Kansas Policy Institute Logo
PRESS RELEASE
November 11, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: James Franko
316.634.0218
Website Shines New Light On Government Spending In Kansas
K-12 Revenue and Spending per-pupil by district, Property tax history on each county added
Wichita - 11.11.10 - Questions about how much each school district receives in per-pupil aid are eliminated with a new School District section on KansasOpenGov.org, a website that puts the facts of government spending at Kansans' fingertips.  The new School District section shows per-pupil spending and revenue for every Kansas district by school year, from 2005 through 2009; data for the 2010 school year will be added when released by the state next month.  Carryover cash reserve balances are also shown by district and fund through the 2010 school year, including totals for the entire state and for member districts of Schools For Fair Funding.  KansasOpenGov.org is powered by Kansas Policy Institute.

"Until now, it has been difficult, if not impossible, for taxpayers to find hard data on per-pupil spending and revenue.  We hope KansasOpenGov.org makes that search a lot easier.  K-12 spending consumes well over half the state general fund budget and accurate information is the key to giving every child in Kansas an effective education without increasing taxes on already stressed families," said KPI president Dave Trabert.  "Kansans have a right to know the truth about how their money is spent and these new additions to KansasOpenGov.org are the first of several steps we're taking to ensure that taxpayers can make informed decisions."

In addition to information on school districts, a new Property Tax section has an interactive county map that shows users how much each county's property tax, mill rate, population and residential assessed values changed from 1997 to 2009.  The data underlying this map is also available and is able to be downloaded by visitors to the website.

"Property taxes have skyrocketed in Kansas, jumping 93% overall since 1997.  There is no good excuse for taxes increasing more than three times the rate of inflation and nearly eleven times the population increase.  It's no wonder that some people say they are being taxed out of their homes.  Putting this detailed information at taxpayers' fingertips is the first step towards finding a solution," stated Trabert.

Existing sections of KansasOpenGov.org have also been updated with new information.  The Fiscal 2010 state checkbook has been added, as well as the state payroll register and pension payments for 2009.  State administrators have thus far refused to fulfill a Kansas Open Records (KORA) request to provide fringe benefit totals for each state employee.  Release of this information is permitted by state law and will be added once the issue is resolved. 

All of the information on the site is obtained directly from government agencies through KORA or is otherwise publically available.  Much of the data is also shown in charts that build dynamically from the downloadable data sets.  As new information is made available by government agencies, it will be added to the site. 

Trabert continued, "With continued budget deficits on the horizon, we hope that KansasOpenGov helps all Kansans gain a clearer perspective on spending.  We can't simply spend more money and not look for potential efficiencies or redundancies in government.  This site will help taxpayers, media, and even elected officials help identify where we can save money and still deliver essential services."

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Kansas Policy Institute is an independent think-tank that advocates for free market solutions and the protection of personal freedom for all Kansans.  Our work centers on state and local economic policy with primary emphasis on education, fiscal policy and health care.  We empower citizens, legislators and other government officials with objective research and creative ideas to promote a low-tax, pro-growth environment that preserves the ability of governments to provide high quality services.

To speak with Kansas Policy Institute, please contact James Franko (316) 634-0218.