When Kansas Governor Sam Brownback launched his experiment, he told Kansans that it would be an injection of adrenaline and that the economy would come roaring back to life. But after 5 years, the economy struggles and the state budget is a disaster. Speaking from the Senate floor tonight, Sen. Dennings (R-Overland Park) spoke out in favor of overturning the Governor’s veto and ending the tax experiment. “This was a mistake,” and noted that it was his mistake, and he was prepared to break out the mop and start cleaning it up.
For Governor Brownback, the overturn of his tax plan represents the ultimate rebuke of a governor. Unlike Democratic governors in states with Supermajority Republicans who have faced veto override, Governor Brownback would assume immunity — the State House & Senate are both super majority Republican.
But the Republicans have seen enough. Sen. Hardy (R-Salina) made the case: “The people in this state have had it. Either we pay the bill now or we pay a bigger bill later.”
Legislators were presented with the stark reality tonight.
Explainer offered to legislators
Without significant change, the state of Kansas would be hundreds of millions in the hole. Conservatives called for spending cuts, but they never offered significant spending cuts.
Last year, the state fell short of money and turned to selling off assets. This year, there are no assets left to be sold, no income that can be realized, and few means to pay the bill.
The extended session proved to be a huge win for Democratic members and a handful of moderate Republicans, politically. In the real world, the victory in Topeka was a win for all Kansans and for their children.
Facing pushback for rejecting prior legislation, the Democratic members hung tight and contended: we can do better for the middle class and poor. The Kansas City Star said the move to fight for more was ridiculous and showed Democratic leadership didn’t understand the house.
It turned out that House Democratic Leader Jim Ward (D-Wichita) and his coalition read the temperature of the house correctly, and got what they wanted.
Rather than a bill many had serious problems with, the Democratic members managed to push for not only a solution but proposals that benefited the poor and middle class.
What made this bill better than what the KC Star thought was the best deal? Not only did they get the same deal, but were able to add in a Child Care Tax Credit, movement of renter’s credit, deductible mortgage, and real benefits for the poor and middle class.
The Governor was unwilling to sign either bill, and a veto override would be needed. While many asserted Democratic leadership and members fought to get press and promote future campaigns, it turned out that their fight showed that the ability to read the room sometimes really matters.
Brownback’s tax plan is now dead. The experiment, like the Wicked Witch of Oz lays on the floor, smashed by a Kansas House.
