Despite a continuing decline in income tax revenues, a state budget shortfall of $500 million, and another round of budget cuts in the near future, there are still projects being funded that can be classified as downright silly. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported on Friday that the city of Topeka will be going through with a $630,000 project to put up “Welcome to Topeka” signs on at various entry points to the Capital City.

TOPEKA, KAN. – The Kansas chapter of the grassroots group Americans for Prosperity has prepared a ‘policy primer’ to help Kansans understand what Kansas spends on transportation in the state, and how our state compares with others in the region.

Derrick Sontag, AFP-Kansas state director, said Kansas has had a comprehensive highway or transportation plan for twenty years now.

“There are many in Topeka who believe that the simple act of building new roads and highways spurs economic growth, but the numbers suggest otherwise,” he said. “For example, between 2002 and 2006 Kansas ranked eighth in the country in highway spending per capita, yet our Gross State Product growth lagged at 33rd.”

Please join the Topeka Area Chapter of Americans for Prosperity-Kansas for our monthly chapter meeting. Please note the new location for the November meeting: we will gather at the Topeka AFP Office this month. This month’s meeting will feature a discussion of the upcoming Legislative debate of a statewide transportation plan. We are also currently viewing the 10-part series “Free to Choose” at our monthly meetings, with November featuring Vol. 6: “What’s Wrong with our Schools.”

Wichita Kansas blogger Bob Weeks was recognized for his work in conservative online activism during the 2009 AFP Foundation Defending the American Dream Summit. See AFP Foundation New Media Director Erik Telford present Bob with the "Blogger of the Year Award" in the video below.

From time to time we come across a gross exaggeration that just simply has to be called out and this is a gross exaggeration to say the least.

Alan Rupe, one of the attorneys representing the Salina and Dodge City schools in Montoy v. State of Kansas made this statement which appeared in several newspapers, including the Dodge City Globe and the El Dorado Times on April 30, 2009:

“They (the Legislature) seem to have just eliminated their ability to raise taxes,” he said. “Meanwhile, the cuts to the schools are huge, and, in fact, return the education funding to pre-Montoy levels.”