Is Kansas ready to be the first state in the entire nation to impose a carbon tax on energy? The last attempts to do so were in Washington, D.C., led first by President Bill Clinton in 1993 with BTU-tax proposal. It was followed most recently by a 2003 proposal offered by Senators John McCain (yes, the one running for President) and Joe Lieberman.

The idea is based on a simple premise. The use of fossil fuels is bad – we are told – thus it must be taxed. Because, as AlGore and Secretary Rod Bremby (of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment) has taught the world, we all are supposed to know that man-made global warming is an imminent threat to the future of mother Earth, indeed perhaps the entire universe. And if we raise taxes on carbon use, particularly on that produced from coal and petroleum, Americans will use less as our energy costs increase. Oh, and yes, there would be that little issue of how government would spend the new tax money Americans (or Kansans) would be forced to cough up.

The bill introduced at the behest of the House and Senate Republican leadership here in Kansas aimed to overturn the illegal, unconstitutional, and arbitrary decision to reject the proposed Sunflower power plant expansion in Holcomb. However, the bill contained one shocking proposal – what would be the first-ever carbon tax to quell environmental opposition to the bill overruling the decision of the Sebelius Administration.

We were told by the authors of the bill – it is only $3 per ton carbon charge – heck, Europe charges more than $30 a ton. And by the way, Sunflower is unlikely to ever pay the bill – they’ll meet the emission standards contained in the bill with some innovative means of carbon mitigation. But we have heard that tale before – it is a tax that no one (or very few) or only the rich will ever pay.

Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, traveled from Washington to testify against the proposal, fearful that Democrats across the nation would use the Kansas Republican Legislature as an example that any state can find the political will to impose the environmentalist – UN – dream of a central government carbon tax. He pointed out that the temporary 3% tax on telephones initiated in 1898 to pay for the Spanish-American War is still taking a bite out of our wallets. The Alternative Minimum Tax was proposed by President Nixon to go after 144 taxpayers – now it raises taxes on 26,000,000 Americans. And the Income Tax – oh, it would only affect the very richest Americans – the top 5% or so – now we all pay it.

If the Governor and the Legislature do agree upon this brand new, precedent-setting carbon tax proposal, it will be tantamount to unilateral ratification of the Kyoto Protocol that was unanimously rejected by the U.S. Senate back in 1997. As you may recall, all agreed the Kyoto protocol would be devastating to the United States economy – even Senator John Kerry refused to support the Bill Clinton-Al Gore treaty proposal. If Kansas were to institute the carbon tax here, we would be going where no state – no legislature – not even the U.S. Senate has gone before.

Just today though, I am happy to report that the Senate Committee reviewing this bill removed the carbon tax proposal from the measure. It now heads to the floor of the Senate for possible debate on Wednesday. Let’s hope we can pass a bill that returns the rule of law to the regulatory process, avoids the dangers of a new carbon tax, and allows Kansas business to return to a certain business climate free from the politicking surrounding the issue of energy costs.

Following Super Tuesday, Beltway Republicans and Mainstream Media made their pick – Senator John McCain (see above for his leadership to pass a new carbon tax) would be the Republican nominee. However, they forgot to bring in ordinary, hard-working Kansas Republicans in on their plan.

No actually they did not forget – instead they recruited former Senator Bob Dole, Senator Sam Brownback, and leading party folks such as the Republican National Committeeman and National Committeewoman, and even the State Party Chairman to convince Kansans that McCain was the train they should ride.

Kansans would have none it. In a shocking, overwhelming defeat, Kansas Republicans turned to the remaining candidate who shared many of our traditional Kansas values – Governor Mike Huckabee. With a victory of 60% to McCain’s miserable 24% - and the constitutional leader Congressman Ron Paul’s 11% vote total – it means that 76% of Kansas Republican voted for someone other than the presumed nominee. So much for not getting the insider message. The only county won by McCain was Senator Doles (former) home county, one county was a tie - and the other 103 went for Huckabee. Rather than take the establishment train, Kansans chose to walk with the down-home former Arkansas Governor.

A clear message has been sent to Washington – and to John McCain – conservatives have been watching Senator McCain for years working against the key principles of the Republican Party. He ignores the message at his own peril.

