Daily Archives: May 1, 2012

Tax cut costs better but still a concern

May 1, 201212:30 p.m.

New projections of the cost of proposed tax cuts are much better than earlier estimates. An estimate released last week showed the tax cuts creating a $910 million budget hole in 2018. New estimates reduced that gap to $160 million, and lawmakers are working to reduce that deficit even more. But some lawmakers question whether the 4 percent projected sales-tax growth rate is realistic (growth averaged 3.4 percent from 1992 to 2009) and whether the tax cuts will drain funding for social services, fixing the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, or restoring some of the budget cuts to public schools – which polls show the public favors more than tax cuts.

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

New arts commission a good step but needs funding

May 1, 20126:00 a.m.

The Kansas Senate’s approval last week of a new Creative Arts Industries Commission was a positive step toward undoing the damage done last year by Gov. Sam Brownback’s veto of funding to the Kansas Arts Commission, which also led to the loss of about $1.2 million in federal and regional arts grants. To their credit, House and Senate budget negotiators also reportedly agreed to $700,000 in funding, about $500,000 more than Brownback recommended. Lawmakers need to approve at least that much, and Brownback needs to learn from his mistake last year and not veto it.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government | Comments Off