GOP House leaders make overtures to Democrats
Topeka ? Realizing they lack the votes within their own party ranks, Republican House leaders Monday sought Democratic help to pass tax increases needed to close a gaping budget shortfall.
Meanwhile, the political campaign already has started to defeat any lawmaker who gives thumbs up to more taxes.
Welcome to day six of the overtime legislative session.
“We are hated,” said Rep. Tony Powell, a Wichita Republican, describing the public’s view of the Legislature.
Facing a record revenue shortfall, lawmakers failed to reach agreement on a state budget during the 90-day regular session.
Meeting now in overtime, the Legislature has fashioned a $4.4 billion budget that will require from $250 million to $350 million in additional taxes, but leaves state spending flat for education and social services and still will probably produce deficits in the next fiscal year.
Republicans have been unable to pass tax increases to help balance the budget despite having 79 members in the 125-member House. Most of the 46 Democrats also have refused to go along with the tax proposals.
Monday, House Speaker Kent Glasscock, R-Manhattan, flanked by his lieutenants, had a meeting to ask House Minority Leader Jim Garner, D-Coffeyville, what Democrats wanted.
Garner said the half-hour meeting didn’t go well.
“They want us to help them pass $250 million in regressive tax increases, and still have a $400 million shortfall next year. That to me seems to be malfeasance with public funds,” Garner said.
Glasscock said he’s willing to listen to any suggestion from the Democrats to end the session.
Democrats have indicated support for an increase in the income tax rate for the wealthiest Kansans and for more “waste” cut from the budget.
One target is a proposal to spend $11 million to remodel a Topeka building that the state recently purchased for $18.5 million to house the Kansas Department of Transportation.
But most Republicans have refused to go along with income tax increases or cutting the funds to remodel the former Security Benefit building.
Lest anyone forget it is an election year, the printing presses already are rolling on campaign literature attacking legislators who vote for tax increases.
Rep. Dale Swenson, a Wichita Republican, said he received copies of fill-in-the-blank pieces of campaign mail that will slam lawmakers during the Aug. 6 primary for voting for a tax increase.
“The Shakedown Continues!,” says one piece. “That’s right. Your Kansas taxes are going up AGAIN and you have Rep. (blank) to thank for it.”
“This kind of intimidation isn’t helpful,” Swenson said. “You should be free to vote your conscience without having legislators blackmailing you.”
Swenson said he received copies of the literature from a conservative Republican. But spokesmen for a group of conservative legislators said they had no connection with the literature.