IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2007

REPRESENTATIVES ASK GOVERNOR TO RECONSIDER

HER SUPPORT OF ISSUES FACING KANSAS

Dodge City – Kansas House of Representatives Reps. Pat George (R-Dodge City); Jeff Whitham (R-Garden City); John Grange (R- El Dorado); John Faber (R-Brewster); Mike O’Neal (R-Hutchinson); Dick Kelsey (R-Goddard); Jim Morrison (R-Colby) and Sharon Schwartz (R-Washington) called on Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kansas) today to explain why in one instance she supports exporting Kansas assets but in another, speaks out against it.

“Numerous times this year Gov. Sebelius has expressed her strong support of a proposed affiliation agreement between the University of Kansas School of Medicine (KUMC) and St. Luke’s Hospital, despite the fact the proposed affiliation indicates Kansas medical interns will be assigned to hospital rotations in Missouri,” Rep. George said.  “Meanwhile, she has spoken against the idea of a Kansas power plant selling its excess electricity for use in other states.”

“It just doesn’t make sense to us - she’s okay with exporting state assets that are a vital component of our state’s health care system that serves thousands of Kansans but against a revenue source that would help provide low-cost electricity.  It appears to us the governor is not looking out for what is best for Kansas,” Rep. Grange said.

During the 2007 Legislation Session, Gov. Sebelius twice vetoed House-led attempts to bring additional oversight to negotiations between (KUMC) and St. Luke’s Hospital.  A draft of the proposed affiliation was presented earlier this month to the Kansas Board of Regents.

Rep. Schwartz raised concerns the agreement will have a negative impact on the primary care network in Kansas.

“We are not opposed to KUMC expanding its research programs and facilities but this is not about research, this is about siphoning off interns to St. Luke’s.  We stand against shipping our medical assets out of state,” Rep. Schwartz said.  “Pulling a critical mass of students out of the Kansas program to intern at St. Luke’s would reduce not only KU Hospital’s ability to care for its patients but also impact KUMC-Wichita which relies on those interns.” 

Rep. O’Neal agreed.

“I’m concerned about the affiliation’s potential negative impact on the training and availability of physicians in our part of the state,” Rep. O’Neal said.

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Governor’s Positions

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The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is expected to soon announce whether it will grant an expansion permit to Sunflower Electric Power Corporation to expand its Holcomb Generating Plant.  Gov. Sebelius has said while she will not interfere with the KDHE decision, she is personally against the expansion and against a Kansas power plant producing electricity to be used in other states.

“We also strongly support the expansion of the Holcomb Generating Plant as proposed by the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation,” Rep. Whitham said.  “This expansion represents a golden opportunity for our state to become a world-leader in the production of renewable fuels and to establish the country’s only fully integrated bioenergy center.  Without KDHE approval, Sunflower won’t be able to move forward on those plans which will create more than 160 additional jobs.”

Rep. Faber expressed concern about the impact a permit refusal could have on Kansans struggling to make ends meet.

“Nearly 45,000 Kansans served by Sunflower live below the federal poverty limit and struggle each day to meet their basic needs,” Rep. Faber said.  “They and their communities will lose access to their low-cost energy source and millions in potential economic development.  The KDHE secretary is part of the governor’s cabinet - she could influence his decision so this doesn’t happen.”

The representatives encourage other legislators to join them in asking Governor Sebelius to reevaluate her commitment to Kansas and change her positions on these issues for the betterment of our state and its future.

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For more information:

Rep. Pat George

620/227-2012

Rep. Jeff Whitham

620/275-5417

Rep. John Grange

316/321-2087

Rep. Mike O’Neal

316/663-9181

Rep. John Faber

785/694-2619

Rep. Sharon Schwartz

785/325-2568

Rep. Dick Kelsey

316/794-8537

Rep. Jim Morrison

785/462-3264