By Carter Moelk
KU Statehouse Wire Service
TOPEKA — Republican Sen. Mitch Holmes apologized for his proposal that there be a dress code for women, but some believe the comment points to an underlying negative attitude toward women in Kansas policy.
Holmes’ formal apology attempted to placate an uproar emerging inside and outside the Capitol, but there are those who say the apology falls short.
“I’m sure he found out people were upset. You can’t single out women like that,” said Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Democrat from Douglas County.
Sen. Laura Kelly, a Democrat from Shawnee County, agreed. She said she was in a state of shock and dismay when Holmes proposed a dress code. She said she was “shocked because of the gender specifications that were targeted and dismayed because this was indicative of the kind of ‘women-unfriendly’ policy Kansas created.”
The controversy began last week when Holmes, chair of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, proposed an 11-point code of conduct for witnesses appearing before the committee.
“For ladies, low-cut necklines and mini-skirts are inappropriate . . .” said Holmes of Stafford County. He added that “provocatively clad” women are a distraction from committee work.
On Tuesday, Holmes said he was sorry.
“My failure to clearly specify that all conferees, regardless of gender, should strive to present themselves professionally is unacceptable. I apologize and meant no offense. I have decided to retract the conferee guidelines.”
Kelly said she’s glad Holmes apologized, but she still has concerns about women’s welfare in the state.
“School teachers, low-income families often run by single mothers, and the elderly are having policies (benefitting) them attacked,” she said.
Jennifer Parson, state coordinator for the National Organization for Women in Kansas, said she, too, has concerns about the larger issue of women’s welfare.
“While I am glad Sen. Holmes has retracted his guidelines, this has revealed deeper attitudes that women are objects to be regulated,” she said. “I encourage the senator and his colleagues to be more self-aware of these attitudes in the future and work to treat women as valued colleagues and constituents.”
With the controversy subsiding, legislators ultimately want to keep the peace in the Capitol.
“I hope Senator Holmes is generally contrite. . . . This whole situation is very unfortunate. It was a distraction from what we should have been focusing on. This state is in a world of hurt, and we should be focusing on fixing that,” Kelly said.