FROM THE GALLERY
State Legislation
Unborn Victims of Violence Act (HB 2552):
There was a hearing this week in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. (See Thoughts) This bill and an identical bill in the Senate (SB 398) would ensure that prosecution can proceed for an act of violence against a woman who is pregnant who suffers loss or injury to her child. The current bill under consideration in the U.S. Congress would only cover federal crimes, so it is essential that Kansas pass a similar law that would apply to state crimes against women and their unborn children. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee will now “work” the bill and consider it for passage in the full House.
Contact your representatives and urge them to support this legislation. Contact Senator John Vratil to urge him to have hearings on this bill.
Capitol Switchboard: 785-296-0111.
An update on abortion clinic licensing:
A former employee of a Kansas abortion clinic has come forward and presented testimony of appalling conditions in the abortion clinic in which she worked. She told of lack of medical monitoring, lack of qualifications of staff including high school diplomas, no proof of immunizations, no CPR and no medical training while assisting the abortionist during surgery. She also spoke of issues of hygiene and cleanliness including preparation of the table between patients, and the use of a dishwasher to sterilize instruments. Photos taken inside a Kansas abortion facility have been formally delivered to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, the entity that now oversees abortionists and their clinics which are technically viewed as “doctor’s offices,” instead of surgical care units. HB 2751 would place abortionists and their “clinics” under supervision just the same as other surgical care units. The regulations proposed are the very ones the abortion industry says it follows. The problem is there is no regulatory group that will go in and enforce standard rules of cleanliness, hygiene and safety for those who say they care about women.
Action: Call your legislators and urge them to support this bill . . . call Governor Sebelius who vetoed a similar bill last year and urge her to protect women.
In-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants:
CWA does not take an official position on this bill. For educational purposes, excerpts from the Supplemental Note on HB 2008 and excerpts from the bill follow:
This bill would establish criteria for determining students; eligibility for in-state tuition and fees at Kansas postsecondary educational institutions. Individuals would be eligible to pay in-state tuition if he/she meets the following criteria:
· Attended an accredited Kansas high school for three or more years
· Either graduated from an accredited Kansas high school or obtained a general education development certificate (GED) in Kansas
· Been accepted for admission at a Kansas institution of postsecondary education
· Filed an affidavit stating the person’s intent to legalize his or her immigration status or the intent to file for U.S. citizenship
o Anyone who files an affidavit which a) contains false information b) fails to file an application to legalize such person’s immigration status within one year of becoming eligible c) fails to maintain an active application for citizenship after filing therefore shall not be deemed a resident of the state of Kansas for the purpose of tuition and fees.
§ Such individual shall be required to repay the difference between the amount of fees and tuition actually paid and the amount such person would have paid ass a nonresident of the state of Kansas, plus interest at a rate not to exceed the maximum under K.S.A. 16-201.
Marriage Amendment:
Good News!!!!
The Marriage Amendment passed the House with four more votes than needed (2/3 majority). The bill now goes on to the Senate where it is expected that there will be opposition. Senate President Dave Kerr said he thought there was “pretty good support in the Senate, but I don’t know what the outcome will be.” Governor Sebelius will not be involved in signing the bill if passed. It will be placed on the November ballot for citizens to decide. Those who voted against the amendment: Barbara Ballard, John Ballou, Carol Beggs, Sydney Carlin, Mary Compton, Barbara Craft, Paul Davis, Nile Dillmore, Stanley Dreher, Oletha Faust-Goudeau, Geraldine Flaharty, Vaughn Flora, Don Hill, Terrie Webb Huntington, Jeff Jack, Nancy Kirk, Tom Klein, Annie Kuether, Ward Loyd, Melvin Minor, Edward O’Malley, Thomas Owens, Bill Reardon, Rick Rehorn, Roger Retiz, tom Sawyer, Janice Scroggins-Waite, Bonnie Sharp, Stephanie Sharp, Judy Showalter, Joe Shriver, Tom Sloan, Sue Storm, R.J. Wilson, Valdenia Winn, and Jim Yonally. Go to the Kansas Legislature web site and look in the House Journal for March 6th for explanations of votes.
Action Needed NOW!
Call your senator immediately and urge him/her
to support the Marriage Amendment.
Tell them it is NOT about banning gay marriage; it is about supporting and protecting an institution that is the primary protector of women and children.
No one has the “right” to marry more than one person; to marry a relative; to marry a child.
Marriage has always been between
one man and one woman only.
Marriage needs to stay between one man and one woman; any other definition will change the institution itself and put families at risk and ultimately our society.
Expanding the definition of marriage will be costly economically and socially; all family law will have to be re-written.
Capitol Switchboard: 785-296-0111