Like it or not, the times call for the drastic measures being taken in Topeka to deal with the state’s money problems, including temporarily shortchanging school districts by 25 percent this month and delaying the next phase of the endless Capitol restoration.
It’s hard to argue with either step when you have state budget director Duane Goossen saying, as he did of the schools payment, that “we do not have enough cash in the bank.”
And House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, was right in saying, “It’s very bad to go ahead and bid additional renovation projects at the state Capitol at the same time you’re talking about having to reduce education spending and reduce Medicaid.”
Still, House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg, made a worthy argument that legislative leaders should keep in mind when they reconsider the Capitol project next year: “Now we have construction costs that are low, we have people unemployed and 3 percent interest rates. Now is the time to build highways and renovate the Statehouse because it costs the taxpayers less, has a better impact on the economy and puts people to work.”
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13 Comments
There’s plenty of ways to make up the shortfall. There are millions in unpaid back taxes. Another way would be to end the prohibition on pot and save millions in our court and prison system (it costs more to keep someone in prison for a year than in college). The government could quickly raise revenue by having people pay off their warrants rather than have it go through a costly legal procedure. Release a couple thousand non-violent criminals from the prison system. Have a one cent tax on plastic grocery bags. Tax the churches rather than continue the taxpayer subsidy of that business. And so on. But the Legislature is filled with Republicans so there isn’t going to be any new ideas coming out soon.
Translation of what McKinney said: We are going broke with a small truck. Lets buy a bigger truck.
Yes, budgetary discipline would be a good thing to start at the state capital.
My taxes this year are at a all time high. I have done nothing to cause this. It’s time for a reduction and time to lower the budget and manage what comes in. Gambling is not an answer.
State saves a couple of million by doing away with the handouts it gives to Airtran. getting victimless criminals out of the prison system, quit dragging their feet over gaming, doing away with econ development and just cut business taxes by that much, transfer lottery funds out of econ development and put them in education.
The most unbelievable story is how few people even know that the Capitol construction costs are $100 million over budget. That is govt. at its best!
The state (and feds) have made the same mistake many families make: spend like crazy during good times and fail to set some cash aside for lean times. Now that we are in lean times they all are in trouble.
Airtran and economic development bring money into the state. They are revenue investments not costs. McKinney makes good points about construction putting people to work which brings in revenue to business’s and the state.
A mistake local governments especially make is sticking only with ‘pay-as-you-go’ during times like this. We can let bonds at low interest rates and finish Kellogg for example. Then use the increased revenues during better times to pay them off.
The mistake all too often made with Keynesian economics is that you should run surpluses in good times. We ran up deficits during the early 2000’s and now have little borrowing power.
Kansas Coalition for Lifesaving Cures
http://www.kansascures.com/who.php
Since 2005, our coalition has worked to forestall unfair state-level restrictions on promising types of stem cell research, therapies, and cures. Today, as we stand at the brink of clinical trials to test human embryonic stem cell therapies for spinal cord injuries, diabetes and other conditions, Kansans must remain vigilant.
In the wake of the 2008 elections and balloting for legislative leadership posts, we pledge to keep an eye on legislative activity in Topeka — and as in the past we will alert you for action with your lawmakers.
House Republicans have kept conservatives in charge in their chamber, choosing Rep. Mike O’Neal of Hutchinson as Speaker of the House. O’Neal and every other member of the House Republican leadership team have voted in the past for bills that would have restricted promising forms of stem cell research.
In contrast, the minority party Democrats selected a team of leaders headed by Rep. Paul Davis of Lawrence who have all demonstrated support for the position that any stem cell research, therapies, and cures allowed under federal law should remain legal in Kansas and available to Kansas patients. We hope that Democrats and moderate Republicans will be able to maintain a working majority in the House.
Ohh, you bet. We’re ONLY a $1 billion in the hole. Let’s build another wing while we’re at it! I mean, it’ll create jobs, so why not, right? All in the name of ‘jobs’, let’s just spend, spend, spend. Never mind the state can’t have debt and has to balance the budget, and therefore would be FORCED to raise taxes to keep up with all that spend spend spend.
It’s all about the jobs, right? Just like it’s all about the children, right? Just like it’s all about those who can’t care for themselves, right?
IF the Governor was truly concerned with the shortfall she would make the cuts needed RIGHT now instead of waiting for the legislature. She is playing politics instead of protecting the state. Waiting for the legislative process to play out means weeks of racking up expenses that the state does not have the money to pay. For her to chose to make the bad guys the legislative body is unforgivable and her actions should be considered in the next election.
Magpiepunk, those are more than a few good ideas. Lose your slavish subservience to Tiller and you might become some kind of statesman.
As for solving this crisis, it is way easy. The State of Kansas has already pointed the way through its clever ad campaigns for the lottery and by pining after the gaming industry. Why gambling is the solution to such crises, silly broke persons. Let’s just take all the deeds to state buildings to Vegas and turn this dark cloud into happiness and prosperity.