Issue Position: Taxes

Issue Position

When I first ran for office in 2008 I signed the Taxpayers Protection Pledge to oppose any and all efforts to raise taxes in Kansas and I have kept that pledge. I believe that high taxes are counter productive because they take much needed funds from our families and businesses. It's better if you spend your money on the things you deem necessary than to have others make those spending decisions for you. For me the signing of a "no new taxes" pledge is something that every serious candidate and legislator should do. This is the only way to end the ever increasing cycle of rising taxes.
Some elected officials think that the only way to raise revenue for the state is with tax increases. I believe that the way to generate additional revenue for the state is to get government out of the way and let the private sector businesses grow the economy. If we support policies that create an environment where businesses can flourish jobs will follow. Additional jobs means lower unemployment. Lower unemployment means more cash flow in the private sector which translates into more jobs and more revenue for the state. Currently 75% of all the jobs in Kansas are provided by small businesses, most of which employee less that 20 employees.
Everyone, families, businesses and governments needs to live within their means. Kansas hasn't had a revenue problem, we've had a spending problem. Spending increased in Kansas by 48% from 2005 to 2010. I am the mother of eleven children, I know how to live within a budget. Kansas legislators must practice fiscal responsibility, if they fail to work within a budget, if they fail to keep a lid on taxes, our children's children will inherit an unbearable financial burden. We cannot let that happen.

Making Kansas a better place to live, do business, and raise a family is the answer to our budget crisis. I have supported policies that encourage business expansion and private sector employment opportunities. I applaud Governor Brownback's decision to incrementally eliminate our State's income tax. States that have taken this step have created a climate where small business can flourish, private sector jobs are created, burdensome taxes can be lowered and state consumption revenues are increased.
People often run for office saying they won't raise your taxes, but once elected they forget the taxpayers. Others hold the line on tax increases but have no problem authorizing budgets that we simply can't afford. As a wife, mother and grandmother, I have a personal interest in safeguarding the future of all children, yours and mine.
This year Kansas legislators, with the help of conservative Representatives and under the leadership of Governor Browmback, adopted a budget that leaves a 7.5% ending balance in our general Revenue Funds. The 7.5% ending balance is required by law but this is the first year since I took office where we actually met that requirement. We're controlling spending and lowering taxes for the first time in more than a decade.

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