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A disappointing end to the legislative session
The Kansas House adjourned its extended session in June 2009 with a finalized FY 2010 budget and many looming challenges. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I witnessed first-hand the effects of a long history of fiscal irresponsibility in Kansas and deficit spending that has landed us in a most difficult situation.
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| The legislature finished its 2009 session by finalizing a FY2010 budget with many shortcomings. |
I also witnessed the powerful influence of the education lobby and the consequences of legislators who refuse to address the need for fair-minded reform in the state education budget (which accounts for more than 50% of the state's entire budget).
Unfortunately, many deserving programs (such as those for the disabled and retired) were unfairly trimmed while the education budget took only a small reduction in spending growth. I also held firm in an effort to not raise taxes. This is why I supported the earlier House version of the FY2010 budget bill, not the final bill which passed by a slim majority. See how the budget negotiations ended up.
The FY2010 budget we ended up with
had serious shortcomings
I opposed the final FY2010 budget because it didn't do enough to solve the problems Kansas faces in its treasury. Through a series of fund sweeps and other one-time fixes, the legislature barely produced a "balanced budget." But it fell far short of real fiscal prudence and discipline that our taxpayers deserve and our state desperately needs. Here's what this bill included:
- a $70 million tax increase
- a reduction of more than $8.0 million from public safety
- $25 million transfer of funds from the state highway fund to the State General Fund
- decreased funds for support of community mental health centers
- decreased funds for educational and developmental disability wait list reduction, leaving our most vulnerable citizens waiting for services
- no payment of $25 million promised to cities and counties
- a small cut in education spending, leaving base state aid per pupil at $4236 and the state average of more than $12,500 per pupil (including federal and local funds)
- a $3.5 million cut in the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation
- a paltry $17,000 surplus balance that jeopardizes state taxpayers and critical programs
View a summary of the final budget bill versus the one I favored.
Rep. Owen Donohoe of the 39th District in Kansas serves on the House Appropriations, Federal and State Affairs, Economic Development & Tourism and Aging and Long-Term Care Committees.
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