SPEAKERS

Senator Ray Merrick, District 37

Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook, District 10

Senator Julia Lynn, District 9

Senator Rob Olson, District 23 --- had also committed to this speaking attendance,

but did not attend because of a family conflict.

Invocation by Dennis Kreigshauser

Pledge of Allegiance

U.S. House of Representatives, Third District, Kevin Yoder made an appearance to inform our members and guests of his work on the Appropriations Committee in our U.S. House of Representatives and on the current legislative bills, voting, successes, and problems within the Congress:

                        The politicians in Washington DC are “out of step with reality.

                        First time in the history of the U.S. Congress that the Constitution of the United States was read on the floor.

                        The House passed to repeal the health care bill, 245-189 (every Republican voted for it; three Democrats). Our Kansas Attorney General, Derek Schmidt, has joined other states in suing the Federal Government regarding the health care bill. The Republicans will continue working to “finish the job” by 2012 and to help stop the unsustainable spending. $105 Billion was “hidden” within the health bill, not going through the proper Constitutional channels of Appropriations; need to work out how to repeal.

                        $10 Billion in cuts---largest ever in history of Congress; not enough, but relative to problem and a start. Working on cutting $61 billion, passed bills to defund Planned Parenthood and all of the administration “czars.”

                         All of these are, however, “struggles” to complete within the U.S. Senate---where “all good bills go to die.”

                        42 cents of every dollar is now borrowed; $1.65 Trillion deficit, largest in our history with $14 Trillion in national debt

                        Obama Administration “threatening” that our military troops will NOT be paid if there is a government shutdown

Miscellaneous Announcements

Doris Riley announced that the Johnson County Republican Party office on Metcalf in Overland Park will be open 10am to 4pm prior to the upcoming April 5, 2011, spring election.

Clay Barker announced that the Johnson County Charter Commission public hearing would occur on March 29 with long-range planning, fund raising, presidential caucuses, non partisan race decisions, and redistricting some of the areas being examined.

He also spoke on his working both eastern and western Kansas to make determination of what the party can do to stop those registered as Republicans from occasionally voting Democrat. At this, Yvonne Starks commented that those who volunteer or are paid to be in Republican leadership positions should have their “feet held to the fire” just as any elected official to never be supporting or promoting any other than a Republican running for office, whether or not the race is considered non-partisan or not. It is possible by public record to know party affiliation.

KANSAS SENATORS’ COMMENTS

Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook: Health Care Freedom bill passed the Senate. Our voices are making a difference. The Kansas Senate is similar to the U.S. Senate as Representative Yoder had just talked about---“only worse.” Several bills on abortion very important in all areas of LIFE issues. The Kansas budget is coming up next week. Federal committed legislative money is unsustainable and is not “free money”---hurts the Kansas citizen.

Senator Ray Merrick: Welcomed former Kansas Representative from Brewster, Kansas, and his son, Josh, to our meeting. Unemployment law---$250 million from Federal government for “unemployment problems.” Spoke of difficulty working with Senator John Vratil. Concern over money wanted for creating more engineering in our universities, but there is already crossover in Kansas universities; $195 million in new bond dollars. Will vote no on exchanges for insurance commissioner. Concern over “new fight” within Senate regarding Governor Brownback’s choice for SRS post. Secretary of Labor Karin Brownlee helping to “clean house” from last administration.

Senator Julia Lynn: Steve Morris, Senate President, 10-12 big companies lined up to benefit from additional funding on the education bill centering around the engineering proposition. Why do we need three state universities with engineering programs?

We need to manage resources and to consolidate.

Of 32 Republicans, only 14 are conservatives so we lost most conservative votes---there’s a “moderate gang” that have alliances with the Democrats and actually work against Governor Brownback and his proposed agenda. Republican Senator John Vratil is one who does not like Sam Brownback and has said he “doesn’t want him back.”

The Democrats are “revving up” to get back their power. Governor Brownback has made the comment that he “would like to see the Senate pass bills with Republican votes”---since the Republicans are technically in power.

The Brownback SRS confirmation “in trouble” because of “political gamesmanship” that also includes Senators Tim Owens and Terrie Huntington. This agency is “in a mess” and “needs help.”

Senator Lynn asked for feedback on SB54, the bill that would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell wine and spirits. PRO: Bringing more jobs and revenue if opened and de-regulated. CON: Possibly could help close down already-established liquor stores and the social implications involved. Senator Lynn leaning toward supporting, but would like constituent feedback.

SB#56 about criminal sodomy---the age taken out of the crime. Definition of “sodomy” needs to be elaborated upon.

Random Speaker Comments

Kansas Representative John Rubin, District 18: Spoke to clear up confusion around recent controversy on past immigration bill where he was misrepresented within an on-line Kansas City Star article of wanting this bill tabled. The bill did end up being tabled. Concern over the upcoming budget bill coming up this week where the majority seems to be favoring a six percent increase over last year instead of cutting spending which was supposed to be the intention of last November’s election. Making the 1% sales tax that was passed last year permanent was a bill that recently failed. Concern over Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger’s acceptance of Federal dollars within the health care bill, which is contrary to Kansas Attorney General’s suit against the health care bill; Praeger is launching “a rebellion.”

A Republican benefactor, present at the meeting, generously surprised all by paying for everyone’s restaurant breakfast.

Yvonne Starks, Corresponding Secretary for Recording