Another state in trouble

At this point all of us, meaning my kids and myself, have gotten our state refunds. I can't say there isn't something going on but it could be. Sprint has been a problem for years, this is true. Having known the father of a former congressman I heard quite of bit of the politics of Kansas. This particular congressman would make sure the majority of the monies went to the city his own son lived in while others suffered. Kansas City Kansas, where I'm unfortunately stuck until I can move out, is one of the worst when it comes to corruption. The mob pretty much owns the place. Even with the Nascar race track and the Legends there is little being done to make the city a better place. I often say it reminds me of one of those islands that people go to for their fancy vacation getaways while the shacks lay hidden in the background. Kansas is still years ahead of Missouri which is still suffering from the blue laws from years back, but if we're suffering it means things must be very very bad.

I just read that 44 states face budget deficits so Kansas may be among the worse of the worst but it's not totally alone. I'm in Pennsylvania and my husband works for the PA Fish & Boat Commission and they've been "tightening their belts" for a long time already. They may not be able to hire their summer help, which they really DO need and they've made other cuts wherever they could make them. The same is true with other state agencies. I wish I knew what should be done! Obviously, wherever there is corruption it should be cleaned up and when money is truly being wasted on unnecessary things it should be cut. However, here in my state there have been so many cuts already to necessary services and to school districts, etc. and our roads and bridges are crumbling beneath us. It's really not the fault of our Governor. Our state used to be one of the top in manufacturing jobs, now nothing is made in the U.S. anymore it seems. Local schools have cut academic and sports programs to the bare bones and this will have an effect on the kids growing up now. One of our top football powers in the state has cut their junior high sports program almost completely. The school my grandkids go to may be heading in the same direction if something isn't done. I know this is just one seemingly minor part of what's going on right now but these are things I see personally so I know there's much more going on that doesn't touch me or my family - yet. I guess what I'm trying to say is there has been money misspent all over to be sure. There have been jobs lost in every state, obviously some more than others. The money and the jobs are GONE and the former isn't coming back for sure and the latter probably aren't either. The question is what do we do NOW and in the future to fix these problems and to keep them from recurring. That's the question but unfortunately I sure don't have the answer! Annie