I have returned to Topeka for the veto session. Here are some issues that will likely surface in the coming days:

Primary Seatbelt Law

Included in the House Appropriations budget bill because its passage would net the state $11 M in federal dollars, HB 2130 would allow law enforcement to stop drivers who are not wearing a seatbelt or whose passenger is not wearing a seatbelt. This bill twice failed to pass the House last year and is still in conference committee. A similar bill, HB 2437, which includes a texting while driving restriction, has passed the Senate. Spurred by the promise of $11M in federal funds and the support of insurance companies and law enforcement, one of these bills may yet see action in the House.
 

Licensure and Inspection of all Child Care Facilities

I returned to Topeka last Tuesday, a day early, for additional hearings on HB 2356, a bill that would require all childcare facilities in the state to be inspected and licensed. You have probably seen the billboards stating that one out of three childcare facilities is not inspected. This bill would require all childcare facilities to be licensed and inspected using a risk-based system. In order to add 2500 more inspections to the 4100 already done, the state would establish a hierarchy for inspections with those who have never been inspected receiving priority. Currently licensed facilities could have a three-year time period where only a self-evaluation would be performed. Currently licensed homes are concerned over this lapse in inspections so the bill is being revised in the House Health Committee. Proposed changes include allowing KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) to increase the licensure fee so that yearly inspections could be maintained and including training in CPR, SIDS, child abuse, basic child development and safe sleep practices in KDHE rules and regulations.
 

New Comprehensive Transportation Plan, HB 2650

HB 2650 would fund T-Works, the proposed 10 year transportation plan, by increasing car registration fees by $20, truck registration fees by $100, and state sales tax by .3%, and by giving the department additional bonding authority. These increases would result in an additional $8.2B, which would fund 100% of the highway preservation and maintenance needs for the next ten years and add $1.8B for expansion and modernization of highways. Without this bill, no funds will be available for expansion and modernization projects. The economic impact of transportation projects is extensive, directly impacting engineering, construction, and concrete/cement/asphalt jobs. An estimated 60,000 construction jobs would be created with a new transportation plan, 175,000 jobs if you include manufacturers and suppliers to the construction industry.
 
 

The Budget

Of course, the major task of this veto session is passing a balanced budget.
 
House substitute for SB 572, the House budget proposal, depends on cuts and “soft” money (funds likely to be realized but not yet in hand) to fill the now more than $550M shortfall for FY2011. It replaces only half of the ARRA funds (stimulus funds) used for education in 2009 so, while not technically a cut, schools will receive $85M less in the House budget. The portion of the stimulus funds that is replaced for education does not benefit Shawnee Mission schools. The House has no revenue package, in other words, no tax increases. The Governor has said he will not accept cuts to education.
 
The Senate has both a cuts package and a revenue package.
 
The House “cuts” bill is scheduled for debate on Monday. April revenue numbers released last Friday indicate a further decrease of $65.3M in receipts. This will require further revisions of both the Senate and House budget bills and will most likely delay action on the budget until mid-week.
 
The impact of cuts on some state-funded services is detailed below:

• Shawnee Mission schools have fired 37teachers. Class sizes are increasing.

• Nearly 2000 aged or disabled are waiting for home and community services.

• Regents have eliminated more than 450 academic programs and classes in our six colleges and universities as a result of a 13% funding cut.

• Cut nearly $25 M since 2008, Kansas’ model community corrections program, which had reduced recidivism to 2.2%, closed a prison, and sent those with drug, alcohol or mental illness to treatment instead of prison has been dismantled.

 
A recent study by Wichita State University's Center for Urban Studies and Kansas Public Finance Center has suggested that a one-cent hike in sales tax, generating $350 million, would be less damaging to the economy than a corresponding reduction in expenditures. The legislative solution to the current budget problem will most likely include spending cuts where possible with selective tax increases and rollbacks of some tax exemptions to enhance revenue.
 

