This Week At The Capitol
We enjoyed sunnier days and warmer weather in Topeka this week, at least outside the dome. Spring officially arrives next Thursday, which is a welcome change after months of snow and flu. The new season also reminds lawmakers that the clock is ticking. The 2008 legislative session is almost over, with too many priorities left untouched-including health care, school finance and affordable housing.
The House spent the last two weeks working through legislation from the Senate. Concurrently, the Senate has been reviewing House bills. Looking ahead, we will finish our “swap” by April 2, also known as “Drop Dead Day.” Once all bills receive a vote from both chambers, joint House and Senate conference committees will form to merge different versions of similar legislation. In order for a bill to reach the Governor's desk, both chambers must approve the bill's conference committee report. The Legislature will conclude its regular session after all conference committee reports are approved or rejected. This is referred to as “First Adjournment” and usually occurs in early April, following Drop Dead Day.
After First Adjournment, lawmakers will reconvene in early May for what is known as “Veto Session.” During this time the Legislature will take action on unfinished business, usually including the most complex issues of the session. Particularly, the Legislature will finalize the Omnibus Bill, which includes a variety of appropriations for the Governor's initiatives, agency programs and legislation passed earlier in the session. The length of the Veto Session varies each year. It does not end until the Omnibus Bill gains approval from both chambers, which can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. After Veto Session, the Legislature will reconvene once more for a ceremonial adjournment of the session called “Sine Die.” Sine Die usually occurs near the end of May and marks the final meeting of the Legislature until after November elections.
Energy Bill Update
The highly anticipated energy bill-Senate Bill 327-officially reached Governor Sebelius' desk last Wednesday, leaving her 10 business days to act on the legislation. The Governor made several criticisms of the bill and has publicly promised a veto. Governor Sebelius must respond by March 22.
House Effort On Health Care Reform Gets Late Start
Because House majority leadership devoted two-thirds of the session almost completely to energy debate, other critical issues fell to the wayside. With the energy bill now on the Governor's desk, those other issues are finally gaining momentum. A seven-member House Health and Human Services subcommittee was established last week to craft a comprehensive health care reform bill. I had the honor of serving on this committee and do not feel we were able to complete our work because we were given a very short period to complete work on a bill that should have been given time from the beginning of this session. The bill passed out of the subcommittee on a 4-3 vote without all of the language being in the bill and no discussion on several sections of the bill. I do not believe Kansas citizens would be proud of this work, or lack of the work done.
This bill will be before the House on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it passed out of the Health and Human Services Committee without having every section reviewed, nor was the final language reviewed by the entire committee. The vote to pass it out of committee was 11-10.
As a bit of background, the Legislature, in 2005, created the Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) specifically to coordinate a statewide health policy agenda and make recommendations for reform. KHPA spent all of last year holding public hearings on this issue across Kansas. After extensive research, the agency developed a comprehensive plan consisting of specific recommendations to most efficiently reduce cost and increase coverage throughout the state. Though I feel not all of KHPA's recommendations could be successfully implemented in 2008, we should be able to agree on most of their proposals.
Unfortunately, those recommendations are being ignored by majority leadership in the House and Senate. I am deeply troubled that KHPA's credited, reasonable proposals are being disregarded by the same legislative leaders who originally requested the study. Even more troubling, House committee leaders seem committed to throwing together a bill in a matter of days with little public input.
As lawmakers, we must do all we can to make health care more affordable and accessible to Kansas families. Access and affordability of health care is one of the biggest challenges faced by Kansas families and business owners. This discussion should have been initiated two months ago. The people of Kansas deserve better than a rushed, reckless and ineffective approach to health care reform.
House Approves New State Employee Pay Plan
This week the House approved HB2916, which will implement five new classified state employee pay plans, a new statewide employee performance management system, a 2.5 percent salary adjustment for all state employees and regular market salary surveys.
Currently, Kansas classified state employees work under a system based on longevity and position. The new plan will gradually transition to a “compensation philosophy.” Similar to the private sector, this philosophy offers competitive compensation based on relevant labor markets and employee performance. Supporters believe this will help raise expectations for both managers and employees, attracting and retaining better workers.
Kansas employs thousands of classified employees, none of whom currently work at market value. The main goal of the proposal is to bring state employees' salary into competitive range to those paid to workers with similar experience and education in the private sector.
House Bill Would Address Corporate Taxation
The House Committee on Taxation introduced a bill this week that would make significant changes in corporation income tax rates and income apportionment provisions. HB 2762 would expand the ability of certain businesses with a unitary group of corporations to utilize two different kinds of tax credits. The bill would also enact two new sales tax exemptions.
House Bill Would Offer Tax Breaks For Seniors
This week the House Taxation Committee considered HB 2928, which would provide a tax benefit to approximately 900 Kansas senior citizens per year by allowing eligible seniors to defer paying property taxes. The bill is designed to assist seniors on fixed incomes who face unplanned financial hardship. Proponents support the legislation because retired seniors have little opportunity to seek additional sources of income when their expenses unexpectedly rise. Lawmakers hold a responsibility to protect these Kansans from losing their homes or falling into deep financial turmoil.
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.