government spending Archives - Kansas Policy Institute

Record State Budgets From Off-Target Economic Predictions 0
- Tax & Spending
- June 13, 2019
When it comes to making predictions, they say that the only good thing about economic forecasters is that they make the TV weathermen look good. Kansas’s economic and tax revenue forecasters, known as the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group or CRE are no different, and they have a history of missing their estimates. As a result,
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Kansas Taxpayers Left With $1.4 Billion Deficit Despite Governor’s Veto 0
- Tax & Spending
- May 17, 2019
Those saying the current trajectory of state spending won’t lead to a deficit or tax increase aren’t being honest. A new profile prepared by the Kansas Legislative Research Department (KLRD) shows the state budget creates a $1.4 billion deficit over the next four years. This happens regardless of Governor Kelly’s veto of the tax windfall bill. Another
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Kansas Has Nation’s Highest Rural Property Tax: 2019 Green Book 0
- Tax & Spending
- May 10, 2019
Some of Kansas’s low economic performance may be tied to the fact that property taxes are growing too fast. In fact, 65 KS counties saw triple-digit property tax growth despite their populations shrinking. The Lincoln Land Institute found that Iola, KS has the highest rural property tax rate in the nation. By contrast, there is
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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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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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