Your Topeka Connection by Representative Tom Moxley

Thought for the Day: Education should prepare people for life…

Capitol News: Cold weather has an interesting effect on people. It can force them inside, where they spend time productively engaging with one another or it can make them brittle and inflexible. Both behaviors were on full display this week at the statehouse where lawmakers slogged through another week. Lots of things are being blamed on the weather, so maybe when spring arrives we’ll see improved moods in the statehouse.

Budget Backfill: The most productive action this week came as the Senate approved the first budget measure of the year. H.B. 2222 contains the provisions necessary to close the budget gap in the current fiscal year, as recommended by Governor Parkinson. With just four votes in opposition, Senators gave strong support to the measure. Now the chamber will turn its attention to the FY 2011 budget and ways to fill the $400 million shortfall estimated by state economists. Those individual agency budgets will begin receiving scrutiny by Senate subcommittees next week. This labor intensive work often starts at 7 a.m. and continues well into the evenings. These subcommittees work throughout February and well into March, making their recommendations to the full budget committees hoping that they can arrive at a budget that matches state priorities with state resources.

Revenue Proposals: Meanwhile, lawmakers are continuing to discuss possible new revenue sources. This week the House Tax Committee voted down political party lines to send the Governor’s proposed temporary 1 cent sales tax increase to the House floor with a negative recommendation. No one believes that this is the end of discussion about the funding source – the action was expected and is part of the political/legislative process. The committee will next take a look at various sales tax exemptions. Much bantering and posturing will happen but no revenue increases will get serious consideration until the waning days of the session when we have a better idea from the April 30th revenue estimates.

Court Systems hurting for funds: The House Judiciary Committee has worked hard this week examining ways to fund courts in Kansas. An error in last year’s omnibus budget bill shorted the judiciary and left folks scrambling to keep the court systems functioning. H.B. 2476 would authorize a $15 surcharge on certain court filings with revenue used to help fill the funding shortfall. Lawmakers also heard support for a comprehensive study of court resources in an effort to realign resources to better reflect demands on various courts.

Slots for the tracks: Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee members began its consideration of this year’s gaming bill. S.B. 401 would reduce the minimum investment for a casino in southeast Kansas, reduces the tax rate for slots at racetracks and would allow for a new public vote in Sedgwick County for a casino in that area. Promoted as a measure that will help Kansas agriculture (horse and greyhound breeders), SB 401 faces stiff opposition from a variety of quarters but with gaming legislation, you can’t always weigh the odds.

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.

Sermon in a Sentence: Some folks think religion, like asperin, should be taken only to relieve pain.

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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