Kansas Democrats are on their way to presenting the strongest slate of candidates in years with respected businessman 

Seems like the Kansas Republican Party is a little desperate for cash these days because they're now trying to line their pockets with outdated unemployment numbers.

Hi everyone -- I wanted to take a few moments to say hello and introduce myself. The KDP is undergoing some changes this year as we get ready to compete in the 2010 elections. Part of that process will be an aggressive online organizing campaign to help build our party throughout Kansas. I will be acting as the point person for this effort as the party's Online Director. As we saw during the 2008 elections, the Internet can be a powerful tool to create change and provide accountability. That's why it's important we use these tools effectively over the next year. In that very spirit, we've put together a brief 1-2 minute survey about our previous and future online efforts that we'd like you to take. The information you provide us with will be crucial to our success.Please click here to tell us what you think about the KDP's online organizing efforts. Thanks for all that you do, Mike Nellis Online Director -- Kansas Democratic Party

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.

Rep. Melanie Meier, D-Leavenworth, has received orders to report for active duty on Feb. 22 at Fort Hood, Texas. She will complete pre-deployment training then leave for a tour of duty in Iraq. Meier has served in the Army Reserves for 19 years, earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. “The work we are doing in Iraq is important,” said Meier. “I am honored to be a part of the military’s effort to help the Iraqi people defeat extremism, defend their nation and fully exercise their sovereignty.”Reps Meier and Ruff In 2008, she was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, replacing retiring legislator Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth. To ensure the people of District 40 continue to receive exceptional representation, Meier will temporarily resign her duties as a state lawmaker. Ruff has agreed to fill the post for the duration of Meier’s deployment and will relinquish the position upon Meier’s return in January 2010. “Leavenworth is a military community,” said Ruff. “We all understand that when military duty calls, everything else must temporarily move to the backburner. I am happy to return to the Legislature on Melanie’s behalf as she serves our country and state in another capacity. Together we’ll make sure the people of District 40 continue to have a strong voice in the Kansas House of Representatives.” Meier will become part of the 304th Sustainment Brigade that is to assume several important functions from its headquarters at Balad Air Base. As the Brigade Inspector General (IG), Meier will lead a team of field grade officers and senior non-commissioned officers as they help soldiers solve problems that cannot be handled through normal channels. She will also investigate possible systemic issues. Meier’s deployment will last approximately one year. “Melanie has demonstrated unwavering dedication to public service throughout her career,” said House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence. “We will miss her in the House while she is away, but look forward to her return to the Legislature for the 2010 session. We will be praying for her safety and keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers throughout her deployment.” Meier represents the 40th House District, which covers portions of Leavenworth, Lansing, Fort Leavenworth, all of northern Leavenworth County and part of Walnut township in Atchison County. She serves on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security Committee and the Vision 2020 Committee. Meier and her husband, Tom, reside in Leavenworth.

In case you missed it, watch Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer's energetic speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Gov. Schweitzer will deliver the keynote address at the Kansas Democratic Party's annual Washington Days banquet on February 27th. Click here to reserve your seat at Gov. Schweitzer's speech!

  Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer will travel to Topeka this month to deliver the keynote address at the Kansas Democratic Party’s annual Washington Days celebration. Click here to make your reservation! Schweitzer will speak at a ticketed event at the Topeka Downtown Ramada the evening of Friday, February 27, 2009. Banquet doors will open at 6:30 p.m. “It’s an incredible honor to have Gov. Schweitzer celebrate Washington Days with us this year,” said Kansas Democratic Party Chairman Larry Gates. “Like Gov. Sebelius, Gov. Schweitzer has focused on common sense solutions to earn the support of Democrats, Republicans and Independents.” Schweitzer, a veteran farmer and rancher, was elected governor in 2004 and re-elected in 2008 with 65% of the vote. Schweitzer’s political success is attributed to his widespread appeal to members of both parties. He gained national attention after his energetic speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, which focused on utilizing American energy to break our dependence on foreign oil. Recent Washington Days speakers have included DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, President Bill Clinton, and President Barack Obama.

