Can’t blame state budget problems on global markets

GOP legislative leaders and Brownback administration officials have a point in noting that national and global economic turbulence affects the state’s economy. The demand for oil and gas, wheat and airplanes is affected by national and international markets. But it was silly for Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, to claim this week that the state is facing a difficult budget situation “not because of what we’ve done here in Kansas.” The state passed record tax cuts on the blind faith that it would act “like a shot of adrenaline into the heart of the Kansas economy” – which didn’t happen. Then lawmakers spent down the cash reserves – and raided the highway fund – leaving the state with little capacity to absorb swings in global markets. – Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 6:07 PM.