Neighbor News Updates
This Week At The Capitol
Again this week, leadership in the House and Senate kept the legislation discussion disproportionally focused on energy and the Holcomb debate. Strong feelings exist on both sides of the Holcomb issue, but supporters and opponents alike are beginning to be rushed on energy and suspended on all other issues. Controversial problems of this magnitude are not solved in only a few weeks. I am encouraged by efforts of compromise, but I believe we are moving too fast on Holcomb and too slow on other urgent matters. Kansans expect a better, more cooperative strategy from their legislators.
To date, we have only recorded 17 final action votes in five weeks. In 2007, that number was more than doubled, at 39. Our biggest challenges are still ahead and time is running out.
Energy Bill Update
Energy bills received final amendments in House and Senate committees this week, before being approved to advance to the floor of their respective chamber for full debate. The Senate’s energy bill passed on Thursday with a 33-7 vote; the House will debate its energy bill on Monday, February 18.
Senators approved energy legislation this week as part of a substitute for House Bill 2066. They did this to require an up-or-down vote from the House of Representatives, prohibiting the larger body from making amendments to the bill. Supporters believe this is the best way to push legislation through quickly in order to prepare for a veto from the Governor.
Those in favor of the revised bill argue the carbon dioxide regulations would have prevented the bill’s passage because anti-tax groups oppose enacting rules on carbon tax. Critics, including the Governor, argue the rules in the original bill are too lax and this only moves the legislation farther in the wrong direction.
Kansans deserve a responsible, well-planned compromise to this important debate. The final product must protect our environment and the health of our children, promote the development of renewable energy and maintain our state’s baseload energy needs – without wasting an entire legislative session.
Bush's Economic Stimulus Plan Has Mixed Impact For Kansas
In the wake of an approaching recession, Congress passed legislation this week that will provide tax relief for numerous families, but could hinder the Kansas budget for the 2009 fiscal year by as much as $87 million. The legislation is an attempt to offset a recession.
The federal package, referred to as an economic stimulus plan, will provide financial relief to families across the country, at approximately $900 for 1.2 million Kansas taxpayers.
As part of the legislation, companies will be able to cut federal income tax liability by approximately $250,000 by expanding a business (rather than the $125,000 currently allowed). In effect, Kansas will lose approximately $3 million in federal income tax liability. Additionally, companies will be allowed to depreciate 50 percent of the cost of new equipment and machinery in their fist year rather than over several years, reducing even more revenues for the state.
One reaction available to lawmakers is to eliminate the linkage between the Kansas tax code and the federal income tax system as it relates to business, known as “decoupling.” Proponents of decoupling suggest that this method provides solid opportunity for safeguarding the state’s budget. For one year only, Kansas would disassociate with the federal tax code, allowing the state to preempt any shortfall. The budget situation our state is presently facing is serious and has a meaningful impact upon people across the state. Our state’s revenue situation is a serious problem that will require legislators from both side of the isle to work together to find a responsible solution. Further depleting state revenues will seriously jeopardize Kansas’ ability to move forward on health care reform. We must take action to avoid a repeat of 2002, when the budget was stretched too thin, forcing mid-year cuts to education, health care and services for senior and disabled Kansans.
Bill Protects Custody Rights Of Military Servicemen And Women
House members approved a measure this week that protects custody rights of military servicemen and women who must mobilize to serve a tour of duty. Their commitment to our country’s freedom is both noble and courageous; the last thing these heroes should worry about as they risk their lives for our safety is whether or not their child will be legally allowed to return to them upon their return home.
When divorced servicemen and women with children deploy for a tour of duty, previously arranged child custody and visitation agreements dissolve to allow for the child’s placement while the parent serves overseas. Unfortunately, usually in cases of unfriendly divorce, this can result in a permanent custody change for the mobilized parent, even upon his or her return from service. It happens on a frequent basis because current law does not specify military deployment/return as “significant change in circumstances.” If the temporary custody provider takes advantage of the provision, the case will go unreviewed by a court of law and the military parent is left with decreased custody rights. If passed by the Senate, HB 2621 will force any custody changes resulting from a soldier’s deployment to dissolve within ten days of his or her return. The bill also allows the court to grant visitation to the service member’s family throughout the tour. I VOTED YES ON HB 2621.
Budget Transparency
Earlier this week the House debated HB 2730, which sustains a searchable public website containing data from the State's central accounting system and the central payroll system. The website would include financial data from FY 2002 forward. It will provide links to legislator’s financial filings that will make it easier for the general public to view the financial reports.
An attempt was made to make information more transparent by adding on an amendment to require reporting of groups who made last minute mailings or ads accountable by listing the names associated with the groups and also requiring those who donate $50 or less to have their occupation listed. This amendment failed, although it would have provided much more transparency. (I SUPPORTED THE AMENDMENT)
Transparency in spending encourages agency funding accountability, forces improvement in how dollars are spent and clarifies for citizens how their government serves them. HB 2730, which passed the House 119-3, builds on the Kansas Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2007 and is the first of its kind in the nation.
(I VOTED YES)
Missouri Repeals Gaming Law
I reported on the border tax war last week and am pleased to say it has come to a ceasefire this week because of action taken in Missouri. Last week, the Missouri House of Representatives approved a bill to repeal the 2007 law that created an income tax increase on Kansans who work across the Missouri state line.
The Kansas House already approved a bill this session to retain the tax break for residents of other states working in Kansas, but only if the in-home state of those working in Kansas took reciprocal action. The Kansas bill, which had previously been awaiting approval in the Senate, will not be further pursued unless the Missouri Senate refuses to approve its repeal of the tax law. I SUPPORTED THIS BILL IN THE HOUSE.
Smoking Ban Hearing Begin
Last year, the Health Policy Authority made recommendations to the legislature to improve the health of Kansans and lay a framework for future reforms. As part of those recommendations, KHPA endorsed a statewide smoking ban. The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings this week regarding Senate Bill 493, which establishes the Kansas Uniform Smoking Prohibition Act.
Opponents believe this bill will hurt private business and free market in the state. They also point out that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has not deemed second-hand smoke too dangerous for the workplace and therefore should not be deemed illegal. Furthermore, opponents argue that smoking bans restrict rights and freedoms of people choosing to smoke.
Supporters argue that a smoking ban will protect innocent, nonsmoking Kansans from harmful second-hand smoke. Tobacco related diseases cost Kansas nearly $200 million annually in Medicaid costs. This provides an excellent incentive to help limit individuals’ exposure to second-hand smoke. To address concerns regarding local control, the bill would allow counties to hold elections to ban smoking in public places.
The bill is still under review. Representatives from multiple organizations suggested amending Senate Bill 493 to exempt casinos, tobacco-specialty stores (such as cigar shops) and other types of private organizations from the law.
Upcoming Hearings Of High Interest
- House Economic Development and Tourism: Hearing on HB 2712, Rural/development grant program
- House Education: Hearing on HB 2842, Alternative-route licensure for teachers; Hearings on HB 2874, Nontraditional teacher licensure program
- House Energy and Utilities: Hearing in HB 2765, Clean coal technology, requests for proposal for future energy requirements of Kansas retail electric suppliers
- House Federal and State Affairs: Hearings on HCR 5031, Governor appoints supreme court justices, senate confirms/nominating commission membership amended/commission nominates three employees/governor appoints any qualified person
- House Insurance and Financial Institutions: Hearings on HB 2822, Small employer health insurance/exemption from mandates, section 125 plan/tax credit
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.