Voice For Liberty

Tag: Todd Tiahrt

  • Kansas News Digest

    News from alternative media around Kansas for May 21, 2010.

    Light withdraws bid for re-election: Will others follow?

    (Kansas Republican Assembly) “State Representative Bill Light withdrew his candidacy for re-election to the Kansas House May 12. Light was facing a strong conservative challenge in the August primary by Dan Widder of Ulysses.”

    Historic sales tax increase and nanny-state laws mark the 2010 session in Kansas

    (Kansas Liberty) “So far Gov. Mark Parkinson has signed into law a total of 149 bills, and Parkinson now has until May 28 to take action on any remaining bills that were passed by the Legislature during the veto session. Parkinson has not allowed any bill to become law without his signature at this time and has vetoed two bills. Conservative Republicans in both chambers were largely overpowered yet again in the 2010 legislative session by a coalition of left-wing Republicans and Democrats which has managed to retain the majority in both the House and Senate.”

    Kansans exposed to tax hike starting July 1

    (Kansas Liberty) “Starting July 1, Kansas residents can expect to start paying 19 percent more in sales tax so that the state government can continue to spend at the level deemed appropriate by Governor Mark Parkinson, left-wing Republicans and Democrats in the Kansas Legislature. Small-business advocates said the coalition of ‘tax and spend’ legislators ‘did not want to believe there was an alternative’ to a tax hike.’”

    Kansas survey: 10,000 new ‘green’ jobs by 2012

    (Kansas Reporter) “TOPEKA, Kan. – The environmentally conscious ‘green’ movement has the potential to create 10,000 new jobs in Kansas by 2012, according to a new state survey released Tuesday.”

    Tax package means go-head for giant Kansas freight hub

    (Kansas Reporter) “TOPEKA, Kan. – Legislation approving Kansas’ recently voted 1-cent sales tax increase will trigger construction this year of a controversial Johnson County intermodal rail freight hub, the Kansas Department of Transportation said Tuesday. KDOT and developers of the long-planned 1,000 acre rail-truck shipping center and logistic park complex along Interstate 35 in Edgerton said they reached an agreement in which the state will provide a $35 million grant to BNSF Railway in exchange for a pledge to begin work on the project this year.”

    Kansas lawmakers touch tax and budget records

    (Kansas Reporter) “A new analysis by the Kansas Legislative Research Department of the final budget lawmakers sent to the governor calculates that state general fund spending will increase 3.8 percent, or about $204.5 million, to $5.6 billion in the fiscal year beginning July 1. That total is the second largest in recent record, topped only by $6.06 billion of state general funds spent in fiscal 2009. All-funds spending, which includes federal and special revenue funds as well as state general fund money, is projected to decrease in 2011 to $13.7 billion, a more than 5 percent reduction from the recent record $14.4 billion reached this year.”

    Planned Parenthood Urges Governor To Veto Huelskamp’s Ban of Federal Funding For Services

    (State of the State KS) “Planed Parenthood supporters came to the capital Wednesday to deliver petitions to Governor Parkinson, urging him to veto part of the state budget that would make Planed Parenthood ineligible for federal funding.”

    Governor Parkinson Says Budget Puts Kansas On The Right Path For Next Four Years

    (State of the State KS) “Governor Mark Parkinson (D) held a press conference Wednesday where he reflected on the 2010 legislative session. In his State of the State address in January, Parkinson called on the legislature to protect education, social services and public safety, to pass a comprehensive transportation plan and to bring improvements to nursing homes across the state. Parkinson said legislators stepped up, protecting 150 years of progress in Kansas an bringing jobs to the state.”

    Tiahrt and Moran Trade Shots on Earmarks and A New Poll Shows Increasing Support In Senate Race

    (State of the State KS) “The Tiahrt and Moran campaign sparred over earmarks last week with both agreeing that the original intent of bringing federal dollars for local needs was good, but Washington now needs earmark and spending reform.”

    Former National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane Speaks Out On Support for Mike Pompeo

    (State of the State KS) “Former White House National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane came out swinging for Mike Pompeo (R) this weekend, responding to a story in the Wichita Eagle. McFarlane is a leader on national security issues, working in the Ford and Reagan administrations. The Eagle article highlighted a Pompeo fundraiser hosted by McFarlane, calling him a ‘D.C. big name’ and cited fellow Congressional campaigners saying McFarlane’s support made Pompeo a Washington insider.”

    Kansas House passes ‘Lexie’s Law’

    (Kansas Watchdog) “After passing the 1% increase in sales tax very early Tuesday, the Kansas House at 2:15 AM addressed HB 2356, otherwise known as Lexie’s Law. The purpose of the bill was to improve inspections of child care facilities in Kansas after preventable deaths had occurred.”

