Governor abolishes Kansas Arts Commission
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Friday, February 11, 2011
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed an Executive Reorganization Order to abolish the Kansas Arts Commission and transfer the state agency’s responsibilities to the Kansas Historical Society. Theoretically, this will allow the entity to still apply for Federal funds. The Governor then announced the formation of the Kansas Arts Foundation, a non-profit, non-state supported arts organization.
“Our state faces a nearly $500 million budget shortfall and has nearly 100,000 Kansas who are unemployed. As we look to grow Kansas’ economy and focus state government resources to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, we must do all we can to protect the core functions of state government,” Gov. Brownback said. “This consolidation is a modest step toward making our economic development structure leaner, more efficient, more accountable, and more successful in growing the state.”
The Governor’s proposed budget allocates $200,000 through the Kansas Historical Society to assist in the transition from a state agency into a private organization. This will save the state’s general fund nearly $600,000 in the 2012 fiscal year.
According to Ronda Holman, The Wichita Eagle, “...the money to be saved is minimal: Eliminating arts funding cuts just 0.014 percent of the state general fund, or 29 cents per capita.” Also, the foundation will now compete directly with arts organizations for local funds to operate.
“Change is never easy, but our plan allows for a steady transition period. This recommendation for the council to become a private, non-profit organization is similar to the transition made by the Kansas Humanities Council which still receives both state funding through the Kansas Historical Society and federal funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities,” Brownback said in a press release.
“Under the leadership of its board of directors, I am confident that the Kansas Arts Foundation will flourish as a private entity and it will continue to promote the beauty that is Kansas and created by Kansans,” Brownback said.
According to the Kansas Arts Commission 2007 economic impact report, the Kansas nonprofit arts and cultural sector “...is a $153.5 million industry, supporting over 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs and generating over $15 million in state and local government revenues.” Local agencies will no longer be able to rely on applying for funding from the state, and will begin competing for funding.
“The artistic life of rural communities would be especially at risk, as would an important portion of the Kansas economy,” Holman said.
The order will take effect on July 1 unless the Kansas Legislature rejects it within 60 days.
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
According to this article the funding being cut is insignificant in terms of the overall budget.
I received an e-mail from one of the state legislators, (not ours), that stated the money saved by the state could go to treat 62 more developmentally disabled children per year.
What will our priorities be?
February 11, 2011 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
with local, state and federal governments cutting budgets out of necessity, the days of government grants are past. It will be up to the agencies that depended on them in the past to get out and compete for private dollars. And those are getting scarce also.
February 11, 2011 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
I can't wait until this jerk publicly announces his candidacy for President. If only he will promise to resign as governor so after he looses he will go back to his rock and crawl under it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWhOZM...
February 12, 2011 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Go ahead, click the link. It's really good music performed not by historians but by artists. I bet they are good at history and math as well.
February 12, 2011 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
Brownback...dumb, dumb dumb move. They are picking on parts of the budget with the fewest lobbyists and the largest ties to the middle. Let's see the republicans cut something that is meaningful to them. We know education isn't.
February 12, 2011 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
According to our philosophy music is been a great power. Power to bring peace and to get enlightenment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEW0Bt...
February 12, 2011 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
ahhhhhhhhhhh
February 12, 2011 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Constipation and irregularity causes irritability and an overall grumpy outlook on life. Try increasing dietary fiber intake and abdominal exercises like sit-up's and flutter kicks. A good walk can be helpful as well.
We should always try to post our comments with a big smile on our face because when we smile, the whole world smiles. But, when we frown, we're just autonomous posters from Timbuktu.
February 12, 2011 at 4:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
From an earlier poll:
How do you think Gov. Sam Brownback should balance the budget?
Cut state programs and staff 67% 419 votes
Raise taxes 20% 129 votes
Undecided 12% 75 votes
So it's ok. to cut programs and the majority want's him to cut programs, just not THEIR programs?????????????????????
February 12, 2011 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Now we'll have to make it our business to be sure to support the Arts with private dollars.
Salvation Army...United Way...this group, that group...good grief where do we cut our pie?
