Topeka — About 250 people on Friday rallied at the Capitol, upset with Gov. Sam Brownback’s agenda and vowing to do something about it.
“Our Kansas way of life is in jeopardy,” said Crystal McComas, of Lawrence. McComas, a social worker, and Tamara Werth, a psychologist from Lawrence, organized the event to protest recent Brownback decisions.
They formed a group called Kansans United in Voice & Spirit and said they hoped the rally would initiate local chapters across the state.
Speakers at the rally criticized Brownback, a Republican who took office in January, for cutting funding to public schools, social services and the arts.
Mark Desetti, a lobbyist for the Kansas National Education Association, said Brownback’s cut of $232 in base state aid per student amounted to a nearly $110,000 cut to Quail Run School in Lawrence.
He asked how cuts like those across the state would affect schools’ abilities to replace textbooks and to hire teachers and paraprofessionals. He said the state has shed nearly 1,300 teacher positions and 935 support-personnel positions between the 2008-09 and 2010-11 school years.
And he warned that Brownback’s plan to cut income taxes would further erode the state’s ability to pay for needed services.
“The state will have no choice but to enact massive cuts,” he said.
Brownback has defended his budget cuts as necessary in tough economic times. And he says reducing the state income tax would attract more businesses to Kansas and grow the economy.
Diana Gibson said budget cuts and policy changes under Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Robert Siedlecki Jr. have hurt her 85-year-old uncle, who is a World War II combat veteran.
Gibson said her uncle lives with her brother and sister-in-law in south-central Kansas and receives home-based care with her sister-in-law being designated as the caretaker.
But the state has cut the hours of care that it will pay for from 34 hours per week to seven hours per week and doesn’t want the sister-in-law to be the provider, she said. The state has said it will pay for Gibson’s uncle to go into a nursing home, which will cost three times as much than if he stayed at home, she said. And her uncle wants to stay home.
“In less than nine months, they (the Brownback administration) have pretty much destroyed the program,” she said.
John Divine, of Salina, and former chairman of the Kansas Arts Commission, said Brownback’s veto of funding for the arts has sent a negative message throughout the country.
The message is, he said, “If you want to be creative, go to Colorado, go to Nebraska, go to Missouri. Don’t come to Kansas.”
Brownback has said arts funding is not a core function of state government, and the funding loss can be made up through private donations.
Douglas County Commissioner Nancy Thellman, who attended the rally, said of Brownback, “He is not representing Kansas values.”
Thellman agreed that the state economy was in tough shape, but said Brownback’s moves were part of his “commitment to corporate America.”
In response to the rally, Brownback’s spokeswoman Sherriene Jones-Sontag said, “In the past eight months, Kansas has added more than 13,000 private-sector jobs and turned a budget deficit into a $100 million surplus, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Total unemployment, however, has increased. The Kansas jobless rate increased in August for the first time in more than two years, going from 6.8 percent in July to 6.9 percent.
Comments
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frankfussman (anonymous) says…
Impeach Brownback.
akuna (anonymous) replies…
+1
Number_1_Grandma (anonymous) replies…
+2
tomatogrower (anonymous) replies…
+3
bartstop (anonymous) replies…
+3
wounded_soldier (anonymous) says…
+3
observant (anonymous) says…
+4
SnakeFist (anonymous) says…
+5. But ultimate responsibility is always with the short-sighted, uninformed people who vote crazies like Brownback into office.
geekin_topekan (anonymous) says…
Vote for BB is saying "yes" to Jayzus,,,and "No" to brown people.
coryweber (anonymous) replies…
You're an idiot.
