I received a reply from the Voter Education Coalition regarding the participation standards. Basically a "15%" standard was used to determine participants. This will be explained during the State Senate forum Tuesday night as part of the program. I disagree with the methodology (and principle) for a myriad of reasons, but kudos to the VEC for explaining the process.
I have received the endorsement of the Boston Tea Party. Thanks to Jim Davidson and his organization for their confidence and support. The Boston Tea Party is a national political party that favors reducing the size and scope of government. Needless to say they had an easy choice in my race :)
A big thanks to the people of Valley Falls and Oskaloosa for being so friendly while I was canvassing this weekend.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Fast and Furious
Sorry for the delay - busy time right now. Only 6 weeks until Election Day and 3 weeks until advance voting starts. As some of you know our candidates are being excluded from the series of forums sponsored by the Voter Education Coalition (I didn't make that name up). I have asked for the data and standards this was based on and - shockingly - have not received a reply to date. We have chosen to make lemonade and our holding our own forum on Wed, October 22 at Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union. ALL candidates have been invited and VOTERS will control the questioning. I know these sound like radical and dangerous ideas, but we like to live on the edge. I'll post more details about the forum as they become available. Here are the upcoming events:
Sat, 9/27 and Sun, 9/28 - Canvassing and lots of it. Please contact me if you are available.
Tues, 9/30 - we will be handing out lit and flyers promoting our forum at the Voter Education State Senate forum. This one is being held at Lawrence High School. I'll post the final plan later this week.
Thur, 10/2 - NARFE candidate forum - Leavenworth
Sat, 10/4 and Sun, 10/5 - more canvassing
The yard signs have arrived. Please contact me immediately if you can provide a home for one - or more.
Sat, 9/27 and Sun, 9/28 - Canvassing and lots of it. Please contact me if you are available.
Tues, 9/30 - we will be handing out lit and flyers promoting our forum at the Voter Education State Senate forum. This one is being held at Lawrence High School. I'll post the final plan later this week.
Thur, 10/2 - NARFE candidate forum - Leavenworth
Sat, 10/4 and Sun, 10/5 - more canvassing
The yard signs have arrived. Please contact me immediately if you can provide a home for one - or more.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Press Release
Below is the text of a Wilbur for State Senate press release forwarded to 3rd district media outlets earlier today.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2008
WILBUR CALLS FOR AN END TO SALES TAX ON GROCERIES
Lawrence – Patrick Wilbur has invited his opponents and all legislative candidates to support a repeal of the Kansas sales tax on grocery items. Wilbur, candidate for State Senate (3rd district), announced this initiative during his appearance at a Rock the Vote concert in Kansas City, Missouri. He believes it is time for the state to step up and help Kansans during this prolonged downturn in the economy. “If the legislature really cares about middle class Kansans it is time to show a tangible effort,” says Wilbur. “Repealing this regressive and unavoidable tax is a good way to start.”
Figures provided by both the Kansas Legislative Research Department and the Kansas Department of Revenue estimate the revenue generated by this tax at $252 million (fy2009), and under the current rebate program $40 million is returned to low income families. Wilbur believes that the state can easily find a way to offset this loss in revenue. “The state spent $1.3 billion in a 5-year period to promote economic development and Division of Post-Audit cannot tell us if this was a quality investment,” says Wilbur. “Perhaps we should try and promote economic development the old-fashioned way – with a low tax burden.”
CONTACTS:
Patrick Wilbur
(785) 727-0506
wilbur45@sunflower.com
The Libertarian Party of Kansas
Individual Liberty, Personal Responsibility
P.O. Box 2456
Wichita, KS 67201
1-800-335-1776www.lpks.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2008
WILBUR CALLS FOR AN END TO SALES TAX ON GROCERIES
Lawrence – Patrick Wilbur has invited his opponents and all legislative candidates to support a repeal of the Kansas sales tax on grocery items. Wilbur, candidate for State Senate (3rd district), announced this initiative during his appearance at a Rock the Vote concert in Kansas City, Missouri. He believes it is time for the state to step up and help Kansans during this prolonged downturn in the economy. “If the legislature really cares about middle class Kansans it is time to show a tangible effort,” says Wilbur. “Repealing this regressive and unavoidable tax is a good way to start.”
