Buffalo Blog

LIVE: Sotomayor Hearings

Mike Nellis — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:15:52 -0500

Republicans say the darndest things...

Mike Nellis — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:18:09 -0500

Secretary of State candidate Kris Kobach staying classy at GOP lunch:

"...Kobach kept the mood light with a political joke. He asked what President Obama and God had in common, with the punchline being neither has a birth certificate."

Kobach was of course quoting Republican leader and radio shock jaw Rush Limbaugh as he attempted to swoon over right wing extremists at a lunch event this weekend. The KDP's Executive Director Kenny Johnston had this to say:

"While Kris Kobach has in the past associated himself with extremists who frequently show poor taste, his latest attempt at humor has gone too far. Kansans want elected officials who stand above the peddling of partisan lies and conspiracy theory. This is yet another example of why Kris Kobach is unfit for elected office."

For the record, here's a copy of the President's birth certificate.

ISSUE: Gov. Tim Kaine talks Health Care Reform

Mike Nellis — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:17:01 -0500

Take a moment to discuss.

What do you think is the best way to solve the Health Care crisis?

In case you missed it last night...

Andrea White — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:00:58 -0500

Last night President Obama hosted ABC News and 164 Americans from around the country in a special prime time town hall meeting. The President took tough questions from both the media and regular people about his proposals for health care reform. Check out the link below to see video of the event if you couldn't catch it live.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7923425

2009 YDA National Convention in Chicago

Mike Nellis — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:17:27 -0500

Attention Young Democrats of Kansas:

The 2009 Young Democrats of America Convention will be held August 5th-9th in Chicago, Illinois. This event offers unique training opportunities for Young Democrats to develop skills as organizers, communicators, fundraisers and issue advocates.
Former Vermont Governor and DNC Chairman Howard Dean will keynote the 2009 Convention. During his tenure as chairman (2005-2009) Democrats reclaimed a majority of statehouses, the US House, the US Senate, and the White House.
Information about the Kansas delegation can be found here
General Convention information can be found here.

Should be a great time!

P.S.Click here to take our online survey before it closes tonight at 11:59 PM!

PRESS RELEASE: KS Democratic Party statement on Kansas Department of Labor’s receipt of $69 million for Unemployment Insurance

Mike Nellis — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:16:58 -0500

Sen. Brownback would have denied lifeline to unemployed Kansans
TOPEKA – The following is a statement from Kansas Democratic Party Executive Director Kenny Johnston regarding today’s news that the Kansas Department of Labor has received nearly $69 million for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund:

“If Sam Brownback had his way, these resources wouldn’t be coming to Kansas. When Sam Brownback voted against the Recovery Act, he voted against this money going to help Kansans who have been laid off. In this time of record unemployment, what kind of leader would vote against a lifeline for his constituents? Kansans need more from their leaders than a litany of “NO” votes – we need someone who puts progress before politics."

What do you think?

Mike Nellis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:15:04 -0500

Hi everyone --

I wanted to take a few moments to say hello and introduce myself.

The KDP is undergoing some changes this year as we get ready to compete in the 2010 elections. Part of that process will be an aggressive online organizing campaign to help build our party throughout Kansas. I will be acting as the point person for this effort as the party's Online Director.

As we saw during the 2008 elections, the Internet can be a powerful tool to create change and provide accountability. That's why it's important we use these tools effectively over the next year.

In that very spirit, we've put together a brief 1-2 minute survey about our previous and future online efforts that we'd like you to take. The information you provide us with will be crucial to our success.

Please click here to tell us what you think about the KDP's online organizing efforts.

Thanks for all that you do,

Mike Nellis Online Director -- Kansas Democratic Party

Gov. Parkinson appoints long-time public servant Troy Findley to Lt. Governor

Andrea White — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:35:06 -0500

Gov. Mark Parkinson announced the appointment of Troy Findley to the office of Lieutenant Governor today at press conference held in the Capitol. Findley served as chief of staff to former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius since 2005 and has remained in that position under the leadership of Gov. Parkinson. Prior to his service in the Sebelius administration, Findley spent eight years as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives representing east Lawrence.

