That Podcast in Hutch - Chris Courtwright
Longtime economists discusses state budgets and history of tax policy
This is my first week back after Mitch’s bike accident. I want to thank everyone who reached out with prayers, words of support, and offers to help. It has meant the world to our family.
Here’s an update from Mitch if you want to catch up on his perspective.
During the past two weeks, Jackson Swearer stepped in to keep That Podcast In Hutch going - and I’m extremely grateful for his help. He had some great conversations while I was out - Davide Sotelo discusses his early years in America and his work as the Hutchinson Human Relations officer, and Amanda Wilke talked with Jackson about some of the challenges she encounters as a licensed in home day care provider. I hope you’ll take time to go back and listen to them.
This week, I visit with Chris Courtright. He worked for more than 30 years as lead economist with the Kansas Legislative Research Department. During that time, he helped provide the Kansas legislature with economic data that lawmakers use to build budgets and set tax policy. (At least ideally that’s how decisions would be made).
Chris also served on the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group - which something most people outside of government likely don’t know much about, yet a group that plays a big role in fiscal policy. The CRE meets twice a year and makes projections on the next year’s revenue and economic realities. This becomes the basis for every governor’s budget recommendations, and the number on which the legislator bases its budget discussion.
The CRE was in the news this week, announcing an additional $760 million in anticipated revenue in the next year. This means the state expects to have an expected budget surplus of $3.1 billion in the next year. Intersected with that announcement is the continuing debate around cutting the state’ sales tax on groceries - which would save Kansans 6.5 percent off the food they buy for their families.
Chris runs through the history of Kansas’ sales tax on food, and helps unpack some of the nuances of Kansas tax and fiscal policy. If you are a policy or history wonk, you’ll likely appreciate Chris’ depth of knowledge on the matter. If you want to have a better understanding about how state government builds a budget, I likewise think you’ll appreciate Chris’ easy way of explaining an otherwise complex issue.
To listen to my conversation with Chris, subscribe to That Podcast in Hutch at Salt City Sound or on your favorite podcast streaming service.
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