Huelskamp targets Planned Parenthood funding, cites $1 billion shortfall

When it comes to cutting state pork, there's nobody better than Sen. Tim Huelskamp.

Huelskamp announced yesterday that he intends to scrutinize every penny of state spending in the face of a $1 billion state deficit. In light of some Senate Republicans refusing to discuss possible budget solutions and still blaming the budget shortfall on "tax cuts" rather than their own over spending, Sen. Huelskamp's comments are a breathe of fresh air.

“In the last two fiscal years alone, Kansans have forked over more than $550,000 to this organization,” said Senator Huelskamp. “There is simply no reason in the world why the taxpayer dollars of hundreds of thousands of pro-life Kansans should be used to underwrite abortion providers in this state, particularly those under criminal indictment and investigation.” Huelskamp promised to seek budget language that would prohibit such funding.

One does have to wonder why, if the face of a $1 billion deficit, the state would continue to fund someone under criminal investigation. Just as it pains the citizens of Illinois to pay Gov. Blagojevich's salary, it too should pain Kansans to know their hard earned tax dollars are going to an organization charged with 107 different felony misdemeanors.

And before liberals start howling about the "anti-abortion" activists, Huelskamp's press release notes actions already taken by the state of Virginia, a state that voted for the most liberal Presidential candidate in history.

If Kansas were to defund Planned Parenthood funding, they would not be the first state to attempt to do so. Citing concerns about the racist foundations of Planned Parenthood, their documented willingness to cover up for rapists and other child predators, and their illegal promotion of pornography to teenagers, other states such as Virginia have made moves similar to that proposed by Huelskamp.

Senate President Steve Morris and Vice President John Vratil have blamed the budget crisis on tax cuts passed under their leadership the past few years. But as AFP's Alan Cobb pointed out, it isn't the tax cuts that are to blame but the over indulgence of a majority of Kansas Senators, Representatives and Gov. Sebelius herself.

“Isn’t it worth mentioning the impact of four years of large budget increases on the current budget situation? If the budget had simply increased at 5 percent, hardly a small number, each year since 2004, we would have more than $2 billion in the bank now.”

2004 is the year Sen. Morris and Vratil took over leadership of the Kansas Senate.

Personally, I think the CPI is the most a budget should increase without the approval of the voters. But isn't it interesting to know that if legislators had just had a little self control...not even a lot, but just a little bit...that we'd now be in the black instead of the red

Kansans can rest assured that Sen. Huelskamp will examine every penny in Washington just like he has the past 12 years in Topeka.

"We are running for Congress"

Well, we're a little late with the news, but good news can never be too late, right?

Sen. Huelskamp has formally announced his bid for Congress with a late night email to supporters. (You can click the email on the left to enlarge it.)

Sen. Huelskamp had many great things to say in his announcement. The most refreshing, however, was Sen Huelskamp's understanding that conservative principles are NOT the reason Republican's were rejected at the polls nationally in November. Rather, it is a rejection in practice of conservative principles by Republicans that handed us a rather humbling defeat.

"Leaders in Washington in both political parties have lost touch with the fundamental principles that most Americans live our lives by every day - common sense, fiscal responsibility, and the traditional moral values and respect for individual freedoms that built this country."

Sen. Huelskamp is the frontrunner in the 1st congressional district race not because he has the most cash in the bank, but because he has a 12 year record in the Kansas Senate to back up what he is telling voters today.

Why would a voter even consider a candidate that has a questionable voting record or no record what-so-ever?

Anybody can talk the talk, but Sen. Huelskamp has walked the walk for twelve years.

"I am absolutely convinced that now is the time for a new class of principled leaders in Washington who will stand up for these and other core American values. We need folks who are willing to stand boldly for truth and the principles upon which our nation was built. So we are running for Congress. And with God's blessings and your support, I hope to become the next Congressman from the Big 1st District."

Read more about Sen. Huelskamp's announcement at Kansas Liberty.

Huelskamp announces bid for Congress

Sen. Huelskamp formally announced his bid for Congress late last night.

And the question everyone asked: How did we get to the point where Washington is controlled by big-government socialists who attack our traditional, American values?

I believe the answer is simple.

Leaders in Washington in both political parties have lost touch with the fundamental principles that most Americans live our lives by every day -- common sense, fiscal responsibility, and the traditional moral values and respect for individual freedoms that built this country.

My friend, I am absolutely convinced that now is the time for a new class of principled leaders in Washington who will stand up for these and other core American values. We need folks who are willing to stand boldly for truth and the principles upon which our nation was built.

Our current Congressman, Jerry Moran, has announced that he will leave the U.S. House to run for the Senate. And after much prayer and counsel, my wife and I have agreed that now is the time for us to step forward to carry the principles I've been fighting for in Topeka to another level.

So we are running for Congress. And with God's blessings and your support, I hope to become the next Congressman from the Big 1st District.

Absolutely spot on!

Read more about the announcement at Kansas Liberty.

We'll post more about the official announcement later.

The votes are in and Senator Huelskamp is the frontrunner

Well, the "votes" are in and Sen. Tim Huelskamp is the clear front runner to replace Rep. Jerry Moran in Washington.

As Politico reported on Jerry Moran's decision to seek a U.S. Senate seat, they also note only one candidate in the running to replace Moran, Tim Huelskamp.

Already conservatives are buzzing about Kansas state senator Tim Huelskamp as a possible successor for Moran.

Following up on those sentiments was Roll Call, Capital Hill's leading paper.

Huelskamp has been preparing his bid for a while: He opened a federal campaign account in 2006 when Moran was considering a run for governor and has $25,000 to start his bid."We've been spending a lot of time on the phone the last couple weeks, and we already have a campaign account open," Huelskamp said in a phone interview.

The other candidates? An honorable mention, but not much else.

Even news outlets back home in Kansas acknowledge that Sen. Huelskamp is the front runner

State Sen. Tim Huelskamp says he's thinking about making a run for Congress in two years. The Republican from Fowler said Tuesday that he's busy raising money and plans to make a formal announcement in the coming weeks.

No other candidate mentioned can match credentials or records with Sen. Huelskamp. As our state faces an unprecedented budget crisis, we can all rest assured that Sen Huelskamp will work to solve our budget problems the way every Kansas family has to solve their budget problems; through less spending and pork cutting, not through tax increases and passing the buck.

And those other candidates? Well, they either didn't show up for the party, caved to special interests or some even were the cause of our budget problems in the first place.

Washington insiders and big Topeka spenders. That's not what Kansas needs.

Common sense budget solutions and principled leadership. Now that's what Kansas needs.

Welcome to the Huelskamp Herald

Welcome to the Huelskamp Herald!

This blog has been created as a way to promote the next best hope for Kansas' First Congressional District, Sen. Tim Huelskamp.

2010 is just around the corner. With current Rep. Jerry Moran running for the U.S. Senate, there will be a competitive race in the Big First and Sen. Huelskamp will need everyone's help to remain the front runner in the race. Enter the Huelskamp Herald.

So, sit back and enjoy the next couple of years. We'll be here to ensure the truth about Sen. Huelskamp and his record gets out to the people.