KansasVotes

State borrows another $700 million

2010-07-07T15:24:00Z

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

2010-05-09T18:58:00Z

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

2010-03-29T21:41:00Z

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?

2010-03-10T23:18:00Z

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

2010-02-27T00:33:00Z

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

2010-02-17T06:07:00Z

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

2010-02-12T02:14:00Z

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?

2010-01-23T16:58:00Z

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

2009-12-23T12:45:00Z

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

2009-11-02T20:40:00Z

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

2009-08-26T18:00:00Z

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

2009-06-10T15:08:00Z

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

2009-05-09T02:20:00Z

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?

2009-04-16T15:05:00Z

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

2009-04-07T19:58:00Z

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.