Long-time Kansas liberty-minded blogger, Bob Weeks of the Voice for Liberty in Wichita, would like press credentials to help his news coverage of the Kansas Senate in Topeka. 

There is just one big problem for Weeks.  The Kansas Senate does not consider him a member of the “press.” 

Weeks used an open records request and asked  the Senate Director of Communications, Patti Van Slyke, who was “press” and who was not according to the Kansas Senate:

From: Patti VanSlyke <Patti.VanSlyke@senate.ks.gov>
Date: Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Subject: Regarding your Open Records request
To: “bob.weeks@gmail.com” <bob.weeks@gmail.com>

January 19, 2010

Dear Mr. Weeks,

In recognition of your request under the Open Records Law for copies of media floor pass applications, I can tell you the following:

As of today, this is the tally of applicants and the status of their applications:

2010 Floor Passes for the Senate Chamber

based on Applications received as of 1/18/2010

Approved:

The Wichita Eagle
KSNT – TV
The Kansas City Star
WIBW – TV
KWCH – TV
KTKA – TV
KHI News Service
Lawrence Journal World
Hawver News Company LLC
Metro Source
KAKE – TV
Topeka Capital Journal
WIBW Radio/Kansas Radio Networks
Taylor Communications (KCLY – KFRM Radio)
Associated Press
Kansas Public Radio

Denied:

State of the State News, LLC
Voice for Liberty in Wichita

According to guidelines provided by the Legislative Administrative Services, I will provide access to those applications to you in one of two ways: you may come and review them here in my office during regular business hours. The originals are not to leave my office.

If you want photocopies of the entirety of the applications for your files, I will provide those at your cost – the total of which must be paid in full in advance before they will be given to you. To cover the cost of copying, mailing and staff time, you will be charged $0.50 per page. At this time, there are 94 pages. The total cost will be $47.00. Please let me know how you wish to proceed. Should you decide to pay for copies, I will put them in the mail the same day I receive your payment.

Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

pVs

The Senate rejected two new media news sources, State of the State News and Week’s Voice for Liberty in Wichita.

The application form for Kansas Senate press credentials gives clues about who they want and who they don’t. Questions on the application for Senate credentials include:

• Has the organization changed its name in the last five years? Yes/No
• Is so, previous name of the organization:
• Is new coverage the primary responsibility of the organization? Yes/No
• Does the organization have a daily presence in the Capitol? Yes/No
• Does the organization produce content with a subscription price? Yes/No
• Does the organization solely communicate through electronic technology such as email or the internet? Yes/No
• Does the organization allow on-line blogging? Yes/No
• If yes, is personal identification required before posting a blog? Yes/No
• Does the organization screen blogs before posting? Yes/No
• Does the organization have a hired lobbyist? Yes/No
• If so, name of the lobbyist or lobbying firm:
• The tax status of your organization: For Profit / Non-Profit
• If non-profit, please list below the organization’s board of directors:
• Please list below the organization’s shareholders, owners or major contributors (5% or more):

As the Kansas Watchdog I have not yet applied for Senate press credentials, but hope to pickup House press credentials today.

• Kansas alternative media discussed on Kansas Week, Voice for Liberty in Wichita, June 26, 2009.
• Kansas alternative media shut out of legislative access, Voice for Liberty in Wichita, June 25, 2009.

Contact: Earl F Glynn, earl@kansaswatchdog.org