Every dollar the government spends is a dollar that was taken from a taxpayer, whether that be a business or an individual. Government has key functions that it must carry out and taxes are therefore, necessary. However, we must guarantee to the people of the state that their money is spent wisely and responsibly.
Education must be a key priority for state government. This starts with top notch educational programs and ensuring outcomes are competitive with other states. To be clear, I am a strong proponent for education funding, but that doesn’t mean government should write a blank check. Accountability is critical to ensure that students, teachers and parents are provided with a system that ensures success. Policymakers also need to ensure that our institutions of higher learning are providing degrees and certificates that are relevant to the needs of today’s job providers and provided in an affordable manner.
Growing the Kansas economy is another top priority. Simply put, we need good, high paying jobs for Kansas residents. This starts by making sure Kansas has the most competitive business environment. Taxes must be low and regulations reasonable. Investments in workforce training are also key to attracting world-class employers.
Eliminating the sales tax on groceries was a good move. Now, we must address property taxes. Valuations and the increase in property tax payments are crushing Kansas families. It’s simply unacceptable to have one of the highest income tax rates in the region. We can and must do better.