Conservatives win in Kansas House

November 03, 2010|By Dave Roberts | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — Tuesday night was a big night for Republicans, especially in the Kansas Legislature. The Statehouse will now see 92 Republicans occupy seats in the House.

The GOP already had a majority in Topeka going into election day. Twenty-eight of its House members were re-elected, and 64 freshmen are heading to the Capitol. Democrats, however, lost several seats. Only 33 Democrats are going to Topeka this term.

With Sam Brownback, a conservative Republican, taking over as Governor, and a stronger Republican presence in the House, lawmakers will talk about the usual topics but things could be steered further to the right now.

"People are going to have to be very patient," said Wichita State Representative Brenda Landwehr (R). "It's taken several years for it to get in the shape that it's in."

Democrats in the House say they'll be faced additional challanges, but they're willing to work with Republicans to come to a compromise.

"There are too many Kansans who aren't working," said House Assistant Minority Leader Jim Ward (D - Wichita). "The economy's been down for too long, it's time for us to move forward."

Next year, the House will be taking up a new budget, and Republicans want the state money to be spent differently.

"You can not continue taxing people to make things happen," said Landwehr.

One of the other issues expected to come up for debate is one that's no stranger to the House floor, abortion.

"I'm sure that it will," said Landwehr. "Sam Brownback is very strongly pro-life."

"Those social issues come up every year," said Ward. "There are people who come to Topeka with that being their only goal, that's their agenda.

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