Anthony is again releasing legislative updates. Below is his his most recent, from April 13. You can read all the archivesby visiting the Newsletters section.
Dear Friends,
We have now reached first adjournment and most legislators won't return until April 29, for the wrap-up/veto session. Last week was probably the busiest of the session, as we rolled through various pieces of legislation, including the budget.
The most significant item we passed was of course, the FY 2010 budget, which passed by a vote of 71-53 and which I voted for. This budget:
- Expands health insurance for children and services for those with physical disabilities.
- Ensures that the state will receive all education related federal stimulus dollars. The House took measures to allocate these funds solely for education in Kansas. As was the case when the bill came out of the Appropriations Committee, Kansas public schools, with additional federal support in Title 1 education dollars, will see more money than they did last year.
- Total State General Fund expenditures (including operating expenditures) for K-12 education, compared to FY 2008, will increase $140.5 million or 4.6% in 2010. That's much more responsible than we've seen in years past.
- As compared to the current fiscal year, funding for Regents Universities will increase 1.25%.
- In addition, we will add $4 million to the Home and Community Based Services Physically Disabled waiver as well as 1.2 Million to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP).
I believe we have a responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves while also being responsible in our overall budgeting. While cuts are inevitable to every agency, a careful balance must be struck to protect the most vulnerable without unfairly disadvantaging other vital state agencies.
Unfortunately, as we proceed further and if the economy continues to slip, further reductions to all areas of the budget may be necessary.
One area where we tried to help people was with HB 2328, which would have created an annual "back to school" sales tax holiday starting in 2011. Exempt items include personal and clothing items under $100, software less than $300, and personal and school computers not exceeding $2000. I think we need to explore more ideas like this to help out families, particularly in our current economic environment. Unfortunately, we were not successful with this bill this session, but it is something our leadership is committed to focusing on in future sessions, and I am on board with the idea.
Related to the jobs, employment, and economy issues is HB 2365, passing by an overwhelming vote of 120-3, which seeks to create new jobs and opportunities for the citizens of Kansas. The legislation is designed to compete with other states, particularly Missouri, Oklahoma, and the 25 other states that are using more creative and aggressive business development and recruitment tools.
To qualify, new jobs must come to Kansas through the relocation of business operations and jobs from other states or repatriation of jobs from foreign countries. The qualifying company that creates new jobs is eligible to retain the state of Kansas withholding taxes that would ordinarily have been sent into the state for a set number of years. This means that there are not "up front" costs to the state out of the treasury or any economic development fund.
There are minimum requirements in the number of new jobs in order to qualify for the PEAK program. Metropolitan counties will require the creation of 10 new jobs while rural counties will only require a minimum of 5 newly created positions. The companies are required to pay 50% of the health insurance costs for the employees. Additionally, the higher the wages paid in the new jobs, the more benefits the qualifying company is allowed. This creates a very attractive situation for both the employer and employee.
PEAK will help modernize our economic development tools and make Kansas competitive so we can create new jobs for our citizens by attracting new companies to the state. It is the right thing to do for Kansas workers, families and communities.
Another important bill was HB 2275 -- this bill will allow for random drug testing of a sample portion of those receiving cash assistance welfare beginning in July 2010. If a recipient fails the drug test he or she must undergo counseling and drug rehabilitation. Upon a third failing drug test, the recipient will be cut from the cash assistance program and must go before a review board from the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. This bill is compassionate and responsible. It proscribes drug treatment if random testing reveals illegal drugs. This can improve life for these families, and is respectful to taxpayer funding as well. This bill passed and I voted Yes.
One bill we passed you will get to vote on - SCR 1611, a constitutional amendment establishing the individual right to bear arms in Kansas. The proposed amendment would insert new language that states:
"A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, for lawful hunting and recreational use, and for any other lawful purpose."
Changing the wording of the Kansas Constitution to read "Individual owner right" from "The right of the People" will ensure individual gun ownership rights. This all stems from a 1905 decision by the Kansas Supreme Court saying that the right was a collective right. The right to bear arms should be extended to the people, not just the government.
This issue will be on the ballot in November of 2010.
Finally, I'd like to discuss a bill that I know is important to me as it is to all of you. Both the House and Senate -- with near-veto proof majorities -- passed a bill that essentially makes Kansas law similar to federal law when it comes to partial birth abortions - federal law which was upheld by the United States Supreme Court. It makes our law a better law.
This bill currently is on the way to the Governor's desk. As you know, last week she signed the "Women's Right to Know and See" bill on sonograms on heart monitors. Many believe this is because she doesn't want controversy as she prepares for a vote on her confirmation as HHS Secretary in the U.S. Senate. It will be interesting to see whether she signs or vetoes this one - as the time frame (10 days) for her to sign it ends before the confirmation vote would take place.
With that, I close this update. If you have any questions regarding specific issues or bills, do not hesitate to contact me by e-mailing me or calling me.
Sincerely,
Rep. Anthony Brown
This website will be updated frequently, so we urge you to check back often for breaking news from the office of State Representative Anthony Brown!