Freedom Archives - Kansas Policy Institute

How Free is Kansas in 2021?0
- Tax & Spending
- December 28, 2021
Freedom is one of the most evoked ideas in political discussions in Kansas and across America. What does it mean to be free? Part of it includes personal freedoms: the right to hold and express beliefs through things like speech, religion, and all other media. Are there laws that unfairly benefit or harm people in
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An Open Letter to County Commissioners About COVID Mandates 0
- Tax & Spending
- November 23, 2020
Kansas counties should not consider mandatory non-pharmaceutical intervention: mask mandates, curfews, or lockdowns. There are more productive ways to fight the effects of COVID-19 than mandates. My name is Michael Austin, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Government at the Kansas Policy Institute. We help ensure Kansans are informed about incoming challenges so they can
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COVID policy backlash, Kansans relocate to No-Lockdown states 0
- Tax & Spending
- October 2, 2020
Interstate migration is an honest perspective of how Americans view the economic opportunities in their state. Patterns and trends of Americans moving serve as evidence that people prefer states that are economically dynamic, vibrant, with plenty of opportunities. Moreover, this relationship doesn’t fade but rather, becomes more prominent under COVID-19. Updated research on moving van
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Kansas lockdown shrinks economy, needs post-COVID-19 reforms 0
- Tax & Spending
- April 17, 2020
Governor Kelly extended her statewide lockdown into May amidst signs that 25% of small businesses feel they are weeks away from closing permanently. Now, new data details how difficult it’s been for Kansas businesses and families to make ends meet. According to these estimates, COVID-19 and, in no small part, government lockdowns have closed half
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Government policy Kansans need to combat COVID-19 0
- Tax & Spending
- March 23, 2020
There’s been a flurry of government action to keep up with the rapidly changing COVID-19 outbreak. Action is certainly needed and great care should be taken to balance stopping the spread of the virus while limiting lasting negative economic or constitutional impacts. Governor Kelly has already taken some steps towards that end such as and
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Income inequality is about choice not “fairness”0
- Tax & Spending
- October 16, 2019
Everyone from democratic presidential candidates to President Trump has some opinion on the concept of income inequality. In Kansas, Governor Kelly even commissioned a tax policy group with the stated intentions to combat inequality by distributing income in ways perceived more “fair”. However, data from the U.S. Census Bureau strongly suggests differences in lifestyle choices
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