In this issue:

Governor's State Of The State Address

Governor's FY 2009 Budget

Health Care Top Priority For 2008

Immigration Still Important

Transportation

Housing

Education

Energy

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2008 Kansas Presidential Caucuses                                                           

On Monday, January 14, the Kansas Legislature convened for the 2008 legislative session.  I am highly motivated about what lies ahead in the coming months.  There is no doubt that Kansans are facing tough challenges.   The legislature has big decisions to make, and it will not be easy. 

However, we owe it to our state to put aside partisan bickering in the interest of what is best for Kansas.  We have a responsibility to transform our challenges into opportunities, creating a brighter future for our children. 

The next few weeks will be full of excitement as bills are introduced and committees begin their work. Complete daily calendars are available at http://www.kslegislature.org/ along with other useful information.

If I can ever be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me.  As you may know, the State Capitol is currently undergoing major renovations.  I encourage you to visit for a tour of our newly renovated House and Senate chambers.  You may schedule a tour at 785.296.3966. 

GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Governor Sebelius delivered her sixth State of the State Address on Monday, January 14, 2008.  The Governor announced a number of new initiatives.  Here are her proposals at a glance:

Innovation Economy

The spread of technology and the rise of highly skilled workers in countries around the world have created a global economy.  To create a competitive labor force, the innovation economy demands alignment of postsecondary education with the needs of growing Kansas industries.

Education

At no time in history has a quality education been more essential to a prosperous future.  To expand early learning opportunities for Kansas children, the governor proposes $27 million for all-day kindergarten and $23 million in block grant funding for early childhood education.  Just as important as early education is higher education.  An additional $3 million in scholarship money will ensure that 2,000 students will have the opportunity to compete in our innovation economy.

Health Care

Governor Sebelius strongly encourages the passage of the Kansas Health Policy Authority's health reform package, in its entirety, this session.  The plan was developed under the direction of the legislature and has the ability to transform the ailing health care system in Kansas.

Centers for Rural Opportunity

In order to attract investment, business development, and job growth in the state's rural communities, the governor proposes $2.1 million to support three Offices of Rural Opportunities.  The centers will ensure communities have access to state and federal services and assistance.

Energy

The Governor challenged Kansas to join 36 other states in forming a comprehensive climate plan. 

Kansas can lead America to energy security by tapping our fertile resources, our workers, and the ingenuity of Kansas entrepreneurs.  We can and must increase our economic competitiveness by using our natural resources.  The Governor and Lieutenant Governor recently created the Kansas Wind Working Group to explore opportunities for developing wind energy across the state.  The group will educate stakeholder groups with the current information on wind energy markets, technologies, economics, policies and prospects. 

GOVERNOR'S FY 2009 BUDGET

In addition to her State of the State address, Governor Sebelius also unveiled her budget plan for the New Year.  Five basic principles guide the Governor's budget recommendations:

1. Grow the economy and create new jobs
2. Improve health care
3. Support Kansas schools and enhance early childhood programs
4. Maintain the state's infrastructure
5. Fairly compensate those in public service

The Governor's budget proposal limits growth of state spending to 4.6%.  Most of the increase is due to higher costs for health services for seniors and for those with disabilities.  Additionally, costs increased for the KPERS Retirement System.  Overall, the spending increase is still well below the 5% goal set by House Leadership.

As your state legislator, I am highly focused on maintaining fiscal responsibility while maximizing opportunities for Kansans.  I was very pleased to see that 70% of the Governor's initiatives came from funds already committed by last year's budget.  I was also pleased to see the dedication of new gaming revenues to paying down current state debt.

HEALTH CARE TOP PRIORITY FOR 2008:

The Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) recently presented its recommendations to the Legislature on the best ways to improve the health of all Kansans, reduce the cost of providing health care services, and expanding health coverage for Kansans without adequate insurance.  This issue ranks number one on my list of priorities for 2008. 

