Mentioning that the state was “in the waning moments” of the economic recession, Governor Mark Parkinson declared that the state of the state of Kansas has “never been stronger” during his address to the Kansas legislature tonight. The Governor’s state of the state address serves as the kick-off for the legislative session, which began today.
The Governor tackled the state’s looming budget crisis head-on as he began his address. He began his speech by addressing the importance of Kansas’ universities and secondary schools. Gov. Parkinson remarked that Kansas has always been a leader in education, and that great universities attract great students. The Governor noted that now was not the time to be “tight-fisted” with the state’s education budget. Parkinson alluded to advances in animal health science, and the aircraft industry by remarking that “tight-fistedness would never have made such advances possible.” Cuts to the budgets of state universities and public schools have touched off a heated debate in recent years, with talk of a potential lawsuit surfacing this year if public school funding is not increased. Governor Parkinson noted that funding higher education was “not just the right thing to do, it makes great economic development sense.”
The Governor further addressed the state’s $400 million “budget hole”, by stating that cuts had already been made to government waste, and recent cuts were starting to cut budgets to the bone. Parkinson argued against cuts to education and the elderly, and instead advocated for increases to the tobacco and cigarette tax. In addition, Parkinson advocated for a one cent, 36-month temporary increase in the state sales tax. The revenue generated by these taxes, the Governor stated, would allow the legislature to restore some funds to education, and avoid an ever tougher budget situation in the future.
The Governor also laid out his three initiatives he’d like to see the legislature work on for the 2010 session. They included advocating for a state-wide smoking ban, developing the state of Kansas as a leader in renewable energy technology, and supporting a proposed constitutional amendment by state Senators John Vratil and Laura Kelly that would create a reserve fund in the state budget. This reserve fund, the Governor argues, could be used by the legislature in tough economic times in the future, in order to prevent predicaments like the one the legislature currently finds itself in.
Speaker of the House, Rep. Mike O’Neal delivered the Republican response to the Governor’s address. Rep. O’Neal shared the Governor’s concerns for the state’s tough economic shape, and mentioned that now is not the time for “government promoted quick fixes.” O’Neal mentioned that state unemployment numbers had climbed to 6%, while “the demand for spending is unabated.”
O’Neal took issue with the notion of any tax increases, calling them “short-sighted” and said government should instead be asking what they can do to help families and businesses make it out of this recession. Rep. O’Neal’s proposed solutions to the state’s budget woes included adopting 0-based budgeting (a budgeting process wherein state agencies must start their budgets at 0 and justify any additional spending), biennial budgeting (budgeting for more then just the next fiscal year, in order to remove some of the fluctuations present during any given year), and the addition of more auditors to audit the state’s books.
O’Neal also claimed that cuts in education spending, while severe, were not as drastic as cuts to other vital services, and that Kansas was better off then many other states when it came to education funding. O’Neal concluded his remarks by promising that Kansans would “weather this storm”, just as they had many before.
The Governor concluded his address by telling Kansas to “never give up” and that he wants to work to make it possible for citizens to “live the American dream without ever leaving Kansas.”
The Governor’s address certainly sets the stage for an interesting and dynamic year in the state. There will definitely be no shortage of opportunities for you to voice your opinion on issues that are important to you and your fellow Kansans. Stay in touch with your elected officials throughout the year so you can be part of the conversation!
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