Week 3 of this session has been filled with agency briefings, constituent visits, and hundreds of e-mails and correspondence. Seems like there are more of you calling to offer suggestions, criticism, and some encouragement on proposed legislation. Thanks, keep up the dialog.
Immigration appears to be a very prominent issue with many moving parts and affect on different industries. We have heard from representatives of The Kansas Building Industry Association, packing plants, Farm Bureau. In a nutshell the groups believe this is a federal issue and if the individual state pass legislation, this patchwork approach will lead to confusion, non-compliance, mistakes in reporting and verification.
The loss of a skilled workforce can be a unintended consequence as well. There are reports of legal workers deciding to move out of the area simply because of there family relationships with illegal aliens. I heard from a building contractor that lost close to 80% of his verified legal worker force and is facing the loss of many contracts while his equipment sits unused.
There are two proposals coming to the House and Senate this week, when I see more I will report back to you.
The House Energy and Utilities Committee passed last years Senate Bill 49 that requires Internet telephone providers to pay fees to the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF). Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) uses the Internet along with some fairly inexpensive equipment to allow telephone service without a dedicated telephone line.
The FCC held last year that VOIP providers benefit from the nation’s telephone infrastructure, but so far only Cox Cable makes voluntary payments to the KUSF for its VOIP traffic. The KUSF adds roughly 4.7 percent to your phone bill. This fund makes payments to phone companies which provide service to high-cost, largely rural areas of the state at subsidized rates.
The Senate Judiciary Committee introduced a bill that would require a November general election vote in every county on a ban on smoking in public places in the individual counties. Only about 20 percent of Kansans are reported to be smokers, and this measure is counter to the results of my latest poll. The majority (65%+) of respondents said they believed the individual business owner should make the smoke or smoke-free decision.
The Secretary of Commerce David Kerr on Jan.28th, has opened the new Office of Rural Opportunity at Sterling College. This office is reported to be a big step to better supporting community development in rural Kansas. Rural communities face a unique set of challenges, and the Office will help address those challenges and keep rural Kansas strong. Contact Kristy Druse at 785-296-3805, or kdruse@kansascommerce.com.
In my Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee we heard briefings from the States Commodity Commissions. These commissions represent growers of, Wheat, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Soybeans and Sunflowers.
These commissions are funded by fees paid at the point of first purchase, that amounts to a few pennies per bushel or pound. This money is then used to provide funds for marketing, administration expense, and other promotion efforts.
Today is shadow day for area legislators and I have the privilege of having Janel Wietharn who is a senior at St Mary’s and a Josiah Carey who is an 8th Grader from Remington High School. Both are in their respective schools gifted, talented and creative programs. The KGTC program helps develop these young people by exposing them to many different opportunities that can challenge them.
They will follow me throughout the day and see what I do and then report back to their schools on what they learned from their assigned legislator. I volunteered for this duty last year and am honored to be able to provide them an inside look into the workings of the State Government.
I will be providing you more information on proposed legislation in the near future. If you have a special interest let me know and I will track its progress for you.
I consider it an honor and privilege to represent you in Topeka and am interested in knowing what you think.
Thanks again, John.
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