Topic: Cedar Crest
Interview of Tim Emert, October 4, 2019
Interviewed by Jim McLean
Tim Emert's interview covers his Senate career in the last decade of the Twentieth century, following passage of a markedly different school finance bill in 1992 and with a divided Republican caucus in the Senate--a time of big change. Emert stepped into the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee immediately and later moved up to become Senate Majority Leader, elected to that post with a one-vote margin. In this oral history interview he described coalitions he formed to get legislation passed. As Judiciary chair, Emert dealt with both the death penalty, which he personally opposed, and a Show Morebill restricting late term abortions which no one liked but which passed anyway. He worked with Christine Downey to get a major policy change regarding community colleges. Emert also described his work on the State Board of Education and later, the Board of Regents. He characterizes himself as neither moderate or conservative, but as "a realistic Republican." He talked about his time as Majority Leader being a "juggling act" trying to maintain communication with the conservative House Speakers (Shallenburger and Jennison) and the Senate. He explained the tension in having both the poorest and richest counties in his district and trying to provide equalization of school funding. Emert also talked briefly about on the renovation of the Capitol and the renovation of Cedar Crest (the Governors Mansion). Show Less
Interview of Robert (Bob) Miller, November 9, 2017
Interviewed by H. Edward (Ed) Flentje
Former Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, Robert (Bob) Miller recalls his many years of service to the State. He describes his involvement with the Young Republicans at K-State, his first campaign to represent his area of Sumner County, and moving up through the ranks in the House despite not having ambition for any other elected position. Miller reflects on his sometimes arms-length relationships with fellow House members and with lobbyists. From his position as chair of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee he oversaw the development of implementing legislation for liquor-by-the-drink, parimutuel wagering, and Show Morethe State Lottery by building subject-matter expertise within the committee. Miller describes instances when legislators' positions on policy issues did not break along purely partisan nor on purely urban-rural lines. He also witnessed the early development of what eventually became the conservative movement in the Legislature. Show Less