Kansas views on legislative elections, budget troubles, welfare restrictions, earthquakes
Legislative elections – The ultraconservatives in charge have sabotaged the state economy, transferred the burden of paying for what’s left of state government from businesses and well-off residents to those without resources to pay for anything additional, and without remorse are seeking re-election. How any of them can look at us with a straight face, let alone ask for our votes, is beyond the pale. Since they’re not resigning their seats in disgrace, it will be up to us to ensure they cannot return to Topeka to inflict any more damage.
The state’s latest fiscal disaster comes because the Legislature – every member of which is up for election – tossed the budget to Gov. Sam Brownback, and he found no way to patch it up but to damage the most vulnerable and the best and brightest Kansans. When election time comes, we should not forget who was helping to drive this wreck for the past four years.
Budget troubles – Repealing the 2012 tax cuts would have gone far in solving Kansas’ money troubles. Instead, Brownback’s devastating tax loopholes remain, allowing millionaire coaches such as KU’s Bill Self and K-State’s Bill Snyder to benefit from a huge tax break while Kansas students and parents struggle with tuition increases, the poor face reduced services, and all of us dodge dangerous intersections and treacherous roads.
Welfare restrictions – We can’t assume that people are unemployed and impoverished because they don’t want to work. Instead, we must examine the conditions that allow poverty to persist. Economic improvement won’t be fostered by the punitive curtailment of benefits to the most disadvantaged members of our society. These Kansans will be far more productive if they are given the resources they need to do their best work.
Earthquakes – After realizing a reduction in the number of man-made earthquakes in south-central Kansas since placing restrictions on the disposal of wastewater used in oil and gas production, the Kansas Corporation Commission is considering expanding the area of restriction to a wider area. It’s a measure that should require little consideration or debate.
This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 12:06 AM with the headline "Kansas views on legislative elections, budget troubles, welfare restrictions, earthquakes."