Category: In the News

From the Topeka Capital Journal: Kansas House, Senate near consensus on securities oversight reform

Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, said he would prefer the Legislature hand securities commission obligations to Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Placing securities within the insurance department, criticized in the past for being cozy with industry, is a mistake, Carmichael said.

“In the future,” he said, “we may regret placing securities in that location.”

Read the full story at http://cjonline.com/news/state-government/2017-05-15/kansas-house-senate-near-consensus-securities-oversight-reform

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From the Kansas City Star: Kris Kobach announces ninth voter fraud conviction

Kansas Secretary of State Kris KobachRep. John Carmichael, a Democrat from Wichita, questioned whether it was a worthwhile use of taxpayers money to “have a full legal staff over there and only find 8 or 9 violations to prosecute.”

“Either, it’s not happening to the degree that the secretary of state imagines, or he and his staff are wasting the taxpayers’ money,” Carmichael said.

Read the full story at http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article148434369.html

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From the Wichita Eagle: Angry words fly on guns, Medicaid expansion at legislative forum

Rep. John Whitmer, left, and Rep. John Carmichael, far right, trade words at a legislative town hall meeting Saturday. Between them are Rep. Brandon Whipple and Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau.“Why in the world, when we’re broke, would we want to spend $25 million on security guards at three state hospitals so the NRA can have its way about guns?” Carmichael said. “Somebody asked how many of you (legislators) are supported by the NRA. You know, the NRA supported me two years ago, sent me $250 …”

But before Carmichael finished the sentence, Whitmer, R-Wichita, interrupted him, saying, “That’s a lie.”

Replied Carmichael: “Pardon me, the Kansas State Rifle Association. … They work hand in hand together, and you don’t need to say it’s a lie, Representative.”

When Whitmer tried to answer, Carmichael talked over him: “You don’t need to say it’s a lie, Representative. I misspoke.”

Read the full story at http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article147635379.html

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From the Topeka Capital Journal: Critics question hiring practices, work ethic of Kansas securities …

Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, said complaints had been made that securities commission staff worked from their homes or locales across the state. The agency’s communications director, Caley Love, the wife of a former GOP state senator, lives in western Kansas.

Read the full story at http://cjonline.com/news/local/state-government/2017-04-24/critics-question-hiring-practices-work-ethic-kansas

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From KMUW: Riverside Residents Speak Out Against Controversial Senior …

More than 100 Riverside residents packed Wednesday's district meeting, where a proposed senior housing complex was on the agenda.State lawmaker John Carmichael, who represents the district that includes Riverside, urged advisory board members not to follow city staff’s recommendation to support the project.

“Quite frankly, I don’t think the staff has heard what you’ve heard here today,” he said.

Read the full story at http://kmuw.org/post/riverside-residents-speak-out-against-controversial-senior-housing-proposal

From KAKE: Riverside residents happy with vote to reject apartment plan

KAKE.com | Wichita, Kansas News, Weather, Sports
The developers of this low income senior housing project were asking for the board’s approval to get housing tax credits. The state requires city approval when considering the awarding of tax credits. Miller said in her 8 years of service she had never seen a turnout like Wednesday nights. In a two and half hour meeting Riverside residents one by one walked up to voice their opposition. Even State Senator Lynn Rogers and Representative John Carmichael got up to encourage the District Advisory Board to vote against approving the use of the tax credits to finance the project. One of the big criticism is traffic congestion in the area because north high is right down the street from the proposed location.

Read the full story at http://www.kake.com/story/35194605/riverside-residents-happy-with-advisory-board-vote

From the Wichita Eagle: Brownback signs law to allow sales of strong beer in grocery stores

Moe’s Mart employee Faizul Bary stocks a cooler at the east Wichita minimart with 3.2 beer. Under a new law signed by Gov. Sam Brownback, Moe’s and other convenience and grocery stores will be able to sell stronger beer beginning in 2019. (March 16, 2016)“The dominoes will really begin to fall for the small business people who have operated the small liquor stores in Kansas,” said Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita. “They will lose the majority of their beer sales, and that is what they rely upon to keep the doors open.

“That’s going to result in the diversion of alcohol to minors,” he added about the sale of stronger beer in more outlets.

Read the full story at http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article145319209.html

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From the Kansas City Star: Federal judge orders Kobach to share documents from his meeting with Trump

State Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat who has sought to strip Kobach of his prosecutorial power, said Kobach’s “treading on the edge of unethical conduct” should serve as “one more strike against the secretary” as lawmakers weigh whether to preserve his expanded power.

“It should come as no surprise to anyone that the federal court has lost patience with Mr. Kobach,” Carmichael said.

Read the full story at http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article145076069.html

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From the Kansas City Star: Secretary of State Kris Kobach announces first conviction of noncitizen voting in Kansas

Kris Kobach, a Kansas Republican, is the only secretary of state in the country with the authority to prosecute voter fraud.Rep. John Carmichael, a Democrat from Wichita, filed legislation this year : http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/hb2014/to strip the secretary of the power to prosecute voter fraud and election crimes, but the bill has not moved forward in the Kansas Legislature.

“I’m not at all convinced that finding one non-citizen to prosecute after a two-year search justifies giving the secretary of state what is unprecedented authority held by no other secretary of state in the nation,” Carmichael said.

Read the full story at http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article144256424.html

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