Whether it be providing health care for a child or addressing the high cost of senior health services, lack of affordability is a tremendous burden for Kansas families.  Additionally, high costs hinder our state's businesses who struggle to remain competitive while trying to provide adequate coverage for hard-working employees.  Furthermore, inadequate health care coverage for prevention leads to an increased need for services at even higher costs.

Each year, the price tag on health care demands more and more of the state- and individual family- budgets.  As lawmakers, we must support programs that meaningfully make us healthier and address the issues of cost and coverage.  I am hopeful the KHPA recommendations will result a long overdue reform of health care in this state.

The KHPA established three priorities for health reform:

1) Promoting Personal Responsibility - for healthy behaviors, informed use of health care services, and sharing financial responsibility for the cost of health care

2) Promoting Medical Homes and Paying for Prevention - to improve the coordination of

health care services, prevent disease before it starts, and contain the rising costs of health

care

3) Providing and Protecting Affordable Health Insurance - to help those Kansans most in need gain access to affordable health insurance.

You can view the complete proposal of health care reforms at the KHPA website: http://www.khpa.ks.gov/ , but here are some of the highlights of the 21 policy  recommendations:

• Increase tobacco user fee by 50¢ per pack
• Statewide restriction on smoking in public places
• Expand the volume of community-based health and wellness programs
• Include coverage of dental health services for pregnant women in the Medicaid program
• Improve tobacco cessation programs within Medicaid
• Increase screenings for breast, cervical, prostate, and colon cancer through expansion of the Early Detection Works program
• Aggressive targeting and enrollment of children eligible for Medicaid and Healthwave
• Allow parents to keep young adults (through age 25years) on their family insurance plan
• Expanding Insurance for Low-Income Kansans earning up to $10,210 annually
• Encourage Section 125 plans and education campaign for tax-preferred health insurance premiums
• Develop a "voluntary health insurance clearinghouse" about health insurance and Section 125 plans for small businesses and their employees

IMMIGRATION STILL IMPORTANT

In 2004, I introduced legislation that increased the penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.  That bill is still under consideration.

 Although it has taken four years it appears that the legislature is about to act on my proposal.  I will also introduce measures to encourage our federal representatives to get serious about passing a national immigration policy to deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants who are now working and living in our country.

 My second proposal is to introduce a resolution to Congress to provide expedited citizenship to anyone who has honorably served in our armed forces.

TRANSPORTATION:

We are nearing the completion of a ten-year comprehensive transportation program passed in 1999.  Discussions are already underway regarding the next program.  Considerations such as size, types of projects, etc. must be addressed. 

A quality transportation system creates job and business opportunities for Kansans.  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 current program resulted in 25,000 new jobs for Kansas workers over ten years. 

HOUSING

Affordable housing and an increased number of foreclosures is a serious issue that will require action this year.  The natural disasters of 2007 compounded the deficiency of housing programs in Kansas.  We will most certainly consider proposals to provide adequate, affordable housing in communities impacted by recent flooding and tornado damage. 

Additionally, it is likely that we will have a much broader discussion about supporting affordable housing developments throughout the state.  In visiting with business leaders, it is apparent that the availability of affordable housing is one of the primary challenges to our state's economic well-being.  As the number of foreclosures across the country skyrocket, we must see to it that Kansans have the information necessary to make wise financial decisions that fit their budgets.  Affordable housing must be addressed in order to prepare for future natural disasters, promote economic development in Kansas, and keep Kansas families from falling into a financial trap.

EDUCATION

The 2010 Commission, composed of legislators as well as educators and private sector leaders, recently proposed a teacher retention package for K-12.  This package contains a $5,000 bonus to teachers in high-demand subjects, such as math and science, who continue working after the date at which they are eligible to retire.  The proposal would allow local districts to offer such teachers a $2,500 bonus which would be matched by the state for each year the teacher remains working beyond their retirement date.

