Daily Archives: Oct. 6, 2010

Score one for Kansas in fight to keep Hawker Beechcraft

Oct. 6, 201012:50 p.m.

hawkerAs of Tuesday’s meeting with Gov. Mark Parkinson, there is an “agreement in principle” among the state, the Machinists union and Hawker Beechcraft that will keep the “vast majority of jobs” in Wichita, to use the governor’s words. That’s outstanding news, though no guarantee. First, the union and company need to come together on a long-term contract. But the announcement at least eases the worry the community has felt since Friday, when sources told The Eagle that Louisiana had offered $400 million for Hawker Beechcraft to move there. Leaders can’t let this hometown company and its 6,000 local jobs go without a fight, and they aren’t.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Aviation, Kansas government, Parkinson | Comments

Brace yourself for ‘gridlock on stilts’

Oct. 6, 20106:01 a.m.

gridlockHere is columnist David Brooks’ discouraging forecast for politics in Washington, D.C., during the next two years: “We’ll probably see gridlock on stilts. The energized Republicans will try to reduce the size of government, but they won’t be able to get their bills past President Obama. The surviving Democrats will try to expand government programs, but they will run smack into a closely divided Senate and possibly a Republican-controlled House. Unable to do anything in the short term, both parties will devote their energies to nothing but campaign gestures for 2012. The rhetoric will fly. Childishness will mount. Public nausea will hit an all-time high.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Congress | Comments

Open thread 10/6

Oct. 6, 20106:00 a.m.

thread3

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Open thread | Comments