State Senate candidates discuss budget projections

Editor and Publisher

 

State Senate candidates on Thursday agreed that the expected revenue shortfall that started this past summer will make funding programs difficult in 2009.

Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, and his challenger Abner Perney, D-Salina, as well as Sen. Jay Scott Emler, R-Lindsborg, and his challenger, Cynthia Nelson, D-Lincoln, in the 24th and 35th District, respectively, discussed what could be ahead in 2009 when the Legislature returns. In the meantime all four candidates were preparing for the Nov. 4 general election.

Brungardt believes that 2009 could be similar to when he was first elected to the Legislature in 2000. When 9-11 hit, the state took a major hit in revenues and as a result lawmakers had to cut spending.

“That was a brutal session,” he said.

Perney said his priority would be to preserve education funding and he would look to have a maintenance-only approach on a transportation plan, which is up for consideration in 2009 because the current 10-year plan expires June 30, 2009. The Salina Democrat said tight times do not necessarily mean glum times.

Emler said the $19 million revenue shortfall in the most recent projection has already put into place budget cuts as recommended by the governor and the legislative leadership conference. He believed that public education would be spared, but other budgets would be on the table. He was committed to having an adequate reserve.

Nelson expressed agreement with comments made by the other candidates.

In evaluating reductions in personnel, she does have experience in such issues. However, she would have to study such a matter carefully before making a decision.

Emler noted that in some areas, lawmakers do not necessarily directly effect some state employees, such as in the judiciary, which uses several revenue sources. Circumstances mean that reductions have to be handled on a department by department basis.

Perney said in one of his personal experiences he cut the top salaried person and redistributed part of the savings to lower paid employees who were doing the work any way.

“I’m not above injecting radical ideas,” Perney said.

Brungardt said lawmakers can defer some expenses and delay purchases of vehicles and other items for a year. The state can also cut through attrition of employees, but sometimes that means losing a valuable resource.

Brungardt said if he had to raise taxes, he would look at sales tax first. He said income tax would also be on the table and least appealing is property taxes. He did say in funding services and state needs, it does take a balanced approach.

Perney said income tax would be the first tax he would consider with sales tax to be the second choice. Income tax is the best source of gauging wealth. As a property owner he loathes property  taxes because it depends on an appraisal process that has never been seen as equitable in the eyes of most property owners. He would also consider increasing user fees.

Emler said property taxes are off the table for him, but he could consider income and sales taxes. A legislator has to weigh all options at some point, he said.

Nelson supported increasing the sales tax, but she would also consider raising “sin” taxes, which are tied to the taxation of revenue produced by alcohol and tobacco sales.

In the area of energy, Emler said a comprehensive state initiative requires renewable sources such as wind and solar as well as natural gas and coal.

Emler believes Kansans want to see a comprehensive approach. He noted that even the Kansas Energy Council, formed eight years ago, has never been able to arrive at a policy that is acceptable to legislative leaders and the governor. The two sides need to arrive at a recommendation, he said.

Nelson said a good energy policy belongs to all Kansans.

“Energy is going to skyrocket,” she said. “Wind and solar are free.”

She believes the state will need to make a substantial investment in technology to help the renewable industry.

Brungardt said energy costs are going to keep increasing and he believed that all sources need to be on the table as part of the equation. Renewable sources such as solar and wind also need to be augmented by coal power.  The cost of energy is going to escalate as consumers and industry both need energy and they need to find it from a market place that offers a diversified approach.

“It’s all up for grabs,” Brungardt said.

Perney said action taken by lawmakers now will make a difference in the next 40 to 50 years. With wind and solar options, he believes that Kansas could have a major breakthrough in its economic future. Those approaches are clean. Investments have to be made in energy storing systems so that wind energy can be a viable year around supply.

Perney believes that the state should have a greater emphasis on railroads, which are the most efficient way of carrying merchandise and farm products. He said he would like to see more emphasis on railways that could also carry people. In urban areas, transportation monies could be set aside for pedestrian and bicycle paths as well as rapid transit systems.

Brungardt said the state’s highways, as a result of two comprehensive plans, are in excellent condition. 

The incumbent also could support greater emphasis on light rail, and pedestrian and bicycle paths, which also promotes a healthier lifestyle.

Nelson said she could support additional passenger trains, but said rail lines themselves are not in good condition for such changes yet. That will require working with railroad companies. She said resources that can increase mass transit would be monies well spent.

Subdivision planning by local entities also plays a part in how transportation is used. In traveling to Scandinavian countries she said planners there have done a good job of laying out paths that meet the needs of residents.

Emler agreed with Brungardt that the state’s commitment to highways has been the right approach. He said secondary roads should be the priority in the next comprehensive plan and as a result should be less expensive than the past two programs. How much money is available is not going to be known until the next session, he said, which will give the final say.
In closing remarks, Emler, who was first elected in 2000, said he takes the same approach he did when he first ran, which is to listen to constituents. With eight years experience he has been able to serve on committees that can help rural Dickinson Countians and other residents of the 35th
District.

Nelson said with her background she makes an ideal senator because she has experience in agriculture since she and her husband are wheat farmers, they have a sense of what the district is about.

Perney believed that developing sustainable energy sources and addressing long-term water resources has to be a consideration for the state and he was willing to do that. Bringing back rail as a major transportation segment also was at the top of his list.

Brungardt said experience is an important asset, particularly in tough times. At the same time, he said as a state senator, he was an advocate of job creation, which is Kansas’ best hope for economic prosperity.

The forum was sponsored by the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, Abilene radio station KABI, Eagle Communications, and SBC. Richard Baker, news director at radio station KKSU and a media professor at Kansas State University, was the moderator. Baker’s services were provided by the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy at K-State.