A few weeks ago, I led the Kansas Senate in passage of two key and historical bills – SB 159 and SB 169. In a strong bipartisan majority, the Kansas Senate has sent a strong message that we are concerned about the integrity of the election process. Every Kansas citizen deserves the right to an election without voter fraud.

Senate Bill 169 is my comprehensive measure that protects the election process from voter fraud by requiring important new photo and other identification requirements for voters. In America today, we require photo identification to purchase alcohol and cigarettes, to cash or write a check, to open a bank account, to get on an airplane, and to work on many jobs. With SB 169, Kansas joins six other states in implementing similar common-sense safeguards to protect the integrity of our elections – something I believe is much more sacrosanct. This measure provides two primary advances in limiting voter fraud: first, requiring identification to make certain that those who vote in our elections are qualified and entitled to do so, and second, providing real teeth in the law to prevent non-citizens, including illegal aliens, from voting in our elections.

I also carried Senate Bill 159. It addresses another potential weakness in the election process – the tens of thousands of advance votes cast in the state of Kansas. Provisions of this proposal protect the integrity, secrecy, and intentions of the many voters who choose to vote in advance. This bill provides additional safeguards to ensure that no longer would we have ballots taken to campaign headquarters, ballots not delivered to the election office, or voters unduly influenced by those portending to help in the advance vote process.

I am monitoring and advocating for these bills now that they are being considered in the Kansas House.

Your Property – Targeted for Takings Again!
Far too often, bad ideas never die – especially in your State Capitol!

More than a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued their infamous Kelo v. New London ruling -- which permitted the theft of private property. The entire country was shocked. As you may recall, the Court justified any takings of any property by any government – and handing it over to another private entity. The misuse of eminent domain for private economic gain appalled me – and we were able to pass a new strong law last year protecting private property rights.

However, there was one problem – promoters of governmental ability to steal your property were able to hold the legislation hostage and stuck in a provision preventing implementation of the new law until July 1st of this year! It was a bitter pill to swallow – but one we were forced to accept in order to pass any law whatsoever last year.

Now even before the law goes into effect, the same promoters of government takings are working hard to undo the key provisions in this law. Using the straw man of so-called “blight,” these legislators, developers and government lobbyists are pushing SB 296 that would – once again – permit cities to take “blighted areas” and hand them over to private companies for their use. Clearly, blight is in the eyes of the beholder – and usually if the beholder is someone who wants the property. The cities already have the authority to address dangerous, unsafe conditions, so this bill is clearly an attempt to restore the abusive eminent domain authority we worked so hard to eliminate less than one year ago. Democrat Party Highlights
Last weekend was the annual Democrat love-fest in Topeka. Although I was actually back in the district during those days, I was able to glean a few of the highlights from various sources.

First, former President Clinton (that would be Bill, not Hillary) spoke at Kansas State University – and then in Topeka on that Friday. He gave his traditional message – claiming he balanced the budget, reformed welfare, and protected us from Islamic extremists. After his speech to the Democrat party, Governor Kathleen Sebelius persuaded Clinton to loosen his tie and give it up for a traditional Kansas Democrat tie auction. Most notable was Sebelius’ promise: “He’ll sign it where ever your want it.”

Speaking of the tie sale, Clinton’s tie brought a record $26,000 at the auction. The buyer was a Democrat just like you and me – the billionaire Phil Ruffin. By the way, he’s the poor joe who needs a casino to keep his race tracks in business…and has become (along with George Tiller) a principal benefactor of Kansas Democrats. Last, the new Lieutenant Governor, Mark Parkinson, spoke to the assembled Democrats. They were excited to hear him indicate that his interest in public service and his basic instincts brought him to the Democrat party, along with the chance to be Sebelius’ running mate: “If that makes me an opportunist, then call me opportunistic. But call me a Democrat.” He has found his home. The Democrats cheered wildly.

Kansas State Caters to PETA
As an agriculturally-oriented university, we would not expect Kansas State University to cater to environmental wackos and other socialists. But maybe it is no surprise as did they invite an impeached, ex-president speak to lecture an assembled crowd of students on the virtues of big government.

A few weeks ago, before their game with the visiting KU Jayhawks, an enterprising fan or two threw a live chicken or two on the basketball floor. No blood, no gore, a few feathers, but no damage. And a lot of entertainment to excite the crowd.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) quickly responded with a terse letter accusing Kansas State of nasty things, including the mistreatment of animals. A nutty letter from such a left-wing, crazy group should have been ignored.

But KSU officials quickly apologized to this out-of-state (some would way out-of-mind) group and threatened severe penalties to anyone who would ever bring a chicken or any other animal to a sporting event. In their press release, the University loudly declared that such mistreatment of animals cannot and will not be condoned or tolerated – claimed such actions were likely illegal – and indicated that animals (other than guide dogs – who were never asked if they wanted the job) would be

viewed as contraband! Wow!

No mention by KSU whether the killing and eating of these same chickens is considered mistreatment. For PETA it certainly is immoral and should be made illegal to eat animals. And when you have an agricultural university cave to such extremist, socialistic nonsense – we have a problem in Kansas.

Alexa’s Law
This past year, a young, beautiful 8th grade girl who was nearly full-term with a baby was murdered in Wichita . And you might remember a couple of years ago in California, Scott Peterson killed his wife when she was nearly full-term in her pregnancy. Scott Peterson was charged with two murders.

But here in Kansas it's different. Chelsea Brooks was nearly full-term in her pregnancy when she was killed and the baby died as well. The murderer was only charged with one murder because the baby is not considered a person worthy of protection.

Chelsea Brooks and her family had named the to-be-born baby, Alexa. The bill under consideration in the Kansas Senate would make the killing of Alexa a crime as well as the killing of her mother. The bill is called Alexa's Law. It passed overwhelmingly in the Kansas House and now is in the Kansas Senate Judiciary Committee.

Our History is Steeped in the Word
On March 6th, our Senate Chaplain Fred Hollomon reminded us that the history our nation is steeped in the Word – in the Word of God. He asks us to reflect how much influence our faith in Christ may impact our nation, its government, and our people:

Heavenly Father,

In 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville, the famous French statesman, historian, and social philosopher toured the United States and a few years later published a work entitled, Democracy in America, which has been described as the most comprehensive and penetrating analysis of the relationship between character and society in America that has ever been written.

In this book de Tocqueville says: …there is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America, and there can be no greater proof of its utility and of its conformity to human nature than that its influence is powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth.

But that was 176 years ago, O God, and I wonder if he could give the same report in 2007. Maybe in this building we do not have much effect on what happens in the rest of our country, but we do have a lot of influence in Kansas.

Help us, Lord, to emulate the founders of this nation whose commitment to God dominated their decisions when America was born.

I pray in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.