Kansas Reflector: Morning eNewsletter, Jan. 22, 2021

 

Morning newsletter of the Kansas Reflector

Sherman Smith | Editor in chief Good morning. "Before she passed away, my mother, Estelle, revealed to me that I was supposed to be aborted. I was slated for death and brutal dismemberment in accordance with every excuse promoted by the pro death forces. She had too many kids. I was sickly. I was born into a single income household with marital problems and financial insecurity. My life was dependent on my mother’s mental health and convenience." — Rep. Patrick Penn, a Republican from Wichita, during Friday's debate on the abortion amendment.

Kansas House votes to put abortion amendment on statewide ballot The Kansas House on Friday approved a constitutional amendment declaring women have no right to an abortion, setting up a vote in the Senate to place the amendment on the ballot in the August 2022 primary. The Republican supermajority in the House refused to break ranks, resisting an onslaught of bitter complaints from Democrats about politically charged elements of the bill and claims of hypocrisy. The Value Them Both amendment passed by an 86-38 party-line vote, on the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. “Unlimited abortions hurts women and babies,” said Rep. Tory Arnberger, R-Great Bend. “Value Them Both preserve safeguards for those involved within this industry. Value Them Both lets the people continue to regulate abortion through their elected officials. Kansas feel very passionate about this issue. So why not let them vote?” Democrats unsuccessfully argued for moving the date of when the amendment will appear on the ballot, and to secure protections for women whose lives are in danger or are the victims of sexual assault. “Human rights should not be put to a popular vote,” said Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, D-Overland Park. “That is why they are called rights.” Read more.

Kansas House committee opts against formal consequences for maligned representative Members of a House special committee charged with investigating a complaint filed against Rep. Aaron Coleman decided Friday to dismiss the case against the heavily criticized freshman legislator. Read more.

What one Black man wants Kansans to know about watching the insurrection Opinion: Weeks after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Matthew L. Kane struggles with what White Americans need to hear. Read more.

Moran, Marshall support bill to restart Keystone XL pipeline project U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall declared support Friday for legislation authorizing continuation of construction on the Keystone XL pipeline after President Joe Biden revoked a federal permit for a project designed to speed movement of crude oil from Canada to a key hub in Nebraska. Read more.

Buttigieg puts greenhouse gas reduction at center of Biden transportation policy Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg offered an unapologetic defense of President Joe Biden’s vision for improved transportation and greenhouse gas reductions during a Senate hearing to consider Buttigieg’s nomination for U.S. transportation secretary on Thursday. Read more.

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