Because of an AP reporter’s determination this week, Kansas voters learned of several proposed statewide budget cuts that they would not otherwise have been made aware of, including the laying off of prison guards, cutting of public school funds, and reduced payments to health care providers and nursing homes.
As reported in the National Journal, AP journalist John Hanna walked past an unannounced, closed meeting of Republican lawmakers at the Kansas Statehouse, and decided to go inside. Hanna leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. When he was asked to leave, the reporter simply nodded at the governor’s aide and said, “I’d like to hear what he has to say.” He was allowed to stay, and the private meeting suddenly became public.
The proposed cuts represent further attempts by Kansas lawmakers to mitigate the damage caused by Sam Brownback’s sweeping tax cuts of the last few years. The State of Kansas has struggled to recover from Brownback’s ill-fated attempts to improve the state’s economy. After Brownback instituted a plan to cut taxes by $700 million in 2012 and 2013, Kansas is now projected to run an $800 million dollar deficit this year.