April 16, 2008
Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius is the Democratic
Governor of Kansas. Yes, Kansas has a Democratic Governor, as much
as some individuals would like
to kiss off the Plains States as being irreversibly Republican.
We first became aware of Sebelius when she vetoed a bill in Kansas
to allow individuals to carry concealed weapons. Sebelius noted that
she was not against hunting or firearms in general, but "I don't
believe allowing people to carry concealed handguns into sporting
events, shopping malls, grocery stores, or the workplace would be
good public policy. And to me the likelihood of exposing children
to loaded handguns in their parents' purses, pockets, and automobiles
is simply unacceptable." Her veto was eventually overridden
and now there are only two states -- Illinois and Wisconsin -- that
do not allow some form of carrying hidden handguns.
But a BuzzFlash reader nominated Selebius for another profile in
courage, "for vetoing a Republican attempt to go around a previous
decision not to allow two new coal plants to be built in Kansas."
As a news release from Sebelius's office states:
With federal regulation of greenhouse gases on
the horizon, Governor Kathleen Sebelius is taking a proactive step
to bring together
business leaders, energy experts and scientists to recommend ways
Kansas can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
After vetoing a bill that would have allowed 11 million tons of greenhouse
gases to be produced from two new coal-fired power plants, the governor
signed Executive Order 08-03, which establishes the Kansas Energy
and Environmental Policy Advisory Group. "We know that greenhouse
gases contribute to climate change," Sebelius said.
"As an agricultural state, Kansas is particularly vulnerable.
Therefore, reducing pollutants benefits our state not only in the
short term – but
also for generations of Kansans to come."
Sebelius has been among the individuals mentioned as a vice-presidential
possibility should Barack Obama be the Democratic nominee. In an
overwhelming Republican state, she won her re-election bid with a
17% point landslide margin.
Here's one Democratic Governor of a "Red State" who hasn't
forgotten about justice and social responsibility. She even opposes
capital punishment.
That takes a bit of courage in Kansas, and all the more reason that
Kathleen Sebelius is this week's BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award
Winner.
* * *
Nominated by Michael Gruenenfelder of Stilwell, KS.
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