PRAISE THE LORD I’M HOME AGAIN!

After 4 days at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka and 12 days at Mid America Rehabilitation Hospital, I was discharged on Thursday, Mar 3rd. I have made great progress and now the therapy still needed, can be given at home. I was very lucky in my misfortune.

Being 5 minutes from a certified stroke center when I suffered my stroke allowed earliest intervention by those who specialize in treating stroke victims; indeed I received treatment while having a stroke not after it occurred. Anyway, my paralysis is receding and I can walk without assistance short distances. My left arm is also functioning better but my fingers still don’t obey my thoughts and directions. With further therapy, my prognosis is good and I hope to recover fully.

Stormont Vail is an impressive facility. The care given is second to none, intensive goal directed and in my case, successful. From nursing assistance to neurologists true sensitive professionals who try to keep you alive. There is a nurse and an assistant for every 4 patients who are continuously monitored. Great work.

The rehab hospital is another story. No pampering there. You’re worked hard by mostly female therapists, any two of whom weigh as much as I do. They’re in great shape and attempt to improve the physical ability of their patients, a daunting task dealing with someone like me, overweight, out of shape and resistant to change. I told them, nothing personal but I hated every minute they tortured me by making me walk, climb stairs, and putting me on infernal machinery to increase my strength. Against all odds I religiously complied with their requests and I got a reprieve after only 12 days. I do owe them a debt of gratitude.

THANK YOU AGAIN

Speaking of gratitude I am humbled and honored by the expressions of concern, the prayer ascending on my behalf, the cards, messages and flowers. I received 154 get well cards, 198 e-mails, many phone calls and 19 plants and flowers. Please accept my heartfelt thanks and understand that it would be most difficult to respond individually, especially as I have some catching up to do on legislative matters.

TOPEKA HERE I COME

My immediate plans are to rejoin the House Tuesday, March 8, and I cannot wait. I’ll be getting PT Monday, see my Doc and then the decision will be made when and how much therapy I’ll need. I expect to be in Topeka on all off days - either two or three days a week until released from further treatment. For the time being I will still be wheelchair bound and need to be driven but I’ll manage.

MEANWHILE WEEK NINE

…was slow and, legislatively speaking, uneventful. To give the printers time to prepare all House and Senate bills for each chamber the legislature did not meet Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday leadership from House and Senate visited Washington to meet with our Congressional delegation and others to assure that the $150 million funding for the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility to be built in Manhattan was secure. This was one of a kind institution which is responsible; amongst other things for our food safety is of vital importance to the state and the nation.

No votes were taken this week, which means week ten will be very busy with members of both chambers on the floor all day and possibly until late at night.

HALF THE SESSION IS OVER - WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED?

We have made great strides towards reducing the size of government, growing the Kansas economy and increasing personal freedom. The House has done yeoman’s work passing important legislation to make major changes which were required for better governance. It is now up to the Senate to get the bills to the governor for signature to become law.

Following are key bills passed by the House which are now in the Senate:

- HR 6004 The Pay/Go rule requires us to live within our means
- HB 2014 Eliminates 2000 positions prevents agencies from inflating the budget
- HB 2014 Funds school audits
- ERO’s working with the governor eliminated 8 government agencies.
- Worker’s Compensation Reform, injured workers get required care and benefits and business climate is improved and more competitive.
- HB 2130 Paycheck Protection gives union members a voice in how their dues are spent.
- The Kansas Health Care Freedom Amendment allows Kansans to decide whether they want to be part of Obamacare
- HB 2194 Privatization Council established to establish public/partnerships

KEY LEGISLATION COMING UP

- HB 2368 Fee Sweep Reform, prevents the legislature to sweep funds from fee-funded agencies, which requires them to increase fees for their operational expenses.

- HB2193 Income verification for at-risk students, currently a student receiving free meals is automatically considered at-risk

- HCR 5010 Ending the cycle of litigation of school funding. Amends the constitution to clarify legislative intent

- HB2084 Enables voluntary consolidation of local government.

- HB2027 Repeal of superfluous or irrelevant statutes

- HB2238 Redefinition of fiscal notes to reflect true cost of a bill

TWO MAJOR REFORMS CONTEMPLATED

Elimination of personal and corporate income tax on a five year phase out plan. These taxes are most deleterious to a growing economy and job creation. In the long term funding through a tax on consumption is more desirable.

Unemployment Insurance Reform. We have been borrowing from the federal government to sustain the bankrupt employment security trust fund, now we need to find a way to pay back with interest

STOLEN IDENTITY

Some rotten bounder hacked into my saintly Peggy’s e-mail and wrote messages to one and all that she had been robbed and was penniless on Wales-no less –asking to send $1,600 so she could come home. This is almost funny, except for messages to our employees, business associates and people who barely know us. I certainly hope no one sent any money. Peggy and I were in Wales 5 years ago, had our picture taken at Land’s End, but she would not go there without me and her credit card balances are healthier than mine. Anyway, AOL is investigating as is our sheriff’s department. The local detective related that hackers get much information from Facebook and cautioned against being too forthcoming with personal data. I have therefore decided to make my temporary refusal to use Facebook permanent. Use my web site or e-mail for contact, or simply phone.

This type of injury is aggravating. Three months ago someone used a credit card with my name in Tucson, while I was having dinner in Overland Park. Had to cancel and reissue all cards. What a pain!

THE LAST WORD

Happy is the man who truly can say, “Tomorrow do thy worst for I have lived today!” - Fielding