However, particularly in times of economic peril, sometimes the “wants” we’ve fertilized with ample resources grow to become “needs” and our well intentioned investments in promising ideas and programs become the dangerous government growth that each candidate swears to defend against at all costs on the campaign trail.

It’s a difficult issue to navigate because all programs serve needs—and while many of the programs that leave our state cash-strapped and lacking options were at one time an entirely plausible notion, we now must find a way to honor the commitments we’ve made to our citizens without driving taxpayers and local businesses into the ground. It’s a battle our government faces at all levels—and explains why so many states are stuck in fiscal situations even worse than those we’re experiencing in Kansas.

When I ran for office almost a decade ago I did it based on simple, common-sense principles that made sense to me and the community members I was meeting on a daily basis. Throughout my time in the legislature those ideals have become even more important to me. My subsequent re-elections affirm that notion, and I’m now more committed than ever to reducing the strain government and it’s failed policies are placing on individual taxpayers—and our local businesses. I don’t think there is any time more important than now to have our leaders at every level of government committed to this very basic idea.

I’ve spent hours visiting with neighbors, friends, community leaders, and colleagues about these issues. Some are my supporters, some are not—but I have found one universal theme throughout each group—a fundamental distain for the lack of personal accountability in our modern culture.

The expectation of government has grown to demand an entirely different level of care for citizens. Some of this is generational; some is simply a product of our political environment. Regardless, by continually providing more and more services—particularly when times were good, we inadvertently taught ourselves to expect care from our government we would have never previously imagined.

The story of our state’s economic hardship reflects this trend. Schools, social services, state institutions and our citizens all have grown to expect funding and programs at levels beyond anything our state’s founders would have envisioned.

The reality is we must fundamentally change the way we view spending. We have a responsibility as legislators to remain firm on our commitments to keep spending in check and allow taxpayers to keep their money. I firmly believe we have enough of our citizen’s money—we simply need to spend it more effectively.

Our constituents are an important part of the process as well, though. As you manage your family budgets and finances I’m sure you understand how difficult it is to save expenses and create your own personal “surplus funds” but just as we tighten up our personal budgets we must assist our government in doing the same. We must elect leaders with the foresight and determination to build and sustain only the most effective programs and cut waste when we fail to do so.

I trust this downturn will eventually improve—however it would be a grave mistake to ignore the lessons it’s taught us. I am fiercely committed to intelligent, long term spending strategies. I’m confident we can mold the way we think about these decisions and avoid such devastating impacts in the future. If for no other reason, we must show younger generations the value of self-reliance and prudent financial planning.

I look forward to these challenges, and hope you’ll work with me to return to our most basic principles of responsibility and dedication to our shared common goals. This state has a proud past, a bright future, and a wealth of opportunity to usher in a new generation of practical leadership—and I’m committed to protecting each.

Rep. Arlen Siegfreid
Speaker Pro Tem

Rep. Siegfreid represents the 15th District which includes parts of the city of Olathe and Olathe Township in Johnson County. He has served in the legislature since 2003 and in addition to serving as Speaker Pro Tem, serves on the Tax and Health and Human Services committees.