Governor Brownback’s tax plan had its first round of hearings this week in the House Taxation Committee. On Wednesday, proponents had the opportunity to testify before the committee, and opponents testified on Thursday and Friday.  The proponents were in lock-step with the notion that by exempting business owners from paying income tax they in turn would invest the wealth in new business expansion.  This trickle-down theory has been the hallmark of the plan. Continue reading →

On Friday, the House approved legislation revising the boundaries of the 125 districts for the Kansas House of Representatives.  I am pleased to report that building the House map was a much smoother ordeal this year than it has been in the past.  The final product is not a perfect map, but legislators had input on their districts and no legislators were drawn into districts together (which happened multiple times in 2002).  It was generally agreed that this was the most feasible compromise.  The bill passed 109-14.  Continue reading →

On Monday, the House Committee on Taxation held a hearing on HB 2433.  This bill was a part of Democrats’ “Kansas Jobs First” proposal, which was a package of initiatives designed to help Kansans get off the unemployment rolls and onto a payroll.

HB 2433 proposes a state income tax credit for individuals who also qualify for one of two federal tuition tax credits that are used to pursue education at a Kansas post secondary institution.  The state credit would amount to ten percent of the federal credit.  It would provide those who qualify for this credit to receive up to $250 for qualified education expenses per eligible student in the household.

Proponents, including the Kansas Board of Regents, the Kansas Association of Technical Colleges, and the Kansas AFL-CIO, said that this bill would encourage workers to go back to school or to seek additional job training.  As manufacturing, construction and health science industries continue to expand, more and more are basing location on a ready-set pool of highly-skilled workers.  It’s time for Kansas to integrate on-the-job training into our long-term solution for economic development.  Not only will these programs put Kansas workers in a better position to obtain high-wage, fast-growing jobs; it will help lure companies to our state.

No opponents testified against the bill, and no further action was taken.

The Federal and State Affairs considered HB 2550 this week, which would allow Kansas restaurants and bars to change liquor prices during the day, allowing establishments to offer “Happy Hours.” Under current law, these establishments are allowed to offer drink specials, but they must remain in place for the entire day.  HB 2550 would allow establishments to set special drink prices for a limited time (i.e., 5-7pm).

Proponents included local bars and restaurants.  They argued that the current law does not curtail binge drinking as originally intended.  The current law also puts establishments in border cities at an economic disadvantage, since patrons would be able to easily leave the state to take advantage of happy hours in Missouri.

The ABC director was not opposed to the bill, and no opponents testified.  The bill passed out of committee and is awaiting consideration on the House floor.

Every ten years, the Kansas Legislature is required to redraw boundaries for all congressional, legislative, and State Board of Education districts.  This becomes necessary as populations shift over the course of a decade.

Legislators in both chambers have been negotiating proposals for new House and Senate district lines.  Just like a normal bill, each map must go before a committee, then be approved by the entire chamber, then signed into law by the Governor.  Historically, once each chamber redraws its own lines, the other chamber does not make changes (i.e., the House will not edit the map of Senate districts, and vice versa).  The congressional maps are trickier, as both chambers participate in that process.

I am hopeful that we can get redistricting done as quickly and as fairly as possible.  It is widely agreed that redrawing district boundaries is one of the most political activities that happens in the State Capitol.  It is not uncommon to lose focus on the needs of the electorate when redrawing district lines.  Instead, the focus tends to shift to finagling over boundary lines that will create a political advantage or disadvantage, as the case may be.  Needless to say, the process can turn contentious very quickly.

Ultimately, redistricting is about giving the people an equal voice in their elected representation.  It is not about securing political advantage or seeking political retribution against individuals with whom we don’t see eye to eye.  I believe we can all agree that we have too many other issues critical to the future of our state to waste too much time on the politics of maps.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman announced this week that he is seeking a federal waiver to allow illegal immigrants to work in the state.  The state-sponsored network would match illegal immigrants with companies wishing to participate in the program.  Although details of the program are scant, it would appear that the idea would ignore the effect of an influx of undocumented workers on Kansas’ labor force. Continue reading →

A coalition of grocery, convenience stores and Chambers of Commerce, have unveiled a campaign called “Uncork Kansas”, reviving a debate about allowing liquor and wine to be sold in grocery and convenience stores.  Under current law, liquor and full strength beer is only sold in liquor stores.  This proposal, which was also considered last year, would remove that restriction.  It would also remove the “liquor only” sales restriction that now apply to liquor stores, so that liquor stores could also expand their sales (presumably to include mixers, ice, etc.).

The bill is in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee.  It includes last session’s provision for liquor stores to sell their licenses to grocery/convenience stores before the law takes effect at presumably premium prices.

Proponents include grocery stores and convenience stores that would like to expand their sales to include alcohol.  They argue that the current law is antiquated and limits consumer choice.  Opponents of the proposal primarily include neighborhood liquor stores who fear that they would be driven out of business.  There are also concerns that this measure would lead to an easier path for minors to obtain liquor.