Related Issues
From the Legislature
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Cindy provides occasional "Issue Updates" to provide constituents with more detailed information on important topics or of significant issues before the legislature. These updates examine a variety of topics of interest to Kansans.
If any of these updates prompt questions or concerns, I encourage you to call me or send me an email.
Disabled Kansans visit Capitol
March 14, 2010 Update
Kansans with physical and developmental disabilities visited the Statehouse to lobby for home and community based services funding. Programs that serve those with disabilities in Kansas have been drastically cut recently because of the state’s budget problems. The State waiting list for persons with developmental disabilities already exceeds more than 4,000 Kansans waiting receive help. Read the full Neighborhood News Update...
Social service programs on the chopping block, again
March 7, 2010 Update
The House Social Services Budget Committee debated the budgets for SRS, the Kansas Health Policy Authority and the Department of Aging. As our economy lags, many Kansans turn to the government for help. This places additional pressure on our social services agencies, who then experience highly increased demands for assistance. Over the objection of Democratic members of the committee, the proposed additional cuts were passed and will now go to the full Appropriations Committee for extended debate. Read the full Neighborhood News Update...
House Bill 2563 Protects Consumers
February 21, 2010 Update
The Committee on Insurance held a hearing on House Bill 2563, which would help protect consumers’ credit scores during difficult times. If a consumer undergoes extraordinary life circumstances, this legislation will enable them to freeze the credit score on file with his/her insurance company, preventing increased premiums. Read the full Neighborhood News Update...
Medicaid cuts have devastating impact
January 30, 2010 Update
Hearings have been held in several committees for the last three weeks about the impacts of the recent 10% cut in Medicaid. Our State has cut more from Medicaid than almost any state. Since the state receives matching federal funds for this program, the total loss in revenue for health care providers is three times greater than the savings to the state. This forces providers to cut staff, salaries, and critical health services for our most vulnerable citizens. Read the full Neighborhood News Update...
Veterans services offices to close
January 30, 2010 Update
At a time when soldiers are returning from combat injuries and severe post traumatic stress, Kansas is being forced to close down offices that provide assistance to veterans. Last week in the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee, the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs briefed the Committee on how recent budget cuts have affected our state’s veterans. Read the full Neighborhood News Update...
KNI, Parsons to remain open
January 30, 2010 Update
On Tuesday, January 26th, Governor Mark Parkinson announced that he has refused to accept the recommendations of a legislative closure commission concerning the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) in Topeka and Parsons State Hospital. Governor Parkinson said, in part, “It will take time to reduce the populations at both facilities to a level that makes consolidation possible.” The Governor has issued an executive order to begin a phased reduction of KNI and Parsons, with the possibility that one of the institutions will be closed in three or four years. Read the full Neighborhood News Update...