The Kansas City Star: on Government Reform
Greg Orman:
Ban on PACs formed by congressional leaders
Orman recently proposed several reforms to campaign financing, including a ban on political action committees formed by congressional leaders and a ban on PAC donations from lobbyists to candidates.Orman also called for a constitutional amendment
overturning the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which said corporations, labor unions and other groups have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts on elections.
Roberts supports the Citizens United decision and recently tried to
block consideration of a Senate proposal allowing limits on corporate campaign spending.
In the State Fair debate, Roberts said he supported "transparency" in campaign donations. "If people know where the money is coming from," he said, "I think that
is the biggest reform we can make." Yet current law allows unlimited secret donations to social welfare organizations known by their 501(c)(4) section of the federal tax code. Roberts has not indicated any desire to eliminate those groups.
Source: The Kansas City Star on 2014 Kansas Senate race
Sep 19, 2014
Greg Orman:
12-year term limit for Congress
Term limits: Orman says he will serve no more than 12 years in the Senate if elected twice.
He supports a constitutional amendment limiting congressional service to 12 years. Roberts has been in Congress since 1981. He opposes term limits.
Source: The Kansas City Star on 2014 Kansas Senate race
Sep 19, 2014
Jim Neely:
Co-sponsored bill restoring voting rights of released felons
Under existing Missouri law, the voting rights of convicted felons aren't restored until they complete their sentence, as well as probation or parole. Missouri lawmakers are considering a new measure to change that. A bill introduced by State Rep.
Bruce Franks, Jr., a Democrat from St. Louis, would restore voting rights for felons as soon as they are released from prison. Republican lawmakers Holly Rehder of Sikeston and Jim Neely of Cameron are co-sponsors.
Source: Kansas City Star on Missouri voting record HB.508
Feb 17, 2019
Kris Kobach:
Fight widespread voter fraud with strict voting laws
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R), who has championed some of the strictest voting laws in the nation, announced a campaign for governor. Kobach was recently appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as vice chairman of a new federal
commission that will investigate the prevalence of voter fraud.During his 6-year tenure as secretary of state, Kobach has repeatedly made claims of widespread voter fraud. He crafted a law that requires Kansas voters to provide proof of citizenship,
such as a birth certificate or passport, to vote. He has so far secured nine convictions for election crimes.
Kobach has repeatedly said the law ensures the integrity of Kansas elections, but opponents, including the ACLU, say that the law makes
it harder for rightful voters to participate in elections.
The law blocked thousands of potential voters from participating in the state's last gubernatorial election, but it could not be fully enforced in 2016 under orders of federal and state judges.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 8, 2017
Pat Roberts:
2012: No transparency of PAC donors; 2014: Some transparency
Orman called for a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which said corporations, labor unions and other groups have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts on elections. Roberts supports the
Citizens United decision and recently tried to block consideration of a Senate proposal allowing limits on corporate campaign spending. In the State Fair debate, Roberts said he supported "transparency" in campaign donations. "If people know where the
money is coming from," he said, "I think that is the biggest reform we can make." Yet current law allows unlimited secret donations to social welfare organizations known by their 501(c)(4) section of the federal tax code. Roberts has not indicated any
desire to eliminate those groups or prohibit their secret spending in elections.
In 2012, Roberts voted to kill a bill that would have required public disclosure of some donors to companies and labor unions that engage in political activities.
Source: The Kansas City Star on 2014 Kansas Senate race
Sep 19, 2014
Pat Roberts:
No term limits for Congress
Term limits: Orman says he will serve no more than 12 years in the Senate if elected twice.
He supports a constitutional amendment limiting congressional service to 12 years. Roberts has been in Congress since 1981. He opposes term limits.
Source: The Kansas City Star on 2014 Kansas Senate race
Sep 19, 2014
Roy Blunt:
Carnahan's $107M wind energy project created only 16 jobs
Blunt pointed out that a wind-energy company headed by Carnahan's brother, Tom, had received a $107 million grant through the federal stimulus package. That money, Blunt said, created only 16 jobs. "Tell me if that's a good investment of money,"
Blunt said.But Carnahan said the business created thousands of jobs around the state and accused Blunt of below-the-belt attacks. "I've got nothing to do with my brother's business," she said.
Source: Kansas City Star coverage of 2010 Missouri Senate debate
Oct 15, 2010
Roy Blunt:
Took $200K from lobbyists for 2010; tops among House members
Carnahan repeatedly criticized Blunt for ties to lobbyists. He has taken $200,500 from lobbyists this election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, tops among current House members. "Even your own party thought you were too tainted by
these special deals & relationships with lobbyists," she said.Blunt rejected the criticism, contending that some Senate candidates have taken more money from lobbying groups. He criticized a federal grant to Carnahan's brother for a wind farm project.
Source: Kansas City Star coverage of 2010 Missouri Senate debate
Oct 15, 2010
Page last updated: Jun 08, 2024