March 6, 2008 E-Newsletter
On the job in Topeka?
News from the State Capitol
March 6, 2008
It is dangerous for a national candidate to say things that people might remember.
Eugene McCarthy
Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate; now what’s going to happen to us with both a Senate and a House?
Will Rogers
Stop Picking on My Son
Recently, I was the subject of an attack from a mother who was defending her younger son. This mother accused me of picking on her boy – and suggested I take the fight directly with her and leave her poor boy out of the mix.
The son is 23-years-old. And usually, even in today’s nanny society, we assume that a 23-year-old can be responsible for his own conduct. Even if he is still living at home…
But in this case, the boy’s mother is Governor Kathleen Sebelius, his father is Federal Judge Gary Sebelius. Here are Sebelius’ own words: “I just find it really disappointing when a state senator who may have a quarrel with me decides instead to pick on my son,” she said. “There is nothing further from the truth that anything illegal or improper is going on. … If Tim Huelskamp has a discussion to have with me, let’s have it.”
The issue, of course, is not about her son, nor about the Governor or the Judge, the issue is the judgment of a family who enjoys playing a Board GAME (at Christmas time!) that entertains with thrilling prison stories of serial sodomy, gang rapes, drug use, prison violence, corrupt prison guards, racist overtones. All inspired by Sebelius’ supposed visit to a Kansas prison (after 5 days, the Kansas Department of Corrections has yet to verify whether this claim by Son Sebelius.) Non-payment of taxes, misuse of the Governor’s Mansion as a business warehouse, unethical incorporation – and still being defended by the Governor.
Remember, when Bill Clinton was accused of hiding behind Hillary’s skirt after he was caught red-handed doing……with that intern? Hillary rushed out to defend hard-working Bill from those dastardly charges. And now, we have the Governor using her press conferences not only to defend her son’s obscene and illegal GAME – but suggesting her defense may actually increase the GAME’s sales. Talk about hiding behind your mother.
A writer for the Kansas City Star recently penned a column claiming I was being too mean and overly sensitive about the racy imagery of the GAME. Although I was unable to return his phone call in a timely manner, he still ran the story using Son Sebelius as his primary – and apparently only source. Following his column in defense of Sebelius, I later asked him a simple question pertaining his journalistic credibility – had he actually viewed the GAME he was defending? NO. Not the stuff of Pulitzer research methods I suppose – unless one is aiming at a job in the New York Times newsroom.
I have not had a shortage of defenders of Son Sebelius (a grand total of 5 Kansans in support of Son Sebelius). You may enjoy a sampling of their thoughtful comments:
- I am appalled that you apparently have nothing better to do than launch political attacks on the Governor’s children.
- It is behavior like this that is repelling people of every political stripe.
- I believe it is in the best interest of the state citizens for you to stop dealing with wedge issues, such as a game invented by the governor's son, or judicial appointments,etc. It's obvious by visiting your website that your entire lackluster political career has been spent dealing with sham issues.
- …it is painfully obvious that your political carrier is dedicated to grandstanding on important issues like saying the pledge of allegiance and protecting us from the onslaught of immigrants.
As you can see, absolutely no one has yet to defend the GAME – nor to admit even seeing the GAME. But now if this were a Republican Governor, or even a Republican state senator, my, my, my – oh, what would the stories be? As I await the responses from various agencies on this issue, I will be reporting back to you.
Turnaround Time
We are halfway through another legislative session – turnaround time. This is when most Senate bills must have made it through the Senate and House bills out of that chamber. All the rest are, presumably, nearly dead. Thank goodness, in most cases . . .
During the busy past week, we considered approximately 100 bills and amendments. And although many of these were mundane, one in particular raises many concerns. By a vote of 37-3, the Senate did extend another mandate upon Kansas families – every 6-year-old child must be going to school! First it was first grade, now it is half-time kindergarten, then it will be full-time kindergarten, and then it will be 5-year-olds, and then mandatory pre-school. You see where we are heading.
However, during floor debate of this new mandatory school attendance, I was able to offer an amendment that should allow families to opt-out of the mandate. It remains to be seen though if the House retains at least a modicum of family responsibility on this matter. Even with the adoption of my amendment, I still found the bill another unacceptable intrusion upon Kansas families. And we all should be aware – as today, a state appeals court in California has decided that parents without teaching credentials do not have a right to home-school their children!
