Local Student's Passion for Democracy Wins Big!

Below is a link to a GREAT story out of the Topeka Capital-Journal about a local student whose passion for democracy helped him win BIG!

Scott Brackey, a junior at Seamen High School in Topeka, submitted an essay entitled "courage" as part of the Bill of Rights Institute's "Being an American" essay contest. His essay touched on his feelings about the founding fathers as they set-out to create the documents that would shape our nation.

"It really struck me," Brackey said. "They were signing a death warrant for themselves. If they didn't have the courage to do that, we wouldn't be the nation we are today."

Brackey's essay is now eligible for top prizes in the entire Great Plains region! His passion for democracy is definitely something to be admired!

"You don't have to be offensive to stand up for what you believe," he said. "It's just about standing up for what you believe and not straying from that."

Two of Brackey's fellow students, Jordan Parker and Abra Pittman also received honorable mentions for their essays!

What a powerful statement about the young people of Kansas doing great things in areas of civic engagement!

Here is the link to the full article:

http://cjonline.com/news/local/2010-03-21/essay_lands_student_in_dc

You Mean I Can't Text and Drive!?

That's right, if you're one of those talented multi-taskers who likes to text and drive at the same time, you may soon find yourself facing a traffic ticket. The state senate acted yesterday to approve a measure that would ban texting while driving. Violators caught on first offense would be cited, and getting caught a second time can lead to misdemeanor charges. The measure now heads to the house for their approval.

Also included with the senate bill passed on Thursday is a provision to institute a primary seat belt law in the state of Kansas. Currently, driving without a seatbelt in the state of Kansas is a secondary offense. This means that in order to ticket a passenger for not wearing a seatbelt, they must be pulled over for something else first. The proposed law would instead allow police officers to pull vehicles over solely for the passengers not wearing seat belts. By enacting this law, the state can also stand to receive up to $10 million in federal aid.

In addition, today Governor Mark Parkinson signed into law HB2221 known as the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act.

"The bill bans smoking and makes the act of smoking in the following a cigarette or tobacco infraction: public places; taxicabs and limousines; common areas in public and private buildings, condominiums and other multiple-residential facilities; access points of all building and facilities unless exempted by the bill; and any place of employment." (http://www.ksnt.com:80/news/local/story/Governor-signs-smoking-ban-bill/NmA4pq0TvU-KQ8LqBZR0jw.cspx?rss=1682&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)

With at least a month left in their session, the Kansas state legislature has been active in passing a number of laws that will affect each of us. Even bigger things remain yet to come as the legislature prepares to pass the state budget for the next year, stay tuned and be sure to contact your legislator and make your voice heard!