Dave Trabert
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Articles by Dave Trabert
USD 259 bond issue will cost a lot more than taxpayers are told
Wichita taxpayers are being told the $615 million bond issue for USD 259 will cost a relative pittance. The district says the first $407 million (Question 1 on the November ballot) will not raise taxes, and the owner of a $300,000 home would pay only $75 on the remaining $208 million in Question 2. The real cost, unfortunately, is much higher. The current bond issue is almost paid off, so property taxes would decline if voters don’t approve new debt.
Linn County Commissioners get more budget deception from former county clerk
Once again, former Linn County Clerk David Lamb is giving county commissioners deceptive answers to budget questions. According to the Linn County News, commissioners asked Lamb why the county has non-budgeted funds. In response, he said they are cash balance funds used for equipment that balance the budget. Lamb added that they can spend money from non-budgeted funds if an emergent need arises that wasn’t budgeted.
$6 billion in city/county cash reserves, including $1.8 billion tucked away in non-budgeted funds
Research published by Kansas Policy Institute found that the state’s counties and the 25 largest cities had $6 billion in cash reserves at the beginning of 2024. In addition, about $1.8 billion of that total is tucked away in non-budgeted funds. The Sentinel is owned by Kansas Policy Institute. Collectively, those entities spent $8.2 billion that year. On average, they had 73% of the coming year’s expenses already in the bank.
Right-sizing staffing is an alternative to closing schools in Kansas
(The Sentinel) – Olathe, Kansas’ proposed closure of six schools for budgetary reasons has understandably upset many parents. Fortunately, closing schools isn’t the only option available to the Olathe school board. Enrollment has declined over the last few years at USD 233 (Olathe) and other large urban school districts, as parents became frustrated over DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) being forced on students and steady declines in student outcomes.
Right-sizing staffing is an alternative to closing schools in USD 233 Olathe
USD 233 Olathe’s proposed closure of six schools for budgetary reasons has understandably upset many parents. Fortunately, closing schools isn’t the only option available to the Olathe school board. Enrollment has declined over the last few years at USD 233 and other large urban school districts, as parents became frustrated over DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) being forced on students and steady declines in student outcomes.
declined enrollment Archives - Heartlander News
Florida Senate passes bill that would strip Disney of its self-rule status
Kansas Department of Education Archives - Heartlander News
Opinion Right-sizing staffing is an alternative to closing schools in Kansas Kansas, Schools Kansas schools spend nearly $19,000 per student as enrollment, test scores fall, employment, cash reserves rise Kansas Kansas officials hide from cameras to avoid being confronted on reducing proficiency standards Opinion KS Dept.
Linn County Commissioners get faulty advice from former County Clerk
Former Linn County Clerk David Lamb told county commissioners last week they “would have to cut almost $2.2 million out of these proposed budgets” to remain revenue neutral. Lamb’s statement is demonstrably misleading, however, and seems designed to justify a 15% property tax increase. The proposed 2027 budget includes several questionable expense increases, which is outlined shortly. First, here’s one way commissioners could remain revenue neutral without cutting the proposed budget.
Johnson County wants a $20 million tax increase to waste more money
Inflation-adjusted per-capita income in Johnson County in 2025 was just 1% higher than in 2021, while the Johnson County Commissioners increased property taxes by 28%. County staff proposes another $20 million increase for 2027, making it a 44% jump over 2021. The tax increase is unnecessary, as the budget proposal admits the county would still have more than a $200 million reserve in its General Fund and total reserves exceeding $500 million.
REVIEW: A Christian guide to Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’
Odysseus is a victorious Greek warrior-king who is scarred by battle and haunted by the horrors of war – and trying to find his way home to his family in Ithaca. He and his men set sail across the sea, only to be trapped by a giant, man-eating Cyclops and then a witch who turns his soldiers into animals. Then come a deadly whirlpool, a terrifying sea monster and countless other dangers. Now Odysseus is alone on a mysterious island, with no memory of how he got there.
