Things to think about the Governor responding to The State of the Union Address tonight. 1/28/2008.
KATHLEEN: THE TAX AND SPEND MACHINE
Last Year, Kansas' Economy Ranked Poorly:
Forbes Ranks Kansas 49th In Its Economic Climate, Which "Reflects Job, Income And Gross State Product Growth As Well As Unemployment And Presence Of Big Companies." ("Table: The Best States For Business," www.forbes.com, 7/10/07)
Under Gov. Sebelius' Leadership, Job Growth Well Below National Rate:
From January 2003 Until December 2007, Jobs Grew Nationally By 6.3 Percent. From January 2003 until December 2007, jobs grew 8,239,000 nationally from 130,256,000 to 138,495,000, or 6.3 percent. (The Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 1/22/08)
From January 2003 Until December 2007, Jobs Grew In Kansas By 4.6 Percent. From January 2003 until December 2007, jobs grew 61,200 in Kansas from 1,322,500 to 1,383,700, or 4.6 percent. (The Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 1/22/08)
GOV. SEBELIUS' LEADERSHIP HAS LED TO BIG GOVERNMENT SPENDING
Under Gov. Sebelius, Government Spending Has Increased 37 Percent:
Since Gov. Sebelius Took Office, Kansas State Spending Has Increased 37 Percent. State spending rose from $9,200,100,000 in 2002 to an approved $12,624,851,725 in 2008, or 37.2 percent. (Kansas Division Of The Budget Website, budget.ks.gov, Accessed 1/23/08)
While Job Growth Lags, Government Employment Thrives In Kansas:
Kansas Has The 3rd Highest Rate Of Public Employees. The American Legislative Exchange Council ranks Kansas 48th among states' public employees per 10,000 residents, with 1st being the lowest, and 50th being the highest. (Arthur B. Laffer and Stephen Moore, "Rich States Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index," American Legislative Exchange Council, www.alec.org, 2007, p.71)
GOV. SEBELIUS' SOLUTION TO HIGH TAXES? "TWISTING ARMS" TO MAKE THEM HIGHER
Kansas Has One Of The Highest Tax Burdens In The Nation:
Kansas Has 15th Highest State-Local Tax Burden In The Nation, Which Has Increased 6 Percent Since Sebelius Took Office. The State-Local tax burden has risen from 10.6 percent in 2002 to 11.2 percent in 2007, or 5.6 percent. According to the Tax Foundation, this places Kansas at 15th highest in the nation. ("Kansas State-Local Tax Burden Compared To U.S. Average," The Tax Foundation, www.taxfoundation.org, Accessed 1/22/08)
Kansas Has The 13th Highest Property Tax Burden. The American Legislative Exchange Council ranks Kansas 38th among states' property tax burdens, with 1st being the lowest, and 50th being the highest. (Arthur B. Laffer and Stephen Moore, "Rich States Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index," American Legislative Exchange Council, www.alec.org, 2007, p.71)
Kansas Has The 15th Highest Sales Tax Burden. The American Legislative Exchange Council ranks Kansas 36th among states' sales tax burdens, with 1st being the lowest, and 50th being the highest. (Arthur B. Laffer and Stephen Moore, "Rich States Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index," American Legislative Exchange Council, www.alec.org, 2007, p.71)
Kansas Ranks 38th In Competitive Corporate Taxes. The Tax Foundation ranks Kansas 38th in its Corporate Tax Index ranks, with 1st being the most competitive, and 50th being the least competitive. (Curtis S. Dubay, Economist and Chris Atkins, "2007 State Business Tax Climate Index," Tax Foundation, www.taxfoundation.org, 10/06)
But Gov. Sebelius' Solution Is To Raise More Taxes:
Gov. Sebelius Has Called For Hiking The State Sales Tax 8 Percent, The Income Tax By 5 Percent, And Property Tax 10 Percent. "The governor proposes to: Increase the state's sales tax rate from 5.3 to 5.5 percent on July 1, to 5.6 percent in 2005 and to 5.7 percent in 2006. Impose a 5 percent surcharge on personal income taxes, with no expiration date specified. Raise the state's 20-mill property tax levy for schools to 21 mills in 2005 and to 22 mills in 2007." (Chris Moon, "Governor's Plan Would Raise Three Kinds Of Taxes," Topeka [KS] Capital-Journal, 2/26/04)
Her Plan Would Have Increased Taxes By $600 Million. "[G]ov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, would raise income, sales and property taxes and spend $663 million more on public schools over the next three years." (Jim Sullinger and John L. Petterson, "It's GOP's Turn At School Finance," The Kansas City Star, 3/13/04)
Already This Year, Gov. Sebelius Has Come Out In Favor Of A $0.50 Per Pack Cigarette Tax Increase, Saying She'd Be "Twisting Arms" To Help Pass It. "Gov. Kathleen Sebelius [advocated] proposals that include a 50-cent per pack increase in the state cigarette tax. 'I will be campaigning for this, urging people to do it, twisting arms to do it,' Sebelius said." (Scott Rothschild, "Sebelius, Barnett Join Forces On Tobacco Tax," Lawrence [KS] Journal-World, 1/10/08)
GOV. SEBELIUS VETOED EFFORTS TO STOP EXCESSIVE LITIGATION FROM HARMING BUSINESSES AND HEALTH CARE
