Tim Carpenter: "Wichita Fitness Club Owner Flexes Political Muscle In Senate" @ Topeka Capital Journal

[Excerpt] ...   "If we do this, what's next?," said Donovan, who declined to take campaign contributions from Steven. "I wish we could fix this problem the right way and not the easy way."

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, passed out a spreadsheet detailing contributions received from individual members of the Senate. Among the largest recipients: Sen. Michael O'Donnell, R-Wichita, $4,000; Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, R-Hutchinson, $3,500; and Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, $2,000.

"The people who write the checks end up writing the laws. That's the connection here," Hensley said. "Basically, he's trying to buy a tax break. I think that taints the political process."

Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, R-Shawnee, said she was unimpressed with Hensley's attempt to question the ethical foundation of Senate colleagues. She reminded the Shawnee County Democrat of a speech Wagle delivered recently that urged the chamber's members not to impugn motivations of other senators in heat of the moment. ...  [End of Excerpt]

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