Press Release
May 3, 2006
For Immediate Release

BACKDOOR POLITICS COULD COST KANSANS $3 BILLION
by Earl Watt
Southwest Daily Times

Tim Huelskamp may be one of a few left in Topeka that still trusts the people of Kansas.

Huelskamp was recognized as a friend of open government for his support of keeping government activities accessible to the media and citizens.

With Huelskamp's commitment to shining a light on government, it is no wonder that the political influences in Topeka do not see Huelskamp's support of open government as a positive trait.

Many feel ordained to lead the state with as little interference by the people as possible.

What other reason is there to try to eliminate or remove the rights of people to know what is happening with government?

Huelskamp believes a government should have nothing to hide from its citizens.

Why does the Kansas Senate not follow suit?

There can be only one logical explanation - they don't want you to know.

Seeing the way Republican Senate President Steve Morris, Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius and members of the judiciary have created an independent agenda on handling school finance, it is easy to see why they do not want the people to have access to government happenings.

It's easy to increase the cost to Kansas taxpayers by $3 billion or more if they do not know there has been questionable discussions between a select few in leadership roles.

A number of questions have circulated in Topeka about private meetings between political leaders, representatives from the judicial system and the governor's office. The timing of these meetings coincide with the “plan” to finance the court-ordered demand for increased education spending to the tune of $3 billion between now and 2010.

But the Kansas Supreme Court isn't honoring requests for open records, including emails and other documents, between these various branches of government. Similar requests have been made to the governor's office as well.

Morris and the moderate leadership don't want Kansans to know what has been discussed behind closed doors. Morris' actions certainly are not representative of the views of Southwest Kansans.

That is why the battle for open government must continue, and voters should find out if their elected officials have supported open government initiatives. If not, why not? If private meetings are taking place, why?

Huelskamp was credited for supporting an agenda of open record reforms in 2005 by Kansas Press Association Executive Director Doug Anstaett.

But when someone like Huelskamp works to keep government open, Senate President Morris punishes the effort by moving Huelskamp to the back of the Senate chamber as if scolding a child.

The people of Kansas should commend Huelskamp for continuing to serve by principles rather than politics.

He has fought to keep the state's financial house in order and has wholly endorsed an open government policy. Hugoton's Morris has not.

As both are from Southwest Kansas, where openness in government is held to the highest standard, it is unusual to have such diverse approaches sent to Topeka.

As Kansas faces more challenges, it will be important to keep government activities out in the open so the people can be informed, not only on the challenge but also on the proposed solutions. And senators, governors and judicial activists who get caught in backroom dealings ought to be relieved of duty.