Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius stood her ground not to allow two new coal plants

THE BUZZFLASH WINGS OF JUSTICE AWARD

http://www.wingsofjustice.com/08/04/woj08016.html

April 16, 2008

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.

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Nominated by Michael Gruenenfelder of Stilwell, KS.

THE BUZZFLASH WINGS OF JUSTICE AWARD