February 12, 2011 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
There is a difference between cutting and abolishing.
February 12, 2011 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
It's going to be tough. For a least a decade or more we have all, (government, charities, foundations, businesses and us, personally) have spent money like a drunken whore housewife from Atlanta, with an American Express Black card.
It seems no one considered that sooner or later the bills would add up and come due.
Well we are past due on paying for things. And everyone is going to suffer because of it.
I personally think the economy and employment figures are not going to improve much, if any, in the next several years. So my donation pie slices are going to a lot smaller and I am going to base them on causes that are truly charitable and probably not many with paid staff and directors. It's going to be a pretty rough time for a while.
February 12, 2011 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmadog (anonymous) says...
Steve, it's not that cuts aren't needed...but why not spread it out as a percentage across most department budgets rather than eliminate whole agencies? He is also seeking a constitutional amendment to eliminate both the State Board of Ed and the Board of Regents. Then he will transfer power to the executive branch and appoint an education czar. Story feed is posted on KVOE website. It seems like the gov is using a difficult situation for personal power gains rather than power to the people.
February 12, 2011 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Just curious,
off hand what the does the State Board of Ed and the Kansas Regents actually do? It would seem to me from what I know about the Regents we could do without them. Both are primarily administration orgs which are ripe for cuts. But appointing a czar? Is not what the right was all over Obama for doing? Call Glenn Beck!
February 12, 2011 at 9:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
look at the liberals bitch, , and I bet palin told brownback to do it, and beck told steve to talk about cutting the state board of education,
February 12, 2011 at 9:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
Here we go again...
February 12, 2011 at 10:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
justaflushaway, Kansas was never known for the fine arts anyway so it is probably best to quit wasting precious resources on a commission made up of politician's wives who know nothing of the arts anyway. But if you really like watching the bitchiness experts explode, just wait until we abolish state and local funding for the 4H.
February 12, 2011 at 10:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
southparkrepublican (anonymous) says...
4 what?
February 12, 2011 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
REWBA, go for it! 4H is about dead anyway. even though its for the children,they will scream bloody murder, damn i hate that saying, And while they are at it , quit funding the farmers and ranchers,
then while brownback is at it, get a hold of the school districts, I have always wondered how many damn assistants to everything, assistants to the assistants, what a waste of damn tax money, and next time a teacher bitches about not having what they need, STOP running all over the nation playing sports, does anyone know how much money goes down that drain, no and no one will ever find out. it's for the damn children
well this should stir up a few hateful comments. but that the fun of it, just tellin it like I see it.
February 13, 2011 at 12:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Get ready people, it's coming, probably sooner than we think. $4+ a gallon gas.
1st Egypt, but that's o.k. they don't have oil. Now it looks like Yemen, rumblings in Jordan and Iran. If the "democratic" revolutions hit Saudi Arabia, our fragile economy is going to take a huge hit. Remember 12-18% home mortgage loans? I do. Our govt. won't be able to print money fast enough to bail us all out. Maybe they shouldn't.
Maybe we need a little suffering and sacrifice ? Maybe 30% unemployment and soup kitchens will wake us all up? Our parents and grandparents lived through a world wide depression. Could we do it?
You all have a good day TODAY ! "Don't stop, to think about tomorrow".
February 13, 2011 at 5:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Fleetwood Mac song--re-worded
February 13, 2011 at 5:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Yes, Steve, I see that on this morning's news, especially about Yemen, a place we also know to be where a stronghold of al-qaeda is located.
But, but, but...to prevent our own economy from taking a hit, should we deny others on the globe from obtaining more democratic governments? Does our well-being depend upon the slavery and abject poverty of these peoples?
I feel like I need to review Oliver North and Ronald Reagan Iran-contra stuff before I say something stupid here, but Iran sure is another hot spot to come. How can it not be.
Oh my, this is getting deep. However, I can't help but remember our own beginnings as a country. We must think about all those people who met at the Green Dragon tavern from time to time to conduct a bit of "beer joint politics."
Sorry, couldn't help it.
