Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Coal Compromise Rejected and the Veto Session begins
Kansas GOP Blasts Governor for ineffective leadership on job growth in Kansas
Topeka, KS—Today, the Kansas Republican Party responded to the Governor’s comments surrounding the compromise proposal on two 700-watt coal plants proposed for Holcomb, Kansas.
Chairman Kris Kobach said, “The Governor has made it abundantly clear that she could care less about bringing jobs to Kansas. More than 60,000 Kansans are unemployed and desperately looking for work. Instead of doing everything possible to bring 2,400 jobs to Kansas with the Holcomb power plants expansion, she has vetoed the plants and made outrageous demands in the name of radical left-wing environmentalism. Her priorities are completely out of step with the needs of Kansas.”
Executive Director Christian Morgan added, “It’s preposterous to me that while the economy is the number one issue on the minds of Kansans, the Governor has consistently refused to allow good jobs to come to Kansas simply to perpetrate her liberal agenda and national political ambitions. The fact remains that the Governor has been traveling all over the country attending climate summits at places like Yale University while ignoring the needs of Kansans who are looking for jobs.
“Enough is enough. It’s time for real leadership to come from Cedar Crest, instead of fancy sounding summits and initiatives.”
###
Veto Session starts today at 10:00 AM. At the top of Legislative Leadership’s agenda will be an attempt to override the Governor’s veto and provide jobs that Kansans need. For more information about the Veto Session, follow bills, and other information about the state legislature, visit http://www.kslegislature.com/.
You can also visit the official site for the House Republican Caucus at http://www.kansashouse.org/.
Legislative leadership anticipates the Veto Session lasting through Saturday.
Topeka, KS—Today, the Kansas Republican Party responded to the Governor’s comments surrounding the compromise proposal on two 700-watt coal plants proposed for Holcomb, Kansas.
Chairman Kris Kobach said, “The Governor has made it abundantly clear that she could care less about bringing jobs to Kansas. More than 60,000 Kansans are unemployed and desperately looking for work. Instead of doing everything possible to bring 2,400 jobs to Kansas with the Holcomb power plants expansion, she has vetoed the plants and made outrageous demands in the name of radical left-wing environmentalism. Her priorities are completely out of step with the needs of Kansas.”
Executive Director Christian Morgan added, “It’s preposterous to me that while the economy is the number one issue on the minds of Kansans, the Governor has consistently refused to allow good jobs to come to Kansas simply to perpetrate her liberal agenda and national political ambitions. The fact remains that the Governor has been traveling all over the country attending climate summits at places like Yale University while ignoring the needs of Kansans who are looking for jobs.
“Enough is enough. It’s time for real leadership to come from Cedar Crest, instead of fancy sounding summits and initiatives.”
###
Veto Session starts today at 10:00 AM. At the top of Legislative Leadership’s agenda will be an attempt to override the Governor’s veto and provide jobs that Kansans need. For more information about the Veto Session, follow bills, and other information about the state legislature, visit http://www.kslegislature.com/.
You can also visit the official site for the House Republican Caucus at http://www.kansashouse.org/.
Legislative leadership anticipates the Veto Session lasting through Saturday.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Merrick Calls Attention to Economic Impact of Holcomb Expansion
Topeka – House Majority Leader Ray Merrick (R-Stilwell) distributed excerpts from Former Congressman Jim Slattery’s March testimony before the U.S. House Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee. Merrick believes the remarks demonstrate the complexity of the coal plant debate and the long term impacts the deal will have on the local and national economy.
“Despite the nature of our current debate, this is not a partisan, simple or one-dimensional issue. Governor Sebelius and those who align themselves with her continue to fight the Holcomb-plant expansion on the premise of environmental concern and without regard for the other ancillary effects of denying the plant expansion,” said Merrick.
Pertinent excerpts from Slattery’s testimony
Excerpts from the Slattery CO2 Testimony
Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives
March 8, 2009
In one of his last acts as a lobbyist, Congressman Slattery, speaking on behalf of the “Nucor
Corporation…American Iron and Steel Institute and the Steel Manufacturers Association,”
testified that:
“Certain recent proposals seem to accept the loss of energy‐intensive industries in the
United States as an inevitable consequence of climate change legislation. Some have referred cavalierly to this as ‘leakage.’ In fact, the loss of energy‐intensive manufacturing industries like steel as a consequence of climate change legislation would cost millions of Americans their jobs, damage our economy and threaten our national security.” [pp. 4‐5]
Further:
“Higher, uncompensated regulatory and related costs…will force manufacturers to move production from the United States to countries like China, India and Brazil, that do not have comprehensive and significant greenhouse gas reduction obligations.” [p. 9]
And further that:
“Steelmakers in the EU have been hit with substantial increase in electricity costs, increases that have made them less competitive internationally.” [p.10]
And finally that:
“We are also very concerned that cap and trade legislation will encourage fuel switching from coal to natural gas, further escalating natural gas prices. This scenario is already occurring, just in anticipation of legislation.” [p.14]
In all these ways, Congressman Slattery has recently and unequivocally put himself on record as opposing the dangerous and unscientific regulatory regime propounded by the Sebelius Administration. Please feel free to use the information as you see fit.
