“It may not be pretty, but we will balance the budget,” Gov. Sam Brownback told a Chanute audience Tuesday morning. THE CONCERNS among the audience mounted: EVER THE OPTIMIST, Brownback was steadfast in his commitment to eliminate the state income tax.
By that, the governor means we can expect more cuts to schools, social services, and other governmental programs in order to adjust to Monday’s bad news that state revenues are down and projected to fall further.
Brownback’s body language painted him the victim.
He shook his head at his signing legislation to borrow $1 billion to put toward the state’s pension program.
“Lord knows I hate to borrow money,” he said.
He shrugged his shoulders at the report sales and corporate tax revenues were less than expected.
“We need to fix this revenue problem,” he said. “The reforms have not been adequate.”
He wrung his hands at the strait of rural hospitals if legislators don’t expand Medicaid.
“We need to get people off welfare,” he posited as the answer.
It rankled the governor to think an “able-bodied” individual could qualify for assistance.
Dennis Franks, Neosho Memorial Regional Hospital CEO: “We’re losing $2.5 million a year by the state not expanding Medicaid. As a region, southeast Kansas is losing $20 million a year because of this. Is there anything we can do to get it moving forward?”
James Hardy, superintendent of Chanute schools: “Our budget was cut by $250,000 this year. We’re anxious about how you plan to increase revenue. How will you fund the budget?”
Tim Cunningham, executive director of Tri-Valley Developmental Services: “Every year the waiting list grows for those with intellectual disabilities to receive health-based services.”
Phil Jarred, certified public accountant: “I have millionaire clients who are paying next to nothing in state income taxes. I’m all for no income taxes, but only if it applies to everyone. How fair is it for only corporations to get the tax break? Is that smart?”
And then there was Sarah Maike, the self-described “nobody” amongst the crowd of city and community leaders.
“I’m the poster child of poverty,” she said, who faces decisions of whether to eat or pay down debts incurred by poor health.
“I don’t like to be punished because of my situation,” she said, but that’s exactly what it feels like to be poor in Kansas.
“Our voices are not being heard,” the woman said.
“We hope to see growth from the things we do tax,” he said.
In the meantime, we are to accept living in a below-par state. That’s a tough sell.
— Susan Lynn
Gov. Brownback: His optimism is a downer
