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Raising More Hell and Maybe Less Corn

4/13/2016

8 Comments

 
For several years now, we’ve had seemingly endless actions from the Capitol that made little or no sense, and despite opposition from many legislators from both sides of the aisle (not to mention hours of testimony from subject matter experts), the actions passed into law. While this trend is likely to continue in some form or fashion throughout the remainder of this legislative session, it has given rise to a new momentum that I hope will be a glimpse into our future as we look towards the final weeks of the session, the August primary, and the 2016 general elections. What I saw leading up to first adjournment was the public raising more hell, and it got the response we needed.

A great example where hell-raising stopped the stampede was the legislation designed to move supervision of the state’s education finances from the Kansas Department of Education to the executive branch under the Office of Administration, a power grab of major proportions. Whether the fact that it’s an election year helped or not, the point is: the public, the press, and the experts spoke loud and clear. And this will be critical in the many important battles to come.

What made this particular example personal for me was the action taken to remove long-time expert on school finance, Dale Dennis, from participation on K-12 funding. Working out of the Department of Education, Dale has been—​for many decades—​the objective idea man and a supporter of constitutionally-solid school finance actions. I’ve known Dale starting with my legislative career in the 70’s and then through eight years as Governor working on school finance. He is clearly one of our all-time great career public servants whose talents have benefited public education in Kansas for many years. Though most Kansans would probably agree that his voice would be a valuable one to have in the conversation, he and other expert voices—​such as the educators and administrators themselves—​are often precisely the ones who are left out (or simply ignored) when considering how the state should proceed on these complex issues. From my point of view, this is where an informed and active citizenry can come into play. If elected officials don’t heed the many credible voices calling for a change of course, it’s up to the people of Kansas to raise the volume and raise the heat on those elected officials.

In order for it to translate to real change, an active response from the grassroots—​the hell raising—​has to be the beginning of a sustained, organized effort to make fundamental change in our Kansas Government. With the entire legislature up for election—​and the voting records clearly identifying those who backed the administration’s plans openly available—​there is no excuse for the 70% plus of Kansans who are upset with the Governor not to throw out his partners in crime. Consistent with our founding and the power of We the People, it will take the support of citizens who are working hard to educate their neighbors and get them out to vote for quality candidates committed to leading us out of the wilderness and “To the Stars through Difficulties.”
8 Comments
Becky Anderson
4/13/2016 03:07:01 pm

John I have appreciated reading your blog about the state of our state. I am concerned about going forward and removing some of these legislators. Steve Johnson is our rep and he has spoken in Lindsborg many times. He is conservative but willing to listen. Given your many years in Kansas leadership positions, I would appreciate knowing if there is a "plan" to remove these legislators-specifically Merrick, Wagle and Masterson. I know we have to endure Brownback for who know how long, but we have to turn this legislature around. Thanks for listening.

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Judith Deedy
4/13/2016 09:51:05 pm

Becky, just did a quick look at Johnson's votes. He voted in favor of the budget bill allowing delay of KPERS payments, in favor of the bill requiring extra reporting by school districts of already available information and imposing $1,000 per day fine for noncompliance, and in favor of the constitutional amendment to change judicial selection. He also voted in favor of the bill to allow chiropractors instead of just medical doctors to clear high school athletes after head injuries. He did vote against the bill to repeal Kansas College and Career Ready Standards.

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Tom Goranson
4/13/2016 05:25:32 pm

The fact that these men "listen" is a positive for them. But in the end, how do they vote? I don't really know, but just raise the question. It seems that so many things are passed "along party lines" so there are probably several "good" Republicans who listen, but then vote with their fellow Republicans because......well, because this is Kansas!

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Donna Viola
4/13/2016 09:10:49 pm

I attended this year's KNEA RA this past weekend. Dale Dennis was presented with Friend of Education Award. I was heartened by information relayed at our assembly that during the first part of the legislation KNEA tracked 100,000 responses to their call to action and are of the mind that there were 200,00 untracked responses. There were 50,000 responses tracked in the first hour of the call to action on HB469. KNEA's lobbiest, Mark Dessetti made it clear that there are not that many KNEA members in the state of Kansas, so these are citizens of a like mind who are working against the current legislature's push against public education. I was very proud to be a small part of the Game on for Kansas Schools as well. The people need to speak and speak loudly for their children, their future and their state.
Mr. Carlin, I've only just recently known of you, your governorship and your blog (I moved to Kansas in 1991). I so very much appreciate your perspective on things given your personal history. Thank you for your posts and support of our citizens and our state.

Reply
Lisa Benlon
4/13/2016 09:20:22 pm

Becky Anderson...I agree with Tom. It all comes down to how they vote. Many are masters at APPEARING to listen. This is why so many legislators stay forever. Everyone knows there needs to be major change but everyone thinks THEIR legislators appear to listen, so you continue to vote for him/her. In the end, many bad ones continue to be reelected by good people who are too busy to check out how their legislators vote. AND YOU CAN'T TAKE THEIR WORD ON HOW THEY VOTE. Because they often LIE.

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Terry Bolte
4/13/2016 11:55:47 pm

When all is said and done, these legislators need to back up their words or claims of listening with actual votes. A few of these people are very easy to talk to and appear to be in agreement, but their votes are not not demonstrating that. Even if they find the battle futile...it all starts with ONE vote. Somebody has to be willing to make the step to influence change.

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Kent Reed
4/14/2016 07:31:46 pm

We need you back John! Do you have any eligibility left? :)

Reply
Jimmy link
7/19/2021 10:00:08 am

Hi tthanks for posting this

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    John W. Carlin​—​61st Speaker of the Kansas House, 40th Governor of Kansas, 8th Archivist of the United States, and student of leadership

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