Daily Archives: May 20, 2007

Open thread

May 20, 20071:05 a.m.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (54)

Just say no to arena revote

May 20, 20071:04 a.m.

Sedgwick County officials should ignore a petition by a group of Wichitans hoping to put a revote on the downtown arena on the Aug. 7 ballot.
As County Commission Chairman Dave Unruh pointed out, Sedgwick County held a series of public meetings leading to a highly publicized countywide vote on the arena in 2004, and residents approved the measure by a comfortable margin.
The Legislature has authorized the sales tax, and planning is well under way.
The arena is going to happen.
The group’s complaints about details of the arena, such as parking and seating capacity, don’t rise to the level of a revote.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Arena | Comments (135)

Promising start on immigration reform

May 20, 20071:02 a.m.

The Senate’s massive immigration reform bill unveiled Thursday was immediately labeled an “amnesty” by detractors, but Americans should see it as the last best chance to solve this country’s immigration crisis.
Congress will wrangle over many details in coming weeks, but the bill’s broad outlines move the country toward a more secure border, an expanded guest-worker program and an effective worker-identification system. The bill also offers what could be a fair, practical resolution for the 12 million illegals now in this country — a new temporary visa for most illegals who came here before Jan. 1, if they pay fines and fees and have clean work and criminal records. The visa would have to be renewed every four years, and those seeking U.S. citizenship would have to go to the end of the line and return to their home countries to apply.
The measure isn’t perfect and won’t please everyone. There are valid concerns about family reunification issues, incentives for citizenship and many other potential sticking points. But as Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
This has the makings of a historic, comprehensive solution on immigration. Congress should seize the opportunity.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Immigration | Comments (44)

Heads should roll over lost bowling tournament

May 20, 20071:01 a.m.

It’s good that the Wichita City Council is demanding answers as to how the city lost the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in 2011 — along with its estimated $100 million economic impact. Council members will discuss the matter at Tuesday’s meeting, and they need to insist on accountability. As I mentioned in an earlier post, if it’s true that the contract negotiations fell apart because of City Hall intransigence, as an attorney for the USBC said, heads should roll.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Wichita government | Comments (23)

A law that helps Greensburg go green

May 20, 20071:00 a.m.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ idea to make Greensburg more “green” through new energy-efficient buildings and design would get a boost from legislation she signed in April.
New home buyers often don’t know how energy efficient their homes are. That would change under the law, which requires home builders and real estate agents to disclose the energy efficiency of new homes to buyers. The law also requires new commercial and industrial buildings to meet an international energy-efficiency code of standards.
Efficiency is a major component of Sebelius’ new energy push. Such regulatory reform will help ensure that home and commercial developments, whether in Greensburg, Wichita or elsewhere, don’t work against state energy goals.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Environment | Comments (17)