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News
Nearly $600 Million Budget Shortfall Looms in Kansas
Representative Owen Donohoe prioritizes Kansas' budget crisis in next legislative sessions
This year, Kansas' General Fund Budget will spend approximately $380 million more than it will make from tax revenue. Rep. Owen Donohoe (R - Shawnee) cites the looming state budget shortfall as a key priority of his campaign and of the next legislative session. Donohoe believes this is a crisis that must be addressed more aggressively.
Here's why:
- In fiscal year 2007, Kansas had $935 million in reserve funds. That number is now expected to fall to $135 million this year.
- The state budget office estimates that in FY 2010 the state will have a budget shortfall of $188 million, and a $400 million shortfall the following year. This means that in order to avoid a disaster, the Legislature will either have to increase taxes to cover the shortfall or prioritize spending and make some cuts. Rep. Donohoe, like the majority of Kansans, favors reducing state spending to address the budget crisis.
- Although the state General Fund Budget has grown 50%, or nearly $2 billion, since 2004,* Rep. Donohoe has voted against every new tax increase during his term in the legislature, helping hardworking Kansans keep more of what they earn.
- The growth in the state budget is due partly to a Kansas Supreme Court order that forced legislators to drastically increase spending throughout Kansas' public school system. Education already accounts for more than 50% of the state's entire budget.
- Rep. Donohoe will sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, committing to oppose any and all new taxes in the Kansas Legislature. His opponent has not signed the Pledge.
Rep. Donohoe represents the 39th District in Kansas, which includes Basehor, Bonner Springs, and portions of Leavenworth and western Shawnee.
To learn more about the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, visit:
http://www.owendonohoe.com/taxpayer-pledge.htm.
* from AmericansForProsperity.org
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