The Kansas school accreditation system should be based on academic improvement, not administrative paperwork
Public school districts exist to academically prepare students to succeed in life, yet the Kansas State School Board’s accreditation system ignores student outcomes and rewards paperwork over academic performance. The chart below shows the percentage of students proficient in English language arts (ELA), Math, and Science for the state average, USD 500 Kansas City, Lutheran Schools, and USD 412 Hoxie. Guess which districts are recommended for full accreditation?
Being ‘transgender’ is a fantasy, says man who lived as a woman for 8 years
(The Daily Signal) – The “transgender” mask – no matter how convincingly applied through cross-sex hormones and cosmetic surgery – is an unachievable fantasy, and it is contrary to biological reality. I should know. I lived as a woman for eight years. Thirty trillion cells make up the human body, and they deliver undeniable evidence of one’s sexual identity, either XX (female) or XY (male). Cross-sex hormones and surgery cannot change intrinsic sex.
America can’t afford to keep ignoring blackout costs
(Daily Caller News Foundation) – Sweltering heat on the East Coast tested the resiliency of America’s largest power grid over the 4th of July holiday, just days after a federal court recently upheld a Biden-era EPA rule that will make it more difficult to operate the reliable coal and natural gas plants America relies on to keep the lights on.
Op-ed: Education tax credits work — that’s why Dems voted to destroy them
This school year about 108,000 Pennsylvania students from poor and working-class families received K-12 tuition assistance scholarships to find a non-public school that works — funded entirely by charitable contributions from individuals, small businesses and corporations. About 80,000 more students wanted this tuition assistance, but the funding ran out.
Op-ed: Education tax credits work — that’s why Dems voted to destroy them
This school year about 108,000 Pennsylvania students from poor and working-class families received K-12 tuition assistance scholarships to find a non-public school that works — funded entirely by charitable contributions from individuals, small businesses and corporations. About 80,000 more students wanted this tuition assistance, but the funding ran out.
USD 500 KCK plans huge property tax hike with bloated admin staff and poor student outcomes
The USD 500 Kansas City (Kansas) school district wants to increase property taxes by about 20% to avoid making what it described to the Kansas City Star as “notable cuts.” District officials carefully avoided putting a percentage on the tax increase, but the math tells the story. Board members voted 4-3 to propose raising the total local mill rate from 52.778 to 62, which is a 17.5% increase on top of an assessed valuation increase.
Kansas school districts receive stern final warning for failing to protect girls, secret gender transitions
Three Kansas school districts have been given a final ultimatum by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for allowing boys in girls’ spaces in schools, in violation of Title IX. The department launched an investigation into four Kansas school districts in August 2025 and found all four failed to protect girls in sports and private spaces.
Johnson County wants a $20 million property tax increase despite $500 million in reserves
KCTV5 reports that Johnson County leaders said “the proposed (2027) budget includes no property tax increase,” but don’t get your hopes up. County leaders aren’t being honest, and the media should know better than to take a Johnson County leader’s word for anything on property taxes. The proposed budget estimates property tax revenue of $390.5 million this year and $410.6 million next year. That’s a $20 million increase of a little over 5%.
Only 30 Kansas counties increased employment over the last 10 years, and that will continue until elected officials vote for tax cuts
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that only 30 of the 105 counties in Kansas saw employment increase between 2015 and 2025. The five counties with the highest percentage of employment gains are: Neosho, Pottawatomie, Miami, Atchison, and Wyandotte. Johnson and Sedgwick counties are ranked #6 and #7, respectively. The five counties with the largest employment losses are: Haskell, Lane, Brown, Mitchell, and Greeley.
Prairie Village Councilman Ian Graves’ math isn’t mathing - The Heartlander
(The Sentinel) — Prairie Village Councilman Ian Graves’ Facebook post denouncing some citizens’ concerns about the city’s spending growth is inaccurate. The mistakes seem driven more by his reading of the budget than by deception, but the tone of his reply points to a larger problem in many cities and counties. Graves focuses on justifying city spending when the focus should be on providing services efficiently and within taxpayers’ means.
