As promised, to several the Kansas budget is hitting day 104, and we entered conference committees today.
I've spent the last five days, from Gavel in to Gavel out (Ok, I left 2 hours early Sunday at 11PM, they stayed til 1AM) and we're inviting Kansas Kossacks or those outside of Kansas to Ask Me Anything!
All questions answered as we review the budgets; I have the explainers from both bodies, sat through the committees.. this is your chance to find out what is going on - the good, the bad, the ugly. Ask political questions or budget questions. Ask about your specific representative, measures supported, etc.
IF I don't have the direct answer, several KS House members have offered to help provide me some support to get you the answer you are after.
Let's do this!
(You can also submit via Twitter @tmservo433, though beware, from now on I'm going to list the handle & tweet)
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 5:20 PM PT: Question 1
Ok, I'm actually getting tagged some questions elsewhere (Facebook message, etc.) So the first question is this: How far off are we from having a budget?
Answer: Well, there are two ways to look at this. The budget began at a nearly $400M shortfall. The senate, however, has approved only tax cuts for the most part, although revisions to the state amnesty policy on sales tax may generate some funds. Other revisions, specifically those on earners means that Senator Donovan informed the Conference committee he thinks they are nearly $490M off. He noted in conference committee "we have a long way to go.." Post the meeting, however, many Republicans were confident they would have a budget that would pass the house and senate by Friday afternoon.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 5:25 PM PT: Question 2
I'm a state employee. On Monday am I staying home, or going to work?
Answer: Ok. Good one... FYI, people.. I'm taking questions elsewhere but you really should just sign up for DailyKos and ask in the comments.. OK, back to the question. Republicans are confident they will get a budget passed in time - they really have to have one passed by Friday to get it signed by Saturday under the deadline. While Republicans in the Senate are confident, those within the house are not quite as confident. Conference committee resumes tomorrow... I'd say 75% they get this done in time.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 5:44 PM PT: Question 3
I'm getting mail from Americans for Prosperity here in Wichita asking us to call Susan Wagle and demand she not support tax increases. Did Wage come to her senses? Should we be supporting here?
Answer: NO. Senate Leader Wagle (R-Wichita) has come out in favor of a half cent sales tax only, no other measures at this point, and she was unable to get that through the senate either. Wagle has steadfast refused any consideration of looking at the 2012 tax changes and will not consider any option that impacts businesses. Wagle has also not shown much support for revenue options. AfP is demanding NO increase in any tax, they favor a 6% budget cut across the board; Wagle's stance for a half cent sales tax opposes that, but it is also the wrong solution for most Kansans.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 5:51 PM PT: Question 4
In comments:
Where do you see most of the cuts falling? Obviously, especially with the JoCo contingent apparently directing things in the Senate, there will be no revenue increases other than maybe sin taxes. (Phillipm)
Answer: The greatest problem
Is how these are structured. The senate is relying heavily on sales taxes. However, the rules of streamlined sales tax means that the state needs to give 30 days notice before a change. IF the House & Senate agree to this, the 30 day notice will fall in the first or second week of July (not counting federal holiday).
Typically, tax changes occur at the beginning of the month (1st) though I've been able to find an instance of the 15th. This would mean that by being late the state is already giving up either 1/12 or 1/24 of the expected revenue increases they will see from the budget.
The biggest problem, however, may be the wide support for the LaTurner amendment (R-Crawford County), which means that county governments cannot increase property tax without a ballot vote. Longterm, this is problematic.
We have some ideas of what may happen in conference committee, but I'll leave that for another question.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 6:03 PM PT: Question 5
I realize this AMA is about Kansas, but if I can ask.. will Kansas tax problems benefit Missouri or other states?
Answer: Ok. This is a question that circulated today because of posts like these:
Most of the taxes that have been considered in Kansas are pretty regressive.. they are sales and sin taxes, and significant ones. Johnson County businesses are likely to see a drop as those who consider buying products look at going across state lines to make their purchases.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 6:16 PM PT: Question 6
I saw the twitter feed about 6% across the board cut. Is that still alive or dead?
Answer:
While we don't know what will come out of the conference committee, house Republicans seem to be indicating that they believe a 2% across the board budget cut will be made in order to satisfy conservatives in the Senate, although they are committed to remove the food tax change proposed by Sen. Francisco in the senate. This combined with the Laturner amendment and a 6.5 sales tax is what Republican house members are indicating to me is the likely outcome.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 6:20 PM PT: Question 7
Explain, to the best of your knowledge, where did he get it?
Could it have been an ALEC fill-out form?
Did it die an unnatural death?
