As if anyone needed more evidence that Gov. Sam Brownback
detests legislators from his own party – here it is:
Brownback used his line item veto authority to ride the
budget bill of a provision banning the use of STAR bonds in Wyandotte County.
The provision received the unanimous support of the Kansas Senate. It was
drafted to slow a Department of Commerce plan to force Kansans to subsidize a
horse arena near in Kansas City, Kan. I’ve written about this before, and
seriously, I am shaky angry about the line item veto, about the attempt to
dodge legislative oversight of STAR bonds, and the disgusting desire Brownback
apparently has to reward his wealthy friends with a nice, fat subsidy courtesy
of taxpayers.
When I last wrote about this, an actual insider assured me
that the Commerce Department and the Governor’s office would be clearing up
public and legislative misunderstandings related to moving the American Royal
to KCK. It’s been a full week, and what we’ve learned instead is that Brownback
intends to horse kick Kansas taxpayers and his former allies in the state
Senate in the face.
I would love to be proven wrong about Brownback’s outrageous
decision to usurp the authority of legislators and the people who elected them.
I would be thrilled to read about how this is all some massive understanding.
Seriously, call me an idiot, Brownbackers. Explain to me how I am wrong about
this American Royal proposal. I’m waiting. My phone lines are open. Send me an
email. Issue a press release. Do SOMETHING to let those of us who worked our
tails off for your election and re-election know that grassroots supporters and your allies in the
state legislators weren’t mistaken in our support.
Finally, I’m really, really tired of all of Brownback’s
former allies telling me in private that he’s a really nice man, who is just
following the lead of dumb dumbs (or evil people). If you can’t stand up for
what is right in the face of a few people who live in the basement of your deputy
chief of staff, you aren’t that nice. I’m sorry. I’m about to quit buying the
story about Brownback being all sweet and lightness. Moving the American Royal
across the state lines via taxpayer subsidy isn’t a kindness. My definition of ‘nice’
requires doing the right thing. (My definition differs slightly from Webster’s.)
This is one veto with a guaranteed override. Bad move on the Governor's part when a provision passes the Senate unanimously. What was the House margin?
ReplyDeleteSam Brownback's applying for a million dollar lobbying job at Cerner. The senate should investigate.
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