Complete my 2010 Online Survey!

Don’t forget to take my online survey. Go to www.jillquigley.com and click on “Legislative Survey” in the upper left hand corner.
 

February is American Heart Month---Take action for the ones you love!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and appears most often as a heart attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about every minute someone will die from one.
 
Since 1963, Congress has proclaimed February as American Heart Month. The American Heart Association recommends learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) as a way to “take action for the people you love.” Here is a YouTube link to a Mayo Clinic presentation on CPR: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5huVSebZpM
 

Boy Scouts Celebrate 100 Years

Nineteen male legislators who had been active in Boy Scouts introduced a resolution recognizing February 8th as the 100 year anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. With nearly three million members, it is the largest youth service organization in America, focused on responsible citizenship, character development, and self reliance through outdoor and other educational activities.
 

Race to the Top Application for $166M

A portion of the ARRA (stimulus) funds made available to the states include Race to the Top (RTTT) education grants. In January, the Kansas Board of Education applied for $166M in Race to the Top grants and became one of 40 states seeking RTTT funds. Grant recipients will be notified in April. Those not receiving grants in the first round can reapply in June. Ninety seven percent of Kansas school districts have agreed to participate in RTTT. Fifty percent of the award would go directly to participating school districts based upon Title 1 (low income) funding; the remaining 50% would be used to administer and implement projects including competitive grants for which districts may apply. The funds would be available for four years.
 

House Action on Bills---Week 5

Rescission Bill balances with November projections
After only 30 minutes of debate, the House passed what was essentially the Governor’s recommended 2010 rescission bill with only two floor amendments. Because Kansas must have a balanced budget, the Governor made two rounds of cuts while the legislature was out of session---one round of cuts in June and another in November. Some of those actions required legislative approval, thus the rescission bill.
 
Over the past weeks, there have been several proposals for how to include the legislative branch in cuts to the budget so that we all share the pain of cuts. An amendment proposed by former House Speaker Melvin Neufeld called for a 5% cut to all state officials from the governor down to those appointees whose titles are named in state law. The cut would include the judicial branch but miss most civil service workers in the state. This cut would add $1.1M to the budget.  An amendment by Representative Pat Colloton would shift cuts to funds for the developmentally disabled from federally matched funds to unmatched funds, thereby increasing the total amount received. I supported both amendments. The rescission bill balances with the November budget estimate but both December and January receipts have been less than expected. The receipts of the next two months will be critical. Additional cuts or revenue may still be needed to get to a balanced ending budget for 2010.
 
House Bills Save Money for Schools
HB 2486 would allow local school districts to evaluate the safety of school buses between 20 and 25 years old on a yearly basis and remove the requirement to automatically either retrofit or retire a 20 year old school bus. It passed the House on a 118- 4 vote; I supported this bill.
 
HB 2433 would release all Regents universities from the current requirement to purchase goods made by prison in mates. In a three year pilot program involving KU and Fort Hays State, they were able to save $804,000 in 2008 and $1M in 2009. To offset the loss in funds to the prisons, private residents would be allowed to purchase prison-made goods. This bill will be reconsidered in 2013. It passed the House on a 110- 12 vote; I supported this bill.
 

House Health Committee Hearings before a Packed Crowd

Call for Constitutional Amendment on Healthcare
A joint hearing between the Senate and House health committees was held on SCR 1626. This resolution calls for an amendment to the Kansas constitution to:

ensure that patients may pay directly for lawful medical services with their own money, and prohibit an individual or employer from being penalized for failing to purchase government-defined insurance. 

SCR 1626 is based on legislation promoted by ALEC, an organization of conservative legislators who believe in limited government, free markets, and federalism, and is similar to legislation that has been announced in 35 other states. Testimony from constitutional lawyers, sovereignty advocates, and free market advocates was delivered to a crowded hearing room. Opponents questioned the economics of narrowing the insurance pool, the need for a constitutional amendment to correct a “potential” problem, and what would happen to current federal health care programs.
 
“Compromise” Smoking Ban Compromises Too Much
The first day of a series of House hearings on HB 2642, the latest “compromise” smoking ban called the Kansas Non-Smoker Protection Act, was held on Wednesday. Interestingly, Wednesday was also Kansas Smoke-Free Lobby Day. Proponents of this weak smoking ban included a priest who holds a cigar smoking fund raising event each year, bar owners concerned about loss of business, and a lobbyist for the restaurant and hospitality industry. Only a few opponents were able to speak due to time restraints. Opponents objected to exemptions for bars and restaurants willing to simply pay a fee, the lack of protection provided by ventilation systems, calling this a “compromise” bill because opponents to the bill were not included in negotiations and the pre-emption clause which overturns more restrictive clean air laws already passed by other cities. Additional hearings are not yet scheduled.
 
 

Jill’s Activities Last Week

Because of illness, I restricted my activities last week so my list is short.

• Visited with Alyssa Morrison, a nursing student at Mid-America Nazarene University who was in Topeka attending the Kansas State Nurse Association’s Legislative Advocacy Day.
• Visited with Dawn Smith and Lee Patrick, Mainstream Credit Union and a representative from Community America Credit Union about consolidation issues.
• Visited with Melinda Bryan Smith, Regional Director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College. Offering free, confidential, one-on-one business consulting, the KSBDC can advise those formulating an idea for a new business as well as those needing to revamp or rethink an existing business plan. A great resource especially in the current economy!
• Lunch with Dan Goodman, Director Johnson County Area Agency on Aging during Older Kansans Day at the Legislature. Cuts to the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging have resulted in cuts to meals for seniors, transportation to see clients, and funds which enable seniors to remain in their home instead of going to costly long-term care facilities.
• Visited with Barbara Burks, Director Johnson County Addiction Services, about licensure for addiction counselors.

“Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress”  …Mahatma Gandhi

Contacting Me…

Please notice that my Topeka contact information has changed.

• 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.

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.

   

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                        Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924
 
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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