Republicans in the state legislature racked up THOUSANDS of dollars in meals bought and paid for by lobbyists. Hawver News conducted analysis of how much money lobbyists spent buying state legislators "food, drink and incidentals" in 2008. Not surprisingly, Republicans top the list:

• $3,354 on House Majority Leader Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell
• $2,670 on the new for 2009 Speaker, Rep. Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson
• $2,615 on Sen. Julia Lynn, R-Olathe
• $2,540 on Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park
• $2,252 on Rep. Kay Wolf, R-Prairie Village
• $2,157 on Rep. Jason Watkins, R-Wichita
• $2,156 on Rep. Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin

If Republican legislators spend so much time hobnobbing with lobbyists, it begs the question - whose interests do Republicans have at heart? Who are they thinking of when they head to work in the morning? When they cast a vote? What did they do to earn such treatment?

State Treasurer Dennis McKinney took the oath of office yesterday in the House Chamber of the State Capitol.

Just as he did when he served as House Democratic Leader, McKinney will continue working to bring Kansans together in order to address the budget challenges facing our state.

Here are some highlights from his address: 

Many of the duties of the Treasurer may not be flashy but they are important and serious. The Treasurer performs duties in trust for the People of Kansas. Duties such as monitoring receipts, disbursements, and fund balances all point to a greater duty to be the watchdog for the financial integrity of the State of Kansas. Surely that is why the Treasurer’s Office has its own seal, one with a watchdog planted firmly in front of the doors of a vault. The Treasurer also holds in trust the unclaimed property of others and works to return this property to the rightful owners—a sign of the value we place on the right to ownership of private property in our capitalist free market system. The Treasurer also encourages thrift, saving, and investment in education through the education savings program—a sign of the value we place on hard work and education as the primary means of opportunity by which we advance ourselves and our families. My hope is that we can expand the perception of the education savings program to have it understood as an avenue to technical education as well as college—as a means to many of the best career opportunities in our 21st century economy. Perhaps most important are the leadership opportunities available to the Treasurer to partner with the Governor, the Legislature, city and county leaders, business leaders, as well as leaders from the nonprofit service organizations and faith based organizations to help people find long term opportunities to improve their families and communities. The Kansas Investment in Developing Scholars Program in which we match education savings investments for some of our poorest working families is an example of where we create opportunity by encouraging hard work and investment. I look forward to the challenges of being State Treasurer in this new time. We will seek to fulfill the trust given to us by the people of Kansas. We will work with others to find new ways to grow businesses and jobs. I start this job having learned an important lesson in the last year and a half. I was raised in a pull yourself up by your own boot straps culture. But one day my house was gone and I stood with the Governor in the school at Haviland and looked at an entire gymnasium full of my neighbors whose homes and community were gone. And we had to admit to ourselves and others that we needed help. From that lesson I gained a much greater appreciation of compassion and faith. Our message to the people of Kansas in these challenging times is this: if we stand together as neighbors, keep our faith in God, and make our decisions with compassion, then we can say with the Apostle Paul that while we may be hard pressed we will not be crushed, we may be perplexed but we will not be in despair, we may be struck down but we are not destroyed, and we are moving to the stars through difficulties.

The following is an email from Chairman Larry Gates:

Dear Kansas Democrats, In 20 days, our country will come together to inaugurate Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Although most of us won't be traveling to Washington D.C. for the speeches and parties, we can play an even more important role in this historic event here at home. Click here to help Barack Obama and Joe Biden make history this January 19th. Renewing America's promise begins with each one of us making a commitment to bring change to our local communities. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the day before Inauguration, Barack Obama is calling upon all Americans to participate in a national day of service, following in the legacy of one of America's great social justice leaders. Join him by helping the Presidential Inaugural Committee organize a day of service in your community. At a time when many jobs are being cut, wages are falling and our communities are feeling the impact of the struggling economy, it's time to set aside all that divides us and work together to lend a hand. January 19-20th will be just the beginning of our nation coming together to bring change to our communities. Join Barack Obama and millions of Americans in this historic time. Click here to learn how. I wish you and your family this best in the coming New Year, and look forward to making history with you in January. Sincerely, Larry GatesChairmanKansas Democratic Party