Sam Brownback in 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches


On Abortion: Need to permanently end tax funding for Planned Parenthood

In 2011, I signed legislation stopping most taxpayer funding from going to Planned Parenthood. The time has come to finish the job. Planned Parenthood's trafficking of baby body parts is antithetical to our belief in human dignity. Today, I am directing Secretary Susan Mosier to ensure that not a single dollar of taxpayer money goes to Planned Parenthood through our Medicaid program. I welcome legislation that would enshrine this directive in state law.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature Jan 12, 2016

On Education: More education money should be going to instruction

Of the more than $4 billion the state puts into education funding, not nearly enough goes toward instruction. That's highly inefficient, if not immoral, denying Kansans from putting their education dollars were they want it.behind a good teacher. I call on the legislature to design a new education funding system that puts more of our money into instruction. That provides bonuses for exceptional teachers and recognizes their true value to our future and the souls of our students.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature Jan 12, 2016

On Environment: Stewardship for water resources to lengthen useful life

With most natural resources, we aren't just taking them to use for today. We are borrowing them from the future. We are going to continue implementing action items in the Long Term Vision for Kansas Water. The first Local Enhanced Management Area has been in operation for three years and has reduced water use by roughly 20 percent, and maintained their net income. That should extend the useful life of the Ogallala in that area by 25 years.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature Jan 12, 2016

On Government Reform: State Supreme Court justices should be elected not appointed

Kansas is the only state in the country where the selection of Supreme Court justices is controlled by a handful of lawyers. Kansas, however, is grounded in the principal of representative democracy. Enough is enough. The Legislature should put before Kansas voters a proposed Constitutional amendment for a more democratic selection process for our Supreme Court justices. We must have faith in the people. Here the people rule.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature Jan 12, 2016

On Health Care: KanCare at state level better than ObamaCare

When we took office in 2011, I worked to modernize our Medicaid program. Today, we have higher reimbursement rates for providers, more services for clients and measurable health outcomes for Kansans who participate in KanCare. ObamaCare is failing. It has increased healthcare costs in Kansas and especially hurt rural healthcare--it was ObamaCare that cut Medicare reimbursements to rural hospitals. We can and should find a Kansas solution that will improve rural healthcare access and outcomes.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature Jan 12, 2016

On Homeland Security: Arm additional security at National Guard facilities

Last summer, in response to the attack on recruiting facilities in Tennessee, I ordered Adjutant General Tafanelli to complete a comprehensive security assessment of all Kansas National Guard facilities. Included in his report was a plan to arm and train additional personnel and make security enhancements to our National Guard facilities. My budget proposal includes funding to support these activities.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature Jan 12, 2016

On Homeland Security: Halted Syrian refugees from being resettled in Kansas

In November, in response to the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris I directed all state agencies to immediately cease the placement of refugees from countries where potential terrorists can arise, due to our inability to verify their background. Governors, both Republican and Democrat, continue to question the federal government's ability to properly screen people claiming to be refugees.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech: on Syrian refugees Jan 12, 2016

On Tax Reform: Strengthen property tax lid

Since 1999, when the property tax lid was lifted, Kansans have seen those tax rates increased by 24 percent, and property tax revenue increase by 92%. Understandably, people do not like this. Last year, you acted to place a lid on property taxes--that was a positive step. I would welcome legislation that strengthens the property tax lid by closing the existing loopholes and puts it in place sooner.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature Jan 12, 2016

On Welfare & Poverty: Required work/training improves quality of life

We implemented reforms that said if you have no disabilities and no children at home, you should work or train for work at least 20 hours per week. The results are in and our reforms worked: caseloads are 70% lower today before. Before work requirements, 93% of able-bodied adults on welfare were in poverty. But within a year of leaving welfare, their incomes had more than doubled--an increase of 127% on average.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature Jan 12, 2016

The above quotations are from 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches.
Click here for other excerpts from 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches.
Click here for other excerpts by Sam Brownback.
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Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018