Looking ahead at this new year, 2016 could be a tough year to get things done because it is an election year.

That’s the view of Geary County Commissioner Ben Bennett, who explained because it is an election year it will be especially hard to get things done through the Kansas legislature, despite some major issues that need to be addressed. “The freefall that we’ve had, the fallout over taxes has been one of those big issues as far as I’m concerned.”

Bennett stated, “The shortfall, and what’s happening with the school districts, and what’s happening with the preperation for county support from the Legislature, the blue green algae issue for instance. It’s serious to the welfare and economic stability to this community.”

Bennett added the state must increase sales tax in order to keep property taxes at the local level down in 2016.