Since I first started campaigning for the Kansas Senate back in 1996, most pressing issue to my constituents has been that of illegal immigration. The social costs are staggering. The government costs are overwhelming. And the impacts are evident everywhere you look. Clearly, something must be done to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into Kansas – and the entire nation. Politicians like Senators John McCain and our own Senator Brownback have offered new variations on the answer implemented more than twenty years ago – that would be amnesty for those who break through our border or overstayed their visas (sometimes for decades). I do not support amnesty in any form. Rewarding those who break the law should not be an option. Given the federal unwillingness to secure our borders, some folks in Kansas argue that state government also should ignore the problem. But with an estimated 55,000 to 85,000 illegal aliens in Kansas right now (and the number is likely higher) and an estimated taxpayer cost exceeding $200 million, we can not stick our heads in the sand too. As a state legislator, I have the constitutional responsibility and duty to provide a real solution to these problems. Together with four other senators, I have co-sponsored the Kansas Illegal Immigration Act (Senate Bill 458). This proposal contains five major provisions including limits on government welfare, stopping the hiring of illegal workers, overcoming the lack of cooperation between state, federal and local law enforcement, prohibiting employment identity fraud, and ending driver’s license fraud. Some would say it’s a tough plan, but it is also fair and reasonable. As Kansans, we welcome and encourage those immigrants who come here legally – but those unwilling to follow the rule of law deserve tough action.

Hearings on SB 458 will take place in the next two weeks. Let’s hope that Kansas can fill the gaps of a federal government unwilling to do its constitutional duty.

"Kathleen and Gary are very proud of their son John's creativity and talent.” “Now it’s kind of a family tradition to play the game at Christmas time.”

Sound like the words of praise from two very proud parents – and these parents would be the Governor of Kansas and the first husband, a federal judge Gary Sebelius. What are they so pleased with in their 23-year-old son John? Why, the new board game he is marketing in his first real enterprise since recently leaving an art school back east.

Remember the phrase – don’t drop the soap – that was popular in junior high and high school locker rooms in the 1960s and 1970s as America witnessed the onset of a new, openly homosexual culture? Well, Mr. John Sebelius, that creative genius in the Governor’s family has introduced the concept to a whole new level – an entire board game centered around this entertaining issue of homosexual prison rape. I am not kidding.

I have purchased a copy of the game to review – and it is disgusting, morally perverse, racially-provoking. And we thought Billy Beer was tacky in the 1970s. Or bad booze troubles by the daughters of President Bush. But in each of these cases – there is a difference. Jimmy Carter was embarrassed, as was George W. Bush. But not Sebelius, not even of a board game that pushes crack cocaine, condones gang violence, exalts racial hatred, and advertises bribing cops. Wow – it even has the biggest liberal obscenity of the new era – it glorifies smoking!!!

My wife asked why I hadn’t brought the board game home from the office – even the box lid is inappropriate for viewing by children! Further, no taxes were collected as required under state law, nor are there any warnings announcing the product unfit for children (and anyone else), and the business entity selling the game is incorporated on public property – CEDAR CREST. I do not joke here – Cedar Crest is the home base for Sebelius Junior’s little risqué adventure.

Perhaps Gary Sebelius might give the game to each new prisoner he sentences to federal prison – he’s so proud of the creativity. It might give the prisoners a little levity as they await their next trip to the …. Oops, don’t want to give away little John’s secret potty mouth game.

I believe there are potentially numerous legal and ethical violations in this now official State of Kansas board game, but heck, why worry, they even play it at Cedar Crest for Christmas. So it must be OK.

After the disgusting game we introduced you to above, I thought better thoughts need to be in mind. So whenever you are in the Capitol, I invite you to drop by my office and say hello. We would love to visit with you!

Often times, our Senate Chaplain Fred Hollomon brings a little humor to his daily Senate prayers. Here he reminds us that the Lord is listening – often when we may not expect it.

Heavenly Father,

Sometimes You have permitted me to indulge in a little humor.
You know that sometimes we preachers wonder if anyone is
Paying attention to us during our sermons.

I’d like to use a Little story to illustrate something that I will explain at the end.

A preacher, a doctor, and a lawyer had been deer hunting all day
And had not seen a single deer.
Just as they decided to go home
They spotted a huge buck.
All three of them shot and the deer Fell dead.

The question arose as to which of them should get credit for the kill.

The doctor said, ‘‘Let me examine it.’’

He Came back and said, ‘‘It was the preacher’s bullet that got him.’’

‘‘How do you know?’’ they asked. The doctor explained, ‘‘The
Bullet went in one ear and out the other.’’

My point, Lord, is that I am grateful that when we pray for
Something that is Your will, and not doubt that You will answer.
It never goes in Your ear and out the other.

Thank You for Your willingness to hear our prayers.

I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.