Daily Archives: Dec. 6, 2011

Another tweet concern, this time at SRS

Dec. 6, 201112:29 p.m.

After the blowup that occurred when Gov. Sam Brownback’s staff complained about a high school student’s tweet, you would think that administration staffers would be extra careful about social media. But Melissa Ward, a former GOP political operative who is now the ombudsman at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, is taking some heat for a tweet she posted on her personal Twitter account, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Ward asked how many people would be available to protest President Obama’s speech Tuesday in Osawatomie. Joan Wagnon, the chairwoman of the Kansas Democratic Party, said the tweet was inappropriate for an SRS ombudsman, though she said it can be tricky to “sort out your role as a state employee from your personal involvement in partisan political activities.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government, Sam Brownback | Comments Off

Is now the time to cut state taxes?

Dec. 6, 20116:00 a.m.

A bill by state Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, to end the statewide sales-tax increase six months early raises a good question: If Gov. Sam Brownback is dead set on cutting taxes, why not halt the temporary sales tax on Dec. 31, 2012, instead of July 1, 2013? That could benefit everyone, particularly low-income families. The plan Brownback officials are finalizing is focused on cutting income taxes, which could particularly benefit the wealthy. But here is an even better question: Given all the budget cuts to schools and social services and other critical services, as well as the state’s unfunded pension liability, should the state even consider cutting taxes at this time?

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government, taxes | Comments Off