Senate and House GOP leaders in Topeka have insisted that lawmakers pass a constitutional amendment stating that the Legislature has sole authority to determine how state money is spent. But the state’s constitution should be amended only when there are no other options. And that should be determined by careful, nonemotional review — not rushed through during a special session in a fit of frustration. And here’s another rule of thumb: If you have to force lawmakers against their will to vote for an amendment by holding school funding hostage, it’s not a good amendment.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Hollywood is in the midst of a months-long box office slump blamed on everything from the high price of popcorn to people wanting to stay home and watch movies on DVD.
Could it be that many people are simply tired of shelling out big bucks to see "major" movies based on rehashed TV shows such as "Bewitched" and "The Dukes of Hazzard," or unnecessary and forgettable updates such as "The Longest Yard"?
Where’s the creativity? Coming next to a multiplex near you: "Petticoat Junction," the movie?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
It’s all well and good for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to downplay the new U.S. case of mad cow disease. Hungry Americans seem to be satisfied with this "trust us" approach. But nobody should be surprised if much of the world remains wary of the Bush administration’s reassurances on beef or anything else, in the wake of the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. It matters.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
"I am guilty. I have been in the governor’s office. I have been visiting with Democrats. I have been visiting with senators."
— Rep. Ward Loyd, R-Garden City, outlining the bipartisan school spending proposal to the GOP caucus. Who does this guy think he is, trying to find a bipartisan solution?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
One hopeful coda to the tragedy of those New Jersey boys who were found dead in the trunk of an older-model Toyota: Such deaths are less common than they used to be. Starting in 2002, Congress required new cars to have release latches inside the trunk. Inexpensive, glow-in-dark latches can be installed on older cars, too. Consult the Web site www.kidsandcars.org.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Thank you, Russ Meyer and Barry Downing, for spearheading an effort to build a campus north of 21st Street near Grove that will include a new Boys & Girls Club and a high-quality preschool. Though the facilities’ programs will target the estimated 11,000 children who live within a mile of the campus, the benefits of giving these kids support, skills and hope will be felt throughout Wichita.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
