We hear a lot about local control being an important Kansas value and one legislators say they will work to protect when they are running for office, but as we have watched the events of this week, we wonder if some have forgotten that. Why were the few proponents of SB 171 (moving local elections and making them partisan) allowed the vast majority of time to testify, leaving time for only 2 opponents? Why were proponents of the bill apparently given the opportunity to testify via Skype or phone and not opponents? The hearing was scheduled with little notice, but representatives from Kansas PTA and many school boards, municipalities and others traveled to Topeka, but were not heard. Our legislators are supposed to be our representatives. They need to show that they are listening to us. Sen. Mitch Holmes of St. John is the chair of the Ethics and Elections Committee. He represents Barton, Edwards, Kiowa, Lane, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush, Scott and Stafford Counties as well as parts of Hodgeman and Rice Counties. Did you vote for him? Is he “representing” you?

You can still contact the committee and tell them that citizens as well as local organizations object to moving local elections and making them partisan. (We posted our testimony a few days ago and you can use it as a starting point for your comments if you would like.) Here are email addresses for all of the committee members: Mitch.Holmes@senate.ks.gov, Steve.Fitzgerald@senate.ks.gov, Oletha.Faust-Goudeau@senate.ks.gov, Tom.Arpke@senate.ks.gov, David.Haley@senate.ks.gov, Garrett.Love@senate.ks.gov, Michael.O’Donnell@senate.ks.gov, Susan.Wagle@senate.ks.gov, Kay.Wolf@senate.ks.gov