Republican tax plans would increase state revenue, analyses say

Fairy tales. Fables of the deconstruction.

May 22, 2013 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

House Republican leaders propose 1.5 percent cut to higher education for each of next two fiscal years

""Everybody has to compromise," Brownback said."

Except on abortion, income tax, and "business incentives".

May 22, 2013 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

House Republican leaders propose 1.5 percent cut to higher education for each of next two fiscal years

"The budget will also include a provision aimed at stopping KU from eliminating programs or reducing enrollment at its medical school campuses in Salina or Wichita."

A 1.5% cut is damaging, but to bar KU from cutting strategically, by including in the legislation a measure that would prevent cuts to Salina and Wichita medical programs, is heavy-handed and insulting.

Maybe the "waste and redundancy" at KU includes medical programs at Wichita and KU, which exist already in Kansas City.

May 22, 2013 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Opinion: Benghazi, IRS: Son of Watergate?

Benghazi is a manufactured "scandal". Where is the ethical violation here? That Obama listened to his intelligence advisors in a dynamic and rapidly changing situation? There is no scandal, but the GOP will continue to pretend as if there is just to keep feathers ruffled.

The IRS story deserves attention, but in my opinion will also turn out to be nothing, especially with regard to Obama.

The behavior and rhetoric of many right-wing, anti-government tea party groups is overtly political and borders on supporting one particular political party. The IRS has a duty to investigate these groups, and in 2009 after Obama was elected, the number of thes new groups swelled, so it was only natural that they would be the focus.

Childish, whiny tea partiers just don't like having their organizations investigated, so they threw a tantrum.

The paranoia that infuses the tea party and other right wing groups makes them very sensitive to legitimate IRS investigation. They threw a fit. Investigate it. Move on.

May 20, 2013 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Simons' Saturday Column: How does KU rank in customer satisfaction?

KU will always be hampered in this regard by the lazy economy and lack of opportunity for good jobs in the region.

Our legislature is trying to ensure that anyone interested in good schools, an educated work-force, a pro-science and technology outlook, and a good economy will stay away.

These are the people who start new companies and create new high-paying jobs, and the Governor and legislature are doing all they can to keep these people away.

So, if KU does not fare well in job placement, it is in part because of the business climate in Kansas that the Governor and legislature have created.

May 18, 2013 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Would you rather have a lower income tax and higher sales tax, or lower sales tax and higher income tax?

As a wealthy self-concerned member of upper middle class, I prefer a sales tax.

As a rational citizen concerned with equality, fairness, liberty, and society, I prefer an income tax.

May 17, 2013 at 7:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Legislative negotiations break down amid Republican in-fighting

"House Tax Chairman Richard Carlson, R-St. Marys, said, "We don't have an A team and a B team. We have a Senate and a House. They are co-equals," he said."

Yes, co-equally insane and damaging. F-team? Z-team? Omega-team?

May 17, 2013 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Higher education officials say concealed carry on campus probably inevitable in the future

Did_I_say_that wrote: "The Army prohibits soldiers from carrying personal firearms inside Fort Hood and other bases. They want to reduce casual violence among the soldiers."

Exactly. Tacit acknowledgement that even the best trained can vulnerable to using guns in "casual violence".

Allowing CC on campus would increase the chances of guns being used in "casual violence" by students, faculty, and staff.

May 16, 2013 at 12:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Conservatives at odds over budget, taxes as wrap-up session drags on

The all-in crazy versus the just plain crazy. It is a sad state of affairs in pitiful little Kansas.

May 15, 2013 at 7:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Higher education officials say concealed carry on campus probably inevitable in the future

I imagine many faculty will not be interested in lecturing to a group of 100+ students with concealed weapons on many of the students.

One could argue that this creates a dangerous work environment that the university could do something about, placing metal detectors and security screening at all building entrances, but will not do because of money.

Lawsuits and possible faculty refusing to teach under these conditions might be the result.

Quite honestly, issues such as this as well as general hostility to science and intellectual pursuits in Kansas is what keeps quality faculty away from KU, more so than low salaries and lack of raises.

May 15, 2013 at 7:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )