Has there been a real-world test of the Trump/Musk taxation plans? Yes, and it failed.
Former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback ran for office in 2010 on the policy of testing his self-described “Kansas Experiment,” which was based on economic growth through tax reduction (Reaganomics, trickle down, supply-side economics). He promised to turn the state into a fiscal conservative paradise.
Brownback entered office with the solid backing of the Kansas executive framework, legislature and population. Under pressure in his 2014 re-election campaign, he stated the then failing experiment had simply not had enough time to succeed and it was continued with his re-election victory.
Key outcomes of the Kansas Experiment, 2011-17:
In 2017 the Kansas Legislature voted to repeal his tax cuts and enact tax increases. Brownback, who had a 66% disapproval rating after the repeal of his signature law, resigned in 2018 to serve as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom under President Donald Trump, leaving office as one of the least popular governors in the United States. This marked a recognition that the policies had failed to deliver the expected benefits.
• The promised economic boom did not materialize. The state also lagged behind neighboring states that did not implement similar tax policies. The tax cuts led to significant budget deficits, forcing the state to cut funding for public services, including education, infrastructure, and healthcare. Kansas faced downgraded credit ratings as a result of fiscal instability.
• The reductions in revenue caused severe strain on public schools, which faced closures and resource shortages. Infrastructure maintenance was deferred, contributing to broader concerns about the state’s long-term development.
The Kansas Experiment is often cited in debates over tax policy and the effectiveness of supply-side economics. Critics argue it highlighted the risks of prioritizing tax cuts without considering potential revenue losses or the social costs of reduced public investment.
Peter Colomaio, Bradford
