To tax or not to tax?

That is the question, after Parkinson proffers to raise cigarette tax and sales tax to balance the budget and avoid more cuts to services.

Politically speaking, this is a brilliant move by Parkinson. (Who doesn't need to worry much about politics because he's not running again.)

He reset the budget conservation into one where cutting will hurt Kansas, raising revenue will keep us strong and healthy. This throws the budget problem in the GOP-lead Legislature's lap.

Do they follow their principles and fight against tax increases, which, in Parkinson's view, means lowering quality of life and the high standards we've set for ourselves.

Or do they accept the tax increases, or at least some of them, and blunt the political consequences for voting for tax increases because it would be a bipartisan affair.

Parkinson also advocated creating a rainy day fund, which means the state needs more money (needs to raise taxes), which gives the tax raising argument fiscal responsibility.