    Watchdogs talk about Investigative Journalism

    (Kansas Watchdog) “On Saturday at the American Majority Post-Party Summit held in Kansas City, Missouri two of the sessions were about investigative journalism. These sessions were to encourage citizen journalists to get more involved in keeping government at all levels — federal, state, county, local — more accountable.”

    Senator Brownlee’s official protest of budget bill

    (Kansas Watchdog) “The true energizing power in an economy is the productivity and ingenuity of its people when they are freed from excessive government taxation and regulation to provide for their families. We have lost sight of the fact that there is not a public or government sector without a healthy private sector. Too many times this session we have heard a legislator postulate that government spending in some manner helps save our economy. If this were actually true, our economy should be overheating with all of the overspending by states and the federal government.”

    New report outlines Kansas consequences of health reform

    (Kansas Health Institute News Service) “TOPEKA – The likely consequences of federal health reform for Kansas are detailed in a new report scheduled for public release Tuesday during a meeting of the Kansas Health Policy Authority board.”

    Budget and taxes decided, Legislature leaves

    (Kansas Health Institute News Service) “TOPEKA — After four months of struggling with the issues of budgets and taxes, the Legislature finished its work today and concluded all but the ceremonial end of the 2010 session.”

  • Kansas news digest

    News from alternative media around Kansas for March 5, 2010.

    Teacher Tenure Under Review In Effort to Reduce School Costs

    (State of the State KS) “A House committee heard testimony on a bill Wednesday that would lengthen the period of time public school teachers must work to five years before eligible for tenure.”

    KPERS Committee Considers Early Retirement for Employees To Save Money

    (State of the State KS) “The House KPERS committee considered a bill Tuesday that would encourage early retirement for some government workers to save costs.”

    Kansas Democrats Focus on 2010 Elections at Washington Days

    (State of the State KS) “Kansas Democrats gathered to celebrate and campaign at Friday and Saturday’s Washington Days in Topeka.”

    Smoking ban proponents pull out bag of tricks to get bill passed, casino exemption included

    (Kansas Liberty) “In the near future, Kansas residents will be forced to comply with a statewide smoking ban, which has received the support of both chambers of the Kansas Legislature. Today, the House voted 68-54 to concur with the conference committee agreement reached between select members of the House and the Senate.”

    Day-care bill puts too much government in the home, opponents say

    (Kansas Liberty) “Tammi Hill, owner of the Peace of Mind Home Child Care Center in Olathe, has been brought to tears of frustration over a new piece of legislation which is currently in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Senate Bill 447 would create several new restrictions for day care providers, including regulations on how long children can take using the bathroom, how long a provider can speak with a parent, and how long a provider can spend with any inspector that may drop by the ensure the care center is in compliance with regulations.”

    Cigarette tax increases reported to bring negative outcomes

    (Kansas Liberty) “Americans for Prosperity-Kansas has launched a new web page dedicated to informing Kansas residents about how an increased cigarette tax could cost the state revenue, instead of bringing in additional revenue as suggested by the Democrats.”

    Wichita School Board Attempts to Explain Budget, Seeks Priorities

    (Kansas Watchdog) “About 400 people attended a Board Night Out at Wichita’s West High School Monday evening. A similar number attended another forum at Wichita’s Southeast High School. USD259 Wichita Board of Education President Barbara Fuller, board member Lanora Nolan and Superintendent John Allison attended the West High gathering and offered their assessments of the decisions facing the district because of the ongoing state budget crisis.”

    Tiahrt, Others Exonerated in Ethics Probe

    (Kansas Watchdog) “The Associated Press is reporting that Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt has been exonerated in an ethics probe of his connections with defense lobbying firm PMA and its clients. The probe found no violations by Tiahrt or five other members of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. The late John Murtha (D-Pa.) topped the list of who received large donations from PMA Group and its clients and steered earmarks to PMA clients.”

    Kansas revenues sag deeper into crisis territory

    (Kansas Reporter) “TOPEKA, Kan. – February’s $71 million tax collection shortfall dropped Kansas revenues for the month deeper into budget crisis territory, legislative researchers reported Thursday.”

    Kansas’ bid for federal school money rejected

    (Kansas Reporter) “TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas’ first round application for a slice of $4.35 billion in new federal education stimulus money has been rejected, but education officials say they plan to try again in a second round next June. The Kansas State Department of Education said it learned Thursday that it is not among 16 finalists selected to receive grants under the Obama administration’s Race to the Top plan for educational reform.”

    Kansas tax committee sends $169 million increase to House

    (Kansas Reporter) “TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas House Taxation Committee members reluctantly voted Tuesday to raise $169 million in new taxes by requiring homeowners and renters to a pay 5.3 percent sales tax on their water, electric and natural gas bills that are now tax-exempt.”