Kansas Democratic Party Chairman Larry Gates released the following statement after the announcement:

“Gov. Parkinson has hit the ground running since taking office and once again he has made the smart, common-sense choice for the people of Kansas. Troy Findley is an incredibly capable public servant who has dedicated his professional life to serving the people of Kansas. I have known Troy for years and he is a man of impeccable character who has always worked for the best interests of Kansans.

“As both a former legislative leader and chief of staff to former Gov. Sebelius and Gov. Parkinson, our new Lieutenant Governor is uniquely positioned to continue finding the best solutions for Kansas. Gov. Parkinson and Lt. Gov. Findley will continue to provide the leadership Kansas needs to tackle the challenges that face us. I have the utmost faith in this team and this administration to lead our state.”

Just another example of how Kansas Republicans continue to fail working Kansans

Andrea White — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:44:07 -0500

Yesterday the Kansas Democratic Party released the following statement:
While threatening to slash the salaries of state employees, Kansas Republicans line their own pockets from state coffers
TOPEKA – State party executive director Kenny Johnston released the following statement in response to the revelation that Kansas Republicans in the Legislature received thousands of dollars in special pay bonuses while pushing for furloughs and pay cuts for state employees:
“Apparently in these tough economic times Republican leadership in the Kansas legislature feels that it is fair to force hard-working state employees to shoulder the burden of balancing the state’s books. Maybe the first place Speaker O’Neal should look to cut state expenses is in his own offices.
“State employees are often underpaid and underappreciated as they do the hard work of making our state a better place. The revelation that staff members of Republican leadership have paid themselves thousands of dollars in bonuses while demanding that state workers go on furlough or take a pay cut is outrageous.
“This explains why these Republicans could stomach the idea of a five percent cut to their salaries – they knew they would end up with a generous bonus at the end of the year.”

Kansas workers finally treated with the dignity they deserve

Andrea White — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:59:14 -0500

Democratic leaders in the Kansas House and Senate have been working tirelessly to raise the minimum wage from an abysmal $2.65 per hour to $7.25 per hour. Today all their hard work paid off when Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed Senate Bill 160 - finally ending Kansas' reign as the state with the lowest minimum wage in the nation. This is truly an important victory for working Kansans at a time when good news is few and far between.
From the Office of the Governor:
Sebelius signs legislation to raise Kansas’ minimum wage
Kansas no longer the lowest ranked state in the nation

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed historic legislation raising Kansas’ minimum wage.
“This legislation is long overdue and I am so grateful of the legislators, business leaders and working Kansans who helped make this possible,” Sebelius said. “While the state minimum wage only applies to a small sector of Kansas’ workforce, to them and their families, this legislation is critically important. Our economy must return to its core principle that an honest day’s work brings home an honest day’s pay, and today we’re taking a step in that direction.”
"Kansas' minimum wage is currently the lowest in the nation -- so low that it allows employers to legally pay a rate that keeps people in extreme poverty. After remaining stagnant for more than 20 years, this wage increase, from $2.65 per hour to $7.25 per hour, will show that we value Kansas workers enough to pay them a better wage. Senate Bill 160 is a significant victory for hardworking Kansans across our great state," said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley.
“This bill is a tremendous victory, but is long overdue,” said Davis. “Working families drive the economy. When hardworking employees can’t make enough money to pay the bills, it only pushes us deeper into recession. If want to recover from these difficult times and help Kansans move themselves out of poverty, we must start by guaranteeing a wage that dignifies work,” said House Minority Leader Paul Davis.
SB 160 increases the Kansas’ minimum wage law from $2.65 an hour to $7.25 an hour. This wage increase takes effect on January 1, 2010. This legislation also exempts employees and employers covered under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.
This legislation is the 105^th bill signed by the governor during the 2009 Legislative Session with one having been vetoed.

Drumroll please...

Andrea White — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:14:31 -0500

And the winner of the "Narcissist Award" is Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas!
The WE Blog from the Wichita Eagle recently pointed out that the group Citizens Against Government Waste not only revealed the more than $84 million in pork barrel spending requested by Sen. Brownback but also bestowed a special award on Sen. Roberts. Roberts earned the distinction for the $2 million in earmarks for the "Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholarship Fund."
So it looks like Sen. Brownback and his tea party friends need to look no farther than the office of his Senate colleague Pat Roberts to find the next location for their protests.

