Our thoughts and prayers go to those that have suffered greatly and lost everything as a result of the recent tornado to hit the Greensburg area. We feel so helpless in that communications are sporadic and we are often restricted or limited in what help we can offer. I am glad to hear the stories of survival and of neighbors helping others and the volunteers willing to help and donate. These stories show promise for those that desperately need assistance. Keep those people in your prayers.
Many of us went through the tornado of June 10th, 1958 here in El Dorado. I remember much about it and still am thankful for my neighbors; the Poe’s who let my older sister and me take shelter in their basement. That tornado killed my mom’s dad and partially destroyed our house. That is a summer I will never forget.
I am currently in El Dorado and preparing to return to Topeka on the 9th for a Legislative Post Audit Committee meeting. While in the capitol I will be cleaning up some last minute issues, clean out my files and basically get ready to stay home.
I have met with a couple different constituent groups and at least a couple of EHS’s Government Classes. I want to interact with your group or club and welcome your invitations
We have completed the Omnibus Budget Bill and I am reporting we have increased tax reductions in some areas and increased spending in others. Next year we have got to cut some baseline budgets or we will face cash shortfalls at the state level. We all know if the money is not there for the things we want and maybe need; the options available include borrow or credit card debt.
The same is true at the state level, all agencies ask for more of our money to spend on services. Many of us benefit from those expenditures, in improved health care, better roads and bridges, police protection, and the like. Without increased revenue from sales and user fees the next options are budget cuts or tax increase.
What are your thoughts on the price of gasoline and the reasons for the recent increase? Some say it is the supply and demand theory that there is more driving now and there is not enough refining capacity to meet that demand. The refineries are running full tilt and the oil companies want to increase capacity. The government regulations make expansion very expensive and the environmentalists want to save the whales and trees. Where is the balance?
Got Taxes? By now we have all received our property tax appraisal. Properties have apparently increased in value as some properties have jumped over 2-3 times. I hear your complaints and I think we have some room to complain. Remember however; it is your taxing authorities that set the mill levy to assess your and my taxes that provides the amount of money for their budgets.
On my Real Estate Tax Statement those tax authorities are; State of Kansas, Butler County, Statewide USD, USD 490, El Dorado City, and BCCC General. You will hear all these folks tell you they intend to hold or only slightly increase their mill levy. They do not have to increase their levy to get more money; the appraiser has done that for them.
Do not beat up the appraiser for the full increase in your taxes, look to your elected officials that serve on boards, commissions, councils, and are your representatives in the daily operations of your government. We all must sit together to talk about how to improve efficiencies, share duties, and yes maybe consolidate to eliminate duplication of services, if they exist. I have not seen the state statute that requires such huge increases in property valuation annually. I do not see the development that supports large increases either. What do you see?
Likewise I have never seen where it is impossible for the taxing authorities to lower their mill levy to maintain the current funding levels. Flat budgets are a fact of life for a lot of us. There is a tax revolt coming, are you ready?
Did any of you see the Wichita Eagle Commentary by Mark McCormick, Sunday May 6th? I quote “As a part of its high school reform efforts, the (Wichita) district is requesting six new positions district wide for educators whose focus will be to make sure every student at every school feels connected. With budget approval, they would begin work in August. District officials call this $364,000 proposal a focused, deliberate strategy to keep students engaged.” “Its about relationships, “ said Superintendent Winston Brooks,. “ We can no longer allow kids to just fade away in the hallways.”
Where are the teachers, coaches, counselors, and the uniformed officers that are already assigned to the schools?
I want to thank the El Dorado Times for providing me the space for my weekly columns. I will continue with legislative updates this summer and into fall. If you have a particular interest please get in touch with me. I do consider it an honor and privilege to serve as your representative in Topeka. Contact me at www.johngrange.net, 316-321-2087, grange@house.state.ks.us, johng@carlisleinc.net, or write at 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado Kansas 67042. Thanks, Rep. John C. Grange.
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