March 21, 2008 Newsletter
Hey Guys,
I hope of you enjoy a Blessed Easter. I hope you have time to read through the newsletter. Let me know your thoughts.
Take Care,
Anthony
Summary of Legislative Events
March 21st, 2008
A busy week on the House floor was highlighted by a veto-proof vote margin on late-term abortion amendments and House Republicans holding the line on spending in the first round of the budget debate.
Late-Term Abortion Amendments
The House passed House Substitute for Senate Bill 389 by a veto-proof vote of 84-40. The bill substantially amends and clarifies late-term abortion regulations as well as informed consent and parental notification provisions in existing Kansas abortion law.
Under the bill women will have the opportunity to see the ultrasound and hear the fetal heart tone. Additionally, they will receive a copy of the written referral justifying the abortion as well as free perinatal hospice and medical services information thirty minutes prior to the procedure.
The bill also includes provisions to stop predators from bringing pregnant minors into Kansas abortion clinics to destroy evidence of statutory rape.
The bill strengthens ID requirements, abuse reporting, and clarifies the right of custodial parents to receive notice of their daughter’s intent to have an abortion.
By allowing the Attorney General and local prosecutors to review Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports the bill substantially strengthens existing law.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Budget
House Republicans joined together and fought off numerous amendments in order to keep the budget to a sustainable level. Right now, the budget is at a 3.4% increase over last year, this is below the 5% cap that we are working to stay under. The final budget debate will be difficult but the House Republicans are firmly behind passing an ending budget that does not leverage the state’s financial future.
Once again, I would like to emphasize the House Republicans’ work towards budget transparency and direct your attention to http://www.kansas.gov/kanview/.
Energy Decision Fallout
It was announced Wednesday that a Texas-based energy firm had backed out of plans to build an oil Refinery in Kansas due to regulatory uncertainty. The firm began the process of securing land for the $8 billion dollar project but decided to focus on building the refinery in South Dakota. The project would have brought 10,000 construction jobs to Kansas and would have employed 1,800 after the project was completed.
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