Weeks 10, 11, 12

Wow, spring is finally here and my freshman legislative session is nearing its end.  The pace of the last few weeks has left me in need of this three week recess.  The intensity of the process has grown as we finalized the work of the session---spending many hours on the floor, deciphering sometimes contentious debate, reading and digesting reams of information, and making increasingly important decisions on major issues that have been delayed until these final days.

Continuing Thoughts on the Process…

One of the things I have gleaned from the last few weeks is that there are many ways for legislators to bring an issue for consideration:
•    In both houses the traditional method is the committee process where hearings with public input are held and there is floor debate.  Most bills follow this process.
•    Another way to get an issue before the body is to bring an amendment during the floor debate. An amendment can be attached to a bill with similar subject matter.  It is always a challenge to understand the amendment and its implications solely from the floor debate but many such amendments are successful.
•    Another way to get an issue that has stalled in committee to the floor is to “pull it from committee.”  Rep. Donahoe used this procedure to bring HB 492, dealing with obscenity in schools, out of the education committee, where it had stalled, to the House floor for a vote without debate.  None of these attempts have been successful this year. 
•    Finally, a twist on the amendment process is the “gut and go” where an amendment is used to strip out the entire bill and substitute an entirely new bill.  This was done successfully with the immigration bill and unsuccessfully with the annexation bill.  This obviously requires a lot of work to familiarize a majority of the body with the details of the extensive amendment before the vote.

ISSUES

Money Matters….

Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Act
Many senior citizens on fixed incomes have contacted me with concerns about their ability to pay their ever-increasing property taxes.  HB 2928 would allow seniors who have an income of $60,000 or less and who have lived in their homes at least 10 years to defer up to $2,500 a year of their property tax. The tax plus interest would be paid upon the sale of the property. This bill would become effective January 1, 2009 and would end December 31, 2013 unless reconsidered.  I voted for this bill that passed the House 93 to 32.  It is now in the Senate Assessment and Tax Committee.

Budget Overview
The one thing required of the legislature each year is to pass the budget. This is usually done in two parts, the mega appropriation bill and the Omnibus budget.

The conference committee report on the mega appropriation bill, SB 534, was passed last week by the Senate and the House.  The House passed it with a vote of 66 to 54; I supported the budget. The conference committee recommends $13.14B in expenditures from all funds for FY2008 and $13.43B in FY2009. The leadership of both houses has committed to limit spending to a 5% increase over last year’s budget.  The current mega appropriations bill represents an increase of just 3.6%. 

Here’s a breakdown of how state general funds are allocated.
Spending by function:
•    Approximately 50% is spent on K-12 education and 15% on higher education. 
•    About 24% is spent on human services
•    7% on public safety
•    4.2% on general government, and
•    .6% on agriculture and natural resources
Spending by purpose:
•    55% is spent for local aid,
•    25% for state operations,
•    .1% for capital improvements, and
•    20% in other assistance.

The budget is based on estimates of how much money will be collected in taxes, primarily income and sales taxes.  The group responsible for this estimate, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, will release its latest report on April 16.  The legislature will use this estimate to determine further expenditures in the Omnibus bill during the veto session.

Ensure that you get your Stimulus Payment
In May the Internal Revenue Service will be sending out stimulus payments.  You could receive up to $600 or even more if you have children.  All taxpayers with qualifying income of at least $3000 in 2007 will qualify but you must file a tax return.  If you are a low-income worker or receive social security or veteran’s benefits and do not normally file a tax return, you want to file this year.  Here are your filing options:  1. Complete a 1040 or 1040A paper form or use IRS “e-file” or 2. Locate a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site near you for free tax return filing, 1-800-906-9887.

Education news…

Dyslexia

Dyslexia has been a hot topic this year.  A proviso dealing with dyslexia was attached to a House appropriation bill.   It would have: 1) required school districts to adopt policies to allow student to attend any special reading or dyslexia classes during the school day  and 2) prohibited the use of state funds to report or investigate such absences. This bill was a reaction to a specific problem in one Wichita district in which the local board and parents were unable to resolve their differences.  Believing that this local issue did not require statewide legislation, it was defeated; I voted against it. The discussion did, however, raise awareness of dyslexia as a problem that requires more attention and resulted in the passage of a resolution (HR 6021). This resolution from the House Education Committee directs the State Board of Education to address testing, screening, interventions and teacher training for students with reading problems, especially dyslexia. I voted for this resolution that passed the House 120 to 0.

