Tag: Wichita Eagle opinion watch
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Kansas Budget Problems Threaten School Bond Aid
Oops. When I wrote this article, I proceeded as though it was Rhonda Holman who penned the Wichita Eagle editorial I refer to. But the author is Phillip Brownlee. It just seemed like a Rhonda Holman editorial. Because the State of Kansas is short on money this year and the next few years, lawmakers are…
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Tax Collections Rise Without Taxes Rising
A letter printed in the January 1, 2009 Wichita Eagle, written by a Christopher Brooks of Wichita, argues that political advocacy groups that ask legislators to sign a pledge to not raise taxes are engaging in “economic blackmail.” This process, Mr. Brooks writes, is “unfair to those who have a different viewpoint on spending but…
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The Process Should Be Most Important
A confusing move last week by the Wichita City Council didn’t help build public trust, unfortunately. Without time for public consideration, city leaders added up to $10 million for parking structures to the proposed tax-increment financing plan for the 16-block area around the arena; the council unanimously approved the plan Tuesday.
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Just Say It: We Need to Raise Taxes in Kansas
Rhonda Holman’s Wichita Eagle editorial today (State budget pain must be shared) makes the case for raising Kansas taxes without directly saying so. It’s actually quite artful the way she dodges actually saying what she wants Kansas legislators to do. Using language like “Nobody ever wants to raise taxes …” and “Lawmakers also must not…
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Bryan Derreberry and the Chamber’s goals for Wichita
When the head of a chamber of commerce speaks or writes, it pays to listen or read carefully. While chambers are nominally pro-business, that’s a long way from saying they’re pro-liberty. Instead, they increasingly exist to serve a narrow interest. Using words and language like “pride,” “community,” “investment,” and “economic development” — all words that…
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On the Wichita Eagle editorial board, partisanship reigns
The Wichita Eagle’s Rhonda Holman, writing for the editorial board in today’s lead editorial (Where do city, county stand on bond?) makes a few points that illustrate the highly partisan nature of this board.
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Wichita Eagle’s Bob Lutz and the Wichita School Bond Issue
In his column Cochran has succeeded in spreading anti-bond message, Wichita Eagle sports columnist Bob Lutz argues for the passage of the Wichita school bond issue. This is the same Bob Lutz who, on learning that the Wichita school board might cut some spending on athletic facilities from the bond issue, became “flustered now about…
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Wichita Eagle Political Contributions: This Year?
A Wichita Eagle editorial argues for voluntary disclosure of ballot issue campaign donations, stating: “The groups on both sides of USD 259’s bond election should voluntarily disclose their donations before Nov. 4, rather than hide behind the state’s ridiculous disclosure laws applying to ballot questions.” (“Bond groups should declare donors,” August 28, 2008.) If the…
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The Facts the Wichita Eagle’s Mark McCormick Overlooks — Or Twists
In a recent column (Facts hurt bond issue opponents’ arguments), the Wichita Eagle’s Mark McCormick shows that he’s as adept at overlooking facts and reason and twisting an argument as is anyone. For example, McCormick takes some bond opponents to task because they admitted they haven’t been to schools to observe overcrowding. But if opponents…