There was nothing combative about Gov. Laura Kelly’s annual State of the State message on Tuesday night. The governor spoke in bold and serious tones as she laid out her plan for a better Kansas — typical of this yearly speech which is known mostly for its cheerleading.
As a Democrat, Kelly then was countered by Ty Masterson, Republican President of the Kansas Senate, who gave the official response.
Sure, they watched every word, knowing reporters would pick their scripts to pieces. But there was something in each of their eyes that was different this year. No doubt, the events currently playing out in Washington, D.C. tempered the tone of these two Kansas leaders — which was much appreciated by folks in the Sunflower State.
Yes, the lines will be divided, as usual, as the current legislative session gets underway. Republicans and Democrats will point accusing fingers across their aisles as they discuss taxation, healthcare, Medicaid expansion, highways, education and benefits for the downtrodden.
The two sides of debate still need to be heard, and in congenial fashion. But they do make sausage, you know, which will mean mixing meaty words with saucy dreams, and plenty of ways to pay for the laws that finally emerge from the gut-like casings.
With crazy methods required to hold meetings — some in person and others by Zoom — the legislators might find themselves pushing harder to get things done this year, rather than spending so much time huddling in partisan packs and seldom listening to each other.
This year, both because of the pandemic and the awful siege on democracy that we’re witnessing in Washington, our state leaders hold a unique opportunity to do something good — build a better tomorrow for our state, together.
We hope that’s what we saw in the eyes of Gov. Kelly and Sen. Masterson, because Kansans have enough worrying them this year without listening to bickering in our Statehouse. It would truly be a godsend if Republicans might stir their sausage with Democrats at their side, rather than across the great partisan divide.
It would be marvelous to hear them laugh together, make a few plans together and give each other credit when something successful happens.
So, did those eyes deceive?
We surely hope not.
Here in rural Kansas is the perfect place to fashion a model of hope, built upon sincerity and decency, and laced together with home-state goodness.
Most members of the Legislature probably didn’t see these two speeches in this idyllic way. And, it may be total puffery. But these two leaders of the legislative and executive branches are truly standing along an avenue that is lined with opportunities. They can either shrug off their night in front of the TV cameras, or listen to themselves, and perhaps look in their mirrors when they get home.
It’s about time someone, at some level, did just that.
It might as well be in Kansas.