California school district spends $300K on LGBTQ partnership
(The Daily Signal) – A California school district spent $300,000 to partner with an LGBTQ+ center that provides “affirming programs, resources, and community care” to minors ages 12 and up. Pomona Unified School District in Pomona, California, signed a memorandum of understanding for the 2024-2025 school year for a “mentoring program” with Pomona Valley Pride.
Prairie Village Councilman Ian Graves’ math isn’t mathing
Prairie Village Councilman Ian Graves’ Facebook post denouncing some citizens’ concerns about the city’s spending growth is inaccurate. The mistakes seem driven more by his reading of the budget than by deception, but the tone of his reply points to a larger problem in many cities and counties. Graves focuses on justifying city spending when the focus should be on providing services efficiently and within taxpayers’ means.
JD Vance visits Kansas City business to tout pro-America manufacturing
Vice President JD Vance visited a Kansas City manufacturing business Monday to speak on the importance of goods “Made in America.” Milbank Manufacturing is nearing its 100-year anniversary and has been a large contributor to technology advancements in the manufacturing industry. Milbank’s warehouse welcomed over a hundred enthusiastic residents who heard speeches from Vance and Missouri leaders such as Gov. Mike Kehoe, Sen. Eric Schmitt, Rep. Mark Alford and more.
KC-area schools roll out free summer meals amid questions over spending priorities
At least six Kansas City-area school districts are offering free lunches this summer, the blog Kids in KC reports.
Dave Trabert - Heartlander News
Proposed Kansas tax limit awaits governor approval, veto (The Sentinel) — On the last day of the regular session, the Kansas Legislature passed HB 2745, a mill rate limit that allows voters to sign a protest petition… Read More
Rich States, Poor States: Kansas falls again - The Heartlander
(The Sentinel) — The 19th annual Rich States, Poor States, published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), shows that Kansas has the worst economic outlook in the region, falling from #23 to #30. The decline comes as no surprise, as the state continues attempting to disprove Einstein’s definition of insanity by hoping that the next big taxpayer giveaway to the likes of Panasonic and the Kansas City Chiefs will break Kansas out of its fifth straight decade of economic stagnation.
Rich States, Poor States: Kansas falls again, attempting to disprove Einstein’s definition of insanity
The 19th annual Rich States, Poor States, published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), shows that Kansas has the worst economic outlook in the region, falling from #23 to #30. The decline comes as no surprise, as the state continues attempting to disprove Einstein’s definition of insanity by hoping that the next big taxpayer giveaway to the likes of Panasonic and the Kansas City Chiefs will break Kansas out of its fifth straight decade of economic stagnation.
Less than 50% of Republicans and Democrats cast most of their votes for property tax relief
Every Kansas legislator entered the 2026 session professing strong support for property tax relief, but voting records tell a different story for many of them. Public opinion polling shows that at least 75% of voters want limits on assessed value and mill rate increases, but only 40% of legislators voted for those bills more than 75% of the time.
Kansas constitutional assessment limit failed due to "no" votes from both Democrats and Republicans - The Heartlander
(The Sentinel) — What was probably the last attempt to put an assessment limit on the ballot this year to protect taxpayers from exorbitant, unaffordable valuation hikes failed yesterday, with 33 Democrats and 20 Republicans voting against it. Those voting “No” did so for one of two reasons: they didn’t have enough time to understand the changes, or they sided with local government over taxpayers.
Constitutional assessment limit failed because 33 Democrats and 20 Republicans voted “No”
What was probably the last attempt to put an assessment limit on the ballot this year to protect taxpayers from exorbitant, unaffordable valuation hikes failed yesterday, with 33 Democrats and 20 Republicans voting against it. Those voting “No” did so for one of two reasons: they didn’t have enough time to understand the changes, or they sided with local government over taxpayers. They also effectively told taxpayers that they don’t deserve to vote on the proposed constitutional amendment.
