Bright and Carpenter Consulting, Inc.
825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 502C Topeka, KS 66612, www.brightcarpenter.com
Economic Development
Brownback: state expects Hawker to fulfill obligation http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2012/05/ brownback-state-expects-hawker.html
Hawker Beechcraft files Chapter 11 bankruptcy http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/03/2321096/ hawker-beechcraft-files-chapter.html
Plan for NBAF under review http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/01/3586162/ plan-for-national-bio-and-agro.html
Midwest economic survey suggests growing strength http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/01/2317525/ midwest-economic-survey-suggests.html
Jenkins and House Majority Whip tour NBAF site http://www.wibw.com/localnews/headlines/Jenkins__149391065.html
Tax Reform
Republicans move income tax cuts forward; Democrats say it creates elite taxpayer class http://blogs.kansas.com/gov/2012/05/03/republicans-move-income-tax- cuts-forward-democrats-say-it-creates-elite-taxpayer-class/ Kansas lawmakers revise deal on proposed taxes http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/kansas-lawmakers-revise- deal-on-proposed-tax-cuts/ Tax reduction revised; deficit impact reduced http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-03/tax-reduction-revised- deficit-impact-reduced Brownback administration fights back on tax plan estimate http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/brownback-administration-fights-back- tax-plan-estimates/ Governor’s team objects to new estimates of Kansas tax plan deficit http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/morning_call/2012/05/governors- team-objects-to-new.html Tax reform http://www.hdnews.net/editorialstory/editorial050312-edit
Figures show $700M deficit in budget plan http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-02/figures-show-700m-deficit-budget-plan Tax plan cost estimates soaring (again) http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/tax-plan-cost-estimates-soaring-again/ New deficit shows $712 million deficit from tax cuts http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/02/new-estimate-shows-712-million- deficit-tax-cuts/?kansas_legislature Kansas tax cut plan could cause $712 budget gap by FY 2018 http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/02/2319282/kansas-tax- cut-plan-could-cause.html Tax plan would open budget hole, require more cuts to state programs http://www.hutchnews.com/Editorialblogs/edit-tax-cut-deficits Brownback Administration disputes budget gap projections http://www.wibw.com/politics/headlines/Brownback_Administration_Disputes_ Budget_Gap_Projections_149922005.html Kansas Legislature works to cut sales and income tax http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/Kansas_Legislature_Works_To_Cut_ State_Sales_And_Income_Taxes_149768645.html
Hensley: It’s a tax shift http://cjonline.com/opinion/2012-05-01/sen-anthony-hensley-its-tax-shift Democratic leader says Brownback endorsed tax plan benefits big business at expense of low income http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/02/democratic- leader-says-brownback-endorsed-tax-plan/ Kansas tax cuts would benefit big business, Democrat says http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/01/2318392/ kansas-tax-cuts-would-benefit.html Tax cut costs better but still a concern http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/05/ tax-cut-costs-better-but-still-a-concern/
Will the Legislature make the same mistake again? http://www.winfieldcourier.com/articles/2012/05/ 01/opinion/editorial/doc4f9f18c67f80c731995996.txt Tax cut would lead to state deficits http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/apr/30/ statehouse-live-tax-cut-would-lead-state-deficits/ Lawmakers struggling with effects of income tax elimination on state budget http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/apr/30/kan-lawmakers- struggling-effects-income-tax-elimin/?kansas_legislature Former legislators, all Republicans, criticize Brownback-endorsed tax cuts http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/01/statehouse-live- former-legislators-all-republicans/?kansas_legislature Conservatives heartened by new tax cut projections http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-30/conservatives- heartened-new-tax-cut-projections New estimate lowers deficit of Kansas income tax plan http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/30/2317197/ new-estimate-lowers-deficit-of.html Lawmakers struggle with Kansas tax plan http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/30/3585418/ lawmakers-struggle-with-kansas.html
Estimate: Tax cuts could mean $900 million deficit http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/29/2316054/ estimate-tax-cuts-could-mean-910.html Brownback: Cost controls can pay for tax cut http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/28/2314974/ brownback-cost-controls-can-pay.html
Tax reduction plan approved by Kansas House, Senate negotiators http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/morning_call/2012/04/ tax-reduction-plan-approved-by-kansas.html Tax cuts shouldn’t wreck state budget http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/04/ tax-cuts-shouldnt-wreck-state-budget/ Fund manager fears Kansas tax cuts’ effect on municipal bonds in state http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/print-edition/2012/04/27/ fund-manager-fears-kansas-tax-cuts.html Brownback urges passage of tax cut plan http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/27/3580595/ kansas-confident-feds-will-approve.html Anxious legislators weigh tax-cut deal http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-27/ anxious-legislators-weigh-tax-cut-deal Angel investors say their investments propel the economy http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2012/04/ angel-investors-say-their-investments.html
Health Care
The upside of the divisive KanCare debate http://www.hdnews.net/columnstory/Hawver050112
Limits on KanCare a smart move http://cjonline.com/opinion/2012-04-29/ editorial-limits-kancare-smart-move KanCare delay on developmental disabilities still a touchy subject http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/apr/29/ kancare-delay-developmental-disabilities-still-tou/
