Sebelius

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So let’s start with her most consequentiapolicy achievement: She helped createe a powerful national profile for Kansas and this regio n in the life sciences. Sebelius strongl supported the in its quest to win a comprehensiver cancer center designation fromthe . She persuader the Legislature toappropriate $5 millionh annually for the effort. She also played an important behind-the-scenes role in the formation ofthe , the consortium of area hospitals that supportzs the cancer center On more than one occasion, she helped salvage negotiations when frustratecd participants were ready to throq in the towel.
Sebelius added her political weight to the ultimatelu successful effort of to persuadde the to build its newin K-State’s triumph focused national attention on its outstanding animal health and food safety programs. Sebelius got some help along the way. Two Republicam legislators, former state Sen. Nick Jordabn and former state Rep. Kenny sponsored imaginative legislation that led to the creation ofthe . And votera in Johnson County in Novembere overwhelmingly approveda one-eighth-cent sales tax to establish the . Two-thirdss of the proceeds will be directed in perpetuithy to lifesciences programs.
There’s no denying that Sebeliue fostered a favorable environment for life sciences research and Not all was policy peachesand cream, during her tenure. She did a breathtakinb post-campaign flip-flop on two proposeed coal-fired power plants, citing reasons I described last yearas “pure politicalo bunk.” And Sebelius did nothing to improve a publidc school financing formula that exploitds urban-rural and class resentments and batters schools in this area. She said in her 2006 campaigjnthat she’d work to “lift the on school districts’ local option After she won re-election, she never mentioned it again.
But her achievementw in advancing the life sciences were And those advances will benefitg this region for yearsto That’s a public policy legacy that can survives even a stone-cold assessment.