An editorial in the Colby Free Press suggested that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius might have been trying to buy votes by giving state employees Monday off: “Can the July 3 day off be implied taxpayers are paying for a Sebelius campaign action?”
That seems harsh, but then so was the cost to taxpayers of the extra day off — $519,000, because Sebelius’ executive order provided for holiday pay for those employees who did work. Monday was a regular day for state employees in Missouri and Oklahoma. And it’s not as if Kansas’ employees are long overdue a salary increase: State employees got 1.5 percent raises last month.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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56 Comments
They are really trying hard to find dirt on her!
So are they implying that all previous state employees who were more in likely to vote GOP, are now going to vote for Sebelius because they got an extra day off?
If Bush gave everybody a day off, I would spend the extra day reading all my favorite dem/liberal sites!!!
And it’s not as if Kansas’ employees are long overdue a salary increase: State employees got 1.5 percent raises last month.Posted by Rhonda Holman
WOW, A 1.5%. Is that it for a year, I hope not.
Well, she lost my vote, I will not vote for someone who just throws money to people when they don’t even ask for it. ;)
Why did Sebelius appoint the wife of the “dean of Ellis County Democratic politics” to the Supreme Court Nominating Commission?http://www.kansasmeadowlark.com/2006/07-03/index.htm
Is this just politics? Is this any way to pick members of the Supreme Court?
Why are all four of Sebelius’ appointments to the Supreme Court Nominating Commission Democrats? Why is the composition of this Commission 6 Democrats, 2 Republicans, 1 Republican for Moore?http://www.kansasmeadowlark.com/2006/07-03b.htm
Why doesn’t the press report anything about this?
Left out of this story was the fact that Sebelius replaced outgoing Republican Debbie Nordling with Democrat Carolyn Bird. Sure glad the shoe was not on the other foot and a Republican Governor replaced a Democrat with a Republican. The Wichita Eagle presses would be so hot that they would catch on fire. We sure do have one liberal newspaper.
RA,But it’s ok for a republican president to appoint conservative nominees to the SCOTUS. I don’t remember you hollering about that.
KS M,To the victor go the spoils. If you’re going to advertise your web site on this blog, you should be at least educated enough in politics to know the norm is hardly worth reporting.
Most state employees are Democrats. It doesn’t matter on the extra day off. Not like (non-essential) were going to do anything.
Teachers get the summers off.
Joe,
“Most state employees are Democrats.”
Have any data that backs that up?
I would concede that there is a Democratic block in Topeka/Shawnee County, where most state employees are concentrated, but that in and of itself does not back up your claim. Got anything else?
Most individuals belonging in unions are Democrats, and so many government employees are represented by unions, because they have to be protected by the big bad labor exploited government.
Just as you asses that you believe the State Capital employees are Democrats, you just made my point. It’s just a commonly known fact. Union employees are mostly Democrat.
Most teachers also affliate themselves with Democrats. That is a known fact. Many of them are represented by one or more unions.
KDOT employees, maybe not so much.
“Just as you asses (sic) that you believe the State Capital employees are Democrats, you just made my point. It’s just a commonly known fact. Union employees are mostly Democrat.”
No, Joe. I did say that there are a lot of people voting democratic out of Shawnee County. I also said the highest concentration of state employees are in the state capitol. But these two FACTS do not equal most state employess are democrats.
While it is possible what you state is true. Unless you have a list of employers for Democratic voters, you cannot know with certainty that your claims are accurate. You would be more accurate to say that you “suspect” that there is a high number of democratic voters who are state employees. I suspect that this would be true, also.
I hope these details aren’t demanding too much in terms of accuracy.
Joe,If state employees are being helped by unions, would you say that a 1.5% yearly increase in salary, is pretty crappy help? If I was one of those state employees, I’d be stopping my union dues in a hurry.
My employer shut down on Monday – we had to take comp time or vacation but the extra day off was very appreciated.I don’t agree with the holiday pay for those that had to work on Monday – that wasn’t a holiday even if it was considered a holiday weekend.
