Your Topeka Connection by Representative Tom Moxley

Better Times Are Ahead

Thought for the Day:  It’s high time to take down the political score board and get down to business.

 Kansas government, as well as you and I are facing the first truly serious economic tornado in 25 years.  We are in a storm which will go down in the record books as the “Great Recession”.   While some segments of our Kansas economy are doing ok, several like general aviation, manufacturing, natural gas and the livestock industry to name a few are gasping for air.  In visiting with fellow Kansans, I find a justified nervousness.  We are told the economic recovery is beginning, but there is much pain on main street, and the layoffs and business closures continue.  Even those who have a stable job may have seen their investments and/or retirement hopes crushed. 

Make no mistake, we have been let down by our leaders on the federal level.  For a period of nearly 20 years, both Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, so-called Conservatives and Liberals and other scallywags both in and out of government removed regulations and manipulated the financial industry.  In retrospect they clearly didn’t know what they were doing by allowing unregulated financial markets to blossom.  But it felt good, and they just let it continue despite the multiple warning signs. Finally the crash came and taxpayers like you and I are left to pay the price.  But we are where we are and all the grousing in the world will not put it back right or make those who are responsible pay the price.  

You have every right to be livid at past national leaders for their actions and inactions.  While I don’t always agree with the actions of our new President and his administration, I do pray for his policies to succeed.  He was handed an awful mess and to hope that his economic policy fails is a fool’s wish. What matters now is what we and our elected leaders choose to do next.

There is nothing like looking down a gun barrel to focus your attention. 

Kansas government is facing another year of declining revenues—and, if the current revenue estimates are accurate, the decline is likely to continue to be precipitous.  The state employees who educate us, protect us, and provide services to support the health and well-being of the most vulnerable among us, are nervous about how they will continue to meets the needs of the Kansans they serve.   They can read the tealeaves.    Every agency, bureau and educational institution has seen massive reductions in their budgets.  At the same time more kids qualify for at-risk funding as their families fall below the poverty level.  More laborers file for unemployment benefits.  Crime tends to increase in these hard times when at the same time law enforcement is being cut back on hours.  The Senior’s savings accounts are being depleted quickly with very low returns resulting in an increase in Medicaid costs for those who are in nursing facilities.  And on and on…. 

Hard times make for good times.

As a rancher and businessman for over 40 years, I can tell you that hard times cause us all to be more focused, more efficient, and more innovative.  That will be true of every Kansas business in this stressful time.  When the business climate improves, as it will in the next couple of years, the result will unprecedented growth and successes for every citizen. 

The upcoming January legislative session will require more hard choices than we wish and the inevitable reduction in government services that we have come to rely upon. I am committed to helping Kansas to emerge from this crisis with a leaner, more focused, innovative and efficient government.  My guide in these decisions will be:  Is this the best we can achieve at this time? Is the impact of this decision inherently fair? Have we avoided doing irreparable harm to any segment of our citizens (especially the young) or to any segment of the state economy?

Kansas families, Kansas businesses and Kansas government will unquestionably be stronger economically and more innovative in the coming few years.  It will be an exciting time and I can hardly wait for the good times to come. But first we must get through the hard times in ways that honor our shared commitment to making Kansas a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Sermon in a Sentence:  While making money, don’t lose sight of the things money can’t buy.

CONTACT ME: I remain committed to looking after Dickinson and Morris Counties, the state and all my constituents, and will continue to do my best. It is an honor to serve as your Representative. If you have any questions or concerns, budget or otherwise, please contact me at 785 296 7696 or by email at tom.moxley@house.ks.gov

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