Kansas views on Brownback propaganda, efficiency study, bad fiscal news, independent judiciary, weapons on campus
Propaganda – Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s office sent out one of its trademark propaganda pieces last week, this one on the subject of Medicaid expansion. In its effort to score political points, it maligns low-income Kansans and pits citizens with disabilities against the working poor. Why Brownback and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer would authorize a staffer to send out a missive that deliberately insults thousands of hardworking Kansans and attempts to create a rift between them and citizens with disabilities is inexplicable. But this tactic is cruel and divisive and reflects poorly on Brownback and his administration.
Efficiency study –The state of Kansas has hired an efficiency expert to pore over the state’s budget and finances, presumably with the goal of finding a variety of ways the state can save money. And we’ve begun this experiment in efficiency by contracting with a firm – Alvarez & Marsal – that has a questionable track record, donated to the governor’s campaign and submitted a bid that was $1.6 million more than the lowest bidding consultant. Yes, this is Kansas, and this is how we roll under the leadership of the Kansas Legislature and Gov. Sam Brownback.
Fiscal news – Kansans still are waiting for some good financial news. Higher sales and cigarette taxes were supposed to shore up state tax revenues; lower income taxes were supposed to spur more jobs in the state. Neither of those strategies is working, and the state is running through its cash reserves and perhaps heading toward another budget crisis. Gov. Sam Brownback keeps saying the state just needs to “stay the course,” but for how long?
Independent judiciary – Gov. Sam Brownback is content to underfund education and other essential state services to pay for his income tax cuts for the rich, a foolhardy strategy that wrecked the state budget and failed to generate economic growth as promised. Rather than admit his mistake amid seemingly endless fiscal fallout, Brownback is more determined than ever to ease the path for his agenda, to include controlling the judicial branch and erasing any hope of checks and balances. Kansans should be appalled. An independent judiciary, one free from control by outside forces, is indispensable to our democracy – regardless of what the governor may believe.
Weapons on campus –The law that requires the Kansas Board of Regents to allow concealed weapons on campus is crazy. It flies in the face of everything we know about building a better-educated workforce for the future. It is contrary to everything we know about economic development. Allowing armed individuals to come into classrooms invites mass killings – in a confined space. The argument that everybody should be armed is nonsense. In such situations, fear and confusion prevail. Anyone can be shot and killed. Leave campus security to campus police.
This story was originally published October 11, 2015 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Kansas views on Brownback propaganda, efficiency study, bad fiscal news, independent judiciary, weapons on campus."