Money – how to cut it, where to get it, how to spend it – toped the agenda for 2009 that House Republicans unveiled today.
High on the list was the budget. With the state facing down an almost $200 million deficit this year, and a potential $1 billion plus shortfall next year if nothing is done, crafting will likely over shadow almost every other issue.
House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchison, called the budget “the most important challenges facing us in the Legislature this year.”
O’Neal said that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ proposed budget, which was unveiled yesterday, did not do enough to shrink the size of government.
“We also need to get back to financial audits, not just spot check of best practices and efficiencies but, actually audit these budgets,” he said.
To do that, House Republicans propose recreating a State Auditor Office to over see state budgets.
Among Republican recommendations were moving more of the budgeting process into a biennial budget and looking at the state budgets from the ground up.
“The time has long come and passed for us to look at the base budgets themselves and reevaluating the missions of these agencies,” he said.
Republicans also opposed new tax increases and vowed to oppose suggestions to suspend reduction in the franchise and estate taxes. Both taxes are being phased out and the proposed budget suggests suspending the reductions in fiscal year 2010, which starts July 1. The move would add $19 million to the state’s coffers.
Republicans oppose the move saying it is essentially a tax increase.
House GOP would also like to see Kansas get a “Back to School” sales tax holiday.
Following is a list of the House GOP’s other priorities: Health Care
Republicans want to re-evaluate the mission and effectiveness of the Kansas Health Policy Authority. Lawmakers created in 2005 with the mission of developing a health policy agenda and overseeing state health programs.
They also hope to create a commercial stop gap health insurance for uninsured and never insured Kansans and address the shortage of medical processionals such and doctors, nurses and pharmacists.
Education
House Republicans want to cut education spending by reducing administrative costs and create a uniform budgeting system for Kansas schools.
Energy
Conventional energy sources – read coal – must be part of the state’s power mix, but Republicans also want to encourage development of renewable energy sources.
Economic Development
One economic development item didn’t deal with coal plants at all. That was supporting a National Cancer Center designation for the University of Kansas cancer research center.
The other suggestions – including specifically authorizing two new coal-fired power plants in Holcomb – all related to last year’s coal debate in someway.
Elections/Campaign Finance Reform
Election gained less attention than it did last year, when everyone was facing the elections. Republicans want to change the way vacancies for statewide offices are filled, increase oversign and transparency for the judicial selection process and support laws that would require voters to show a picture ID to cast a ballot.
The first two issues have been in the news recently as the governor, a Democrat, recently appointed former House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, a Greensburg Democrat, as Secretary Treasurer. He replaced Republican Lynn Jenkins, who is now a congresswoman. The move rankled Republicans, and got particular mention during during the news event.
Taxpayer Rights
Republicans also want address annexation issues and create complete performance reviews of state agencies.
Not appearing on the agenda were two top items from last year – illegal immigration reform and abortion.
13 Comments
Republicans want to continue the cut on the tax that dead people have to pay. Makes sense, dead rich people are the only ones who pay that tax and the Republican party has been brain dead for years. They’re just looking out for their peers.
Our elected officials can only do so much.Managers over education, transportation,social services, and energy must step up to the plate and make necessary reductions in their expenditures, especially layered personnel and equiptment, to reduce expenses.By the same token, Mr. and Mrs. Family is going to need to assist in areas where they can by more volunteering,and getting involved where possible.
Education-Prioritize this Double edged sword. K-12 (obligation), where as Univerities(Provide a service that they receive revenues from). Which of the two pose the highest risk of failure? Which of the two are most vulnarable and financially defenseless? And which of the two is the State 100% liable for it’s failue? K-12, I think. The universities are full of big kids fromn Kansas that are aware of how much money that K-12 cost them per year. I’m confident they are extremely mathematicall superior… they aren’t likely to get too awfully mad.
the out of staters…well?
Wow, the biggie…Estate taxes and and franchise, blah blah. Don’t know. Some brain will have to enlighten me. All that I know is Its not a tax/cut that I am burdened with. I am unable to comprehend its long term effects over the next 99 years on my family financial portfolio. So… I guess, I don’t care if I pay taxes on those things.
I find it funny that the Republicans are mad that Gov. Sebelius appointed a well-qualified, well-liked Dennis McKinney (D-Greensburg) to replace Lynn Jenkins (R-Topeka) as State Treasurer.
About 10 years ago, Republican Governor Bill Graves appointed Republican Clyde Graber State Treasurer to replace Democrat Sally Thompson.
The Republicans were very content back then to allow a Governor to appoint the State Treasurer. Now we have a Democratic Governor and they are all upset.
It sounds pretty hypocritical to me.
HEALTHCARE – omg. This is a very expesive liability with no end in sight. So long term risks take priority over short term gains. Plenty of professionals of many different industries will be in high demand in all states. For encouragement of medical professionals- we have their educational needs, jobs, facilities, labs, technology, R and D …. let the other state’s worry about that. Chances are high that their Dr’s will be here,to study, observe, or visit…and some of them may stay. No need to spend further money to attract them, in this budget, my thought.
The idea of Gap is good, and the intentions are right. But I question is there other alternatives to accomplish the same/better end results by combining programs (healthwave, Medicaid, United way…) with common like interests and goals to provide services for the short term recepients. They are already established and some are funded in part by the State.
The other concern is reduction of homehealth care for the disabled.Simply put. Home healthcare is cheaper than Long Term Care- without question. The private pay residents will make their own financial choice. The State may desire to encurage the recepient of Medicaid to stay in their home, as they can and desire- Wouldn’t it be cheaper for the State?
…. illegal immigration reform and abortion, no takers huh? Well, they wont just go away….
Shocker, I dont understand why anyone is mad at the Governor…., regardess of R and D. Sebilius is one of the Big 5! I am a member of the I party (Independents) and I vote by whomever I think may do the job. Possibly she feels the same way in regards to her appointees.
Back to school tax holiday? Really? Reduce future anticipated tax revenues to….? Well, thats a thought. I propose a No child left Hungry Program! That is where all students eat free regardless of income. To ensure that all children in America receive an education and food. Income is no indicator of assurance that a childs basic needs are met. What the Federal funding doesn’t provide, could be budgeted through the state. The revenues can be sucked out of higher education, or somewhere. Just my thoughts, good luck with that plan.
Energy – coal? Move foward to a renewable energy source now instead of wasting resorces on a bridge fuel that you don’t require and that conficts with your economic development goals. But, then the benefits of a National Cancer Center may attract more Doctors and other medical professionals to Kansas without the expense of further funding and finacial support.
These are just a few ideas, and thoughts, about this article and not place too much value it if it offends you, fellow taxpayers, in any way…and I may be wrong. I don’t have to be right, I’m not the Governor.
Im tired…last post shows, I think you know what I meant.