Updates:

Greetings,

Just a quick update to those of you I feel may be interested in upcoming events.
Feb. 13 at 2 p.m., Kansas State Democratic Party Executive Director Kenny Johnston will be the featured speaker at our meeting to be held in La Cygne at the Labette Bank.
Refreshments will be provided, and we are asking everyone to invite other Democratic and Independent voters to join us.

The Democratic meeting for March 13 has been cancelled. There will however, be a legislative forum held that Saturday with four panelist; R - Senator Pat Apple, R - Rep. Jene Vickrey, D – Rep. Shirley Palmer, and D – Rep. Bill Feuerborn. The Democratic and Republican county parties are co-hosting this event, along with Farm Bureau, and the Linn County News.
This forum will be held at the F&M Bank community building located on the south side of Main, in Mound City. The event will be held to two hours for speakers and q & a. Refreshments will be provided.

The Democratic Party of Linn County will have a prominent guest speaker at each monthly meeting throughout the remainder of the year until the general election. Our meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. in the La Cygne Labette Bank building.
We strive to welcome all interested Independent voters who wish to hear from state and local candidates running for a 2010 seat. Questions will be answered by the candidates. We especially urge educators, mayors, and all county officials to join in the ensuing discussions.

Please visit our web site at www.DemocraticPartyofLinnCounty.org for updates, or see Democratic Party of Linn County on facebook for announcements.
We realize that e-mail communications are limited in scope; therefore, as chair, I ask that all committee members please make phone calls and extend an invitation.

We look forward to seeing many new guests to help welcome our line-up of state and local authorities.

Reminder: Legislative Forum will Replace March 13 County Democratic Meeting

Saturday, March 13 county meeting will be canceled due to the scheduling of a Legislative Forum that our party will co-sponsor. The forum will be held at the Farmer & Merchant building on Main St. in Mound City.
Time will be announced in the Linn County News, or check back here for time details.
Tentatively, plan on a morning meeting at 9 or 10 a.m. The meeting should last approximately two hours.
Panelist will include:
State Sen. Pat Apple - a Republican from Louisburg,
State Rep. Jene Vickrey - a Republican from Louisburg,
State Rep. Shirley Palmer - a Democrat from Fort Scott,
State Rep. Bill Feuerborn - a Democrat from Garnett.

More information will be made available in the near future.

LEGISLATIVE INSIGHT Number 1, 2010

By: Shirley Palmer, 4th District State Representative

2010 Session Underway
Hello! On Monday, January 11, the Kansas Legislature convened for the 2010 Legislative Session. It could very well be the longest, toughest legislative session in the history of our state. Although we have experienced challenges in the past, the current financial crisis is by far the most severe situation we have faced since the Great Depression. Even after five rounds of crippling budget cuts, revenues are still too low to keep the state operating at current funding levels. A $400 million shortfall is anticipated. We must put partisan politics aside and work together to pass legislation that will improve the lives of all Kansans. Lawmakers have been called on to build for the future and not continue slashing in the present. We must work together to make tough choices which I know are inevitable. This session is more than a discussion about our budget, it is a discussion about our overall quality of life. We owe it to our fellow citizens and future generations to do whatever we can to protect it.

I am privileged and honored to be your voice in the Kansas Capitol. I want to thank the people of the 4th District for allowing me this opportunity. If I can ever be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at home or in Topeka. The State Capitol is still undergoing major renovations so my office is still in the Docking State Office Building which is located directly across the street (west) of the Capitol. My new office telephone number is 785-296-7646 and my state e-mail is shirley.palmer@house.ks.gov. My home telephone number is 620-223-4105 and my home e-mail is rspalmer1862@sbcglobal.net. A FAX can reach me at 785-296-2028 or 785-368-6503 in Topeka or 620-223-4105 at home.

Committees
Most committees met during the week for organizational purposes and began hearing bill introductions. My committees for this year include: Education, Transportation, and Agriculture and Natural Resources.

