Author: Bob Weeks
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Base School funding on research, not feelings
On the surface, it would seem like smaller class sizes would produce better educational outcomes. Intuitively, this makes sense. Research tells a different story, however.
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Kansas Supreme Court Bypasses Voters Right to Representation
Following is a press release from Kansas House Member Frank Miller, Republican from Independence. I think he assesses the situation accurately. Kansas Supreme Court By-Passes Voters Right to Representation I am shocked and very alarmed that the Kansas Supreme Court by a unanimous decision would so boldly by-pass the authority of the legislature and directly…
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Disgraceful decision will hurt Kansas
The Kansas Supreme Court’s school finance decision is deeply flawed both in substance and in procedure. This five page judicial edict (www.kscourts.org see case no. 92,032) announced January 3 is designed to pressure the legislature into voting for more spending for public schools without saying by how much. Many tax and spend advocates are now…
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The Invasiveness of Government
TRACKSIDEby John D’Aloia Jr.May 31, 2005 Trackside last discussed the use of the legislative process to feed the insatiable itch for power that overtakes elected officials. This past session a majority of Kansas state senators demonstrated the itch by passing SB45, a bill that would have given local jurisdictions the means to instantly collect past…
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The Mississippi beef plant has a lesson for us
Jackson, Mississippi has a lively talk radio station, WJNT, featuring both local shows and national shows. The hot topic of discussion on my trip to this city was what to do with the MCI settlement money, as the state had just negotiated a settlement with MCI of $100 million, for taxes MCI owed.
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Where Is Our Public Access Cable Television?
This is a letter I am sending to Cox Communications, plus government officials who I think can help. Recently I was in Portland, Ore. I happened to notice that there was true public access cable television. I watched several talk shows covering a variety of topics. There were locally-produced music shows, featuring local bands. This…
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Ethics Require Two Recusals In School Finance Lawsuit
Would you want to go to court and face a judge who used to serve as legal counsel for your courtroom opponent? That is one of the ethics challenges facing the state in trying to fight off the $1 billion school finance lawsuit in front of the Kansas Supreme Court. This court heard oral arguments…
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Rep. Todd Tiahrt and BTK
Congressman Todd Tiahrt has secured $1 million for use by the Wichita Police Department in the omnibus appropriations bill that goes before the House of Representatives on Monday. The bill has already passed the Senate, Tiahrt spokesman Chuck Knapp said, and approval by the House is expected to be a formality. While there are safeguards…
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What’s the Matter with Kansas?
By Alan Cobb, State Director of Americans For Prosperity, Kansas Many would describe that much of Kansas is in decline. Over 75 percent of the counties in Kansas have lost population just since 2000. Over half of Kansas’ counties have fewer residents today than 1900. Recently, the Associated Press reported that Kansas is in real…