(Cross posted from Kansas Jackass)
In one of the more despicable actions taken by the Republican leadership in the Kansas Legislature in recent memory, they've informed Governor Kathleen Sebelius that, unless she signs the rescission bill sent to her last week they will prevent her from transferring funds to the necessary accounts in order to pay state employees.
From the Topeka Capital-Journal:
Republican leadership of the House and Senate today demanded Gov. Kathleen Sebelius sign a deficit-reduction bill before the state Finance Council takes up a measure to temporarily borrow money.
Republican leadership of the House and Senate today demanded Gov. Kathleen Sebelius sign a deficit-reduction bill before the state Finance Council takes up a measure to temporarily borrow money.
This is nothing more than using the livelihoods of our state employees as a political plaything, and it's reprehensible. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley is 100% correct:
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, said the action by Senate President Steve Morris and House Speaker Mike O'Neal amounted to "blackmail."
"This is entirely irresponsible," Hensley said.
For the legislative branch to hold the executive branch over a barrel like this, to actually prevent payroll and tax returns from being made, is unprecedented and inexcusable. It is wholly unaccepted for the the Republicans to extort the Governor in this manner, and it comes awfully close to an out-and-out constitutional crisis. Separation of powers guarantees the governor's power to sign or veto a bill, and if the House and Senate doesn't like her action, they can always override her veto. Rather than take that constitutional prescribed track, the Republican leadership is instead using the payroll of the state of Kansas and the money due back to Kansans in tax returns as a game piece.
It's shocking, and this kind of political gamesmanship is shameful. To put the livelihood of countless state employees on the line to win a political battle...it's a low to which I wouldn't have ever thought anyone in either party would be willing to stoop.