I can’t believe our governor would do anything just for political gain! Tell me it isn’t so!
She is supposed to be our wise leader. After all, she is one of the top five governors in the U.S. She wouldn’t do anything to waste ouor money.
How dare the gov give state employees an extra day off?!? Next thing you know, they’ll be expecting raises and stuff.(sarcasm off)I think it was very thoughtful that she gave state employees a 4 day weekend.
Only in Kansas would people think a day off would buy votes.
Well, at the risk of agreeing in some SMALL way with meadowlark…
I do agree she has the right to appoint her folks, just like the preznit appoints HIS folks to SCOTUS.
But.. another interesting point….
Carolyn Bird is the wife of John Bird?
John Bird, you know… Hays City Attorney, former state dem chair, former chair of the Clinton-Gore campaing in ks, indeed, the dean of kansas democrats everywhere.
He is also the guy she GAVE Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Sort of a little “thanks for being my buddy” gift.
She is also bailing him out on Hays’s stupid decision to buy the Circle K ranch with the notion they would transfer water from near Kinsley to Hays.
One small problem? State water law doesnt allow the transfer of water between basins. Heheh. Not very smart of Hays to buy the damn ranch when the law was clear they couldnt transfer the water.
But hey, when ya gots friends in high places, like cedar crest, why worry? The state, Mike Hayden in particular, have just offered to BUY the circle K ranch from hays for over one million dollars more than the ranch’s appraised value. Coincidence? I dont think so.
The legislature specifically FORBID the state from buying circle K. Hayden’s answer? To continue to push, in every legislative session for the last three years, for MORE MONEY to give to Hays to bail them out of their stupid water decisions and buy out their mistakes.
And wouldnt ya think their city attorney would, like, KNOW a little thing or two about the water transfer laws?
But when the gov says she owes you, some day, the bill is gonna come due. Too bad she pays off her cronys with water that is in short supply.
And with the court appointments.
It was not her money so why should she care? If she had to pay for it out of her own pocket she would not have done it. But because it is the taxpayer’s money she feels free to give it away anytime she wants. She seems to forget that there are a lot of private sector employees that did not get an extra paid day off. They either took it without pay or took a vacation day or they worked on that day. But they can feel better knowing that they paid for a state employee’s day off.
Why should you care, in your wet city, what happens to the few buckets of water left out here? Why should you care that the governor is using water in western kansas as political payola?
Because she, and the Kansas Water Office, are setting state water policy with these decisions. They are discarding the beneficial use questions, and just plowing ahead with the wholesale draining of water in western kansas.
Examples?
The gov gave Hays the right to pump Cedar Bluff dry when Hays didnt even have ANY water rights in the lake. They paid Russell to pump Russell’s water rights, then diverted the water before it got to Russell.
And now, the ethanol plant in Russell uses so much water the city is forcing residents to restrict their use so the ethanol plant can consume what it says it needs.
And where will they go for more water? You guessed it. Cedar Bluff.
Nice little circle jerk between Hays and Russell, while the beneficial use of the water goes ignored. Hays has OTHER options for water, but Cedar Bluff? none. ESPECIALLY in a time of drought.
So… when a few votes are needed in YOUR area, you dont think governor leadership will use water policy to make political hay? You think water quality will matter to her anymore than water quantity?
Hehehe. four.more.years.
There are REAL issues in Kansas where the governor is failing the state badly. These issues, like water, could be used to replace her with the leadership this state so desperately needs.
But nooooo…….!
The republicans would rather argue about an extra day off for those “overpaid” (sarcasm off) state employees, and whip up the wingnuts on the god, gays and guns bright and shiney objects.
No wonder some of us out here are wondering if this state can survive four.more.years. of the same. On both sides. Wingnuts gone wild fiddle while the state burns and governor leadership tees up for her senate race.
…and on another breaking story…
Ken Lay, dead today at 64. Cause of death? Heart attack.
I am sorry for his family.
