Four former Kansas governors have come together urging Kansans to be informed about the upcoming November elections.
They also called the polices of current Gov. Sam Brownback and his supporters in the House and Senate “destructive.”
According to a press release from the former governors’ newly-created “Save Kansas Coalition” organization sent to KMAN Friday, this marks the first time in Kansas history that four former governors, representing the Democratic and Republican parties, have taken a united stance against a sitting governor.
John Carlin of Manhattan, who was the governor from 1979-1987, joined fellow former governors Mike Hayden (1987-1991), Bill Graves (1995-2003), and Kathleen Sebelius (2003-2009) in a joint letter speaking out against the current political climate in Topeka.
The governors represent two Democrats (Carlin and Sebelius) and two Republicans.
“Our state of affairs is on a continuous decline. It’s time to acknowledge the experiment has failed,” Hayden stated in the group’s press release. “Being a Kansas conservative used to mean paying off debt, balancing the budget, and not running up bills our grandchildren would be expected to pay.
“I’m eager to see Kansas restored to those principles and the upcoming election is our first opportunity.”
Carlin urged the importance of investment in the state’s economic health.
“Investments in education and infrastructure have always been key to economic growth,” Carlin said. “As we continue to slight these important measures, we endanger our ability to ever recover economically, reducing the quality of life for all Kansans.
“I’m not pleased with the direction we’re going and believe we must change the faces in the legislature.”
The governors said they align on six “shared values,” which are:
- Balanced Tax Policy
- Quality Educational Opportunity
- Reasonable Healthcare Access
- Safe Highways and Improved Public Safety
- Job Growth and Fiscal Responsibility
- Judicial Impartiality
The full letter signed by the former governors can be read here.
