Kansas Votes Forum

State borrows another $700 million

site captain — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:24:00 GMT

The Governor and Legislative leaders just agreed to borrow $700 million from state idle funds in order to help state cashflow. Could these idle funds have been used earlier to avoid tax increases? What do you think?

No sale of state assets

site captain — Sun, 09 May 2010 18:58:00 GMT

An alternative to tax increases was defeated in the Legislature recently that would have required the state to sell about 1% of its $10 billion (at least) real estate assets. What do you think of that idea?

Local chambers, taxes, business role

site captain — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:41:00 GMT

When 14 local chambers of commerce sent a letter recently to legislative leaders in support of state tax increases, Sen. Karin Brownlee (R-Olathe) was quoted saying they are ignoring small-business members and, "The chambers have totally forgotten they exist for the promotion of business and not the promotion of government jobs." What do you think?

Tax cuts the culprit?

site captain — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:18:00 GMT

Governor Parkinson recently argued that the state's current budget plight was caused because Kansas has cut taxes too much over the last 10 years. What do you think?

The victory of the indoor smoking ban

site captain — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:33:00 GMT

With House approval of the statewide indoor smoking ban and the bill now on its way to him for final signature, Governor Parkinson said, "This is a victory for workers, families, businesses and future generations." What do you think?

Don't sue unless you're insured

site captain — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:07:00 GMT

One bill debated this week was a lawsuit reform called "pay to play", meaning you couldn't sue someone else in a car accident for your non-economic losses unless you carry personal injury vehicle insurance of your own. What do you think of the idea?

Describing tax breaks as appropriations

site captain — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:14:00 GMT

In defense of a legislative proposal to repeal many Kansas sales tax exemptions, Rep. Julie Menghini recently said "It's time to put a stop to this irresponsible spending in the form of sales tax exemptions." What do you think?

Tax increase less harmful to the poor?

site captain — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:58:00 GMT

Mark Tallman, lobbyist for Kansas school boards, testified recently that "Although a sales tax is regressive [meaning it's disproportionately paid by the poor], cutting education and social services hurts the poor even more." What do you think?

Education budget pain is relative

site captain — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:45:00 GMT

The half of state budget for K12 education was cut 5.3% for this year (not counting K12 increases from local taxes) while the other half of the state's budget was cut by almost 15%. Some question, for example, whether this treats needy Medicaid recipients fairly compared to school districts. What do you think?

Stimulus job impact

site captain — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:40:00 GMT

On October 17, the federal government reported that Stimulus funds to Kansas had saved/created 209 jobs in this state. Two weeks later, that number mushroomed to 5,935 jobs. Does that mean 5,726 workers were very recently on the verge of losing their jobs? What do you think?

State red ink projections

site captain — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Legislative staff now project a $536 million state budget deficit while the Governor projects a $183 million deficit. Last April, state administrators said employer taxes would cover expanded unemployment benefits, but now say we'll be $292 million short. Do you think the Governor's numbers are reliable?

New Governor's performance

site captain — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:08:00 GMT

With just a short period under his belt, Governor Mark Parkinson has already exercised his authority over the state budget, taxes, abortion, energy policy, and more. What do you think about his performance so far?

Balanced budget barely

site captain — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:20:00 GMT

With the 2009 Legislature's final budget and tax bills now advanced to the Governor, the state has a 2010 general fund budget to spend about $6 billion. If state revenues come in fully as projected, the year's end budget balance will be $17,000. What do you think of that planning?

New Governor to affect coal votes?

site captain — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:05:00 GMT

Governor Sebelius again vetoed a bill that would allow new coal-fired electricity plants to be built in western Kansas. Assuming Mark Parkinson is elevated to the role of Governor by the time the Legislature reconvenes April 29, do you think a veto override attempt then would be successful? Why or why not?

DELAYED REPORT on April 3 HOUSE VOTES

site captain — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:58:00 GMT

The hectic legislative process apparently created problems in publishing the House Journal for April 3, which was not publicly available until early in the morning of April 7. KansasVotes.org will have those voting reports uploaded to its site very soon. Thank you for your patience.

Collective gun rights vs. individual

site captain — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:45:00 GMT

If the Legislature allows it, Kansans could vote to change the state's constitution to clarify 2nd Amendment gun rights. The US Supreme Court recently ruled it is an individual right, not a collective one, but an old Kansas court opinion says otherwise. Should each person have the right, or should the public? What do you think?

"Stop & think" before taking federal funds

site captain — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:02:00 GMT

Senate Bill 296 will be heard today, to prevent Kansas from spending any federal "stimulus" money until detailed agency reports show its effect on the state budget deficit in two years. What do you think of the proposal?

Limit property tax valuation growth?

site captain — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:35:00 GMT

The House Taxation Committee held hearings today on whether property tax valuations should be limited to 2% annual growth while local governments would be free to vote into place whatever mill levy they choose to cover their budget needs. What do you think of the proposal?

$1.7 billion to Kansas from stimulus

site captain — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:14:00 GMT

The federal stimulus bill, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, was signed into law by President Obama. Kansas stands to receive $1.7 billion from it over the next two years. Should state lawmakers turn down any parts of it over which they have control? What do you think?

Bill could reinstate school property taxes on cars

site captain — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:07:00 GMT

SB 242 was introduced recently to gradually subject motor vehicles to school property tax mill levies once again, although it also gradually reduces the overall property tax "assessment rate" on vehicles. Different counties could see a net vehicle tax increase or net decrease. What do you think of the proposal?

Federal hearing on coal plant lawsuit

site captain — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:28:00 GMT

A federal judge is now considering whether to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Sunflower Electric claiming the state unconstitutionally blocked its coal-fired plants. The Kansas Attorney General argues the expected carbon dioxide emission is a danger that state law compels them to control. Should the lawsuit be dismissed? What do you think?

Budget cuts to be debated in House

site captain — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:34:00 GMT

The full House chamber this week will debate a $208 expenditure cut to the current year's state general fund budget. Of that cut, $66 million would come from K-12 education, which makes up more than half the budget. What do you think of the proposal?

Proportionally share the cuts?

site captain — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:45:00 GMT

The State General Fund budget for this year is projected to end with more than a $186 million shortfall, or about 2.9% short. Assuming it's addressed with budget cuts, should they be made upon all agencies across-the-board, or should specific programs and agencies be targeted? Bear in mind, next year's deficit is estimated at more than $1 billion. What do you think?

Windpower Priority

site captain — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:06:00 GMT

It was a large part of the Governor's annual state address this week. How much greater attention do you think the Legislature should commit to promoting wind-generated electricity in Kansas?

Sebelius to protect K-12 without tax increase?

site captain — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:01:00 GMT

News reports quote Governor Sebelius, despite the state's budget woes, as saying "I'm not proposing a tax increase." Regarding K-12 education funding, Sebelius said there will be no significant increases, "...but there are, trust me, ways that we can kind of protect the investment." What do you think of her assessment?