BUDGET. Democrats, 'moderate' Republicans protect rising number of state employees, block spending cuts, seek to force tax hikes

House rejects O'Neal-Yoder budget bill

A House omnibus budget bill failed to advance Friday night after it was defeated on a 62-53 vote. [Read more...]

Kansas Chamber says cut spending first. 'Spending in the Legislature has almost doubled from 2004 to 2008.'

Legislators consider reneging on promise to cut estate and corporate taxes

In the last two years, the Kansas Legislature passed plans to completely phase out the corporate franchise tax as well and the estate tax by 2011, while the corporate income tax rate was supposed to be lessened throughout a five-year period from 7.35 percent to 7 percent by 2011. [Read more...]

ECONOMY. Report says bailout plan will be a long-term drain on jobs and growth. Up to 22,000 private sector jobs may be lost in Kansas alone.

Study: Federal stimulus handouts likely to hurt private sector

According to a study released Monday by a free-market grassroots group, the economic stimulus that's supposed to come with federal bailout funds is likely to have a damaging effect on the private sector, instead of improving economic conditions. [Read more...]

EDUCATION DOLLARS: Abrams: 'Some schools do not understand that the economy is in dire straits.'

Senate Ways and Means tells schools to prepare for financial crunch

The Senate Ways and Means Committee passed out a resolution today that urges Kansas schools to pad their contingency funds as much as possible in preparation for more difficult economic times. [Read more...]

Millions locked away in 'special funds' but without lawmakers' help, it can't be touched to balance budgets.

State school districts sitting on $1.36 billion

As the debate rages over whether to cut K-12 education to balance the 2009 state budget, it appears that the Legislature may be able to have its cake and eat it, too. [Read more...]

NEW GOVERNOR: But even before the speech, he was disagreeing with lawmakers on tax bills

Parkinson calls for unity in the face of economic crises

Gov. Mark Parkinson discussed Thursday the economic crisis facing Kansas and the state's $328 million deficit as he addressed both the Senate and the House this afternoon for the first time. Parkinson was sworn in Tuesday when former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed as President Barack Obama's secretary of Health and Human Services. [Read more...]

Parkinson: 'We will be able to accomplish everything I want to accomplish.'

Parkinson promises more of Sebelius' policies

Kansas' new governor, Mark Parkinson, promised more of the policies favored by Kansas' former governor, Kathleen Sebelius, when he met with the Statehouse press corps Friday. [Read more...]

ENERGY: Speaker Mike O'Neal: 'We have been blocked by a handful of legislators for reasons that defy logic'

Statehouse rally urges lawmakers to override Holcomb veto

Lawmakers, union representatives and a collection of concerned Kansas residents all rallied outside the Kansas Capitol building Friday afternoon to urge legislators to override former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' veto of an energy bill that would have allowed an expansion of the Holcomb, Kan., power facility. The rally was organized by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. [Read more...]

POLITICS: Moran is the state's most accessible congressman. Moore's constituents arrive with questions, leave with complaints.

Meeting constituents is a fine art for some, a lost art for others

Telephone conference calls, questions-and-answers in a public forum, one-on-one meetings with private citizens — the four members of Kansas' congressional delegation each has his own way of interacting with constituents, hearing their questions and providing answers when they can. [Read more...]

FAREWELL TO SEBELIUS - FOR NOW. Letter cites Sebelius’ ‘extreme’ position on abortion issue, suggests Tiller money may have influenced her policies

Tiahrt urged Obama to withdraw Sebelius HHS nomination

Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt is among members of Congress urging President Barack Obama to withdraw the nomination of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [Read more...]

Final vote: 65-31. Susan Wagle: 'A good day for Kansas.' Parkinson sworn in at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Sebelius wins confirmation as HHS secretary

The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of Health and Human Services by a 65-31 vote. [Read more...]

A profile in courage? As conservative outrage against Brownback's support for Sebelius rose, the man who wants her job kept mum — until minutes before the vote.

Brownback announces his support for Sebelius, cites swine flu

After ducking the issue for weeks, Tuesday evening Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback announced his intention to vote in favor of the nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be the secretary of Health and Human Services. [Read more...]

SWINE FLU. Senator says media is ‘terrifying’ Americans on swine flu threat.

Roberts says there’s no need for swine flu panic

Sen. Sam Brownback said Tuesday that the possibility of a swine flu pandemic was a major reason he supported Gov. Sebelius’ nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services. [Read more...]

So far, cases in Kansas are mild. KDHE: 'We are taking this situation very seriously.'

State leaders react to swine flu cases

Two cases of swine flu have been reported in Kansas, but Sen. Sam Brownback said today he believed, based on conversations with health officials, that the spread of the ailment would be relatively limited. [Read more...]

2nd AMENDMENT. Group says pact would ban reloading of ammunition, and could even prohibit BB g

Obama says he will make passage of an anti-gun treaty a priority

A national gun rights group says it will fight “tooth and nail” against a vaguely-worded treaty that could ban the reloading of ammunition without a permit. [Read more...]

JUNK LAWS. Moran and Jenkins join critics. Moore was the lone supporter among state’s congressional delegation

Tiahrt says 'hate crimes' bill will criminalize thoughts

A penny for your thoughts? More like jail time, say some critics of a Democratic statute intended to make some thoughts criminal offenses. [Read more...]

COMMENT. The Pontiac GTO, once the muscle car of the nation, has been shut down by a guy who can't choose a dog. Main Street Money's Bill Wyckoff howls in outrage.

America without a muscle car

The first time I saw a Gran Turismo Omologato was in Hubie Jones’s body repair shop. [Read more...]

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