Statehouse News March 23, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE:

• House Passes Disappointing Budget Bill For 2009
• Audit Will Seek Unbiased Answers To Illegal Immigration Questions
• Action To Provide Minimum Wage For Kansans Blocked
• Late Term Abortion Bill Debated
• Senate Approves National Bio-defense Facility Bill
• House Committees End Next Week

This Week in the Capitol:

The week ended with a whimper as most committees took Good Friday off and the House met pro forma.  We began the week with the first debate on abortion, moved to the budget on Wednesday and ended Thursday by killing an amendment to increase the minimum wage.   You might think there would have been some drama in there somewhere, but the majority party pretty much ran the debate and resulting votes.

The Governor surprised nobody with the veto of the Holcomb coal plant bill on Friday.  The question now is when the override vote is brought to the floor.  It takes 84 affirmative votes to override in the House.  The Senate is a lock on override, but the House is still in doubt.  If the override is lost and veto stands, look for the proponents to put a new bill in play immediately.  The question then is will they seek a compromise or try to ram through another bill.

The week before last saw the passage of the first bill on immigration out of the House Federal and State Affairs committee.  H Sub for SB 329 was passed out of committee on Wednesday the 12th and was supposed to run on the floor on Monday the 17th.  However, the bill ran into some difficulty when presented to the republican caucus.  It seems the moderates thought it went too far on the social issues, the right felt it was too harsh on business, and the extreme right felt it was too weak all the way around.

The bill is still safely "below the line" and there is only a hint as to when it will be brought to the floor for debate.  Meanwhile, there is talk that the moderates in the GOP and some democrats are trying to find a compromise bill that will muster 63 votes.

Next week the committee work ceases on Wednesday and we will spend many hours on the floor.  Most likely coming back into session in the late afternoon and working into the evening.  Tick tock, the clock is ticking and we are running out of time.

House Passes Disappointing Budget Bill For 2009

The Kansas House of Representatives began debate this week on the FY 2009 budget.  The proposed budget bill removes or significantly reduces funding for Kansas seniors, children, veterans and students.  These urgent priorities reflect the most important values of the state, which is why I stood in opposition to the bill.  We can implement a responsible budget without striking opportunities for Kansans who need them most.  I cannot support a budget bill that does not provide for our neighbors, our aging parents or our children.

The budget spends over $13 billion dollars but ignores a number of key items that reflect Kansas values:

• ü Fails to support Home and Community Based Services, which help seniors remain in their homes.
• ü Fails to provide funding for Nutrition programs for our homebound elderly.
• ü Fails to provide early childhood developmental services, including all-day kindergarten.
• ü Eliminates all funding for veteran services.
• ü Cuts higher education, making it more difficult for Kansas institutions of higher learning to meet the demands of a global economy.

Lawmakers have a responsibility to invest in the state's future.  Failing to provide for education, refusing to fund health care reform and eliminating necessary social services will only move Kansas in the wrong direction.

I remain committed to developing a responsible state budget that reflects the priorities and values of Kansas communities.

Audit Will Seek Unbiased Answers To Illegal Immigration Questions 

During the debate on the House budget I offered an amendment to include a performance audit on the impact of illegal immigration.  The Dillmore amendment, approved 119-0, was a positive addition to a budget bill that, in general, failed to reflect the priorities of Kansans.  I believe that the audit will help provide unbiased Kansas specific data on illegal immigration.

If state legislators intend to address the issue of illegal immigration, we must better understand the issue as it pertains to our state.  That means finally separating facts from partisan rhetoric.  Any reform we attempt runs a higher risk of unintended consequences without unbiased, comprehensive research.

The performance audit will answer the following questions:

• How much does Kansas pay for benefits and services provided to illegal immigrants?
• How much estimated tax revenue do illegal immigrants generate?
• What is the impact of illegal immigration on labor costs and the Kansas job market?
• What is the economic impact of legislation currently proposed in Kansas regarding illegal immigration?

The audit will ensure lawmakers finally receive reliable, baseline figures that fairly reflect the scope of illegal immigration within our local communities.

Action To Provide Minimum Wage For Kansans Blocked
House Democrats offered a raise for Kansas workers this week, proposing to increase the state's minimum wage to $5.85 per hour.  Currently, Kansas minimum wage is the lowest in the country at $2.65 per hour.  That is more than $2.00 per hour lower than the federal minimum wage, which is also $5.85 per hour.  The last increase to Kansas minimum occurred in 1988, 20 years ago.

The increase would have phased in the increase to Kansas' minimum wage to $5.85 in 2008, $6.55 in 2009 and $7.25 in 2010.  The increase would have helped 19,000 workers who currently work for $2.65 an hour.  Unfortunately, the GOP dominated House refused to help working families and address this issue.  Using legislative rules, this minimum wage bill referred back to committee.  These tactics prevent a full debate and vote on an urgent issue of utmost importance. 

