Five revelations from Sam Brownback's big speech
Barb ShellyKansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s state-of-the-state address was nobody’s idea of a blockbuster, but it did have its revelations. Here are five.
1) For the first time, Brownback said he would be supportive of state Supreme Court justices being elected. This is a truly a bad idea. Groups financed by Koch Industries – or anybody else — should not be allowed to buy themselves a judiciary.
2) The governor said he ultimately wants to take the income tax to zero. A year ago, he was talking about reductions in the income tax, not its elimination. “Look out Texas, here comes Kansas,” Brownback said. He made no mention of Texas’s poor education outcomes and broken health care system.
3) Brownback pledged to spend $12 million on programs to help schoolchildren struggling with reading. This is a great idea, but you have to wonder what he intends to cut to free up that money.
4) The governor’s budget 2014 budget, to be unveiled Wednesday, will recommend funding for a new medical training building at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Assuming the money can actually be found, that will come as great news in Lawrence and Kansas City, Kan.
5) Brownback, who is a control freak, wants to sweep the Kansas Turnpike Authority under his wing. He says it will “serve the public better and more efficiently.” We’ll be looking for some data on that.
Mark Hastert
4 months agoAnother example of voodoo economics and magic math. There are gonna have to be a lot of school bake sales going on…. and some for highways too. Maybe they can sell cookies out of the toll booths.
George Hunsucker
Northland
4 months agosmaller government = better government
Hurrah we have another state using the Texas model. Maybe we will someday have a nation and you libs will be in the other America(the broke one)….
Dean Allaudin Ottinger
4 months agoSam is so funny…that bromanse with Ric Perry is going to trip him up though…Sam Brownback-bought and sold by the rich elites!!
Phil Cardarella
4 months agoHey, Gov. Sam IS of the rich elites.
GOP ideas of “judicial reform” are simple: Make judges more responsive to the guys who can afford to buy elections. They talk a good game about social issues, but the reality is that they would happily toss toddlers on the burning altar of Baal if it meant that corporate taxes would shrink.
Mark Hastert
4 months ago“smaller government = better government”
Let’s start with you!
Bob Weeks
4 months agoHas anyone compared Texas NAEP scores with Kansas? http://bit.ly/YagXt6
George Hunsucker
Northland
4 months agoIf we are talking people sacrificing babies, don’t forget your side killing thousands EVERY YEAR….
Wonder if zero will have some kids at some pro-abortion rally?????