I read it in the Kansas City Star today and could hardly believe it:
New Kansas law helps poor people caught in traffic-fine trap
What the what?
The Kansas, famously (infamously?) Republican-led Statehouse over there in Topeka did just that--did something to help the less financially-fortunate of the state:
TOPEKA — Lawmakers and the governor have corrected a legislative oversight that was making life difficult for poor people who have traffic tickets they can’t afford to pay all at once.
What really got me is that 2nd part--the part that said even Governor Brownback got in on this, too.
Some details:
House Bill 2009 restores a system to allow motorists with suspended licenses to get a restricted license to drive to work, school or other important destinations, while paying off traffic fines over time.
Gov. Sam Brownback signed the bill Thursday.
Here's yet one more wonderful, surprising, rare thing about the whole thing:
The bill was originally the handiwork of two Wichita-area legislators, Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, a Democrat, and former Sen. Phil Journey, a Republican.
Can you imagine that?
Two government representatives, from different political parties, no less, WORKING TOGETHER, and for the betterment of the people.
Wow.
With all the partisanship across the states, singularly, but across the larger nation, as a whole, it's a wonderful, welcome turn.
Talk about a double-take.
And it's not even Christmas.
There may be hope for those people and that state yet.
Just don't count on it.
