Kansas Republicans Todd Tiahrt and Lynn Jenkins voted against recovering taxpayer funds used to award $165 million in bonuses for AIG employees. The measure passed the house 328-93. Yesterday, Rep. Lynn Jenkins said, "We need to focus on repaying the taxpayers." But when the time came to 'walk the walk,' Jenkins turned her back on taxpayers to help greedy Wall Street executives.

The passage of President Obama’s American Recovery Act is great news for Kansas. It has provided the opportunity to receive hundreds of millions of federal dollars to help fill the looming budget gap and spurring job growth and helping to protect our strategic investments in our schools, colleges and universities. Governor Sebelius wants to utilize this money, but the Republicans in the Kansas Legislature are dragging their feet once again. Throughout the last few weeks, Republicans have rejected utilizing these federal dollars. Tell your legislators to stop playing politics with our children’s schools! First, Republicans rejected money for our universities, community colleges and technical colleges. This money would have kept tuition in check and the created jobs while repairing crumbling buildings on our campuses. Now, Republicans are attempting to cut K-12 education, which will disqualify our state from receiving additional funding in the American Recovery Act. Click HERE to stand up for our children’s future! In order to receive K-12 stimulus money, we must not cut funding below the 2008 level. If Republicans get their way, they will force school districts across the state to cut programs, lay off teachers and will dramatically decrease the quality of our children’s education. With only two weeks left to get something done this session, it is time to put politics aside and do what we were hired by Kansans to do.

Rep. Lynn Jenkins (CPA) apparently doesn't pay attention to what she votes for or against. She criticized the Economic Recovery Act for including funding for a railroad between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The only problem... it doesn't. The decision to build the railroad lies with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood - a Republican. While the bill doesn't include Jenkins' "Make-Believe Railroad," it does contain provisions to create 33,000 Kansas jobs. From the LJ World:

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, on Monday described the new federal stimulus package as a “long, liberal, wish list.” Speaking to Americans for Prosperity-Kansas, Jenkins, whose 2nd Congressional District includes west Lawrence, added, “The Democrats in Congress are on a reckless spending spree with your money, and it has got to stop.”... She cited $8 billion for railroads, which “included funding a railroad between Las Vegas and Los Angeles..." ... But such a project is not included in the bill. The $8 billion is for high-speed rail corridors and intercity passenger rail service. The bill makes no mention of specific routes, leaving much of the oversight to the secretary of transportation. (emphasis added)

Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Don Jordan and Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Jim Garner today announced aspects of the American Recovery Act that will help Kansans in their time of need. “Right now, our country is experiencing an economic crisis not seen since the Great Depression. Every state, every community and every American is being impacted by this recession. But there is hope – there are opportunities on the horizon and there are better days ahead,” Parkinson said. “We must bridge the gap between our troubled times and a better tomorrow by helping families-in-need and out-of-work Kansans.” “There is a strong correlation between the Kansas unemployment rate and the food stamp caseload. While it is still too early to know exactly how big an impact the current economic situation will have on food assistance participation rates, we do expect to see an increase,” Secretary Jordan said. “These additional resources will help Kansas families put food on the table.” “As of March 4th, unemployed Kansans began receiving an additional $25 in their weekly benefit payments. While $25 a week may not sound like a lot of money, it means a tank of gas or an extra bag of groceries each week for a family impacted by a layoff. And it’s significant for our state’s economy, as well. Had the additional $25 a week been available in the month of February, it would have meant an additional $5.9 million circulating in our state economy,” Secretary Garner said. “I’m also extremely proud of our IT staff and everyone at the Department who helped to implement this quickly. They know this extra money is critical to unemployed Kansans, and they worked around the clock to make it happen.”

Today, the Marysville Advocate published an editorial criticizing Republicans in the Kansas legislature for wasting precious time by repeatedly focusing on coal. Below is an excerpt from the editorial:

For the second straight year, the Kansas Legislature is stuck with a bill to strip the state’s health and environment secretary of his powers to regulate new coal-fired power plants. A majority of lawmakers say they want to let Sunflower Electric Power Corp. of Hays and two out-of-state utilities build two new carbon-emitting plants in southwest Kansas. If they do pass this legislation, they’ll face the governor’s veto pen yet again. This after Republican leaders tried and failed to pass a similar bill three times last year. Yes, that’s three times. What part of no don’t they understand? Unfortunately, these lawmakers are wasting precious time that should be dedicated to shoring up the state’s 2010 budget.

