Just watch. The news that Sam Brownback is the most unpopular governor in America will backfire.
Instead of making Kansans angry that their governor is so poorly regarded, the ranking will rally the troops and drive an outpouring of public support.
Those whose job it is to make unpopular decisions are never appreciated, they’ll say. Just wait. History will tell a different story.
The national poll surveyed more than 75,000 residents about their state leaders. Most gave their governors high marks. Brownback, however, was one of 10 governors with negative ratings, coming in dead last with 26 percent approval.
What most Kansans find particularly irksome is Brownback’s refusal to about-face failing policies. Instead, he maintains a decidedly sunny determination that giving the wealthy a tax break will spark the economy; that robbing the schools will spur them to greater efficiencies; that refusing to expand Medicaid will incite the disabled to find work.
Every year, Allen County Regional Hospital loses $1 million for treating patients who lack health insurance. If Kansas were to expand Medicaid, more of those patients would receive health insurance and the future of our hospital would be more secure.
Instead of heeding the advice of those who have studied the issue in depth, Brownback regards them as personnae non gratae. Earlier this month two moderate Republicans, Reps. Don Hill, Emporia, and Susan Concannon, Beloit, were removed from a health committee because they favor the expansion of Medicaid.
Brownback used the same strong-arm maneuver with an education committee, giving the boot to Republican Reps. Diana Dierks, Salina, and John Ewy, Jetmore. Their crime? They were against block grant funding for schools.
Since the Legislature eliminated the school finance formula, the budget for our local USD 257 has been cut by $1.1 million.
The same can be said for mental health services, our prison system, state roads, and services for the disabled.
NOW THAT he’s been re-elected, Brownback may feel he can afford to act in so cavalier a manner. Even so, a dose of humility sure would be appreciated by fellow Republicans facing 2016 races.
Don’t hold your breath.
— Susan Lynn