    Costly Kansas tax credit needs more money, panel told

    (Kansas Reporter) “TOPEKA, Kan. – A controversial business tax credit once flagged as a drain on Kansas’ budget needs more money to help create jobs in Kansas, backers told a Kansas House Taxation committee Wednesday. Opponents, however, argued that removing a state lid on Kansas Historical Preservation tax credits, which last year were lopped by more than half their previous levels, would perpetuate the inefficient use of taxpayer money and give the recipients an unfair advantage over competitors who aren’t similarly subsidized.”

    Foster care system criticized, defended

    (Kansas Health Institute News Service) “Sadie Carpenter said no one ever told her why she and her husband weren’t allowed to adopt their great granddaughter. Marilyn Dilley said she and her husband were never told why they couldn’t adopt a boy they’d cared for as foster parents.”

  • Wichita winter tea party: it’s inside this Saturday

    Kansans For Liberty is hosting a tea party this Saturday February 20 at Century II Exhibition Hall. It starts at 1:00 pm.

    Lynda Tyler, the organizer for this event, says that there are two levels to this event: A stage with organizations, candidates, a forum, ending with keynote speaker Apostle Claver.

    The other level is the decorated tables around the outside of the room representing organizations and campaigns from all over Kansas.

    The event is free to the public. There will be raffles for flags, baskets, dinners to Mike’s Steakhouse, and two tickets to see Sarah Palin at the Intrust Bank Arena in May. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each or 3 for $2.00. The door prize drawing is for two tickets to the VIP Round Table breakfast with Mike Huckabee on February 24th at 8:15 that morning.

    There is an after rally VIP Fundraising Dinner with Apostle Claver at Whiskey Creek Steakhouse. Tickets for this event are $50.00.

    Radio personality Paul Ibbetson, host of “The Conscious of Kansas” on Wildcat 91.1 in Manhattan, will emcee the event.

    Candidates for the United State Senate Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran will address the crowd early in the event.

    Insurance Commissioner candidate David Powell will speak, followed by Dr. George Watson speaking on health care issues facing America Today.

    The Independence Caucus group will explain their vetting process that will help voters understand the various positions and views of the candidates who have gone through the process. They will also introduce the congressional candidates who have gone through this process and where you can find the results online.

    The Fair Tax KC group will be here with a plan to eliminate the IRS.

    There are two state sovereignty organizations coming that have been instrumental in the push for Kansas to send a resolution to Washington DC so that we will no longer tolerate the federal government stepping on the constitutional rights of the states and their citizens.

    Kansas Libertarian Party chairman Andrew P. Gray will speak on the party’s 2010 plans and activities.

    The Great American Forum will take about an hour to showcase the U.S. Congressional Candidates for the 4th District.

    The keynote speaker is “Apostle Claver” T. Kamau-Imani, founder and chairman of www.ragingelephants.org He is a dynamic speaker whose mission includes getting people to “Vote their values — not a party.”

    KansansforLiberty.com has details and more information, including a list of the organizations confirmed to be at the Winter Rally.

  • ‘Keeping Kansas Conservative’ forum with Joe the Plumber, Todd Tiahrt, Mary Pilcher-Cook

    A news release from the Great American Forum.

    WICHITA, KS – On Friday, January 29, 2010, the Great American Forum Steering Committee will host its fifth public forum. The forum will feature Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher “Joe the Plumber,” who made his appearance on the national radar during the last presidential campaign. He believes that elected officials should be held accountable for what they say and what they do. ep. Todd Tiahrt and Kansas Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook will complete our panel. This forum will focus on the core beliefs of the Great American Forum. These principles are limited government, low taxes, personal responsibility, strong national defense, and the obligation to protect every human life from conception to natural death.

    WHO: Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher “Joe the Plumber,” U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt, Kansas State Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook
    WHAT: Keeping Kansas Conservative Great American Forum
    WHEN: January 29, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
    WHERE: Ramada Inn, 420 SE 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66607

    Admission is free for this event. For more information, please contact Event Chairman Ben Sauceda at 316-640-2065 or GreatAmericanForum@gmail.com. Honorary Chair of the Great American Forum is Mrs. Vicki Tiahrt.

  • Tiahrt to address Wichita Pachyderms

    This Friday, United States Representative from the fourth district of Kansas Todd Tiahrt will address the members and guests of the Wichita Pachyderm Club. Tiahrt is running against Jerry Moran for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate from Kansas. Moran will speak at the same event one week later.

    All are welcome to attend Pachyderm club meetings. The program costs $10, which includes a delicious buffet lunch including salad, soup, two main dishes, and ice tea and coffee. The meeting starts at noon, although it’s recommended to arrive fifteen minutes early to get your lunch before the program starts.

