| Bills up for hearings |
Lots of hearings this coming week. If you want to listen to hearings from home, go to www.kslegislature.org . At the top of the page is a link that says "Audio/Video". Under that you can click on "Statehouse Live & Archive" and get a list of all the hearings live at that time or coming up. If you want to listen to the House and Senate floor action, click on "House proceedings" around 11 am or "Senate proceedings" around 2:30 pm.
Here are some bills coming up for a hearing this week:
- SB 104 - The Kansas taxpayer protection act; requiring the signature and tax identification number of paid tax return preparers on income tax returns; and authorizing actions to enjoin paid tax return preparers from engaging in certain conduct. Tuesday, 9:30 am
- SB 91 - Establishing the golden years homestead property tax freeze act providing refund for certain increases in residential property taxes and allowing homestead property tax refund for renters. Thursday, 9:30 am
- SCR 1605 is a constitutional amendment that changes the way we adjust census counts for redistricting for military and colleges. Wednesday, 9:30 am
- SB 53 - Designating the official red and white wine grapes of Kansas. SB 70 - Allowing for temporary permits for the selling and serving of alcoholic liquor. Wednesday, 10 am
- SB 44 - The Governor's education funding bill. Tuesday, 1:30 pm
- HB2197 - Amortizing the KPERS actuarial accrued liability over a 30-year period. Wednesday, 9 am
- HB2100 - Providing a post-retirement benefit increase (COLA) for certain KPERS retirees. Monday, 9 am
- HB2037 - Stabilizes the money going to veterans' services from the veterans lottery games. Tuesday, 9 am
- HB2026 - Sets out rules for fire sprinkler installer licensing. Tuesday, 1:30 pm
- HB 2088 would make it a violation for a person to operate or halt any vehicle in a manner that indicates a careless or heedless disregard for the right or the safety of others, or inattentively in a manner that endangers any person or property. The bill would add a fine of $45 for the offense of negligent driving. Wednesday, 1:30 pm
If you want to read up on the bills filed, go to www.kslegislature.org and click on "Bills & Laws" and type in the number of the bill you want. If you want to see all of the dozens of hearings coming up, click on "Calendars" and see what hearings are on the schedule for the House and Senate.
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| Revenues down |
January revenues came in $48 million below estimate and nearly $100 million below January 2018. Overall revenues for this fiscal year are $95 million over last fiscal year, so while revenues are still not stable, we are on a good path. But we have a long way to go.
Changes to federal tax laws impacted Kansas revenues and Governor Kelly asked the Legislature not to make any major tax changes until we know the full impact on revenues. Her priorities were to fix school funding, Medicaid expansion, and foster care first before changing taxes.
However, the Senate passed SB 22 this week, reducing taxes by nearly $200 million a year, most of it for multi-national corporations. It passed along party lines. Senate Democrats called it "Brownback 2.0" and said it was irresponsible to make such a major cut in revenues while we are still in recovery. If this bill were to become law, Kansas would be back in the red soon, with no money to fund schools, roads, or fix our broken systems. Now we will see what the House does with the bill.
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| Other bills of interest |
Here are some other bills you might find interesting:
- GOLDEN YEARS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF - Senator Tom Holland (D-Baldwin City) introduced a bipartisan bill that provides property tax relief to Kansas seniors and disabled veteran homeowners. Senate Bill 91, known as the "Golden Years Property Tax Freeze Program," freezes property tax rates on residential homesteads for those who qualify. The bill is estimated to help as many as 42,000 senior and disabled homeowners in its first year. It has a fiscal note of approximately $10 million.
- MEDICAL MARIJUANA - Bills have been introduced in both the Senate (SB 113) and the House (HB 2163) allowing the safe, regulated use of medical cannabis to manage pain and established medical conditions. Known as the "Veterans First! Medical Cannabis Act," the bill puts Veterans at the front of the line with exclusive access the first 60 days dispensaries are open.
- SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS - Senator Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill that would give local school boards the authority to decide when to hold their leadership elections. Senate Bill 7 is in response to the changes in local elections from April to November. Currently, many boards hold their leadership elections in July. SB 7 would give them the opportunity to hold elections in January, after new members have been elected to the board.
