Reaction to Kansas State of the State Address, 2013

Governor Sam Brownback delivered his State of the State Address on January 15, 2013. The as-prepared text of the address may be read here.

Americans for Prosperity-Kansas:

“Americans for Prosperity-Kansas continues to support the eventual elimination of the income tax in Kansas, and we applaud Gov. Brownback for making this a priority in 2013″” said AFP-Kansas state director Derrick Sontag. “We would support a trigger mechanism for future rate reductions in the proposal rather than legislators continuing to seek a reduction in the rate every year.

“We have no doubt that continued reductions in the income tax rate will help create economic activity, expand the tax base and create jobs.

“We’re coming off a years-long cycle in which excessive government spending stifled Kansas families and resulted in stagnant population growth, taxpayers migrating to other states, and the loss of tens of thousands of private sector jobs. The Governor said it best when he pointed out that some choose to grow spending rather than jobs.

“We look forward to working with legislators and the Governor in the coming session on other important areas of reform such as judicial selection — giving citizens of Kansas more direct input in the judges who sit on the Kansas Supreme Court and Kansas Court of Appeals. Senate confirmation or elections of judges would certainly create a more transparent process that is accountable to the people.”

Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley and House Democratic Leader Paul Davis issued the following statement. Hensley is wrong about the school spending figures, as I report in Kansas Democrats wrong on school spending.

“Governor Brownback’s $2.5 billion dollar self-inflicted budget shortfall, a result of his irresponsible tax policy, has brought Kansas to the edge of its own fiscal cliff. He has brought Washington, D.C. politics to Kansas, and they do not belong here,” said Hensley. “Four months into office, he signed the single largest cut to public education in Kansas history. In just three school years, statewide funding for K-12 education was cut nearly $442 million, or a cut of $620 per child. It is no surprise that a three-judge panel issued its ruling last Friday that the Legislature isn’t meeting its K-12 school funding duty under the Kansas Constitution. Members of the Legislature took an oath just yesterday swearing to uphold the Constitution of Kansas. What is our oath worth if we renege on our constitutional duty to adequately and fairly fund our schools?”

The 2013 legislative session will likely be marked by three major issues: a budget deficit created by tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations, a court order to restore funding to Kansas public schools and a fundamental debate over checks and balances in Kansas.

“Democrats want to be part of the solution to this problem, but we cannot support proposals that make the gap between the rich and the middle class even wider. The most troubling part of the Brownback Agenda is the extent to which it brings Washington-style politics to Kansas. We need Kansas based solutions to our Kansas problems, which means funding for Kansas schools, lower property taxes, and proposals to create good paying jobs for middle class families,” said Davis.

Some tweets:

Regents appreciate Gov Brownback’s recognition of higher education’s importance to the economic success of Kansas through his budget.

— KS Board of Regents (@ksregents) January 16, 2013

Someone doesn’t understand the difference between “deductible” and “refundable”:

The interest u pay on ur home mortgage is refundable. Govt Brownback is trying to end that. Please vote against the bill. #ksgovt

— KB3 (@kburkhead) January 16, 2013

We are pleased that Gov. Brownback recommends $51.5M for the Children’s Initiatives Fund in 2014 and 2015.

— KSActionForChildren (@KansasAction) January 16, 2013

KS Gov Brownback spells out ambitious agenda for 2013 ( like ending income tax!!!!!)bit.ly/Y8paho

— Michelle Ray (@GaltsGirl) January 16, 2013

@govsambrownback (R-KS) tonight laid out an effective an doable pro-growth plan to move Kansas forward. m.cjonline.com/news/state/201… #crnc #kssots

— Kansas CRs (@KansasCR) January 16, 2013

Bold Agenda!. #ksleg Gov. Brownback leads and sets strong goals in tonight’s bold speech. I like it (more.. chumly.com/n/196e921 )

— Jim Howell (@Howell4KS) January 16, 2013

Gov Brownback asks for better education, stronger families, lower taxes, and court reform. #ksgop is ecstatic

— Kansas GOP (@KansasGOP) January 16, 2013

significant portion of brownback’s speech on changing process of picking judges. supreme court justices watch silently #ksleg #kssots

— Scott Rothschild (@ljwrothschild) January 16, 2013

Brownback calls out courts for usurping legislative authority over power of the purse #ksleg

— Julia Lynn (@senatorlynn) January 16, 2013