WHY (anonymous) replies…
Why is he an idiot. BB is a jesus freak who doesn't care about poor people. Like Jesus said "blessed are the rich for they deserve to keep what they take, and screw all you little people."
lainey (anonymous) replies…
Where did Jesus say that?
chootspa (anonymous) replies…
In the Book of Brownback, where Jesus also said, "Blessed is the fetus until the moment of birth, at which point we no longer care about its wellbeing."
commonsenseanyone (anonymous) says…
-5
scott3460 (anonymous) replies…
What has BB done that you support?
commonsenseanyone (anonymous) replies…
Shrinking our bloated government. I also believe he's on his way to overhauling our archaic tax code in Kansas.
hujiko (anonymous) replies…
"Shrinking our bloated government."
So Brownback's campaign to end abortion with several bouts of legislation counts as "shrinking our bloated government"?
Please.
vertigo (Jesse Crittenden) replies…
"Shrinking our bloated government."
And he's done this by creating a new Office of the Repealer and creating a new position of Director of Faith Based Initiatives.
Shrinking government by creating more government... yup.
scott3460 (anonymous) says…
Vote your own economic interests, not the social issues that right wingers use to divide the middle and working classes. They NEVER deliver on those issues and yet ALWAYS find a way to steal you blind.
think_about_it (anonymous) says…
250 moonbat lefties from one snobby little town show up to try and impose their socialist programs on the rest of us real Americans. This is news.
coryweber (anonymous) replies…
Well said.
ksfbcoach (anonymous) replies…
Couldn't have said it better myself. It drives them nuts that they can't run the entire state according to their socialist beliefs.
beatrice (anonymous) replies…
Really? You couldn't have said it better than a sorry attempt at insulting fellow Americans for practicing their freedom of speech by calling them childish and silly names? That is just sad.
We should have a kids section on here, so the adults could converse like ... well ... adults.
Liberty275 (anonymous) replies…
What do you call phred phelps, B?
beatrice (anonymous) replies…
Apples and oranges, unless you are suggesting that those who attended this rally are comparable to felps. However, I would call felps a misguided individual who is driven by his hatred of others not like himself (or possibly exactly like himself). There are many ways to describe him without resorting to calling him non-descriptive terms like "moonbat."
voevoda (anonymous) replies…
Government funding for the arts and for needy citizens isn't "socialism," think_about_it, coryweber, ksfbcoach. Governments have been doing that for centuries, long before socialism appeared as a philosophical system. Most people think that it's important to provide charity and promote beauty, and they want their government to share this value.
travelinggeek (anonymous) replies…
If unemployment has increased since he took office, what he is doing isn't helping, it's hurting! If he keeps cutting schools, kids are not going to get the education they need. They are our country's future and if they aren't educated, what's going to happen when we are old? Who will be running the country? Uneducated folks? My husband said today he doesn't think we will come back from this. The divide is just going to continue to grow between the have's and the have not's. We are going to lose our middle class, we are quickly on our way to becoming another 3rd world country. If you think this is going to be good for the country, you are sadly mistaken. The thought of that scares the crap out of me. My children are old enough that they will hopefully be ok, but my grandkids? I am worried about what is in their future. It's not looking good. And if you think that taking away these "socialist" programs as you consider them is going to save you money, think again. When all of these uneducated, poor folks need healthcare, they will still get it. You and I will still pay for it, in the form of our insurance premiums. When our premiums get so high we can't pay them, then what are you going to do? Health care is quickly becoming so expensive it is going to cost more than your mortgage soon, if it doesn't already. I have a friend whose health insurance does cost more than their mortgage. Can you afford that??? As for the arts, a lot of that goes to children, and even though you don't think it is necessary, it is teaching them about things that they can do that will keep them out of trouble as they get older. Learning to dance, paint, build things with clay, wood or other materials, it is all things that make people well rounded and attributes to mental health also. It's so much more than just "art".
wxbuggin (Erin Graham) replies…
Ohhh, my dear troll... There were in fact people that drove from other corners of the state to be there, farming communities and such, that weren't there to stuff socialist programs down anyone's throat. Rather, that were fed up about BB's two-faced wishy-washy policy making and nutso 'values' he tries to impose.