This is a matter of respect for honest work and the people who do it.  Sending the amendment back to committee was an embarrassing attempt for the House majority party to hide from Kansas workers in need of a raise.  The costs of living for an average Kansas family have skyrocketed.  Since 1988, rent is up 58 percent, a gallon of milk has increased by 32 percent and gasoline is at record highs, having increased 71 percent. 

If Kansans are willing to work, the Legislature has a responsibility to guarantee a wage that can pay the bills.  I remain committed to Kansas working families and will continue to fight for opportunities to raise wage standards in the state.

Abortion Bill Debated
The House debated its first bill on abortion this week.  The bill attempted to ensure that all Kansas laws regulating abortion were followed, including laws dealing with teen pregnancies.  Proponents and opponents agree that when minors are in need of abortion services care is required to insure that no laws were violated.  In addition, all late term abortions must be in strict accordance with state laws.

I am in complete agreement on these points.  However, I have several serious concerns with this legislation.  Specifically I oppose the following points:

• Venue change: Allowing activists to "shop for prosecutors" is simply bad policy, no matter what the issue at hand.
• Expanding unnecessary litigation: This bill goes too far in allowing individuals other than the woman to make these difficult decisions. It also allows people detached from the situation to sue if they disagree with the outcome.
• Endangering medical privacy: In order to support civil action, medical records need to be produced to prove violation of the law. Yet again, this will put a woman's private medical records at risk. This is unacceptable.

We all have an interest in reducing the number of abortions performed in Kansas, late-term or otherwise.  This is why I supported an amendment offered on the House floor that would have required additional reporting requirements for doctors who perform abortions in Kansas.  This amendment supported the underlying principal of making abortions safe, legal and rare without endangering the medical privacy of women or involving politicians in medical decisions between patients and doctors.

The bill passed 84-40

Senate Approves National Bio-defense Facility Bill

The Senate on Wednesday gave unanimous support to legislation intended to strengthen the our state's bid for a new federal bio and agro-defense research center.

Manhattan is currently one of six finalists to host the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).  The facility is a critical national priority that will help to preserve public health and our agricultural economy.  The facility will be the center for animal health research intended to protection of our national food supply.

The Senate proposal, approved on a vote of 37-0, would authorize the issuance of $105 million in state bonds to provide for infrastructure improvements including support for land, roads, grading, parking, security fencing and the construction of a dedicated central utility plant.  The bonds would be issues for 20 years and would require a bond repayment of $8.2 million per year by the state.  This bonding authority would only be issued if Kansas is selected as the location for NBAF.

Possibly as much as $50 million of this sum would be dedicated toward the construction of the dedicated central utility plant, a standard feature for bio-containment laboratories.  The plant would provide the facility with electricity, steam, chilled water and back-up power.

NBAF represents a tremendous economic opportunity to our state.  Estimates are that the project would create up to 1,500 new jobs during the construction phase of the project.  The facility would employ 250-350 people when the facility is operational.  The facility would lead to approximately $1.5 billion in direct and indirect economic output over 20 years.  There would also be an unquantifiable economic benefit as a result of start-up businesses and corporate relocations to be near the NBAF.

The House Appropriations committee gave approval to the measure on Thursday morning.  Early next week the full House is expected to consider the matter.

House Committees End Next Week

With the regular session concluding next week, most House committees are winding down.  A few committees will meet next week to tie up loose ends, but most have completed their work for the session.

Throughout the remainder of the session, conference committees will meet that consist of three leaders of their respective standing committee from each chamber.  These committees meet to iron out differences between similar legislation passed by both the House and Senate.  They will complete their work by the end of the session.   

This summer, the Legislative Coordinated Council will meet to form House Interim Committees.  Unlike standing committees (which can have a broad focus), interim committees review highly specific topics.  Primarily, interim committees explore issues from 2008 that need in-depth review, additional hearings or further study.  Topics for interims change each year depending on recommendations from standing committees, individual legislators or other organizations.  These committees will meet from mid-summer until December. 

I will keep you posted on interim committee topics, appointments and information as it becomes available.  As with standing committees, you are welcome to testify before an interim committee on an issue of importance to you. 

