University Dally Kansan, May 4, 1981
Hess' political goals change attitudes
By GENE GEORGE Staff Reporter
TOPEKA-In 1971, State Sen. Paul Heus,
then a member of the House, was appointed
to the House Apple Committee,
a committee empowered with making all House members had an apple to eat during each day's session.
This session, 10 years later, Hess, R-Wichita, took over the Senate Ways and Means Committee, became one of the most powerful lawmakers in Kansas needed to lead many have called a crusade against the Board of Regents.
BUT HESS SAID he was still puzzled when he tried to figure out exactly what had happened to give him the control of the Senate budget panel.
Hess' ascension to power, which after a decade in the State house seemed to come overnight, was the result of a bombing of long-camp campaign for the chancellorship.
Facing opposition for the post from former Majority Leader Norman Gaar, R-Westwood, Hess lobbied Senate President Ross Doyen, whose political outlook matched the deepening conservative mood in Kansas.
"I'm a practical person." Hess said. "And with the change in the make-up of the Legislature, I was chosen."
BEFORE TAKING over the Ways and Means Committee this year, Hess' most powerful post was held last year, when he headed the Senate Committee on Commercial and Financial Institutions.
Gaar, on the other hand, had been an influential liberal senator. But Gaar's interest in politics has apparently waned this year.
Until this session, Hess, 33, was remembered by members of the Statehouse press corps as a brash young man who wore an afro-style haircut, a beard, outlandish suits and told off-color tokes in the hallways.
But the Hess who runs the Ways and Means Committee today has short hair, no beard and no time for lokes.
HIS TURNABOUT in personality is linked to the resurgence of the Republican Party nationwide and enhances a chance for the Wichita lawyer to build support for the 1982 congressional elections.
His crusade to cut at least $23 million from Gov. John Carlson's proposed $2.78 billion 1026 budget by seeing as some of the cuts are not unreasonable in our seat Reen. Dan Glickman, D-Kan., the
State Sen. Paul Hess
only Democrat in the state's fivemember delegation to Washington.
Even though he was pressed for time as the end of this year's legislative session drew near, Hess paused a moment to laugh at that surrenztion.
"I honestly don't know if I'll seek higher office," he said. "There's a 50-50 chance I'll run for Congress."
HESS EXPLAINED that besides the budget matters that needed to be resolved at the end of the session, there were two other factors that prevented him from making a decision: His wife Anne was expecting their first child, and the Legislature had not yet repositioned the congressional districts.
So far, the Legislature has exceeded Hess' plan to cut the state budget, and has eliminated more than $28 million.
Hess said facts such as that did not make points with the voters for a would-be candidate.
"If you want to ingratiate yourself, when you're running for higher office, you pass out wooodies," he said.
BESIDES OPERATING his southeast Wichita law, hess, a graduate of the KU School of Law, owns several single-family rental units there.
They also own a farm in Ottawa County and one in Miami County.
Hess received almost 71 percent of the vote against Democrat Charles Green in the 1890 election and received 60 percent of two organizations going into this session.
The Kansas National Education Association gave him a 92 percent rating, and the Kansas Association for Industry gave him a 64 percent rating.
THE RATINGS are determined by a
legislator's stand on issues important to the two grounds.
Hess's chief critic comes from his own party.
Freshman Sen. Jane Eldredge, RLawrence, has maintained since the midway point of the session that Hess found the UU in an effort to achieve his goal.
Hess said, however, that the new conservative mood in the state had mandated that the state cut back.
He said his crusade against the Regents and other state agencies was meant to prepare state government in New York to expect money cats from Congress.
ELDREDGE, in a speech made in Lawrence, said that Hess, with the help of former State Sen. Arnold Berman of Lawrence and former KU Chancellor Archie R. Dykes, planned a surprise inspection at the Kansas University Medical Center. She suggested that Hess' motives were different.