FY 2011 Budget Debate Begins
As a result of the recession, state funds have declined for an unprecedented four straight years while total spending has been slashed more than $1 billion in the last 18 months. To partially fill the budget hole, Parkinson said the state should raise the sales tax by 1 cent for 36 months. After that point, he said the state should cut back the tax increase to two-tenths of a cent to fund a highway program. He also said the state should raise the cigarette and tobacco tax to the national average of $1.34 from 79 cents a pack in Kansas – a move he said could both reduce teen smoking and raise revenue. It is important to note that the budget proposal does not increase state spending. The $1 billion in cuts enacted last year will stay in place. The revenue package the governor presented is only a means of maintaining current funding. We must keep open minds and have honest discussions. There is always a lot of give and take in this process. We owe it to Kansans to give every proposal a fair examination, even if it is something we are not inclined to support.

Ultimately, you elected me to make reasonable decisions that protect our communities and grow our economy. That’s what I will try to do. In that effort, I am willing to give every proposal fair consideration. Governor Parkinson’s proposed budget is a good starting point, but we are a long way from a final package.

Keep in Touch
I value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Some issues that we will be discussing soon will no doubt include: texting while driving, public smoking ban, removing the death penalty, closing some state facilities, and issuing bonds to start a new comprehensive transportation plan to name a few. Please feel free to contact me with your comments or questions. The legislative hotline is 1-800-432-3924 and is available for you to leave a message for me. Complete daily calendars are available at www.kslegislature.org. To hear legislative proceedings, click on the “Listen in Live Link.”

With hard work and dedication, we will transform the challenges of 2010 into new opportunities for 2011 and beyond.

Legislative Forum will Replace March 13 County Democratic Meeting

Saturday, March 13 county meeting will be canceled due to the scheduling of a Legislative Forum that our party will co-sponsor. The forum will be held at the Farmer & Merchant building on Main St. in Mound City.
Time will be announced in the Linn County News, or check back here for time details.
Tentatively, plan on a morning meeting at 9 or 10 a.m. The meeting should last approximately two hours.
Panelist will include:
State Sen. Pat Apple - a Republican from Louisburg,
State Rep. Jene Vickrey - a Republican from Louisburg,
State Rep. Shirley Palmer - a Democrat from Fort Scott,
State Rep. Bill Feuerborn - a Democrat from Garnett.

More information will be made available in the near future.

February 13 Meeting

Our next meeting will be held at 2 p.m. at the Labette Bank in La Cygne.
Featured speaker, Kansas Democratic Party executive director Kenny Johnston will discuss featured candidates and party updates.
Precinct committee men and women, please contact party members in your area to remind them of the meeting.
Thanks!

The President on Haiti:

"The First Waves of our Rescue and Relief Workers are on the Ground and at Work"

This morning the President gave another update on relief efforts in Haiti, promising the people of Haiti that "you will not be forsaken; you will not be forgotten." Again, while the US Government is doing all it can, you can also help immediately by donating to the international fund of the Red Cross to assist the relief effort.

* Donate $10 to the Red Cross to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999."
* Contribute online to the Red Cross,
* Find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information.

And of course families of Americans living in Haiti should still contact the State Department at 888-407-4747.

Gov. Mark Parkinson's state of the state address

“Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Minority Leaders Hensley and Davis, Mister Chief Justice, legislators, justices, cabinet officers, elected officials, honored guests and my fellow Kansans:

“For almost 150 years, 45 governors have had the honor to report to this body on the state of the state of Kansas. Throughout those 150 years, we have been through many crises. We have gone through booms and busts, two World Wars and faced countless natural disasters. Despite those challenges, every governor for almost 150 years declared that the state of our state was strong.

“They understood that we do not measure the state of our state by the crisis of the day. The true measure of a state is the quality and character of the people living in it. Are they willing to pull together, stare down challenges and provide a helping hand to those in need?

“Mr. Speaker and Mr. President, the economy has once again tested the quality and character of the citizens of Kansas, and I am happy to report we have passed every test. On every measurement that matters, the state of the state of Kansas has never been stronger.

“Unfortunately, this does not mean that we have overcome every challenge. The greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression continues to fight against us. I am here to tell you tonight that this crisis will not defeat us. To succeed, we must pull together and make sacrifices. To give up in the waning moments of this economic challenge would precipitate decades of intolerable consequences.

