March 26, 2010
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EDUCATION
One of the hardest issues in Topeka every year is education. This year is no different. We debated for a long time a bill that would delay the amount of time school administrators had to renew teacher’s contracts from May 1 to May 15. It seems like the right thing to do in a year when action on the House floor delayed working any tax increases until May. That action prevents administrators from even knowing if there will be adequate dollars available to renew contracts. SB 362 also moves the time of tenure from three years to five years if the teacher agrees. Some believe three years is not enough time to give a teacher the opportunity to prove their ability. Although there was pressure from the education lobby, I supported the motion because I firmly believe it is the right thing to do.

VIETNAM VETERAN LICENSE PLATE
Before session, a couple of Vietnam Veterans told me they felt this was the year to get license plates to honor them. I have to agree with them. They served their country with honor. They were overlooked and even mistreated when they came home. It has been too long and we should thank them for being willing to make the sacrifices and face the hardships of war on behalf of our nation. The bill did not advance this session, but another license bill made it before the floor for debate and I successfully amended the Vietnam Veteran’s License Plate law onto it. The bill will now go to conference. It is very likely to be signed into law by the Governor.

I want to take this time to thank those veterans who continue to serve our country and their fellow man. They do it in so many ways. I am thankful for the Patriot Guard, for the veterans who help others to be transported to services and to receive needed services. The Vietnam Veteran has come to the surface now and is showing a pride in their service that is so richly deserved.

HEALTHCARE FREEDOM ACT
The issue that was so very important to me this session was defeated this week. It was a disappointment to say the least. The majority of people who have spoken to me believe the Federal Government should not have the authority to mandate what individuals can purchase, regulate insurance in the states, and interfere in the doctor, patient relationship.

The sponsors of the Healthcare Freedom Act put a website up shortly before the bill was debated on the floor and within only a few days there were well over 1,000 names of individuals from all over the state of Kansas who were standing in support of the bill. The bill was a constitutional amendment that would go before the voters before becoming law. It stated Kansas would protect the rights of the individuals against such Federal intrusion into their lives.

The interesting development of this law is the interest expressed by the cousin of Barack Hussein Obama who is a physician and lives in Kansas. He is angry and strongly opposed to the federal action on healthcare and wants Kansas to stand up and take action to prevent the Federal takeover.

SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
Hearings were held in Federal and State Affairs Committee this year that generated a big buzz in the Capitol. SB 514 was debated on the floor and testimony was given about the studies that document crime, and sexual trafficking in and around these facilities. I supported this legislation.

ABORTION
One of the most emotional debates that ever comes before the legislature is abortion. Many want to avoid the topic completely and many believe the unborn is a human being that deserves the right to life. As long as these views exist, this issue will not go away. This week, we passed a bill out of the House that will eliminate the mental health exception on late term abortions. The motion passed with a wide margin of support.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Our tendency is to run from the painful realities or try to change them as soon as possible. But cure without care makes us into rulers, controllers, and manipulators.” Henri J. M. Nouwen, Dutch born Catholic priest and writer who taught at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka for nearly 20 years