State legislators sent mixed messages last week.
First, the Senate voted to increase funding for education by $90 million for the next three years to adjust for inflation, an omission in last years seminal school finance catch-up, and mandated by the State Supreme Court.
Of the eight holdouts was Sen. Caryn Tyson, who represents Allen County, and is politically aligned as an ultra-conservative.
In the House, the education bill is still in committee, where it is getting bogged down with extraneous measures, including how special education is funded, a limit on how much school districts can set aside in cash reserves, and a means to provide state funds to private schools for victims of bullying.
Shortly after the Senate approved the additional funding for schools, it rubber-stamped a House measure to give $209 million in tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations who conduct business abroad, coupled with a reduction of the state sales tax on food from 6.5 percent to 5.5 percent.
Because, after all, money grows on trees. And because Republicans continue to insist tax relief will stimulate the economy.
We would argue that yes, lower taxes on food would help keep strong minds and bodies; but no, those who conduct business abroad will not use the tax break to spur our local economies.
From the get-go, Gov. Laura Kelly has cautioned state finances are tenuous and for legislators to act prudently.
As such, she will likely veto the tax cut with a promise to revisit the sales tax on food separately.
IF KELLY vetoes the bill, you can bet Republicans will take the tack that shes against lowering the food sales tax and as such is an enemy of the general good.
Were it that all else was equal, that argument might hold water.
But that lost revenue jeopardizes the ability of the state to not only fund schools but also that of social services, public safety, prisons, and highways.
As such Kelly has put any tax cuts on hold until state revenues are healthy enough to afford them.
For Kansas conservatives, such an approach is now considered radical.
