Friends:

First, I delayed my website re-launch to coincide with my upcoming legislative survey.  In January, I will include the link to the survey.  Additionally, every voting household voting in the 2006 General Election will receive a card in the mail directing you to the survey website.  Snail-mail versions of the survey will also be available for those without internet access.

Second, I want to send huge CONGRATULATIONS to my high school friend Angie (Matthews) Wilkinson on winning the Garden City School District "Crystal Apple" award after only a few years of teaching.  This is the district's highest award for teaching excellence.  Congrats, Angie!

Announcements

Opportunities
Leadership Elections

Committee Assignments
Where's Waldo
Resources

Announcements
District Attorney's race:

Because Paul Morrison, our current DA was elected to be KS Attorney General in the middle of his term (it expires in 2008), and because he was first elected as a Republican, the Republican precinct committeemen and women meet to elect his replacement.

Background:  Political boundaries are arranged by precincts of voters.  Each precinct is represented by a Republican Precinct Committeewoman and Committeeman, and a Democrat Precinct Committeewoman and Committeeman.  These people are elected during the August primary.  Maybe this will bring attention to the importance of primary elections in Kansas!

That meeting was held Monday evening and Phill Kline was elected by a vote of 316-291 against Steve Howe, a long-serving attorney in the DA's office.

The point the media is missing:  Precinct Committee representatives serve as your voice when a vacancy occurs.  Just how I am your voice in Topeka, these folks are accountable to you, the voters (see below).

For the record:  Even though this was a secret ballot, I don't hide my votes from you.  I approached the evening, and my vote, scientifically.  I researched the vote totals in every one of my precincts, including my own.  Phill Kline lost every precinct and nearly all by a 2-to-1 margin.  In my precinct (Lenexa 3-7), the total was 462-205.  In every precinct, that race received the highest total votes, which signaled to me that voters were very adamant about voting in that race, even when they skipped other races.  Thus, my vote went to Steve Howe.  I'm sure I will face retaliation by many fellow Republicans, but considering the above facts, any other vote would have been unconscionable. 

I've heard from many of you upset about this outcome.  I understand your frustration with the precinct process and am hopeful this event will encourage primary election participation.

Take a look at your voter registration card, you'll find your ward and precinct:

Lenexa Republican Precinct Committee:  http://www.jocoelection.org/Directory/D-Lenexa-Rep.htm

Shawnee Republican Precinct Committee:  http://www.jocoelection.org/Directory/D-Shawnee-Rep.htm

Opportunities

§          Sharp Shadow - Now's the time to check your calendars and pick a day to spend behind the scenes and in the middle of the action in Topeka!  Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are best.  We're off for MLK observances, but are in session on President's Day.  There's a four-day weekend (includes Mon-Tues) the last weekend in February, and I don't recommend April, as the schedule is completely unpredictable.  So, pick a day somewhere in there!

§          Bill Ideas?  It's that time again - what silly laws really "get your goat"?  Anything we shouldn't pass?

Leadership Elections
On Monday, December 4, the legislature met to elect its leadership.  Republicans elected:

Speaker Melvin Neufeld (Ingalls)

Majority Leader Ray Merrick (Stilwell)

Speaker Pro Tempore Don Dahl (Hillsboro)

Assistant Majority Leader Jene Vickrey (Louisburg)

Majority Whip Rob Olson (Olathe)

Caucus Chair Dick Kelsey (Goddard)

No word yet on room locations or floor seating, each of which the Speaker decides with consultation from their leadership team.  As soon as I know something, I'll pass it along.  My Capitol address and phone will certainly change.

Here are a couple of articles about the leadership elections:

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/16210245.htm

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/16165095.htm

Committee Assignments

I just received confirmation that I will serve on the following committees:

Commerce & Labor, Transportation (new to me), and I will Vice Chair a new committee entitled "Government Efficiency & Technology".  (Listing of chairs and vice chairs from Hawver's Capitol Report: www.hawvernews.com)

• Appropriations: Chair, Sharon Schwartz, R-Washington, vice-chair Lee Tafanelli, R-Ozawkie.
• Agriculture and Natural Resources: Chair John Faber, R-Brewster, vice-chair Forrest Knox, R-Fredonia.
• Commerce and Labor: Chair, Steve Brunk, R-Bel Aire, vice-chair Mike Kiegerl, R-Olathe.
• Economic Development/Tourism: Chair Lana Gordon, R-Topeka, vice chair Terrie Huntington, R-Mission Hills.
• Education: Chair Clay Aurand, R-Courtland, vice-chair Deena Horst, R-Salina.
• Energy and Utilities: Chair Carl Holmes, R-Liberal, vice-chair Rob Olson, R-Olathe.
• Elections and Governmental Organization: Chair Mike Burgess, R-Topeka, vice-chair Ted Powers, R-Mulvane.
• Federal and State Affairs: Chair Arlen Siegfreid, R-Olathe, vice-chair Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center.
• Government Efficiency and Technology: Chair Jim Morrison, R-Colby, vice-chair Stephanie Sharp, R-Lenexa.
• Health and Human Services: Chair Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, vice-chair Peggy Mast, R-Emporia.
• Insurance and Financial Institutions: Chair Clark Shultz, R-Lindsborg, vice-chair Anthony Brown, R-Eudora.
• Judiciary: Chair Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchison, vice-chair Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe,
• Rules and Journal: Chair Clark Shultz, vice-chair Lance Kinzer.
• Tax: Chair Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing, vice-chair Richard Carlson, R-St. Marys.
• Transportation: Chair Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin, vice-chair Virgil Peck, R-Tyro.
• Veterans, Military and Homeland Security: Chair Don Myers, R-Derby, vice-chair Mario Goico, R-Wichita.

Where's Waldo?

§            Lenexa Chamber Lunch

§            Hosted "Let's Talk Issues" with the KC Star and JCCC

§            Rosewood Subdivision Progressive Dinner

§            Greater KC Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

§            Johnson County Republican Party Reorganization

§            Shawnee Mission School District Legislative dinner

§            Shawnee Leaders' Summit

§            Lenexa Familiarization Tour

§            Plaza Lights fundraiser for the KS Republican Senatorial Committee

§            Leadership Elections in Topeka

§            Johnson County Government Legislative Breakfast

§            Johnson County Community College Legislative Breakfast

§            Christmas at Resurrection (FIVE performances!)

§            Johnson County Republican Committee, District Attorney election

§            Shawnee Chamber of Commerce lunch

Resources

Keep KansasSharp Blog:  www.keepkansassharp.blogspot.com

KansasLegislature:  http://www.kslegislature.org

KS Ethics Commission:  http://www.kansas.gov/ethics/

KS Legislative Research:  http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/klrd.html

Johnson CountyElection Office:  http://www.jocoelection.org/

Please do not hesitate to contact me about these or any other issues of interest to you.  I appreciate the opportunity to represent you in Topeka.

Rep. Stephanie Sharp
17th District, Kansas House
Serving Lenexa and Shawnee
www.stephaniesharp.com
Home:  913-894-1201

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