While Tuesday was a rather tranquil day – in state politics at least – there is some news that we need to catch you up on this morning.
Berger hurt
First from the Hutchinson News, Republican state Sen Ed Berger is recovering from a broken vertebrae suffered when falling down the steps while vacationing in Colorado.
Berger, 73, told the newspaper he is now in rehab after undergoing surgery. He said he is now in a brace and is using a walker. He estimated his recovery will take six weeks.
Pompeo defends Trump
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CBN News on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is not a racist.
A possible U.S. Senate candidate in Kansas, Pompeo said he found it disquieting that a small group of Democrats in Congress were blaming the world’s problems on the United States.
Pompeo’s comments come amid the furor over Trump’s tweet telling four congresswomen of color that they should “go back” to their “broken and crime infested” countries, even though all but one were born in the United States.
“Never seen it, not once,” Pompeo said when asked if race drive’s the president’s policies.
“Each and every time we’ve talked about a particularly difficult situation or how to respond to a threat that’s imposed on us, it’s been about data and facts, coming up with a set of policy options that are achievable,” Pompeo said.
“That is, we believe you have to be realistic; you have to take the world as it is. You can’t pretend that something else is going to transpire; that you know is very unlikely. And we’ve worked on that, and he’s done this in every country. He’s done this regardless of the race of individuals in that country, the religion, it is about delivering these good outcomes.”
Pompeo also was asked about the four congresswomen – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts – without mentioning them by name.
“When a handful of members of Congress say things, that are in the tone of the fact that they blame America for so much of the trouble in the world, that’s deeply troubling.”
Mental health advocate mourned
Mental health advocates are grieving the death of Eric Harkness, who was the president of the board of directors for the Kansas chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Gov. Laura Kelly issued a statement on Tuesday expressing sorrow over Harkness’ suicide last weekend.
“I’m deeply saddened to hear of Eric’s passing. He was a tireless advocate for the Kansas mental health community,” Kelly said.
“He touched many lives with his unbridled passion for helping people who deal with mental illness every day access the help and support they need,” she said.
“Eric inspired us during Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Capitol and other activities as part of his unwavering commitment to educate and increase awareness about mental illness.”
Harkness was a pharmacist and earned degrees from the University of Illinois, the University of Kansas, and City University of New York, according to NAMI’s Facebook page.
“Eric was a tireless leader and supporter of NAMI Kansas and NAMI,” NAMI’s executive director Sherrie Vaughn posted on Facebook.
“Because Eric touched so many lives, we know there are countless told and untold stories that we each hold in our memories as we find ourselves cherishing each and every moment shared,” Vaughn wrote.
Lots of coverage from the Capital Journal, Fox 4 in Kansas City, and KWCH.