Bills Passed by Both Chambers

Brown vs. the Board of Education Mural and Capitol Preservation Committee

SB 54: Passed 118-3, I voted yes. To the Governor.
Passage of this bill ends a two-year quest to add a Brown vs. the Board of Education mural to the State Capitol. A 12-member committee will coordinate and make decisions about placement of all art in the Capitol and new visitor’s center. No public funds would be used for creating or installing the mural. Kudos to Charles Jean-Baptiste for his devotion to this issue.

Pilot insurance coverage for Autism & for Oral Chemotherapy

Senate Sub for HB 2160: Passed 88-31, I voted yes. Signed by Governor.

In the waning hours before the regular session ended on March 30th, I carried Senate Sub for HB 2160, a bill requiring that the State Employee Health Plan provide insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism (capped at $36,000 annually for those birth to age 7 and $26,000 for those 7 to 19) and for oral chemotherapy drugs as pilot programs. This follows the process for all new insurance mandates. There have been amazing strides in early treatment for autism that result in greater independence and success for these children. Oral chemotherapy drugs are more convenient for the patient, often less costly, and sometimes the only treatment available yet usually not covered as a medical benefit. This bill requires an insurance company that covers IV chemotherapy to also cover oral chemotherapy “no less favorably.” The pilot programs provide a limited trial to evaluate cost and coverage details before being expanded to the greater public.
 

Jill’s Activities During Recess

• Visited elementary, middle, and high schools within the 17th District to discuss the impact of current and future cuts to their budget as well as hearing about each school’s continued successes. To see the cuts proposed for Shawnee Mission schools for the upcoming year, go to http://www.smsd.org/publicinfo/Budget/budget.htm?ref=homepage and click on “Proposed Budget Reductions” in the far right column. The Budget Information page gives you excellent information on the history of education funding and the basics of the complicated funding formula used by the state to divide education dollars between school districts.

• Attended the NCSL (National Congress of State Legislators) pre-conference on Rural Health and the conference itself as a Health Committee member. Most of the presentations centered on understanding the provisions and impact of the new health care reform bill. Watch for information about the conference in an upcoming newsletter.

• Attended the ceremonial bill signing by Governor Parkinson for Senate Sub for HB 2160, the autism and oral chemotherapy bill, at the Kansas City Autism Center, 7501 Belinder in Prairie Village.

• Attended the press conference on children’s issues and program funding sponsored by Kansas Action for Children.

• Discussed legislative issues related to women, children, and education with two young women from Colombia, South America, who were visiting the area courtesy of the League of Women Voters as part of a U.S. State Department program to learn about local, state, and national government.

Rising Star Elementary School Celebrates 20 Years

Congratulations to Rising Star Elementary School on its 20th Anniversary! Has it really been that long since families coalesced to open this school? Choosing the school colors and the “Star Man” mascot, dealing with the challenges of opening with more students than expected and noise issues with 700+ students in an open concept school, and blending traditions brought from other schools to form new ones unique to Rising Star…I have such fond memories of helping open and form this wonderful school where my children attended. Congratulations!!
 

Kansas Needs a Law That…

I invite you to complete this phrase, “Kansas needs a law that….” I’m looking for problems in need of action. Share the specifics of your concern and what you think should be done to fix it. Suggestions since my last newsletter included:
 
Kansas needs a law that….
1)     protects the non-American workers brought in by companies from being forced to work from sun-up to sun-down and makes local companies prove that they first advertise their open positions to local Americans who are out of work, looking for jobs and qualified.
2)     sunsets every tax exemption, starting with the oldest ones, for review and either renewal, change or elimination.
3)     will limit spending.  Everything I read indicates a need for more taxes.  We do not need more taxes.  We need less government spending and more individuals taking care of themselves instead of expecting government to be their "daddy."
 
 

“Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress”

                                                        …Mahatma Gandhi

Contacting me…

My office is 174A in the Capitol on the West wing of the first floor.

My administrative assistant is Cheryl Coffman.

My phone is 785-296-7689.


 
 
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           Mon-Fri           Commerce & Labor                     Rm 784 Docking
1:30pm           Mon-Fri           Health & Human Services             Rm 784 Docking
3:30pm           Mon-Fri           Trans & Public Safety Budget       Rm 142S Capitol
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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