Kansas Farmers Union and Nemaha County Farmers Union are hosting a state budget education presentation featuring former Kansas State Budget director Duane Goossen on September 24 in the Bel Villa Restaurant meeting room 213 U.S. Hwy 36, Belleville, KS 66935. A Dutch treat meal will be served at 6:00 PM with Goossen’s presentation at 7:00 PM, followed by questions and wrap-up by 8:00 PM. The presentation is open to 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.”
RSVP for the event on Facebook.
Or contact Nick Levendofsky at (785) 527-0941 or kfu.nick@gmail.com if you plan to attend the presentation and/or eat.