$2 million appropriation sought for Larned Hospital http://hutchnews.com/Todaystop/ BC-KS-XGR--Larned-State-Funding-1st-Ld-Wri-20120427-16-30-51 Act on waiting lists http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/27/2312561/ act-on-waiting-lists.html Kansas lawmakers to debate who can pull baby teeth http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-dentists- kansasbre83r0f5-20120428,0,5281972.story
A crack in the wall and a wreck of a bill http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/27/ 3580622/the-stars-editorial-a-crack-in.html Kansas confident feds will approve Medicaid changes http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/27/3580595/ kansas-confident-feds-will-approve.html State seeks Medicaid waiver from feds http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-27/ state-seeks-medicaid-waiver-feds#.T5sTtxUJWeA.twitter
Kansas doesn’t need more smoking http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/05/ kansas-doesnt-need-more-smoking/ Tobacco bill proponents push back http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-02/ tobacco-bill-proponents-push-back Resolution asks if Kansas should promote chewing tobacco as healthier alternative to smoking http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/02/2319876/ resolution-asks-if-kansas-should.html
Health groups pan committee’s tobacco votes http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-01/ health-groups-pan-committees-tobacco-votes Bill seeks to allow smoking in bars http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/01/2318384/ bill-seeks-to-allow-smoking-in.html House agrees on newborn screening bill http://www.khi.org/news/2012/may/01/ newborn-screening-bill-scheduled-conference-commit/ Patton pushing for case manager reform http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-01/ patton-pushing-case-manager-reform
School Finance/Education
Increase in school funding gains momentum in Kansas Legislature http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/03/ 3592713/increase-in-school-funding-gains.html USD 501 says it can cover payroll http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-03/ usd-501-says-it-can-cover-payroll
Educational commissioner focuses on technical programs http://www.fstribune.com/story/1843159.html
School funding increase stalls http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/01/2318035/ school-funding-increase-stalls.html
School district wants clearer funding picture http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/02/ school-district-wants-clearer-funding-picture/?kansas_legislature
Immigration
Arizona immigration law author is cautiously optimistic about similar measure in Kansas http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/04/30/ arizona-immigration-law-author-is-cautiously-optimistic-about-similar-measure/
Kobach anticipates vote on citizenship rule http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-30/ kobach-anticipates-vote-citizenship-rule High court’s stance could spur immigration laws http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/28/3581279/ high-courts-stance-could-spur.html
Kan. immigration debate still a stalemate http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-29/ kan-immigration-debate-still-stalemate High court’s stance could spur immigration laws http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/28/ high-court-stance-could-spur-immigration-laws/ Mary Sanchez: Supreme Court should reject Arizona’s law http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/27/2312567/ supreme-court-should-reject-arizonas.html
Legislature
Support drops for 401(k) style plan http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/03/ support-drops-state-401k-style-plan/?kansas_legislature Senate advances KPERS reform bill http://cjonline.com/news/state/2012-05-03/ senate-advances-kpers-reform-bill What are Kansas lawmakers smoking? http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/ what-are-kansas-lawmakers-smoking/ Jensen urges legislators to reject bill to weaken indoor smoking ban http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/03/jensen-urges- legislators-reject-bill-weaken-indoor/?kansas_legislature Kansas abortion bill: Legislature passes one, others aimed at limiting abortions in the state http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/03/ kansas-abortion-bill_n_1475686.html House resolution criticizes United Nations Agenda 21 http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/03/ house-resolution-criticizes-united-nations-agenda-/ ?kansas_legislature Don’t waste time on Agenda 21 http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/05/ dont-waste-time-on-agenda-21/ Senate tables vote on concealed carry http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/03/2321589/ kan-senate-tables-vote-on-concealed.html Arts bill a good one http://cjonline.com/opinion/2012-05-03/ editorials-arts-bill-good-one
Senate approves $14.4 billion budget plan http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/02/ kansas-senate-approves-144-billion-budget-plan/?kansas_legislature Washburn gets boost in proposed Senate budget http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-02/ washburn-gets-boost-proposed-senate-budget-0 Future of school finance bill may hinge on desire for tax cuts http://joco913.com/news/future-of-school-finance- bill-may-hinge-on-desire-for-tax-cuts/ Senate to debate pension plan http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-03/senate-debate-pension-plan
House panel advances proposed state budget http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/01/ house-panel-advances-proposed-state-budget/?kansas_legislature House committee votes to stop use of state funds for legislators to participate in several organizations, including ALEC http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/01/ house-committee-votes-stop-use-state-funds-legisla/ ?kansas_legislature House budget committee holds back $22 million from KBA http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/01/house-budget- committee-holds-back-22-million-kansa/?kansas_legislature Gov wants support for Larned State Hospital http://www.gbtribune.com/section/41/article/33583/
