May 14, 2002
Some of you have no doubt been wondering what's going
on. NOTHING!
The legislature has now created history, being the longest session ever.
House members are unable to come up with a tax package to pay for the budget
they passed that will get the required 63 votes.
There are three factions in the House. The first group are Conservative
Republicans who think no taxes should be raised, but voted for programs they
are now unwilling to fund. Now, it should be said that there are
conservatives who voted for tax increases.
The second group are moderate Republicans who generally see the need for tax
increases. They have fashioned many tax packages all of which include some
tobacco increases, sales tax increases, some inheritance tax increases and
some fuel tax increases. However they do not believe that a tax package
that
includes income tax increases will pass either Houses (House or Senate).
The
closest they have gotten to passing a tax increase was 50 votes the other
day. (They need 63)
The third group are the Democrats who generally believe in tax increases and
the need for adequate funding for education and social services, but insist
the tax packages proposed so far will be regressive. That means they will
disproportionately affect poor people. They insist on a package that
includes income tax, which would spread tax burden to all Kansas citizens.
They are currently spending $64,000.00 per day having these debates. The
legislature is supposed to complete it's work in 90 days. This is the
104th
day. They have known about this budget crisis since last November.
But they
have spent an additional $896,000.00 not solving the problem. They can
continue down this road until May 31st, when they must have a budget or leave
it to Governor Graves to make cuts to programs. Governor Graves can call
them back for a special session in June. If he does that, people who are
running for House seats (the whole House) and those with other offices in
mind cannot start raising money or have time to campaign until after the
session.
Now Governor Graves says the agencies need time to plan for major cuts, so he
is proposing them now, sending letters to agencies telling them to plan on
cuts. Social services (SRS and DOA) will be cut by about $24,000,000.00
Schools would lose over $300 per pupil and Regents will be adversely
affected.
I spoke with one legislator who told me he was getting no negative
feedback.
There was a poll on WIBW last night that said over 50 percent of people are
quite satisfied with the way the budget is being handled!
It's time the legislature heard from constituents. It's time for a plan
and
leadership. No matter which groups you agree with, please let them know
how
you feel. We will feel the results of cuts of 24 million to SRS and
Aging.
Kids will feel the result of cuts to education. Call, write, fax
today.
Tell them what you want. I thought about changing the quote I have at the
end of my e-mails, but it was never so true as it is today.
"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the
silence
of our friends." - Martin Luther King Jr
Gina