The shortage of teachers in key subject areas is becoming a serious problem as the number of teachers eligible to retire and the number of potential teachers in colleges/universities falls out of balance. The areas where vacancies are most serious include special education, math, science, vocational-technical, foreign language, music and counseling. The Department of Education conducted an informal survey of all districts, requesting the number of vacancies they had as of June 4, 2007. Districts responded with 1,144 vacancies for certified teachers.  This will be an issue that should receive quite a bit of discussion in 2008. 

ENERGY

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation proposed a new coal fired power plant to be located near Holcomb Kansas.  This expansion was projected to be a $3 billion investment in three 700 MW generation plants in Western Kansas.  In November, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Environment denied the permit for the construction creating a flurry of threats to legislatively over-ride the department. 

 I look forward to a serious discussion about energy in 2008.  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.  Increased renewable energy production will not only help our country become energy independent, it will also boost our state economy, provide new markets for agricultural products, and make Kansas a better place to live and do business. 

 We have a responsibility to advance an energy policy that will meet our 21st century needs.  Kansans deserve the promise of clean air, affordable energy and a strong economy.  We can fulfill all of these promises  with productive and innovative approaches. 

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

As you know, January 21 commemorated Martin Luther King Day.  This holiday falls at a particularly appropriate time of year.  Dr. King forged common ground where people from all walks of life could join together in pursuit of important community causes.  As a public servant, it is important to celebrate this ideal at the beginning of the legislative session.  It reminds us why we bother to gather at the State Capitol every January: to better the lives of Kansans and to leave the state a little better than it was before. 

This year's Martin Luther King Day event at the Capitol featured Leland Hardy.  Hardy holds two masters degrees in finance, marketing and international business.  He is considered one of the world's most fluent scholars on China.  Hardy is the founder of InternetEquality.org, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote increased internet access and use by traditionally lesser-represented communities, particularly the poor and minorities. His speech is entitled "From Racial Equality to Internet Equality - Applying Dr. King's Principles to the Internet Age."

2008 KANSAS PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUSES

For the first time in several years, Kansas will have a legitimate voice in the presidential primary process.  Time and time again we watched early-primary states such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina set the tone for the entire country.  In the past, by the time Kansas held its own caucus in early summer, presidential nominees were all but official.  This left our state's caucuses poorly attended and irrelevant.

This year will be different, offering Kansans the opportunity to be heard before the decision is made.  Our 2008 caucus dates have been moved ahead by four months: from early June to early February.   I strongly urge you all to attend your local caucus next month.  No matter what your political affiliation, our system only works when voters participate.  I have included information for the caucuses of both political parties below:

Democratic Caucus:

• Will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 7:00 PM.
• Doors at caucus sites open at 6:00 PM. Anyone not in line by 7:00 PM will not be admitted.
• The caucuses will be held in each senate district across the state. Specific locations are listed on the website of the Kansas Democratic Party: www.ksdp.org/caucus.
• Eligible individuals wishing to change their political affiliation to Democrat- or individuals registering to vote- may do so at the door.
• Individuals who are currently under age 18 but will turn 18 by November 4, 2008 MAY PARTICIPATE in the caucus.
• To determine your senate district, visit http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/.
• Democratic candidates filed in Kansas: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama.
• More specific questions about the Kansas Democratic Caucus should be referred to the Kansas Democratic Party at 785.234.0425 or http://www.ksdp.org/caucus.

Republican Caucus:

• Will be held Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 10:00 AM.
• Please arrive prior to 10:00 AM to allow sufficient time for voter registration verification.
• The caucuses will be held at a variety of locations in each congressional district across the state. Specific locations are listed on the website of the Kansas Republican Party Caucus: www.ksgopcaucus.org.
• Only registered Republicans- who have registered by January 25, 2008- are eligible to participate. Registrations will not be allowed at the door.
• A state-issued form of identification is required to participate.
• All individuals must be registered voters and be 18 years of age or older by February 9, 2008.
• Republican candidates filed in Kansas: Rudy Guiliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Alan Keyes, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Tom Tancredo, Fred Thompson.
• More specific questions about the Kansas Republican Caucus should be referred to the Kansas Republican Party at 785.234.3456 or http://www.ksgopcaucus.org/.