From the Statehouse

On Monday, January 12, the Kansas Legislature convened for the 2009 legislative session.  Although our economic climate is less than ideal, I am highly energized to tackle the major challenges we're facing as a state.  There is no doubt that Kansans are facing difficult times.   The Legislature has big decisions to make, and it will not be easy.  We owe it to our state, however, to put aside partisan bickering in the interest of what's best for Kansas.

The next few weeks will be extremely busy as bills are introduced and committees begin their work. Complete daily calendars are available at www.kslegislature.org along with other useful information.

I am privileged and honored to be your voice in the Kansas Capitol.  If I can ever be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at home or in Topeka.

Governor Delivers Seventh State of the State Address

Governor Sebelius delivered her seventh State of the State Address on Monday, January 12th.  In a year marked by dire financial limitations, the Governor's address focused on ways to best navigate through the budget while still maintaining our commitment to the programs and initiatives that make our state so special.  She made it clear that educating our children and protecting the health services of our neediest citizens must top our priority list.

Governor's FY 2010 Budget

Governor Sebelius unveiled her FY 2010 Budget Report on Tuesday.  Unfortunately, this year's budget recommendation required significant reductions in all state agencies and could not provide much room for new initiatives.  We all know that this trying time will prevent us from funding everything we want, but I am committed to protecting essential services and vulnerable Kansans.  The Governor has taken a measured approach to reductions that will balance the budget without increasing taxes. 

Five basic principles guide the Governor's budget recommendations:

K12 Education
A quality education is essential to a prosperous future.  If we do not adequately prepare students for 21st century jobs, we do a disservice to our children and our state.  I am troubled by attempts to make the education debate focused on finance rather than content and quality.  The argument that schools receive too much funding- without focusing on quality of product- is deeply flawed.  We've made a tremendous investment in education the last few years, and data has consistently proven that the investment is paying off.  Abandoning this effort now would be terribly counterproductive and punitive to our economic future.  Education will take a hit along with every other state agency in this tight fiscal year, but the Governor has taken great care to propose a budget that holds Kansas schoolchildren as harmless as possible. 

Vulnerable Kansans
While tough economic times have caused the Governor to propose cuts in virtually all areas of state government, Governor Sebelius and House Democrats are attempting to protect the most vulnerable Kansas citizens.  The physically disabled waiver list is one of the few sections of the 2009 budget where the governor proposes an increase in spending.  The over $8 million increase will help keep cuts at a minimum in that program. 

Unfortunately, every state agency will be forced to cut back on programs and services in some capacity.  With the right approach to the budget, however, we can still protect the people who need help the most.  The Governor's budget fully funds our home and community based caseload, which enables every Kansan already in the program to continue receiving the lifesaving care they need. 

State Employees
Last year we made significant progress in moving state employees to market.  Although state agencies face tighter budgets, the second year of the state employee pay plan is funded under the Governor's recommendation.  A one percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Kansas retirees is also funded, in addition to a modest longevity increase. 

"Across the board slashes" vs. "Targeted reductions"
Throughout the session there will be a significant debate focused on "across the board" budget cuts versus "targeted" budget cuts.  Although making across the board cuts is an easy way to go through the budget process, it is terribly inefficient.  We must go through the budget with a scalpel, not a hatchet.  There will be no easy decisions this year, but the Governor's recommendations are targeted and thoughtful.  It is possible to balance the budget without devastating our most vulnerable Kansans, but we can't do it by making reckless slashes throughout state government.  We're experiencing a shared struggle that requires us to develop shared solutions.  We've got to prioritize our investments or we will pay more in the long run.

Transportation

We are nearing the completion of a ten-year comprehensive transportation program passed in 1999.  Discussions began last year regarding the next program, but in this economic downturn we will be forced to temporarily scale back.  Some projects are moving forward but several are on hold until more funding becomes available.

In a tight budget year when our most critical investments face reductions, transportation projects may seem frivolous.  We must not underestimate the importance of a quality infrastructure.  It is estimated that for every $1 spent on improving our transportation infrastructure, we receive a $3 return in the form of economic benefit for the state.  The expiring transportation program resulted in 25,000 new jobs for Kansas workers over ten years.  Additionally, interest rates are currently at historic lows and construction materials are drastically lower than they were a year ago.  Investing in transportation projects now will not only get folks back to work, it will save taxpayer dollars in the long run. 

Last summer the Governor created the T-LINK Task Force (Transportation - Leveraging Investments in Kansas) to further explore needs and opportunities throughout Kansas' transportation system.  The task force, headed by Department of Transportation Secretary Deb Miller, is looking for a new approach to transportation that reflects today's realities but also creates a framework that prepares for the future of Kansas.  The Legislature will work with T-LINK to develop a new strategic transportation plan within our fiscal limitations.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor Announce Energy Plan

As you know, the energy debate derailed the 2008 legislative session.  There will likely be more intense disagreement in 2009 over the rejection of a coal-fired power plant in Holcomb, Kansas.  Already almost 30 bills have been pre-filed in the House Energy and Utilities Committee.  Regardless of individual opinions on this issue, we must not lose sight of our opportunity to become a national leader in the production of biofuels and wind energy. 

Last week, Governor Sebelius and Lt. Governor Parkinson announced their energy agenda for the legislative session.  Their proposal allows Kansans to generate their own electricity from renewable sources such as wind or solar power through Net Metering.  This enables consumers to use their own generation and effectively sell back the extra electricity they produce.  The plan also codifies Kansas' existing voluntary Renewable Portfolio Standard and requires that new or extended state leases for real property and state-owned real property meet energy efficiency standards.  Additionally, they proposed to modify last year's Cessna legislation to attract and expand wind related manufacturing investment and jobs to Kansas.

Increased renewable energy production will not only help our country become energy independent, it will boost our state economy, provide new markets for agricultural products and make Kansas a better place to live and do business.  Seizing this opportunity is akin to what Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech did 90 years ago as they led us into our preeminent position in the aerospace industry.  At any rate, we have a responsibility to move forward.  Kansans deserve the promise of clean air, affordable energy and a strong economy.  We can fulfill all of these promises on energy with a productive, innovative approach. 

Department of Labor Suggestions on Filing Unemployment Claims

As you already know, Kansans are feeling the impact of the national economic recession. Many Kansans have been placed in the very real and difficult situation of being without a job in tough economic times.

The Kansas Department of Labor's Unemployment Contact Center is seeing the effects of the recession with an unusually high number of calls and wait times. Increased inquiries regarding both regular unemployment and extended unemployment programs are causing an average wait time of 25 to 35 minutes to speak with a claims representative. Due to a high volume of calls, some individuals are not able to get through and have to call back more than once.

Although our federal unemployment budget is tight, the Department of Labor recently hired 10 new staff members to take unemployment claims. They also made staff available on evenings and weekends to process claims that have been filed. Additionally, the agency is working to improve its Web site to make it easier for people to file claims online. 

We are committed to responding back to each Kansan who needs help in a reasonable timeframe, but please keep in mind that the Department of Labor is also overwhelmed with inquiries. We appreciate your patience as we all work together to help each Kansan who contact us with an unemployment inquiry.

Here are some suggestions for optimized claim submissions:
 
1) Use the Web site. The unemployment Web site, www.uibenefits.dol.ks.gov, can be a good tool for filing claims and answering many questions, without having to pick up the phone.