- KANSAS ACT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION - Senate Democrats are among co-sponsors of a bipartisan bill introduced Tuesday in both the Senate (SB 84) and the House (HB 2130) that adds "sexual orientation or gender identity or expression" to the Kansas Act Against Discrimination. Both bills seek to end discrimination in Kansas on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
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| School funding |
From Senator Hensley's newsletter:
School officials urged members of the Senate Select Committee on Education Finance to pass Governor Kelly's school finance bill during the first day of a hearing on Wednesday. Senate Bill 44 would finally end the cycle of litigation by allocating $90 million per year to a $525 million increase the Legislature passed a year ago. This amount would satisfy the Court's latest ruling of adjusting for inflation. The hearing will continue next week.
Last week, Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley wrote a letter to Attorney General Derek Schmidt inquiring about the school finance deadlines for the 2019 Legislative Session. Schmidt replied this week indicating that if the Legislature sticks with just funding the inflation adjustment, the deadline would be March 15, 2019. However, if the legislature decides to make other material changes, the Attorney General's office needs more time to prepare their filing with the Kansas Supreme Court and gave a deadline of March 1, 2019.
Senator Wagle introduced two school finance bills in her special tax committee during a meeting at the rail yesterday afternoon. They only include funding for one year along with other policy changes.
It is prudent for the Kansas Legislature to take swift action to fully fund education. Kansas voters made it clear this past election that funding K-12 public schools is a top priority; thus, it should be ours as well.
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Community Calendar
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If you have community events coming up, let me know. This email goes to nearly 3000 homes in Shawnee, Osage, Jefferson, Wabaunsee, Pottawatomie, and Douglas counties. I'd love to help you get the word out! Just remember to send your activities ahead of time.
- Monday, Feb. 11: Perry senior citizens' Valentine's Party with "Elvis" at noon at the Perry Community Building. Lunch features pulled pork sandwiches and all the trimmings. Bring your own tables service, $1, and a side dish to share.
- Saturday, Feb. 16: Tecumseh Kiwanis Pancake Feed and Silent Auction from 7 am to noon at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church. All the pancakes you can eat plus eggs, sausage, OJ and coffee. $5 per person. Age 6 and under free.
- Saturday, Feb. 16: Soup & Chili supper and basket auction from 4-6:30 pm at Big Springs United Methodist Church (96 Hwy 40 - half way between Topeka and Lawrence on Hwy 40).
- Saturday, Feb. 23: Boy Scout Troop 13 Chili and Stew Fundraising Dinner at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 29th and Michigan in Topeka. 4 pm to 7 pm. Choice of chili, stew, chili dogs with drink and dessert. Adults $8, children under 10 $4.
- Saturday, March 9: Auburn Lions Club Pancakes PLUS+, serving pancakes, sausage and biscuits, and breakfast burritos. 7:30 to 10:30 am at the Auburn Civic Center. Free-will offering at the door.
- Saturday, March 30: Wakarusa River Valley Museum at Clinton Lake museum and ground clean-up.
- Saturday, May 4: Wakarusa River Valley Museum at Clinton Lake opening day.
ONGOING EVENTS:
- If you are a skier, check out the upcoming activities of the Topeka Ski Club at: https://www.topekaskiclub.com/ . They have a trip to Steamboat Springs in January.
- Last Saturday of each month the Carbondale Community Card Party is held at 7 pm in the ELM building. Bring a snack and a free will donation. They play 10-point draw pitch. They will teach you if you don't know how to play!
- Carbondale Farmers Market every Wednesday from 4-6:30 in the Carbondale City Park. Vendor-grown or vendor-produced. For vendor information, contact Mary at 836-7887.
- Kansas Prairie Pickers meet to jam the fourth Sunday of each month from 1 to 5 pm at the Auburn Community Center. Free music. No jam in December.
- CARE meets monthly on the second Thursday at the KNEA building, second floor, at 2 pm. For retired teachers or Kansans interested in advocating for education. For info: Jenny Prichard at jprichard@cox.net.
- Enjoy BUNCO at the Carbondale Community Building once a month on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Call 785-836-7478 for details about dates, prizes, treats, etc.
- The Berryton Pickers are at Berryton Baptist Church the first Saturday of the month from 7 to 9 pm. Bring snacks and have some fun!
- Country and ballroom dancing at Croco Hall on Thursday nights from 6 to 9 pm. For information call Edwina Hamersky at 379-9538.
- First Saturday of the month community breakfast buffet at Shawnee Heights United Methodist Church. 7:30 to 10 am. Free will offering.
- The Topeka Gem and Mineral Society meets the fourth Friday from September through May (except Dec.) at the Stoffer Science Hall at Washburn University. 7:30 pm. Visitors welcome.
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