Senator says health care debate is 'falling part,' Senate vote may not come until 2010

Roberts warns Democratic health plan may cost taxpayers $2.4 trillion

Kansas' U.S. Senator Pat Roberts said Wednesday that the Democratic health care plan could result in a $2.4 trillion tax burden being placed on United States residents over the next decade. [Read more...]

The CBO predicts the Democrats' bill would result in an additional $135 billion in tax penalties for all businesses.

Pelosi plan would be a 'disaster' for local small business, says business leader

Kansas' small business leaders say the Democratic health care plan unveiled by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., last week would expand government, increase mandates on small businesses and result in decreased competition in the private sector. [Read more...]

Kansas' church leaders follow request from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to explain ethical problems in the Pelosi plan to local congregations

Kansas bishops to discuss 'glaring shortcomings' in Democratic health care plan

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is working to create a nationwide united front of Catholic bishops demonstrating their opposition to the Democrats' health care plan, and Kansas' bishops will be playing their part, a church spokesperson told Kansas Liberty Monday. [Read more...]

Legislators also concerned. Siegfried: 'This will increase the cost and size of the government and eventually increase the cost of insurance.'

Proposed health insurance 'exchanges' worry Blue Cross

The Democratic health care plan’s creation of a "health insurance exchange" brings up some concerns for private health insurance providers — and for Republicans who are opposed to an expansion of government. [Read more...]

Saturday morning in the city of Shawnee the two sides face off, while in Washington, the House votes on the Democrats' health care plan.

Supporters and opponents of 'Health Care Freedom Amendment' plan rival rallies

Opponents and proponents of Democratic health care reform will be facing off this Saturday during a rally in downtown Shawnee in Johnson County. [Read more...]

FINANCIAL CRISIS: Experts say without cuts, in two years Kansas will be $722.5 million in debt

Human services and school funding dragging state into a deep deficit

If Kansas maintains full funding for human-service caseloads and school financing — including the huge outlays for special education — the state’s budget will plummet into a deficit of $722.5 million within the next two years, according the state’s Consensus Estimating Group. [Read more...]

Advocate for Kansans with developmental disabilities says, 'It is unconscionable to take taxpayer dollars and spend them on entertainment, especially when public broadcasting no longer serves a purpose'

Kansas pours millions of dollars into 10 public broadcasting services

Kansas Public Radio, operated by the University of Kansas, announced Tuesday that it had raised $227,000 in pledges after a week of on-air fundraising supplemented by a direct-mail campaign. [Read more...]

LAW: Kinzer: 'Anything that is done at the federal level would trump our constitutional provision'

Opponents say hate-crime amendment could be used to promote same-sex marriage

Last Wednesday, President Barack Obama signed into law the $680-billion defense authorization bill, which included a controversial hate-crime amendment — a provision that opponents say could affect personal freedoms and be used as leverage to legalize gay marriage. [Read more...]

POLITICS: In the race for Tiahrt's seat, the influential senator decides to sit it out, endorses Pompeo instead

Wagle ducks the crowded Fourth Congressional District race

Five Republicans breathed a little easier Tuesday when conservative Republican Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, announced that instead of joining the Fourth District congressional race, she will endorse candidate Mike Pompeo. [Read more...]

Former recipients include Gov. Bill Graves and First District Republican Rep. Jerry Moran.

Speaker O'Neal receives leadership award

Speaker of the House Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, has been named the recipient of the Jim Edwards Alumnus of the Year Award, an honor awarded each year to a Leadership Kansas alumnus. [Read more...]

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