Kansas views on state revenue shortfall, Merrick’s purge
Revenue shortfall – As he ran for re-election last year, Gov. Sam Brownback brushed aside critics of his fiscal policies and proclaimed “the sun is shining in Kansas.” The latest full eclipse of that sun occurred when state officials recently slashed revenue projections by a total of $350 million over the next two years and cut $120 million in spending this year. They conceded that the state budget is running on fumes. And one more thing: State officials said that even more budget reductions could be ahead if tax revenues don’t pick up.
The Brownback administration blames a poor national economy for the state’s revenue woes, but a recent report from Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research indicated the Kansas economy is growing significantly slower than in the rest of the nation. The WSU report noted the sluggish agriculture and oil and gas industries in the state, but it’s hard to ignore the impact that large income tax cuts approved in 2013 are having on state revenues. All of this doesn’t paint a pretty picture for Kansas’ economic future.
Revenue to pay bills for the state of Kansas is beginning to run out, but there is no shortage of excuses as to why. Until elected leaders acknowledge the actual culprit behind the economy’s demise, however, money needed to fund government services will continue to be in short supply. The latest round of budget cuts and sweeps shows the state is very close to falling over a financial cliff from which it will take years, if not decades, to recover.
Merrick’s purge – House Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, has done what terrified and ineffective leaders have done for years: Purge the ranks of any free thought to make room for “yes-men” who will simply follow orders. On Wednesday, Merrick’s office informed several lawmakers their services were no longer needed or wanted on their committees. In particular, three competent lawmakers were booted from the Health and Human Services Committee, which handles legislation regarding Medicaid expansion. The faulty logic of rejecting Medicaid expansion is becoming transparent, and Kansans are beginning to see the real-world implications that come from a group of power-mad lawmakers who think “no” is the answer to everything.
This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Kansas views on state revenue shortfall, Merrick’s purge."