Requiring welfare recipients to undergo drug testing seems like common sense to most Kansans, judging from a new SurveyUSA poll, sponsored by KWCH, Channel 12. Of the 500 adults polled, 77 percent said they would support such testing. A bill in the Legislature would require a third of those on welfare to undergo random drug screens; the recipients would have to pay for their own screening up front, but the state would cover the cost if the test was negative. Proponents cite Florida’s example. But from July 1 until a federal judge issued a temporary injunction and stopped testing last fall, just 32 of 7,000 screened applicants tested positive. That meant the state had to reimburse the $25 to $45 cost for all who tested negative. As Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen observed before the judge’s ruling, “Here in Florida, (Gov.) Rick Scott’s campaign promise of mass job creation is at least coming true for professional urine samplers.”
State Rep. Ponka-We Victors, D-Wichita, shared with lawmakers last week her personal experiences with Arizona’s anti-immigration laws, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Victors, who is of American Indian and Latino heritage, said she was hassled and detained by border control agents while visiting her family in Arizona. “Every time I left Arizona, it was like a sigh of relief when I came back to Kansas. But now, with these laws, I don’t know about that anymore,” Victors said, referring to several anti-immigration bills before the Legislature. Victors, who wants stronger enforcement on both the Mexican and Canadian borders, also joked that Native Americans have a different perspective on this debate. “Personally, my people have been fighting immigration since 1492,” she said. “It doesn’t get any better.”
If the city of Wichita still can find a way to deal with the debt load for the Auburn Hills Golf Course and stabilize the golf courses’ finances without raising green fees, that will be great. But the park board and city staff have spent months on the issue, holding 16 public meetings and heeding the strong call of citizens not to close any courses. So it was disconcerting to see the Wichita City Council defer the park board’s recommended fee increases last week – seemingly in response to former City Council member Greg Ferris’ last-minute plea not to raise the fees now. It should be noted that Ferris, while on the council, was a key figure in putting the deal together to build Auburn Hills. The course has been a point of pride but also criticism, because of its debt.
“I have as good a Cabinet as I think any president in modern history has had. And one of the stars of that Cabinet is sitting right here, Kathleen Sebelius.” – President Obama, at a D.C. fundraiser
“We want to apologize at the beginning of this that Kathleen Sebelius was our former governor.” – Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, on a CPAC panel with Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita
“I do not understand that institution. If anyone does, come see me later.” – Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, on the U.S. Senate, speaking at CPAC
“It’s one of life’s simple pleasures. I’m counting on the same title next time.” – Pompeo again, on Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s status as House “minority” leader
“It’s been like riding an airplane as it’s being built.” – Mitzi McFatrich, executive director of nursing-home group Kansas Advocates for Better Care, on the governor’s social services reorganization
“You can help Republicans love the Democrats. You can even cause the Jayhawks to learn to love the Wildcats.” – Kansas Senate chaplain Fred S. Hollomon, in a Valentine’s Day invocation about love the day after the “Sunflower Showdown”
Requiring welfare recipients to undergo drug testing seems like common sense to most Kansans, judging from a new SurveyUSA poll, sponsored by KWCH, Channel 12. Of the 500 adults polled, 77 percent said they would support such testing. A bill in the Legislature would require a third of those on welfare to undergo random drug screens; the recipients would have to pay for their own screening up front, but the state would cover the cost if the test was negative. Proponents cite Florida’s example. But from July 1 until a federal judge issued a temporary injunction and stopped testing last fall, just 32 of 7,000 screened applicants tested positive. That meant the state had to reimburse the $25 to $45 cost for all who tested negative. As Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen observed before the judge’s ruling, “Here in Florida, (Gov.) Rick Scott’s campaign promise of mass job creation is at least coming true for professional urine samplers.”
