IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2007

Contact:
Rep. Kasha Kelly 785/296-7644
Rep. Lance Kinzer 785/296-7692

REPRESENTATIVES VOW TO HOLD DOWN STATE SPENDING

Topeka – Kansas House Republicans for Fiscal Responsibility announced today their commitment to hold down state spending.

“The budget work done this session by the House Appropriations Committee and the Budget Committees provides us with a wonderful opportunity to exercise fiscal responsibility and restraint in spending the public’s money,” said Rep. Kasha Kelley (R-Arkansas City).  “This committed group of Republicans is drawing a line in the sand and saying, we will be responsible with your dollars – we will spend up to a certain limit and no more this year”. 

The group said they want to limit the Fiscal Year 2008 State General Fund (SGF) Budget to 4.5% increase. Rep. Lance Kinzer (R-Olathe) said slowing spending growth is not cutting budgets.

“A 4.5% increase in spending still allows for growth in the state budget, yet limits that growth to a more responsible level when compared to previous years,” explained Rep. Kinzer. 

Spending in the last three fiscal years has increased dramatically:  8.7% in 2005; 9.6% in 2006; 9.7% in 2007.  Rep. Jeff King (R-Independence) said limiting spending is about setting priorities.

“Setting a fiscal limit is not making value judgments on where the money should be spent or what programs are worthy of increased funding,” said Rep. King “This budget goal promotes the principle, just like the average Kansas family, state government must live within its means.”

Rep. Jeff Colyer (R-Overland Park) pointed out one way to limit the growth of government spending is to overhaul the state’s health care system.

“Within 20 years, our state’s Medicaid spending will eclipse what we spend on our schools,” explained Rep. Colyer.  “By improving availability, affordability, and portability of health insurance and helping our citizens who receive Medicaid or who are uninsured move to private insurance coverage, we can save the state millions of dollars and provide better health care for Kansans.”

Limiting spending will take everyone working together said Rep. Jeff Whitham (R-Garden City).

“State government spending has outpaced Kansas incomes for more than 35 years,” explained Rep. Whitham.  “We must work together to hold down spending.  We can do that by focusing our efforts to limit new spending, challenge agencies to find ways to reduce their expenses and pledge to long-term goals of limiting government growth.”

House Republican Representatives Virginia Beamer (Oakley); Anthony Brown (Eudora); Steve Brunk (Wichita); Richard Carlson (St. Marys); Dave Crum (Augusta); Don Dahl (Hillsboro); Owen Donohue (Shawnee); John Faber (Brewster); Mitch Holmes (St. John); Steve Huebert (Valley Center); Dick Kelsey (Goddard); Mike Kiegerl (Olathe); Forrest Knox (Altoona); Peggy Mast (Emporia); Ty Masterson (Andover); Jim Morrison (Colby); Don Myers (Derby); Bill Otto (Le Roy); Virgil Peck, Jr. (Tyro); Marc Rhodes (Newton); Sharon Schwartz (Washington); Arlen Siegfreid (Olathe); and Jene Vickrey (Louisburg) also expressed their support of limiting state spending and growth.

-30-