The Emporia Gazette

February 11, 2012

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In all my years as a citizen of the great state of Kansas, I had never watched our legislature in action.

It was time to remedy that, so I made plans to shadow Representative Don Hill.

On March 16, when I arrived in Topeka, the Capitol glowed in the sunrise. Employees, lugging a day’s supply of food, hiked toward the building.

Representing the 60th District, which includes much of Emporia, Don Hill is serving his third term in the Kansas Legislature. He’s also a pharmacist and owns the two Medicine Shoppes in town.

Hill’s office is on the fourth floor of the Statehouse. He has a window office in the cramped suite that he shares with two other Representatives.

Upon my arrival, I met with Hill and his intern, LeAnn Bell. I was given a pass that allowed me on the House Floor. First, however, we were off to the Republican Calendar Review.

Each morning, the Republicans gather to discuss bills that will be heard on the floor later that morning. Democrats hold a similar meeting.

Rep. Hill told the caucus about HB 2556, a bill that would create a governing body for post-secondary technical schools.

At 10 a.m., the House convened. After roll call, a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, boys from the St. John High School basketball team received recognition for winning the State 2A Championship.

On the day prior to my visit, the House had a session which lasted into the evening hours. They argued over money, slashing proposals left and right (well, mostly left) while working on the budget.

It was quieter the morning I was there, but the House voted on several bills. Members had only a few seconds to cast their votes and that offered little, if any, time to check the board to see how others were voting.

Watching from above, from the House gallery, I had a good view of the floor. The House had a fairly relaxed atmosphere while voice votes were taken on motions to concur and motions to non-concur. People came and went; documents were handed out. Some members talked on the phone or checked e-mail.

The House has 125 members. Hill told me that there are 47 Democrats and 78 Republicans. Of those Republicans, 23, including Hill, are considered to be moderates.

During the day, Hill introduced me to everyone he spoke with, so I met legislators from Ingalls and Pretty Prairie, Parsons and Overland Park.

I asked Hill what he felt were the most important issues this session.

“For me and my parochial interest in Emporia, Kansas, it’s higher education,” Hill said.

“It’s deferred maintenance at Emporia State, it’s getting additional resources into Emporia State’s operating grants and it’s getting additional resources to the technical college.”

“Well, we’re one out of three so far,” Hill said, referring to the operating grants. “I’m confident that that will be satisfactorily addressed — as good as we can hope for. The other two pieces are still in question, but I’m optimistic.”

Rep. Don Hill takes his charge seriously. My impression is that he considers each issue thoughtfully, whether it’s gaming or education, health care or tax relief. And he seems rather accessible to constituents.

During the day, I noted numerous opportunities for a bill to be torn apart. Politics is a messy business. There will always be personality, power, and ideological clashes. And it doesn’t help that everything begins with two opposing parties.

The day at the Statehouse gave me a first-hand view of the legislative process, and despite seeing how complicated that is, the feeling I left with, was hope.

Making laws is not easy, and maybe that’s a good thing — because it means that no individual or party has complete power.

“Flyover People” is online at www.flyoverpeople.net.

• Cheryl Unruh can be reached at cheryl@flyoverpeople.net.