Kansas Republicans are experiencing a form of deja vu. In 2012, as a matter of haste, Republican leadership passed a tax cut which was
plagued by technical errors and omissions which confused accountants.
Now, a few weeks after ending what is the longest session in Kansas’ history, Republicans have repeated the history of 2012, and similar errors will turn Sine Die into a push to alter legislation in order to make sure it is workable.
This comes as no surprise to Democrats, who had offered this advice repeatedly during session. Even Republicans were concerned, with Sen. Les Donovan (R-Wichita) the chairman of the tax committee, noting that the property lid as proposed was poorly vetted and needed to be vetted before it could be voted on.
Psychologists refer to this as anecdoche -- an ongoing conversation in which no one is listening -- and Kansas Republicans are now asking Democrats to bail them out of the boat they have entered.
Shawnee County (Topeka)and others conducted reviews and quickly realized that as written, counties could not implement the property lid, begun as the LaTurner Amendment after the senator from Pittsburg, KS in a way that would mesh with their budgeting process.
This was a key concern of many Republicans and Democrats in the house, who viewed the LaTurner amendment as a "dealbreaker.” Now, with the LaTurner amendment causing trouble again, Kansas Republicans - who hold a super majority that requires no Democratic votes to pass this legislation, nor any to override a Governor veto should they disagree - are busy lobbying Democrats to save them on SB270.
Senate Bill 270, the trailer bill, is up for revision in hopes of changing the timing and mechanism for the LaTurner amendment. Republicans, however, despite their super-majority are unable to get enough members of their own on the same side.
Over the last week plus, Governor Sam Brownback and Republican Senators took to the press to refer to Democrats as "obstructionists" and unwilling to compromise.
http://www.kansascity.com/...
“It’s easy to sit there and be an obstructionist, vote no on everything and throw bombs,” Masterson chided Democrats. “The adults are finally coming in the room. We’re going to get something done.”
http://m.cjonline.com/...
Gov. Sam Brownback wagged a finger at Democrats on Tuesday but declined to condemn fellow Republicans who chose not to support legislation raising state taxes and putting in place a strategy for closing the government’s budget deficit.
Despite Masterson's call for "adults in the room,” the Republicans managed to pass a tax plan with errors on a point that many Republicans disagree - and so Democrats are being asked to endorse a tax policy which they have, adamantly, for weeks in an extended session advocated against.
Why? In order to provide moderate Republicans, stuck in districts where the measure is unpopular and they are also unwilling to sign on cover.
Without a passage, it is possible that the LaTurner amendment, an amendment that Sen. Jeff Melcher (R-Johnson County) referred to as "stupendous" on the senate floor, will be entered into law sooner than intended - July 1, 2015.
Democrats, who have been branded as "obstructionist" - an ideal term for those who are openly trying to obstruct a regressive, punishing tax on the poor which will lift the tax on food near 10% in many Kansas counties - are now being asked to rescue Republicans from themselves.
Governor Brownback, who has chiding Democrats while ignoring the large number of Republicans who couldn't go with him told a caucus meeting in the last days "don't waste time" talking to Democrats.
His caucus heard him, and on Friday, they will hold a hearing over the censure or expulsion of Valdenia Winn (D-Wyandotte County) over remarks they viewed as against he decorum of the body.
Before they handle that matter, though, the Kansas Republicans are in the awkward position of asking Democrats to take the blame for one of the most regressive tax policies written into Kansas law by passing a trailer amendment their own super majority party will not jump on.
An elected official made this point to me: "It is like asking us to slit our own throats, and hand them the blood after they beat on us for more than a week.”
The question remains: are Kansas Democrats willing to buckle and fall on their sword to save Governor Brownback, Senate Republicans and others from a policy they have argued repeatedly is a "stupendous" (Sen. Jeff Melcher)? Or maybe they just think it is a "fantastic" idea (Sen. Mike O'Donnell)?
Either way, for many Democrats the idea of fixing the Governor's problem, this time, only the Republicans seem to be suffering from anecdoche issues. The Democrats listened and understood, it seems, and having heard the portrayal, they are less likely to bail out the Governor this time around.
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
Contact the Daily Kos group Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by kosmail (members of Daily Kos only).
Contact Chris Reeves with news, tips, and/or information by email. tmservo433@gmail.com
Follow Chris on Twitter @tmservo433.
If you would like to publish or republish a Daily Kos diary to the group Kansas & Missouri Kossacks, please let us know by kosmail or email.
If you have a location or story that needs support from Connect! Unite! Act!, please let us know by kosmail or email.
|