Mental health centers, nursing homes brutalized by state cuts

Written by Bob Brookens Tuesday, 26 January 2010 19:49

Thank you to the folks who have responded to the questions I asked last week. I now know that more than 90 percent of those who have responded so far believe they would rather pay an extra cent of sales tax than cut more dollars from Medicaid for nursing homes, mental health centers, the disabled or from schools.

Seventy-five percent of you responding to the issue of beer sales let me know they believe that opening strong beer sales to convenience stores would harm the local economy and be more difficult for law enforcement to monitor.

Most of you believe it would lead to more undetected sales to minors. One respondent said for the reason of convenience, it would be OK.

I appreciate all your responses; you have helped me get a handle...

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What do you think of Gov.’s tax plan?

Written by Bob Brookens Tuesday, 19 January 2010 19:39

The first week of the session has come and gone. The governor gave his speech and set out what he believes are Kansas’ priorities: our kids, strong business opportunities, and taking care of those who cannot help themselves.

In his speech, the governor spoke of the already-devastating cuts to those in need—the disabled, children’s programs, the mentally ill and those in nursing homes. He also stated he believes that to maintain our core priorities we will have to raise taxes.

Specifically, Gov. Parkinson targeted sales tax and the tax on cigarettes. He proposes to add a 1 percent sales tax increase for three years and raise the tax on cigarettes to the national average.

What are your opinions on that? I don’t see the...

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Taxing mechanism needs to be changed

Written by Bob Brookens Tuesday, 12 January 2010 19:47

The 2010 legislative session begins today (Monday) and tonight Gov. Parkinson delivers the State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate.

My column deadline is Monday morning, so I cannot share with you the governor’s thoughts. I hope you listened to the address or can find it on the internet after-the-fact, if you have that available.

As you might suspect, the budget will again be the big cloud looming over us all throughout the session. There will be those who intend to simply cut more from the state budget to balance it; some who believe a spending increase is not only warranted, but essential; and some of us who believe the taxing mechanism of Kansas is out of balance and desperately needs re-aligning...

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Please know there is no stash of cash in Topeka, contrary to FHPG

Written by Bob Brookens Tuesday, 01 September 2009 13:20

I traveled to Topeka last week for two days of hearings held by the House Appropriations Com­mittee. Although I am not a member of the committee, I thought I ought to learn all I can on the topic that will occupy most of our time next session: A projected budget shortfall of around $500 million to $600 million.

David Trabert, president of the Flint Hills Policy Group—not located in the Flint Hills, but in Wichita—was the first to give testimony to the committee members. You might have read that Trabert and the FHPG released to the press the findings of a study FHPG had done. Trabert stated Kansas had about $2 billion in “unencumbered funds” stashed in more than 1,600 accounts, money that Kansas could have returned to the...

Read more: Please know there is no stash of cash in Topeka, contrary to FHPG