PS, I hope if you hate Lawrence so much, you don't live here. Plenty of the rest of Kansas would LOVE to have you (ha...ha)
think_about_it (anonymous) says…
250 moonbat lefties from one snobby little town show up to try and impose their socialist programs on the rest of us real Americans. This is news.
cheeseburger (anonymous) replies…
+1
Jimo (anonymous) replies…
Sorry, but most of us don't speak Wingnut-ese. Would you restate this in English, please?
I got the part about Average Joes and battling against government for the interests of the wealthy but I didn't catch the rest of your brain fart. Something about Ayn Rand devotees posing as Christian-ists cheering on the deaths of human beings? Please be more clear.
Fossick (anonymous) replies…
"Sorry, but most of us don't speak Wingnut-ese. Would you restate this in English, please?"
250 people who live off the government lobby the government to give them even more. This is news.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
In other shocking news, disappointed progressives are disappointed.
cait48 (anonymous) says…
Ummm they didn't just come from "one little town". They came from "little towns" all over Kansas. Towns like Pratt, Hays, Fort Scott and bigger towns like Wichita and even Topeka itself. I actually think a crowd of 250 was pretty impressive for only a couple of weeks of organization.
I have family in Pratt and word on the street there is that their PTBs are none to pleased with the Govelytizer since they had to cough up 60K of *their* tax dollars to keep their SRS open.
ksfbcoach (anonymous) replies…
My question is.....why is there such a massive need for SRS offices anymore? Liberal progressive socialist policies, that's why.
Yeoman2 (anonymous) replies…
Spoken like a truly disconnected, ignorant, uniformed, hateful jerk who thinks that social problems are like a fabrication of imaginary "socialists" who are just out to get on the public dole. You obviously have no family members who are born with disabilities or who are living in abject poverty because of circumstances beyond their control. A pox on you and all your kind.
tomatogrower (anonymous) replies…
If ksfbcoach had a disabled relative, he would shove them in a closet and hope they died quickly. I'm real sure he is tired of having to see people with disabilities in public, heaven forbid. I mean they just aren't as beautiful and healthy as he is. They should be hidden from view in institutions.
chootspa (anonymous) replies…
Yes, those pesky liberal progressive socialist policies like not letting disabled people die and making sure abused kids can get help.
jackbinkelman (anonymous) replies…
ksfbcoach [scary] Don't write "socialist".. obviously you have no idea what it means, oh, also it's LAME!!
wxbuggin (Erin Graham) replies…
...and even map-dot towns most people haven't heard of :o)
deec (anonymous) says…
It is not just Lawrence that is unhappy with the direction of Kansas, contrary to the fantasies of some posters here:
Kansas Citizens for the Arts is a "grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring widespread bipartisan support for public funding for the arts in Kansas." Similar session have been in Lawrence and Emporia and Johnson and Wyandotte counties. Upcoming sessions are planned for Wichita, Garden City and Iola.
http://www.hdnews.net/Story/arts091611
or this:
http://www.swdtimes.com/index.php?opt...
or this
More than 200 people, including 40-plus Wichitans, rallied on the steps of the Capitol on Friday morning, calling on Kansans to unify against many of Gov. Sam Brownback's initiatives.
Read more: http://www.kansas.com/2011/09/16/2019...
xm75 (anonymous) says…
More than 250 show up for local Tea Party rallies, over 1000 at the recent Salina Tea Party rally, and they don't usually talk about social issues they talk about spending, the debt, inflation, and taxes. Such as last year's sales tax increase.
Brownback clearly is supported strongly by rural Kansas and as a Governor is the best representation of rural Kansas values in over 30 years, and not just for his social issue stands.
ksfbcoach (anonymous) replies…
+1000!!!!!!!! Where is the "like" button!
tomatogrower (anonymous) replies…
The rest of the progressives were at work. Can we help it that Tea Party members are either wealthy enough they don't have to work, or just don't work. I would have been there, but I have a business to run. I'm glad you have so much time on your hands.
xm75 (anonymous) replies…
Yeah, I'm sure 30 mins on a Saturday is to much for anybody.
We know where all the progressives leftists in Kansas were, protesting Browback at the capital, all 250 of them.
tomatogrower (anonymous) replies…
The rally was on Friday. Try reading the article.
chootspa (anonymous) replies…
Looking at the Salina tea party pics, they were mostly either students or retirees. Those retirees don't want no socialized medicine, so don't you dare touch their medicare.
evilpenguin (anonymous) replies…
xm75: For rural Kansans, a tea party is an event you go to for free cookies and cups of tea. There was obviously some confusion as to the real agenda of the event.
chootspa (anonymous) replies…
Really? http://www.salinateaparty.com/rally.cfm That's 1000 people? In what universe? Also, most people would define "recent" as something within the last year. Forgive me if you're referring to something that happend after 2009, and tell Salina to update their website.
nugget (anonymous) says…
Brokeback
ksfbcoach (anonymous) replies…
That a fantasy for you?
funkdog1 (anonymous) replies…
What if it were? What does it matter?
commonsenseanyone (anonymous) replies…
Sounds gay
chootspa (anonymous) replies…
So?
commonsenseanyone (anonymous) replies…
So what?
Fidogump (anonymous) says…
If this nut ksfbcoach is really a coach then why doesn't he refuse his pay because federal dollars are involved? If he is not a coach he and his other tea baggers are just plain old nuts who if you put their brains in a bird's head it would fly backwards.
Yeoman2 (anonymous) replies…
Fido, see my response to "coach" above. We have plenty of these types among us who have never had family or friends in great need due to no fault of their own. He is a true jerk.
voevoda (anonymous) says…
If Kansas government now has a surplus of $100 million, why not spend .2% of that to keep the Kansas Arts Commission running and keep Kansas eligible for external funding, too? Why close down SRS offices that serve thousands of needy people when there's money to keep them open? It's strange how the Brownback administration claims financial crisis when it wants to cut out certain services, and claims a healthy state budget when it wants to brag to the business community.
ResQd (anonymous) replies…
Well, about 3 million people live in the State of Kansas. He needs to just split that surplus up and send us all a check :D
voevoda (anonymous) replies…
Well, ResQd, it would cost a large chunk of that $100 to give the money back, just in administrative costs. But if it all went to the Kansans with the lowest incomes, I'd agree with you. Problem is, Brownback would give most of it back to the megarich.
Incidentally, ResQd, your use of a nasty emoticon just makes you look immature. Why should anyone take seriously the opinion of someone who ends a comment that way?
ResQd (anonymous) replies…
By the way, Mr. Voevoda, it was my sense of humour. Sorry, if I offended your intelligence and used my "nasty" smiley face to upset your entire day. Get a life and a sense of humour!
chootspa (anonymous) replies…
A "nasty" emoticon? Wha?
JerryStubbs (anonymous) says…
I saw on TV something about Brownback swinging a deal with AMC theatres to move their headquarters from KCMO to Leawood, kS, with a $47Million incentive.
I guess this is moving jobs into the KS tax base somehow, but can it really make any jobs?
overthemoon (anonymous) replies…
The AMC people are also big supporters of Catholic causes development of Catholic only communities.
kawrivercrow (anonymous) says…
Can some of my liberal friends help explain why we are entitled to take our fellow taxpayers money and spend it on the arts when we could instead use private donations?
I will gladly give to the arts for the purpose of education for my niece and nephew, but it feels like stealing when we force others to give to causes they don't support. I don't think it's right.
"Put up or shut up" I say. I am sometimes embarrassed by the egocentric and infantile attitude by my peers in the NPR crowd.
sci4all (anonymous) replies…
Can some of my TeaParty friends help explain why we are entitled to take our fellow taxpayers' money and spend it on CEO salaries and corporate tax breaks?
I would gladly give to the corporations for the purpose of employing my niece and nephew, but it feels like stealing when we force others to give to causes they don't support. I don't think it's right.
"Put up or shut up" I say. I am always embarrassed by the greedy attitude of my peers in the FoxNews crowd.
Cuts both ways.
kawrivercrow (anonymous) replies…
Because my neice and nephew will need those jobs when they gow up.
They can't eat papier mache sculpture and play the piano to each other for a living.
Does that answer your question?
Liberal (anonymous) replies…
Corporate Welfare is just as bad, but how does taxpayers money end up being paid to CEO's?
That is why the tax system needs to be reformed. You can get out of paying your fairshare just like GE. They did nothing illegal but it clearly shows that the system needs to be overhauled.
Which is what the tea partiers are standing for.
Fossick (anonymous) replies…
"but how does taxpayers money end up being paid to CEO's?"
One way it does is through GSEs like Fannie, Freddie and Sallie - which have been guilty of using "cookie jar reserves" to manipulate earnings and thereby augment CEO bonuses while living off the goverment tat.
http://www.boston.com/business/globe/...
A second way is by the government bailing out companies like Chrysler, GM, AIG, Citi, and the like rather than letting them fail like they ought*. Of course, that's not what the Tea Party is fighting for, so they are off the hook for salaries.
* Props to Obama for pushing the first two through bankruptcy, a step el presidente pasada would not take, his support for "free market capitalism" aside.
overthemoon (anonymous) replies…
Funding for the Arts has the biggest impact in education programs that augment public education. Exposing children to the arts increases their comprehension of all other subjects and makes them more successful not only in school but later in life.
If you think educating our children is only the interest of parents, consider the fact that EVERY encounter you have with another person is affected by the quality of their education.
jafs (anonymous) replies…
That's fine, as long as we apply the same criteria to much more of our government's spending.
I'd like to spend a lot less on the military, for example.
tomatogrower (anonymous) says…
Conservatives think that education is only the three "r's", reading, riting and rithmetic. Of course, they can't spell very well. Never mind they will have to be ready for a world of technology, and a world that must compete globally. Never mind they won't have critical thinking skills and the creativity that made our country great in first place. Destroy arts, rewrite history, make little robots who will follow whatever lies that are sent out on facebook and email.
tuschkahouma (anonymous) says…
socialism the catchword for dimwits who had no answer in 2008. They had to make up
something as they were left behind and now they try and drag the state and country
back to the time when archie bunker ruled and couldn't spell socialism.....
Fossick (anonymous) replies…
I'm pretty sure 2010 was a sufficient answer for 2008
Dispersant (anonymous) replies…
Thus, 2012 a sufficient answer for 2010. Sorry dude, Obama's a repeat. The only chance we have is if we get a majority in the house and senate as well. I don't mean Blue Dog majority. But, yeah, run your "Let's kill all government, including Soc. Sec., medicare, etc.....That'll play well.
Fossick (anonymous) replies…
Mine? Surely you jest. I'm not a Republican and thoroughly enjoyed their well-deserved beatings in 2006 and 2008, which I both called and called for.
2008: http://elborak.blogspot.com/2008/10/b...
2006: http://elborak.blogspot.com/2006/11/a...
That said, 2012 is 2010 on steroids. The economy will tank this fall. The Dems, who are guarding twice as many Senate seats as the GOP, will panic. You can already see it in their eyes and read it in their frantic email appeals. The Little Dutch Boy is running out of fingers. Even odds say Obama is not even the Dem nominee.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/co...
But that is not my doing. I merely foretell.
LesBlevins (anonymous) says…
"Brownback has defended his budget cuts as necessary in tough economic times. And he says reducing the state income tax would attract more businesses to Kansas and grow the economy" ? Then why won't he engage with Kansans who propose to bring jobs to every county in the state? I propose to do just that but Sam won't give me the chance to provide more details, which I offered in a letter back in January. I'll provide this letter to anyone who requests it by email to LBlevins@sunflowr.com with "Brownback letter" in the subject line.