TOPEKA — A coalition of large and small businesses have come together to oppose HB 2453, the religious freedom on same-sex marriage bill. The Kansas Employers for Liberty Coalition has great concerns about what this bill does between the employer and employee relationship in Kansas, which is an employed “at will” state.
Tim Witsman, President of the Wichita Independent Business Association, a group comprised of mainly small businesses, said, “Kansas has a long historical tradition of protecting the employee at will relationship. That means employers can have a pure relationship of retaining their employee without the intervention of government mandates. HB 2453 flies in the face of that by intervening with that relationship. WIBA is proud to join this Coalition, along with large and small employers throughout the state to fight the employer mandates from HB 2453.”
KCP&L Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs Chuck Caisley stated, “As a company that is proud to serve hundreds of thousands of Kansans with many diverse backgrounds and perspectives, KCP&L urges the Kansas State Senate to defeat HB 2453. This bill is discriminatory and also unworkable. We thank Senator Wagle for her leadership on this issue.”
HB 2453 is particularly burdensome for small businesses as the protections it offers to a potential employee who refuses service under this legislation would cause major havoc on a small business that employs very few employees. Additionally, HB 2453 takes away the right for discovery in a judicial proceeding, leaving an employer no way to defend themselves if a lawsuit is brought against them.
“While we believe this bill may have been brought with good intentions of protecting religious freedom, the unintended consequences far outweigh the good,” said Witsman. “We want Kansas to be open for business. HB 2453 limits recruiting ability for workers and the state’s ability to bring new visitors and businesses to Kansas.”
The Kansas Employers for Liberty Coalition applauds Senate President Susan Wagle for committing that her chamber will take a close look at this bill and work to resolve the concerns of Kansas businesses. The Coalition encourages all Kansans to write to their local legislator and ask them to oppose HB 2453 to ensure employers are not held under any mandates and to make certain Kansas is open for business.
HB 2453 is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Jeff King.
TOPEKA — Where previous classes from the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science at Fort Hays State University had maybe 15 minutes each for a pro-forma introduction and brief presentations to the education committees of the Kansas House and Senate, the fifth KAMS class had more than an hour.
KAMS students meet with Gov. Sam Brownback. Also pictured are Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, and Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays.
The 31 members of the Seekers, the name the high school juniors chose for their class, had four student presenters in addition to KAMS Director Ron Keller and FHSU President Edward H. Hammond, who introduced them.
The Kansas Legislature established KAMS to promote mathematics and science education, to reduce the “brain drain” in which many of the best and brightest young Kansans go away to out-of-state universities and never return, and to promote economic development by providing a well-educated workforce. Kansas was the 16th state to have an early-entry-to-college program that offers a unique residential learning experience for high-achieving high school juniors and seniors.
When they graduate, they will have a diploma from their sending high schools and at least 68 hours of college credit.
One of the points Keller emphasized was the academics of KAMS.
“I think a lot of people don’t appreciate the rigor of the curriculum,” he said, noting that many of the students had spent a couple of hours studying the night before after arriving at the hotel.
“But they chose the Kansas Academy of Math and Science because they wanted a challenge,” he said.
Another point he stressed was the leadership and service aspect. Eleven KAMS students, he said, are tutoring other students in 73 course slots. Many of the students being tutored are traditional university students.
This was part of the presentation by KAMS students YeongSu Han, South Korea, Tammy Nguyen, Russell and Russell High School, Tanner Reece, Topeka and Washburn Rural High School, and Evan Shanelec, Lyons and Lyons High School.
The rest was on the benefits of KAMS and some details of what they are doing in KAMS. Han, for instance, is now involved in a research project on rocketry, after a fall 2013 research project on water vapor levels downwind of wind power generators. She told the assembled representatives and senators that she went into that project expecting to find less water vapor downwind, but instead found more, which also opens up potential research into ground moisture downwind of wind generators.
With an hour dedicated to the appearance before the joint education committee, instead of two 15-minute presentations, one to each separate committee, committee members had time to ask questions of the students. All the student presenters spoke highly, and in glowing terms, of the KAMS experience, and Director Keller assured the legislators, in introducing the Q&A session, that they would see that the student answers were not scripted.
One of the first questions was on the large international student contingent in the Seekers class. Nine of the 31 members are international — six from China and three from South Korea. The question, specifically, was on whether and how much state tuition money supported the international students. Keller’s reply was “none.”
“International students pay for everything,” he said.
In later questioning, the issue of cost for Kansas students also came up. Although Kansas students pay no tuition, they do pay room and board, $7,200 per year, and on top of that is travel expense, easily another $1,000 to $1,500 or more, said Keller.
Lawmakers were also interested in differences between KAMS in the United States and the schools where international students come from. One, South Korean student SeonYeong (pronounced soon-young) “Harry” Ha, said he came from a high school in Alabama, where he was an exchange student. He, like others, noted that a huge difference between American and Asian high schools is extracurricular activities. There are none at home, he said.
Ha drew some laughter in noting two points of difference between Alabama and Korea.
