From The Statehouse: Week 3
Last week was a special one at the State Capitol as Kansas celebrated its 150th birthday! The week was filled with special events. On Wednesday, the Postal Service unveiled a commemorative stamp, which carries the "forever" designation, to mark the occasion. The Kansas Supreme Court moved from the Judicial Center across the street to the Old Supreme Court Room in the Capitol to work last Thursday (which is the first time they have worked in the Capitol since 1970's). Last Friday, legislative leaders and Governor Brownback addressed thousands of school children in a ceremonial broadcast on PBS.
Reflecting on our sesquicentennial, I am reminded of all the hardships Kansas has endured throughout its history. There is no doubt that the current financial crisis will be among the ranks of those significant challenges when our chapter in history is written. As we work through a third consecutive year of painful budget cuts, I hope we will live up to our heritage and continue to protect all the investments that have made Kansas so special for the last 150 years.
Budget Update
Before we can begin work on the FY 2012 budget, we must first pass an FY 2011 rescission bill (which will ensure that Kansas meets its constitutional obligation to end the fiscal year with a positive ending balance). Governor Brownback requested FY2011 cuts on his desk by the end of January.
Last Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee approved a rescission bill that would have a devastating impact on thousands of Kansans if passed in its current form. In addition to dramatic cuts to public schools, the proposal included a 7.5% salary for all state employees, many of whom work for such low wages that they already live paycheck to paycheck. This cut would apply to everyone from prison guards to university professors.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee passed their version of the rescission bill last Wednesday, which was less damaging. It did not include the dramatic state employee pay cut and also lessened cuts to schools.
The House Appropriations Committee reconvened on Monday to make changes to their bill, then send the bill to the House Floor for full debate by Thursday.
Proposal would expand liquor sales to all food and drink retailers
Legislation emerged last week that would expand liquor sales to retail stores that also sell food and drink (grocery stores, gas stations, etc). Currently, only stand alone liquor stores are allowed to sell liquor and full strength beer.
Proponents say that this change would create an estimated 15,000 jobs, $343 million in wages, and $72 million in state and local tax revenue. Opponents - primarily "mom and pop" liquor stores - say that this legislation would put them out of business. They argue that about half of Kansas' 750 liquor stores would close if the market were opened to competition from the nation's retail giants.
This proposal has come before the Legislature several times. It is one of those rare issues that has no distinct partisan divide. Both Republicans and Democrats share mixed opinions, depending on the district they represent. There are obviously pros and cons on either side. If you have an opinion on the proposed liquor legislation, I welcome your thoughts.
Legislation would increase speed limit in Kansas
Last Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2034, which would upgrade the limit to 75 mph on separated highways. Three of the four states surrounding Kansas have maximum speed limits of 75 miles per hour on freeways.
Proponents of raising the speed limit say Kansas' quality highways, safer engineering of newer vehicles and posting of 75 mph limits in a majority of states bordering Kansas are reasons to raise the limit. Opponents say raising the limit 5 mph on heavily traveled highways could result in more accidents because drivers would have less time to respond to emergencies. Another potential problem with the new 75 mph speed is that drivers will inevitably go several miles an hour above the new limit, transforming a 75 mph limit into a 78 mph or 79 mph for some drivers.
A brief history on the changing limit in Kansas:
The speed limit in 1957 was 70 mph during daylight hours and 60 mph at night. In the 1960s, according to McCool, the Kansas Turnpike had a maximum speed limit of 80 mph. The limit dropped nationally to 55 mph in 1974, but was modified in Kansas to 65 mph in 1987 and to 70 mph in 1996.
House Bill 2044 would increase hit and run penalties
The House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee held a hearing last Thursday on House Bill 2044, which would toughen the penalties for the crime of leaving the scene of an accident, or what is commonly referred to as a "hit and run."
This legislation came about after two incidents of suspected drunken drivers (who were more than likely attempting to avoid DUI convictions) fled the scene of an accident in Lawrence. In both cases, the victims were killed. Under current law, those drivers could only be charged and convicted of leaving the scene of an accident, which under most situations results in short jail terms and probation.
Under House Bill 2044, the same crime would become a level five person felony and the defendant would then face a minimum of 31 months in prison. The bill would also strengthen the punishments for hit and runs involving great bodily harm, and include the addition of punishment for property damage in excess of $1,000.
The current law is inadequate and needs to be fixed immediately. The families of these victims have endured a terrible tragedy. I hope the Legislature will act quickly so that justice will prevail in the event that this ever happens again.
Kansas Bioscience Day at the Capitol
The Kansas Bioscience Authority visited the State Capitol this past week to present its 2010 Progress Report and announce new investments for 2011.
Here are some highlights:
• Through June 2010, KBA's investments cumulatively resulted in 1,195 new jobs, $212.6 million in capital investment, $86.6 million in new research funding, and $48.3 million in equity investment. Including estimated wages, the return to the state's economy for each $1 invested by the KBA is $9.41.
• Kansas was named #5 in a national site selection magazine's Top 10 list of states for biotechnology, ahead of other powerhouses such as North Carolina, New Jersey, and Illinois.
• Kansas was ranked #1 in the nation for its increase in funding from the National Institutes of Health, jumping 37 percent at a time when overall NIH funding declined by 4.7 percent.
These investments have brought a lot to Kansas. The success of the bioscience industry in Kansas is one bright spot in an otherwise dismal budget year.
Legislation introduced to curb illegal immigration
Illegal immigration has created serious problems throughout the United States and Kansas. House Democrats have been at the forefront of addressing this issue for several years, and this week outlined initiatives to tackle the problem in the 2011 legislative session.
Here are the main components of the proposal:
• Require E-Verify: Require the use of E-Verify for all businesses bidding on public works contracts to confirm the residency status of new employees;
• Enact Missclassification Penalties: Crack down on employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants by denying them public works contracts for two years following the violation;
• Stop Order: Give the Kansas Department of Labor the authority to issue a cease and desist order that would shut down a work site when there have multiple violations by an employer.
Contrary to the rhetoric that was propagated throughout the election cycle, job opportunities draw illegal immigrants to Kansas, not in-state tuition. Irresponsible employers hire undocumented immigrants as a means of paying lower wages and evading taxes. Illegal hiring is bad for everyone, but it is especially bad for employers and workers who play by the rules. Therefore, the state should ensure that employers are only hiring documented, legal employees.
As long as illegal hiring continues in Kansas, illegal immigration will continue to be a problem. These are common sense proposals that confront the issue at its core. This should have bipartisan appeal for everyone who is serious about tackling the problem.
Keep in Touch
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Docking Building, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7687 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at mike.slattery@house.ks.gov. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.
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