Tax & Spending

After Record Tax Increases, Kansans’ Happiness Suffers 0
- Tax & Spending
- May 2, 2019
The latest snapshot of the Kansas economy isn’t a good one for Kansans. Its private sector is ranked as the 31st fastest growth in the nation for 2018. For the last quarter in 2018, Kansas’s private sector was the 42nd fastest. As a result, economic opportunities elsewhere continue to flourish at the expense of Kansas
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Coincidence or Preparation? Kansans Cut Shopping Equal to Vetoed Tax Windfall 0
- Tax & Spending
- April 15, 2019
Governor Kelly vetoed the tax windfall bill, raising Kansans’ income taxes to the tune of $50 million. Near the same time, the latest state tax report shows Kansans decreasing shopping by $40 million. Is this just a coincidence, or are Kansans preparing to pay for higher taxes again? It’s possible Kansas’s fiscal troubles and sluggish growth
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Kansas Regulations Stifle Competition and Burden Families 0
- Tax & Spending
- April 5, 2019
Government plays many roles in helping Americans pursue their interests and achieve the American Dream. One such role is balancing business regulations to ensure consumer safety while still encouraging entrepreneurship. Unfortunately for Kansas, it takes four and a half weeks (180 full-time hours) to read all business regulations and restrictions. Fortunately, this burden pales in
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New county data underscores struggling Kansas economy 0
- Tax & Spending
- March 25, 2019
Prototype county-level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows deep pockets of concern for the Kansas economy. The data covers the years 2012 through 2015, showing only 58 of the state’s 105 counties had GDP gains for the private sector, compared to 90 counties showing gains for government GDP.
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A $2 Billion Tax Increase Inbound: How Would It Impact You?0
- Tax & Spending
- March 19, 2019
Have you heard of the incoming tax increase? To maintain a statutorily required 7.5% ending balance, policymakers must find a way to close a $2 billion gap and slow the rate of state spending. The overspending includes an initial $1.3 billion shortfall , a $115 million KPERS payment, and the $270 million in new demands
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Solving the Kansas Budget Crisis 0
- Tax & Spending
- March 7, 2019
Simply removing the Governor’s proposal won’t solve the state budget. Policymakers must find a way to reduce spending by roughly $518 million over four years. We’ve written previously on the Kansas budget debate with a clear-eyed look at the impact of different proposals. The key moving forward is to close the gap remaining in the
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