The State of Kansas saw a boom in the population of foster children over the last few years, combined with significant difficulties managing cases of child abuse. Many point to ongoing budgetary concerns, which led to the state using low-paid employees with high school diplomas as investigators for in home abuse.

In light of this it comes as no surprise that the State of Kansas would hold a hearing to discuss what changes should be made to find record numbers of children waiting on a home a safe place to live, and a way for the state to better protect their residents.

The hearing in the capital today was about a much different subject matter:

http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article45222204.html

The Rev. Donald Paul Sullins, a professor of sociology at the Catholic University of America, delivered testimony to a special committee reviewing issues in the Kansas foster care system. He is the author of a study published in January that says children raised by same-sex parents are at greater risk for depression and other emotional problems. Sullins made numerous claims about the correlation between having same-sex parents and a host of mental health problems, but said he didn’t want to be described as saying that children of same-sex parents “are going to be ruined.”

Senator Pilcher-Cook notified her constituents of her end goals in a mail piece received by residents of her district in the last tweek.

In her mail piece, the Senator lays out the case for her plan, noting that she has significant goals for the upcoming legislative session, including her note that “It is not bigotry but compassion and logic to insist on laws that maximize the probability that children will grow up with a mom and dad.” Noting that her support of the Religious Freedom bill will likely return, among other issues.

With more than 6,000 children per month in need of foster care, and more than 70,000 cases of child abuse reported, as well as an the ongoing struggle in DCF, it appears as though the most pressing issue facing Kansas may be rules which specifically prohibit or make moves against gay couples from providing a safe home.

Pilcher-Cook ran for election in 2012 with only token opposition, but is expected to take on a tougher opponent this year in Vicki Hiatt, a special education teacher.

The question in 2016 may end up being: after four years of ultrasounds on the senate floor, a proposal to prosecute teachers for criminal acts for teaching literature and sex ed, and now a move to drive out waiting foster care providers in a state struggling to handle the need as is, has her district finally had enough?