We oppose this new fee policy. Game On has held several events in the Capitol, and it looks like we would now be charged several hundred dollars for each of them. We believe it’s important to send the message that the Capitol is the people’s house, and we remind those implementing this policy that we are Kansas taxpayers.
“On Friday, state budget director Shawn Sullivan had a question for his Twitter audience: “Should Kansas taxpayers subsidize events and rallies held at the Capitol?” We think so. Those events and rallies are the most visible manifestation of democracy in action – they spur dialogue, allow citizens to bring their grievances directly to their elected representatives and strengthen our state’s civil society.
“Of course events at the Statehouse aren’t free, but the value of giving citizens unfettered access to the heart of their government outweighs the relatively minuscule cost to taxpayers. That’s why our neighbors in Missouri don’t have to pay for rallies they hold in their Capitol – their state officials recognize that civic participation should be actively encouraged, particularly when it only comes at the cost of a few chairs, tables and speakers. Kansas should be particularly concerned about the optics of this situation at a time when the state’s conspicuous lack of transparency and accessibility is in the headlines.”
Read more here: http://cjonline.com/opinion/editorials/2017-11-20/editorial-protests-statehouse-should-be-free
Originally posted on Facebook November 24, 2017