Or is it still lurking somewhere and possible? (From Radio Free Kansas)
Answer:
I just had almost this question in twitter.
Sen. Masterson proposed three options. One option with no budget cut, one option with 2% and a mix of taxes, and a third option with a straight 6% cut.
There was widespread belief amongst Republicans that once Sen. Melcher realized that the 6% cut could not survive, he would back down; however, word of the 6% cut quickly leaked online and suddenly outside advocacy groups were endorsing the 6% cut. Masterson's ploy to force Melcher to back down.. well, backfired.
The 6% cut for right now is dead, but it appears the 2% cut has been resuscitated.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 6:49 PM PT: Question 8
You posted pictures of someone being honored in the state house today. What was that?
Answer:
Today in the state house, the members honored Abduljaleel Alarbash. For those that don't know, Abduljaleel Alarbash was a Wichita State University student who traveled home to Saudi Arabia and lost his life stopping a terrorist attack.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/...
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 6:53 PM PT: Question 9
From Thinking Fella:
of Kansans regarding their financial situation? By that I mean the 'person on the street' as opposed to the elected Lawmakers.
We here on Dkos mock the Governor & scratch our heads at the voters while lamenting how those tax cuts are affecting the poor, elderly, students, roads, etc...
I'm wondering, if one were to ask an 'average' Republican voter on the street--are they happy with the way things are going? Are Repubs cheering for their State's budget woes, feeling that they are moving towards a "smaller gov't" or something? Do they feel any sadness or empathy for the folks who are being tremendously affected--in a negative way--by all this stuff? Is it a 'boot strap' thing, that they simply expect kids, the disabled, & the elderly to 'get a job'?
In other words, is the voting majority of Kansas as mean-spirited as they appear? I always thought that State was the epitome of 'Midwest Hospitality', but they don't seem to be showing it to their needy citizens.
Answer: Many Kansans aren't focused in on this and as a result they don't have the hardened opinion we do. They know something is wrong the longer this goes on, but most Republicans believe if they can avoid a furlough - or blame a furlough on Democrats - then the end impact of this fight is negligible.
I'm not sure I agree with that, but that is the Republican talking point on the issue.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 7:09 PM PT: Question 10
There are a series of questions in Question 10, so here is a link to it in the comments, dealing with ag taxes: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 7:32 PM PT: Questions 11-
First a short comment. Daily Kos, Facebook "friends" might be shocked to know just how many hicks in the Kansas hinterlands pay attention. I will be copy and pasting to those listeners asking such.
Next question (from a Valley Falls listener, farmer and store owner):
Are the budgets being still considered raising the taxes on beer &/or liquor? If so, will this be in all stores, including liquor stores? And how much?
We have heard that WalMart, the Dollar General franchises (many now throughout Jefferson County) will be able to either buy pre-existing liquor licenses, or apply to get new ones. This will finally kill us "mom & pop" size stores. What is the status on these "sin" taxes?
Also, last one for the night from another listener.
Are the big city legislators behind this, and do they care how much it ruins us little people out here in the country?
Answers:
Are the budgets being still considered raising the taxes on beer &/or liquor? If so, will this be in all stores, including liquor stores? And how much?
Answer: At this point, it appears as though sin taxes are largely dead, though they may get a tax on cigarettes and e-cigarettes, the work on liquor taxes seems dead.
We have heard that WalMart, the Dollar General franchises (many now throughout Jefferson County) will be able to either buy pre-existing liquor licenses, or apply to get new ones. This will finally kill us "mom & pop" size stores. What is the status on these "sin" taxes?
No. The uncorked proposal failed, which ended this and it is currently not the case.
Are the big city legislators behind this, and do they care how much it ruins us little people out here in the country?
Legislators in Johnson County are largely at the heart of this agreement, as they are holding out with a flat refusal unless their requests are honored. While others have issues, there is no single voting block that has the power right now as the JoCo Rs.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 7:40 PM PT: Question from MelinDK in Message
re: questin 6: sounds hopeful that marci's 5.7 tax on food is possible?
Answer: a few hours ago, I would have told you I thought this was part of the package. During this AMA, I'm being told that Sen. Francisco's sales tax change on food is likely to be removed as a concession in the current talks.
Wed Jun 03, 2015 at 8:12 PM PT: Next Question
I've lost track of questions, so here we go.. this may be the last.. though I'll still respond to comments as long as it goes:
Are they still talking about taxing non-profits? Is that real?
Answer:
It was a real proposal, brought forward by Senator Abrams (Ark City) with endorsement of 8 other senators. It failed, 9-30, and is considered dead now.