As you probably already know, Kansas is entangled in a terrible financial crisis.  State revenues have declined four straight years; this has never happened before.  There have been five rounds of state budget cuts in the last 18 months, equaling a total spending reduction of $1 billion.  Unfortunately, we haven't hit bottom yet, the consensus revenue-estimating group is predicting another $400 million shortfall in the next fiscal year.

Serving on the Appropriations Committee I know constant review and trimming of state government services and programs is both healthy and necessary.  It is critical that we be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.  However, we are long past the point of "trimming the fat."  An additional $400 million in cuts to state services would severely impact every Kansas citizen. 

This is about public school teachers being laid off, your child in a classroom with 30+ other students, offenders released early from prison and with no supervision, skyrocketing tuition for college students.  Further cuts mean more seniors going to nursing homes and less inspections of those facilities, no more Meals on Wheels, and greater waiting lists for services to the disabled.  These are not abstract "what ifs" on the distant horizon.  This is where we are today.

Governor Parkinson proposed a 1% sales tax increase and a tobacco tax increase as a means of partially filling the budget hole.  It is important to note that this budget proposal does not increase state spending.  The $1 billion in cuts enacted last year will stay in place.  The revenue package he presented is only a means of maintaining current funding.

Others have suggested that we close some of the $1 billion plus tax exemptions that are currently on the books.  This would mean closing many tax loopholes and collecting sales taxes from non-profits.  It could also mean collecting sales taxes on utility bills.

I am committed to working with both sides of the political divide.  There is always a lot of give and take in this process.  I owe it to Kansans to give every proposal a fair examination, even if it is something I am not inclined to support.

Ultimately, you elected me to make responsible decisions that protect and grow our state.  That's what I'm here to do.  In that effort, I am willing to give every proposal fair consideration.  Governor Parkinson's proposed budget is a good starting point for this discussion, but we are a long way from a final package.

Legislature to furlough for House and Senate

This week, legislative leadership proposed a legislator furlough package as a means of saving the state money.  If it passes, lawmakers in both houses will be furloughed without pay during the next three Fridays of the session. The legislature will formally adjourn on Thursdays and resume on Mondays, though some legislators may work in committee meetings during the adjournments.  In addition, we are proposing a 5 percent pay cut for legislators and reducing the daily food and lodging allowance.

The Legislature needs to play by the same rules as every other state agency.  I am fully supportive of reviewing the Legislature's budget from top to bottom in search of opportunities to cut expenses.  Our challenges are daunting and our constituents expect us to be engaged for the duration of the session, Monday- Friday.  I will be working for you every day of the week, regardless of whether I am paid or not.

In previous sessions when we went over our 90-day session, I have voluntarily forgone my legislative pay.  I felt this was only fair when we could not get our work done within the scheduled time.  This year I am ready to reduce my legislative salary, which by the way was $15,851 last year, by 5 percent as my way of contributing to the sacrifice that all state agencies are making.

Department of Labor working to reduce wait time

With the surge in unemployment claims, the Kansas Department of Labor's Unemployment Contact Center has experienced a growing demand for Unemployment Insurance benefits filings and claim information.

They have pursued a number of different approaches to address the congestion being experienced in the call center.  The call center was restructured into phone queues staffed by service representatives trained to answer specific questions. The interactive phone system directs claimants into particular queues depending on the subject of the call.

This has helped to reduce the wait time for people wanting to file an initial claim and for those with special claims, including federal or military claims.  A large number of calls are general inquiry in nature.  While they have significantly reduced wait times in most queues, the general inquiry queue continues to experience the longer wait times.

Applicants are encouraged to file their unemployment claims online.  The online application was revised and streamlined in September.  A marketing campaign in print, online, television and radio promotes filing online at www.GetKansasBenefits.com.

We continue to look for ways to reduce the congestion in the call center to better serve our claimants. We are working toward new methods to reduce the number of calls to the call center.

Governor delivers State of the State address

On the opening day of the session, Governor Mark Parkinson delivered a unique State of the State address.  Eschewing a teleprompter and written notes, Governor Parkinson outlined his legislative agenda and a specific FY 2011 budget proposal. 

Included in his budget recommendations was a revenue package.  Although discussions about taxes are never popular, Governor Parkinson proposed a budget that he believes would see this state through this financial crisis in the most responsible way possible.  After one week and one proposal, it is premature to throw support behind or fully reject any proposal.  However, Governor Parkinson made it very clear that he is open to new ideas and I look forward to working with him and my colleagues in the House and Senate to find the best solution possible.

The Governor also outlined a 2010 legislative agenda.  He is in support of a statewide clean indoor air act, which gained significant traction in the Legislature last session and has been supported by a growing number of cities and counties across the state. 

Additionally, he announced the creation of a statewide task force to further grow green jobs in Kansas. Finally, he announced his support for the establishment of a "Rainy Day" fund, which would require the state to set surplus money aside in good economic times, helping avoid budget shortfalls such as the one we currently face.  I will have more information on these initiatives throughout the session as we move through the committee process.

Further cuts could compromise public safety

As we talk about funding cuts and filling the budget gap, I am particularly concerned with the impact of these cuts on public safety.  I asked the Department of Corrections (DOC) to share information with me regarding the specific impact these cuts have had on local communities and the Kansas corrections system as a whole.

The Department of Corrections has already sustained budget cuts of $27.3 million over the past two years.  About 18.5 parole positions have been left open to meet budget reductions.  The DOC budget authorized by the Legislature last year was $271.3 million.

If forced to cut its budget an additional 5 percent, DOC says it would have to lay off about 125 people, about 85 percent of its parole staff.

To lessen the impact of the current years cuts, the Department has prioritized cuts based on their impact to public safety.  First, to be cut were things that had no immediate impact; beds at three small facilities that were closed. 

Then the Department cut those things that had the next-to-least immediate impact; boot camps and the remaining small minimum risk facilities.  Last cut were those things where the impact would be felt further out such as some education and treatment programming.

DOC tried to retain staff in whom they had invested a great deal of training and skill development as they estimated it would take at least five years to recruit new staff,  and train them to the same skill levels of the current staff.  Some contractual services were cut as those can be recovered more quickly.

Department officials indicate that the next round of cuts will also mean early release of prisoners.  That would require legislative approval.  Additionally, dramatic reductions in the intensity of parole supervision would result. These program cuts would have the most immediate and apparent impact on public safety in Kansas, as it would mean offenders released from prison early and in your community with less supervision.

As a member of the Sedgwick County Community Corrections Advisory Board I know firsthand how Secretary of Corrections, Roger Werholtz, has developed some of the most innovative and proven programs for reintegrating parolees back into society using risk reduction strategies that assist them in acquiring pro-social behaviors. 

Should the legislature inflict further cuts to the DOC it is critical to remember that those budget cuts will have a direct impact on communities, neighborhoods, and families across Kansas.