Privatization Archives - Voice For Liberty

Jul

New Wichita water plant

Next week the Wichita City Council will consider a major step in proceeding with a new Wichita water plant. The central water plant in Wichita is old, and the city has been planning a new plant. The new facility is called the Northwest Water Treatment Facility (NWWTF). Much information is available in the agenda packet for the July 10, 2018 city council meeting. The city plans to issue a letter of interest (LOI) to apply for a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA) federal loan for up to 49 percent of the project cost, which at this…

Despite growth of sharing economy, Wichita relies on centralization

Oct

By Bob Weeks

Despite growth of sharing economy, Wichita relies on centralization

The sharing economy provides for the decentralization and privatization of regulation, but the City of Wichita clings to the old ways. In May the Wichita Eagle printed a letter from a Wichitan describing his recent cab ride from the airport: "I got in the cab to go home, and that turned out to be the most offensive encounter of my trip. The driver was dressed perfectly for slopping hogs. The cab plainly stank. There were spills, trash, crumbs, scuzzy windows, sticky door panels. Ugh." Not having been in a taxicab in Wichita for some years, I was surprised to learn…

Efficiency has not come to Kansas government

Apr

By Bob Weeks

Efficiency has not come to Kansas government

Kansas state government needs to cut spending, but finds itself in a difficult situation of its own making. The budget bill under consideration in the Kansas Legislature calls for spending $3 million for the production of an efficiency analysis review. It's a good idea, but is too late to help the legislature balance the budget this year. Trimming Kansas government spending is a long-term project. The legislature has looked at several bills that would help control spending, but has not passed the bills. Had they been passed when introduced, the state would be in a much better position to make…

Feb

By Bob Weeks

Kansas must get serious about spending

As Kansas struggles to balance the budget for this year and the next, the state needs to prepare for future budgets by resolving the problem of spending. Why is controlling spending important? The slow rate of growth of the Kansas economy has been a problem for years. This interactive visualization lets you compare gross domestic product growth of Kansas with other states. Kansas has reduced income taxes, but Kansas has not reduced spending to match. There is pressure to balance future budgets with tax increases instead of spending cuts. Because of the lagging performance of the Kansas economy, it's important…

Aug

By Bob Weeks

Public opinion on Wichita sales tax

As Wichita prepares to debate the desirability of a sales tax increase, a public opinion poll finds little support for the tax and the city's plans. In April Kansas Policy Institute commissioned SurveyUSA to conduct a scientific poll concerning current topics in Wichita. The press release from KPI, along with a link to the complete survey results, is available at Poll: Wichitans don’t want sales tax increase. In summary: Only 28% say the city has been spending efficiently. Only 34% agree with the idea of local governments using taxpayer money to provide subsidies to certain businesses for economic development. When…

McGinn, as committee chair, was not for performance measures

Aug

By Bob Weeks

McGinn, as committee chair, was not for performance measures

A 2011 Kansas bill could have increased the accountability of state government, but committee chair Carolyn McGinn wasn't in favor. In the 2011 session of the Kansas Legislature, several bills were proposed that would streamline government and investigate opportunities for privatization. Another proposed bill in 2011 was HB 2158, which would have created performance measures for state agencies and reported that information to the public. The supplemental note says that the bill "as amended, would institute a new process for modifying current performance measures and establishing new standardized performance measures to be used by all state agencies in support of…

WichitaLiberty.TV: Government accounting, Government ownership of infrastructure, and Wichita commercial property taxes

Jun

By Bob Weeks

WichitaLiberty.TV: Government accounting, Government ownership of infrastructure, and Wichita commercial property taxes

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Government leaders tell us they want to run government like a business. But does government actually do this, even when accounting for its money? Then, is it best for government to own all the infrastructure? Finally, taxes on Wichita commercial property are high, compared to the rest of the nation. Episode 46, broadcast June 8, 2014. View below, or click here to view at YouTube.

To fund government, Wichitans prefer alternatives to raising taxes

May

By Bob Weeks

To fund government, Wichitans prefer alternatives to raising taxes

Wichita voters prefer adjusting spending, becoming more efficient, using public-private partnerships, and privatization to raising taxes. In April Kansas Policy Institute commissioned SurveyUSA to conduct a scientific poll concerning current topics in Wichita. The press release from KPI, along with a link to the complete survey results, is available at Poll: Wichitans don’t want sales tax increase. Question nine asked how Wichita voters preferred paying for new government spending: "To fund existing infrastructure, build new infrastructure, and secure a long-term water source should Wichita fund those items by adjusting spending and being more efficient rather than raising taxes?" Overall, 78…

Poll: Wichitans don’t want sales tax increase

May

By Guest Author

Poll: Wichitans don’t want sales tax increase

Following is a press release from Kansas Policy Institute. Scientific Poll: Wichitans Don't Want Sales Tax Increase They're opposed to business incentives, want to pursue privatization over tax increases, and have concerns about how city hall has recently spent money. May 2, 2014 -- Wichita -- According to a newly released poll from Kansas Policy Institute, Wichitans may want more jobs and a secure water source but they certainly don't support a sales tax increase as the means to get either. A scientific survey of 502 registered Wichita voters, conducted by SurveyUSA, shows strong opposition to a sales tax increase, as well as…

Jan

By Bob Weeks

In Wichita, more tax for more transit?

In 2014 it is likely that Wichitans will be asked to pay an increased sales tax, part of which would fund the existing bus transit service, as the system is not sustaining itself. Another part of the increased sales tax might expand the service. Wichitans ought to think twice before voting to spend additional taxpayer funds for either reason. In fact, Wichita ought to consider spending less on public transit, and look to the private sector to provide transit that people want to use, and which meets their real needs. Transit is expensive. To be more precise, government-provided transit is…