    The Wichita Petroleum Club is on the ninth floor of the Bank of America Building at 100 N. Broadway (north side of Douglas between Topeka and Broadway) in Wichita, Kansas (click for a map and directions). Park in the garage just across Broadway and use the sky walk to enter the Bank of America building. Bring your parking garage ticket to be stamped and your parking fee will be only $1.00. There is usually some metered and free street parking nearby.

  • Tiahrt gains endorsement of Rick Santorum

    Yesterday former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum appeared in Wichita to endorse the candidacy of Todd Tiahrt for the Republican party nomination for the Senate.

    Santorum said he’s not often taken time to travel to help candidates, especially in primary elections. Referring to the “critical juncture” that he believes our country faces, with a president and Congress that are grabbing power through health care and cap-and-trade legislation, he said we need a solid conservative in the Senate to oppose Obama and the Democrats in Washington.

    Todd Tiahrt, he said, has a great conservative record of not only opposing bad things, but “coming forward with good, solid, principled conservative ideas to solve problems not just here in Kansas, but across this country.”

    Answering a question about the differences on the issues between Tiahrt and Jerry Moran, his primary election opponent, Santorum said “Todd speaks out.” He’s been a strong economic conservative who believes in limited government, understanding that markets solve problems better than government. He also said Tiahrt recognizes a strong military is needed to protect America’s security.

    On the future of the health care bill in the U.S. Senate, Santorum said it’s going to take some time to work through the Senate, and the current bill that contains the public option will be tough to pass, given Senator Joe Lieberman’s stated opposition to such a bill. The Senate is unlike the House, he said, as in the Senate, one member can block passage of legislation.

    Referring to the unpopularity of Obama’s programs, particularly the health care bill, Santorum said that in many respects, Obama has already sacrificed his majorities in Congress. The election of 2008 was not a realignment, he said, but a rejection of incompetence of the last administration.

    On Obama’s absence from the ceremonies marking the anniversary of the end of the Berlin Wall, Santorum said “He is insensitive to the importance of our traditional allies.” The tyrannies that we fought in the past — the Soviet Union — are now appearing in different parts of the globe. Their motivations are different, but we must confront the same evil. “Going to Berlin and standing where Reagan stood would identify him [Obama] with policies he doesn’t agree with.”

  • Tiahrt endorsed by popular conservative figure

    Yesterday, former Secretary of Education and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Bill Bennett endorsed Todd Tiahrt‘s campaign for the United States Senate in a Wichita appearance.

    Bennett said there is not an oversupply of good people in Washington, and when they’re found, we should elect them to higher office. Tiahrt is such a person, he said. He also praised Tiahrt’s character and integrity.

    In other remarks, Bennett said that these are consequential times. 2010 will be an important election year and will tell us a lot about the mood of the public. Last year’s election was of historical consequence, but now it is time to govern, he said.

    In response to a question about the concerns of callers to his conservative radio show, he said that people are concerned about the direction of the country. People have a sense that we drifting, and not only since the election of President Obama. He said that the major concern is not individual issues such as gay marriage, abortion, or guns, but the general status of the United States of America.

    As Bennett served as Education Secretary under Ronald Reagan, I asked a question about the Obama’s administration’s support of charter schools and differential or merit pay for teachers. Charter schools are good, and so is merit pay, he said. But if merit pay means what it has in a few experiments across the country — “give us the money first, and then we’ll figure out some system of merit” — he wouldn’t be in favor of it.

    He also said it “rings a little hollow” for the administration to talk about school choice when it is closing down a school choice program in Washington, D.C.

    Politically, this endorsement should give a boost to the Tiahrt campaign. Bennett is a respected statesman and very popular with conservatives.

    Wichita Eagle reporting of this event is at Bennett endorses Tiahrt for US Senate. Topeka Capital-Journal reporting is at Bennett backs Tiahrt’s Senate bid.

  • Kansas GOP Senate nominee may be matter of personality

    “Discerning any major differences between Kansas GOP Reps. Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt requires a microscope, but as the Senate primary between them builds steam, wedges are beginning to be laid.”

    Analysis of the 2010 Kansas Republican Senate race from The Hill: Kansas GOP Senate nominee may be matter of personality.

  • Kansas Senator Dick Kelsey Announces for Congress

    On Friday Kansas Senator Dick Kelsey announced that he is a candidate for the United States Congress. Kelsey seeks the seat presently held by Todd Tiahrt, who is running for United States Senate. The Wichita Eagle covered the announcement in the story State Sen. Dick Kelsey to run for Tiahrt’s congressional seat.

    A question I asked Kelsey afterwards is if Tiahrt will endorse a successor. Kelsey said that he doesn’t believe Tiahrt will make an endorsement, and he doesn’t think he should. Tiahrt, he said, needs every friend he can get in his run for the Senate.

    What about the primary between Tiahrt and Jerry Moran? Many Republicans want to avoid this primary. Kelsey said that a positive primary will not hurt, and in response to my suggestion, said that a spending limit would be great.