“One hundred fifty years ago, our ancestors had a vision for Kansas. They turned that vision into a reality and built the greatest state in the nation. I am calling on you to help protect what we have built over these last 150 years. You have all heard me brag on many occasions about our founding fathers, the struggles they endured and the challenges they overcame. Our founders shared a vision of great public schools, outstanding universities, safe communities and an economic climate that would allow us all to prosper.

“In the early years, our leaders understood the importance of a great higher education system. They established Kansas State University in 1863, just two years after Kansas became a state. Since then we have formed six other major universities, 19 community colleges and seven technical schools and colleges. Their vision was elegant and concise - if you want to keep the best and brightest in a state, you must create a great higher education system to retain them. If you want to attract the best and brightest from other states, you must have great higher education. If you want to provide a workforce for the future, you build great universities, technical schools and community colleges.

“This was not a one-time commitment. It is a commitment our leaders have kept for 150 years, and it worked. Hundreds of thousands of Kansans have graduated from these schools and have made our state what it is today. In addition, our schools have become an economic engine. Ask yourself why the animal health corridor exists in Kansas. It exists because this Legislature had the vision many years ago to fund Kansas State University so it could develop a world class veterinary school. At the same time, Missouri was establishing a veterinary school in Columbia, and a corridor sprung up between the two schools. The result was hundreds of companies and tens of thousands of new jobs. The animal health corridor would have never happened if years ago this legislature had been tight fisted and refused to fund our higher education system. Our 150-year commitment made it possible.

“Ask yourself why Kansas University has the chance to achieve designation as a National Cancer Institute. This opportunity exists because this legislature had the vision to fund higher education so KU could establish a world class medical school. National Cancer Institute designation would have been impossible if years ago this legislature had refused to fund higher education. Our 150-year commitment made it possible.

“Consider the aircraft industry. History’s greatest entrepreneurs formed this industry in Wichita. They deserve the credit, but its growth depends on educational opportunities. It is Wichita State and schools that have produced the workforce that took those entrepreneurs dreams from just a vision to reality. Make no mistake, our commitment to higher education is not just the right thing to do, it is great economic development.

“The same can be said of our investment in our public schools. While other states were shy to adopt public education, we embraced it. Our leaders made the conscious decision clear back in the 1860s to spend money on public education. Their vision was to create a literate population that would become workers, then consumers and lead our state to prosperity. This commitment to public schools was not one time or intermittent; it was long-lasting. It is at the very essence of what makes Kansas, Kansas.

“Throughout our history this has worked. We developed a world class public school system. It is a system that outside entities consistently rate as one of the best in the country. It is a system that has higher graduation rates and test scores than the national average. It is a system that has provided every child a chance and has created the outstanding labor force that we dreamed of building. It happened because those that came before us had vision and the courage to make investments in our future.

“Those that came before us accomplished even more. They built a transportation system that now serves as a model for the rest of the country. They built a public safety system that keeps our communities safe, and they built a safety net because they realized that the true measure of a society is not how it treats the richest of the rich, but rather how it treats those most in need.

“Along the way there have certainly been naysayers, those who have argued that you cannot build great schools, great universities, great roads and have a safety net for those in need without taxing the state out of business. We know the naysayers are wrong. We know that they are wrong because we have achieved excellence with taxes that are below the national average.

“The Tax Foundation rates each state every year for its combined state and local tax burden. It's an objective way of finding out where we stand. Its findings for 2009 are the same as its findings for most prior years. Kansas is below the national average for taxes that we pay. Below. It is a remarkable achievement. Our founders were cunning and frugal enough to build a great state without taxing us out of business.

“Unfortunately, what we have built is now at risk. Our accomplishments are at risk because the recession has devastated state revenues. We have cut $1 billion out of the state budget. Like any organization, public or private, there was waste in state government. That is inevitable. That made the first round of cuts relatively easy, but as the deficit grew, the budget cuts have been brutal. We are way beyond the point of cutting waste.

“As a result of my last cuts, schools have closed and universities have laid off professors. Post-release supervision of prisoners has declined, our road maintenance has stopped and payments to our Medicaid providers have decreased. We have cut beyond the point of waste and into the foundation of these critical services.

