FROM THE GALLERY
State Legislation
This week has been an exciting one in the Capitol! We witnessed a victory on Tuesday and Wednesday in the passage of the marriage amendment (SCR 1601) by a constitutional two-thirds majority. We were thrilled to know that Kansas voters will finally have a chance to have their say on codifying the definition of marriage into the Kansas Constitution. We are grateful to many senators and representatives who worked so hard to get it done in time to be placed on the April 5 ballot.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Speaker Doug Mays and his staff for giving the resolution such a fair hearing in the House. Most importantly, we thank God for giving us the victory. Last year, we could not know His plan completely; we were so disappointed in the loss, but He had a bigger plan than we understood. He used this issue to mobilize pastors and clergy all over the state to stand up for this sacred institution and other issues that affect our families. We asked for good and we got the best from Him.
Our work begins
We allowed ourselves a few hours for celebration and thankfulness and now we need to get to work getting the voters out on this issue. April 5 is an off-year election and is often not a priority for voters. It is imperative that we do vote for two reasons: 1) The marriage amendment is a vital addition to the Kansas Constitution as it will protect the definition of marriage; and 2) School boards all over the state will be up for election. School boards are elected directly by the people they serve; this is one of the few areas in which patrons of the school districts have a direct say in the education of their children.
Kansans have made it very clear that education is important to them. They have pledged 67 cents out of every state tax dollar (this does not include federal dollars) for education, including post-secondary, so it seems reasonable that all Kansans should pay close attention to those who hold educators accountable. In addition, the State Board of Education directs many issues, such as sex education, the earth�s origins and textbook selection, to local school boards. In the Blue Valley School District, for instance, a controversy is occurring over an approved reading list for children in the 8th through 12th grades � school board races there will be very important to patrons of the district.
Pro-life bills
Several pro-life bills have been introduced recently either in committee or session. SB 155 requires that a woman at 16 weeks or more of pregnancy who is seeking an abortion must go to a hospital or surgical center. It also states that no person can perform or induce an abortion when the unborn baby is viable unless such person is a physician and has a documented referral from another physician not legally or financially affiliated with the physician performing the abortion. The referring physicians must affirm that the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother or that continuation of the pregnancy will cause substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.
Unborn Victims of Violence
Another bill, not yet assigned a number, is the Unborn Victims of Violence bill that assesses criminal penalties for crimes committed against a pregnant woman if the unborn child is injured or killed. This bill was introduced last year but failed to pass due to a last-minute amendment that rendered the bill ineffective.
Another reported death
More pressure has come to bear upon the Board of Healing Arts as a result of the reported death of a patient who underwent an abortion in a Wichita abortion facility. An ambulance took a woman to the hospital where it is reported she died several days later. The Board of Healing Arts has jurisdiction over most abortion facilities as they are not surgical care centers. A bill was offered, passed and subsequently vetoed last session that would place abortion facilities under the supervision of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The woman�s death has not been confirmed, but a complaint has been files with the Board of Healing Arts.
Gambling
Several bills have been proposed to expand gambling. We will be sending out alerts on these bills as soon as we get more information.
Concerned Women for America of Kansas
P O Box 11233
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207
Phone/Fax: 913-491-1380
Email: director@kansas.cwfa.org
Web site: kansas.cwfa.org
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