Daily Archives: July 19, 2009

Do GOP lawmakers really want stimulus stopped?

July 19, 20096:04 a.m.

kylAs Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, has in the House, Sen. Jon Kyl (in photo), R-Ariz., has been publicly complaining that the federal government should “cancel the rest of the stimulus spending.” So four Obama administration Cabinet secretaries wrote Arizona’s governor and outlined more than $1 billion in Arizona projects that would be at risk if the stimulus were stopped, reported the Washington Post. “If you prefer to forfeit the money we are making available to your state, please let us know,” wrote Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a former GOP House member. So what was Kyl’s reaction? He accused the administration of a political attack and was outraged by its “thinly veiled threats.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Congress, President Obama | Comments (83)

Open thread 7/19

July 19, 20096:03 a.m.

thread-comm71

By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (140)

Ryun endorses Tiahrt, slams Moran

July 19, 20096:02 a.m.

ryunjimRepublican leaders are typically careful about endorsing candidates in high-profile GOP primaries. Either they don’t do it, or they at least keep their endorsements positive and don’t disparage fellow Republican candidates. But former Rep. Jim Ryun (in photo) was unusually critical in his endorsement last week of Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, in his U.S. Senate race next year against Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays. Without mentioning Moran by name but clearly referring to him, Ryun said: “We have no use for another politician who fades into the background out of fear that he will offend someone and not win 80 percent of the vote in his next election against token opposition.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas delegation | Comments (30)

Support for tax cut has limits

July 19, 20096:01 a.m.

budgetcut3A new SurveyUSA poll, sponsored by KWCH, Channel 12, comes down on Sedgwick County Manager William Buchanan’s side on how deeply to cut the property-tax mill levy in the next budget. He proposes a 0.5-mill cut; at least two county commissioners want a 1.5-mill rollback. But 69 percent of the 500 county residents polled last week said it would not be worth cutting taxes an average $18 a year if it meant cutting jobs and programs, which Buchanan says it would. But even a 0.5-mill cut would have consequences; Buchanan’s proposal to close the Kansas Coliseum and its pavilions is drawing public fire.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Sedgwick County | Comments (3)

So they said

July 19, 20096:00 a.m.

“Elections have consequences.” — Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, after failing to get the committee votes needed to block local funding of abortions in the District of Columbia

“The fried Snickers at the fair? Probably not so much. Have a lettuce sandwich or look in another direction.” — HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, arguing for personal responsibility on “The Daily Show”

“Flush with Medicare cash? Come on. Flush with Medicare cash that is somehow influenced by individual members of Congress? I wish. I’ve been fussing and fighting and feuding and pleading and cajoling with (the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to try (to) at least get these payments to doctors and hospitals up to the level that they continue to exist.” — Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., on the Senate floor, blasting a Washington Post story that described lawmakers as boosting Medicare payments to benefit hometown providers

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas delegation | Comments (2)