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Low Taxes and Small Government: Sam Brownback’s Great Experiment in Kansas
Sam Brownback was the first modern-day conservative to be elected governor of Kansas, the culmination of a rightward shift in the state's often-dominant Republican Party. This book is a detailed case study of the policies implemented over his two terms as governor, paying particular attention to the impact on state government and services, the economy, public education, and the business environment. The authors provide extensive background, historical evidence, and detailed references. The book's real-world relevance is grounded in a discussion of similar policies in other states as well as the US federal government.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2019
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About the author
Michael A. Smith
90 books5 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
Other authors publishing under this name are:
Michael A. Smith, Medical doctor
Michael A. Smith, writes about Hockey
Michael A. Smith, Photographer (born 1942)
Michael A. Smith, writes about software
Michael A. Smith, reporter, columnist, editor, and editorial writer
Other authors publishing under this name are:
Michael A. Smith, Medical doctor
Michael A. Smith, writes about Hockey
Michael A. Smith, Photographer (born 1942)
Michael A. Smith, writes about software
Michael A. Smith, reporter, columnist, editor, and editorial writer
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January 11, 2021
In the tradition of being a Christian Kansas conservative, Sam Brownback’s goals and philosophy exemplified reducing taxes and increasing business operations. After graduating from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, Brownback served as the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator prior to becoming the 2010 Kansas Governor. His ideology focused on a bold approach to shrink the government with lower taxes while stimulating the economy. Based on Arthur Laffer’s “theory of supply-side” economics, which was implemented under President Ronald Reagan’s administration, tax rates and tax revenue have a relationship. This case study of the “Great Experiment” is the focus of Low Taxes and Small Government: Sam Brownback’s Great Experiment in Kansas. After extensive interviews and research, authors Michael A. Smith, Robert J. Grover, and Rob Catlett detailed events exploring Brownback’s leadership.
Governor Brownback believed raising taxes seemed punitive, diminished an incentive to work, and decreased revenue. In his effort to “reform state government,” his tax reduction platform imitated “Laffer’s Curve” to incentivize business growth. Some similar concepts that coined the phrase “Reaganomics…we do not have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem” became the foundation of the Brownback transformation. Potentially tax cuts may generate more economic activity in a “Glide Path to Zero” target. Commended for a “shot of adrenaline” vision, Brownback was later criticized for lack of thorough planning and insight resulting financial consequences for average citizens.
While proposing improving literacy with a third grade reading initiative and increasing half-time to all day kindergarten, he cut funding for Common Core State Standards, supported privatized education, and froze spending for the arts programs. When Brownback challenged the school finance formula, education was jeopardized. For example, Assistant Superintendent of Business for Emporia Unified School District #253 Robert Scheib reflected that school funding was down $3.6 million in the 2014-15 school year compared to 2007-08 during a previous administration.
Brownback’s support of Kansans for Life gained him respect, while his denial of support for Medicaid cost some families basic health care. Brownback’s opposition to assistance programs and the Affordable Care Act lost Kansas over “$31.5 million in federal assistance to establish a state health care exchange” resulting in rural hospital closures or the inability to provide quality treatment across the state.
Merging the Kansas Turnpike Authority into the Kansas Department of Transportation to reduce waste revealed fissures and factions in the highway system. Due to cuts in the state workforce and state services, jobs decreased, and various Kansans migrated to neighboring states. Brownback’s intention, “Kansas is the heart of America. Let’s make our place a shining example for the Nation to follow,” demonstrated his remarkable ambitions. However, his “bottom line decisions” resulted in unforgettable budget shortfalls. By reducing taxes for higher income tax brackets, raising taxes for lower income families, and eliminating some standard deductions, some believe Brownback’s “The sun shines in Kansas” may be the “Death of Kansas.” Readers will determine if the tax cuts were worth the economic inequities, scarcity of health care, or the transportation and education woes.
The authors are to be commended for their solid writing complete with interviews, investigation, examination, analysis, and objectivity. This book is recommended reading for anyone wishing to serve on a council, board, or hold a public office and college students pursuing degrees in liberal arts, finance, economics, business, communications, marketing, library science, government, law, political science, public relations, etc. Enhance your reading repertoire with this accurate account of Low Taxes and Small Government: Sam Brownback’s Great Experiment in Kansas.
Governor Brownback believed raising taxes seemed punitive, diminished an incentive to work, and decreased revenue. In his effort to “reform state government,” his tax reduction platform imitated “Laffer’s Curve” to incentivize business growth. Some similar concepts that coined the phrase “Reaganomics…we do not have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem” became the foundation of the Brownback transformation. Potentially tax cuts may generate more economic activity in a “Glide Path to Zero” target. Commended for a “shot of adrenaline” vision, Brownback was later criticized for lack of thorough planning and insight resulting financial consequences for average citizens.
While proposing improving literacy with a third grade reading initiative and increasing half-time to all day kindergarten, he cut funding for Common Core State Standards, supported privatized education, and froze spending for the arts programs. When Brownback challenged the school finance formula, education was jeopardized. For example, Assistant Superintendent of Business for Emporia Unified School District #253 Robert Scheib reflected that school funding was down $3.6 million in the 2014-15 school year compared to 2007-08 during a previous administration.
Brownback’s support of Kansans for Life gained him respect, while his denial of support for Medicaid cost some families basic health care. Brownback’s opposition to assistance programs and the Affordable Care Act lost Kansas over “$31.5 million in federal assistance to establish a state health care exchange” resulting in rural hospital closures or the inability to provide quality treatment across the state.
Merging the Kansas Turnpike Authority into the Kansas Department of Transportation to reduce waste revealed fissures and factions in the highway system. Due to cuts in the state workforce and state services, jobs decreased, and various Kansans migrated to neighboring states. Brownback’s intention, “Kansas is the heart of America. Let’s make our place a shining example for the Nation to follow,” demonstrated his remarkable ambitions. However, his “bottom line decisions” resulted in unforgettable budget shortfalls. By reducing taxes for higher income tax brackets, raising taxes for lower income families, and eliminating some standard deductions, some believe Brownback’s “The sun shines in Kansas” may be the “Death of Kansas.” Readers will determine if the tax cuts were worth the economic inequities, scarcity of health care, or the transportation and education woes.
The authors are to be commended for their solid writing complete with interviews, investigation, examination, analysis, and objectivity. This book is recommended reading for anyone wishing to serve on a council, board, or hold a public office and college students pursuing degrees in liberal arts, finance, economics, business, communications, marketing, library science, government, law, political science, public relations, etc. Enhance your reading repertoire with this accurate account of Low Taxes and Small Government: Sam Brownback’s Great Experiment in Kansas.
Displaying 1 of 1 review