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If this is recycling profit, let’s skip it
Read more: If this is recycling profit, let’s skip itA letter-writer to the Wichita Eagle states “In Washington state, we participate in a nearly effortless, profitable and environmentally important recycling program.” A paragraph later she writes “The cost of recycling is $5 a month on our refuse bill.” I don’t know: Do these statements contradict each other?
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Light rail not good for Wichita
Read more: Light rail not good for WichitaA recent letter in the Wichita Eagle by Alden Wilner of Bel Aire worries that “flat, dusty and hot” parking lots in the neighborhood of the Intrust Bank Arena (formerly known as the downtown Wichita arena) in downtown Wichita will hamper downtown revitalization. I don’t know if this claim is true or not, but I…
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Health reform: look at Oregon
Read more: Health reform: look at OregonIn less than 90 seconds this video highlights the upside-down priorities of Oregon’s Medicaid system. Lobbying groups have used the political process to push coverage for special-interest causes like substance abuse and weight loss treatment ahead of treatments for some kinds of cancer on the priority list.
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Public effort should benefit all taxpayers, not a select few
Read more: Public effort should benefit all taxpayers, not a select fewA recent Wichita Eagle commentary by Doug Stanley, vice chairman of the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, made the case for government to invest taxpayer money in developing “shovel-ready” sites to attract a wide range of new employers, especially large industrial and manufacturing companies. He says consultants who work with large employers on site selection…
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Wichita downtown arena parking problem
Read more: Wichita downtown arena parking problemThe Wichita Eagle editorial written by Rhonda Holman on June 29, 2009 now claims that the new Intrust Arena in downtown Wichita lacks adequate parking. This is a major change by the Eagle editorial board’s position. I have repeatedly asked county staff about the available parking in and around this soon-to-open facility since I became…
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Wichita Child Advocacy Center still in business, despite headline
Read more: Wichita Child Advocacy Center still in business, despite headlineA headline in the Thursday August 6, 2009 Wichita Eagle is a little bit misleading: “Sedgwick County budget saves pavilions, denies site for abused kids.” Recognizing that the reporter who wrote the story probably didn’t write the headline, the fact is that the Sedgwick County Commission didn’t deny a site for the Child Advocacy Center.…
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Eliminate all health insurance profits, and what’s left?
Read more: Eliminate all health insurance profits, and what’s left?Those who advocate government takeover of health care and the elimination of private insurance cite the “wasteful overhead” and “high profits” of health insurance companies. But: “Net income comes to just a few cents per dollar of premiums.
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Eugene Robinson doesn’t get it
Read more: Eugene Robinson doesn’t get it“I don’t know if you’d call it passion or manufactured passion … the uproar at these meetings is counterproductive .. and it’s organized, which I think is the most disturbing part of it.”
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Schodorf introduced bill to reduce notice of some bond sales
Read more: Schodorf introduced bill to reduce notice of some bond salesKansas Senator Jean Schodorf, who is considering a run for the United States Congress, doesn’t have much regard for citizens’ right to know of impending sales of municipal bonds.
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Privatization of Wichita city parks
Read more: Privatization of Wichita city parksIn a post concerning the possible privatization of City of Wichita parks maintenance, I called for, in a rather oblique way, privatization of city parks. A commenter picked up on this and wrote “I’m wondering how the parks would be decided by the market. Wouldn’t the parks have to charge an entry fee in that…
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Sebelius takes cover in loving union arms
Read more: Sebelius takes cover in loving union arms“Possibly to avoid any confrontation with concerned citizens who have read the proposed health care legislation in Congress, HHS Secretary Sebelius will hold a conference call on Friday with health care activists and SEIU members.”