A recent survey shows most residents really like Kansas as a place to live, but are worried about its economic future.
The majority also favors increases in funding to education, including K-12 and state universities, as well as additional funding to social services.
To support those expenditures, a wide majority favors an increase in taxes on large corporations and the wealthy.
The annual survey is conducted by Fort Hays State University’s Docking Institute of Public Affairs. Answers were gathered from surveys completed by about 1,000 respondents.
The results go pretty much against all of what Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration has pushed since its inception in 2010.
Truth is, Brownback’s theory of trickle-down economics has Kansans scared stiff. They know the money the wealthy save in tax breaks is not redirected their way. An economy is made stable when its poorest have food and shelter, health care and education.
Starving schools of needed funds does not result in better education. Funny thing how professionals see a paycheck as reward for their work. Odd the state seems to think teachers should outfit their classroom supply closet out of their own pockets.
And how does restricting Medicaid make the state healthier? Oh, yes. It forces them to get jobs. All those jobs just waiting out there.
Of the respondents, 61 percent saw the trajectory of the state economy as a threat to their family welfare. The elimination of personal income taxes as a source of state funding leaves respondents wondering how important services will be maintained. And if cuts are to be made, what could be classified as “non-essential.”
Of course cuts are more than the elimination of spending.
Ten-to-one they also mean the elimination of a job, getting us no further ahead as a struggling workforce.
The survey shows the ambivalence of today’s Kansans. While in theory they think government is “too big,” they can’t pinpoint services they could do without.
Paul Davis, candidate for governor, should study the survey carefully to understand why many Kansans feel ignored.
A low-tax, pro-business government favors a select few. And nobody likes to be told they don’t make the cut.
— Susan Lynn
Kansans speak, but will we listen?
