Shawn Sullivan, Sam Brownback’s budget director became involved in a state senate dispute today as Senator Kay Wolf (R-Johnson County) put forward a measure for veto override of the governor. The measure, which revolved around Senate Bill 250, a bill passed overwhelmingly in the senate, brought about quick responses from the governor and others.
Senate President Susan Wagle contended she was not notified of the action to veto by the governor, and felt as though she was blindsided. This resulted in a back and forth debate where Republicans, concerned about the potential threat to bond rating, wondered what the governor knew that they didn’t, and asking Senator Kay Wolf to hold back on her override until they could caucus and discuss.
The governor took to twitter, as did his budget director to warn of the terrible impact should the senate move ahead with a veto override.
The fear of bond ratings seemed unusual, as it was only two years ago when the governor and surrogates were downplaying the impact of bond and credit ratings during the re-election campaign of 2014. The governors office clarified today, saying they hadn’t originally informed the legislature of the grave risk, but they would do so now that that it was becoming an issue.
He certainly has reasons to be concerned, as a Double-B rating is classified as “junk” and “low grade investment” a situation which would certainly hurt the state of Kansas ability to finance future projects.
While Governor Brownback and others have talked about the growth of the state, and hopes of success, the implication that a veto override could tilt the state bond credit ratings into junk bond status certainly reflect a dire downward looking cliff faced by the Kansas budget office.
The question is: would it be the veto override that causes these problems, or is the veto override simply the straw that broke the overburdened camel’s back?
Either way, Senator Wolf and Senator Wagle weren’t really buying, “This isn’t a bond issue. This was not financed with bonds” noted both senators, pointing out that the small money involved was about “big construction” and being reasonable to the treatment of taxpayer dollars.
One thing is certain, however, when your Governor and your state budget director are openly talking about your state credit rating being in junk status, all ears should perk up.
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