Budget protection for schools affected by disaster and layoffs
Schools that experience decreased enrollment due natural disaster (SB 426) or economic disaster (HR 2776) will be guaranteed 85% of their current funding.  Since their student enrollment is in such flux, this guarantee allows the district to proceed with hiring and planning for the upcoming year.  I supported these bills that passed the House.

Virtual Schools
On-line classes are being developed by many school districts and so the funding and regulation of these classes has come before the legislature.  Senate Bill 669 specifies that the Kansas Department of Education will supervise and regulate all virtual school and sets funding at 105% of the base state aid per student.  Additional funding and weighting are also established.  I supported this bill that passed the House 110 to 13.

Kansas Math and Science Academy
The Kansas Math and Science Academy is a proposed program in which 11th and 12th grade students who excel in math and science can attend Fort Hayes State University and earn two years of college credit while finishing high school.  This bill delineates the funding for this program.  Students would pay the same fees normally paid by a Kansas high school student.  The state aid normally given to that student would follow the student to Fort Hayes to pay tuition and fees (base aid, weighting, and LOB).  Additional details of pupil selection are specified.  I voted for this bill that passed the House 101 to 22.

School Funding
This year’s school funding bill (SB 531) added $59 to the base aid per pupil for each of the next two years.  The Shawnee Mission School District would benefit more from adjustments to the various weightings of the school finance formula (like non-proficient at-risk) rather than an addition to the base. In a protest vote, the entire Johnson County delegation voted against the education bill that passed the House 96 to 29.  Here is our explanation of vote: “We vote no on SB 531.  This bill does not address the inequities in funding that our schools suffer in Johnson County.  A school funding formula that pays some school districts much more than 100% of actual costs while denying adequate funding to others should be amended.  We have for so long argued and voted for more money for all Kansas schools although Johnson County continues to be number 269 in per pupil funding.  We can no longer support a flawed funding formula.” 

This funding bill went to a conference committee where it has been bundled with the three other education-related bills described above.  In final action, I will vote “no” to protest the funding bill and then switch my vote to support the additional bills that involve the Kansas Math and Science Academy, Virtual Schools, and Funding for Disaster Schools.

Alternative Teacher Certification
There has been much discussion about future teacher shortages and how to retain and train teachers.  A resolution, HCR 5039, passed the House with my support.  It called for the restructuring of alternative teacher licensure programs in ways that would assist in alleviating the current teacher shortage in the areas of mathematics, science, and special education.  The State Board of Education, the State Board of Regents, and institutions of higher education are asked to work collaboratively to achieve this restructuring.

Miscellaneous…

Utilization of Unused Medications Act
HB 2578 creates a voluntary program by which adult care homes, mail service pharmacies, and medical care facilities may donate unused medication to Kansas residents who are medically indigent. The medications will be distributed by indigent health care clinics, federally qualified health centers or community mental health centers. The Board of Pharmacy will establish and implement the program.  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will maintain records.  I supported this bill that the House passed 121 to 0; the Governor has signed the bill into law.

Kansas Funeral Privacy Act
House Sub. For SB 226 prohibits a public demonstration within 150 feet of any entrance to any cemetery, church, mortuary or other location where a funeral is held or conducted.  The prohibition commences one hour before the funeral.  Violation of this bill is a class B misdemeanor.  I supported this bill that passed the House 123 to 0; the Governor has signed this bill into law.

National Bio and Agro Defense Facility
Background:  A site at Kansas State University in Manhattan is one of five sites being considered for the location of the National Bio-and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).  This facility will provide a secure, state-of-the-art federal research lab that will protect the nation’s agricultural resources from naturally occurring and intentionally introduced disease threats. The Department of Homeland Security will select the site in 2008 and open the facility in 2014.  The facility would have an estimated $3.5 billion economic return over 20 years and result in 1000 jobs during construction and 250-350 jobs after construction.
Pledge of Support
SCR 1624 strongly encourages the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to consider Kansas as the location for the new federal laboratory called the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility.  It passed the House (123 to 0; I voted yes) and the Senate.
 
