"I'm resigning from the House of Representatives effective midnight tonight," Rubin said. "I have no other comment."
With that statement, House Member John Rubin left the house, announcing he would pack up his office and never return. The Topeka Capital Journal covered the exit, not just of John Rubin, but the re-assignment of committees and the complete upheaval of the state house today. The house had faced a serious crisis of confidence today, as conservative Republicans took over the bully pulpit, re-arranged committees and changed the way the Kansas house does business. House member John Rubin was just on the wrong side of it, when he found his seat as chair of the Rules committee was revoked, putting him on the sidelines.
That disrespect was enough for John Rubin to simply throw up his hands and decide that now was as good of a time as any to pack his bags and get out of town.
Democrats chimed in on the bout of craziness:
http://cjonline.com/news/2016-03-15/kansas-house-speaker-disciplines-two-gop-colleagues-ousts-rubin-and-barker
"This was a purge -- unbelievable purge," said Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita. "That is the most disrespected I've ever seen one legislator have for other legislators. It's not unusual in the past where a chairman has crossed a speaker for there to be consequences, but there's always respect."
Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, said he was surprised by the sudden removal of Rubin and Barker from chairmanships.
"I cannot think of any legitimate justification for (Rubin's) removal as chair," Carmichael said. "The removal of Rep. Barker is of equal concern."
Action within the House
Republicans had spent a big part of their day working legislation aimed at the conservative agenda; quickly advancing SB-175, a Kansas Senate Bill which provides religious groups on college campuses an exemption for discriminatory practices while retaining access to university funding through resources.
Outside advocates had argued that SB-175 would have far reaching impacts beyond just “let’s keep out gay” it would tie the hands of universities in allowing religious groups any sort of discriminatory practices or rhetoric, which would still be allowed access to university grounds.
The passage of SB175 by such wide margin — it passed 80-39 — is troubling for many, who had managed to avoid success of these kind of bills within the state house. The sudden revival of SB-175 caught several opposed a bit by surprise, and the speed by which it marched through the house floor was equally surprising.
Now, however, the governor is likely to sign in a law which guarantees religious groups can practice in ways that discriminate against others and still be guaranteed access to resources provided by the university — meeting spaces, announcement notices, listings, etc.
On the Senate Side..
Despite a showdown last week over the override of a Brownback veto, Senator Kay Wolf (R-Johnson County) and Susan Wagle (Senate Leadership, R-Wichita) are apparently unconvinced with the Budget Director and Governor’s cries that the veto override will send state bond value into the junk bond status.
The fight over the veto has been contentious, but Senate Leader Susan Wagle (R-Wichita) has implied that the Governor’s office may be trying to directly connect during debate.. a violation of the ethics rules.
Wagle & Wolf’s attempt at an override on SB-250 failed to meet the 2/3 margin. Senate Republicans immediately moved on with other business, including the overturn of Governor Brownback’s Star Bond veto. Senate Republicans were able to prevail on that matter, putting aside the governor’s action 30-8.
Summary:
With committee chairs being removed, leadership fighting the governor, no outlook on a firm budget in sight and Republicans bashing other Republicans for their lack of purity, the goal of a calm an easy session before a fall election is certainly not coming together.
The question is whether or not this will actually matter this fall at the ballot box — or if voters in Kansas will stand put with a legislative body that seems far more intent on playing politics and throwing elbows at each other than addressing the concerns of the state of Kansas.
UPDATE:
Rubin has decided may be will not quit. Maybe just in the heat of the moment. I’m trying to think of any job where I could tell the customer and my boss loudly “I QUIT” and then keep my job or reconsider… I’m.. not coming up with any. http://www.wibw.com/content/news/Legislature-372145262.html
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
Contact the Daily Kos group Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by kosmail (members of Daily Kos only).
Contact Chris Reeves with news, tips, and/or information by email. tmservo433@gmail.com
Follow Chris on Twitter @tmservo433.
If you would like to publish or republish a Daily Kos diary to the group Kansas & Missouri Kossacks, please let us know by kosmail or email.
If you have a location or story that needs support from Connect! Unite! Act!, please let us know by kosmail or email.