At his Alabama school, he said, “They wanted me to drive. So they taught me to driver everywhere. Why, I don’t know,” he said, shrugging.
“They wanted me to learn how to shoot,” he said. “A gun,” he added. “Why, I don’t know.”
The trek to Topeka also included a visit to the two chambers, where the House and Senate each pass a resolution of appreciation. This year was no different. The students usually also visit the Kansas Board of Regents, but time with the Legislature did not permit that visit this year. They did make the annual visit to the Kansas Supreme Court, where they was introduced to Justice Eric Rosen, who gave them a short course on the Kansas judicial system and some of its history and structure.
“I really appreciate all the opportunities we get,” said Katie Emerson, Topeka, from Shawnee Heights High School. “It puts you at an upper level,” she said. Emerson hopes to gain admission to the U.S. Naval Academy.
“I want to work on submarines,” she said.
Reece, one of the presenters, said that KAMS is a challenge in many ways, not only academically. The students get closer to each other than in regular high school, he said. “They have to. They live together.”
But he also explained that it is more than just living together in Custer Hall. “KAMS brings together people with a set of personality traits that go with something like this.” He explained, with carefully chosen words, that “something like this” means the kind of teenagers who choose to forego a lot of typical high school life to get ahead academically, who are excited at the prospect of being challenged by a more rigorous curriculum. This kind of teenager may also, he said, feel uncomfortable in a regular high school setting.
“But this brings people out of their shells,” he said. “Here they can learn and grow together.”
Congratulations to Bucky Covington and fiancée and Monarch Publicity’s Katherine Cook, who will welcome their first child in the fall. The pair met in 2007 and were engaged in 2010.
LAWRENCE (AP) — A former Lawrence man will get a new trial in the 2004 death of his wife.The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday overturned the murder conviction of Martin Miller. He was convicted of strangling his 46-year-old wife, Mary Miller, at their home because he was having an affair and wanted to collect $300,000 in life insurance.
The Lawrence Journal-World reported the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled in February 2012 that Miller should get a new trial because of errors in jury instructions at his 2005 trial.
The Kansas Supreme Court agreed on Friday that the jury instructions were incorrect. The court said the jurors were told they could acquit Miller only if they had a reasonable doubt on every element of the charge, rather than on just one element.
Fort Hays State women’s soccer coach Craig Shaw announced the signings of nine student-athletes for the 2014 season. Eight of the players will be incoming freshman, with one junior college transfer joining the team. Five signees hail from Colorado, while Kansas, Nebraska, Hawaii and Texas each have one representative. The class includes three forwards, two defenders, two goalkeepers, one midfielder and one midfielder/defender hybrid.
Fort Hays State completed just its third year of women’s soccer in 2013, and has one MIAA Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in its history. FHSU finished at 7-8-3 last season.
Jasmine Beaulieu
Midfielder/Defender
Commerce City, Colo.
Legacy HS
Club: FC Boulder
Abbie Flax
Goalkeeper
Overland Park, Kan.
St. James Academy
Club: Kansas Rush Wolves Academy 95/96
Amy Hayes
Forward
Arvada, Colo.
Arvada West HS
Club: Colorado Edge Select
Kimi-Ann Kaniaupio
Goalkeeper
Waipahu, Hawaii
Otero JC (Colo.)
Club: 94G Hawaii Rush
The Hays Public Library will host Dr. Brian Miller at 2 p.m. Sunday for his presentation of “The Tattered Lincoln Album: Lincoln’s Likeness and Image in American History and Memory.” The event will be at the library’s Schmidt Gallery. The presentation is part of the traveling Lincoln exhibit that will be at the library until March 21.
Miller is an associate professor at Emporia State University. As a Civil War historian, his research examines the public memory of the American Civil War and how it has changed in the past 150 years. His presentation will include photographs, paintings and drawings that examine major events in the life of Abraham Lincoln from campaigning for president to his untimely death.
The National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office organized the traveling exhibition, which was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The traveling exhibition is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center.
SALINA — The driver of a semi hauling a load of cattle who led law enforcement on a chase early Thursday morning is expected to face several charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Rory M. Cook
Dickinson County Sheriff Gareth Hoffman said Friday morning Rory M. Cook, 29, of King City, Mo., drove past an Abilene police officer at a high rate of speed on the outskirts of Abilene about 5 a.m. Thursday.
Hoffman said Cook nearly ran the officer off the road and would not stop. Deputies from Dickinson County began to pursue the semi on Old U.S. 40 through Solomon and into Saline County, where Saline County Sheriff’s deputies, Salina Police Department officers and Kansas Highway Patrol troopers were involved.
After driving south on Ohio Street through Salina, Cook turned west onto Waterwell Road where a Salina Police officer and Kansas Highway Patrol trooper put out spikes that flattened five tires on the truck. The truck eventually stopped about west of Ninth on Waterwell Road.
Hoffman said Cook was returned to Dickinson County where he likely will be charged with several traffic offenses including reckless driving and flee and eluding in addition to the DUI charge. Hoffman said the investigation into the case continues.
