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Dear Friend,
Hope has returned to the heartland.
We are investing in our schools. Business is rebounding. 30,000 more Kansans are working, and 41,000 more children have health care than when I took office.
This is good news, but it has not been easy.
The state was broke three years ago - suffering under the weight of nearly a billion dollars in budget deficits and broken promises. We cut costs. We sold off state owned cars and restructured the finances of our state’s multi-year highway program. The result – we have balanced three state budgets in tough economic times and never raised taxes.
Before I took office, we had neglected our schools for too many years. This just doesn’t make sense. Business and community leaders have constantly agreed with me that good schools equal good jobs. So with some hard work we made the biggest investment in schools in our state’s history last year, and just this week I endorsed a multi-year school funding plan that, if passed by the Legislature, will mean an additional investment of $500 million over three years for improving our schools.
But I am committed to making sure every one of your education dollars counts. That is why last year I called for an independent audit of school spending. The audit, by the nationally renowned auditing firm of Standard and Poors, has produced lessons in procedures and practices that will make education dollars the most productive for our children’s education.
There are many other issues to talk about; and as this year goes forward, I will be talking to you about many of them – issues like affordable and accessible health care, prescription drugs, keeping all Kansans safe, and giving parents more resources to help them help their children establish good and decent values.
But right now the Legislative session is in full swing; and I will be spending my time making sure your tax dollars are well spent, and the Legislature is paying attention to what’s really important for Kansas.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your Governor. Be certain that every day I will be working to retain your support.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Sebelius Governor of Kansas
P.S. I urge you to visit my website at www.ksgovernor.com and learn more about our efforts to promote a healthy and prosperous Kansas. If you would like to opt out of these e-mails, just click on the sentence at the bottom of the page.
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