Bond Authority for a Capital Improvement Project (NBAF)
Senate Sub. For HB 2001 authorizes the issuance of up to $105 million in revenue bonds to support a capital improvement project relating to the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility.  It passed the House (114 to 9; I voted yes) and the Senate.  The Governor has signed it into law.

North Central Air Passenger Service Support Fund
SB 359 authorizes state funding (up to $1 million yearly for 2 years after a local match of $250,000) to provide air passenger support to Manhattan Regional Airport for airline flights that are less than 70% full.  It passed the House (113 to 6; I voted yes) and the Senate.  The Governor has signed it into law.

At the Rail and Beyond….

Another change in these last few weeks has been the decrease in the number of groups at the Capital.  There have been very few meetings at the rail, few displays on the first and second floors, and only rare luncheon meetings with community groups because legislators have spent long unpredictable hours in their chambers and been essentially unavailable.  The House has typically gone into session at 9am, taken a break for lunch at 12:30, reconvened at 2:30, and met until business was done, 8pm to midnight! 
•    Six students were pages at the Capital on March 25th.  They were Madison Knight and Amanda Hawthorne from Trailridge Middle School, Carl from Good Shepherd School, and Anna Robb, Grace Rogers, and Maggie Meyer from Westridge Middle School.  We had our photos taken with Governor Sebelius.  They ran errands for legislators during the session and took a tour of the Capital.  We had a lunch of pizza while discussing what they had observed during session.
•    Ali Alonzo, a freshman at SMNW high school, shadowed me for a day in March.  She attended a committee meeting with me, spent some time in my office, and watched the House session from the gallery.
•    Bill Land, a constituent and lobbyist with the Blue Valley Schools, introduced me to his fellow lobbyists.
•    Amy Blankenbiller, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, discussed the energy bill.
•    Frankie Denny and Linda Davies-Jones, two mental health nursing students from Belfast, Ireland who are spending a semester at Washburn University discussed nursing education in Ireland.
•    Kevin Krumme, a SMNW sophomore, received his Eagle Scout Award; I spoke at the ceremony and presented him with a certificate of commendation from the Legislature and a flag that had flown over the Capitol.  Congratulations, Kevin!
•    I spoke at the 2008 Legislative Breakfast Series, sponsored by the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and the Johnson County Public Policy Council, reviewing the legislative session.
•    Your calls and e-mails continue to encourage, advise, and guide me.  Please keep them coming and include your address, phone, and/or e-mail so that I can contact you.

Vote for License Plates Design…

Help select the design for the next personalized license plate to be issued in 2010.  Citizens submitted over 100 designs; five were selected by judges.  Vote for your favorite design by going to the Department of Revenue website: www.ksrevenue.org and clicking on “Vote for Kansas’s New Personalized License Plate.”  Voting takes place through April 30th with the winning design announced the first week in May.

Veto Session ahead…

Both chambers are currently on recess until April 30th when the veto session begins.  This is really a misnomer as the main order of business during the veto session is actually passage of the Omnibus budget. Several bills have also been left for final action during the veto session.  These include health reform, immigration, energy, and education.  Look for summaries of these bills in my next newsletter.

A Chat with Jill…

Please join me for an informal discussion of issues and the 2008 legislative session.  Drop in for a few minutes to introduce yourself or stay longer to discuss topics of interest to you while enjoying juice, coffee, and breakfast items.  Spread the word to your friends and neighbors.  Please join me.
                         Sunday, April 27
                         1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
                         HyVee at 87th & Pflumm

I apologize for the length of this newsletter.  There has been so much legislation that my summary for three weeks’ activity is way too long.  I salute your interest and persistence if you made it all the way to the end!


Jill Quigley
Representative 17th District

300 SW 10th Avenue
L26/27 Docking
Topeka, KS  66612
785-296-7680
jill@jillquigley.com