the proposal would waste taxpayer dollars. The group is closely aligned with the advocacy group Save Century II.
The opposition outlined their position in a January program.
General reporting about the sales tax proposal
- The way to grow Wichita? The proposed 1% sales tax aims at investing in Wichita's future by earmarking funds for five initiatives, but the projects and process have drawn criticism. [Audrey Jensen for the Wichita Business Journal]
- How much would Wichita’s sales tax affect your wallet? We compared receipts for you [Lindsay Smith for the Wichita Eagle]
Reporting about Century II and a proposed new performing arts center
- Wichita arts groups say Century II's outdated design is draining resources and limiting performances [Audrey Jensen for the Wichita Business Journal]
- Does Wichita need new convention, performing arts spaces? Depends on who answers. [Carrie Rengers for The Wichita Eagle]
- A 2024 story is worth revisiting: Why Wichita’s Century II is salvaged but not quite saved [Timothy A. Schuler for KLC Journal, republished in The SHOUT]
Opinions for and against the sales tax proposal
While the proposed sales tax is certainly controversial, the effort has inspired a great deal of thoughtful opinion.
- Former Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson will vote yes [The Voice]
- Why I'll vote yes on Wichita's sales tax proposal [Russell Arben Fox in his Substack newsletter]
- Sales tax vote is about solving problems, not winning an argument [Michael Austin in The Wichita Eagle]
- Former city council candidate Margaret Shabazz will vote no [The Voice]
- Wichita spends $8 million on communications but doesn’t listen [Dale Goter in The Wichita Eagle]
- Former city council member Bryan Frye explains why he's voting no on the BizTalk Podcast [Wichita Business Journal]
- Who’s trying to buy your vote on Wichita sales tax? The world may never know [Dion Lefler in The Wichita Eagle]
The SHOUT doesn't take an editorial position on issues like the proposed sales tax, but we do advocate for civic participation. We hope Wichita voters will approach this issue thoughtfully before heading to the polls this week.
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