OSAWATOMIE — Sen. Caryn Tyson’s voice became choked with emotion as she talked about a man who was going to lose his home because he couldn’t afford to pay his property taxes while the state is giving out tax money to paint murals.
The incident stemmed from a state Department of Commerce budget report being delivered to the Senate’s commerce committee, of which the Republican senator from Parker is a member.
“I was completely discouraged,” Tyson told the audience during the second installment of the Miami County Legislative Breakfast Series held Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Osawatomie High School auditorium. “We were listening to the commerce budget report. They were telling us where they were handing out taxpayer money for all these projects across the state and how great and wonderful … then they get to (talking about) handing out money to paint murals.
“I had had a call the day before about a gentleman who is literally losing his home — he has to move because of his taxes,” Tyson said. “And … I’m sorry, you guys. It chokes me up. Because we make decisions up there (in Topeka) that impact individuals and their lives. And for us to be handing out money to paint murals while this person is losing their home — it’s heart wrenching.”
Tyson said you could hear a pin drop in the room after she expressed her opinion to…
