Gov. Sam Brownback and his 'like-minded' states
Barb ShellyEverybody needs a sounding board from time to time, and governors are no exception.
But I’ve started to cringe when Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says he’ll be “consulting with like-minded states.”
As a deadline for partnering with the federal government in a health insurance exchange drew near, Brownback’s office put out a statement saying that “we are discussing options and alternatives with like-minded states and with our legislative partners in Kansas.” The next day, Kansas participation in an insurance exchange was off the table.
Brownback hasn’t said yet whether he’ll recommend that Kansas expand its Medicaid eligibility threshold to the limits called for in the Affordable Care Act, but a statement from his office provides a clue. “We continue to discuss options and alternatives with like-minded states .…”
Not sounding good.
I got to wondering which like-minded states these might be.
We can scratch the 20 states with Democratic governors and the one state (Rhode Island) whose governor is an independent. Some of them — Missouri, for one — have made Kansas-like decisions on the insurance exchange. But it seems unlikely that Brownback, a conservative Republican, would be consulting with their governors.
Also out of contention are Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, Iowa and Mississippi. Those are states with Republican governors who decided that because federal bureaucrats intend to create health insurance marketplaces in all 50 states, it makes sense to work with them. In some places that kind of thinking is known as logic, but it’s out of sync with Brownback’s Kansas.
That leaves 24 states that may or may not be like-minded with Kansas. But of one there is no doubt.
Texas.
Brownback has made no secret of his admiration for the Lone Star State and its Republican governor, Rick Perry. He was an early supporter of Perry’s ill-fated presidential bid.
Texas has no income tax. Brownback wants to get rid of Kansas’ income tax.
Texas is one of four states that has refused to participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Core standards, which are benchmarks in reading and math meant to help students in each state be ready for college and careers.
Kansas signed on to the Common Core under a previous administration. But Brownback and some legislators are questioning them. Recently, Brownback refused to sign a letter of support for the Topeka School District’s effort to secure a federal education grant. The governor had a problem because the grant encouraged the use of Common Core standards, an aide explained in an email to the school district, which didn’t get the money.
Perry presided over a day-long prayer service last year, asking for prayer and fasting “on behalf of our troubled nation.”
Brownback last weekend participated in a large prayer rally organized by ReignDown USA. In a proclamation welcoming the group, Brownback asked all citizens of Kansas to “join in asking a Holy God to bring healing and restoration …”
Needless to say, Perry despises the Affordable Care Act.
Brownback does, too.
Brownback likes to tout job growth in Texas and its supposedly booming business climate. But there are perils to being too like-minded with the Lone Star State.
Last year, Texas ranked 47th in the nation in literacy. Its verbal SAT scores were 49th in the nation. Its students’ performance in math was fourth from the bottom.
A recent report showed 27 percent of Texans are without health care, the highest rate in the nation.
Texas is also worst among the states in five categories of air pollution.
When Brownback talks about like-minded states, Kansans can assume one place he’s looking is south. But they should hope he’s not like-minded enough with Texas and its governor to put defiance of Washington ahead of the welfare of the citizens.
To reach Barbara Shelly, call 816-234-4594 or send email to bshelly@kcstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @bshelly.
Mark Hastert
5 months, 1 week agoSee? There he goes again. What he really means is like minded people in other states. And if your only going to consult people who already think the same way what’s the point? That kind of political inbreeding isn’t likely to result in creative problem solving. That kind of inbreeding is what got the Rick Santorum. How’s about Brownie consult with his fellow Kansans of the opposite persuasion to see what they can do for their state?
George Hunsucker
Northland
5 months, 1 week agoI am sure it was just an oversight in your quest to be “fair and balanced” ms. shelly, but can you also tell the audience TX’s rank in job growth & GDP growth.
Also, how many illegal aliens are there pulling TX’s academics down?
Brownback is setting the stage for high growth in right-to-work Kansas. MO, saddled with taxes and unions holding it back, will look to KS with envy…..
Teresa Wickersham
5 months, 1 week agoI can tell you who some of the like-minded states are, Barbara. Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio and Texas all have governors that are backed by Americans for Prosperity, a front for the Koch brothers. They are all working from the same play book-gutting essential services and education, busting unions, suppressing votes, undermining the ACA, and most importantly for them, reducing taxes on the wealthy. I would say that Brownback would most certainly put defiance of Washington ahead of the welfare of our citizens-he already has.
Mary Petty
5 months, 1 week agoAll those jobs in Texas are from oil, fracking etc. Which I do not want all that fracking in Kansas. Look at all the earthquakes in Oklahoma that they say is from fracking. I myself do not want to live in Texas! Mr. Brownback only cares about the wealthy and corporations. We can only hope that Mr. Brownback will be another Rick Perry when it comes to running for President if he decides to try.
Bob Weeks
5 months, 1 week agoI would urge anyone comparing Kansas schools with Texas to take a peek under the covers before deciding which state has better schools. I have done the analysis here:
http://bit.ly/Q2gCQn
George Hunsucker
Northland
5 months, 1 week agoI assume you use a horse and buggy for transportation Mary. Remember, they like oats!!!!
Mark Robertson
5 months, 1 week ago27 percent of the people in Texas do not lack “health care.” They may or may not lack health insurance, but there is a big difference between lacking health insurance and lacking health care. There are a number of options for the poor, and surveys done across the country show that many of those without health coverage simply fail to sign up for available programs. Many without health insurance make over 50 and 75 thousand a year. Private charity is the best way to help the poor anyway. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence
Mark Robertson
5 months, 1 week agoGovernor Brownback has been a great governor, and his outstanding tax cuts will soon have Kansas being a boom state. There are actually 35 states that have rejected setting up the oppressive health exchanges.(Obviously, 5 smart Democrat Governors) It can be hoped that Brownback and all of the great Republican governors will continue to stand strong against the unnaffordable expansion of the dreadful Medicaid program. And as others have said, Texas is booming, largely thanks to the tax cuts of Governors Bush and Perry. Texas has also led in regulation reduction and reform, including tort reform. Governor Perry is a great example to follow and would have been a great president. The fact that there are 30 strong Republican governors is a bright spot in the dismal future of Obama being in the White House for 4 more long years. What a disaster he is. Governors actually have a lot of powers that presidents don’t have.(Thank God for our Founding Fathers) It can also be hoped that the Republican House will stand strong and do all they can to dismantle the monstrosity known as Obama(doesn’t)care. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence
Phil Cardarella
5 months, 1 week agoThink about it: Rick Perry is the Intellectual Leader of the Brownback Wing of the GOTP.
Somewhere, Alf Landon is spinning in his grave.
Phil Cardarella
5 months, 1 week agoSure you don’t mean “weak-minded”?
Steven Fetter
66223
5 months, 1 week agoWhats wrong with any person of faith participating with others of faith in praying for blessings for all? Will you next update us on the fact he went to church twice and was even rumored to have attended confession, all in 1 day?
Like the majority in the 2 state area I do not like the Affordable Health Act. I may even despise it. Yet I to pray to God for good health for all. Should we all join your list of the scorned?
President Obama presided over many religious ceremonies, the Diwali Festival being the latest. Will you now denounce him?
Chill out. It is the Holiday Season. Merry Christmas and God’s blessing to all. .