House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, blamed Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for the Legislature’s failure to pass a school finance bill. Please. It’s been Mays who has wasted time and taxpayer money trying to pressure House members to approve a constitutional amendment rather than voting on a plan that meets the Kansas Supreme Court’s order.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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35 Comments
You’re right! This one is on Mays. You can’t blame Sebelius on anything, because she hasn’t done anything. All she does is wait for bills to come across her desk.
Amen! There is no leadership in the House, just a bunch of crybabies, led by Mays, who refuse to uphold their constitutional obligations simply because they’re unhappy with a court’s decision. Had they done their job during the last 15 years, they would not be in a special session today. Kudos to Steve Morris and leadership in the Senate for finally realizing that crossing party lines and reaching a bi-partisan consensus is the recipe for successful government. Now, let’s only hope they can reach the same consensus on a spending source–perhaps an even mix of budget cuts, income tax surcharges, gambling revenue, and other minor tax increases.
Phillip,
I suppose in your world that representing your voting base and not the view of the Supreme Court in areas of finance is just wasting time?
I dont want the legislature to be bullied around by the Courts. If an amendment is what it takes to change this situation then so be it.
I dont understand why so many of you are satisfied with the opinion of so few ordinary human beings that just happen to be dressed up in black robes telling us what to do.
It is about time that the legislature starts putting the court in check.
Natahan, You have a really twisted view of what the government and judiciary are about. Are you instigating rebellion against the courts? Why do you hate America?
Currently, the role of the Supreme Court is to determine constitutionality of law, and if found unconstitutional, to prescribe the remedy. So, in this case, they found that the legislature failed to provide the adequate education that the state constitution dictates must be provided, and that the remedy is greater funding for the schools.
Nathan, are you really ready for the Pandora’s Box that might occur if the legislature runs a power play? What will you say if at some point in the future those who have opinions different from yours are inc control of the legislative body? The courts could be weakened to the point where they offer no balance against the political correctness du jour that will always be present in an elected body.
Just because something is popular doesn’t NECESSARILY make it right.
The problem is that I dont think this is a power the courts should have.
I feel that in many cases the Courts have been overstepping their bounds.
So I dont think it is a “power play” or an imbalance of power when/if the legislature starts to take back what I feel the courts should never have had.
I would hardly begin to call this a rebellion against the courts. The legislature is doing what they have the power to do.
If the legislature stormed the court house with pitch forks and burned it down then we can start talking rebellion.
I guess I don’t understand. The State Constitution seems pretty clear to me. It says that the state will provide a suitable education. Far be it from me to try to decide what suitable is, but the state legislature commissioned a study to determine that, and then ignored it. I guess they were too busy pandering to religous conservatives with our new Hate amendment. Bashing gays was more importiant than doing something about education? I’m all for the court holding the legislature’s feet to the fire.
Just one more reason to laugh at Kansas.
W.R. Locke,
Which amendment are you talking about?
I dont recall the legislature passing any “Hate amendment” or “Bashing gays.”
Perhaps you could clarify what your definition of “Bashing Gays” is?
Perhaps you could clarify what your definition of Hate is?
What amendment just got passed? How many amendments have there been in oh, say the last few years? Of all those amendments, how many have affected homosexuals?
What’s your definition of slow?
Sebelius IS the problem. She has proposed only one education plan since being elected. This plan would have raised taxes by over $1.3 billion over the next five years and cost the average Kansas family of four an extra $2,000 a year in taxes just to the state (Source: Kansas Legislative Research Department). I guess once you propose one plan your done for your four year term. Doug Mays isn’t the problem…the problem is a Court issuing an order with no authority to do so. “Suitable” does not equal how much money schools get. The Court doesn’t have to worry about how high taxes go…legislators do.
Liberals have done a wonderful job of moving this issue along to “just comply with the court” rather than face a debate about whether or not the court has the authority to issue the order in the first place. It’s a debate they can not win…so it must be avoided altogether.
Anyone…name a case where a court has ordered a legislative branch to increase spending by a specific amount in a certain area that was upheld by later scrutiniy.
Sebelius is the problem? How can the Democrat governor be the problem when the Republicans control both houses of the legislature by lop-sided majorities? At least the governor proposed something. I didn’t see the legislature coming up with any ideas besides amending the constitution.
The legislature did propose several different plans, including the $143 million plan passed this spring. There was also another $160 million plan that passed the Senate during this special session. This plan while endorsed by the governor is not her plan…it was solely constructed by legislators. Don’t be irresponsible by saying the legislature didn’t come up with any ideas…the legislature has. If you don’t think they are adequate, then say so…but don’t misconstrue the truth by saying there have been no plans whatsoever.
So…how about that case I asked about. Anyone want to give it a try?
W.R. Locke,
I dont know of any “Hate” amendment or “Gay Bashing.”
That is why I asked. I figure you are probable refrencing the Amendment defining marriage in the State of Kansas which is why I asked you to clarify what you meant by “Hate” and “Gay Bashing”
So…
What is it that makes that amendment a “Hate” amendment or “Gay Bashing?”
james.
Your right, the legislature did come up with several versions to try to fund schools. But you would of thought having contol of the senate and the house, the republicans could of agreed on something. Especially when charged by the judicial branch to remedy the situation. But the legislature took the same old tired approach to the problem and side stepped it. Last session it side-stepped the issues, and focused on marriage issues and championed their actions. Which allowed us to vote on a marriage issue we already had on the books. Our christian conscience stepped in and we were saved by the pulpit. What ever happened to separation of church and state.