Click here to read the entire editorial.

The Kansas Democratic Party would like to congratulate our state's farmers for once again claiming the top spot in wheat production. The AP reports...

Kansas has reclaimed its crown as the nation's top wheat-producing state, taking it back after relinquishing it for a year. North Dakota leads the nation in the production of 12 commodities, but the state lost the bragging rights of top wheat-producing state to the Sunflower State. North Dakota in 2007 topped Kansas in total wheat production for the first time since 1996. Agriculture Department rankings released Tuesday show that Kansas took back the crown last year.

Click here to read the entire article.

From the Wall Street Journal...

Who do Americans think is better suited to get the country out of the recession? By more than a two-to-one margin, Americans believe the Democratic Party is better suited to getting the country out of a recession over the Republican Party, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll to be released today. Who do you believe is better suited to get the economy out of the recession?  

Democrats

48%

Republicans

20%

Both

8%

Neither

16%

Almost half of all respondents, 48%, identified the Democratic Party, while just one in five, or 20%, said the Republican Party. Some 8% said both parties were equally qualified, while 16% said neither party was qualified.Click here to read the whole post.

Every year, thousands of Kansans fall victim to identity theft. As your Attorney General, Steve Six is determined to protect Kansas families from these scams. The best way to defeat identity theft is by protecting your personal information. That is why Steve Six is sponsoring Shred-a-thons throughout the state for Kansans to securely dispose of sensitive documents. Simply bring old financial, credit card & tax documents to your local shred-a-thon to securely discard information that could fall into the wrong hands.March 4, 2009

Hays: Walmart 4301 Vine St. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Wichita: Walmart, 3030 N. Rock Rd. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.El Dorado: Walmart, 301 S. Village Rd. 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

March 5, 2009

Manhattan: Walmart, 101 E. Bluemont Ave. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Topeka: Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lawrence: Walmart, 330 Iowa St. 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Identity theft can turn your life up-side down. Protect yourself and your family by taking advantage of this free opportunity.Visit Steve Six's website to learn more about identity theft and consumer protectionKeeping your personal information from falling into the wrong hands is the most important step in securing your identity.

There are just a few days left to reserve your tickets for Washington Days 2009! Ticket sales close at 5 p.m. TOMORROW

Click here to buy your Washington Days tickets now! This is your only chance to witness Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer deliver the keynote speech at our 2009 Washington Days banquet next Friday night, Feb. 27th at the Downtown Topeka Ramada. Gov. Schweitzer has gained tremendous popularity in Montana, and across the country. He attracted national attention after delivering a show-stopping speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The Los Angeles Times called him a “surprising new breakout star... [who] raised the roof at the Pepsi Center.” Don’t miss your chance to see Gov. Schweitzer's speech at Washington Days We hope you will join us for all the festivities beginning Friday night with the banquet, the Ken Bahr Legislative Auction and the hospitality rooms. And then stay on Saturday for caucus meetings, the KFWDC/Veterans luncheon and the State Committee meeting.

In a press conference this morning, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson and Transportation Secretary Deb Miller announced that Kansas will receive $380 million from the Economic Recovery package for the state's transportation needs. $206 million worth of highway projects could be under construction by June. 

Investment in transportation is exactly what Kansas needs to: - Create thousands of jobs - Enhance safety - Ease congestion - Stimulate the regional and state economies

During the press conference, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson said:

Right now, our country is experiencing an economic crisis not seen since the Great Depression. Every state, every community and every American is being impacted by this recession. But there is hope – there are opportunities on the horizon and there are better days ahead. On Tuesday President Obama signed the Federal Stimulus Bill into law. And while it is not a long-term solution to our problems, it can spur long-term growth by investing in our communities and helping Americans start working again.

Additional details after the jump: