Blogs home Staff blogs Statehouse Briefing
Republicans want Sebelius out of Kansas
TOPEKA — Republican Senate leaders who have been at odds with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius over proposed budget cuts said Friday they hope Sebelius does get picked by President Obama to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services. “It might actually be helpful,” said Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence. He said he thought about writing a letter to Obama on behalf of Sebelius in getting the HHS job. Both he and state Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, vice president of the Senate, said Sebelius hasn’t been helpful in solving the current state budget problems. Lawmakers face a growing budget deficit of nearly $200 million that is expected to increase to nearly $1 billion in the next fiscal year. Amid the state budget fight, Sebelius has been named in media reports as a top contender for the HHS job after Obama’s first pick, Tom Daschle, dropped out because of tax problems. In Kansas, GOP leaders and Sebelius have been at loggerheads over how much to cut public schools in order to bridge the current budget gap. Sebelius has praised a bipartisan plan to reduce school spending by approximately $25.3 million while Republican leaders say the cut should be at least double that to protect other areas of the state budget. But Sebelius has criticized GOP leadership plans, saying more targeted cuts are needed instead of broader across-the-board reductions.
Top ads RSS
- Grant Writer Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas seeks ...
- Cleaning Technician- 5 eves. per wk, 3 hrs per night; ...
- Brandon Woods Retirement Community
- Floor Tech/Floater Sun.-Thurs., 2-4 hrs. per night, start at 5:00 ...
- NEUVANT HOUSE of Lawrence Personal Memory Care Seeking Administrator for ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- FINAL: Ressel's last-second field goal gives MU 41-39 victory over KU November 28, 2009 · 85 comments
- One dead after car-motorcycle accident near 27th and Missouri November 27, 2009 · 56 comments
- Woman sees image of Jesus on her iron November 28, 2009 · 42 comments
- Faith Forum: What’s your favorite religious verse? November 28, 2009 · 15 comments
- Two arrested after altercation at Henry's November 29, 2009 · 1 comment
- Woods hurt in accident November 28, 2009 · 23 comments
- Fear tactics November 27, 2009 · 46 comments
- Mangino 'optimistic' he'll return next season November 28, 2009 · 16 comments
- Blog: How Has Obama's Stimulus Helped You? November 21, 2009 · 108 comments
- Obama to promise 17% cuts in U.S. emissions in next decade November 26, 2009 · 78 comments
- Victim ID’d in fatal car-cycle crash November 29, 2009
- Top-rated basketball recruit Bradley Beal to make college choice Monday November 28, 2009
- St. Louis hoops recruit has KU on top list September 4, 2009
- Lawrence City Commission expected to approve $800,000 in improvements to Kasold Drive November 27, 2009
- Firebirds’ 4-year run notable November 17, 2009
- Market features exotic holiday gifts November 28, 2009
- Mammogram message poorly framed November 28, 2009
- City caters to its increasingly diverse population with culture, food offerings November 28, 2009
- City commission agenda for Dec. 1 November 28, 2009
- Two arrested after altercation at Henry's November 29, 2009
6 February 2009
at 1:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Bob_Keeshan (Anonymous) says…
Not helpful? This from two Senators whose own plans for reducing the budget deficit failed 25-15 amid blistering criticism from all sides.If getting Sebelius out of Topeka would be helpful, it is obvious getting these two out would be absolutely miraculous.Talk about two guys living in a glass house…
6 February 2009
at 2:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
getreal (Anonymous) says…
Not surprising of Vratil. This is the guy who promoted his firm as winning the school finance lawsuit, even though they got clobbered in court! I think these two guys are legends in their own minds.Ironic that John Vratil continues to cut funding for the public schools he represents as a school attorney.Patrons should question their districts about using what little money Vratil leaves them to line his and his law firm's pockets.Surely there are good school attorneys that aren't voting to cut school funding?
6 February 2009
at 2:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
I think the Obama administration would be a perfect fit for Gov. Sebelius. I wish her the best of luck in her potential new career and I'm sure that that she has brought to Kansas she can take to the Obama whitehouse.
6 February 2009
at 2:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Akreed (Anonymous) says…
The author of this article should change his name to Captain Obvious. Next headline we'll have “Bin Laden isn't friends with the west”
6 February 2009
at 2:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
DonQ beat me to the draw.
6 February 2009
at 7:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
pooter (Anonymous) says…
Hopefully she's paid all her taxes…*
7 February 2009
at 4:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
rightthinkertwo (Anonymous) says…
Is She still campaigning for Abama!