Kansas Budget Presentations Continue Across State This Month

Kansas Farmers Union and a group of county chapters are hosting four state budget education presentations featuring former Kansas State Budget director Duane Goossen during the month of September. All presentations are open to KFU members and the general public.

Goossen served as state budget director for 12 years in the administrations of three governors — Republican Bill Graves and Democrats Kathleen Sebelius and Mark Parkinson. More recently, he served as Vice President for Fiscal and Health Policy for the Kansas Health Institute. Drawing on his long experience in both Republican and Democratic administrations, Goossen currently writes and speaks with civic organizations and other Kansans on issues related to the Kansas budget.

“Spending too much can certainly drive a budget out of balance. However, the income side of the equation has equal importance,” Goossen says. “A dramatically sharp revenue decline in Kansas has destabilized the state’s finances. Even though spending has been reduced in many areas, the state spent hundreds of millions more than it received in FY 2014 (July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014), and will do so again in FY 2015, emptying the state’s bank account.”

Information like this is concerning, to say the least, and Kansas Farmers Union would like Kansans to have the opportunity to hear Mr. Goossen’s historical knowledge about our state’s finances and current financial situation. “The goal in hosting these presentations is to educate our citizens on the impact recent decisions may have on rural property taxes, services, and the future of our state, especially in regards to our rural schools,” says KFU President Donn Teske. “KFU is concerned about the effect this deficit will have on its members, the farmers and ranchers across rural Kansas, and is eager to know how the Kansas Legislature will remedy the issue in the next legislative session and beyond.”

All presentations are open to the public. A Dutch treat meal will be served at the Seneca, and Belleville locations at 6:00 PM with Goossen’s presentation at 7:00 PM, followed by questions and wrap-up by 8:00 PM. Please contact Nick Levendofsky at (785) 527-0941 or kfu.nick@gmail.com at least three days prior to the meeting date if you plan to attend the presentation and/or eat.