NEws & events
Kansas GOP Convention in JoCo
(Feb 16-18)
All events take place at the Overland Park Sheraton, 6100 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66211. Everything is open to the public. Everything is free except for the Thursday fundraiser and Saturday Lunch & Dinner.
Thurs, Feb 16: A traditional fundraiser w/ Gov Perry of TX. VIP pre-reception ($250 each) and from 6-7:30 pm the main reception (for $100) with hors d'oeuvres and a speech by Gov Perry. We will take walk-ins & pay at the door.
Fri, Feb 17: Starting at 5:30pm, 8 hospitality rooms (e.g., Gov Brownback, JCRP), all free and open to the public, hosted by elected offficials. Around 7:30 or so Governor Jindal of LA will arrive and give a speech to a rally- (we're asking for a small cash contribution at the door) open to the public. Then at 8pm the Young Republicans are hosting a party.
Sat, Feb 18: More events than I can list all day: (KFL breakfast, 9-10 hospitality rooms (federal officials), state committee business meetings, etc) all free and open to everyone. The only pay events are the (1) Lunch where Gov McDonnell of VA will speak (for $50) (small VIP pre-reception for $250) and the (2) Dinner with Steve Forbes speaking ($75 a person)(small VIP pre-reception for $250) and LtGov Colyer will host an after dinner reception.
Full schedule and form to order events is at www.ksgop.org. Convention Tab. Or call the office 785-234-3456.
Governor Sam Brownback to speak on
Pro-Growth Tax Plan
The Northeast Johnson County Chamber was one of the few Chambers of Commerce selected by Governor Sam Brownback to speak about his new pro-growth tax plan.
Gov. Brownback will speak at
8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7th
and then open up the floor for attendees to ask questions about the new tax plan.
The event will be held at Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center, 6200 Martway in Mission, KS. There will be open networking from 8:00-8:30 a.m. before Governor Brownback's presentation.
To read Governor Brownback's official bio, please click here.
RSVP'S are encouraged
Please call the NEJC Chamber at 913-262-2141 with any questions or for more information.
Rally for schools Saturday at Statehouse from Hawver's Journal
http://www.saveourschools-kansasrally.com/
Kansans will rally at the Kansas Statehouse Saturday "in an effort to stop a budget-slashing state government intent on destroying one of the nation's best statewide public school systems," according to rally organizers.
Kansas Families for Education, Kansas National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers-Kansas are sponsoring the Kansas observance of the Save Our Schools March & National Call to Action.
Across the country, people will march in Washington and in state capitals to demonstrate support for public schools. The Topeka rally will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the south side of the Statehouse.
"This non-partisan event is intended to show the politicians that we want strong public schools and an end to the severe, shortsighted budget cuts that are threatening our ability to compete," according to the event's news release.
Kathy Cook, executive director of Kansas Families for Education, said, "These devastating cuts to education funding are a disaster in the making for a state that has staked its future on development of a high-tech economy. The people of Kansas voted for an efficient state government, not economic collapse generated by extremists who place ideology above common sense. This march is an opportunity for moderate, responsible Kansans to make their voices heard."
Speakers will include elected officials, teachers, school board members, parents and students. Entertainment provided by the Topeka High School Drumline.
More information is available at the Rally website, http://www.saveourschools-kansasrally.com/ --but the link comes on with the school band music playing so you might not want to click on it at the movies or if you happen to be in a courtroom.
Brookings Report Offers Misleading Advice on Class-Size and Research
A Brookings Institution report that suggests schools can save money by increasing class size slightly without seriously harming student learning is based on an incomplete and misleading summary of research on the benefits of class-size reduction, according to a new review released today.
See full article here.
Ks. board mulls effects of state aid cut
By The Associated Press - cjonline.com
Posted: June 15, 2011 - 8:17am
Kansas State Board of Education members received new budget numbers Tuesday, along with the prospect of making tough decisions next month.
See full article here.
