Going Regional With Light Rail

"'We do need light rail, and it has to be regional,' Funkhouser said. 'You have to be able to get a train across the state line and north and south of the river.'"

The regional nature of the mayor's plan would probably require a bi-state tax. Many say that Funkhouser has the political appeal to encourage the cooperation to approve regional light rail funding.

"'We are going to have a whole lot better cooperation in the metro area,' said Johnson County Commission Chairwoman Annabeth Surbaugh. 'I think the most important issue facing the metro area today is some form of metrowide transportation system.'"

"North Kansas City Mayor Gene Bruns says mass transit, including light rail, is the perfect opportunity for a bistate tax."