Neighbor News Updates
Happy Birthday Kansas!
On January 29th, Kansas celebrated its 147th birthday, complete with cake and singing! It was a special treat to have so many visitors – especially students - in the Capitol this week. Renovations of both House and Senate chambers were recently completed and are proudly showcased. I encourage you to visit the State Capitol if possible. The building in open to visitors from 8AM – 5PM, Monday through Friday, with free tours conducted by the State Historical Society throughout the day. Please call (785) 296-3966 to schedule a tour.
New Program To Expand Opportunities For Seniors And Disabled
Last summer three state agencies – Kansas Health Policy Authority, Department on Aging, Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services – began participating in the “Money Follows the Person” initiative. This federal program aims at promoting community-based care, leaving consumers happier and costs lower.
Many seniors and disabled individuals resent forced transitions to institutional settings such as a nursing home, group home or state hospital. Unfortunately, this becomes the primary care solution because too many family members and consumers are not aware of alternatives. “Money Follows the Person” aims to remedy this problem. Over the next four years, SRS and the Kansas Department on Aging will move 934 people – all on Medicaid – out of institutional care and back into the community. Medicaid will fund consumers’ cost of living in the community just as it covered the cost of nursing home care, only for much less.
The program has been tested in Kansas. In recent years, Medicaid helped fund moves of people out of institutional settings and into settings covered by the state’s home and community-based services waiver. However, no more than 80 people per year received this service and the federal government funded 60 percent of the cost.
Beginning July 2009, federal assistance will increase to 80 percent. Over the next four years, Kansas anticipates that federal contributions and decreased costs (because institutional care is extremely expensive) will save the state $37 million.
Cutting costs of the state budget always ranks as a high priority for legislators. State Medicaid spending has been one of the fastest growing portions of the state budget in recent years, so curbing the program’s costs are both helpful and necessary. Last year, the average Medicaid-funded stay in a nursing home cost approximately $2,400 a month; the average “frail elderly” stay in a community setting cost approximately $825 a month. This program is a reasonable step forward that also increases options for consumers.
Highway Funding
State and national highway officials said this week that policymakers must explore new methods of funding road construction in Kansas. Lawmakers of the House and Senate Transportation and Tax Committees took no action but received information regarding the inability of the current motor fuels tax to keep pace with transportation needs.
A number of factors reduce the purchasing power of transportation dollars, including more fuel-efficient vehicles, inflation and public opposition to increased fuel tax. Officials warned that the nation’s infrastructure is in dire need of repairs and expansion.
“There is no question that as a nation, we are going to have to find and invest more public dollars in our infrastructure,” said Janet Kavinoky, director of transportation infrastructure with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Kansas motor fuel tax rate is 24 cents on every gallon of gasoline.
Kansas Local Government Statewide Housing Program
Over 3100 families living in 71 Kansas counties became first-time homeowners in 2007 thanks to the Kansas Local Government Statewide Housing Program. This program provided low and moderate income Kansas families with nearly $281 million in mortgage financing through safe, 30-year fixed rate mortgages and down payment assistance.
Additionally, up to $3 million has been reserved for existing homeowners and residents of Greensburg and Southeast Kansas to rebuild homes damaged by 2007 natural disasters. Currently, 334 cities in 103 counties participate in the program. The program is open to any qualified mortgage lender.
Fifty-one lenders working from 195 neighborhood branch offices make this one of the most accessible home buyer programs in Kansas. For more information on the Kansas Local Government Statewide Housing Program, visit the website at: http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/housing/klgshp.html.
New Attorney General Steve Six
Friday, February 1, a new career began for the next Kansas Attorney General, Stephen N. Six. Citing his experience as an attorney and district judge, Governor Sebelius has names Judge Stephen Sic as Kansas’ new attorney general. The Governor stressed that Judge Six is a “respected legal professional with more than ten years in litigation and trial work.” She described her appointee as “an independent-minded judge who has served the people of Kansas well…and is ready to lead the people’s law firm effectively, responsibly, with character and integrity.”
Article 1, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that where there is a vacancy in the office of the Attorney General, the Governor fills the vacancy by appointment for the duration of the term. Steve Six fills the unexpired term of Paul Morrison whose resignation was effective January 31st, 2008.
I had the honor of attending the swearing in of Attorney General Stephen Six. His father, who previously served on the Kansas Supreme Court, gave him the oath of office. It was also my pleasure to meet Attorney General Six and his family at a reception after he was sworn in.
Legislators Begin Discussion Of Teacher Shortage And Retention
A recent survey conducted by the Kansas State Department of Education indicated that there were 1,144 teacher vacancies in Kansas at the start of the 2007-2008 school term. This number is both alarming and unacceptable. These vacancies are most prevalent in high-poverty districts, southwest Kansas districts and where openings for special education teachers exist. Studies prove that there is a direct relationship between student achievement and teacher quality. Therefore, we must do more to adequately support and prepare Kansas teachers. The better we do this, the easier it will be to keep our teachers in the classroom and recruit more to this vital profession.
According to the National Commission and America’s Future, there is strong indication that the United Stated will lose 2 million of the nation’s current 3.4 million teachers over the next ten years. Along with teacher shortages, there is also need for increased teacher retention. In addition to mentoring, incentive programs and professional development, the Legislative Education Planning Council (LEPC) has proposed a $5,000 bonus for teachers in high-demand subjects who continue working after the date at which they are eligible to retire. The proposal would allow districts to offer such teachers a $2,500 bonus which would be matched by the state for each year the teacher remains working beyond their retirement date.
We must start addressing the teacher shortage crisis now, before it trickles down into other areas of education and creates even more complicated problems. We have a responsibility to transform these challenges into opportunities, creating a brighter future for our children and our state.
Keep In Touch
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 132-N, Statehouse, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at 785.296.7687. Additionally, you can e-mail me at neighbor@house.state.ks.us. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.