In addition to mandated kindergarten, the Senate considered nuclear power expansion, the creation of a new Tourism department in state government, a proposed rural development commission, campaign finance reforms, and recognized the families and sacrifices of our brave military men and women
Campaigning for Another Job?
At the Governor’s Press Conference defending the GAME, Sebelius made a very pointed attack on me -- concerned that I was wasting too much time on the GAME in Topeka. Well, at least I am in Topeka, Governor.
And to her defense, she may not be aware that we were involved in the heart of the legislative Session…as she spent most of her time for the last three weeks out-of-state. Here is her entire public schedule for three weeks of taxpayer-funded work:
Two weeks ago: public remarks to her Kansas Health Policy Authority meeting, 10 proclamations (including Polar Education/Research Day – I am serious!!), and a short speech to citizens from southeast Kansas at the Capitol.
One week ago: 5 days in Washington, D.C., following by the press conference, and a short speech to the Topeka Rotary.
And then after these busy two weeks – campaigning for Barack Obama in Ohio on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. (Obama might have wished she had stayed in Kansas though).
Friends, we need a Governor on the job for Kansans – not out-of-town campaigning for a job in Washington.
Government Transparency
Remember that television series – A-Team – and the much-noted quoted of the character Hannibal: “I love it when a plan comes together!” Well, so do I!
As you may recall, together with Representatives Kasha Kelley and Jim Morrison, we led an effort at forcing fiscal transparency on Kansas State Government. And we were successful – just barely.
As a result of these effects, the State has just launched a new web site – KanView (http://www.kansas.gov/kanview/index.html) People deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent – and this website offers a searchable database including the specifics of $22 Billion in state spending, tax sources, other reports, and state debt.
After being up for only a few days, interesting spending trends have already been observed by citizens who care about their tax dollars: $1.6 million in credit card fees and charges, nearly $8,000 in state spending at Air Capital Mattress, $90,000 spent by KU at the San Diego Sheraton.
Check out the web site – let me know what you find! Only with transparency can there be accountability!
Public Appearances
In the coming week, I will be visiting and speaking at a number of locations. I encourage your attendance so that we can talk about what is on your mind.
First, I have three district events this weekend. At 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Rep. Pat George and I will be at the Spearville Senior Center. Next, we will be at the High Plains Journal at 10:00 a.m. for a legislative forum together with Speaker Melvin Neufeld. Lastly, I will be in Liberal at 6:00 p.m. to attend the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet.
On Wednesday, I have been invited to participate in a statewide television broadcast on the Power of Open Government. It be held at 7:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Wichita. The panel will be carried live on Cox Channels 22 in Wichita and Topeka, as well as KWCH.com and KFTI-AM (1070). It will be rebroadcast on KPTS, Channel 8, at 7 p.m. on April 3 and around the state on the Public Broadcasting System.
Other panelists include Wichita Vice Mayor Sharon Fearey, Kansas Attorney General Stephen Six (invited), Eagle Editor Sherry Chisenhall and broadcast and print journalist Nickie Flynn. Moderators will be Randy Brown and Susan Huxman, director of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University.
The panel is free and open to the public. A reception will follow at 8 p.m. Audience members, who will be able to ask questions, should be seated by 6:45 p.m. Sponsors are the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government and the Wichita Metro Chapter of the League of Women Voters.
Hope to see you there!
Prayer to Remind
Often times, our Senate Chaplain Fred Hollomon has a very specific job – to remind us the real important things in life – the really important people in this world.
Heavenly Father,
Jesus said, If you do good to those who are good to you,
what credit is that to You? Even sinners do that.
We are a busy people, Lord,
But help us do the little things;
Help us greet all those who serve,
As if they all were kings.
Remind us, Lord:
A cheerful greeting is a prize
To people we don’t know:
The elevator operator,
And the workers down below.
Remind us, Lord:
To greet the people in uniform,
And the men who man the doors.
Say Hello to children
And the folks who mop the floors.
Remind us, Lord:
To compliment the secretaries,
And those behind the scenes.
To smile at all the pages,
And those who keep the State House clean.
Remind us, Lord:
To not forget all staff members,
And others we haven’t mentioned.
We can be a blessing
When we show them some attention.
I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, AMEN
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