Independence, KS - Jim George who is the Democratic Candidate running for the District 12 House seat has issued a statement on the opening of the 2006 Legislative session and has addressed statements made by incumnant Frank Miller (R) and Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt (R) concerning the issues that will face the lawmakers in this session. â??As with every Legislative session there are many issues that must be addressed but you cannot drag your feet in addressing them. Senator Schmidt has said that we must go for the low hanging fruit first. When I picked cherries as a child I knew that you had to pick the upper fruit because it was riper and needed to be removed from the tree before it rotted. Representative Miller has stated that it would take weeks to study the reports of the Post-Audit Division but that is all we have each legislative session is, weeks. We only have 4 months each session to get as much done as we possibly can and nothing should be placed on a back burner.â? Mr. George said in his statement. Jim George feels that remarks like those made by our local lawmakers represent the do nothing attitude of this legislature. Mr. George sat in on committee hearings and legislative sessions in 2005 and saw first hand the types of inaction that led up to last years special session, which cost the taxpayers an unnecessary expense. Mr. George further stated; â??I watched as the debate on the House floor concerning school funding was ignored by our local Representatives. They had their own agenda and they did not care about any alternatives to the problem. When it came time for the vote they were robots pushing buttons. Mr. Miller recently stated that he has voted for all increases in funding for public education as long as it did not increase taxes. Apparently Representative Miller needs to be reminded of his yes vote on HB2247 which would have created the largest property tax increase, $422,000,000.00 over 3 years, if it had been signed into law.â? Jim George is concerned that Mr. Miller still wants to, â??Put a bit into the mouth of the Supreme Court.â? He does not understand why the conservative Republicans think that they do not have to answer for their actions. â??The court was more concerned about the education of our children than the conservative Republicans in the House wereâ?, said Mr. George. â??The Senate came up with a bi-partisan package that met all requirements but Mr. Miller thought it was appropriate to block the bill with his insistence on an amendment that would tie the hands of the Supreme Court. I hope the taxpayers of Kansas are not subjected to the expense of a special session again from frivolous actions like these.â? Mr. George further stated. Jim George feels that there are other ways to fund our schools other than with tax increases and that lawmakers should be looking at the alternatives instead of wasting focusing on their own agendas. Mr. George is also concerned with the issue of imminent domain. â??There is never a good reason for the government to steal a person's home to build a shopping mall,â? Mr. George said. I also support the governor's initiatives on sex offenders. â??Predators, especially those who prey on children should be kept on a very short and tight leash,â? Mr. George stated. "I pray that our lawmakers will be aggressive in addressing the issues in this session. The taxpayers deserve answers and solutions not questions and unresolved issues that remain until another day.â? Mr. George said.