Week of March 24 - 28, 2008

9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday

Appropriations

Monday, March 24

• Introduction of proposed legislation
• Hearings on:
• HB 2976 - Department of health and environment; establishing certain funds
• HB 2979 - Kansas housing loan deposit program
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Tuesday, March 25

• Introduction of proposed legislation
• Hearing on:
• HB 2958 - State budget, state general fund ending balance requirements,
• adjustments to approved budget, economic impact statements for proposed
• legislation
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Wednesday, March 26

• Introduction of proposed legislation
• Agenda to be announced
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Thursday, March 27

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Friday, March 28

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Commerce and Labor

Monday, March 24

• Hearing and possible action on:
• Sub for SB 577 - Radon certification and radon awareness laws

Tuesday, March 25

• Hearing and possible action on:
• Sub for SB 577 - Radon certification and radon awareness laws

Wednesday, March 26

• Hearing and possible action on:
• Sub for SB 577 - Radon certification and radon awareness laws

Education

Monday, March 24

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Tuesday, March 25

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Wednesday, March 26

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Education Sub-Committee

Monday, March 24

• Deliberations on:
• HB 2969 - .Virtual school act
• SB 669 - Virtual schools, funding, enrollment, administration

Energy and Utilities

Monday, March 24

• Action on bills

Tuesday, March 25

• Presentation on:
• "Future Energy Crisis" by Carl Coles, Engineer and Author
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Wednesday, March 26

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Taxation

Monday, March 24

• Possible action on all bills previously heard

Tuesday, March 25

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Thursday, March 27

• Meeting Cancelled

1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee

Monday, March 24

• Report from Subcommittee on:
• Sub for SB 453 - Establishing the Kansas Commission on Rural Policy
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Tuesday, March 25

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Education Budget Committee

Tuesday, March 25

• Presentation:
• Scott Frank, Audit Manager, Legislative Division of Post Audit, K-12 Education Reviewing Issues Related to Special Education Funding

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Federal and State Affairs

Monday, March 24

• Introduction of bills
• Hearings on:
• HB 2924 -Civilian conservation corps day; March 19.
• HB 2835 - Creating the sexually oriented business regulation act
• Possible action on previously heard bills

Tuesday, March 25

• Introduction of bills
• Hearing on:
• HB 2972 - Child care facilities; family day care homes
• Possible action on previously heard bills

Wednesday, March 26

• Introduction of bills
• Hearings on:
• HB 2245 - Vehicle title loans, regulation of
• HB 2963 - Lottery; veterans benefit lottery game expanded
• Possible action on previously heard bills

Thursday, March 27

• Meeting cancelled

General Government Budget Committee

• Monday, March 24
• Meeting on call of the Chair

Tuesday, March 25

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Health and Human Services

Monday, March 24

• Hearings on:
• SB 491 - Prescription monitoring program act
• Sub SB 549 - Board of pharmacy; continuous quality improvement programs and non-resident pharmacy
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Tuesday, March 25

• Meeting on call of the Chair
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Transportation

Tuesday, March 25

• Hearings on:
• HB 2786 - Antique motor vehicles, model year city issued license plates
• Presentation on Cost Benefit Analysis Required for Transportation Projects with Alan Cobb, Kansas State Director, Americans for Prosperity
• Possibly action on bills previously heard

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Thursday, March 27

• Meeting on call of the Chair

3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Monday, March 24

• Possible action on bills previously heard
• Hearings on:
• SB 538 - Conservation commission; relating to conservation easements; establishing the farm and ranch land protection program
• HB 2982 - Drainage district excction limitations

Tuesday, March 25

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Economic Development and Tourism

Monday, March 24

• Hearing and possible action on:
• Sub SB 501 - Establishment of the Kansas Tourism Corporation
• Possible action on any bills previously heard

Tuesday, March 25

• Hearing and possible action on:
• SB 518 - DeSoto/Johnson County riverfront authority
• Possible action on any other bills previously heard

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Elections and Governmental Organization

Monday, March 24

• Hearings on:
• HB 2973 - Primary elections; certain local governments; limitations on holding primaries
• HB 2629 - Fire districts in Johnson county; city annexation
• HB 2747 - Municipalities; unilateral annexation; voter approval required. (Sub-Committee Reports)
• HB 2981 - Elections; voters; photo identification required

Tuesday, March 25

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Wednesday, March 26

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Government Efficiency and Technology

Monday, March 24

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Tuesday, March 25

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Insurance and Financial Institutions

Monday, March 24

Hearing on:

• Sub for SB 535 - Credit unions; fields of membership and related matters
• Possible action on bills previously heard

Tuesday, March 25

• Possible action on bills previously heard

Judiciary

Monday, March 24

• Action on bills

Tuesday, March 25

• Hearing on:
• SB 48 - Municipal court, accused person's competency to stand trial
• Action on bills

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Social Services Budget Committee

Monday, March 24

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Tuesday, March 25

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Wednesday, March 26

• Meeting on call of the Chair

Select, On Call and Joint Committees

Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight

Wednesday, March 26

• Committee organization

Select Committee on Corrections Reform and Oversight

Tuesday, March 25

• Hearing on:
• HB 2879 - Fourth or subsequent DUI, mandatory confinement in correctional facility for 18 months; treatment program
• Continued discussion and possible working of the bill