Statehouse Live: Teacher retirements, reductions increase dramatically
By Scott Rothschild - LJWorld.com
June 14, 2011, 11:42 a.m. Updated June 14, 2011, 3:06 p.m.
Kansas classrooms are losing teachers in record numbers, a report released Tuesday shows, and that is because of cuts to schools and changes in the public employee pension system, education officials said.
See full article here.
Artists, legislators gather to discuss strategies to restore public arts funding
By Andy Hyland - LJWorld.com
June 16, 2011
Proponents for public funding of the arts in Kansas gathered in Lawrence Thursday to discuss ways to react to Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's unprecedented veto of funding for the Kansas Arts Commission.
See full article here.
Lawmaker criticized over abortion remarks
Lawmaker criticized over abortion remarks
Updated 5:48 p.m. CT, Wed., June 1, 2011
In response to a question about whether women can be prepared for events such as unwanted pregnancies or rape, he likened buying the abortion-only policies to having a spare tire in his car. NOW State Coordinator Kari Ann Rinker said the remarks were ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43240555
Kan. lawmaker criticized over abortion remarks
Updated 4:22 p.m. CT, Wed., June 1, 2011
likening it to keeping a spare tire in the car. About two-dozen abortion rights proponents, including many legislators, gathered on the Statehouse grounds to express their anger over comments made last month by Republican Rep. Pete DeGraaf, of Mulvane.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43241736
Kansas NOW asking Kansas lawmaker for apology
Updated 9:45 p.m. CT, Wed., May 25, 2011
Representatives were debating a bill that would ban insurance companies from offering abortion coverage in regular health ... DeGraff's next response is what prompted the controversy. "I have a spare tire in my car," said DeGraff. "I also have life insurance.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43176446
Brownback announces big changes at Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Former SRS leader says overhaul of leadership focus is troubling
From the Lawrence Journal World
Archive for Friday, May 27, 2011
By Scott Rothschild — Lawrence Journal-World
May 27, 2011, 5:56 p.m. Updated May 27, 2011, 9:45 p.m.
Topeka — Gov. Sam Brownback's administration on Friday announced an overhaul of the leadership and focus of the state welfare agency.
"This transition marks a new day at SRS," Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Rob Siedlecki said.
But a former SRS secretary, Robert Harder, said the changes were troubling. "I read it with a heavy heart," said Harder after reading Siedlecki's press release.
Harder, the longest serving SRS secretary in state history who held the post from 1973 to 1987 and briefly in 1991, said he was concerned that the changes Siedlecki announced were done without input from stakeholders, Siedlecki's emphasis on faith-based initiatives raised numerous questions and all the top leaders in the agency are from out of state.
"It would seem like it would have been a good idea to have some kind of a public meeting where there would have been some opportunity to have interaction with the public and people who are currently receiving services, and vulnerable Kansas, and advocates," he said.
Siedlecki's announcement was made in a short prepared statement followed by a list of new employees and their information.
The statement was released at the end of the business day before a three-day holiday weekend. No one from the Brownback administration made themselves available to answer questions about how many SRS employees lost their jobs and what the transformation meant to the thousands of people who receive assistance through SRS, one of the largest state agencies in Kansas.
Several high-ranking SRS employees have been replaced since Brownback appointed Siedlecki.
"We have assembled a team of experienced leaders who will focus on transforming SRS into an agency committed to improving the well-being of children and families, while remaining accountable to the taxpayers of Kansas through transparency and reform," Siedlecki said in the news release.
Some of the new employees came from Florida and the Bush administration, both stops in Siedlecki's career before he was chosen by Brownback to lead SRS in Kansas.
According to the news release, the new SRS team includes:
-- Deputy Secretary of Integrated Service Delivery Jim Kallinger, who has served in various positions in Florida, including four years as that state's Chief Child Advocate.
-- Deputy Secretary of Disability and Behavioral Health Services Pedro Moreno, who has experience in the state of Florida, federal government and private sector.
