Missouri Gov. Mike Parson vetoed a portion of a state budget bill designed to delay plans for a controversial proposed landfill in Kansas City.
The amendment called on the state’s Department of Natural Resources to conduct a one-year “health, safety, and welfare study,” with numerous criteria, looking at potential effects in Cass and Jackson counties. The amendment also called for no action to be taken on the site’s permit during this period.
The project in question, which is backed by KC Recycling and Waste Solutions, has sparked months of debate at the state and local levels. While a separate state bill intended to stop the project by imposing new buffer requirements did not pass after a contentious period of filibusters, the budget amendment was seen as a way to partially address concerns.
Multiple local governments — including the city of Raymore, which is close to the proposed site — have passed opposition ordinances or come out against the project. In June, the Kansas City Council passed a one-year moratorium on new landfill or waste transfer projects.
After Parson’s veto on June 30, an unattributed statement on the Raymore municipal government website said this “does not mean our fight has ended” and added that the city “continues to pursue multiple avenues in addressing this multi-generational threat to our region.”
In an explanation of his decision to veto the $100,000 allocated for the study, Parson cited cost concerns and said “this is a local responsibility with minimal statewide impact.” This was among dozens of budget items the governor vetoed using similar explanations.