But the bastard never had to pay for his crimes like those he robbed of pensions, jobs, and secure retirements. Death is too easy and too good for a robber baron like kenny boy.
I wonder if georgie boy will attend the funeral of his friend kenny boy?
I hope he has to pay the devil now.
KSFG – you can thank the Republicans for seeing to it that the Circle K could not be purchased by Hayden. Sharon Shwartz has been willing to stand up to him and say no. She has also had the support of the chair and vice-chair of the appropriations committee. They are Melvin Neufeld and Brenda Landwehr. They could see what Hayden was doing and have worked hard to stop it. The Governor has tried to find away around the legislature but has not been able to do so as of yet. She knows it would not be good press when she does. Now if she is reelected she will probably just go around the legislature and make the purchase.
Hayden has been doing a lot of things that are not good for this state. He seems to want to leave a name for himself.
God help me I actually agree with sts except for one thing. I know Sharon Schwartz and have worked with her. SHE teamed up with the democrats on the subcommittee to sell out Cedar Bluff. I know. I was there.
Melvin Neufeld is indeed the guardian of Cedar Bluff and fair water policy in western kansas. While I disagree with him strongly on MANY issues, I have nothing but praise for him on state water policy and especially Cedar Bluff. He inserted provisions in the appropriations bills for several years to keep them out of Cedar Bluff.
Larry Powell the same. And is it any coincidence that the democrats got an EDWARDS county republican (think circle K) to switch parties and run against Larry Powell?
I dont think so.
But governor leadership’s very own darth cheney, one Joe Harkins, put a stop to that, and away the water in our lake went. Right down John Bird’s swimming pool.
All the REGIONAL economic benefit, which legislative post audit says was over $20 million, was lost. Because governor leadership needed to pay a political favor to John Bird.
Oh, I cant wait for four.more.years of water as payola.
Hays gets what they want and the state is going to have trouble as long as governor leadership puts John Bird in charge of water policy, with a little help from Steve Irsik, the chair of the Water Board and a GIANT irrigator and subsidy welfare queen.
Even Sharon Schwartz is afraid of them, as her record of votes on Cedar Bluff will attest. So good for her on Circle K, but she really is no help on the overall water issues.
I have not known Brenda Landwehr to help us out on ANY water issue. She is just doing her TABOR thing on not spending money for Circle K Ranch.
When your republicans start helping with Cedar Bluff, maybe we can talk. But as long as they are rolling over for the governor on giving lakes away as political favors, dont cast their pro tabor votes as pro water votes. They are not.
Ewwwwwwww :)
I have to wash my fingers with soap for agreeing with sts again on this:
“The Governor has tried to find away around the legislature but has not been able to do so as of yet. She knows it would not be good press when she does.”
And especially this: “Now if she is reelected she will probably just go around the legislature and make the purchase.”
No shit.
Yep. When she is coronated for a second time, she will be free to do whatever she wishes, solidify her political base, and.. you guessed it… continue to screw the state on water issues and pay her political pals with water.
Unless the senate race might be affected….
As a former WKansan, I’ve long been concerned about water out there. Irrigation started in the 50s and has been the salvation of the area. It also will be the death of the area and maybe soon it will be the Buffalo Commons.BTW, teachers don’t get the summer off, they only get to work 9 months a year at the job they are trained to do. And, from the mouth of a teacher’s kid, they spend half the summer taking classes to keep their credentials up to date. The dumbbells who say teachers only work a few hours a day have never followed one around to the games, the after-school activities, etc., etc.Sorry. I get irritated when I hear the same old garbage decade after decade.
And KFG, my feeling exactly about Kenny Boy.
