After all the speeches on the Kansas House floor last year by conservative Republicans about how raising the statewide sales tax was irresponsible and would douse an economic recovery. After all the mailings and advertisements by Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce condemning lawmakers who voted for the sales-tax increase. After all the campaign promises during the 2010 election about repealing the sales-tax increase. After all that, the House voted 80-39 last week not to repeal the 1 percentage point, three-year sales-tax increase. House lawmakers are still considering a plan to divert state revenue growth greater than the inflation rate toward reducing corporate and individual income taxes.
There is no question that the state’s public smoking ban is hypocritical in exempting state-owned casinos. Lawmakers should revoke that exemption and make the law apply equally to all businesses. But there is reason for concern about a House bill to do that, because some lawmakers may try to amend the bill on the House floor to revoke the entire smoking ban. That would be harmful to the health of citizens and against the wishes of an overwhelming majority of the public. The full House should not let that happen.
Wichita City Council candidate Mark Gietzen has had plenty to say since he was arrested Wednesday on driving-related charges and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. The bottom line: If you get multiple traffic tickets in a year, are driving around on a suspended license (even unknowingly), and blow off a court date, you should expect to be held accountable. In any case, District 3 voters are fully capable of judging whether Gietzen is the best person to represent them on the council.
“I picked Kansas last year to win it, and I got hurt.” — President Obama, who nevertheless again predicted this year that the KU Jayhawks would win it all (“I’m giving them a chance at redemption”)
“He picked the Kansas Jayhawks to win, while I’m holding out for the Kansas State Wildcats to clench the title. And I sure hope he would find time to present a serious budget proposal long before the championship game.” — Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, on Obama’s bracket
“Carbon dioxide is a basic building block of our existence. Regulating that is the height of arrogance.” — Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, as 30 Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted against amendments acknowledging the scientific consensus around climate change
“Met with Bono today. What do an Irish Rock Star and a Kansas country fan have in common: how to feed our troubled and hungry world.” — Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., on Twitter on Tuesday
After all the speeches on the Kansas House floor last year by conservative Republicans about how raising the statewide sales tax was irresponsible and would douse an economic recovery. After all the mailings and advertisements by Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce condemning lawmakers who voted for the sales-tax increase. After all the campaign promises during the 2010 election about repealing the sales-tax increase. After all that, the House voted 80-39 last week not to repeal the 1 percentage point, three-year sales-tax increase. House lawmakers are still considering a plan to divert state revenue growth greater than the inflation rate toward reducing corporate and individual income taxes.
