ETHICS: Exec Director of InterHab: 'There is nothing in the Statehouse that happens that isn't political.'

Sebelius strings connect suspect charity funding with political friends

One week has passed since a health-care consulting firm determined that a decision made by Kansas' secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services, Don Jordan, to award more than $700,000 to a Johnson County disabilities facility failed to follow general protocol as prescribed by state regulations. But it is still unclear what is in the future for the recipients of the funding. [Read more...]

Meier: Williams broke confidentiality rule by talking about a complaint to a reporter

Complaint filed against Ethics Commission director

A University of Kansas student filed a complaint with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission today, alleging that the executive director of the Ethics Commission, Carol Williams, violated a confidentiality statute by speaking with a reporter about a complaint that had been filed. [Read more...]

HEALTH FUNDING AND BUDGET: Huelskamp amendment will redirect taxpayer funds from abortion provider to community health facilities. Will Parkinson veto it?

Planned Parenthood measure to be the test of Parkinson's 'unity' pledge

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson has until next Monday to either endorse or make changes to the budget promoted by the Kansas Legislature. Although some think he will act on the budget by Friday, he may need every extra minute to calculate how one particular item on the budget will affect how he is perceived by many Kansans. [Read more...]

Taxpayer money for Planned Parenthood continues. Parkinson also vetoes property rights measure and a bill to help soldiers vote.

Parkinson signs budget, vetoes community health funding program

Not that it was much of a surprise, but Gov. Mark Parkinson proved Friday what he had told reporters shortly after being sworn in: his views on abortion were “very similar” if not identical to former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. [Read more...]

PENSIONS: Vince Snowbarger, now acting head of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, says KPERS crisis typical of 'defined benefit plans' that depend 'too heavily on investment earnings for funding'

Former Kansas congressman resurfaces in new role facing an old problem

Former Third District Republican Congressman Vince Snowbarger left Kansas political life 10 years ago, when pension issues were familiar topics in both Topeka and Washington, D.C. [Read more...]

GAMING: Prospective track operators emerge in Sumner, Wyandotte counties. What happened to all that gaming money that would fund education?

While racetracks slow, action on casinos is heating up

The Kansas Legislature was unable to agree on legislation to reform its expanded gaming law to encourage owners to re-open race tracks and equip them with slot machines, but the state’s still betting on its roll of the dice on casino gaming. [Read more...]

JOBS: State loses 44 manufacturing companies. Slump is part of an ongoing slide in private sector employment as public sector employment rises.

Manufacturing jobs in Kansas decline

The private sector job loss in Kansas shows no sign of abating soon, according to figures published Monday in a statewide report published by Manufacturers News, a national industry publication. [Read more...]

COMMUNITY STANDARDS: Huelskamp's law limiting advertising for porn shops tested in federal court

Attorney general steps into Lion's Den suit

The Kansas attorney general’s office responded yesterday to a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of an adult superstore located in Abilene. [Read more...]

COMMENT: Washington's plan to save union jobs in car factories will cost Main Street America hundreds of thousands of jobs. Bill Wyckoff has a hunch that's not a great idea.

How is closing businesses good for business?

I waited 38 years for the return of the Dodge Challenger just so I could own one. [Read more...]

COMMENT: James Meier asks, 'Why is the commission more interested in pursuing fines against a private citizen rather than its own staff for violation of the same statute?'

Ethics, politics and class-A misdemeanors

Last week was a great victory for First Amendment rights. [Read more...]

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