Back to the blog . . . I seem to recall the legislature wanting more definition from the court on the first ruling. Now that the court has . . . the court over stepped their powers. I think the court did what was expected of them. And put it right on the mark with their decision. Now the legislature is crying over spilled milk again. Eight days and they haven’t accomplished anything yet. Opps! Sorry a failed attempt on an amendment to rein in the courts power. Again trying to fix something in the constitution that doesn’t need fixing. Seems like the legislature is looking for more headlines. The legislature needs to get with the program and see that Education is the priority. It will cost us much more down the road in jails and welfare if we don’t get it right now. Maybe we need to think outside the box?
Well Geez Louise, Nathan. If you knew what amendment I was talking about, why play stupid? (you were playing?)
W.R. Locke,
I see you still cant answer the questions.
Nathan, you ask questions, you answer you’re own questions, you want me to waste my time answering your questions too. You didn’t know which amendment I was talking about, then you did. You’re a very conflicted fella. If you want proof about a “gay” “hate” amendment, go to the Wichita Eagle archives and do a little reading under Letters to the Editor, and Opinion line. Lots of “hate” directed at “gays” concerning the Protection of Marraige amendment.
But then, I forget…you want everybody else to do the leg work for you.
W.R. Locke,
All I want is for you to show/explain/prvoe that that amendment was one of “Hate” or “Gay Bashing” and to tell me what you definition of both of those are.
Is it so hard? Do I need to break it down for you any more?
Why cant you answer those questions?
It is probably why you and others dont answer any of the questions I ask: Because you cant defend or back up the things you say.
If conservatives in this country are so concerned about Christian values, why is the focus not on the issues of poverty and hunger? And I’m not talking about the lip service those issues get, I’m talking about real action, and not necessarily via the government. I ask everyone, conservatives, liberals, and everyone in between who has the means, if you believe in helping the poor and needy, give generously of the wealth you have been blessed with and/or your time to charitable endeavors. You never know when your bubble might burst and you will be the one in need of a helping hand.
I just told you where to go to find the answers and you keep blathering. We’re a little slow today, aren’t we?
“There are none so blind as those who will not see”
W.R. Locke,
Yes I saw where you directed me to look. I fail to see how looking at more opinions answers the question.
Just maybe in a town of 300,000 do you think that there could be others that share your same opinion?
I dont want to see different people tell me the same thing. It does not answer the question.
So…
Here we are again. You trying to personally attack me again with no answer to the question.
Either you can back up what you say or you cant. Right now you cant.
Jeff Yearout,
“Christian conservatives” whatever your definition of that is I dont know…
I can speak as a Christian who considers himself consrvative:
I do value those things and have yet to see where we in general do not.
Do you have a specific example you are referring to that would lead you to ask such a question?
What is it that you would like to see?
Nathan….Yawn…..
W.R. Locke,
I see that your inability to provide any evidence to back up your claims is also tiring.
But not tiring enough to stop you from typing.
I would think that if you would put half the effort into just providing evidence as you did trying to evade doing so you wouldnt be so tired of this.
Nathan…ZZZZZZZ….
W.R. Locke,
You make this too much fun for me!
Everytime you reply and dont do anything towards actually being able to back up what you say it only makes me more right.
Yes Nathan, you’re a legend in your own mind.
Let me see, if we took the total time it took for you to type up the last several replies in this blog you could probably had just answered my questions.
How is the amendment one of Hate and how is the amendment Gay Bashing.
Is it that hard?
Two simple questions. You said those things, all I am asking for is clarification of something you should already know. So it shouldnt take you any time for the answers.
Just type them out right here.
jbrown – Perhaps it would help you to understand why a plan hasn’t been passed if you start thinking of Kansas as having three parties instead of just two (Dems and Repubs.) Within the Republican party there are moderates and conservatives. They hardly ever get along which is why we have a Democrat governor…many moderate Republican’s voted for her. So the President of the Senate (Steve Morris) is a moderate with a Democrat for a governor and a conservative Speaker of the House (Doug Mays.) So…looking at the problem that way, it becomes easier for me at least to understand why no plan has come about yet.
As far as the rest of what you say I’m only going to take the time to say this…Christians have just as much right to participate in a democratic government as any other citizen. Separation of Church and State doesn’t mean any religous person can not participate in the government.
Really what it comes down to is this…if you’re unhappy with the current situation then get those who you don’t like out of office. Give money to their opponents or better yet run against them yourself. For some reason liberals just don’t understand that the solution to all their problems is very simple…sell it to the people in the next election.
Or maybe liberals know they can’t sell it. Maybe that’s why they always have to run to the courts to fight their battles for them.
W.R. Locke,
Where you are with Nathan now, I was a few days ago. It’s exasperating. He asks you for clarification and then answers his own questions, ignoring what you’ve said. Just another tactic from the Wingnut toolbox: wear ‘em down and frustrate ‘em with your lack of response.
CF,
Um….
All I have done is repeated the same 2 questions over and over again. I have asked for him to back up his assertions over and over again.
I didnt realize that was just another tactic from the “Wingnut toolbox”
CF,
I wouldn’t think of ignoring him. Fact is, I’ve been looking for the boy. But I totally agree with you. But be careful with that wingnut stuff…he insults easily.
Good morning Nathan. Are we ready to continue your quest for answers? Your quest for truth?
CF,
Since Nathan doesn’t want to come out and play, I’ll visit with you for a mo.
What we’re dealing with here is an “internet troll”. Someone who’s sole purpose is to aggrivate and irritate without contributing anything to the discussion. I’d say that describes the fellow.
I’d really prefer to be out involved in serious discussion, but I have to take time out to deal with a troll.
Hey W.R.
Turn off the lights when you leave.
D.A.
Be vewy vewy quiet. I’m hunting trolls.