Posts tagged with Kansas Politics
Legislative absence; COBRA help; and awaiting confirmation
Some lawmakers are upset that a group of legislators have been getting paid for working Friday when they haven’t been coming to the Capitol.
State Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, put a provision in the proposed budget that would require a lawmaker to be present to be paid, or the lawmaker could be paid with an excused absence granted by the leader of the House or Senate.
“It has been a problem over the past few years,” Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka said of legislators taking off Friday but still getting paid.
Help with healthcare
State Treasurer Dennis McKinney said that under the federal stimulus package, Kansans who have lost their jobs since Sept. 1, may receive assistance in maintaining family healthcare coverage.
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, families could receive assistance paying for 65 percent of COBRA premiums, McKinney said. He said any unemployed workers who need more information regarding their eligibility they should contact their former employers.
Confirmation still up in the air
Still no word on when Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will have Senate confirmation hearing on her nomination to become the next secretary of health and human services.
If no hearing is scheduled in the next two weeks, it will need to be after the Easter recess, which runs from April 4-19.
Davis reacts to Sebelius administration controversy
The decision by Kansas Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services Don Jordan to increase funding to a group led by well-connected Democrats has caused a stir in the Kansas Legislature.
Republicans are planning hearings on the issue after reports revealed that Community Living Opportunities, a nonprofit Lenexa group that provides services to the developmentally disabled, received $713,000 in increased Medicaid payments because of a decision by Jordan.
CLO’s board includes Larry Gates, the Kansas Democratic Party chairman and friend of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. The CLO board also includes Kansas University Athletic Director Lew Perkins, and up until the end of 2008, the board included Dan Biles, a former Gates law partner whom Sebelius appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court.
House Democratic Leader Paul Davis of Lawrence said he has spoken with SRS Secretary Jordan about the controversy. “He feels he was well within the law regarding the decision he made,” Davis said. Asked if this controversy would affect Sebelius’ confirmation for secretary of health and human services, Davis said, “I doubt it would have any impact on it, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
But a group that represents other organizations providing services for the disabled has been highly critical of the funding decision because it says the whole system is underfunded.
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.
Speculation starts over Sebelius and new vacancy
Moments after Tom Daschle withdrew his name Tuesday from nomination to be secretary of health and human services, national media speculation focused on the possibility of President Barack Obama picking Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in his sted. Asked to respond to the reports, Sebelius’ office put out the following statement: “Today's news about Senator Daschle is unfortunate. Governor Sebelius has enormous respect for Tom Daschle, his talents and his many years of service to our country. “Governor Sebelius is focused on working through the challenges facing our state and continues to believe reforming health care is absolutely vital to our economic recovery. "She will continue to do what she can to help President Obama fix our economy, improve our health care system and get America back on track.” The statement seems different than her announcement in December when Sebelius said didn’t want to be considered for a Cabinet position. At that time, Sebelius said she made the decision because of the worsening budget problems facing Kansas. Questions about a possible job in the Obama administration came up again last month when New Mexico Gov. Bill Richards withdrew as Obama’s choice for commerce secretary. At that time, Sebelius said she stood by her decision to stay in Kansas. But secretary of HHS would be more in Sebelius’ range. Prior to her election as governor in 2002, she served eight years as state insurance commissioner where she worked on many health care issues.
Budget gets worse and a look at next week
Budget crisis worsensLegislative leaders said Friday that January’s tax receipts were about $27 million below earlier projections, meaning that the budget shortfall previously thought to be $186 million for the current fiscal year, is getting worse.State Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, said that because the recession is deepening that tax receipts will continue to fall below expectations for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. That is why lawmakers need to make at least $300 million in adjustments now, he said.Neufeld awaiting confirmationIn December, incumbent House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, was defeated by state Rep. Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, in the race for speaker.But before leaving his speaker position, Neufeld appointed himself to the Kansas Bioscience Authority board of directors, which disperses millions of tax dollars for bioscience development. Neufeld has sometimes been critical of the KBA board, and some legislators have been critical of Neufeld for appointing himself to the panel. Neufeld’s appointment must be confirmed by the state Senate.Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, said Neufeld will come up for a confirmation vote soon. Asked if Neufeld should have appointed himself, Schmidt said, “Obviously, there are people concerned about that issue. I think that’s an issue that 40 senators are going to have to decide for themselves.”What’s in a name?When U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, voted against President Obama’s $819 billion economic stimulus package, she issued a news release that made no mention of Obama.Instead, Jenkins criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, and called the stimulus legislation “Pelosi’s borrow and spend plan.”According to a Survey USA poll, Obama enjoys a 62 percent job approval rating in Kansas. Study looks at Lawrence smoking banA recent study by the Kansas Health Institute on the impact of Lawrence’s smoke-free ordinance says that sales at restaurants and bars continued to increase after the ordinance was implemented in July 2004.Total sales at restaurants and bars increased 2.2 percent in the first year after the ordinance, and 6.4 percent the second year, the study said. In the 2 years prior to the ordinance, total sales increased 3.7 percent and 0.5 percent.The study concluded: “There are clearly winners and losers in the rough-and-tumble marketplace of the restaurant and bar industry. However, there are no studies in scientific peer-reviewed journals that document a consistent, negative, community-wide impact on restaurants and bars following the implementation of a smoke-free ordinance.”Next week in Topeka• The first meeting of a new group designed to prepare for the possibility of a federal stimulus package is Monday. The panel is chaired by Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson.
•House leaders say they will have a full House vote on budget cuts for the current fiscal year either Wednesday or Thursday.
•There may be a vote Tuesday in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee on Senate Bill 25, which would establish a statewide ban on smoking in indoor public places.