Litigation Is A Growing Problem For Kansas Businesses:
A 2005 Poll Found That 72 Percent Of Kansas Business Leaders Believe Frivolous Lawsuits Drive Up Business Costs. "A recent Kansas Chamber of Commerce poll of the state's business owners and executives indicated that 72% of business leaders strongly believe that frivolous lawsuits drives up their costs of doing business." (The Attorney General Of Kansas, "Attorney General Kline, Insurance Commissioner Praeger Work To Ensure No 'Medical Liability Crisis,'" Press Release, 3/4/05)
According To The U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Institute For Legal Reform, Kansas' Lawsuit Climate Has Dropped Nine Places Since Gov. Sebelius Took Office. Since 2002, Kansas has dropped from rank four to rank 13, or nine places, in The U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Institute For Legal Reform rankings, which judge "fairness of [states'] litigation environment[s]." (Kansas Chamber Of Commerce, "Kansas Chamber Legal Institute," www.kansaschamber.org, 8/9/04; U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Institute For Legal Reform Website, www.instituteforlegalreform.com, Acces sed 1/23/08)
Gov. Sebelius Vetoed Efforts To Reduce Medical Liability Insurance Costs In A State Which Is "Showing Problem Signs":
Kansas Is Given A "D" By The American College Of Emergency Physicians On The Medical Liability. ("The National Report Card On The State Of Emergency Medicine," The American College Of Emergency Physicians, my.acep.org, 1/06)
The American Medical Association States Kansas Is "Showing Problem Signs," Due To Rising Medical Liability Rates. (Sherman Joyce, "Election Should Lead To Strong Legal Reform," The Wichita [KS] Eagle, 11/16/04)
But In 2007, Gov. Sebelius Vetoed Legislation, Making It Easier To Sue Physicians In Consumer Protection Cases. "Gov. Kathleen Sebelius ... vetoed a bill that she said would have exempted health care providers, including doctors, from the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. ... The Kansas Medical Society issued a statement saying it was 'very disappointed' in Sebelius' veto. ... Without the bill, they said, more litigation will occur and that would lead to higher malpractice premiums for health care providers, which will be passed on to consumers." (Scott Rothschild, "Sebelius Vetoes Bill Sought By Doctors," Lawrence [KS] Journal-World, 4/21/07)
GOV. SEBELIUS SUPPORTS BIG LABOR AND TRIAL LAWYERS OVER KANSAS WORKERS AND BUSINESSES
Gov. Sebelius: In Pocket Of Trial Lawyers:
Gov. Sebelius Was Executive Director Of Kansas Trial Lawyers Association From 1978-1986. ("Gubernatorial Candidates On Tuesday's Primary Ballot," The Associated Press, 8/2/02)
Gov. Sebelius Has Received At Least $898,707 From Lawyers & Lobbyists. (The Institute For Money In Politics, www.followthemoney.org, Accessed 1/22/08)
In Gov. Sebelius' 2006 And 2002 Races For Governor, Lawyers And Lobbyists Were The Top Economic Sector Contributing To Her Campaign. (The Institute For Money In Politics, www.followthemoney.org, Accessed 1/22/08)
Gov. Sebelius: In Pocket Of Big Labor:
Gov. Sebelius Has Received At Least $564,495 From Big Labor. (The Institute For Money In Politics, www.followthemoney.org, Accessed 1/22/08)
4 comments:
Looks like a great choice for us!
Bad part is no one watches the response.
Interesting speach. Calling GWB to join them. That was way too funny. I like the way things are setting up for the GOP. It looks as if the Dems will acually run for higher taxes. We might just win.
I was surprised not to see Nancy or Ried? She looked like a drone that was pre-programmed with words???
GWB had some good points but in all honesty it was all geared towards congress to push through his agenda. I don't need TV to see or hear that?
What I expect is a president to come up to that podium and blast those individuals who are not on board and stop this brown lipsticking!!!
I would have blasted anyone who did not get up and applaud because of party lines!
I would have blasted for the simple reason of showing no respect to the presidency!
I would have blasted how laim their policy was on Iraq, Iran and any other country that they would like to pacify.
I would have blasted key individuals for siding with the enemy, especially those who are in our party!
I would have blasted for those who were not paying attention!!
Just watching the delegates showed me EXACTLY where we are heading and it sucks!
OK I am done blasting!!!
They have already done Harry and Pelosi before; they are weak speakers and usually piss people off. Yeah everybody sitting on their hands kind of pissed me off too, looking at each other like: are you going to stand, well I not either. Bunch of idiots. Like my wife said a house divided and it is quite apparent. 60's hippies need to get over it and welcome the new Millennium.
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