Continued efforts to sidestep discussion of possible state tax increases will only hurt the state.

As the 2003 Kansas Legislature and the new governor ponder how to deal with the state’s current financial crisis, the foremost question on their minds should NOT be, “Who’s going to blink first?”

The question, of course, should be “What’s best for Kansas?” Unfortunately, with the opening of the legislative session just weeks away, it seems that seeking political advantage still is the order of the day.

It’s not yet known what measures Gov.-elect Kathleen Sebelius will propose in her first budget or her State of the State address, but she has, so far, been unwilling to compromise on her position that the state’s budget problems can be solved without tax increases. This is despite the fact that the combined money-saving measures suggested by her postelection study panels would barely scratch the surface in reducing the deficit.

Republican legislators also are sitting on their hands when it comes to tax increases, waiting for Sebelius to take the blame. Senate President Dave Kerr notes, “There is very little, if any, momentum for additional taxes this year.”

What qualifies as momentum? Are legislators waiting for someone to come to them and say “tax me, please”?

Meanwhile, education officials are scraping to keep schools afloat, and advocates for people with disabilities reportedly are drafting their own proposal for tax increases that would prevent further cuts in service.

What’s wrong with this picture?

It may be acceptable for legislators and the new governor to be jockeying for political position now, but if this attitude continues very far into the legislative session, it could be extremely harmful to the state. In the last legislative session, both Republicans and Democrats spent weeks throwing up their hands and saying “WE aren’t going to be the ones to propose a tax increase.”

Instead of taking a thoughtful approach to the budget issue, both parties put most of their energy into trying to blame the other. Finally, in the closing days of the longest session in history, they passed a package of budget cuts and tax increases that fell far short of meeting the state’s financial needs.

Republicans reportedly are fearful of how tax increases would be viewed by state voters, and it’s probably a safe bet that most voters would prefer that taxes not be raised. But if the governor and legislators from both parties could work together to formulate and justify a package of budget cuts and tax increases, Kansas taxpayers would be far more likely to support the action.

If the governor and legislators truly believe the budget can be balanced without tax increases they should put a plan on the table and let Kansans see what such a budget would mean to their state. If such a budget simply isn’t possible, they should put their politics aside and be willing to take responsibility for the steps that are needed to lead the state through this difficult time.