Gov.-elect Sam Brownback said the other day that he didn’t favor repealing the sales tax increase that the Legislature passed earlier this year. The state needs the money, he said.
The people of Kansas agree with him wholeheartedly.
Survey USA polled 500 Kan-sans statewide for Wichita television station KWCH on the question. They asked: “Would you support or oppose repealing the one-cent sales tax that went into effect in July?” Thirty-eight percent said support the repeal, 47 percent said op-pose, while 14 percent weren’t sure.
As a follow-up question to those who favored repeal, the surveyors asked, “If repealing the tax meant further cuts to education, social services and public safety, would you still want to see it repealed?” The opposition became much less: 67 percent said no, 29 percent said yes and 4 percent re-mained unsure.
To recap, when Kansans understand that the sales tax increase is necessary to keep public school funding level and to prevent further reductions in such programs as aid to the developmentally disabled and health care for children, they favor the additional penny overwhelmingly.
Survey USA’s polls were the most quoted polls taken in the August primary campaigns. They accurately predicted the results and can be trusted.
BROWNBACK can take as-surance from this confirmation of how most Kansans think as he crafts his fiscal 2012 budget. The people do understand that these are still tough times. They also understand that the primary job for state government is to provide a sound system of education — kindergarten through graduate school — for the upcoming generation and that the state also must take care of those least able to take care of themselves.
The voters who elected Mr. Brownback and increased the number of Republicans in the Legislature were not voting against education or in favor of turning a blind eye on the needs of the needy.
The good people of Kansas are both wiser and more compassionate than that.
— Emerson Lynn, jr.
