Taxpayers Shouldn’t Be Burdened with Solving Government’s Spending Problem

The Kansas chapter of the grassroots group Americans for Prosperity released the following statement in response to Gov. Mark Parkinson’s 2010 State of the State Address:

“Considering that over a six-year time frame, from FY 2004 to FY 2009, spending increased by a staggering 40 percent, it was disappointing to once again hear Gov. Parkinson fail to identify excessive spending as being the real reason why Kansas is facing a budget shortfall,” said AFP-Kansas state director Derrick Sontag. “The budget crisis we are currently experiencing is a direct result of our state government living beyond its means, thus it is simply unacceptable for Gov. Parkinson to call for tax increases on Kansas families and businesses.

“Contrary to the Governor’s claim tonight, Kansas is a high tax state in nearly every measurement. When compared to our neighboring states, Kansas has the second highest personal and corporate income tax rates, second highest sales and gas tax rates and is even second highest in property tax collections per capita. Kansans simply cannot afford more taxes. The only state with a higher tax burden is Nebraska. However Nebraska’s state debt per capita is $22, while Kansas’ is $1,202.

“Now more than ever is the time to implement true fiscal reform in how we spend taxpayer dollars. I encourage the Governor and Legislature to not only avoid increasing taxes, but also to seriously consider passage of key measures that will impose some fiscal sanity in Topeka.

“Kansas needs to enact spending constraints, zero-based budgeting and budget stabilization fund legislation this year. When our state government entirely exhausts a budget surplus of nearly $1 billion in two and a half years, it’s obvious these measures need to be taken.

“Now is the time for our Governor and lawmakers to look in the mirror, not in the pockets of Kansas taxpayers when searching for answers. We have an opportunity to change the way we do business in Kansas by getting control over the reckless way we spend taxpayer dollars and ultimately, changing the reputation of our great state from being considered a high tax state to one that cultivates economic growth and prosperity through reductions in spending and tax rates.”