Headlines about increases in local property taxes, and college and vo-tech tuition, have become bleak and familiar. They are largely the result of two things: rising costs, and selfishness in Topeka.
Rising costs are bound to catch up with an economy that has bounced along, resisting inflationary pressure for several years, and while oil prices remain relatively low.
The long and not-so-benign neglect in Topeka should be no surprise, either. For years richer and poorer, legislators and governors have embraced control, hacked taxes, and hoarded state revenues. This year we see a bogus billion-dollar “tax relief” plan followed by a $4 billion offer to move a couple of Kansas City sports franchises across the river into Kansas.
Cities, counties and rural schools are left again to spin in futility.
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The 2016 elections brought some relief, an influx of new and progressive legislators and a resurgence of keen and prudent veterans such as Republican Steve Johnson of Assaria, an astute chairman of the House Tax Committee who’s now the state treasurer.
Johnson and other reformers realized that time and patience were needed to overcome the damage left by the Brownback Administration, its efforts to dismantle much of state government and snap its crucial ties to local government.
Funds dedicated by law to cities and counties were raided or sidelined yearly over two decades. Local governments, having cut budgets and avoided tax increases for several years, were forced to measure tax increases against further cuts in vital services including public safety, and the mutilation of funding for schools.
Colleges, universities and technical schools, facing a double whammy of federal and state neglect, ask students and their families to pay more of the bill. Revenue from student tuition at state universities has grown to surpass the billions in state aid to those six institutions.
For years, legislators turned their backs. State spending is now in the black because a Democratic governor and sensible legislators from both parties quashed a mash of foolish schemes ‒ a flat tax and other breaks for the rich among them ‒ and put local school funding back on course.
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Nonetheless, local governments continue to shoulder more of the load and, in many cases, are forced to raise taxes to pay for it. For too long Topeka has slapped costly mandates and tax lids on local government while insisting that the burden for schools, cities and counties was a local affair to be solved only with local taxes.
Election years bring timidity in Topeka, an aversion to spending and a fear of taxes. This year brings an opportunity for voters to show their support for local government and for a more equitable share from Topeka. It’s also an opportunity for candidates to show their faith in the citizenry and a commitment to help their communities ascend.
After lo, these years, candidates should realize that the problems of communities and local governments are a statewide problem. Only with
strong cities and counties will we have a strong state. The alternative is more weakness at both ends.
