Quiet Week; Watching the Grass Grow

This week was a fairly quiet one for the House with few bills making it to the House floor for debate. One bill, which returned to the floor from my first year in the legislature, was HB 2649, a bill naming little bluestem as the state grass of Kansas. Once again, there were passionate appeals for consideration of other grasses such as the big bluestem found in southeast Kansas and buffalo grass found in western Kansas but little bluestem prevailed. Recommended by third, fourth, and fifth grade junior gardeners from Corinth elementary, little bluestem is found in every county. I voted for the bill, which passed 87 to 25 and moves on to the Senate.
 

Next Chat with Jill: Saturday, March 13

Join me on Saturday, March 13 between 1 and 3pm at the HyVee at 87th and Pflumm. Share your concerns, get an update on issues, or just stop by to introduce yourself. Thanks to HyVee for giving us a place to gather and providing cookies and drinks!
 

Lenexa Quilt on Display

My thanks to Joan Nicholson for loaning me her beautiful handmade “I Like Lenexa” quilt featuring Lenexa landmarks. It covers one wall in my office and it gives me a chance to brag about Lenexa! Thanks Joan!
 

Family Doctor of the Day

For 33 years, volunteers from the Kansas Academy of Family Practitioners have been providing medical care to legislators, staff, and Capitol visitors in need of aid. A volunteer doctor is available from 9am to 3pm daily when the legislature is in session. Those from the Kansas City area who are donating their time this session include: Dr. Mike Munger, Dr. John Freeman, Dr. Mary Redmon, Dr. Donald Milligan, Dr. Deb Clements, Dr. Melissa Garber, Dr. Mike Kennedy, and Dr. Travis Keller. A big thanks to these doctors for their service!
 

Symphony in the Flint Hills June 12th; Tickets for sale

This evening of wonderful music in the idyllic Flint Hills is a treat to the senses, truly a magical evening. On June 12th, the Kansas City Symphony will perform on the Bass Ranch in Chase County and four-time Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter, Lyle Lovett, will make a guest appearance. Tickets are $63 and go on sale Monday, March 8 at 10 a.m. You can obtain tickets by calling 816-471-0400, by going online at www.kcsymphony.org or by purchasing in person at the KC Symphony Box Office, 1020 Central Suite 300, KCMO between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. This event usually sells out the first day so if you are interested, act quickly!
 

Clean Indoor Air Act Signing by Governor

In my last newsletter, I failed to mention how I voted on HB 2221, the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act (KCIAA). I was a strong supporter of the act and voted “yes.” For me, by far the strongest consideration was the public’s health and safety. It is estimated that nearly 400 Kansans die from second hand smoke each year. In Kansas, over 2000 heart attacks are attributable to second hand smoke each year. Not to mention the cost to the state and to each of us for health care for those preventable occurrences. The KCIAA will save lives, decrease the number of heart attacks, and save health care dollars. In addition, fewer teens start to smoke in states with smoking restrictions.
 
The Governor will sign the bill into law on Friday, March 12 at 10 a.m. on the south steps of the Capitol. All are welcome. There will also be a ceremonial signing on Monday, March 15th in KCK; the time and exact location have not yet been determined.
 

School Consolidation:

Would consolidation of school districts save money?

A Long-Term Consideration
That was the question asked of Legislative Post Audit.   LPA found that “any potential cost savings from consolidating districts should be viewed as a long-term investment” because it would take time for districts to plan, new buildings might be required, and transportation costs would likely go up.
 
Incentives
Since 1969, using voluntary consolidation, the number of school districts has decreased from 311 to 293. The incentive for encouraging voluntary consolidation has been allowing merging districts to maintain their current higher level of funding for several years. Other incentives considered by LPA, such as helping fund required new buildings and temporarily reducing the property tax mill levy, would cost the state additional money.
 
Two Possible Scenarios
LPA developed two scenarios that demonstrate ways consolidation might take place. The legislature could:

• Consolidate districts that no longer meet the original consolidation requirements of the 1960s. This would save $18M ($15M for the state) by closing 50 schools and cutting 230 teachers and administrators. 900 students would need to be transported. Additional bus routes would be needed. New high school buildings would cost districts $1M per year. State-provided bond interest and aid to “property poor” districts would cost $400,000.

• Consolidate districts with fewer than 1,600 students. This would save $138M ($129M for the state) by closing 304 schools and cutting 1,532 teachers and administrators. 7,000 students would need to be transported. Additional bus routes would be needed. New high school buildings would cost districts nearly $46M a year. State-provided bond interest and aid to “property poor” districts would cost $18M.
  

Under both scenarios, many districts would lose more state funding than they save.
 
