KOSE Executive Director Jane Carter Responds to Governor Parkinson’s Proposed Budget Solutions
“KOSE members and state employees can breathe a small and temporary sigh of relief in knowing that we will not be suffering any further cuts to the vital services we provide under the budget solutions announced by the Governor. However, with a $106 million budget gap we will remain diligent and mindful of any further action toward cutting the budget.
We agree with Governor Parkinson’s statement that; “We cannot balance the budget or protect our schools, public safety and safety-net services without new revenue.” We now urge the Legislature to implement these sensible changes the Governor outlined in his press conference because we cannot cut our way out of this current crisis.
The Governor is also correct when he addressed the recent tax cuts and how they have not affected one average citizen but have feathered the nest of special interests. Simply put, they have not generated the amount of revenue that some had hoped for and that is why we must look at real solutions such as raising revenue.
We all understand these types of cuts are designed to carry us through this crisis; however, they will only provide a temporary fix and will not solve our long term problems. When the Governor called for a revenue increase he was not only right in doing so, but he is setting the right kind of example for our Legislature. We cannot face any more devastating cuts. Raising revenue is the only option and only solution.
State Employees and KOSE members provide the vital services that maintain our roads, hospitals, and public safety—we care for the most venerable of Kansas and we know what their needs are. That is why we agree with the Governor’s sensible approach to our budget shortfalls and that is also why we will keep the pressure on the Legislature should they try once again to balance this budget on the backs of our state workers.”
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After a successful increase in the state minimum wage last year, the next step is to finally repeal the $125,000 cap on worker’s compensation, which hasn’t been amended in 20 years.
The Legislature has allowed workers compensation to deteriorate to the point that it now fails to provide adequate disability protection for working families. Instead of protecting workers, work comp protects insurance companies that delay and deny needed medical care and enjoy outrageous profits at the expense of Kansas businesses and employees. The Legislature must make substantive reforms if we intend to protect the engine of the economy: our workforce.
We are close to having the votes to get the bill out of committee in the Senate. We need your help to pressure Legislators to move this bill forward in the House. To help build momentum, please join us for a rally on Friday, February 26th at 2 p.m. in the Old Supreme Courtroom at the State Capitol. (3rd Floor) Let’s spread the word that now is the time for the Legislature to stand behind Kansas working families.
If you haven’t already done so, sign the Workers’ Compensation Petition.
Workers Comp Rally
Friday, February 26th 2:00pm
Old Supreme Courtroom – 3rd Floor
We can do better to protect injured workers in Kansas,but it won’t happen unless we take action. Please take the time to sign our online petition for Worker’s Compensation Reform. We will provide numbers on our petition signatures as Union Brothers and Sisters descend upon the state’s capitol building in Topeka, Kansas for a rally to protect Working Kansans. We are asking all of Working Families to join us as we gather the afternoon of February 26th (just prior to Washington Days celebrations) to listen to legislative leaders who support our quest for Work Comp Reform. We will have a more specific time and location of where we will gather at the Capitol soon!
Click here if the petition fails to load properly.
State employees and KOSE members applaud Governor Mark Parkinson for making the right decision to save the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) soon after its 50th anniversary. The Governor also rejected the Facilities Closure report to downsize Parsons State Hospital as well. This will preserve the homes of more than 150 residents and protect the jobs of more than 500 workers. State employees and members of KOSE made hundreds of phone calls to the Statehouse and the Governor’s Office in support of KNI and PSH and the vital service they provide not only to the mental health and special needs communities of Kansas, but to the state economy as well.
According to a study commissioned last September by the Topeka Chamber of Commerce, KNI not only provides 500 jobs at the hospital itself but supports more than 1300 jobs in the area. The study also found that KNI generates $8,159,976 in tax revenue for the State of Kansas and City of Topeka.
Today the communities of Kansas can give a sigh of relief in knowing that the residents of KNI and PSH will continue receiving their treatment, workers will continue providing care, and the Kansas economy won’t suffer any further hardship during these tough economic times.
This decision is a testament to all the hard work state employees and KOSE members accomplished by contacting their legislators and the governor on behalf KNI and PSH in the past few months. We dodged a bullet for now, but the decision does leave the possibility for future closures. Shutting the doors of these and other state institutions is unacceptable. We will continue fighting on behalf of our vital institutions.
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Call your legislators and tell them to stop cutting our critical state services!
Kansas Legislative Hotline:1-800-432-3924
Talking points for calling your legislator:
I am calling to urge you to act now to save our state.Kansas is in serious trouble. And it is not trouble caused by overspending; it is caused by over cutting.
Cuts made by the state in Medicaid have caused Kansans with disabilities to lose services and low-paid care-givers have seen their pay decline.
Our schools have cut employees and for the first time in generations, the educational opportunities available to our children are at risk of being cut and lost.
The safety of our communities is at risk as you approve cuts that will turn prisoners lose and close down correctional facilities.
Repairs and reconstruction on our highways will come to a halt if the state doesn’t get serious about these funding challenges.
For too long the legislature has been handing out corporate tax cuts while vulnerable programs have to cope with fewer and fewer resources. A legislature that is more interested in protecting corporate tax cuts than the vulnerable citizens of this state is a legislature that has lost its moral compass.
We have long enjoyed life in a state that knew how take care of its people, educate its children, and build great roads and highways. That quality of life is being eroded right now.
Please support a revenue increase to protect the lives of Kansas citizens!
For more member information please visit the KOSE web site: www.koseunion.org and register for our “Members Only” section to get legislator vote records and other important information.
