The Emporia Gazette

May 28, 2012

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“Our season is short, our needs are great and the people are depending on us.”

With those words, Gov. Sam Brownback set the road map for what his administration hopes will be the direction the state takes in the coming year. Brownback laid out his guide to lawmakers during his State of the State Address Wednesday night as the Legislature sets out on what stands to be an ambitious year.

“We are a state in transition,” Brownback began before announcing his agenda, which will include reforms to the state’s income tax, school funding formula and funding for the KPERS retirement fund.

Local lawmakers are optimistic about the governor’s address and look forward to getting to work during the session.

“I think this has been a very encouraging start,” said Rep. Peggy Mast of Brownback’s remarks. “I think we need a good road map and we have one.”

One reason for optimism is that for the first time in several years, the state is beginning the year with money in the bank instead of staring at looming deficits.

“What a wonderful experience this is after being short for so long,” Mast said. “We’ve already paid off $100 million on our debt, with plans to pay more, and the possibility of actually ending with a balance of 7.5 percent is great news.”

While details of Brownback’s plan for the state’s future are still trickling out, he provided in his address his vision of Kansas in transition.

“From a high tax state to a low tax state,” he said. “From a state struggling to pay our day-to-day bills to a state with a healthy bank account. From issuing more bonds and borrowing from our kids to paying down our debt. ...”

While legislators have their work cut out for them, they look forward to digging into the issues as the session progresses. They are looking forward with cautious optimism. As the state becomes more healthy, they are thankful that the more painful days are over for now.

“I’m grateful that the work and sacrifice that has been made in the last three cycles as far as sustaining cuts and having fewer tax increases, that those days are behind us and we’re farther ahead than we would have been if we hadn’t made the difficult choices that we did,” said Rep. Don Hill.

Brownback’s address pointed the way to making government more local and less reliant on Washington.

“The government closest to the people works best,” Brownback said, reflecting possible changes to school funding, KPERS and other reforms.

While the governor’s tone was optimistic, the work ahead for lawmakers will be long and difficult.

“I thought the governor did a good job of articulating his plan for growth in Kansas,” said Sen. Jeff Longbine. “Growth is our number one priority. Jobs are certainly a number one priority. The legislature’s job is to follow through with the details of those plans and make sure they’re appropriate.”

Although supporters were pleased with the governor’s view of the future, voices from the other side of the aisle were skeptical.

“We heard a lot tonight about government reforms that might eventually stimulate private sector growth,” said Democratic Rep. Paul Davis in his response to the address. “However, Gov. Brownback offered few concrete proposals designed specifically to get Kansans off unemployment rolls and onto a payroll.”

According to Mast, Brownback’s remarks were inspiring.

“I could sense the enthusiasm of everyone in the room when he was talking,” she said. “There’s a lot of work to do and there is a lot of optimism. I feel an energy and a potential. This is a bigger challenge than we’ve had before, but with the budget already looking better, I’m encouraged.”