TOPEKA — The Kansas Medicaid Access Coalition has launched a new website showing how much Kansas is losing in federal aid dollars by refusing to expand its Medicaid program in keeping with the Affordable Care Act.
Sean Gatewood
The website, HowMuchHasKSLeftOnTheTable.com, displays a continuous “ticker” showing how many dollars Kansas is “leaving on the table.”
The sum was about $47.8 million by mid-day Friday.
“We launched this website because our state’s leadership has chosen not to accept federal funds to expand the Medicaid program,” said Sean Gatewood, a coalition spokesman. “Instead, our federal tax dollars are going to states like California and New York to provide health insurance coverage to their residents. Meanwhile, as many as 100,000 hardworking Kansans remain uninsured.”
The coalition includes more than 50 social service and consumer groups. The Kansas Hospital Association also is pushing Kansas policymakers to rethink their opposition to Medicaid expansion.
Gov. Sam Brownback and Republican legislative leaders have said they fear the federal aid money would dry up in the future leaving Kansas to pick up much of the added cost.
About 78,000 Kansans currently without health insurance could potentially gain it, should state leaders choose to open up the program, which serves low-income elderly, disabled and children. Kansas currently has some of the most restrictive eligibility standards in the nation.
TOPEKA (AP) — Topeka officials have found nothing to substantiate anonymous allegations of office bullying at city court.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reported city manager Jim Colson said Thursday that the city’s human resources and legal department interviewed 11 municipal court employees while investigating the claims.
The complaint was made in a letter sent to the city and media outlets. It centers on the municipal court, which is overseen by administrative judge Vic Miller. The letter didn’t allege Miller directly bullied anyone, but claimed he didn’t stop two employees from engaging in what the letter writer called hostile behavior.
City spokeswoman Suzie Gilbert says the people mentioned in the letter remain employed in the same capacities.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University will host the 101st annual Cattlemen’s Day on March 7 in Manhattan.
The day starts at 8 a.m. in Weber Arena with a commercial trade show and educational exhibits, and the program beginning at 10 a.m.
In the keynote address, “The Future of Beef Export Demand,” Paul Clayton, senior vice president of export services for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, will discuss the changing landscape of beef exportation, including barriers to foreign trade, maintaining current markets, the creation of new marketing channels, and the importance of beef exports for the future of the U.S. beef cattle industry.
“The Cattle Industry Outlook,” presented by K-State agricultural economists Glynn Tonsor and Ted Schroeder, will focus on the cattle and beef market outlook and the economic implications of production and animal health technologies. Tonsor and Schroeder will address evolving regulations and the expectations of customers and consumers, as well as economic issues related to the reintroduction of zilpaterol, as well as impending antibiotic restrictions.
Registration is $20. More information and registration information can be found at www.ksubeef.org.
The National Weather Service in Dodge City provides storm identification/spotter training sessions each spring. These sessions are done in cooperation with county Emergency Management agencies across the area. All training is free, is open for anyone to attend, and is not designed for just storm spotters. Anyone with a desire to learn how to identify severe weather and to learn about the dangers from these storms is encouraged to attend. The programs last about 1 1/2 hours.
Counties that will have training include: Barber, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush, Scott, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, and Trego. Check back often for updates.
The following is a schedule for training through April 2014:
Day
City, State
Time
Location
24
Montezuma, KS
(Gray County)
7:00pm CST
Senior Center/Community Hall – 307 N. Aztec St.
25
Pratt, KS
(Pr County)
3:00pm CST
Community Center – 619 North main
25
Pratt, KS
(Pratt County)
7:00pm CST
Community Center – 619 North main
March, 2014 – Upcoming
Day
City, State
Time
Location
03
Garden City, KS
(Finney County)
3:00pm CST
Finney County Fairgrounds – Grandstand meeting room
03
Garden City , KS
(Finney County)
7:00pm CST
Finney County Fairgrounds – Grandstand meeting room
04
Ulysses, KS
(Grant County)
7:00pm CST
Fairgrounds – Auditorium
05
Syracuse, KS
(Hamilton County)
6:30pm MST
High School lecture hall
06
Wakeeney, KS
(Trego County)
7:00pm CST
4H building at the fairgrounds
10
Coldwater, KS
(Comanche County)
7:00pm CDT
High School – 600 N. Leavenworth
11
Johnson, KS
(Stanton County)
7:00pm CDT
4H building = East Greenwood South Ave
13
Meade, KS
(Meade County)
7:00pm CDT
EMT station – 725 Carthage
17
TBD, KS
(Clark County)
7:00pm CDT
Ashland at the Community Center – 812 Main Street
18
Liberal, KS
(Seward County)
7:00pm CDT
Activity center at the fairgrounds
19
Scott City, KS
(Scott County)
7:00pm CDT
EMS building – 110 East 4th
20
Larned, KS
(Pawnee County)
7:00pm CDT
JA Hass exhibit building at the fair grounds – 400 East 18th