“Now we face another challenge. Before I describe it, I want to thank each of the 165 of you. Last year, I called on us to pull together in a post-partisan manner to face our challenges and we did. We avoided the partisan bickering and childishness that we see in Washington, D.C. Tonight, the need to pull together has never been more important.

“That is because we face another budget hole of almost $400 million. We are not $400 million short of what we need to get these programs back to where they need to be. We are $400 million short of what we need to keep most of these budgets at their already drastically cut levels.

“I have spent scores of hours studying these programs in search of that $400 million more that we can cut. I'm here to tell you that it simply is not there. If you can find it, I am open to your input. However, as a person who is fiscally responsible and as a person who has cut more out of our state budget than any Kansan in history, let me repeat - there isn't $400 million left that we can responsibly cut. Now is the time to protect what we have. Now is the time to stop cutting education, public safety and aid to the elderly and disabled.

“Here is my plan to come up with the $400 million - we need to raise two taxes. We must take the cigarette and tobacco tax from 79 cents a pack and raise it to the national average of $1.34. Not only will this allow us to raise revenue, it has the added benefit of reducing teen smoking. Study after study demonstrates that if you raise this tax, teen smoking will decline.

“We must also raise our sales tax by one cent for a temporary period of 36 months. A temporary increase of just one cent allows us to fund our programs at the minimum acceptable levels while we work our way out of this recession. I am then proposing that after the third year the tax retreat, leaving just two tenths of a cent in place that would be available to craft a moderate but necessary highway program.

“This is by no means a big spending budget. We would still force agencies to live under the enormous constraints that our $1 billion in cuts have placed on them. There are some areas funded above 2010 levels. This budget allows us to reinstate some funding of schools and universities as we begin their road to recovery. This budget allows us to reinstate some of the post-release supervisory programs in the Department of Corrections, which is a matter of public safety. This budget allows us to restore Medicaid funding so that those most in need will have access to hospitals, doctors and nursing homes.

“The alternative to coming up with this $400 million is not acceptable. It would require a round of cuts that would do years of damage to what we have built. We would hurt every school district in this state. More schools would close and class sizes would reach intolerable levels.

“Universities, technical schools and community colleges would suffer. Our National Cancer Institute designation would be at risk. Our roads would deteriorate, and we would either have to eliminate supervision of prisoners on parole, or start letting prisoners out of jail early. On top of all that, the budgets for 2012 and beyond would be even more difficult.

“Now, I know there are discussions about other ways to raise $400 million. There has been talk of eliminating some sales tax exemptions and there is some possibility of additional federal money in some areas. I am open to all ideas and encourage you to examine them. What I am not open to are crippling cuts. Our ancestors worked too hard to build what we have. Now it is our turn. It is a fight worth waging. Our schools are worth fighting for, our universities are worth fighting for, our public safety system is worth fighting for and our safety net for the elderly and disabled is worth fighting for.

“We can do more though than just protect what we have. In addition to fixing the budget, we can prepare for the future. First, let’s ramp up our fight against cancer by enacting a public smoking ban. It is time. Twenty-four states including North Carolina have done it. If North Carolina, the largest tobacco producing state in the country can enact a public smoking ban, surely Kansas can. “Let me be very clear. I'm not proposing that we pass a watered down smoking ban. I do not want legislation that the tobacco industry writes, full of loopholes and not a real ban. Seventy-five percent of Kansans want a real public smoking ban and I am asking you to give that to them.

“The second initiative that I want to propose is that we continue to move forward with energy policy in Kansas; 2008 was about building wind farms in Kansas, 2009 was about bringing wind manufacturing jobs and transmission to Kansas. Let’s make 2010 about making Kansas a national leader. We should lead the country in renewable energy.

“Accordingly, I have asked Lieutenant Governor Findley to lead a Cabinet team who will make sure that we take advantage of every opportunity to continue to bring transmission, wind farms and green jobs to Kansas. It is our destiny to provide clean energy to the rest of the country and Lieutenant Governor Findley will lead the way to make that happen.

“Finally, it is time that we take steps to make sure that the state never again finds itself facing this kind of fiscal challenge. There are many reasons for the budget problems that we have. One is that we came into last year without an emergency fund. This is unacceptable.

