It’s too bad Sen. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona, lets his pet peeves get in the way of his good intentions.
In Senate Bill 410, Knox has created a pilot program for foster care families called CARE Families.
In this special category, the parents must be in “stable” marriages of at least seven years; cannot have alcohol or tobacco products in the house, (firearms OK); must have high school degrees, must engage in a weekly community activity, and must have one stay-at-home spouse in order to serve as foster parents.
Though it feels terribly heavy-handed, Knox’s intentions are good -— for the most part. He’s simply wanting to replicate the clean-living days of June and Ward Cleaver of the 1960s TV sitcom.
Trouble is, there are lots of people who do not fit Knox’s description but would make excellent foster parents: Single parents, working parents, even those who enjoy a glass of wine now and then.
Knox doesn’t stop there.
Because he is anti-public education, his bill also includes stipends of $4,000 per child for families who choose to home-school or send their children to private schools.
According to the Kansas Division of the Budget, those stipends would put the state at risk of losing $20 million in federal funds that go to its current foster care program. Making a class of foster families that receives special perks goes against federal regulations.
KNOX is known for his ultra-conservative orthodoxy. Usually he’s against any measure that grows government, though according to the Department of Children and Families, making this law would require four additional staff members at a cost of $230,000.
He’s also on record for getting government off our backs; yet this measure puts it practically in the bedroom.
THE MEASURE now goes before the House for a vote.
Share your opinions with Rep. Kent Thompson at [email protected] and Rep. Adam Lusker at [email protected].
