SURVEY RESULTS

Although the surveys are still coming in, I believe we have the vast majority. It has been quite an undertaking to get them tabulated and to try to answer some of the concerns that were addressed in them. I will be calling, emailing, and writing people back with responses for a long time to come because, right now, there is little time in my office to work on it. Stephanie Kuhlman, my intern from ESU, did an excellent job and worked hard to get through nearly 800 returned surveys. The percent of returned questionnaires equals around 15% of those sent out. Again, I want to emphasize your tax dollars were not spent on this survey, but it was funded through me.

QUESTION 1. Who should decide if smoking should be "banned" in public places?
State Law: 229
Local Government: 94
Business Owner: 423

QUESTION 2. Would you increase cigarette taxes to fund health care reform?
Yes: 474
No: 358

QUESTION 3. Should more requirements for clean air be placed on more industries such as ethanol, manufacturing, etc.?
Yes: 442
No: 330

QUESTION 4. To fulfill future energy needs of our state, should the $3.6 billion coal powered electric plant be built? Yes: 523 No: 247 QUESTION 5. Should colleges and universities be able to restrict students with concealed carry permits from possessing firearms in their vehicles in college campus parking lots?
Yes: 410
No: 389

QUESTION 6: Should there be more restrictions on teen driving and if so, what?
Yes: 399
No: 378

Many of the respondents who said yes, wanted to ban cell phone usage and/or require more time with supervision of adult before obtaining license.

QUESTION 7: Should our Legislature make Kansas Law tougher concerning illegal immigration?
Yes: 710
No: 63

QUESTION 8: Should the Kansas Legislature increase spending for K-12 Education by funding all day kindergarten?
Yes: 254
No: 439

QUESTION 9: In your opinion, should Kansas increase taxes for any reason?
Yes: 142
No: 557

Other Budget Priorities You May Have

Senior Citizen: 305
Transportation: 153
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities: 158

Once again, I want to thank those who responded to the survey. It is so valuable to have your input. The comments are a great help for me too. There were some who had some constructive criticism and others who felt cynical. Those responses are easy to understand and sometimes I get to feeling a little cynical, too.

THE BUDGET

In order to be responsible with available tax dollars this fiscal year, we passed out a bare bones budget with little increases except an increase to Wildlife and Parks and Conservation Officers retirement benefits.

LIFE

A bill that would allow more accountability on the part of those who report abortions and inform the patients, passed the House with overwhelming support with 84 votes. That is veto proof, but would likely not stay that way with the Governor’s intervention. George Tiller continues to brag about breaking Kansas laws and abortion numbers in Kansas from 2005 to 2006 were up by over 700.

Quote of the Week:

"Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner." James Bovard, Civil Libertarian