February's inspection of the Kansas City, Kan., facility sparked the budget-cutting move, when lawmakers asked her housekeeping and misgardening staff.
And even though Hess has let-up the pressure over those issues, Eldredge is skeical.
"His comments would indicate to me that he was, for whatever reason, digging into the budget more than he should have." she said.
Hess refused to give credence to Eldredge's comments, adding that the Lawrence Republic had taken on a lot of responsibility all at once.
HE SAID THAT Eldridge's comments and fights to restore the money Hess' committee cut from the Regents "had no negative impact" in the Senate.
However, after she led the unsuccessful floor debate against the Ways and Means Committee's plan, Eldredge was dressed down in a corner of the Senate chamber by Senate Policy Leader Bob Talkington, R-Iola.
Lawmakers agree that with the help of the leadership, Hess was getting more and more exposure, needed to build a congressional campaign.
The Senate leadership, which agreed with Hess' plans for the state budget, has kept all opposition to a minimum.
"But don't be surprised if I don't run." Hess said.
ATO team member Mark Hanson, Overland Park freshman, and a member of the PARS team struggle for control of the ball during the final game in an intramural soccer tournament Saturday afternoon sponsored by AURH and the Interfraternity
BEN BIGLER/Kansan staff
Gov. Carlin plans May marriage. UPI reports
Because Carlin did not want the publicity of the impending marriage to interfere with legislators work during his term, the agency that announced he has been made a test.
close to the governor's office said the marriage was set for the last Friday in
After months of speculation, United Press International reported over the weekend that Gov. John Carlin and his wife, Diana, died as a carlin, will marry May 29.
Last November, Carlin, 40, divorced his first wife, Romona Hawkinson Carlin. The governor has two children from the first marriage.
Harley, 32, also was divorced at the end of last year and has two children by that marriage.
A formal announcement on the marriage was expected to be made by the beginning of next week.
UPI, however, reported that sources
ACT ONE, Ltd.
Theological Books & Supplies
925 low 1 in Inner Harbour Center
844-730-3560
INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE
10% off books, sheet music, vocal selections
20% off dancewear, records, cards & makeup
30% off posters, puzzles & stationery Discounts apply thru May 15th.
No exchanges, returns or credits on discounted items. 10 to 6
9 to 5 Mon-Fri Saturda
At Headmasters we know how important good looking hair is to you. It not only enhances your appearance but it also affects the way you feel about yourself. Our 'headmasters' have been helping people look and feel their best for over seven years. We don't just cut your hair ___ we analyze it, show you how to style it and recommend the right hair and scalp products that will help you keep the look that's important to you. Give us a call today. We understand how important it is to look and feel your best. It's one more reason you'll love our style.
Style.
Summer Fun on the North Fork River In Mark Twain National Forest Campus groups & Individuals plan your canoe trip now!
You'll Love Our Style.
North Fork River Outfitters Box 33, Dora, Missouri
Headmasters.
A complete outdoor experience
Ph. (417) 261-2259 or 261-2345
809 Vermont, Lawrence
EFFECTIVE
MONDAY, JUNE 8
THE UNIVERSITY
DAILY KANSAN
WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
ADVERTISEMENTS
ALL ADS THAT APPEAR IN THE
KANSAN MUST APPEAR IN ENGLISH
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION
The University Daily
KANSAN
Helping you
say it right.
Delight her with the exclusive FITTE hand-decorated ceramic bowl filled with
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10.
westRidge FLORAL
It's time to send Mom our FTD Big Hug Bouquet.
TAKE A STUDY BREAK
Take a break from your studies and treat yourself to Chocolate Unlimited. You'll discover delicious ice cream, luscious toppings, and our latest creation ... The New York Egg Creme. We are now open daily until 9:00... so treat yourself to the Chocolate Unlimited Break!
Mon.-Sat 10:00-9:00
Sun 10:00-9:00
1601 W. 23rd
Southern Hills
749-1100
Chocolate Unlimited
1