Kansas views on KDOT delays, pot, Kobach
KDOT delays – The Kansas Department of Transportation announced it is suspending 24 projects across the state, citing Kansas’ budget uncertainty. As the state has faced month after month of discouraging revenue reports, the governor and the majority in the Legislature have used KDOT as a slush fund to hide gross mismanagement of the state budget. Along the way, Kansans have been assured that they needn’t worry about KDOT; there is plenty of money for the taking and scheduled projects would remain intact and on schedule. But, it turns out, not so much.
Legalizing pot – The Sunflower State is giving away desperately needed sales tax revenue to its next-door neighbor to the west. It also is spending a lot of resources attempting to combat marijuana use, possession and trafficking – and tying up courts and county jails unnecessarily. It’s time for state lawmakers to reassess priorities. If they made a move in the upcoming session, they could get this in front of Kansas voters in 2017 – 2018 at the latest.
Kobach – Given the inflammatory, divisive policies Donald Trump suggested during the campaign, he needs to prove that he’s actually capable of being a “president for all Americans.” Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s talk of a Muslim registry sends the opposite message.
Pompeo – If he is confirmed, Mike Pompeo will be a near-perfect choice as President Donald Trump’s CIA director. Those two men are both hawkish on ISIS and ready to stretch the legal rubber band to destroy it. Just how Pompeo will like collaborating with the Russians in this enterprise remains to be seen.
Water – The state is in the early stages of implementation of Gov. Sam Brownback’s Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas, and it will take commitment – and money – to continue. But water is vital to support the state’s agricultural economy. Both farmers and the state must continue with efforts to preserve and protect our water resources. We owe it to ourselves and future Kansans.
College cost – At Kansas State University, annually recognized as an academic bargain, undergraduate tuition and fees went up 5.8 percent in August. If tuition remains the same next year, tuition and on-campus room and board next year at K-State will cost $17,000 or more. Small wonder newly named KSU president Richard B. Myers was quick to express concern about keeping higher education in Kansas accessible and affordable. He and other university leaders have their work cut out for them.
This story was originally published November 28, 2016 at 5:24 AM with the headline "Kansas views on KDOT delays, pot, Kobach."