Kansas views on judicial retention, tax policy, Medicaid expansion, earthquakes
Judicial retention – All five living former Kansas governors are lining up against the sitting state executive, Sam Brownback, to oppose the re-engineering of the Kansas Supreme Court. Their testimony should serve as a wake-up call to those Kansans who haven’t already lost faith in the Brownback administration and don’t understand fully the gravity of the direction he has taken the state.
The Kansas Supreme Court is facing unprecedented challenges from the House Republican leadership, Secretary of State Kris Kobach and groups such as Kansans for Justice and Kansans for Life, but voters need to look past the attack ads and make a decision based on more than political noise. Even if you disagree with a few of the court’s decisions, there’s only one question to ask on Election Day: Have our justices done their best to faithfully interpret the Kansas Constitution?
Tax policies – It’s encouraging that Gov. Sam Brownback now says he’s willing to revisit state tax policies. It would be even more encouraging if the governor and the supporters he has left in Topeka acknowledged that the tax cuts have not lived up to their grand promises. That could make it easier to approve solid reforms in 2017.
Medicaid expansion – Listen closely this fall to hear whether state legislative candidates support Medicaid expansion. It is critical that they do. Make sure candidates know they’ll be held accountable if they fail to save our community hospitals.
Earthquakes – What happens in Oklahoma doesn’t stay in Oklahoma, at least not when it comes to earthquakes. Variations in state guidelines in wastewater well injections are a risky proposition, especially for neighboring states.
This story was originally published September 12, 2016 at 5:06 AM with the headline "Kansas views on judicial retention, tax policy, Medicaid expansion, earthquakes."