By: Charlotte O’Hara, Former JoCo Commissioner and former 27th District State Representative
913-304-4148
The days following the primary election have been busy! Obviously, I had hoped for a better showing, but God in His Infinite Wisdom has a plan, who am I to voice sorrow over an incredible opportunity traveling 48,000 miles crisscrossing Kansas for 18 months, visiting with folks and educating them on the ins and outs of the failures of our Republican Super Majority on property taxes, schools failing our children and our ultimate failure at the ballot box, failing to protect the unborn. Yes, Kansas continues to be Planned Parenthood’s Killing Fields in the heart of America.
There is much work to be done and it will take all of us to make a difference. Avenues have opened for me to continue to both inform you and make suggestions as to what you can do to make a difference by being engaged in the process. So, let’s begin!!
On 7/16/2026 De Soto approved a 100% Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) for a 53 unit assisted living facility on Commerce Street. For 20 years the property tax from this project (except for the 8 mills school capital outlay) will go back to the owner to reimburse horizonal construction costs. How would you like to use 20 years of your property taxes to pay for the construction costs of your home??
This development will impact county services especially ambulance services increasing the county’s costs over the 20-year term of the TIF. Commissioner Michael Ashcraft asked that an agenda item be added to the 8/13/2026 agenda for the Johnson County Commission to consider a veto of the project.
Under the TIF District state statues, the county and school district have the right to veto a TIF if it adversely impacts the budget of either jurisdiction. Obviously every TIF District adversely impacts both the county and school districts because it diverts property taxes from the city, county, school district, county library and parks and rec. A TIF District has NEVER been vetoed in Johnson County. Seems the fix is in, which increases our property taxes. Please remember that EVERY tax incentive costs you.
Call your Johnson County Commissioners - Chairman Mike Kelly, Jeff Meyers, Shirley Allenbrand, Michael Ashcraft, Janee’ Hanzlick, Becky Fast and Julie Brewer to demand that they veto this TIF Thursday, August 13th. Their main number is 913-715-0430. Your silence is complicity.
Oh, this is a dozy: Spring Hill’s yearbook uses they/them (non-binary) to describe all students. See links below to the Sentinel July 30th article and the clip of Christina Bilyeu speaking to the Spring Hill School Board. Her daughter was misgendered in their 2026 yearbook.
If you live in the Spring Hill School District and remain silent, the school district will assume that you do not care. The district’s number is 913-592-7200.
I have also sent this information to AG Kris Kobach, Senators Klemp, Thompson and Tyson, all of whom are outraged. Hopefully a lawsuit against Spring Hill School District will ensue and the Senators will add language to the new school finance bill prohibiting such evil, contemptible policies to continue in ANY of our government schools in Kansas. Our children: endangered in the womb and in our government schools.
https://sentinelksmo.org/spring-hill-they-them-misgender/
https://www.youtube.com/live/_sh1hfGlNHU?is=jATIeLbK9t4tCPug
(Youtube video at 6:03 Spring Hill parent pronoun discourse of 3 minutes)
God Bless and Keep Your Eyes on Jesus!!
Charlotte
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