Lots of little stuff to catch up on from a day in the life of the Kansas governor’s race.
Colyer celebrates eco devo, denies pardons
Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer started the day in Lenexa, joining with Berkshire Hathaway Chief Executive Warren Buffett to announce plans for a new Geico Service Center that will employ 500.
He then wrapped up the day in Wichita where he announced that he was denying 21 pardon applications from convicted criminals seeking clemency. He denied pardons for cases involving multiple murders, rapes, child sex crimes, and drug crimes.
Colyer denied a pardon for one man who helped kill a pregnant Wichita teen 12 years ago. Only nine pardons have been granted by Kansas governors during the last 25 years.
“Although all of the decisions that I am announcing today are denials,” Colyer said, “that does not mean that in an appropriate case involving injustice or other justifications, I would not grant a pardon.”
Svaty talks Trump trade policies
Democratic former state Rep. Josh Svaty on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump, saying that his trade policies are going to hurt Kansas agriculture.
A farmer, Svaty said Trump has “made reckless decisions regarding international trade that severely impact the Kansas farmer.
“These moves are made without regard to the enormous impact on the overall economy of Kansas and for that matter, the nation. His decisions are coming right at a time when farmers need certainty the most.”
Svaty added, “Our current President clearly has no understanding or desire to understand this system, its importance or the pressure it has been under the past few years. As your Governor, I will make sure he understands, and keeps hearing from me every day until he acknowledges the damage he is doing. This is a direct assault against the single greatest economic engine in Kansas, and it must end now.”
Kelly receives endorsement from Senate minority leader
Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley came out in support of his Democratic Senate colleagues Laura Kelly and her running mate Lynn Rogers in the governor’s race.
“I have worked with Laura since she was elected to the Kansas Senate and I know her to be a tough, independent leader who always puts the best interests of Kansas families first,” Hensley said.
“Laura Kelly has dedicated her life to doing right by Kansas children and families. She led the effort to improve early childhood education by doubling the number of Kansas children able to enter kindergarten ready to learn.
“Laura Kelly, in partnership with Lynn Rogers, will make our schools a priority again and be the education governor our students deserve.”
Nugent fans – not
Secretary of State Kris Kobach is all jazzed up about this Saturday’s fundraising event in Lenexa with ’70s rocker and fellow feral pig hunter, Ted Nugent.
“If you have never heard Uncle Ted -as he’s often called – go on a rant, you’re in for a real ride. Buckle up and hold on tight,” Kobach told a group of Olathe Republicans recently. “It’s hard to keep him from going on a rant and keeping him at a volume below 7.”
Added Kobach, “I hate stuffy political events that are just boring. This will be a really, really good one.” As an aside, Kobach promises to have the jeep with the replica machine gun on hand at the Lenexa event.
Well, there’s one group that’s not too excited about Nugent campaigning with the secretary of state. Emily’s List on Tuesday denounced Nugent’s campaign appearance with Kobach.
“Kris Kobach has made a deliberate choice to align his campaign with an unapologetic, racist, homophobic, xenophobic, misogynist and said that (Nugent’s) presence would bring ‘excitement’ and ‘be fun,'” Emily’s List spokeswoman Christina Reynolds said in a statement.
“That tells you everything you need to know about Kris Kobach, his values and the quality of his character,” she said in a statement.
Emily’s List has endorsed Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly in the governor’s race.
Barnett re-emerges, calls for KanCare reforms
The last time we heard from former Republican state Sen. Jim Barnett he was touring the state after naming his wife as his running mate.
Barnett re-emerged on Tuesday, calling on the governor to take steps to reform the state’s privatized Medicaid system known as KanCare.
He specifically targeted Maximus, which is facing fines for being out of compliance in processing Medicaid applications. The company was falling way short on the accuracy of its financial payments and was lagging behind in handling applications and cases.
“From the beginning, Maximus has given our state minimus service,” Barnett said in a statement. “The ball is in the governor’s court to show why they shouldn’t be fired.”
Maximus had a June 1 deadline to come into compliance with its contractual obligations and company officials believed they would meet their target.
On Tuesday, Barnett called on the secretary at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to disclose the results of the most recent evaluation of Maximus.
He also said the secretary should impose the maximum fine on the company. Lastly, Barnett said the Maximus contract should be ended.
