I am completing my first week at the 2010 legislative session and this week is much like my first five. I am busy unpacking and setting up my office and getting reacquainted with my colleagues, trying in vain to get my laptop computer fired up and operational and get back into the swing of things.
Our committees are beginning to meet, mainly for the introduction of new legislation. I have told you that after we leave in May, the agencies set out writing rules and regulations that represents their interpretation of our “legislative intent”.
Now we spend time to correct that interpretation by “tweaking” our statutes to overcome some “unintended consequences”. Our constituents normally point out the more onerous rules and regulation changes. Many believe it takes 3-4 years to fully develop good legislation and I am inclined to agree.
The governor gave a very interesting State of the State speech on Day 1. He has challenged us to work together to bring Kansas’ budget in line with necessary revenue and services. Our budget estimates continue to show us with more proposed expense than income. The current FY2010 budget needs about $250 million more to make it until July 31st.
The FY2011 Revenue is forecast to be about $400 million below expenses. The Governor suggested a statewide ban on smoking and an increase in cigarette tax. While we can appreciate the effort to improve the health of our citizens, to expect a flood of increased revenue from a tax increase on a product you intend to ban doesn’t make much sense.
I would appreciate your views on the one-cent sales tax increase. This increase is expected to raise around $300 million. The duration of the increase would last only 3 years and then we revert back to 5.3%. I seriously doubt there ever would be a reduction.
During this first couple of weeks, we will receive briefings from Agency secretaries. The secretary from the Department of Revenue will layout her plan to eliminate some tax exemptions; the education department will present their case for increased funding and Secretary of Labor Jim Garner will discuss unemployment funding.
I am believe we will see some sort of tax increase proposed I am not expecting anything to go unchallenged. I would like to see us address the debt and put money in a “rainy day fund” and we must address the debt. A sales tax increase of .25 cents would generate about $77 million.
Tax exemptions will get a close look and possible overhaul. There is no doubt that some could go away. I suspect we could come up with a plan to stop all or some exemptions for a few years and this would give us time to do a cost/benefit analysis to see what should remain or be adjusted or eliminated altogether
You may have heard some 50 school districts have joined a coalition to hire attorneys to bring a lawsuit against the legislature in an effort to force us to provide more funding for K-12.
The 50 school districts that have agreed to participate will pay somewhere around $5.00 per pupil for legal fees. This money will come from taxpayers. Interestingly 250 or so school districts decided not to participate in funding the lawsuit.
History tells us there was mass school unification in the mid 1960's. During this episode, Kansas went from 2,794+ school districts in 1958 to 311 in 1959.
Former Senator, Glee Smith, who served on the legislature in the late 50's into the late 60's, recalled that; “A bunch of the school districts got together and filed a lawsuit against the state claiming not enough state aid. The legislative responded by establishing a mechanism requiring unification.”
If you know of a child 12 or older that would like to spend a day here at the Capitol; page requests are being processed now. Call my office at 785-296-7655 for schedule.
I consider it an honor and privilege to be your Representative in Topeka, and I want to know what you think.
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