Senator Mary Pilcher Cook, Republican of Shawnee, offered the following statement on Friday regarding her decision to vote in favor of the FY 2012 Budget as passed by the state legislature this session.
“I believe that the FY 2012 budget we were presented with was a significant step in the right direction towards fiscal discipline in the State of Kansas. While many in the legislature, including myself, wished we would have gone further in reducing state spending, the budget enacted makes several important spending reductions and reforms, including a reduction in the All Funds Budget of 6% and eliminating previously used accounting gimmicks that used to provide an appearance of a better ending balance, when there wasn’t one.
Make no mistake – the road to fiscal discipline does not end with the passage of this budget. For conservative legislators, such as myself, who are committed to fiscal responsibility, this is merely the beginning of the process of restructuring state government and reducing state spending, with the ultimate goal of having our state live within its means.
In coming months, I look forward to Governor Brownback working with his administration to make significant reforms in the operation of state agencies, with the objective of eliminating agencies that are not necessary and creating more efficiency within those that remain. In future legislative sessions, I pledge to continue to work with both my Senate and House colleagues to make additional steps towards a prosperous Kansas.”
The FY 2012 Budget passed 28-11, with all but three Republicans voting in favor and all 8 Democrats against, with nearly every conservative Senator voting in favor. After the vote, Senator Pilcher-Cook joined Senator Garrett Love’s following Explanation of Vote, which is in the official Senate Journal:
While it is not perfect, I was pleased to support the FY 2012 budget this evening. I want to commend the work of the conferees from the Senate, the conferees from the House and also our Governor for his work in helping guide the conference committee through the process the last few days. I know it was not easy.
This budget goes to great efforts to help our government be responsible in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression. It goes to great efforts to help our government live within its means, just like our families do. It also goes to great steps in beginning the process of restructuring and making state government more efficient to ensure that essential services such as education, public safety and care for the truly needy in our society are maintained. A public sector can NOT be sustained by a declining and deteriorating private sector.
In living within our means and not spending more than we bring in, this budget will be the first budget that includes an overall cut in state spending in close to half a century.
