Month: January 2018

Chamber takes stand on legislative issues

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

The Legislative Committee of the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce approved its 2018 State and Federal Legislative Agenda when it met Friday, Jan. 12.

One of the federal issues that drew the most comment in previous Legislative Committee meetings concerned immigration reform. The committee’s recommendation states that a federal resolution should “compassionately address situations of individuals currently in the country.” The chamber opposes threatening the business licenses of employers who have unintentionally hired illegal workers.

The chamber supports an increase in funding for the National Institute of Health that will be used to find the cause, cures and prevention of diseases that affect many Wyandotte County residents and millions of Americans.

The chamber opposes federal and state mandates that would result in excessive utility rate increases.

Concerning state legislation, the chamber supports the following:

1. A reauthorization of STAR bond legislation. This allows state and local sales tax to be used to help finance major tourism projects such as the development of Village West.

2. Legislation that would streamline the process for local governments and neighborhood organizations to deal with abandoned buildings. State Rep. Stan Frownfelter (D-37th Dist.) has been a longtime sponsor and advocate for this legislation. State Sen. David Haley (D-Fourth Dist.) has opposed such legislation; he has said it could violate the rights of property owners. Those supporting the legislation explain it is not aimed “at Grandpa and Grandma who might have trouble paying their taxes, but rather the irresponsible, out-of-town deadbeat landlords.”

3. An origin-based sales tax for intrastate purchases so that it does not place an onerous burden on business.

4. Continued funding of the state transportation program, while opposing using such funds to balance the state general fund.

The chamber opposes a funding formula that would place an undue burden on local property taxes and mandated functions that do not include appropriate financial resources.

The Board of Directors of the chamber will consider these recommendations when it meets later this month.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.

Dole honored with Congressional Gold Medal

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, spoke at a ceremony Jan. 17 that awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas. Attending the ceremony were President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. (Photo from Sen. Roberts’ office)

Former Sen. Bob Dole was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony on Jan. 17 recognizing Dole as a soldier, legislator and statesman was in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, with congressional leaders, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence attending.

Dole, 94, began his political career as a state representative in 1950. He was elected a U.S. representative from Kansas in 1960. He served as a U.S. senator from Kansas from 1968 through 1996, and was the Republican nominee for president in 1996. Dole also was Gerald Ford’s vice presidential running mate in 1976. Dole also was chair of the Republican National Committee from 1971 to 1973 and Senate Majority Leader from 1995 to 1996.

Wounded while serving in the U.S. Army in a battle during World War II, Dole received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He underwent a lengthy medical recovery process. He is a native of Russell, Kansas, who has a law degree from Washburn University, Topeka. Dole had played basketball and football for the University of Kansas, but his education there was ended by World War II.

“The fact that we are here today is a testament to you personally, to your leadership in Congress, to your statesmanship and perseverance in bringing us the World War II memorial and to your heroism and sacrifice on the battlefield,” said U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, in remarks at the event. “Your leadership on so many laws that have improved the lives of all Americans – and the memorials forever etched in stone – will also remind America of you, the boy from Russell, Kansas and your enduring love of our country.”

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, stated, “I firmly believe that a single person can make a difference, and that we change the world one person at a time. This is the mission of public service. No one is a better example of this than my friend and mentor, Senator Bob Dole. His integrity, thoughtfulness and statesmanship serving Kansans have made not only our state but also the world a better place.”

Moore, Daniels power KCKCC women to 15th win of season

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Fueled by near record performances from Lillie Moore and Ashley Daniels, Kansas City Kansas Community College rolled to a 73-52 win over Saint Mary junior varsity at Leavenworth Tuesday.

The win boosted the Lady Blue Devils’ record to 15-4 heading into their final non-conference test of the season against William Penn’s junior varsity in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Thursday. The Blue Devils then begin Jayhawk Conference play at Johnson County on Wednesday.

Moore, a 6-1 freshman from Magnolia, Ark., pulled down 20 rebounds Tuesday to become only the third Blue Devil with 20 or more rebounds, trailing only Kesia Houston, who grabbed 23 and 22 in 1994; and Brooklyn Wagler, who had 21 last season. Moore also had 14 points for her fifth double-double of the season.

A 5-7 former Schlagle standout, Daniels was 5-of-6 from 3-point putting her in a multi-way tie for 10th place for treys in a single game. She finished with a career high 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field.

Yet another freshman, Kisi Young, led the Blue Devils in scoring with 20 points and added seven rebounds while guard Caitlyn Stewart had nine points, six rebounds and six assists and forward Lizzie Stark seven points and nine rebounds.

“Ashley Daniels was fantastic for us tonight and once again our forwards (41 points and 36 rebounds) gave us some outstanding numbers,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “To be honest though, we missed 20 shots in the paint and as good as our numbers were from the post players, they easily could have been better. We need to be a bit stronger and finish more opportunities around the basket that come our way.

‘But overall, this was a good fame for us. Saint Mary’s had some very good players for this game and I thought our team raised its level and made things very difficult for the Spires. I was especially happy with our defense and rebounding efforts.”

KCKCC finished with more than twice as many rebounds (62-28) and shot 41.9 percent to just .246 for Saint Mary.