A visit to Topeka
With our nation on high alert of terrorist risk I was surprised to find no extra security in place when visiting the Capitol in Topeka Feb. 13.
Myself, along with Jennifer Wilson — news editor of our sister newspaper in Hillsboro — journeyed to Topeka to attend the annual Associated Press/Kansas Press Association Day at the Legislature.
It was an interesting day. Jennifer and I were two of approximately 65 reporters, editors, and even broadcast news people from around the state attending.
Walking up to the Capitol, there were signs telling us to go in the east door. Well, the only east door was hidden underneath the steps of the building, and had sort of a cave like look to it, so we walked on to the next entrance. As we neared that entrance, our new Governor Kathleen Sebelius exited from her car and walked inside, just a few feet in front of us. Well, the governor was able to get in that door, but we weren't. So back we went to the cave, which turned out to be the public entrance.
We waltzed inside with five or six other people, right past two security guards, who never even looked up. I expected to have to walk through some type of scanning device or at least have my purse searched, but there was nothing.
Inside, we heard from Senate President Dave Kerr, House Speaker Doug Mays, Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley and House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney.
Not surprisingly, the leaders all said this year's legislative session would be dominated by the budget. We also heard from our new Attorney General Phill Kline who told us he would enforce all Kansas laws, even those he didn't personally agree with — specifically those involving abortion. Then we heard from Andy Tompkins, commissioner of education, and Dale Dennis, deputy commissioner, who talked about the bleak state of school finance.
We capped off the morning with a bus ride to Cedar Crest where we met briefly with the Governor, and had lunch. The remodeled, renovated governor's mansion is beautiful. The view from the top of the hill alone is worth seeing.
As a person who has lived in small Kansas towns most of my life, I was amazed by the amount of activity going on in downtown Topeka — people running here and there, cars everywhere, busy restaurants. To me, it was interesting to see the number of parking places on the streets and even in the parking garage adjacent to the Capitol that were reserved for "special people."
I guess it just goes to show that the bigger the government entity, the more economic development accompanies it.
How come it doesn't work that way in rural Kansas?
— KATHY HAGEMAN
