Your Topeka Connection by Representative Tom Moxley

Thought for the Day:  “You don’t have to have a title to make a difference.”  Sarah Palin

What are we doing?
The biggest news this week at the statehouse was action in the House Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers advanced the Senate-passed rescission bill with a modest “haircut” of further spending cuts.  When the columns are totaled, the committee is probably $1 million within the bottom line of Senate action.  The only changes made by lawmakers addressed reductions in spending on legislative salaries and related expenses. I am a firm believer that we legislators need to take cuts like everyone else in State government.

The Appropriations committee had flexed its "fiscally conservative" muscle repeatedly, trying to shift funds from K-12 to fill the shortfall in the state’s judicial system.  But those attempts repeatedly fell short and in the end Committee Chairman Kevin Yoder explained that tinkering further with the rescission bill would only serve to prolong what already promises to be a long and complicated session.

Meanwhile, budget subcommittees in both the House and Senate have begun the early morning to late afternoon agency budget examinations, where every agency receiving state dollars must justify its value to the state.  With continued scarce resources and in light of the $1 billion in last year’s budget cuts, many legislators are increasingly acknowledging the likelihood that a revenue increase of some sort will necessary for the state to balance the budget.  Kansas lawmakers cannot spend more than the treasury collects.  Most of the preliminary tax and budget debate will take shape in March, but no final package will be crafted until late in April after the state’s revenue projections are updated for the year. 

E-911 

Kansas House members gave overwhelming support to legislation preserving the state’s E911 system.  S.B. 48 will continue the state’s vital emergency response system, paving the way for the ‘new generation’ of technology to be upgraded for Kansas law enforcement and emergency responders.  For instance, Kansans currently can’t text emergency system messages under existing technology.  The system is funded by users of cell phones and landlines in the state.  The measure will now be taken up by members of the Kansas Senate .

Bills from...?

This week saw some interesting ideas find their way into legislative proposals.  February 3rd was the deadline for individuals to introduce legislation in the House and Senate.  Some of the highlights: 

·         H.B. 2537 Providing for the sale of single strength beer in Kansas

·         H.B. 2441 and 2439 outlawing text messaging while driving

·         H.B. 2516 and S.B. 401 re-opening the state’s gaming laws to lower the proposed tax rate for slots at race tracks and other provisions.

·         H.B. 2622 Prohibiting school districts, cities, colleges or other entity from lobbying for a tax increase when any public funds are used

·         H.C.R. 50028 Establishing a three-year moratorium on any new sales tax exemption, tax credit or incentive program for economic development involving employer withholding taxes.

·         S.B. 495 Banning the use of existing STAR bonds for new projects without starting new STAR bond process (think Cerner project at Kansas Speedway in Wyandotte County)

·         H.B. 2417 and 2429 would alter the distribution of district judges and magistrate judges in the state’s various judicial districts. 

·         H.B. 2429 is being more closely examined by the House Judiciary Committee and would allow the Supreme Court to eliminate and reassign district magistrate and district judge positions based on caseloads.  It would repeal the one judge per county mandate. 

Smoking Ban?

The Kansas House will again be the battleground for those who feel strongly about limiting smoking in public areas in Kansas.  Last year, Kansas Senators endorsed a statewide smoking ban H.B.2221 but members of the Kansas House did not debate the measure.  This year the debate on the issue will begin this week when H.B. 2642 will be debated in the House Health and Human Services Committee.  So far the measure has been roundly criticized by supporters of a smoking ban for its provisions to overturn local smoking bans which have been adopted in numerous Kansas communities.  It would allow smoking in indoor public areas if ventilation exists and makes provisions for businesses to pay fees to “opt out” of the no-smoking provisions. 

 

Sermon in a Sentence: “Ain’t No Time To Do The Wrong Thing”  Toby Keith

Useful links

For a closer look at the legislative debate calendar, listings of committees and the text of various bills check out www.kslegislature.org This is the state legislature's official website and is quite helpful in tracking bills and legislative activity.

CONTACT ME:  I remain committed to looking after Dickinson and Morris Counties, the state and all my constituents, and will continue to do my best. It is an honor to serve as your Representative.  If you have any questions or concerns, budget or otherwise, please contact me at 785 296 7696 or by email at tom.moxley@house.ks.gov.

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