Category: Kansas state government
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AFP “Flood the Statehouse Day” bus trip from Wichita
Some people are asking “what can we do now that the tea party is over?” Here’s an event that’s a good follow-up that will leverage the enthusiasm and energy generated by the tea party protests. This time, it’s at the state level.
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Final Kansas legislative forum Saturday
The southcentral Kansas legislative delegation will host its final public forum for 2009 on Saturday, April 25. The time is 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The location is the City of Wichita Water Center, 101 E Pawnee at Broadway.
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Kansas Senator Anthony Hensley calls for higher taxes
Appearing on Sunday’s episode of the KPTS television public affairs program Ask Your Legislator, Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, Democrat from Topeka, called for delaying scheduled Kansas tax cuts. According to Hensley, when the legislature cuts taxes, it “erode[s] the base of the treasury.”
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Government employees thrive
We’ve known for some years in Kansas that the number of state government employees has been increasing rapidly, outpacing the growth of the private sector. Now the Topeka Capital-Journal reports that these government employees are doing very well, in terms of salary and benefits.
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Kansas minimum wage advocates now have a duty
A higher Kansas minimum wage has passed both houses of the Kansas legislature and is waiting for the governor’s signature. Now minimum wage supporters have a duty to perform. It’s likely that as employers are required to pay their workers more, some will lose their job.
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Kansas ranks low in economic competitiveness, but is improving
American Legislative Exchange Council has released a report titled Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index. In this report, states are ranked on 15 policy factors that influence economic growth and competitiveness. The difference between the good and bad states is shocking in some cases. For example, over the past ten years the…
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The Cronyism of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
The Kansas Meadowlark has a post holding links to “articles written from Jan. 2005 through March 2009 about how Gov. Sebelius helped her political friends, appointed her donors to state boards, judicial nominating commissions, district courts, and even the Kansas Supreme Court.” It’s okay for an elected official to appoint friends, but with friends like…
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Is a “Super Highway 54” needed from Kingman to Pratt?
Here’s a submission from Jerry Winkelman of Wichita. We’re fortunate to have him as a watchdog to keep an eye on things. Friends are calling about destruction of our formerly picturesque Highway 54 from Kingman to Pratt. Historically this road from Wichita through Pratt to Greensburg was known as the old Cannonball Stagecoach Road. Later,…
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Passage of budget stabilization bills indicates broad support for state savings account
The free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity-Kansas released the following statement in response to Senate passage of a budget stabilization fund. “AFP has been advocating for the passage of a budget stabilization fund since its inception,” said AFP-Kansas state director Derrick Sontag. “It’s encouraging that our legislators see the importance of establishing a rainy day…
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Kansas Governor in 2010
Larry Sabato of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia has a great website and accompanying email newsletter. In its own words: “Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball features analyses of presidential elections, Senate, House and gubernatorial races.” Here’s what he has to say about the gubernatorial race in Kansas next year: KANSAS —…
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How does Kansas fare in freedom, compared to other states?
The Mercatus Center at George Mason University has just published a fascinating paper that ranks the states in several areas regarding freedom. According to the authors, “This paper presents the first-ever comprehensive ranking of the American states on their public policies affecting individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres.”
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Kansas minimum wage: wrong questions
A recent letter in the Wichita Eagle asks these questions: “Who would work for $2.65 an hour? State legislators don’t get paid much, that is true. But would they work for $2.65 an hour? Would they send their sons or daughters to a job that paid that little?” These questions are intended to stir up…