Proposed Kansas tax limit awaits governor approval, veto - The Heartlander
(The Sentinel) — On the last day of the regular session, the Kansas Legislature passed HB 2745, a mill rate limit that allows voters to sign a protest petition to stop local government entities from increasing property taxes beyond the rate of inflation.
Mill rate limit allows voters to stop excessive property tax increases, unless Gov. Kelly sides with government and vetoes it
On the last day of the regular session, the Kansas Legislature passed HB 2745, a mill rate limit that allows voters to sign a protest petition to stop local government entities from increasing property taxes beyond the rate of inflation.
Kansas ranks #48 in five-year business survival rate
A study released today by Franchise Opportunities shows that the business survival rate in Kansas is only 46.8% for businesses formed in 2019 and still operating in 2024. Out of 5,578 new ventures launched, just 2,613 remain active. Only the District of Columbia and the states of Missouri and Washington are worse, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Business Employment Dynamics dataset.
Which assessment limit is best for taxpayers?
The Kansas House and Senate remain divided over the structure of a constitutional amendment on an assessment limit for property tax purposes. The Senate passed SCR 1616 in February, limiting the increase to 3% annually, but the House rejected it on a voice vote last week. Yesterday, the House passed SCR 1603, based on its rolling-average concept from HCR 5011, which the Senate rejected last year.
Senate Tax Committee reinstates revenue-neutral, tightens mill rate limit
The Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee amended HB 2745 today, reinstating revenue-neutral and giving voters a chance to veto property tax increases that exceed the rate of inflation. The bill approved by the House allowed a protest petition to give voters a chance to stop tax increases above 3%, but multiple exemptions could easily have allowed increases of 5% or more without triggering a petition.
Rick “Rockin Rick” Nash ~ 11-13-1958 to 02-23-2026
Linn County News Published March 11, 2026 Rick "Rockin' Rick" Nash, 67, of Lawrence, Kan., passed away on Feb. 23, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kan. Rick was born to parents Joe Victor Nash and Janice Maline Heitman on Nov. 13, 1958, in Kansas City, Kan. Rick married Mary Rose Keyes in 1979. One son was born to this matrimony. In 1986, he married Kristin Robinson, and to this marriage, two sons were born.
Revenue-Neutral transparency helps suppresses property tax increases
The goal of the Kansas Truth in Taxation revenue-neutral law passed in 2021 was to make local officials think twice about raising property taxes, and new data shows it’s working as intended. Data from the Kansas Department of Revenue shows that, on average, 21 of the state’s 105 counties didn’t increase property taxes each year before revenue-neutral (1998 through 2021).
House Tax Committee sides with government over taxpayers: HB 2745 eliminates revenue-neutral and bonuses governments for tax increases of at least 5%
Cities, counties, and school districts lobbied hard over the last three years to eliminate revenue-neutral measures and have the Legislature send them taxpayer money on the pretense of property tax relief. Last week, the House Taxation Committee approved HB 2745 last week to grant their wishes over the objection of just a handful of members.
Replacing property tax with sales tax is a complex, multi-year task
There’s been a lot of buzz on social media lately about replacing the Kansas property tax with extra sales tax revenue, and while it’s an idea worth exploring, it cannot be accomplished in a single legislative session for several reasons. Senator Mike Murphy recently introduced legislation to start a conversation about replacing property taxes with a 7.6% sales tax on purchases under $20 and a flat $1.60 fee on transactions over $20.
Kansas property tax relief is stalled by politics | Opinion
Dave Trabert Special to The Capital-Journal Feb. 12, 2026, 4:10 a.m. CT Kansas homeowners are facing significant increases in property taxes and assessed home valuations. A recent poll shows strong bipartisan voter support for limiting property tax assessment values and mill rates. The author alleges that both Democratic and Republican politicians are prioritizing electoral politics over passing property tax relief.