I am a employed by the State of Kansas.In the KC Metro area. Yes she gave us a extra day off with pay thats a good thing. Because most of us don’t get that many paid Holidays off.If people want to believe that it is a tactic to get re-elected then so be it.As far as the 1.5% raise we got it was a Cost of Living raise (yes this is for the whole year)which to most of us is about an extra $15 per paycheck before taxes.We don’t get to see the big raises that everyone thinks we get.Evey year we are faced with more and more cuts to our budget.We are asked to do more with less.We have no automatic pay increases like the privet sector.So we have to wait until the Govenor proposes a raise for all Kansas employees.Then the legislature has to approve it.Most people don’t understand that. I don’t have any political ties to any one party.KDOT employees have no represenatives.If you DO NOT understand what type of raise we got KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! Until you know all of your facts.If you believe that we get a yearly pay increase you are sadly mistaken. I remember there was a time when we went about 6 years with out a raise. Then when we finaly got one it was a (.5%) Cost of Living raise.Yes thats right a half of a percent.And that year our healh insurance costs went up 16%.Do some research before you start complaining that the state employees had a day off! Remember who keeps your highways safe and clear of road hazzards. KDOT employees you know the ones in the ORANGE trucks!!! Thank them every now and then.Tell them how much you appreciate everything that they do for you.
At first I thought State of Kansas employees weren’t paid enough to strike the space bar after the end of a sentence. But they sure can use the exclamator!
Teachers get the summers off.
Posted by: Joe Williams | July 05, 2006 at 07:06 AM
Yes, the teachers in assents get the summer off but without pay. The teachers who teach summer school do NOT get 1 ½ of the base pay. The teacher’s contract calls for a certain salary for a certain time frame of the school year. However, their paychecks are sent out over a twelve month period. This change to giving them twelve check was done several years ago so that the teachers could not apply for unemployment during the summer months when they were unemployed.
Not the best place for this, but…
Arizona Passes Paper Trails!Arizona just passed a law requiring a paper trail on every voting machine in time for the November election. Arizona is the 27th state to require a paper trail, adding to the growing public demand for paper trails nationwide. The law also requires a random audit to detect any discrepancies in the vote count.
In some school districts, teachers can opt to have their pay stretched over 12 months so they still receive a check during the summer months. But they aren’t paid for teaching during those months.
Many teachers return to school during summer, working on higher degrees and upgrading their teaching certificate.
If you can spell, know your colors and shapes, and can count, you might want to thank a teacher.
In some school districts, teachers can opt to have their pay stretched over 12 months so they still receive a check during the summer months. But they aren’t paid for teaching during those months.
Posted by: RD | July 05, 2006 at 12:55 PM
But, in Wichita, it is not an option. I understand that USD 259 changed several years ago to give a monthly check in order to stop teacher from collecting unemployment check during the summer months. This cheated the teachers in two ways. 1. They could not collect unemployment during the months they were unemployed and 2. They had to wait until the summer months to get all the pay for the school year.
Now there is a new state law that is going to cheat the teachers even more.As teachers often do under the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, she’s able to earn a salary working at another district while drawing on her pension.But Bill 270, which took effect Saturday, requires public schools that hire teachers who retired from other districts to pay 13.75 percent of their salary to the state’s retirement fund. So it will lower her salary under a new state law.Can the Governor come up with any more ways to screw the teachers?
Another example of not doing the reading on the Senate Bill #270. Not from the Governor. So quit pointing fingers unless you the facts. SB #270 says “that it would require any KPERS employeer who hires a KPERS retired member of KPERS to pay the KPERS acturially-determined employer rate and employee contributions on the behalf of the retired member. There would be no payments required if a KPERS retiree returns to work for the same employer that employed the individual before retirement”.The additional pay would be on the employer contribution to the KPERS retirement system not the returning employee.This is not comming out of the employees salary.The same rate that the employee put into KPERS will remain the same before the retirement.There is a time frame one has to wait before returning to a participating KPERS employer.If the person goes to another school district and they will have KPERS. The rate they contributed before would stay the same.This is not cheating anyone.
Well, of course it’s election-related! Sebelius is a smooth, calculating, liberal politician.
Ummm RA, I’m not seeing what you are talking about when you are talking about Bill 270.