New arts commission bill goes to governor http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-01/ new-arts-commission-bill-goes-governor New arts commission a good start but needs funding http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/05/ new-arts-commission-a-good-step-but-needs-funding/ Health groups pan committee’s tobacco votes http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-01/ health-groups-pan-committees-tobacco-votes House, Senate far away on worker pay http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-01/ house-senate-far-apart-state-worker-pay House panel not budging on key budget points http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-30/ house-panel-not-budging-key-budget-point Senators question plea for new TCF staff http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-30/ senators-question-plea-new-tcf-staff Students lobby for new education aid http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-30/ students-lobby-new-education-aid
Bill expands dental hygienist services http://www.khi.org/news/2012/apr/30/ house-approves-bill-expand-dental-hygienist-servic/ House ok’s bill allowing dental hygienists to fill cavities, perform other basic services http://blogs.kansas.com/gov/2012/04/30/house-oks-bill- allowing-dental-hygienists-to-fill-cavities-perform-other-basic-services/ House votes to increase grandparent rights in custody cases http://blogs.kansas.com/gov/2012/04/30/ house-votes-to-increase-grandparent-rights-in-custody-cases/ Senate douses park fee reform bill http://cjonline.com/news/state/2012-04-30/ senate-douses-park-fee-reform-bill
Congressional/Federal
Health reform http://www.hdnews.net/editorials/
Yoder says Congress needs a pay cut http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/ yoder-says-congress-needs-pay-cut/
Politics/Elections
Jo Ann Pottorff announces retirement http://blogs.kansas.com/gov/2012/05/01/ rep-jo-ann-pottorff-announces-retirement-conservative- teacher-files-to-run-for-seat/
Huelskamp has no GOP challenger http://www.hutchnews.com/Todaystop/ Huelskamp-and-race--1
Pledge not to sign loyalty pledge http://cjonline.com/opinion/2012-04-30/ editorial-pledge-not-sign-loyalty-pledge Calloway files for re-election http://www.morningsun.net/news/x1018070776/ Calloway-files-for-re-election
Democrats strategize at campaign academy http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-29/ democrats-strategize-campaign-academy Strange times http://www.hutchnews.com/Editorialblogs/ bishop-pauls-edit Party loyalty oaths http://www.hutchnews.com/Editorialblogs/ edit-gop-loyalty-pledge
Former GOP legislators weigh in on income tax, school spending http://www.khi.org/news/2012/apr/25/ former-gop-legislators-weigh-income-tax-and-educat/ Bring out your dead http://www.domeontherange.net/2012/04/ bring-out-your-dead-bring-out-your.html Traditional Republicans aren’t going away without a fight http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/04/ traditional-republicans-arent-going-away-without-a-fight/
Redistricting
No deal, O’Neal http://www.winfieldcourier.com/articles/2012/05/03/ opinion/editorial/doc4fa1dd9bdcf36342541177.txt Redistricting lawsuit hits federal court http://cjonline.com/news/state/2012-05-03/ redistricting-lawsuit-hits-federal-court Kansas Republican files federal suit over redistricting http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/03/2320890/ kansas-woman-files-federal-suit.html House panel to meet on Senate map http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-04/ house-panel-meet-senate-map
House drives stake in Senate’s new map http://cjonline.com/news/2012-05-02/ house-drives-stake-senates-new-map House kills Senate redistricting plan http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/02/ house-kills-senate-redistricting-plan/?kansas_legislature Kansas House rejects Senate map http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/ kansas-house-rejects-senate-map/ Tim Owens, Jean Schodorf fall on redistricting sword http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/ tim-owens-jean-schodorf-fall-redistricting-sword/ New congressional redistricting map advances, puts Lawrence entirely in the 2nd http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/02/new-congressional- redistricting-map-advances-puts-/?kansas_legislature Senate’s congressional redistricting map doesn’t split any major cities http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/02/2320153/ kansas-senates-district-map-doesnt.html Don’t let the players write all the rules http://www.morningsun.net/opinions/x1942567092/ INSIGHT-KANSAS-Don-t-let-the-players-write-all-the-rules Redistricting games continue http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/05/redistricting-games-continue/
Sharp rebukes dominate Senate mapping debate http://cjonline.com/news/state/2012-05-01/ sharp-rebukes-dominate-senate-mapping-debate Senate approves redistricting plan after heated debate http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/may/01/ senate-approves-redistricting-plan-after-heated-de/ Kansas Senate OKs redistricting plan http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/01/3587702/ kansas-senate-oks-redistricting.html Redistricting plan sets up Senate showdown between Schodorf and Landwehr http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/01/2318291/ redistricting-amendment-sets-up.html
Unseemly to use redistricting as a political shield http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2012/04/ its-unseemly-to-use-redistricting-as-a-political-shield/ Battles over turf http://www.hdnews.net/editorialstory/editorial042912-edit Redistricting impasse prompts uncertainty http://cjonline.com/news/2012-04-28/redistricting-impasse-prompts-uncertainty
Kansas senate panel advances new district maps http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/apr/27/ kansas-senate-panel-advances-new-districts-map/?print Costly litigation looms for Kansas if redistricting fails http://blog.legalsonar.com/tag/governor-sam-brownback/ Players shouldn’t write own rules http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/29/2314005/ players-shouldnt-write-own-rules.html Needed change http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/apr/29/needed-change/