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Daily Archives: Oct. 21, 2007
Sebelius shows political courage
Oct. 21, 20071:04 a.m.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has high approval ratings but also has had a reputation for caution and avoiding controversial political stands — she’s a compromiser. The knock against her was that she lacked political courage. That’s why her administration’s decision to flat-out reject the new Holcomb coal-fired plants was a surprise and stands out as the gutsiest political move of her tenure.
Of course, western Kansas leaders are calling her a “flip-flopper” because of her past support for the plants. But Sebelius showed courage in changing her mind this year when confronted with new evidence about the dangers of climate change.
This is a defining moment, not just in Kansas’ energy future, but possibly in Sebelius’ political career.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Tiahrt has big bucks on his side
Oct. 21, 20071:02 a.m.
Rep. Todd Tiahrt’s nearly $1 million in campaign cas1 will make him difficult for state Sen. Donald Betts, D-Wichita, to beat next year. But so will the millions in “earmark” dollars Tiahrt expertly delivers to his state, in part because of his seat on the House Appropriations Committee. New congressional rules make it easier to link earmarks to lawmakers. And according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, Tiahrt has 48 projects worth $56 million (including $44.5 million for defense) earmarked in spending bills this year, far more than Sens. Sam Brownback ($48 million) and Pat Roberts ($27 million) and Reps. Nancy Boyda ($26 million), Dennis Moore ($8 million) and Jerry Moran ($6 million).
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Johnson County generosity to schools adds up
Oct. 21, 20071:01 a.m.
As the Wichita school district enjoys the $285 million in improvements delivered by the 2000 bond issue and ponders another, it’s instructive to look to Johnson County. When a $138 million bond proposal in Olathe won Tuesday with 65 percent of the vote, it became the ninth school bond issue to pass in Johnson County since 2000, at a staggering local investment in public schools of nearly $1 billion. Olathe alone has passed three. Last week’s vote also authorized the Olathe district to increase its taxing authority to cover costs such as teacher salaries. And all this local spending is in addition to the recent hefty increases from the state.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Joyland poised for revival?
Oct. 21, 20071:00 a.m.
Interesting to see an industry analyst quoted as saying the Wichita market just isn’t big enough for a theme park like Wild West World. Gary Slade, editor of Amusement Today magazine, recently told The Eagle that Wichita is better geared to a family-oriented, smaller-scaled amusement park. In fact, he said it made much better sense for someone to revive Joyland.
He might be right. Many Wichitans would love to see Joyland, with its local tradition and world-class wooden roller coaster, back in action. Are there any investors out there with deep pockets and — better — some actual experience running a park?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
