Well, voters won’t be able to complain that they don’t have choices in the Wichita City Council and Wichita school board races this spring. After The Eagle reported last week that only two candidates had filed for three open seats on the school board, candidates came out of the woodwork, and 15 people ended up filing before Tuesday’s deadline (though board president Barb Fuller is still unopposed). Meanwhile, 22 candidates are seeking five open seats on the City Council, including five candidates for mayor.
The down economy apparently isn’t hurting lobbyists. Corporations and interest groups spent a record $1.4 million lobbying Kansas state government last year. The American Beverage Association helped lead the way by spending $394,000 in its successful effort to block a proposed tax on sugary drinks.
In keeping with the civil tone of President Obama’s State of the Union address, responses from Kansas delegation members were mostly polite, identifying areas of possible agreement. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan, said: “I’m ready to work with the president and my colleagues to tackle our convoluted tax code, replace the burdensome health care reform law, open up foreign markets to U.S. exports, and decrease the federal regulations that are stifling America’s economic recovery.” Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan, said: “His call to freeze nondefense spending is a good first step. I would go one step further and add a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.” Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, was more critical, saying that while Obama struck the right tone, it is difficult to buy what he and Democrats are selling “when their supposed focus on jobs has yet to produce results.”
Well, voters won’t be able to complain that they don’t have choices in the Wichita City Council and Wichita school board races this spring. After The Eagle reported last week that only two candidates had filed for three open seats on the school board, candidates came out of the woodwork, and 15 people ended up filing before Tuesday’s deadline (though board president Barb Fuller is still unopposed). Meanwhile, 22 candidates are seeking five open seats on the City Council, including five candidates for mayor.