February 13, 2011 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Nice comment on the green dragon inn,..... With all the cuts comming to higher education and overcrowding of prisions ..connect the dots...Do you think ESU is not on the radar screen.Sure would like to see the rda...yada yada yada. OHHH WELL,might be a good time to hoist the main and sail off into the sunset, .........
February 13, 2011 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
If America were to add in the real cost of oil we would be paying $15+ per gallon. Taxpayers have subsidized the oil industry all of my life by defending shipping routes and overthrowing governments who are not friendly with the oil men.
Emporia would be wise to invest in a thermal depolymerIzatIon plant capable of turning anything into oil. Instead of sending roofing shingles and tires to a landfill we could extract oil and carbon black. Carbon black is more valuable then aluminum cans and we all know what oil is worth. Byproduct waste from processing plants, plastic bags and bottles, demolition debris, and household waste can all be converted into oil and other valuable commodities. We cant save the whole world but we could have the cheapest gas in the U.S.
http://www.mindfully.org/Energy/2003/...
February 13, 2011 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
For the price of one F22 Raptor ($361 million per aircraft) we could have 18.5 thermal depolymerization plants ($20 million per plant)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWf9nY...
February 13, 2011 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Fascinating, REWBA. Good read. Anything can be turned into oil.
Example: " If a 175-pound man fell into one end , he would come out the other end as 38 pounds of oil, 7 pounds of gas, and 7 pounds of minerals, as well as 123 pounds of sterilized water."
I see where even emissions are not a problem for a plant like this.
I found the following very interesting because Carthage, Missouri is a neighbor of ours.
"This Philadelphia pilot plant can handle only seven tons of waste a day, but 1,054 miles to the west, in Carthage, Missouri, about 100 yards from one of ConAgra Foods' massive Butterball Turkey plants, sits the company's first commercial-scale thermal depolymerization plant. The $20 million facility, scheduled to go online any day, is expected to digest more than 200 tons of turkey-processing waste every 24 hours."
Wow, that is amazing.
And here Emporia sits with rocks at our entrances. In light of this article on thermal depolymerization, that committee and this city commission is so severely short sighted it is crippling.
February 13, 2011 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
I posted a while back we need to get a little crazy and start something on our on and not wait for someone to come on in and help us. I know there has to be some grant money for green energy. There is noway the present so called leadership down town can be of any help to us
They only know to raise taxes and services!
February 13, 2011 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I agree, booker. Did you read that link on depolymerization? It is absolutely fascinating and I have to hand it to those people who get on board with it. It must be like when the automobile first came out and people finally figured out that this was the future.
Wouldn't it be worth a trip to Carthage, Missouri? Holy macaroni!
February 13, 2011 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Just imagine, instead of collecting waste and paying to have it hauled off, we could get paid for taking it off the hands of surrounding communities and turn it into cheap fuel to attract out of town shoppers. Instead of having to pay $12 to dispose of an old tire, we might get paid a dollar for it. What to do with all the crap that is flushed down the toilet? Convert it into gasoline and fill our tanks with it. Fuel tanks on cars, not tanks defending the middle eastern oil. :-)
February 13, 2011 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
instead of paying $100k for rocks be worth to pay the dude to come here and present his program. Look into some grants and see what we can come up with
February 13, 2011 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Another benefit to having a thermal depolymerization plant is the additional industry that it would attract. Carbon Black is used in toner cartridges, for making tires last longer and for radar absorbent materials. Having toner cartridge manufacturers, tire manufacturers and the carbon fiber industry would create many lucrative career opportunities for the workforce of tomorrow.
February 13, 2011 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Of course science and arts are like Siamese Twins, abolishing one will kill the other.
February 13, 2011 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
I liked your idea of the MRE. Being in Ks and us having great transportation dont know why something like this couldnt happen. With 18hrs a shippment could be anywhere in the US
February 13, 2011 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Yeah, the MRE thing is an easy one. If only the RDA knew who to talk to they would know that the military is searching for a replacement product. We already have the packaged food industry masters right here so It would just be a matter of expanding a few production lines and doubling the capacity of the shipping department. How many jobs would that add to our town?
February 13, 2011 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )