What can I say about the first week of the legislative session?  It was a homecoming for legislators with lots of catching up on happenings over the recess.  If you have ever been in a school play, you have experienced the closeness that develops during production and the strangeness of a new schedule when the play ends.  This week was like a cast reunion.  However there is an undercurrent of concern and tension.  The budget deficit weaves its way into most conversations.  How will the legislature deal with a $350-$400M deficit?
 
The state typically has a $6B general fund which the legislature allocates each year.  Of that $6B, nearly $4B goes to education (K-12 and Regents), $1B to caseloads and social services, and the remaining $1B for other services like transportation, public safety (community corrections, prisons, parole, fire, highway patrol, etc.), agriculture, parks, etc.  When the state accepted the stimulus money for education, we agreed to fund education at the 2006 level.  We are at the 2006 level for Base State Aid per Pupil; we have funds above the 2006 level in other “silos,” for example, special education, KPERS, and supplemental funds but these funds can not be used for general operating.  Besides the question of should education be cut further, there is also the question of can education be cut without losing stimulus dollars.  Funding of caseloads is mandated and most legislators feel that social services cannot be cut further.  That leaves the remaining $1B to take all of the $350 to $400M in cuts. 

Legislators, looking for efficiencies, are evaluating consolidation of school districts, townships, cities, counties, etc.  Since 1995, tax cuts and exemptions have accounted for $10.9B; these are being evaluated for effectiveness.  Options for a Rainy Day Fund are being considered.  If there is a silver lining to this recession, it is that creative solutions are being considered and there is motivation to consider solutions that are politically difficult.  
 

Changes

We welcomed four new members: 

• Rep. Barbara Bollier (District 25, Mission Hills, replacing former Rep. Terrie Huntington now Senator Huntington),
• Rep. Melanie Barnes (District 95, Wichita, replacing former Rep. Tom Sawyer who was appointed to the Kansas Parole Board),
• Rep. Gene Suellentroop (District 105, Wichita, replacing retired Representative Jason Watkins), and
• Rep. Don Svaty (District 108; Ellsworth; replacing his son, former Representative Josh Svaty now Secretary of Agriculture).

My committee assignments remained the same (see below) but additional members have been added.  The Higher Education committee was dissolved and those committee members were reassigned.
 
Representative Owen Donahoe (District 39, Bonner Springs, Basehor and a small section of Shawnee, my former seat-mate on the House floor) experienced the miracles of modern medicine with unexpected open heart surgery this week.  He will be recuperating for 6-8 weeks.  Take care, Representative Donahoe. 

 

Issues to Come

The week presented glimpses of the issues to come.  Governor Parkinson gave what both parties lauded as an excellent State of the State address using no notes or prompters.  Explaining that if spending is kept at the current level, there will be a $350M to $400M deficit in the July 2010 to July 2011 budget, he pledged no more cuts to education, social services, and public safety.  He called for a three year one cent sales tax that would then be maintained at .2 of one cent for funding of highways.  He also called for a $.55 increase in the cigarette tax.  Raising $308M and $69M respectively, these tax revenues would fill the budget hole and also put some funds back into public safety (parole officers), social services (restore Medicaid) and education (a $50 increase in base state aid for K-12 and additional money to the Regents).  The Governor also called for three policy initiatives:  first, a state indoor clean air act; second, continued develop of renewable energy via investment in transmission lines, wind farms, and green jobs, and third, adoption of the Vratil-Kelly Rainy Day Fund proposal.  Video of the State of the State address.  

Furloughs…
House and Senate leadership announced a plan calling for 10 legislative furlough days, a savings of $2000 per legislator.  After further discussion with members surprised by the announcement, a plan that includes 3 furlough days, a 2-5% pay cut and other to-be-announced cuts that will net the same amount of savings for the state is being designed and will be considered next week.

Tax exemptions…
Secretary of Revenue, Joan Wagnon, presented recommendations from KACIR (Kansas Advisory Council for Intergovernmental Relations within the Department of Revenue) for a three-year moratorium on any new sales, income and property tax exemptions and a cancellation of selected tax exemptions and credits. For the full report go to http://www.ksrevenue.org/kacir.htm and click on KACIR Annual Report 2009.

Health committee…  
I introduced a bill on behalf of several nursing organizations that would allow advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists) to practice more independently.
 
A Healthcare Roundtable subcommittee has been formed to discuss healthcare costs. On Jan. 22nd, there will be a discussion with insurance providers; on Feb. 5th a discussion with hospitals and on Feb. 12th, a discussion with healthcare providers.  Participation in the roundtable is by invitation only but the public is welcome to attend.  Meetings will be held at 9am in room 711 in the Docking State Office Building.
 
Other health issues likely to surface include licensure of addiction counselors and requiring nutritional information on menus in restaurants that are part of a national chain.
 

Commerce committee…
The committee made technical changes to last year’s Home Inspectors’ law clarifying that inspectors are liable for up to $2000 per inspection for a total of $10,000 per year.  This bill passed out of committee and should have a quick path through both houses since the law went into effect January 1st.
 
Next week the committee will hear from Jim Garner, the Secretary of Labor, about unemployment issues.  Constituents continue to have difficulty accessing the unemployment system.  Once connected to a human voice, the department’s service has been great but getting to that helping person continues to be a challenge.  Secretary Garner will present an update on the solvency of the unemployment trust fund and measures being taken to improve access.  I have been able to help several constituents access the system; please contact me if you need my help.
 

National Influenza Immunization Week

I received my H1N1 immunization this week and encourage everyone to get one.  The incidence of flu comes in waves and another wave is likely this winter as children return to school.  It takes two to three weeks after your immunization to be protected so don’t wait until another outbreak occurs.  The vaccine is now available in adequate quantities and is recommended for anyone who has not been vaccinated.  For flu and clinic information, go to www.jocoflu.org. 
 

Page dates

The following dates are open for those students, 12 years and older, who would like to spend a day being a page at the Capitol: 
Tuesday, January 26th         2 pages
Thursday, February 18th      4 pages
Tuesday, March 23rd           4 pages
Please reply to this email or call my Topeka office at 785-296-7689 with your name, address (constituents will be given preference), phone number, and email address.  Pages have their photo taken with me and Governor Parkinson, tour the Capitol, act as a page during that day’s session, attend a committee meeting, and have lunch with me.  It is a fun, informative day.
 

Recognition for Vietnam Veterans

The Vietnam War era medallion program, a recognition program for Vietnam vets created with the passage of HB 2171 in the 2009 legislative session, is now taking applications.  Every veteran who honorably served on active duty in the United States military service at any time beginning February 28, 1961, and ending May 7, 1975, shall be entitled to receive a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate of appreciation.  Due to budget constraints, production of the medallions has been delayed but applications are being processed.
 
For more information contact: 
Wayne Bollig, Director of Veteran Services
700 SW Jackson Ave., Suite 701
Topeka, KS  66603
785-296-7465
fax 785-296-1462
wbollig@kcva.org

Some of my activities last week…

• “A Taste of Kansas” sponsored by the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association offered food from across the state.
• Visited with Al Hinman (owner Le Peep Restaurants), Justin Quigley (Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association), Patrick Schreiner (Heartland Payment Systems) and others about a possible sales tax increase and costs of putting nutritional information on menus.
• Dinner with Monica Scheibmeir, Washburn University Dean of Nursing, and Ronda Eagleson, Chair of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Task Force, to discuss the current practice of Advanced Practice Nurses and desired changes in their practice act.
• Kansas Employment First Taskforce Reception.  Dr. Jean Hall presented her research demonstrating the cost savings, the increased earnings and improved outlook of the disabled workers in the Work Healthy program.  This program allows disabled Medicaid recipients to earn up to 300% of the federal poverty level, accumulate $15,000 in assets, and still maintain their Medicaid benefits.  One participant said, “I don’t feel useless, and I take pride in being a tax payer again.” http://www.workinghealthy.org/
• Oral Health Kansas breakfast where I spoke about advocacy and issues to be considered this legislative session.

Activities before session…

• Kansas Families for Education Holiday Party and Annual Awards where I was honored to receive one of their “Defenders of Public Education” awards for my coverage of education issues in my newsletter.  A big THANK YOU to KFFE for their support.  http://www.fundourpublicschools.com
• Lenexa Lions Club monthly meeting where I spoke about issues facing the 2010 legislature. http://lenexaks.lionwap.org/
• Maranatha adult Sunday School class at Shawnee United Methodist Church where I spoke about issues facing the 2010 legislature.
• Developmental Disabilities 101, a dinner and presentation by family members caring for other family members with developmental disabilities like autism, seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, sponsored by Johnson County Developmental Supports and Lakemary.  The 10% reduction in Medicaid reimbursement (and resulting loss of 70% federal match) proposed by Governor Parkinson will severely impact this vulnerable population.
• Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors Legislative Breakfast where they shared their legislative agenda:  no sweeping of fee funds, no tax on services, and no new taxes on the sale or transfer of real estate. www.kcrar.com
• KC Metropolitan Crime Commission Annual Meeting & Holiday Luncheon. http://www.kc-crime.org/
• Lenexa Chamber of Commerce Monthly Membership Luncheon featuring holiday music from a Millcreek Elementary choir. http://www.lenexa.org/

Contacting me…

Please notice that my Topeka contact information has changed.  My office is now in the Capitol on the West wing of the first floor, room 174A.  My administrative assistant is Cheryl Coffman.  My phone is 785-296-7689.  Security has been increased this year.  Bags are now scanned and visitors must pass through a metal detector.  But don’t let that stop you from dropping in to talk with me if you at are in Topeka.
 
This will be a challenging session trying to balance the budget with declining revenues.  Even with differing opinions, we are not adversaries for we all want what is best for Kansas. Together we can determine the best steps to take. 
 

“Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress”     

                                                     ....Mahatma Gandhi

Representing you,

Jill Quigley

Representative, 17th District

Lenexa & Shawnee
H:  913-541-9645                            P.O. Box 14823
C:  785-296-7689                            Lenexa, KS  66285
jill@jillquigley.com
 
Committee Assignments:       

9:00am          Monday-Friday         Commerce and Labor                Room 784 Docking
1:30pm          Monday-Friday         Health and Human Services       Room 784 Docking
3:30pm          Monday-Friday         Transportation & Public Safety Budget   Room 142S Cap.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

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