New year, New blog, New legislative session

It's a new year and there is a new spirit of participation in government among people of all ages. Young voters, as well as those who always vote, turned out in record numbers to to make their wishes known. According to David Goldstein of the Kansas City Star, these under thirties, or "millennials" who are the sons and daughters of boomers, are ready to move beyond politics defined by grudges and partisanship. How do you fit into this picture? How will you be involved?

This blog is for busy, involved people like you. You want to know what is happening in the United States Congress, the Kansas legislature or the Manhattan city council that affects the schools your children attend, job opportunities, the air you breathe, the water you drink, your right to vote, social services.

We will search out information for you. We will give you links to other sources on the web. We plan to introduce you to people who are making the decisions that affect you. Your voice needs to be heard. We will help you get started.

Excerpts from: Budget Battles, as reported by Paul Johnson January 19, 2009

Kansas law mandates that the Kansas budget cannot end in the red at the end of the fiscal year(June 30). By the end of November there was a deficit of $142 million. Senate leadership is promoting across the boardbudget cuts to fix the 2009 and 2010 budget. The problem is that only 4 months is left on the 2009 budget, so a 4% cut would mean a real cut of 10-12%.

How will this affect Kansans?

For SRS, this could mean dropping childcare for 1,000 children

It could mean eliminating home services for 1,500 physically disabled clients.

Medical policy may be systematic reduction in medical services. (See Kansas Health Institute website: http://www.khi.org/ )

Energy legislation:

In her State of the State message, the Governor listed her energy proposals:

• Increase percent of power produced by renewable energy to 29%
• Establish energy efficiency standards for governmental buildings
• Develop electrical power lines to carry wind power from Western Kansas
• Increase programs for energy efficiency
• Oppose new coal plants at Holcomb

Present political strategy is to pass legislation on renewable energy and energy efficiency from the Kansas Energy and Utilitities Committee to the floor of the Kansas House. At that time this legislation will probably be put in a mega-bill that includes approval of the Holcomb coal plants.

The League of Women Voters supports a moratorium on the construction of coal fired power plants for 10 years or until there is a proven means of sequestering carbon dioxide that would be produced by a coal fired power plant. We will be following this issue carefully. It involves Kansas air and water quality. It will contribute to climate change.