Legislators found the strength Tuesday night to stand up to Gov. Sam Brownback and his ultra-conservative cronies determined for Kansas to continue down a path of destruction.
In less than 24 hours, the governor vetoed a bipartisan plan to fund a budget and address school finance.
Legislators went right back at him and said no, not this time. In essence, they heeded their consciences.
“I’ve made many, many bad decisions in my business career, as many bad as good,” said Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, “but I’ve always backed up and mopped up my mess.”
Denning was referring to his vote in 2012 for tax cuts that have mired the state in unsustainable debt.
Tuesday night’s vote increases funding by $600 million over each of the next two years.
To override the governor’s veto, legislators needed to garner a two-thirds majority. For the House that meant an additional 17 votes. In Tuesday night’s vote, it cleared the margin with four votes to spare, including that of Rep. Kent Thompson, R-LaHarpe.
In the wee hours of Tuesday, Thompson went against his track record and voted no on the tax plan.
In a conversation Tuesday afternoon, Thompson said his decision to vote against the measure was to hopefully get another shot at a plan that would better favor his rural district.
Thompson said discussions since the vote, however, had convinced him the most recent tax bill would likely be the best to garner bipartisan support between moderate Republicans and Democrats and that he would vote to override the governor’s expected veto.
In the Senate, the additional vote needed was supplied by Rick Wilborn, R-McPherson, crossing over the conservative line.
Senate President Susan Wagle uttered not a word during the debate. As leader, she owed her members an explanation for her no vote.
Rep. Adam Lusker, D-Frontenac, voted in favor of the measure both times.
Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, remained reliably against anything that requires additional funding.
In regards to education, legislators Monday approved an additional $293 million for education over the next two years. Both Thompson and Lusker voted for the school finance plan.
Without the finance bill approved, the education bill is a non-starter.
CONSERVATIVES maintain the income tax increases will ruin the economy.
They underestimate the fervor with which Kansans love their state.
It’s not about what we can keep for ourselves, but what we need to do for others.
— Susan Lynn
