Posted on 03/22/2006 10:24:00 AM PST by neverdem
The Star’s Topeka correspondents
Kansas lawmakers pledge effort to overrule Sebelius
TOPEKA — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius vetoed a bill Tuesday that would allow Kansans to carry concealed weapons, setting up a face-off with lawmakers already vowing to attempt to overrule her.
It is uncertain whether the majority of lawmakers who support the bill can meet the two-thirds votes required to override the veto, which was widely expected. An attempt to reject the veto could come as early as today.
Sebelius, a Democrat, also vetoed a bill that could have lowered compensation settlements for workers injured on the job.
In a statement attached to her veto of the concealed-weapons bill, Sebelius said she could not “support allowing hidden weapons into businesses, restaurants, malls and any number of other public places.”
Overriding the veto would take two-thirds of both the House and the Senate: 84 House members and 27 senators. The House last week approved the bill 90-33. The Senate passed the bill last month 29-11.
If those votes hold, the Legislature can override the veto. But lawmakers — particularly Democrats — may not want to oppose Sebelius. Already, some Senate Democrats who voted for the bill said they were not sure what they would do.
“It will be close,” said Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, an Independence Republican.
Sebelius vetoed a similar proposal in 2004, as did then-Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, in 1997.
This year, however, leading supporters of the bill say they are confident they can muster the votes.
“If I had to give it odds, I’d say it’s certainly better than even money” the attempt will succeed, said Sen. Phil Journey, a Haysville Republican.
Rep. Candy Ruff, a Leavenworth Democrat who led the concealed-weapons fight in the House, said she and Journey always expected a veto, and have been working to ensure they have the votes.
Kansas is one of only four states with no concealed-weapons law.
Sebelius said she supported the Second Amendment and signed a bill last year allowing retired law enforcement officials to carry concealed weapons.
But she said she shared the concerns of groups opposed to concealed weapons.
“I continue to hear from the police chiefs and other law enforcement officials, members of the clergy, health-care workers and employers throughout our state that concealed weapons on the streets make our citizens less safe and secure,” she said.
Ruff said she has no qualms about crossing her party’s top elected official.
“It’s all about the issue, not about the governor,” she said.
Some lawmakers had hoped Sebelius, who is up for re-election this year, would allow the bill to become law, not wanting to risk the fallout and political opposition from the gun-rights lobby.
But Sebelius, who leads in polling and fundraising, did not do that.
“She’s comfortable enough with her margins that it wouldn’t have a significant enough political price,” Journey said.
Sebelius vetoed the bill that could have lowered compensation settlements for workers injured on the job, saying she saw no reason for the measure because the premiums Kansas companies paid for workers’ compensation were some of the lowest in the nation. She added that those rates were scheduled to decline 2 percent this year without the bill.
“Kansas is an attractive place to do business, and part of the reason for that is our low workers compensation costs,” she stated in her veto message.
The bill was supported by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. It was opposed by the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, unions, veterans’ organizations, teachers, nurses, and firefighters.
Opponents called the measure the biggest change in the workers’ compensation law since 1993.
It would have allowed a doctor to determine whether a disability caused by an on-the-job injury might have been partly because of a health condition, which could be used to reduce the compensation settlement.
Supporters said employers should not have to pay for part of an injury that was not suffered on the job.
Sebelius said current Kansas law already allowed pre-existing medical benefits to be taken into consideration when determining benefits.
She said military veterans worried that even though they were not wounded, the demands of active duty might be used to reduce a potential settlement in a job-injury case.
Supporters said they were disappointed by her veto, but not surprised.
Sen. Karin Brownlee, an Olathe Republican, said business owners have seen their workers’ compensation costs double in recent years because of the high cost of medical care and injuries not related to employment.
It is unlikely the Legislature could override the workers’ compensation veto.
The Senate approved the bill 28-12, which would be enough for an override.
But it received only 67 votes in favor in the House, which was far short of the 84 votes needed to override.
Concealed weapons bill
The bill, SB 418, would allow a person older than 21 who passes a background check and undergoes training to carry a concealed handgun in public. Convicted felons, or those with criminal histories of drug use, domestic violence, or multiple DUIs would be barred. Concealed weapons would be banned inside schools, bars, courtrooms, places of worship, and any building that posts a sign prohibiting them. Estimates are that about 20,000 Kansans would apply for the permits.
To reach David Klepper or Jim Sullinger, call (785) 354-1388 or send e-mail to dklepper@kcstar.com or jsullinger@kcstar.com.
Our Dimowit Governor has vetoed CC TWICE now for Wisconsin. We're planning on showing him the door come November 3, 2006. Can't WAIT! :)
Ooooooo, HIDDEN WEAPONS!
Sounds so much scarier than concealed.
Most of law enforcement organizations here in Texas opposed the CCW law at first. After a number of years' experience, the same ones who opposed it are now in favor of it.
Good luck Kansas!
Kansas is a Republican state with a socialist governor.
God forbid you do your own research.
"After all," she would have loved to continue saying, "that is a right solely reserved for the criminals."
Crossing "His & Hers" matching handguns off the Christmas list...
Good luck Wisconsin in November!!!
Good luck to the citizens of Kansas!
I just received an email from the NRA stating the senate override will be attempted today. There were about 4 dims and 2 pubbies Sebelius was putting pressure on according to the email.
Kansas can't elect a decent governor whether it be dim or pubbie. Graves was a republican but he wasn't much better.
I'd bet money that well-connected Kansans get around this by being "deputized" after making a fat contribution to the local sheriff. Or, they have their own bodyguards.
It's the common man who most benefits from shall-issue CCW. I hope they override the b**ch.
Round here unarmed, mentally-retarded people are more likely to get killed by the police than any CCW holders.
Yeah, and if she doesn't allow law abiding citizens to get a permit then criminals won't carry "hidden" weapons into public places will they? What an idiot, as most dimwits are.
Just a thought.
I'm not from Kansas but I imagine that if this woman continues to carry on in this manner she's going to need that armed security detail where ever she goes.
Just a thought.
KS deserves what they get they voted the Lib in.
My in-laws live in KS and I always remind them of what they voted for.
Interesting, since just about "everywhere" is by definition a public place now thanks to hysterical busy-bodies - i.e. anti-tobacco legislation. But notice the abrupt about-face when it comes to allowing the sheeple any semblence of self-defense in those very same public places.
In other words, die quietly, don't ask too many questions, and NO SMOKING!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.