“I think I can win this,” Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, told The Eagle editorial board about his decision to run for U.S. Senate in 2010. Though a poll by his GOP primary opponent, Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, had Moran leading, Tiahrt said that their positive ratings and statewide name recognition were virtually the same. “People know about me because I get things done,” Tiahrt said. Tiahrt has been developing a plan for the race for about a year and will focus on his accomplishments and vision for the future, he said. He expects tough races in both the primary and, if he wins, in the general election, in which he expects the Democratic opponent to be Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. “I will take nothing for granted,” Tiahrt said.
State Rep. Bill Otto, R-LeRoy, has proposed requiring the governor to designate each state employee as “essential” or “nonessential,” then to slice four hours a week off the on-the-job time (and pay, it follows) of those in the latter camp. He also would cut legislators’ compensation. In pointing out the problems with Otto’s plan, an Iola Register editorial went further: “By simply doubling the size of each House and Senate district, the legislative salary bill would be cut in half. . . . Could 20 senators and 63 representatives govern the great state of Kansas as well as today’s 40 senators and 125 representatives?” It noted that California has a 40-seat Senate and 80-seat lower chamber.
“There’s not much reason to oppose this other than you don’t like transparency,” Dave Trabert, president of the Wichita-based Flint Hills Center for Public Policy, claimed about a proposal to limit property valuation increases to 2 percent of year. Not true. The Proposition K proposal would simplify the valuation process and make property taxes more predictable, which would be nice. But it also could significantly benefit wealthier, growing neighborhoods while disadvantaging homeowners in poorer areas, because some neighborhoods and cities have much higher property appreciation rates than 2 percent. Over time, this proposed system could result in significant disparities and a disconnect from actual market values, thus likely violating the Kansas Constitution’s requirement of a “uniform and equal basis of valuation.”
“School districts have more than enough money to meet this budget reduction.” – Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, arguing that districts’ reserve funds could offset the cuts first proposed by Senate Republicans
“Because it’s easier for legislators doesn’t mean it’s better for Kansans.” – Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, as she threatened to veto the Senate GOP bill
“I’m jumping off the Titanic. It’s time to make progress.” – Sen. Susan Wagle (in photo), R-Wichita, as she and other conservative Republicans joined Democrats in supporting a compromise on 2009 budget cuts
“The collective backbone in the Legislature was a few vertebrae short for what had to be done. But that’s democracy.” – Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, on the compromise bill
“You are ruining SCHIP!” – Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., shouting on the Senate floor about Democrats’ plans to raise the income eligibility level for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
“If the Moran-Tiahrt primary turns ugly and the candidates deplete their resources on each other, a ruby-red state could turn into a Democratic pickup opportunity.” – the Hill newspaper, analyzing Kansas’ U.S. Senate race
“I think I can win this,” Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, told The Eagle editorial board about his decision to run for U.S. Senate in 2010. Though a poll by his GOP primary opponent, Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, had Moran leading, Tiahrt said that their positive ratings and statewide name recognition were virtually the same. “People know about me because I get things done,” Tiahrt said. Tiahrt has been developing a plan for the race for about a year and will focus on his accomplishments and vision for the future, he said. He expects tough races in both the primary and, if he wins, in the general election, in which he expects the Democratic opponent to be Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. “I will take nothing for granted,” Tiahrt said.
