It's just about crunch time for Kansas legislators with the 2002 session due to get under way on Monday.
A check of Kansas newspapers over the years probably would show stories about this time every year reporting great concern about the upcoming legislative session and how lawmakers would address important matters. This year is no exception. In fact, if there was a ranking of the seriousness or gravity of legislative sessions, the upcoming 2002 gathering might rank near the top.
The state faces a shortfall of about $426 million for the next 18 months, and some way must be found to reduce state expenditures or increase revenues enough to cover the projected financial shortfall.
Kansas law requires the state operate on a balanced budget, and the governor cannot propose a state budget that exceeds projected revenue.
So, the big question facing Kansas House and Senate members is how to live within the fiscal means of the state. What programs are more important than others? What programs can be reduced or eliminated? What programs deserve continued or greater financial aid and should a tax increase be called for to avoid severe cuts in state funding?
How does the fact that this is an election year in Kansas color the state financial picture, the elimination of programs or a call for a tax increase?
How should state lawmakers balance the financial needs of higher education vs. the need to keep the state's highways in good shape? This same question can be, and will be, asked concerning a multitude of state-funded or state-aided programs. It is natural for proponents of various state activities to claim their particular program or agency deserves priority, but the fact is it will be impossible for the state to fund and meet the needs of all bodies now receiving state tax support. There is no easy or painless way to solve the problems.
This being the case, Gov. Bill Graves can be and should be a major force in the upcoming struggle.
On one hand, he is a lame-duck governor, and some legislators or would-be political king-makers may say they don't have to pay attention to the governor's wishes.
At the same time, the governor is not seeking re-election and he should have no qualms about trying to set a realistic, no-nonsense, honest and challenging road map to help the state successfully navigate through the difficult financial detours.
He doesn't have to worry about offending anyone in his party or in the Democratic Party. He doesn't have to worry about stepping on toes or angering the general citizenry.
His job challenge is how to give Kansans reason to believe he is shooting straight and acting in the best interests of he state, not trying to favor or support a GOP plan or a Democratic policy. He has the opportunity to go down in the history books as a governor who faced immense challenges and was able to provide the leadership that addressed and resolved these problems in an enlightened manner that was good for all Kansans.
He needs to show courage and vision and, again, be honest with the public.
Likewise, each state lawmaker needs to exhibit courage and leadership in a nonpartisan approach to what is best for the state. Each of the 165 legislators are going to be hammered by their constituents and lobbying groups to support one program over another. However, now is the time for these solons to be responsive and sympathetic to the requests but, at the same time, consider the best overall interests of the state. There's no easy answer.
If there is any solace in this situation, it should be remembered most states are facing a similar financial crunch due to a combination of factors, all of which have affected tax revenues. Some states are going to come through this period in relatively good shape while others will emerge with scars and bruises that could result in long-lasting damage. There's no reason why Kansas can't be one of the states that uses intelligence, vision, courage and bipartisanship to come out of this period of financial stress as a winner.
Legislators and the governor alone cannot get the job done. It is going to require the cooperation and understanding of all Kansans Republicans and Democrats, those in urban areas and those in the rural parts of the state. There probably are some frivolous state programs, but there is no question that there is waste. Every effort needs to be made to target these situations and tighten the state purse strings. On the other hand, there are programs that are extremely important to the quality of life of some less-fortunate Kansas residents.
All of this must be balanced and reviewed by lawmakers, keeping in mind what is truly critical and in the best interests of the state. In making these judgments, legislators and the governor need to act in a manner that merits the respect of Kansas residents, whether they agree with the final outcome of the budget battle or whether their particular state program received what they considered reasonable fiscal support.
Here in Lawrence, there will be much interest in how higher education fares in the budget. This would be true in Manhattan, Hays, Emporia and other cities where Kansas Board of Regents schools are located. In other communities, there will be other matters of particular concern. Funding for K-12 education should be of interest to all residents of the state. What about support for health-related programs and other services aided by the state?
Again, there must be give and take and few state-aided programs are likely to receive full funding. Now is a chance to see whether the entire state can pull together, recognize the seriousness of the times and put aside selfish interests.
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