“Downturns are inevitable. Every business and family knows this, and those that are able develop reserve funds to prepare for those downturns. It is time for the state to do the same. I am asking you to pass the Vratil-Kelly Constitutional Amendment that would require us to set a portion of state revenue aside to create an emergency fund. In years of declining revenue we would tap into the fund and avoid the situation we are currently in. It is time that we put our fiscal house in order and lay the foundation for a solid financial future for this state.

“Now, I want to tell you why I am so optimistic about the future of our state. During a recession, people give up; and once they give up, a recession can become a depression. My message to Kansans tonight is this: don’t give up. There are too many reasons for genuine optimism.

“We are all worried about jobs. Our unemployment rate is not acceptable. The good news is that our Department of Commerce has won battle after battle to bring jobs to the state. Unfortunately, these successes have not kept pace with job losses from current employers. I want Kansans to know that we will continue to fight until every Kansan has a job.

“That will not be long. Kansas is an exporter. We export airplanes, food and energy. As emerging markets continue to grow in countries like China, India, and Brazil, even during this recession, the demand for our products will continue to grow. Seven-hundred million people in emerging countries will join the middle class in the next 20 years, and no state will benefit more from this than Kansas. Demand for our airplanes, our wheat and our energy will explode. But, we cannot give up. We must protect what we have, fight for what we have and prepare for the future.

“Last year, I told you about my vision for Kansas in 2030. That vision is fully intact. I told you that by 2030 our agricultural, energy, and aviation sectors will be booming and our animal health corridor will flourish. Kansas University will have achieved designation as a National Cancer Institute and become a leading research institute in life science. Our higher education system will be world class.

“A renewable energy corridor will exist between Wichita and Salina and provide thousands of jobs to Kansas and clean energy to the world. Wind farms will exist all throughout western Kansas and we will have built the transmission to bring that energy to eastern Kansas and beyond. Our public school system will be strong, our transportation system will be world class and opportunity will abound.

“We will be more diverse. Our Hispanic and Asian populations will grow, and rather than reject our new citizens, as some states have done, we will embrace them as Kansans. More than ever, they will be an important part of the Kansas story.

“I am more confident of this vision than ever. Already this year, we have made progress toward many of these predictions. We have achieved the first approvals for needed energy transmission in western Kansas. We beat our goal of 10 percent renewable energy by 2010 and we are still building additional wind farms. Two major companies have already located in our renewable energy corridor, employing hundreds of Kansans.

“This year we will begin the construction of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan. I want Governor Perry of Texas to know that he has my personal invitation to participate in the ground breaking. However, for all of my predictions to come true, we must protect what we have and build for the future.

“Let me close on a personal note; 28 years ago, I started law school at KU. On the second day of class, I met the woman who would become the love of my life, Stacy. Stacy had grown up in west Wichita. She attended Goddard public schools, then KU for her undergraduate degree and law school. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college. I was born and grew up in Wichita, attended Wichita public schools, then Wichita State and ultimately KU law school.

“We fell in love, and even though people will tell you that you should not do this, we got married in our second year of law school. Not smart, but we were in love and had big dreams. We lived in a mobile home and had no money, but we didn't care. We had each other and a future that we hoped for. After law school we formed our own law firm, ultimately our own business and have been financially rewarded beyond any level that we could have hoped. We have three great kids, and we love them desperately. We have traveled the world and lived a life beyond what we could possibly have dreamed from that mobile home in Lawrence. Stacy and I have lived the American dream and we have lived it without ever leaving Kansas.

“I tell you this not to boast of our good fortune; I tell you this because I want to make sure that future generations of Kansans have the same opportunities as Stacy and me. We are able to live this life because legislators and governors decades ago decided that building great public schools and universities was the right thing to do. We are able to live this life because in Kansas, you didn't have to be rich to go to a good school or go to college.

“Now I'm asking you to make the same decisions for future generations to come. I’m asking you to give our children and our children’s children the same opportunity that Stacy and I and all of you have had - the opportunity to live the American dream without ever leaving the state.

