A Kansas public policy group celebrates tax increases. But it isn't enough, and more reform is required. Kansas Center for Economic Growth has promoted higher taxes in Kansas for many years, and this year it got its wish. Here are a few remarks based on its self-congratulatory article titled "Happy Fiscal New Year, Kansas." KCEG wrote: "Kansas is now better positioned to provide great schools" Wait a moment. I thought Kansas already has great schools. That's what the Kansas public school establishment tells us. And I think that the author made a mistake here. Instead of writing about "public schools,"…
When reading the writings of former Kansas State Budget Director Duane Goossen, it's useful to have a guide grounded in reality. In a look back at the Kansas Legislature this year, former state budget director Duane Goossen has a few opinions. Here are a few, as appeared in the Wichita Eagle, and some counter arguments. "Kansans, we are done being kicked around." No, Kansans are just starting to be kicked around even harder. That's what higher taxes represent. "We became famous, the poster state for bad tax policy." No, Kansas became the poster state for bad spending policy. Our legislature…
A public opinion poll asks whether Kansans are concerned about school spending, but leaves us wondering why they are concerned. A public opinion poll commissioned by Kansas Center for Economic Growth asks questions so vague that the results could be interpreted in many ways. The March 30, 2017 press release on the poll announced: "Nearly all Kansas voters are worried the state is not investing enough public education. Eighty-five percent of Kansas voters feel concerned about the state’s level of spending on public education."[1. Kansas Center for Economic Growth. New statewide poll shows overwhelming support for rollback of Brownback tax…
Here are highlights from Voice for Liberty for 2016. Was it a good year for the principles of individual liberty, limited government, economic freedom, and free markets in Wichita and Kansas? Also be sure to view the programs on WichitaLiberty.TV for guests like journalist, novelist, and blogger Bud Norman; Radio talk show host Joseph Ashby; David Bobb, President of Bill of Rights Institute; Heritage Foundation trade expert Bryan Riley; Radio talk show host Andy Hooser; Keen Umbehr; John Chisholm on entrepreneurship; James Rosebush, author of "True Reagan," Jonathan Williams of American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC); Gidget Southway, or Danedri Herbert;…
A coalition of Kansas advocacy groups wants to raise your taxes, but the plan is difficult to find. On Wednesday a coalition of groups presented their plan to balance the Kansas budget and provide more tax revenue to spend. But -- this plan can't be found at any of the participating groups' websites. So as a service to these groups, (Kansas Center for Economic Growth, Kansas Action for Children, Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Organization of State Employees, and Kansas-National Education Association) I present a scanned version of the plan. Maybe one of the groups will send me a digital original.…
An op-ed written under the banner of a non-profit organization appears to violate the ban on electioneering. In a recent Wichita Eagle op-ed, former state budget director and senior fellow at the Kansas Center for Economic Growth Duane Goosen offered some wise advice to Kansas voters: "Before voting, check out legislative candidates carefully."[2. Goossen, Duane. Governor, lawmakers flunk financial literacy. Wichita Eagle, May 7, 2016. Available at www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article76165857.html.] But he then follows immediately with this: "If a candidate supported Brownback’s fiscal experiment and wants to stay the course, being a financially literate voter requires marking your ballot for somebody else."…
The State of Kansas was ordered to take remedial action to correct material omissions in the state's financial statements prepared under the leadership of Duane Goossen. During the administration of Governor Mark Parkinson, the State of Kansas issued eight series of bonds raising $273 million. Regarding these, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has determined that the state failed to adequately inform investors of significant, material, negative information. In a nutshell, according to the SEC: The Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) was in terrible financial condition compared to other states, and Kansas did not adequately disclose that to potential…
Kansas Center for Economic Growth, often cited as an authority by Kansas news media and politicians, is not the independent and unbiased source it claims to be. When supporters of more government spending and taxation in Kansas want to bolster their case, they often turn to Kansas Center for Economic Growth (KCEG). Portraying itself as a "nonprofit, nonpartisan organization," KCEG says its mission is "to advance responsible policies by informing public discussion through credible, fact-based materials." It says it conducts research and analysis to "promote balanced state policies." [1. Kansas Center for Economic Growth. About Us. Available at realprosperityks.com/about-us/.] As…