Kansas property tax relief is stalled by politics | Opinion
Feb. 12, 2026, 4:10 a.m. CT Kansas homeowners are facing significant increases in property taxes and assessed home valuations. A recent poll shows strong bipartisan voter support for limiting property tax assessment values and mill rates. The author alleges that both Democratic and Republican politicians are prioritizing electoral politics over passing property tax relief.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Assessment limit is constitutionally sound, desperately needed
Limiting increases in taxable assessed valuation does not violate the state constitutional provision of uniform and equal valuation, as recently alleged by Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell. The proposed legislation amends the constitution to allow exceptions. SCR 1616 protects property owners who have experienced unaffordable valuation hikes by limiting the increase to 3% each year. Appraised values aren’t affected.
Kansas schools spend nearly $19,000 per student as enrollment, test scores fall, employment, cash reserves rise - The Heartlander
(The Sentinel) – Data from the Kansas Department of Education shows school funding for the 2024-25 school year set another record at $8.65 billion, averaging $18,858 per student. The average doesn’t tell the whole story, however. USD 326 Logan spent the most at $84,396 per student with just 113 kids enrolled; that includes capital expenditures of $58,766 per student. USD 334 Southern Cloud, with only 57 kids enrolled, spent $47,194 per student.
Johnson County superintendents fail 4th-grade math
Today’s math riddle is brought to you by Johnson County school superintendents: How can taxpayers give school districts hundreds of millions of dollars more for special education without increasing total spending or cutting other state funding? The obvious answer is that it’s not possible, but that is what they tell taxpayers, and in their pitch for more funding during a recent meeting with legislators. I asked them to explain their calculations, but none of them responded to my email.
School funding almost $19,000 per student, cash reserves hit $1.33 billion, enrollment declines, and employment increases
Data from the Kansas Department of Education shows school funding for the 2024-25 school year set another record at $8.65 billion, averaging $18,858 per student. The average doesn’t tell the whole story, however. USD 326 Logan spent the most at $84,396 per student with just 113 kids enrolled; that includes capital expenditures of $58,766 per student. USD 334 Southern Cloud, with only 57 kids enrolled, spent $47,194 per student. Another 126 districts spent more than $20,000 per student.
Kansas officials hide from cameras to avoid being confronted on reducing proficiency standards - The Heartlander
(The Sentinel) – It’s not uncommon for education administrators to make easily debunked claims about student achievement or school finance from the safety of a board room where no one can challenge them. They also know it’s rare for mainstream media to question their claims, which only bolsters the tendency to stretch the truth. If there is a media follow-up, it’s typically handled in an emailed word salad.
KSDE hides from TV cameras to avoid being confronted on reducing proficiency standards
It’s not uncommon for education administrators to make easily debunked claims about student achievement or school finance from the safety of a board room where no one can challenge them. They also know it’s rare for mainstream media to question their claims, which only bolsters the tendency to stretch the truth. If there is a media follow-up, it’s typically handled in an emailed word salad.
Opinion - Lowering the bar on proficiency is the latest fad in public education
State education administrators often say, “It’s all about the kids,” yet their actions suggest it’s more about protecting adult reputations than improving student outcomes. They all want students to do better, but not if it means adults being forced to change their behavior to make it happen. The most recent example of this is lowering the bar on proficiency standards to make it appear that achievement is improving.
Lowering the bar on proficiency is the latest fad in public education
State education administrators often say, “It’s all about the kids,” yet their actions suggest it’s more about protecting adult reputations than improving student outcomes. They all want students to do better, but not if it means adults being forced to change their behavior to make it happen. The most recent example of this is lowering the bar on proficiency standards to make it appear that achievement is improving.
Opinion - Lowering the bar on proficiency is the latest fad in public education
State education administrators often say, “It’s all about the kids,” yet their actions suggest it’s more about protecting adult reputations than improving student outcomes. They all want students to do better, but not if it means adults being forced to change their behavior to make it happen. The most recent example of this is lowering the bar on proficiency standards to make it appear that achievement is improving.
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