Conclusion
The LPA concludes: “although these issues wouldn’t preclude districts from merging, these are the types of issues that would need to be worked out…”
“The legislature should consider options for strengthening the incentives to encourage districts to voluntarily consolidate.”
 
There are bills in the House Education Committee presenting each of these options.
 
 

Past Action on House Bills

Homes Association Bill (HB 2472)

Passed the House, 121 to 1. I voted yes. To the Senate.
This “Kansas Uniform Common Interest Owners Bill of Rights Act” has been working its way through the legislature for several years. It was initiated at the request of homeowners dealing with an unresponsive homes association. Many homes associations have helped refine the bill. It represents an effort to not impact those well-run volunteer neighborhood associations yet give some protection to owners from the occasional board that operates outside the rules. If you are part of a homes association board, I would encourage you to look at the bill and give me feedback; go to www.kslegislature.org, type 2472 in the “full text” box, and select supplemental note or house bill for the full text. The bill passed the House with little debate.
 

Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) Program Expanded (HB 2538)

Passed House, 84 to 34. I voted yes. To the Senate.
This bill expands the PEAK program, which was created last year and which allowed a new business to keep Kansas income tax withholdings if they met certain requirements (created a certain number of jobs at a certain salary with specific benefits). This bill expands the withholding incentive to businesses that retain threatened jobs, allows businesses to use both PEAK and IMPACT programs just not simultaneously, and changes the required wage from average to median for the county. The fiscal note of $95M over five years reflects the loss to the state for not collecting the withholding. I am not entirely convinced that the cost to the state is worth the tweaked economic incentive. I will be further evaluating my vote when it returns to the House from conference committee.
 

Boy Scout License Plate (amended onto HB 2660 dealing with off road vehicles)

Passed House, 121 to 1. I voted yes. To the Senate.
This amendment would create a “Boy Scouts of America” distinctive license plate. The Boy Scouts of America councils would be required to pay the initial cost of silk-screening for the license plates; provide all county treasurers with a toll-free telephone number where applicants can call for information concerning the application process or the status of their application; and design the license plate to be issued. The fee for purchase would be between $25 and $100 with an additional $2 for special decals (order of the arrow, eagle scout, etc.).
 
 

Kansas needs a law that…

• Requires exterior maintenance of residences, out buildings and fences on a regular basis.

• Requires homeowners to provide tree maintenance for their privately owned trees.

• Requires annual inspections of rental property with signed documentation from both tenants and landlords.

• Requires all businesses that give discounts for cash payments to become accountable for the cash.  Many nail salons, for example, require cash payments, and I've wondered if they report all their earnings.

• Prohibits ANYONE from using a cellular phone, texting or in any way directing their full attention anywhere but on the road and traffic around them. Suggest an automatic $10,000.00 fine for anyone doing so and being involved in an accident, suspension of their driving privileges for one year, and traffic (and common sense) school). A $500 fine for just being cited for use would also be nice. This is (speaking from a very bad experience) a really dangerous practice.

• Sets term limits for state senators and state representatives.

Jill’s Recent Activities

• Attended “A Change of Heart,” a reception for women legislators introducing the University of Kansas Hospital’s new heart assessment program designed to determine a woman’s risk for heart disease. To learn more about the program, call 913-588-1227.
• Lunched with Robbie Satterwhite, who was a page on February 18, and his mother, Terri. Robbie attends DeSoto High School and is interested in political science.
• Visited with MOSCA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) representatives, Meg Chakrabarti and Meg Peterson about current legislation.
• Attended the Phi Theta Kappa luncheon to honor community college students excelling in academics. Johnson County Community College student, Megan Walkowiak of Lenexa, was one of the honorees.
• Spoke with Chief Marty Quick and Captain Bob Renton of the Lenexa Fire Department about HB 2515, dealing with fire sprinklers.
• Spoke with Linda Leeper, CEO of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, who was in Topeka with the Shawnee Leadership group, about Shawnee CC’s legislative platform.
• Spoke with Barbara Inman and Julie Bachelor, from Parents as Teachers, about their services in educating and supporting new parents and PAT’s funding through Children’s Initiative Funds.
• Attended the March meeting of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Affairs Committee to give an update on current proposals before the House.
• Spoke with Peggy Wagonner, friend and KUMC speech pathologist, and a group of speech pathologists about current legislation and advocacy.
• Attended a reception for all legislators sponsored by KS Gas Service.
• Attended a Friendship Reception for all legislators sponsored by The Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians featuring Turkish music, food, and visits from Turkish leaders.
• Attended the League of Women Voters luncheon and had lunch with Ellen Miller, League member and constituent. Joan Wagnon, Secretary of Revenue, spoke about tax exemptions and tax credits.

“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.

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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