In addition, House Substitute for Senate Bill 270 provides for the following changes related to KPERS:
• Working After Retirement – Increases annual earnings limitation for KPERS retirees who return to work for their former employer from $15,000 to $20,000. Requires that KPERS participating employers pay the actuarially-determined employer contribution rate and statutory employee contribution rate when hiring KPERS retirees who retired from a different KPERS employer (for retirees first employed on or after July 1, 2006).
• KSRS Retiree Minimum Benefit – Increases the monthly minimum benefit for former members of the Kansas School Retirement System (KSRS) who retired before January 1, 1971, with at least 20 years of service, from $500 to $625 effective July 1, 2006 and to $750 effective July 1, 2007.
It looks like that yes, they are paying into their retirement but they increased the total amount so, how is this screwing the teachers?
ALSO,
USD 295 teachers do have the option to get paid on either 9 month (the school year) for all 12 months (all year).
Tony, To read how the teachers are getting screwed goto:
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/living/education/14967776.htm
You realy need to read and totaly understand everything. It’s the school district taking the 13.75% from the teachers not state.
Rick, it’s very simple. The State in the Bill did not require the school district to pay it themselves so the school districts had the choice so they pass the burden on to the teachers. The state should have put into the bill that the school districts should pay and not the teachers.
ALSO,
USD 295 teachers do have the option to get paid on either 9 month (the school year) for all 12 months (all year).
Posted by: Tony | July 05, 2006 at 03:41 PM
Yes, but count the number of checks. It is twelve so the teahers can not collect unemployeement for the summer months.
Well let’s put another bug up someone elses butt.Just a little FYI the Legislature approved a 2.5% step increase for all classified state employees.But the catch is you have to have a satisfactory review for the past 12 months starting in September.First step increase in 5 years.
Man, I’d hate to be employed by the State of Kansas. The term “cheapskate” comes to mind. Or how about “skinflint”?
Just because a person works for the state doesn’t mean they should never recieve a raise. I don’t see state legislators going without raises.
Back to the issue.
“Can the July 3 day off be implied taxpayers are paying for a Sebelius campaign action?”
Im missing something here, after reading the Colby editorial and Rhondas post.
How is the day off a campaign action?
I take it as a nice gesture.
Gary C. To me, it falls in the same category as taking a campaign donation from Payday Loan Company as in buying votes or favors.
Golly gee Rhonda you are gymnastic today! First the fireworks thread and now this?
You are weighing in that the Governor giving State employees Monday off was a pander to that “voting base”?
Uhhhhhhhh…….
Well, just how many state employees are there anyway? Certainly not enough to be considered some juggernaut voting block! Now I know that as a Democrat? in Kansas she has to work for every vote she can get but this charge you make? I can just see it election night:
“Tim the race for Governor is razor thin!”
“That’s right Sue, but the incumbent DOES seem to have a lock on the government employees vote. No doubt that 3rd of July holiday she granted them paying a political dividend”
“To me, it falls in the same category as taking a campaign donation from Payday Loan Company as in buying votes or favors”
I seriously doubt people are going to change their vote because they got an extra day off. I remember getting an extra day off, and still felt like the owner was an asshole.
It maybe true, but it seems so far off.
If I was a state senator or Rep, I would accept all donations no matter where they came from but I would have a sign that said “Thanks for the campain donation, but it will not buy my vote.”Some people think that a $500 or $1,000 donation will change a vote. “It maybe true, but it seems so far off.”
I’m surprised that the hag didn’t serve breakfast in bed to the wetbacks for their votes.
V.L.R.B!!
Rick – what you forget to mention is that a state employee receives step increases, has received a pay increase and a cost of living increase. Private sector employees do not receive automatic pay increases. You also forget to mention the wonderful KPERS pension plan that a state employee receives. There is not a retirement plan like it for private sector employees. So you get good pay, health insurance and a retirement plan like no other and you are still complaining?
Have you forgotten where the money comes from that pays for your great little retirement package? That’s right the taxpayers in the private sector and they don’t get a wonderful retirement package. If you don’t like the job or the pay then get a new one.
