Who's paying for it?
In these days of instant gratification, when people "want it now" and aren't willing to wait until they can save for what they desire, one important question remains unanswered. Who's paying for it?
The public debt is out of sight, credit cards (with no collateral) amount to too much of it. Government debt is enormous, in spite of states like Kansas which has Alf Landon's Cash Basis Law.
The state, counties, school districts, and cities have learned how to get around the CBL. They float bonds, lease/pay for equipment, and use various means to "buy now, pay later."
Many of the great issues which face our Legislature demand a lot of time, and will be decided to make the politicians look good to the folks back home. Be it Flint Hills windmills, concealed carry of guns, collecting sales tax at the point of delivery, abortion, increase of budgetary authority, higher wages — these and many others are important issues. But we often are so busy with mundane questions that we fail to notice the elephant in our kitchen.
Here in Marion there's a strong movement to fund a local theater and community center by private funding. Those who are overburdened by taxes find no fault, and will be ready to contribute as able to the project, as long as it doesn't raise taxes.
How are taxes raised? Politicians tell the public "we didn't raise taxes levy." They are referring to the levy. What they don't tell is that the total dollars spent has skyrocketed.
When inflation raises the price of products, as it has, then the dollars paid in sales tax also increases. When property values, and appraisals, go up, so do the dollars paid in real estate taxes. When people make more money, income tax goes up. Those who have studied the issues and are informed on taxes realize that sales tax is regressive and income tax is the most fair of all. Those who make the money pay the tax.
Our current legislative leaders have spent a lot of effort toward passing a school finance formula to provide more cash to schools, instead of considering how schools could provide better educational opportunities at the same total cost by being more efficient, they want to throw money at the problem. Throwing money at such a problem is like trying to extinguish a fire by dousing it with gasoline.
They've hassled over "concealed carry" knowing full well if it's passed, the government will veto it. They can't override a veto, so they've wasted their time.
The idea of paying sales tax at the point of delivery, rather than the point of sale, is intriguing if someone will explain how newspapers (like this one) will be able to account for tax collections from subscribers who live at Marion, Hillsboro, Peabody, Burns, and Tampa when each community pays a different percent of sales tax. There are more than 700 taxing units in Kansas.
The idea of windmills generating electric power is more than aesthetic. A big factor is the tax credits paid to owners of wind generators. You know who pays the price of that. We all do.
We all pay the price of Central Park in Marion, the baseball complex, the municipal swim pool, the airport, streets, and sewer system. Some of us use them, some use them more than others, but all pay. Most people don't complain. They accept it as being best for the common good.
We've come a long way dwelling on background. Where's the elephant that sneaked into our kitchen?
Consider the following: A strong lobby group has nearly convinced the legislative leaders that it would be OK to keep secret the amount (dollars) spent in non-tax money to political and educational leaders and facilities.
Seems innocuous on the face, but consider these scenarios: An athletic director at a major university is paid a huge bonus "on the side" by the manufacturer of sports equipment; a highway director is given a huge contribution "off the record" by a contractor; you get the idea. Carry it on down to the local level, it can (and does) happen.
If you are concerned, ask your senator or representative to be aware of what happened to HB 2889. It was amended to allow what has been described above. It could be dangerous at all levels of government. Officials would no longer be accountable to the public. They should be required to report all dollars, not just the ones received from taxes. Those other, non-tax, dollars are as Kansas Press Association attorney Mike Merriam stated "a roadmap to corruption."
Such gifts to public officials is the classic "quid pro quo." Donors expect something in return.
And, who'd pay the price? You know the answer, "you." But, who can stop it, the answer again is "you."
— BILL MEYER