“Despite the nature of our current debate, this is not a partisan, simple or one-dimensional issue. Governor Sebelius and those who align themselves with her continue to fight the Holcomb-plant expansion on the premise of environmental concern and without regard for the other ancillary effects of denying the plant expansion,” said Merrick.
“This over-simplified argument doesn’t credit Kansans with much sense. Certainly we know that
whether the plant is built here, in Colorado or another neighboring state, the environmental impact will be the same. But by denying this plant expansion we are setting a national precedent for changing environmental policy for political gain and increasing the regulatory uncertainty of our business climate. This issue does not just effect Republicans or western Kansans. As evidenced by Former Congressman Jim Slattery’s testimony, this issue impacts Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, both here and nationwide.”
whether the plant is built here, in Colorado or another neighboring state, the environmental impact will be the same. But by denying this plant expansion we are setting a national precedent for changing environmental policy for political gain and increasing the regulatory uncertainty of our business climate. This issue does not just effect Republicans or western Kansans. As evidenced by Former Congressman Jim Slattery’s testimony, this issue impacts Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, both here and nationwide.”
Pertinent excerpts from Slattery’s testimony
Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives
March 8, 2009
In one of his last acts as a lobbyist, Congressman Slattery, speaking on behalf of the “Nucor
Corporation…American Iron and Steel Institute and the Steel Manufacturers Association,”
testified that:
“Certain recent proposals seem to accept the loss of energy‐intensive industries in the
United States as an inevitable consequence of climate change legislation. Some have referred cavalierly to this as ‘leakage.’ In fact, the loss of energy‐intensive manufacturing industries like steel as a consequence of climate change legislation would cost millions of Americans their jobs, damage our economy and threaten our national security.” [pp. 4‐5]
Further:
“Higher, uncompensated regulatory and related costs…will force manufacturers to move production from the United States to countries like China, India and Brazil, that do not have comprehensive and significant greenhouse gas reduction obligations.” [p. 9]
And further that:
“Steelmakers in the EU have been hit with substantial increase in electricity costs, increases that have made them less competitive internationally.” [p.10]
And finally that:
“We are also very concerned that cap and trade legislation will encourage fuel switching from coal to natural gas, further escalating natural gas prices. This scenario is already occurring, just in anticipation of legislation.” [p.14]
In all these ways, Congressman Slattery has recently and unequivocally put himself on record as opposing the dangerous and unscientific regulatory regime propounded by the Sebelius Administration. Please feel free to use the information as you see fit.
More information on Slattery
Here’s some additional information about Jim Slattery that Republicans may find interesting.
First, Slattery has been out of Kansas for so long, he is listed as an inactive voter on the Secretary of State’s voter registration rolls.
Second, over the course of his years in Washington as a lobbyist, Slattery has given large amounts of money to notable Democrats such as:
- Senator Hillary Clinton
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
- Senator John Kerry
- Governor Bill Richardson
- Senator Bill Nelson
- Former Congressman Richard Gephardt
- Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
- Barbara Boxer and even
- Al Gore
During the 2005-2006 election cycle, he gave $7,800 to Democrats running for state office and almost $10,000 to Kansas Democrats like Dennis Moore and Nancy Boyda just since 2006.
Finally, if elected in his long-shot bid for the Senate, Slattery wouldn’t even have to move from his Fairfax, Virginia house which is valued at $1.6 million. (Here)
Jim Slattery is no moderate Democrat. He is a true liberal whose issues and positions are out of touch with Kansas.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Moderate No Moore
Once touted as a “moderate Democrat,”
Dennis Moore shows true colors and votes left at every turn
Dennis Moore shows true colors and votes left at every turn
Dennis Moore has a reputation as a Democrat who tends to vote moderate on some issues. But times are changing in Washington and so have Moore’s stripes.
The Blue Dog Democrats, a group where Moore co-chairs a policy taskforce, used to stand for independent thinking or even moderation—but now it stands for the Pelosi Rubber-Stamp Democrats.
The Weekly Standard today discussed the weakness of the Blue Dog coalition and the damage that has been done to America as a result of their ineffective leadership.
“In just four short months, the Blue Dogs have helped kill a key national security program, as well as a free trade agreement that's been in the works for over two years; welcomed the largest tax increase in history; and left immigration reform to languish indefinitely...” (Read the whole article here.)
Dennis Moore has earned a living hiding behind a nice smile and a guitar – but now faced with a choice between voting to represent the interests of his district or siding with his liberal majority, he consistently chooses to side with the liberal majority.
It’s no secret; Dennis Moore is part of the broken system in Washington and his Democrat friends have fumbled the ball.
Since taking power in Washington, the Democrats have presided over the lowest Congressional approval ratings in history, have ignored the security of our families and have paved the way for the largest tax increase in history.
Dennis is moderate no Moore…and its going to take more than a ballad of “This Land is Our Land” to convince the voters of the 3rd District otherwise this November.
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