Figures provided by both the Kansas Legislative Research Department and the Kansas Department of Revenue estimate the revenue generated by this tax at $252 million (fy2009), and under the current rebate program $40 million is returned to low income families. Wilbur believes that the state can easily find a way to offset this loss in revenue. “The state spent $1.3 billion in a 5-year period to promote economic development and Division of Post-Audit cannot tell us if this was a quality investment,” says Wilbur. “Perhaps we should try and promote economic development the old-fashioned way – with a low tax burden.”
CONTACTS:
Patrick Wilbur
(785) 727-0506
wilbur45@sunflower.com
The Libertarian Party of Kansas
Individual Liberty, Personal Responsibility
P.O. Box 2456
Wichita, KS 67201
1-800-335-1776www.lpks.org
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Rock That Vote!
The Rock the Vote concert tonight was a huge success. All the candidates had only 2 minutes to speak, but made quite an impression - a positive impression - with a large crowd. Special thanks to Stephanie Kane at 96.5 The Buzz for organizing this event and inviting our candidates. Hopefully I'll have some video later this week.
During my speech I issued an invitation to my opponents (not in attendance) and all other legislative candidates to end the sales tax on food in Kansas. This is a regressive tax that is hurting poorer and middle class families during an extended recession. While Kansas does have a rebate program it is only for those who make $29,700 or less. This excludes many taxpayers who are struggling, but have to pay the 5.3% (one of the highest rates in the country) on their groceries. Of course many legislators will ask how the state will make up for the lost revenue. Here's a start - reduce/eliminate the $1.3 billion spent on "economic development" over the past 5 years. The Divisoion of Post-Audit cannot even tell us if this initiative has been effective.
Events for this week
Wed, 9/10 - Free State Libertarians meet the EMC building (12th and Oread) - 6pm.
Sat, 9/13 - Lawrence Farmers Market meet/greet (8th and New Hampshire) - 7am-11am.
Sat and Sun, 9/13 and 9/14 - Major canvassing - please contact me to help.
During my speech I issued an invitation to my opponents (not in attendance) and all other legislative candidates to end the sales tax on food in Kansas. This is a regressive tax that is hurting poorer and middle class families during an extended recession. While Kansas does have a rebate program it is only for those who make $29,700 or less. This excludes many taxpayers who are struggling, but have to pay the 5.3% (one of the highest rates in the country) on their groceries. Of course many legislators will ask how the state will make up for the lost revenue. Here's a start - reduce/eliminate the $1.3 billion spent on "economic development" over the past 5 years. The Divisoion of Post-Audit cannot even tell us if this initiative has been effective.
Events for this week
Wed, 9/10 - Free State Libertarians meet the EMC building (12th and Oread) - 6pm.
Sat, 9/13 - Lawrence Farmers Market meet/greet (8th and New Hampshire) - 7am-11am.
Sat and Sun, 9/13 and 9/14 - Major canvassing - please contact me to help.
Monday, September 1, 2008
The week of Sep 2-7 - events
Happy Labor Day to everyone - here are this week's scheduled campaign events:
Fri, 9/5 - Old Settlers Days (downtown Olathe) 4-10pm - I'll be working the LPKS outreach booth with another State Senate candidate (Rob Hodgkinson in the 37th district). This is a huge event with lots of people, fun and food. Stop by and see us if you can.
Sat, 9/6 - Canvassing - please let me know if you can help. We have been working 4 separate precincts in the first couple weeks, and are getting a very good response from voters. This is a great way to help the campaign and get some exercise.
Sun, 9/7 - Rock the Vote concert (downtown KCMO) 3-10pm - 96.5 The Buzz will be sponsoring a free concert at KC Live (featured bands - Ludo, Carolina Liar, The Wombats). This event will also give area candidates a chance to meet voters. This should be a fun event, and another opportunity for us to show voters the only opportunity for REAL change is outside the 2 party system.
Fri, 9/5 - Old Settlers Days (downtown Olathe) 4-10pm - I'll be working the LPKS outreach booth with another State Senate candidate (Rob Hodgkinson in the 37th district). This is a huge event with lots of people, fun and food. Stop by and see us if you can.
Sat, 9/6 - Canvassing - please let me know if you can help. We have been working 4 separate precincts in the first couple weeks, and are getting a very good response from voters. This is a great way to help the campaign and get some exercise.
Sun, 9/7 - Rock the Vote concert (downtown KCMO) 3-10pm - 96.5 The Buzz will be sponsoring a free concert at KC Live (featured bands - Ludo, Carolina Liar, The Wombats). This event will also give area candidates a chance to meet voters. This should be a fun event, and another opportunity for us to show voters the only opportunity for REAL change is outside the 2 party system.
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