Double vision

Saturday?s record turnout at the legislative coffee in Hillsboro is an indication that people do care about what has happening at the state and local levels of government. The problems in Topeka hit home when they adversely affect our local schools, nursing homes and hospitals.

Given the comments of Rep. Bob Brookens and Sen. Jim Barnett, better days are still a ways off. The revenue shortfalls could continue for several years yet. Announcements from Topeka, such as the one late last week, that tax revenue has again fallen short of projections are almost expected.

We left Saturday?s meeting feeling we have good representation in Topeka, but less confident that they and their cohorts can find solutions that will avoid considerable trauma. The great divide in Topeka is not so much between Republican and Democrat, but between rural and urban. As Rep. Brookens noted, ?They see the world totally differently.? That doesn?t bode well for finding a unified vision for the future of our state. ?DR

More from Hillsboro Free Press
Area districts fight cuts in various ways
Changes in school finance at the state level have been happening so...
Read More