Senator: 'Oh brother, this is weird.'

Energy, budget, immigration, abortion reform ... and FDR?

Time was running out on the legislative session and many key issues remained to be addressed when the Kansas Senate convened Wednesday. If the state's biggest controversies were going to be resolved, every minute counted.

One of the first orders of business, however, wasn’t the state budget, the fate of a coal plant expansion, illegal immigration or abortion reform: It was a Democratic resolution celebrating the anniversary of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal.

“I’ve seen so many resolutions in the past 12 years they usually don’t even phase me," said veteran Sen. Karin Brownlee, an Olathe Republican. "But when this came up I thought, ‘Oh brother, this is weird.'"  [ Read more...]

Case to continue, but judge to determine which records can be subpoenaed

Supreme Court OKs Tiller grand jury investigation

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a grand jury in Wichita could continue its investigation of late-term abortionist George Tiller, but the high court limited the grand jury’s power to subpoena patient records.

Precisely what records the grand jury might be able to obtain was left up to a Sedgwick County district court judge, Paul Buchanan. Buchanan met Thursday with attorneys representing the grand jury and Tiller’s abortion clinic.

Buchanan has not indicated when a ruling might be forthcoming. The grand jury must conclude its investigation by July 8. [ Read more...]

...after 16 years of warnings.

Sebelius again urged by archbishop to avoid communion

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, the state's senior Catholic official, has again urged Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to refrain from receiving communion in the Roman Catholic Church until she takes the "necessary steps for amendment of her life."

Although the archbishop's comments are not an official excommunication, he did use the traditional prescription for reconciling excommunicants to the church. Naumann urged the governor, a Roman Catholic, to recant her support for abortion, apologize publicly for her pro-abortion actions and participate in the sacrament of confession. [ Read more...]

Brownback, Tiahrt receive high rankings; Boyda, Moore among the lowest

Club for Growth releases legislative rankings

The Club for Growth, a national network that promotes economic prosperity, Thursday released its annual scorecard that ranks members of the U.S. House and Senate based on their votes on taxes and other economic issues.

No Kansas lawmaker earned the group’s Defender of Economic Freedom Award, given to those who score 90 percent or higher, but Rep. Todd Tiahrt and Sen. Sam Brownback, both Republicans, came close.

Brownback scored 82 percent, making him 15^th among U.S. senators; Tiahrt scored 80 percent, or 100^th among U.S. House members. [ Read more...]

But taxpayer advocates say troubling trends cloud Kansas' financial future

State budget may slow spending growth

Taxpayer advocates commended the Kansas Legislature for holding the line on spending, but warned that troubling trends – including the traditional politician's habit of spending more than the state earns – still cloud the state’s financial future.

“The positive is that we’ll see about a 5 percent increase in spending over last year, when we’ve been averaging 9 percent increases the past few years,” said Alan Cobb, state director of Americans for Prosperity. “And there seemed to be a real focus among legislators of both parties on how to limit spending." [ Read more...]

But will Sebelius sign?

Voter ID bill sent to Governor

Kansas voters will be required to provide photo identification before voting, if Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signs a bill sent to her this week.

HB 2019, the voter identification bill, was approved by a 27-3 bi-partisan majority in the Kansas Senate and by a 67-56 margin in the House. Sebelius has not announced whether she will sign the bill.

The new law will require voters, beginning in 2010, to show photo identification before voting either at the polls or in advance. Though the requirement doesn’t take effect for two years, voters will be asked to produce identification during this election season. [ Read more...]

Local money raised for fringe Leftist

Kansans for Cynthia McKinney?

Cynthia McKinney for president!

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the Green Party presidential candidate, defender of cop killer Mumia Abu Jamal, and 9/11 conspiracy theorist has collected $250 in donations from the state.

The center, using data released in late April by the Federal Election Commission, reported that Kansans had donated just under $1.8 million to presidential candidates during the 2008 election cycle. [ Read more...]

On the list of highest grossing documentaries, it's fifth. But at the moment, it's number one in controversy. An analysis and review by Steve Baska.

'Expelled' is magna cum laude at the box-office

"Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," showing in theaters nationwide, has been stirring controversy from the left and right of the political spectrum since it opened April 18.

It's also churned nearly $7 million in gross revenues, making it the fifth most successful documentary film in the last 24 years, according to entertainment business website Box OfficeMojo.com.

The movie feature actor/lawyer Ben Stein who conducts interviews with Darwinist scientists, and talks to college professors and others who have publicly criticized the theory of evolution, only to face dismissal from their jobs and denial of tenure -- and are thus "expelled." [ Read more...]

The Week on the Web

Reading the mind of Kathleen. The liberal Left has finally started reading what's been on Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' mind for the last few years: the lady wants to be veep! Who'da thunk. The Daily Kos:

She is also very likable, has a calm, folksy, midwestern accent, and really has her pulse on the heartland of america. Obama's mother was from Kansas, so it's like this was meant to be.

You can tell, like, the writer's never been to Kansas because to him, it's, like, a "very socially conservative state." Which is why Kansans keep voting for Sebelius. Those who are "socially conservative" are, like, into the idea because it's the only way to prevent her from taking Brownback's spot in the senate. "Socially conservative" Kansas would vote for a pizza if it were called "Kathleen Sebelius." (Gray sauce, extra cheese.)

The album's called "Two Losers and a Tenor": Okay, go to Backtorockville and here's what you've got: an "American Idol" contestant, the Kansas City Star's lame "rock blog," and the Royals - all in once place. Not surprisingly, of the three, the "Idol" contestant, David Cook, comes off looking like the only one who actually knows what he's doing.

One stone, many birds. Tony's Kansas City lists the week's best blog posts. "Best" according to Tony, of course. We usually disagree with him on politics, and his tastes are definitely bachelor-baroque, but Tony is pretty irresistible.  This week: A swarm o' bees. Blogs, babes and bad words! So watch where you click, ma'am.

A Preview of the Coming Week

Monday Monday. The week kicks off with our weekly column by Denis Boyles

Ruff Around the Edges - on Wednesdays, usually, from L. Candy Ruff.