Parkinson threatens veto of budget that relies on more cuts

? Increase taxes or face a veto. That’s the message from Gov. Mark Parkinson to Kansas legislators in preparation for Wednesday’s wrap-up session.

Scheduled events

Here are upcoming events designed to get out the pro- or anti-tax message:

• Kansans for Quality Communities news conference at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Statehouse; calling for an end to budget cuts.

• The Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity, which opposes tax increases, will conduct a 9 a.m. Wednesday summit at Maner Conference Center, and then a rally at 3 p.m. on the south lawn of the Capitol. Speakers at the morning session include nationally syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin, and political satirist P.J. O’Rourke.

• A rally to support funding programs for Kansans with disabilities will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on the south side of the Capitol.

“If they’re going to try to balance this budget with further cuts, they’re going to need two-thirds of the Legislature to do it because I’ll veto that plan,” Parkinson said in an interview with KMBC. It takes a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate to overturn a governor’s veto.

Parkinson even offered that a special session may be necessary to resolve the impasse over the estimated $500 million revenue shortfall. He says that after cutting the budget nearly $1 billion, more cuts would do permanent damage to necessary services.

Parkinson, a Democrat facing a Republican-dominated Legislature, has proposed a 1-cent increase in the state sales tax rate, from 5.3 cents per dollar to 6.3 cents per dollar for three years. He also wants an increase in the state tax on cigarettes, from 79 cents per pack to $1.34 per pack, a 55-cent per-pack hike.

Some Senate Republican leaders have said a tax increase is needed, but haven’t been able to put a plan together.

Meanwhile, House Republican leaders continue to push for a budget that holds the lid on taxes while cutting education, social services and state employee pay.

“I think the momentum is definitely moving back in line with the live-within-your means approach,” said Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park, and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

But Parkinson said Yoder’s budget would require local property tax increases because it cuts school funding by $86 million.

Here are upcoming events designed to get out the pro- or anti-tax message:

• Kansans for Quality Communities news conference at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Statehouse; calling for an end to budget cuts.

• The Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity, which opposes tax increases, will conduct a 9 a.m. Wednesday summit at Maner Conference Center, and then a rally at 3 p.m. on the south lawn of the Capitol. Speakers at the morning session include nationally syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin, and political satirist P.J. O’Rourke.

A rally to support funding programs for Kansans with disabilities will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on the south side of the Capitol.