GOP: States know how to balance budgets

WASHINGTON, April 6 (UPI) —
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback said Saturday if Washington wants to see how to balance the budget while growing the economy, it should look to the states.

Delivering the Republican weekly media address, Brownback touted his state’s conservative tax policies as a model, The Hill reported.

During his term as governor, Brownback consolidated income tax brackets, eliminated some small business taxes and recently proposed doing away with the state income tax.

He highlighted the “ideas that work” that 30 Republican governors have used to improve their states’ economies.

Those measures “involve a more focused government that costs less,” Brownback said. “A taxing structure that encourages growth. An education system that produces measurable results. And a renewed focus on the incredible dignity of each and every person, no matter who they are.”

In his state, Brownback said, Kansas had a projected $500 million deficit the year he took office, ABC News Radio reported. “Two years later we had a $500 million ending balance — and did it without tax increases,” he said.

His comments come as taxes are likely to re-emerge as a national issue.

President Obama will reveal his budget next week, the White House said Friday. It will include his proposals for entitlement reform, but officials said the changes must be tied to increased taxes on wealthy Americans and corporations.