“Generations from now, historians will look at how Kansas handled the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. We have the opportunity to astonish them. The decisions that you can make will mean that not only did we fight back, not only did we protect what our ancestors built, but while everyone else was in a panic, we moved forward. Let’s seize that opportunity, astonish the historians and write history that will make all future generations proud.

“Thank you. God Bless you, God Bless Kansas and God Bless America.”

Ron Palmer Hospitalized

Ron Palmer was hospitalized a week ago for pneumonia. Extenuating circumstances have prompted further medical evaluation by doctors at Fort Scott Medical. Rep. Shirley Palmer expressed gratitude that our county meeting for January was canceled. She has been without internet at her home, and hopes to have it repaired this week. If you feel the need to contact her, mail may be the best way to do so at this time.
As you know, the legislative session begins on Jan. 11, therefore, Rep. Palmer will be extremely busy between seeing to Ron's health and attending to duties in Topeka.
Please keep Ron in your thoughts. Further developments will be posted.
On a different note, Gov. Mark Parkinson's State of State address will be given at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7.

Talking Points: Democratic Retirements

·         Retirements happen every year and in every election cycle. They occur for a host of personal reasons -- often people just want to spend more time with their families.

·         It’s hardly surprising that many of these announcements would come just after the holidays, when elected officials enjoy one of their longest uninterrupted breaks at home.

·         Retirements are a moving target - but at this stage the numbers don’t lie -- more Republicans than Democrats have decided not to run for reelection in every category: 

 

o    In the Senate, six Republican Senators have decided not to seek reelection – while only two Democrats have decided not to.  These six Republican retirements have created five competitive races in Missouri, Ohio, New Hampshire, Kentucky and Florida and Democrats have strong candidates running aggressive campaigns in each. 

o    Regarding the two Democratic retirements in the Senate. We believe very strongly we'll hold on to Connecticut. While Republicans are putting North Dakota in the win column, everyone should remember that while North Dakota has been a red state in Presidential politics, all of its federal office holders - two Senators and one House Member - are Democrats. The last time a Republican Senator represented North Dakota it was 1986. 

o    In the House, 14 Republicans are opting not to run – while 10 Democrats have made the same decision. 

o    And in Governors’ races across the country, four Republicans have decided not to run (Douglass (VT), Rell (CT), Crist (FL), Pawlenty (MN) – while two Democrats (Doyle (WI) and Ritter (CO)) have made the same decision.  Many others, of course, are term limited out of office.

·         History suggests that the 2010 election will be tough for Democrats. If you look at the past 17 midterm elections, the president’s party has lost an average of 28 seats in the House, and an average 4 seats in the Senate.

·         But Election Day is a long way away, and a lot can happen between now and then.

 

·         Democrats have a very strong case to make to the American people. In the past 12 months, Democrats have brought our economy back from the brink, come closer than ever before to enacting health insurance reform and achieved historic accomplishments that will help the American people and keep us safe.

·         There is a corrosive civil war going on within the Republican Party.  The extreme right wing is chasing moderates – like Dede Scozzafava and FL GOP Chairman Jim Greer – out of the GOP in an attempt to “purify” the Party at any cost. 

o    For example, Republicans face competitive primaries in nearly every Senate race, including Nevada, California, Connecticut, Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, and New Hampshire. Their primary fights are ugly, bloodletting battles with candidates moving to the right and out of the mainstream every day.

·         Republicans’ plan to reverse course - by going back to the same failed policies that drove our economy into a ditch– will NOT be a winning argument with voters.  Remember, failed Republican policies contributed to the near collapse of our entire economic system, skyrocketing health care costs and a damaged reputation around the globe.

·         Even RNC Chairman Michael Steele isn’t feeling optimistic. Yesterday he said Republicans would fail to take back the House, and admitted that he didn't know if Republicans were actually ready to lead the country anyway. 

Caroline Ciccone

Director of Regional Press

Democratic National Committee

Jan. 9 Meeting Cancellation

Please note that the county meeting scheduled for Jan. 9 has been cancelled due to worsening weather conditions expected throughout the week.
We will try to reschedule State  Rep.Shirley Palmer to speak at an upcoming meeting in the near future.
Thank you.
Be safe and stay warm.