Daily Archives: Nov. 5, 2009

GOP reform bill makes Democrats’ plan look good

Nov. 5, 200911:38 a.m.

doctoroutThe Congressional Budget Office concluded this week that the GOP health care reform proposal would end up adding about 6 million people to the ranks of the uninsured. By 2019, 52 million people would be uninsured (up from 46 million today). In comparison, the CBO determined that the Democrats’ bill would leave about 18 million uninsured. The Democrats’ bill also would reduce the deficit more than the Republican plan, the CBO calculated. “The only thing worse than having no health care reform plan is releasing a bad one, getting thrashed by CBO and making the House Democrats look good in comparison,” wrote Ezra Klein of the Washington Post.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Congress, Health and safety | Comments (29)

Campaign managers trade jabs

Nov. 5, 20096:03 a.m.

elephantfightScott Paradise, campaign manager for 4th Congressional District candidate Wink Hartman, dismissed the endorsement of fellow GOP candidate Mike Pompeo by state Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, as one career politician endorsing another political insider. “If we want our government to change, then we have to stop sending those same career politicians to Washington,” Paradise said in a statement. Pompeo’s campaign manager, Aaron Jack, responded that Pompeo is a businessman and a first-time candidate for office, not a politician. “Here we are, 52 weeks to the day from the general election, and already Wink Hartman has decided to launch a negative campaign,” Jack said.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas delegation | Comments (19)

Open thread 11/5

Nov. 5, 20096:02 a.m.

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By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Open thread | Comments (484)

Disclosing meals, gifts has merit

Nov. 5, 20096:01 a.m.

parkskellySetting aside Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Kelly Parks’ mysterious comment Tuesday about how he had “turned some stuff over to the FBI” — no one at the county seemed to know what he was talking about — Parks’ push for disclosing free meals and gifts received by commissioners has merit. Taxpayers deserve to know who is spending money hoping to influence policymakers. Commissioner Dave Unruh questioned the benefit of reporting every minor gift that commissioners receive, such as a coffee cup. But the commission could set a minimum dollar value of gifts and meals that should be disclosed.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Sedgwick County | Comments (10)

Hopeful signs for Rainbows

Nov. 5, 20096:00 a.m.

rainbowsIt’s encouraging that Rainbows United appears to have resolved objections to its reorganization plan and could emerge from bankruptcy as early as March. The agency provides essential services to special-needs children and their families. Recognition also should go to Rainbows’ creditors for agreeing to a reorganization. Some creditors, such as the South Central Kansas Education Center, are small organizations, and Rainbows’ bankruptcy is a significant hardship for them, too.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Wichita | Comments (1)