The 2008 Legislative session officially began at 2:00pm on Monday, January 14th. Representatives welcomed and recognized Representative Jill Quigley from Lenexa (17th District) who replaces outgoing Representative Stephanie Sharp. Just a few days prior to the start of the 2008 session the House Republican Caucus released their ambitious 2008 Legislative agenda outlining their top priorities.
The 2008 House Republican Agenda
The House Republican Agenda focuses on 8 important issues this year. Priorities are:
The Budget: it is imperative that we keep spending to a 5% increase or less. Keeping tabs on our spending throughout the session and holding the line on spending that exceeds the rate of inflation WILL make a positive fiscal impact and return our caucus to Republican values that we should all be able to stand behind. Taxpayers are demanding accountability, it is the right thing to do and, we are going to do it.
Taxes: we will work to provide sound tax policy for Kansas businesses, families and property owners that makes Kansas more competitive both nationally and globally.
Health Care: we will be look at each KHPA recommendation and work to increase the affordability and accessibility of our health care system at little or no cost to the taxpayer.
Immigration: we will continue to pass legislation that eases the burden on Kansas taxpayers while encouraging legal immigrants. The surrounding states have enacted some form of immigration legislation. It is important that Kansas does not become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.
Education: we will continue funding education into the out years to ensure that Kansans can budget effectively for their education. We will emphasize budget transparency and look to focus the taxpayer dollar in the most efficient way possible.
Elections and Campaign Finance Reform: we will require disclosure of taxpayer-funded lobbying, more transparency, expand satellite voting in Kansas as well as reform how vacancies of statewide offices are filled.
Crime and Public Safety: to further protect Kansans we will increase penalties on personal felony crimes and add an automatic prison sentence dedicated to treatment for anyone sentenced to a fourth or more DUI.
Senate Agenda
The Senate Republican Agenda was unveiled earlier this week. House and Senate Republicans agree Fiscal responsibility, Energy Policy, Education, Health Care, Rural Development, Public Safety, and Illegal Immigration are all top priorities that legislators want to address this session. In addition, Senate added a public debt study, proposals to acknowledge veterans and allow them preferential treatment in accessing certain state services, and developing a new transportation framework for the 2009 session.
State of the State
The Governor presented her State of the State speech to the full Legislature Monday evening. She mentioned several new initiatives that will grow government to an unsustainable level. Otherwise, there wasn’t much “sizzle” in the Governor’s speech. Unfortunately, the State of the State glossed over the details of what is a very detrimental fiscal situation currently facing Kansas.
Governor’s Budget
On the surface, the Governor’s budget looks to be a spending increase of 4.6%. However, upon further review of the facts, her budget hinges upon assumed gaming revenue, $146 million in additional debt bonding and has an ending balance of 5%, 2.5% below statutory levels. In order to meet the 7.5% statutory limit the governor must cut K-12 funding by $147.4 million. If the governor does not reduce K-12 funding and without the assumed gambling revenue her budget would be an 8.4% increase and would ultimately result in a negative state general fund balance in fiscal year 2010.
Bills of Interest This Week
HB 2495: An act concerning income taxation; relating to corporations; surtax; Committee on Taxation.
Sub SB 152: An act concerning filling vacancies in certain elected offices; pertaining to vacancy in the position of United States senator pertaining to the office of commissioner of insurance; pertaining to the office of state treasurer; Senator Pyle.
Sub HB 2430: An act concerning property taxation’ relating to homestead property tax refunds; Committee on Taxation.
HB 2558: An act concerning retirement and pensions; enacting the Kansas public employees retirement system act of 2009; providing terms, conditions and requirements related thereto for certain new members; benefit enhancements for existing members; Committee on Appropriations.
HB 2588: An act concerning gaming; relating to the Kansas commission on expanded gaming; Committee on Federal and State Affairs.
SB 65: An act concerning elections; relating to advance voting; Committee on Elections and Local Government.
