Small Town News

Cut programs, raise taxes state dilemma

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Tafanelli will run for re-election

It's a tough job to be a lawmaker in Kansas right now but Rep. Lee Tafanelli, R-Ozawkie, appears to be ready for another term.

"If you would have me again, it would certainly be my intent to run again next November," Tafanelli told a group of about 70 supporters Saturday at the Oakaloosa American Legion Hall. "I say that today before the decisions are going to be made."

Currently Kansas lawmakers are in recess until April 26 when typically they would return for a veto session.

However, things are different this year. Lawmakers are still without a budget for fiscal year 2011 that begins July 1.

Tafanelli said lawmakers are waiting on Friday's announcement from the Revenue Consensus Committee, concerning next year's budget. The committee will provide the state-house with revenue numbers that lawmakers will use to formulate the budget.

Current estimates have the state's revenue shortfall between $450 and $500 million for next year.

Tafanelli said not only will lawmakers have tough choices to sift through, but they will also be pushed and pulled by many seeking not to get funding cut.

"The problem with that is all of the special interest are going to be there, so it will be a contentious time I'm sure," he said.

Tafanelli told Oskaloosa Rotary members last week that since November every month has seen a decline in actual receipts collected from revenue projections with the exception of March that saw a $12 million uptick.

Tafanelli said there are only two options to fill the gap in the budget-raise taxes or reduce spending. He said there is little chance of convincing a majority of either house to cut $500 million or to raise $500 million in taxes.

Finding areas to cut is also a daunting task. Tafanelli said that education along with social services encompasses about 90 percent of the general fund budget for the state. Likewise cutting $500 million from a $6 billion budget is a narrow line to walk.

Tafanelli said raising the state's sales tax by one-cent could raise more than $340 million, but could have negative effects in the long run. He said border counties such as Johnson or Atchison would have some issues with the tax. With lower taxes across the state line, lawmakers are fearful consumers will just go across the line to buy commodities.

He said a recent poll conducted by the Topeka Capital Journal showed that people don't want higher taxes, nor do they want services cut, especially education. However, he said the poll did say that most people would be in favor of raising taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. Tafanelli said the tax would at best raise $100 million but still leaves the state short.

Tafanelli said if people are not in favor of raising taxes, they will have to face the facts of changing what they expect from government

"We're in an environment right now where our constituents have said we want a certain level of services," he said. "We are going to have to reduce the requirements we have on government. That's the political reality we're in."

Tafanelli said cutting back on some programs may end up costing the state more down the line. He used the example of the state's prison system. He said just a few years ago Kansas was a model state for the way they reintegrated prisoners back into society. He said the programs helped Kansas have one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country.

"You can save some short term money but long term we're going to see the recidivism rate go up and you'll see us open those beds back up in a few years," he said.

One person at the event on Saturday questioned Tafanelli about a food sales tax rebate that some low income seniors receive. She said it amounted to about $85 a year for her 92-year-old mother. She asked, "Why not repeal the tax break?"

Tafanelli said it would be hard to find a majority willing to take away the program that he called vital to some seniors.

He said the state could be in for a rough summer once the budget decisions are made. He said lawmakers have tried to cut every department by the same percentage but departments that take up less than 10 percent of the budget do not have much room to cut.

Tafanelli said to expect some court battles this summer.

"We're going to get sued. Those with developmental disabilities are suing us. The schools are going to sue us," he said. "Stand in line. It's not like we've chosen to do something else with the money. Economically the money just isn't there."



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© 2010 The Valley Falls Vindicator Valley Falls, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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