Category: Kansas state government
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Kathleen Sebelius Goes to Washington
“The most demonstrative pro-abortion governor in the history of the United States has been selected by President Obama to become the Health and Human Services Secretary. Even though I am excited to have our Governor ‘out of Dodge’ due to her horrible tax and spend policies as well as liberal thoughts on energy, I have…
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Political influence possible at Kansas SRS
Late last year, as most other programs for people with disabilities were bracing for likely state budget cuts, the head of the state welfare department quietly approved $712,000 in ‘extraordinary’ funding for a Lenexa-based program that specializes in caring for people with severe disabilities.
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Update on Kansas ethics case
The Kansas Meadowlark has more coverage of a Kansas case with troubling implications: “The legal conflict in this case is between Kansas law and confidentiality of an ethics complaint, and the U.S. Constitution?s 1st amendment right to free speech. Oddly in this case, the one making the complaint, is the one being fined. This has…
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Proposition K hearing spotlights differences
At Wednesday’s hearing before the Kansas House of Representatives Taxation Committee, different ideas about property taxation became clear. The subject of the hearing was Proposition K, a proposal to reform property tax appraisals in Kansas. On this day, proponents of Proposition K testified.
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Kansas budget drama unnecessary
Kansas news reports and blogs are still trying to decide who won last week’s showdown between Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Republican legislative leaders. GOP message lost in drama provides an example. But as reported on this blog (Sebelius’ Proposed Cuts Not Likely Enough, Kansas Governor Not Facing Reality of Budget Crisis) and in other…
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Kansas needs a budget stabilization fund
Earlier this week we learned that the state has suspended its income tax refunds and may not be able to pay state employees due to our poor state finances. We believe this indicates a budget stabilization fund is necessary.
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Kansas GOP Senate nominee may be matter of personality
“Discerning any major differences between Kansas GOP Reps. Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt requires a microscope, but as the Senate primary between them builds steam, wedges are beginning to be laid.” Analysis of the 2010 Kansas Republican Senate race from The Hill: Kansas GOP Senate nominee may be matter of personality.
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Free Speech May Cost Kansas Citizen $7500
The Kansas Meadowlark reports on a troubling situation at the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. As reported in the story, Kansans may be faced with two unpleasant options: If you uncover corruption of violations of campaign finance statutes, you will be forced to choose between two difficult options. 1. Either turn the matter over to the…
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Kathleen Sebelius to Health and Human Services, says New York Times
“President Obama has settled on Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, a key ally with a record of working across party lines, as his top choice for secretary of health and human services, advisers said Wednesday.” See Kansas Governor Is Top Choice for Secretary of Health.
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Proposition K and TIF Districts Collide
A recent story in the Wichita Eagle by Dion Lefler (Tax plan could leave city with TIF debt) illustrates the some of the problems that can happen with complex economic development efforts. The problem in this case lies in the interaction of Proposition K, an effort to reform property tax appraisals in Kansas, and tax…
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Kansas Republican Assembly Newsletter Noticed
I just received the first issue (for me, anyway) of a newsletter from the Kansas Republican Assembly. Click here to sign up for free email delivery.
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Kansas Governor Addresses Budget Crisis
Today Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius held a press conference at 4:30 pm. She said she submitted a budget to the legislature five weeks ago, and that the bill just reached her desk today. But the budget she submitted back then, while meeting the requirements of law, didn’t meet the requirements of the situation. It was…