Readers urge August primary voting, offer to pay gas bill in rubles, question treatment of educators
August primary will be important for women's health
For Kansas women and others concerned about the health, rights and welfare of Kansas women, the August primary election will be one of the most important in Kansas history. The Republican legislators and other antiabortion fanatics hope the results of voting in this election will lead to amending the Kansas Constitution to make abortions illegal in Kansas. This’ll be similar to actions already taken or underway in several other backward, regressive states.
A no vote on the ballot question will oppose amending the constitution and will let Kansas women, in consultation with their health care providers, remain in charge of their sexual and reproductive health care. The alternative will largely relegate such control to the Kansas Legislature comprised mainly of Republican men. Republican legislators aren’t meant to be physicians for Kansas women even though many talk like they’ve been educated at a fictitious Fox News Medical School.
Richard Schutz, Topeka
Why ban books instead of guns?
According to a recent study, guns were the leading cause of death for children and teens in 2020. Currently a lot of people and politicians are calling for books to be banned to protect children and teens. I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think books were responsible for any deaths of anyone. Why aren't the same people advocating for a ban on guns? Why is it easier to ban a book than to ban a gun?
Mike Hickman, Topeka
Offer to pay Kansas gas bill in rubles for lower rate?
I learned in the news today that Russia is cutting natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria because they refuse to pay for their gas in rubles per the Putin war in Ukraine.
My last winter's natural gas bill 40%-45% higher than the previous year, despite my using less gas to heat my home here in Kansas. And looking at my bill, I see that the cost of gas has doubled, despite Kansas having a wealth of the commodity within its own borders.
With Kansas being a Republican state, I wondered if would I agree to pay Kansas Gas Service in rubles, would they then lower my heating bill for next winter?
David Hewitt, Topeka
Kansas legislators show little respect for educators
A group of parents, students and educators held a Rally for Public Schools at the Maner Conference Center in late April. Organized by Sen. Cindy Holscher, CARE4Kansas and Freedom to Learn Kansas PAC, speakers addressed the projected loss of 1,300 teachers, many of which are special education, for the next school year. Also, funding for special education has been greatly reduced in the proposed budget. That means local school districts will have to make up those lost dollars, and something else will not be funded locally.
Our elected leaders should be asking, “How can we support you?” but instead, they have passed several bills to hurt public education, our teachers and students.
Rally attendees addressed over 2,000 postcards and Tuesday retirees volunteered to hand them out to legislators. I personally ended up with the second-floor offices, and since the post cards were "slippery," I dropped a few heading to Rep. Kristey Williams’ office. She was also heading to her office, and asked if I needed help. I said “actually several of these cards are for you” and after picking them up, tried to hand them to her.
She said, “just leave them on my assistant’s desk,” walked into her office with me following. I asked her if I could just hand them to her, and she said, “Put them on my assistant’s desk” and somehow I was able to put them in her hand. She then tossed them on her assistant’s desk. Rep. Williams is chair of the Education Committee, and the K-12 Education Budget Committee and this is how she treated me.
I hope voters in August and November will elect representatives who value public education and will properly fund it. Kansans, WE have the power to do that! Please vote!
Chris Huntsman, Topeka
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Readers tackle August primary, natural gas cost, treatment of teachers
