Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said the state made “a big first step” this year when it eliminated the property tax on business machinery and equipment. But it was only one step. She wants to continue targeted tax relief aimed at boosting the economy.
She recently asked the state’s Employment Security Advisory Council to reduce the unemployment tax rate, which could save Kansas businesses about $80 million a year. Her administration also is examining other taxes in which Kansas may be less competitive than other states. “We’re carefully looking at our corporate income tax structures and other structures where business leaders have said there are barriers in Kansas to making additional investments or keeping us in business,” she told The Eagle editorial board.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
It’s too bad that a 5-5 tie vote prevented the Kansas State Board of Education last week from changing the travel policy to prevent lame-duck members from taking out-of-state trips on the public’s tab. At least there is some interest among moderate board members in taking up the issue again once their new majority kicks in next year. Then again, taxpayers can always hope that in the future, board members will exercise better judgment than to repeat the acts that prompted the proposed reform — Connie Morris’ two postelection trips, including one to Washington, D.C., after her final board meeting last week.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Maybe in 2007, the Kansas Legislature can get campaign finance reform right. Well-meaning attempts have run aground in recent years. To its credit, the Kansas Ethics Commission recently decided to keep pressing the Legislature for change. What the commission wants is overdue — including timely reporting of campaign contributions and more disclosure of the activities of political action committees and issue advocacy groups. When it comes to the No. 1 complaint the commission received about the 2006 campaigns — automated phone messages, known as “robocalls” — lawmakers also should consider whether to get tougher than the commission’s worthy proposal that the messages declare who is calling. Another thing this past election demonstrated: that Kansas is not among the 21 states in which it’s unlawful to lie in a campaign.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
A dropped cell phone led to the 17-year-old who had vandalized one Wichita man’s inflatable Christmas decorations last week — and to an apology. But many other area residents won’t be so lucky, finding their efforts to brighten their neighborhoods this Christmas season not only unappreciated but trashed. Also, is it just us, or have others noticed that area drivers and shoppers have been unduly rude ever since Thanksgiving? And one more ringing cell phone during a holiday concert and we’ll scream. May the remaining days of the season of joy find fewer of us acting like jerks.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
For the third year, Eagle editorial board members Richard Crowson and Randy Scholfield have set some of biggest stories of the year to the tunes of Christmas carols. The lyrics of nine satirical carols are featured on today’s Opinion pages. To hear Crowson and Scholfield perform six of these tunes, click here.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
