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 Support Rep. Donohoe’s Good Work Since the close of the legislative session in May, I’m enjoying the chance to meet personally with residents, families and businesses throughout Basehor, Bonner Springs and Shawnee. I hear a recurring theme — taxpayers want less government spending, and a lot more accountability and efficiency across the board. The largest state sales tax increase in history took effect this summer, and businesses are reeling from spiraling taxes and unfair regulations that restrict their ability to compete in a free market. Families are worried about jobs and their children’s futures, and seniors and the disabled in Kansas have been hurt the most. As your Representative in the past legislative session, I worked diligently on legislation and budget appropriations in order to overcome half a billion dollar shortfall in revenues.
The Appropriations Committee, on which I served, devised a plan that curtailed government spending while maintaining critical services. I was committed to finding cost-saving measures instead of considering tax increases that would harm already-struggling individuals, families and businesses that provide our tax base. In the end, the liberal members of the House (both Democrats and Republicans) prevailed and forced the state’s largest-ever tax increase. I need your help to turn the tide on the tax-and-spend mentality in Kansas government. You deserve to know how the state budget really works, and who’s driving it out of control. Take the first step to prudent reforms in Kansas by taking a look at how your hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. Then you decide if you like what you see. Get the real story on Kansas spending >> Learn about innovative solutions to Kansas’ budget problems >> Make your voice heard as a volunteer for our campaign >>
How a budget deficit became the largest tax increase in Kansas historyThe mighty influence of the Kansas education lobby convinced a majority of state legislators to pass the largest tax increase in Kansas history. I opposed the tax increase, for good reason.
This plan encourages unchecked growth on 53% of our state budget by removing the independent audit process for schools. It allows the use of taxpayer money for campaign commercials, cuts millions in veteran’s programs, compromises our agriculture safety programs, cuts services to the elderly, increases prescription costs for Medicaid recipients while cutting hospice services, and further harms public safety by cutting the judicial budget - all while requiring a tax increase. The tactics of the Kansas education lobby (KNEA) were fiscally irresponsible. They convinced the State Board of Education to drop out of the federal grant program and instead, lobby for a whopping state tax increase. They didn’t pursue federal grant money because they couldn’t prove increases in student achievement, despite the 2005 court ruling that mandated additional education spending. Read more about this egregious path to the tax increase. >> Take a look at the state education budget before the new tax increase raised the spending level. >>
I hope you'll sign up for email updates and stay informed about important issues and activities. Sincerely, Owen Donohoe 785-296-7682 donohoe@house.state.ks.us Sign up for email updates >>
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| Copyright © 2006-2009 Owen Donohoe Campaign, Rebecca K. Chapman, Treasurer. |
