Letters on Brownback’s failures, College Hill recovery house, Opera Kansas

Will GOP legislators stick with Brownback?

Gov. Sam Brownback and the Republican-dominated Legislature must resolve a $290 million revenue shortfall. Brownback will add no value to this effort. Predictably, he will insist his crippling income tax cuts be maintained while using one-time monies and transfers from critical infrastructure areas to solve the immediate crisis. Everyone knows this approach is not a long-term solution.

Only the Republican majorities in the Senate and House, with Democratic support, can find a professional solution.

There is one reason to be confident this may happen. Brownback, a career politician, has no political future. The failures of his leadership are being felt in cities, towns and counties across Kansas and include four-day school weeks, canceled highway construction projects and hospital closings. Due to the failures his policies have created, he is overwhelmingly unpopular, with an approval rating below President Obama’s.

It can be assumed many of the Republicans who have supported him for six years have political aspirations. They will be watched carefully during the coming days. If they continue to support Brownback, they will be tied to this unpopular governor in November, as they should be, and be without political futures in Kansas.

Blaming others

It is most unfortunate that Gov. Sam Brownback so lacks the character, basic honesty and respect for the citizens of Kansas that he continually blames President Obama, the media, commodity prices and the rest for the dismal failure of his policies – or perhaps I should say the failed policies of the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Kansas Policy Institute.

Schools are being shortchanged, the highway fund has been used to pay for tax cuts for the business community, utility bills are skyrocketing, state hospitals are in crisis, and we are losing millions by not accepting the benefits of Medicaid expansion. Kansas is pursuing a cash-out of the long-term tobacco settlement, our bond ratings are falling lower and lower, and we have gone deep into debt to fund the failures of this man.

Though it is apparent that our governor and his minions in the Legislature seem to care more about who is using what bathroom, levelheaded Kansans know better. We have dug a hole so deep it will take years and years to dig out.

Perhaps that was the intent all along.

Abandon the ship

It’s hard to believe the Legislature would go along with Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposed budget options (“Brownback seeks another KDOT sweep, other cuts,” April 21 Eagle). All of these are unacceptable and lead farther down the path of dysfunction.

State legislators are undereducated in statecraft and experience. The least this Legislature could do is to expand Medicaid and return the original tax formula, then resign and let someone with ideas other than from the American Legislative Exchange Council return the state to profitability and reason.

Rep. Mark Kahrs, R-Wichita, has seen the light in deciding to leave the Legislature (April 21 Eagle). Others should also abandon the Brownback ship before we sink even lower.

Oxford House needed

It is scary to not know who is moving in next door (“College Hill residents voice concerns about recovery house,” April 20 Eagle). But believe me – we all want these guys in an Oxford House program instead of driving around drunk.

These men are working to right some wrongs. I am proud of them for working toward improving their lives so they can give back to the community by being employed, doing service work and paying taxes.

This isn’t about property values; it is about fear. But contemplate this: “Love everyone and judge no one.” That’s easy to say, hard to live by.

In 15 years sober, I have worked on living that concept daily. I am trying hard to practice that with all residents in our community, even those who are on a different journey.

Educate yourself on what the Oxford tenants are about, what these guys are trying to do, and how they are trying to live free from addiction. I am sure we all struggle with something. Pray for all our neighbors.

Other opera in state

An Eagle article said there was only one opera company in the state (“Two Russian ballets to kick off season for Wichita Grand Opera,” April 17 Arts & Culture). In fact, there are four. The oldest, Opera Kansas, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

In 2015, we performed 49 shows to about 6,200 audience members. This year we took our outreach program into six schools and 12 senior centers. We are taking opera on tour to cities across Kansas in May.

The Zepick Modern Opera Competition will award $2,000 in prizes for new operas designed to be performed in schools. We received submissions from composers in five countries and 13 states.

Opera Kansas will debut the first-place winner Friday. “Beneath Suspicion” is the true story of two female spies, one a freed slave, during the Civil War. The performances are free and open to the public at 7 and 8 p.m. Friday at Oeno Wine Bar, 330 N. Mead.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on Brownback’s failures, College Hill recovery house, Opera Kansas."