KSFG – Have you ever taken the opportunity to talk to Brenda Landwehr and find out why she fought against the Circle K? It would be better to have the facts then to just assume. Melvin Neufeld and Sharon work pretty close together on the western Kansas issues. I would have to check on the Cedar Bluff issue and see what occurred there.
KFG..I remember the silly signs around Hays.. “Flush twice… Russell needs the water”.Maybe they should flush thrice!! By the way… does anyone get water out of Wilson Lake? Salina maybe?
Russell used to have a good Artesian well flowing just North of town…. maybe the Ethanol plant should tap into that if it is still flowing!
“…the wonderful KPERS pension plan…”
I have never heard anyone use the terms “wonderful” and “KPERS” in the same sentence. The return on that manditory retirement plan is pathetic. You are much better off with 401K type plans.
“wonderful KPERS” – that is a crack up.
sothey said: “So I get good pay, health insurance and a retirement plan like no other and you are still complaining?”I don’t know where you are getting your info about what we make in KDOT Highway Maintenance. Or you are led to believe we make big wages for the weather and hazardous road conditions we have to face every day.Don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining about my job.I have been employeed for the State of Kansas for 17 years now. And every bit of it is working on and in the highway keeping the traveling public safe.I have not forgotten where the money comes from for my retirement.First before I get a paycheck 4% of my grose pay goes into my retirement that is paid by me. This is required.Darwin-”The return on that manditory retirement plan is pathetic. You are much better off with 401K type plans.” We have severial good options to take after retirement. We can rollover our retirement to a qualifing 401K plan for a better return.
People are uneducated about what the pay is for working for KDOT. It’s not even close to what the private secter gets in relation to my job classification and skill requirements.Yes alot of people don’t have retirement or health insurance.But they have a choice in which job they take with or without retirement or health insurance.So I will keep my low paying job with health insurance,retirement and the sastisfaction that I get from keeping people like you safe on my highyways.
My main point earlier was that there was a teacher that was blamming the state for the 13.75% that was comming out of there paycheck for KPERS.When in fact it was the School Board that was doing this not the state.
Well maybe the govenor can give us another paid holiday.Then she will get my vote for next year! :)
Rick..I, for one, appreciate good highways and cleared roads in the winter… Maybe she will give you all ELECTION DAY off!! LOL..
“Kansas job growth fourth worst”
GREAT JOB GOVERNOR!!!!
I will limit my remarks to the day off Monday July 3rd as commented on by Rhonda Holman.
I was a state employee for 31 years and worked in 7 offfices of 2 Kansas agencies. It is common practice for a governor of either party to occasionally grant a Monday or a friday off when July 4th occurs on a Tuesday or a Thursday. And I do not recall any person changing his or her vote.
The offices I worked in did mostly catch-up or paperwork housekeeping duties for those deciding to stay and work as not much of the public showed up for services. We were given comp time for the day. But I do not remember those working being given pay.
I am not in agreement with much of what Governor Sebelius says or does but my impression of the article in the Colby Free Press is that it was written by someone who ought to be assigned a job with the state for at least a year. Then I would like to see a follow-up article.
I’d like to see this response in the “Eagle”. Several bloggers hit on this. Gov. Sebelius may have been pandering for votes by giving state employees an additional holiday. However, it boils my blood when the editorial says “they just received a 1.5% increase”. Someone please investigate the savings to the state over the past 6 years when the legislature froze step increases so no one has received one during that time. The figure will be in the millions, easily overshadowing the paltry $516,000 noted as a cost to the state from the extra holiday. Guess where that millions went. Here’s help..Public Schools. State worker COLA’s during that period averaged about 1.3% because most years (including the past two)only 1.25% of the published 2.5 COLA went into effect for the first 6 mo. and the other 1.25% only the last 6 mo. The legislature’s cute way of making the public think they are really taking care of state employees. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court and the teachers unions continue to whine and squeeze millions of dollars out of the state budgets to prop up our woeful public education and the smallest salary increase I saw published for schools across the state after their first windfall was 8%. I saw very few complaints about that. Who knows what they’ll get with this second windfall.