Daily Archives: June 30, 2009

May Sen. Franken take his seat now?

June 30, 20092:09 p.m.

franken2Even though it’s been an appalling seven months since Election Day, it still may take those of a certain age some time to adjust to the idea of Al Franken — of Stuart Smalley and the “Al Franken Decade” fame — as a member of the U.S. Senate. (Check out his Mick Jagger clip on YouTube.) Today’s Minnesota Supreme Court ruling certainly seems to make the career change official, though, unless incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman has more legal options up his sleeve.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Congress | Comments (45)

GOP’s health care to-do list

June 30, 20096:04 a.m.

mcconnellmitch1Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., got the diagnosis right on  health care on“Fox News Sunday,” acknowledging problems with access and cost. But surely his prescription would fall short for many of the 45 million Americans who are uninsured: “Let’s equalize tax treatment” of employer-provided and individually purchased health care, he said, “target prevention and wellness, do something about medical malpractice junk lawsuits against doctors and hospitals that drive up the cost of health care. All of those things could be achieved on a broad bipartisan basis and not wreck the finest health care system in the world.”

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Congress, Health and safety | Comments (128)

Open thread 6/30

June 30, 20096:03 a.m.

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By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (193)

Tiahrt wins Olathe test

June 30, 20096:02 a.m.

elephant5As the GOP Senate primary unfolds over the next year between Rep. Todd Tiahrt of Goddard and Rep. Jerry Moran of Hays, Tiahrt can now point to an early show of strength in crucial northeast Kansas: He won 165 votes to Moran’s 46 in the Olathe Republican Party picnic and straw poll over the weekend. According to the Kansas City Star, Tiahrt was there with a busload of supporters from the Wichita area. Moran did not attend. No surprise that Sam Brownback and Kris Kobach ran away in the polling for governor and secretary of state, respectively. The 2012 presidential nomination race came down to Sarah Palin (76 votes), Mike Huckabee (54) and Mitt Romney (52).

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas delegation | Comments (10)

Brownback added reparations disclaimer

June 30, 20096:01 a.m.

brownback5Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., has received praise for his leadership in persuading the Senate to pass a resolution June 18 that formally apologizes for slavery and Jim Crow laws. But the Web site Politico reports that Brownback also was responsible for inserting language in the Senate version that has angered some members of the Congressional Black Caucus — by stipulating that the resolution does not authorize reparations for descendants of slaves — and derailed hopes of reconciling the two chambers’ resolutions so a joint ceremony could be held. The House passed its version last summer. “I wish we could have had my version passed in the Senate, but it’s still a historic achievement,” said Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., who has been pursuing a compromise.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Congress, Kansas delegation | Comments (12)

Stamps vs. tuition

June 30, 20096:00 a.m.

stamp441In 1989, a first-class stamp cost 25 cents and a semester of in-state tuition at the University of Kansas was $578. If the cost of the former had risen as fast as the cost of the latter, notes Topeka Capital-Journal columnist Ric Anderson, the stamp would go for $1.32 today rather than 44 cents. (An incoming KU freshman will pay $3,645 per semester this fall, as of tuition increases approved last week.)

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Education | Comments (18)