I have been pleased to witness many improvements in the State of Kansas in the last few years. If you have driven to Hutchinson or Wichita, you’ve enjoyed the improvements on K-96 that are part of the decades-old “Northwest Passage” goal to connect with I-70. If you drive to Kansas City, you notice the improvements on the KS Turnpike. Recently we learned about the Transload facility in Stafford County and that Kansas’s matching money brought millions of federal dollars to help fund it. It is great to read about grants for Main Street improvements in small Kansas towns. Each dollar that Kansas provides can draw about $5 of federal matching money. Having funds for public services is Good News!

It has not always been this way. Just 10 years ago, the State of Kansas was financially “broke.” We were in debt and barely able to make payroll in Topeka. The Transportation fund was tapped for money. This was caused by the “Brownback Experiment,” the idea that if you don’t tax businesses, they will expand their operations and add more jobs, growing the economy. While that sounds like it should work, “Trickle Down Economics” never does, and it did not work in Kansas. Complete failure. Not enough revenue came in to cover the operations of the State of Kansas — for several years. While businesses did not have to pay taxes, their employees still did.

The situation was so bad that responsible Republican and Democratic legislators realized they had to raise taxes to generate revenue to run the State of Kansas. That bipartisan act was the “greatest tax increase” we are hearing about now, which actually brought Kansas back to financial stability. The debt has been reduced, there is an “emergency fund” and Kansas is able to move forward on long-term goals that benefit everyone. Lowering taxes on groceries has helped everyone, but it also reduced Kansas’ revenue. Lowering taxes is great, but it reduces the income you need for expenses and improvements.

Now we must elect a new governor to replace Laura Kelly, who helped lead Kansas back into financial stability. As I look back at the 65 years I’ve lived in Kansas, it seems to me that Kansas does better when we have a WOMAN for Governor. Think about it. There are exceptions, but most women understand the importance of having enough income to pay the bills. A woman looks for ways to cut expenses, but still find value and stretch a dollar. Women need security, and will try to save for a “rainy day.” Most women do not like to go into debt and have to pay interest expense. Women care about education, health care, safety, clean environment, fairness, honesty and transparency. These are all qualities and skills Kansas needs in its leadership.

I really don’t want to see Kansas go broke again. I like seeing opportunity and progress for everyone, not just corporations or big businesses that don’t pay their fair share. That’s why I will be voting for Cindy Holscher for Governor. Growing up on the farm she was in 4-H, FFA, and understands agriculture issues like tariffs, diesel and fertilizer costs. As a wife and mother, she supports education and affordable health care. She wants to protect our farm land and water by being cautious with data centers in Kansas. I was there for the Governor’s Debate at the state fair this year, and I was impressed with the way Cindy Holscher handled herself and answered questions. I believe Cindy Holscher will make a good Governor for Kansas.

Dee Anne Grummon

Great Bend