Document Actions
March 5, 2004
ssharp@ink.org
Friends:
What a week! Lots of controversy and political posturing, but unfortunately, not a lot of good work for Kansans – if only I had a say in what issues we addressed! As if anyone had a doubt – we spent 100 percent more time on guns and the marriage amendment as we did on education this week. We’re on a roll!! (Yes, this is pure sarcasm.) A whole week spent on two bills…
Floor Activities
Concealed Carry: Passed 78-45. I voted NO.
HB 2798: http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2004/2798.pdf
Supplemental Note (Legislative Research overview): http://www.kslegislature.org/supplemental/2004/SN2798.pdf
Poll results: 75% opposed of concealed carry of handguns
25% support
Passed amdts:
1. If you ever commit a felony, license and gun are revoked.
Failed amdts (I voted for all of these):
1. Increased training requirements from 8 hours to 50 hours.
2. Allowing cities that have already passed ordinances to keep them “as is”.
3. Increased penalties for taking a gun into a prohibited place (school, state building, etc.), or place that has posted a sign.
4. A study commission to determine impact on safety in Kansas
Civil Unions/Family Protection Act (Spam filters will bounce if I use other words!)
HCR 5033: http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2004/5033.pdf
Supplemental note: http://www.kslegislature.org/supplemental/2004/SN5033.pdf
Poll results: Much to my surprise, a strong majority of you opposed amending our Constitution to deal with this social issue. In my poll:
59% opposed a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as only between a woman and a man. The amendment also bans civil unions/domestic partnerships.
41% supported defining marriage as between a woman and a man.
Amendments to the resolution:
Rep. Tim Owens tried to amend the bill to develop a means to address civil unions. I supported this amendment. We must have a means of handling the contractual agreements formed in other states, whether or not we approve of the relationship.
The amendment failed: 35-84
Final Action: Passed 88-36. The resolution needed 84 votes to pass. It now proceeds to the Senate, where it must also achieve a 2/3 majority (27 votes). If it passes the Senate, it will be placed on the General Election ballot for consideration by the entire state in November.
Many of my colleagues strongly opposed the Constitutional amendment, but were afraid of campaign postcards. As you can see above, with your support, I felt comfortable opposing the amendment.
Your arguments below were persuasive, in addition to my fundamental belief that we all must answer to God, not the Kansas legislature. I do not understand homosexuality. However, just because someone believes different from me, doesn’t mean I have to right to make their belief illegal.
Some of your comments (anonymously, of course):
Most frequent: Why are you addressing this vindictive issue while issues that affect all of us are being ignored (i.e. education)?
The Constitution has always given rights, not taken them away.
The Constitution should not be used to create a second-class group of citizens.
If this measure passes, what minority group is next? Will it be yours?
This imposes one groups’ beliefs on another.
It seems that small government and separation of church and state is great until government intrusion fits a group’s personal philosophy.
Marriage is a religious institution and churches should be allowed to decide whether or not they wish to marry gay couples. The state should address itself to the legal contracts formed under civil unions or domestic partnerships.
Many of you are going to be angry, and I understand that. Please know I did not make this vote casually. Many of you will be comfortable with my vote, and I appreciate that. It has been an emotionally draining week. I’m headed home and looking forward to a relaxing weekend, I hope you are too.
Stephanie
Resources
Johnson County Statehouse Hotline! Call Topeka for free – 913-715-5000 and ask to speak with your Representative or Senator.
Next week’s schedule:
Senate: http://www.kslegislature.org/cgi-bin/getfile.cgi/agstat/2004/sa0305.pdf
House: http://www.kslegislature.org/cgi-bin/getfile.cgi/agstat/2004/ha0305.pdf
LIVE! Paperless House Health and Human Services Committee (1:30 – 3:00 pm daily):
http://www.kslegislature.org/committeeminutes/03-04/house/hhealth/h_hhs.shtml
- See and hear the committee in action, read agendas and testimony for the day
- You see everything I do!
LIVE! House or Senate Chamber:
http://www.kslegislature.org/currenthappenings/index.html
Where’s Waldo (Rep. Sharp)? February 27 – March 5, 2004
(Besides session and committee meetings 9am – 5 pm)
- It was a short and unpredictable week, so there weren’t many groups visiting the Capitol!
- I appeared on MO Rep. Paul LeVota’s “Dialogue” radio program on HotTalk 1510 Sunday morning. I forgot to let you know about it in last week’s Record!
- Lunches:
- Johnson County delegation meeting sponsored by Comcast and Time Warner
- Schools for Quality Education
Question of the Week!
Last Week’s Question: Just one Kansas county is named for a woman. What was her name?
Answer and Winner: Barton County is named for Civil War nurse Clara Barton. Linda Arndt of Shawnee was last week’s winner! Linda wins a lapel pin of the Seal of Kansas and one of my refrigerator magnets.
NEW QUESTION: This if for the sports nuts out there!
The seventh game of the 1924 World Series went a record twelve innings. The pitcher of the 1924 winning team was from Kansas, and has been called the greatest pitcher in baseball history. Can you name this player, give his nickname, and tell us where he was born in Kansas? The winner has to get 2 out of 3 correct!
Stephanie Sharp
17th District, KS House
Serving Lenexa and Shawnee