Lykins, Ryun clash over prescription drugs

Topeka Democratic congressional candidate Dan Lykins said Friday that he supports federal legislation designed to get generic drugs to the market sooner.

He said his opponent, GOP Congressman Jim Ryun, opposed the bill because he’s not a co-sponsor. But the 2nd District congressman said he’s not opposed to the bill.

Ryun said he’s reviewing it and supports the concept of trying to get more generic drugs on the market.

“Just because you don’t co-sponsor something doesn’t mean you don’t support it,” Ryun said. “I’m going to take a close look at it.”

Lykins noted that generic drugs were often far less expensive than their name-brand counterparts.

Sebelius running mate would run commerce

Topeka Democrat Kathleen Sebelius will put her running mate in charge of the state’s economic development efforts if elected governor.

Sebelius said she would appoint John Moore secretary of commerce and housing. Moore is a former executive of the Cessna Aircraft Co. in Wichita and switched parties to run with her.

It would be the same arrangement Republican Gov. Bill Graves now has with Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, who steps down as secretary Oct. 1 to take a banking job.

3rd District candidates welcome vice president

Overland Park Republican Adam Taff isn’t the only candidate welcoming Vice President Dick Cheney to the 3rd Congressional District on Monday.

Democratic Rep. Dennis Moore, whom Taff is challenging, on Friday issued his own greetings to the vice president. The last time Cheney was in the Kansas City, Kan., area, he appeared with Moore and other lawmakers to celebrate the mailing of the first federal tax rebates last summer.

Moore’s campaign sent out a “welcome back” news release pointing out Moore’s support for President Bush’s $1.35 trillion tax cut. This year, Moore opposed a bill to permanently extend Bush’s tax cuts, which expire after 10 years.

Finney supports farm loan program

Topeka Sally Finney, Democratic candidate for state treasurer, supports an agricultural loan program administered by that office but says it can be improved.

Finney said loans should be based on farmers’ financial needs.

“We need to make sure that what we do have available goes to those producers who need those loans the most,” Finney said.

The treasurer’s office offers banks $55 million in deposits of idle state funds if they promise to loan the money to farmers at low interest rates.

Republican challenger Lynn Jenkins wants to increase the amount to $80 million.

Moran honored for rural development work

Washington The National Farmers Union has honored 1st District Congressman Jerry Moran by giving him its Presidential Award for his work on rural development issues.

Moran, a Republican, is seeking his fourth term in Congress.

Taff goes to Washington to raise campaign funds

Washington Republican Adam Taff was in the nation’s capital for fund-raising help in his campaign against Democratic Congressman Dennis Moore in the 3rd District.

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas of California helped Taff raise money at separate fund-raisers.

Kansas Republican lawmakers and a national defense group also held money-raising events.

Taff also met with an array of potential supporters, from Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., and former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole to leaders of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and Americans for Tax Reform.

His campaign wouldn’t say how much Taff raised, but “he got a lot of strong commitments,” spokesman Scott Holeman said.