-- Deputy Secretary of Administration Greg Harris, who has experience working for the U.S. Justice Department and U.S. Senate.
-- Deputy Secretary for Strategic Development and Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Anna Pilato, who served five years in the Bush administration, including as director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the Department of Health and Human Services.
The release lists approximately 20 more employees placed in high-ranking jobs.
Harder said the leadership's lack of experience in Kansas worried him.
"It makes me wonder what the flavor of the program will be in terms of the basic heritage and tradition that Kansans have grown accustomed to, which is doing the problem-solving and caring about neighbors," he said.
Harder, who is also a Methodist minister and volunteer advocate for persons with disabilities, also said he was concerned about the Brownback administration's emphasis on faith-based initiatives for families.
"Does family mean an intact family, a father, mother and children, or is there room in there for a single mother, or a non-traditional family, such as gay or lesbian or both? Are they excluded from the family initiatives? All of that remains unanswered," Harder said.
Candidates Forum - 2010 General Election
Co-Sponsored By
Johnson County Community College
League of Women Voters of Johnson County
Forum Information
Johnson County Community College and the League of Women Voters of Johnson County co-sponsored a series of Candidates Forums for the 2010 General Elections. Candidates Forums is a public service series produced to help inform the public on the candidates and issues during this very important election. The views or opinions expressed in any Candidates Forums program are those of the candidates and moderators and not those of Johnson County Community College. The College does not endorse nor take positions on political issues or candidates.
Beginning Monday, October 4th through Monday, November 1st, the Candidates Forums series will be cablecast on Time-Warner (Ch 17) of Overland Park, SureWest (Ch 17) cable in Johnson County and on ComCast of Olathe (Ch. 22). The playout schedule can be found here. To find a specific race or candidate on this page, use the Edit menu and the "Find on this Page" option.
Programs in the Candidates Forum series are copyrighted by Johnson County and will be available for viewing here, located under the Candidates Forums graphic and will be available no later than Monday, Oct 11th, 2010.
Mission Hills woman is newest lawmaker
By DAVID KLEPPER
The Star’s Topeka correspondent
Posted on Fri, Jan. 08, 2010 10:15 PM
Barbara Bollier of Mission Hills is Kansas’ newest state lawmaker.
Bollier, an anesthesiologist, will finish out the term of Terrie Huntington as the state representative for the 25th District, which includes Fairway, Mission Hills, Mission Woods, Westwood and parts of Roeland Park and Prairie Village.
see full article here
Barbara Bollier will replace Terrie Huntington in Kansas House
By DAVID KLEPPER
The Star’s Topeka corresponden
Kansas City Star - Posted on Wed, Jan. 06, 2010 10:15 PM
Kansas lawmakers did some last-minute seat shuffling this week ahead of the 2010 session, which begins Monday.
Barbara Bollier, a Mission Hills Republican, is the new representative from the 25th District, which includes Fairway, Mission Hills and parts of Roeland Park and Prairie Village.
see full article here
Bollier elected to replace Huntington in House
Written by Chuck Kurtz
Sun Pulications - Posted on Wed, Jan. 06, 2010 11:31
Johnson County Republican Party Precinct leaders from the 25th District Tuesday night elected Dr. Barbara Bollier, Mission Hills, to replace Terrie Huntington in the Kansas House.
Huntington, R-Overland Park, resigned her position after being elected in December to fill out a portion of Sen. David Wysong’s term. Wysong resigned for personal reasons.
see full article here
Bollier tapped as new KS state rep
Submitted by David Klepper on January 5, 2010 - 9:30pm.
Barbara Bollier of Mission Hills is Kansas' newest state lawmaker.
Bollier, an anesthesiologist, will finish our the term of Terrie Huntington as the state representative for the 25th District, which includes Fairway, Mission Hills, Mission Woods, Westwood and parts of Roeland Park and Prairie Village. Huntington resigned last month to take a seat in the state Senate.
see full article here
