Kevin Yoder, Chairman of the Kansas House Appropriations Committee, is running for US Congress in Kansas' Third District. Apparently, the chance to move on to Washington is far more interesting than fulfilling his responsibilities in Topeka. Yesterday, he called for additional cuts to state services, but declined to offer specifics whether or not public schools, services to seniors, and law enforcement would experience additional painful cuts. Instead of leading (as his position requires him to do), he chose to request that Governor Parkinson give him some 'guidance'. The only problem is that the Governor DID provide guidance earlier this month at his State of the State address. Did Rep. Yoder choose not to listen to the Governor's address, or is he just incapable of fulfilling his current responsibility while also reaching for that next rung up the political ladder?

 
"As the chair of the Appropriations committee it’s his duty to lead, but during five months of budget meetings Kevin Yoder failed to make even a single suggestion to balance the budget.  It's time he stop wasting the public's time and give as much attention to his elected responsibility as he has to his Congressional campaign,” observed Kenny Johnston, Executive Director of the Kansas Democratic Party.
 
“Democrats, under the leadership of Governor Parkinson, have already found half a billion dollars in cuts, and will continue to lead our state through tough times while protecting public schools and seniors.  Kansans are going to wonder why they should send Kevin Yoder to Washington if he can’t effectively and responsibly lead a committee in Topeka,” added Johnston.
 
Why in the world does Yoder think he even deserves to be re-elected given his current job performance, let alone be sent to Washington to represent more than half a million Kansans? If you did your job this poorly you would surely be fired, but here's Kevin Yoder asking for a raise and a promotion.