How do you spell hypocrite? Apparently B-R-O-W-N-B-A-C-K

Andrea White — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:35:23 -0500

It seems that what Senator Sam Brownback says at home here in Kansas and what he does when he's back in Washington D.C. may be two completely different things. Yesterday Sen. Brownback spent tax day running around the state going from protest to protest helping spread misinformation about the economic stimulus package.
From the Wichita Eagle:
Among the speakers at the Wichita rally was U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, who said fiscal conservatives were outnumbered in Washington by big spenders. He urged those in attendance to continue to make their voices heard....
...Wichita organizers said their primary goal was to protest the $787 billion federal stimulus package, centerpiece of the Obama administration's plans to jump-start the faltering U.S. economy.
While Brownback might be protesting here at home, back in D.C. it looks like Brownback is actually one of the "big spenders" outnumbering the "fiscal conservatives". Guess who brings home the most pork barrel spending in Kansas? That's right - Sen. Brownback.
According to Citizens Against Government Waste, for 2009 Brownback made 69 funding requests totaling almost $85,000,000. That's almost twice as much as Sen. Roberts (the next highest Kansas legislator on the list) and 14 times as much as Rep. Dennis Moore (the lowest Kansan on the list by the way - I guess maybe Republicans shouldn't get to "hog" the title of fiscal conservatism!)

Fight Back!

Andrea White — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:01:11 -0500

Over the past year Americans have faced challenges we haven't seen in generations. Fixing our economy is a daunting task, but one that President Obama has tackled head on.
Click here to show your support for President Obama's Recovery Plan.
Within one month of his inauguration the President passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - which is already easing the economic burdens hurting our families and laying the foundation for future prosperity. Unlike the tax cuts of the past eight years, which padded the pockets of the wealthiest Americans, President Obama's tax cuts put an additional $800 in the pockets of every working family this year.
Sign here to voice your support of President Obama's economic recovery plan.
There's a small but vocal group of people, out of step with the rest of America, who are trying to stop the progress the President is making. Inspired by right-wing Republican leaders like Rush Limbaugh and Karl Rove (the very people who made millions off the failed economic policies that plunged us into this mess), these folks aren't offering solutions, they're organizing "tea parties" against President Obama's economic policies.
Let's show the state that Kansans support the President's plan for recovery. Click here!
We need your help! Sign our petition in support of President Obama's plan to turn our economy around. The vast majority of Americans support the President and his plan, but we need your help to make sure that message is heard.

The battle in Minnesota continues despite fair and accurate recount

Andrea White — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:54:37 -0500

Last November the state of Minnesota witnessed one of the closest elections for United States Senate in U.S. history. When the polling places closed on Election Day only a few hundred votes separated Al Franken and Norm Coleman out of nearly three million votes cast - triggering an automatic recount.
Since then every vote cast has been re-counted by hand. Any disputed ballot was considered by the state canvassing board - a tripartisan board including the Minnesota Secretary of State and two Minnesota Supreme Court justices. The process was fair and transparent and in the end the board certified Al Franken the winner with 225 more votes than Norm Coleman.
But that wasn't enough for Coleman. Instead of conceding, Coleman filed a lawsuit to challenge the results. Seven weeks, 142 witnesses, and 20,000 pages of filings later the court ruled that Franken actually won by an even larger margin.
It's time for Norm to give it up!
Check out this petition - http://www.giveitupnorm.com/signup.php - and tell Norm Coleman that it's time to move on. It has been 94 days since the people of Minnesota have had the representation they deserve.

Gov. Sebelius signs bill to boost renewable energy jobs in Kansas

Andrea White — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:19:25 -0500

Yesterday Gov. Sebelius signed legislation modifying the "Kansas Economic Revitalization and Reinvestment Act" to provide incentives to eligible solar and wind energy projects. This bill is exactly what the folks in Topeka should be focusing on - making Kansas a leader in the new energy economy, not fighting to bring dirty and costly new coal plants to the state.
From Gov. Sebelius:
"To recover from this economic recession, we must look to new industries and new opportunities. Renewable energy companies are a perfect fit for Kansas as we're the third best state in the nation for wind energy and we have a trained and able workforce. Kansas wind can provide the energy we need and create sustainable jobs right here at home."