Campaign finance reports reveal special interest groups working to elect candidates. Their efforts to mold a candidate's thinking appear to be working. Why do people make political campaign contributions? I try to be optimistic. I'm willing to believe that people have sincerely-held beliefs. But when you look under the covers, I find myself in agreement with Lily Tomlin, who quipped "No matter how cynical you become, it’s never enough to keep up." A few days ago I showed how the campaign finance report for David Dennis, a candidate for Sedgwick County Commission, was full of contributions from people who regularly…
An op-ed by an advocate for more highway spending in Kansas needs context and correction. An op-ed in the Wichita Eagle by Bob Totten, executive vice president of the Kansas Contractors Association, makes the case for more spending on Kansas roads and highways. (Bob Totten: State’s road and bridge work is underfunded, February 25, 2016) Besides lamenting the purportedly poor condition of Kansas roads and bridges, Totten mentions -- frequently -- the diversion of money from the highway fund to the general fund. While opinions may differ on the wisdom of KDOT borrowing money by selling long-term bonds and transferring…
As Wichita enters campaign season for mayor and city council, will any candidates call for implementing a reform that we desperately need in Wichita? Following, from 2012, explains. In the wake of scandals some states and cities have passed "pay-to-play" laws. These laws may prohibit political campaign contributions by those who seek government contracts, prohibit officeholders from voting on laws that will benefit their campaign donors, or the laws may impose special disclosure requirements. Many people make campaign contributions to candidates whose ideals and goals they share. This is an important part of our political process. But when reading campaign…
If you've wondered why government is as it is, the school of public choice economics offers insight and explanation. The Institute of Economic Affairs, a London think tank, has published Public Choice -- A Primer. This short book explains the topic of public choice. By understanding it, we can learn more about how government and its actors operate. Here's a description of public choice from the book's web page: "Market failure" is a term widely used by politicians, journalists and university and A-level economics students and teachers. However, those who use the term often lack any sense of proportion about…
When the American Hospital Association decided to support one of the candidates for United States Senator from Kansas, the chosen candidate, Pat Roberts, took pride in the endorsement. And, who wouldn't be proud? American hospitals? Who isn't in favor of good hospitals for Americans? As it turns out, AHA is a special interest group. It is a major spender on lobbying and campaign contributions. It is a major supporter of Obamacare. Through 2013, AHA has spent $259,067,349 on lobbying. It lobbies in favor of its members and against potential competitors, such as doctor-owned hospitals. Reporting on an aspect of the…
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: An editorial in a Kansas newspaper exposes a dangerously uninformed and simplistic view of politics and democracy. Then, will Kansas school leaders and newspapers tell us the hidden truths about Kansas school test scores? Episode 41, broadcast May 4, 2014. View below, or click here to view at YouTube.
From Kansas Policy Institute. Rural Kansans’ Billion-Dollar Subsidy of Wind Farms By Dave Trabert No, I'm not talking about any federal tax subsidies or mandates to buy high-cost wind energy that have forced higher taxes and electricity prices on every citizen. This billion-dollar gift comes in the form of local property tax exemptions. In some ways, this handout is even more insidious because the cost is borne by a relatively small number of Kansas homeowners and employers in the rural counties where wind farms exist. Under current law, renewable energy producers enjoy a lifetime exemption from property taxes in Kansas. I…