• House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday has a public hearing scheduled for House Bill 2082, which is being called the “Truth in Musical Performance Advertising Act.” It would make it illegal for groups to pose as famous bands unless at least one member of the group was a member of the actual recording group.
Freeze in services for disabled criticized
TOPEKA — As lawmakers returned Monday for the 2009 legislative session, about two dozen people demonstrated outside the Capitol against a freeze in a program to help low-income Kansans with disabilities. “In terms of people’s lives, it’s devastating,” Mike Oxford of Lawrence, an organizer with Kansas ADAPT, said of the decision by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. On Dec. 1, SRS imposed a freeze and started a waiting list for the Medicaid program that provides home- and community-based services for Kansans with physical disabilities. SRS officials said the move was needed because growth in the program had “increased significantly, far outpacing the appropriated funding levels.” SRS said it needed to rein in spending because of the state’s current budget crisis and to continue providing home- and community-based services to approximately 7,000 Kansans. Lawmakers face a $186 million revenue shortfall in the current fiscal year, which could skyrocket to nearly $1 billion in the fiscal year that starts July 1. But Oxford said the SRS budget decision was shortsighted because it would force some Kansans with disabilities to receive more expensive nursing home care. He said as officials work on the budget “we want to make sure that we have a voice at the table, and that all other alternatives are considered as opposed to just cutting things back and freezing them.”
Session starts; schmoozing grows
The 2009 legislative session starts at 2 p.m. Monday, and the social events put on by lobbyists for legislators start shortly after that. According to a list put out by the Division of Legislative Administrative Services, the Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association will hold receptions Monday afternoon to early evening. On Tuesday, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Kansas Agricultural Alliance, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association have scheduled events for lawmakers. On Wednesday, the Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association will hold a "Taste of Kansas Luncheon," the Northeast Kansas Building Trades Association will have a reception, and the Kansas Association of Retailers will host an "Around the World" reception. A long list of special interests are holding the "Best Darn Reception" on Wednesday. They include Alderson Law Firm, AT&T, Embarq, Heartland Community Bankers, Hein Law Firm, Pat Hubbell, ITC Great Plains, Kansas Association of Broadcasters, Kansas Association of Property & Casualty Insurance, Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas Optometric Association, Merck & Co., Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce, Bottenberg & Associates, City of Wichita, and Black Hills Energy.
Sebelius to pick new justice
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. to announce her selection to the Kansas Supreme Court.Douglas County Judge Robert Fairchild is one of three nominees forwarded to Sebelius for the vacancy that will be created by the retirement Monday of Chief Justice Kay McFarland.The other two are attorney Dan Biles and Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Malone.Fairchild has been a finalist twice before for the state Supreme Court. In 2005, Sebelius selected Eric Rosen, then a Topeka judge, over Fairchild, and in 2007 she selected Lee Johnson.
State gaming commission lays off 11 workers
Eleven employees of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission will be laid off because casino projects haven't started, Stephen Martino, executive director of the agency, said Tuesday.“The KRGC made appropriate staffing decisions based on representations that gaming facilities would already be operating by now in Kansas,” Martino said. “Those plans have not materialized, so we have to react accordingly.”In addition to the layoffs, 10 employees will have their work hours reduced.The moves cut payroll expenses at the agency by nearly half, the agency said.State law provides for four state-owned casinos and slot machines at two pari-mutuel racetracks. But three of the four selected casino managers withdrew their applications, citing economic problems. The two race tracks have not reached a gaming contract.“With only the Dodge City casino projected to open this year, there is not enough on-going work to justify our current staffing levels,” Martino said.The layoffs and reduction in hours will become effective Feb. 7.
Brownback off and running for governor
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., has opened a campaign committee to run for governor. The move allows Brownback to raise funds for the 2010 election. "Today I have taken the first step that will allow me to run for Governor," Brownback said in a statement. "I will continue to work hard during the coming year in the Senate to find solutions to the serious issues facing our state and the nation and focus on efforts to create jobs at home and grow our Kansas economy." The current governor, Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, is in her second term. Kansas law limits the governor's position to two terms. Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh is also expected to run for the Republican nomination. The Democratic field is wide open with the recent announcement that Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson would not seek the governor's position.
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- Blog: Iranian Nuclear Energy: Will It Destroy Lives Or Save Them? May 29, 2012 · 6 comments
- National group seeks repeal of 'Stand Your Ground' law in Kansas May 27, 2012 · 165 comments
- U.S. military sees new appreciation May 28, 2012 · 47 comments
- State shuts down roll-your-own cigarette machines March 24, 2012 · 36 comments
- Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012 · 276 comments
- On the street: How did you spend your Memorial Day? May 28, 2012 · 37 comments
- District Attorney Charles Branson to run for third term May 29, 2012 · 13 comments
- Tax gamble May 26, 2012 · 94 comments
- God, marriage May 25, 2012 · 200 comments
- Sound Off: How much does the city’s transit system collect in fares compared with how much it costs May 27, 2012 · 136 comments
- Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012
- Thread of pain ran through Jackson’s career June 28, 2009
- Friends mourn Lynn Bretz, former voice of KU May 28, 2012
- Hilltop executive director Pat Pisani stepping down May 28, 2012
- Town Talk: UPDATE: Frank Male files for county commission; keep an ear open for local sales tax talk; city hires new city engineer; wholesale water district buys land near Kaw; weekly land transfers May 29, 2012
- How to help: Guides needed for Lamplight Tour of Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park May 27, 2012
- Disciplinary action taken against Haskell employees after investigation of student-athlete test scores May 15, 2012
- Library kicks off reading program May 27, 2012
- Town Talk: UPDATE: Thellman files for re-election to county commission; News of salvage yards, curbside recycling and a pig May 25, 2012
- City, county mull upgrade to emergency radio system May 28, 2012
