Op-ed by John Hendrickson and Jonathan Williams, includes “… The Kansas tax reform, and innuendo surrounding it, has created a paralysis among some policymakers who fear that cutting tax rates will lead to budget shortfalls. However, a careful analysis of the Kansas tax reform story should reassure legislators pursuing tax rate reductions across the nation, since it was unsustainable spending growth that was the real driver of budget problems in Kansas.”
The 2020 Financial State of the States report surveys the fiscal health of the 50 states prior to the coronavirus pandemic. This data is released today by Truth in Accounting (TIA), a think tank that analyzes government financial reporting.
Plaintiff lawyers want insurance companies to absorb the cost to business of the Covid-19 pandemic—and they’ve had some early successes
How large could the shortfall in state government general revenues be, amidst the coronavirus and related crises?
There is at least one issue a divided electorate can come together on this election year: A recent poll finds 90% of those surveyed agreed on the importance of making health care more affordable.
A new report produced by the Kansas Chamber and a Washington, D.C., think tank takes aim at county appraisers in Kansas who embrace “dark story theory” to escalate property values for higher tax collections.
After lawmakers repealed Brownback’s signature income tax cuts in 2017, Kansas’s cash reserves quickly swelled to $1.1 billion… He acknowledged the forecast does not take into account the possibility of future recession… Under current spending levels, Kansas will end the next fiscal year with a surplus of $722 million.
Kansas City’s next mayor will inherit a municipal budget stretched to cover a lengthening list of urgent needs.
“Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly worked Monday to rescue a key budget proposal that would reduce Kansas' annual payments to its public pension system by trying to sell the plan to wary retired teachers and government workers. Kelly's plan faces widespread opposition among Republican lawmakers, who view it as her way of freeing up state funds for additional spending on public schools and government programs. … She insisted she isn't trying to free up money for new spending and said retirees have heard "a lot of misinformation."
After two straight years of lackluster revenue growth, state finances are on the upswing thanks in large part to a stable economy and a one-time boost from December's federal tax overhaul.
This is not my quarterly 80% fundedness update. This is driven by an incredibly stupid thing said by a politician (of whom I have little expectation) and by someone who really should know better.
Despite delaying hundreds of millions in payments to the state’s pension fund and revising future interest earnings downward, state officials said this week that current and former state employees need not worry about their pensions.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials say retirees won't be affected by eliminated or delayed pension fund payments to teachers and other government workers.
The Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General is tasked with keeping track of more than $30 billion a year in state spending.
The state has struggled with budget shortfalls and meeting its liability obligations for several years.
A report published this week by U.S. PIRG, a public interest research group, is likely the first national review of online transparency practices for special districts. It found that most of them fail to meet basic transparency standards, and a slight majority of the special districts reviewed received failing grades.
By Jeffrey Jones, from 2016, includes "... Corruption and challenging economic times likely contribute to other states ranking among the least confident in their government. Louisiana, like Illinois, is renowned for corruption in politics, and many of the other lower-confidence states have had high-ranking elected officials convicted of crimes in recent years.
By Alan Greenbatt, includes “Observers say Kansas is trying to “end bad economic news by not reporting it.” It’s not the only state being accused of hindering transparency.”
By Jonathan Shorman, includes "Kansas has a law that would ensure the state has leftover cash each year ...
By Jonathan Shorman, includes “… “The Plains region is by far in the best financial health in the country,” said Sheila Weinberg, Truth in Accounting CEO.