Category: Editorial
Rich States, Poor States: Kansas falls again, attempting to disprove Einstein’s definition of insanity
The 19th annual Rich States, Poor States, published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), shows that Kansas has the…
Less than 50% of Republicans and Democrats cast most of their votes for property tax relief
Every Kansas legislator entered the 2026 session professing strong support for property tax relief, but voting records tell a different…
Constitutional assessment limit failed because 33 Democrats and 20 Republicans voted “No”
What was probably the last attempt to put an assessment limit on the ballot this year to protect taxpayers from…
Kansas ranks #48 in five-year business survival rate
A study released today by Franchise Opportunities shows that the business survival rate in Kansas is only 46.8% for businesses formed…
Which assessment limit is best for taxpayers?
The Kansas House and Senate remain divided over the structure of a constitutional amendment on an assessment limit for property…
House Tax Committee sides with government over taxpayers: HB 2745 eliminates revenue-neutral and bonuses governments for tax increases of at least 5%
Cities, counties, and school districts lobbied hard over the last three years to eliminate revenue-neutral measures and have the Legislature…
Replacing property tax with sales tax is a complex, multi-year task
There’s been a lot of buzz on social media lately about replacing the Kansas property tax with extra sales tax…
KSDE hides from TV cameras to avoid being confronted on reducing proficiency standards
It’s not uncommon for education administrators to make easily debunked claims about student achievement or school finance from the safety…
Lower proficiency standards lead to phony student achievement gains
In the fable of the Emperor’s New Clothes, two con men convinced the Emperor they had woven a magnificent set…
USD 229 Superintendent Dr. Gillian Chapman deceives parents on achievement and funding
Blue Valley Superintendent Dr. Gillian Chapman wrote to parents last week, stating that the community “deserves honest, informed conversations about…
Overland Park wants 6% property tax hike to fund lavish spending increase
Overland Park’s 2026 proposed budget says it contains a 6.6% spending increase, but the real change is much higher and…
Leavenworth County property tax discussion is a good reminder that elected officials must be leaders
Did you ever have to settle squabbles coming from the back seat of the car, with kids saying ‘she’s looking…
KSDE denies lowering standards despite implausible proficiency gains
Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) staff put on a master class of political spin and deception at yesterday’s meeting of…
Kansas (sort of) promises not to violate Title VI Civil Rights Act
At its April board meeting, the Kansas State Board of Education couldn’t decide how to react to the U.S. Department…
KSDE is strangely quiet on conflicting claims about students below grade level
State Commissioner of Education Randy Watson was quoted last week by the Kansas Reflector, saying, “A lot of research says…
Promise Scholarship veto shows Laura Kelly is the government governor, not the education governor
Last week, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed an expansion of the Kansas Promise Scholarship program, a long-established program enjoying bipartisan…
How politics derailed property tax relief in the 2025 Legislature
Republicans and Democrats began the 2025 legislative session with much swagger about passing meaningful property tax reform. However, they adjourned…
KSDE finance chief Harwood wrong on the constitutionality of school funding
Deputy Commissioner for Fiscal and Administrative Services Dr. Frank Harwood inaccurately told the Kansas State Board of Education that an…
Proposed performance level descriptors are designed to continue hiding bad student outcomes
Which of the following provides a clear understanding of student achievement in Kansas: 33% of Kansas students are below grade…
Vanity and desire to help local government stand in the way of property tax relief
Republicans and Democrats began the 2025 legislative session with much swagger about passing meaningful property tax reform. However, they adjourned…
County officials object to pro-taxpayer property tax reforms
The leaders of Johnson, Sedgwick, Wyandotte, Douglas, and Shawnee counties collectively came out in opposition to property tax reform yesterday…
(At least) a $61 million tax increase is coming if revenue-neutral is repealed
More than 2,300 local governments are not raising property taxes this year, and almost 500 more are raising taxes by…
Kansas House votes to increase property tax
Yes, the headline is correct. The Kansas House of Representatives today effectively voted to increase your property tax by again…
House tax committee hears proposal to repeal revenue-neutral; we have a better idea
The Truth in Taxation / Revenue-Neutral Act passed in 2021 is easily the most effective property tax protection that ever…