“If everybody is thinking alike, somebody is not thinking” Gen. George S. Patton
The House approved a bill last week that gives the management at Horsethief Reservoir law enforcement powers. This is one of the final actions necessary to having a completed first class recreational facility in Western Kansas. The location of HTR is about 15 miles North of Dodge City.
HB 2638 would require the law enforcement officers to meet the requirements of the Kansas Law Enforcement Act like other law enforcement officers in Kansas. The bill now moves to the senate for consideration. An interesting side note; HTR was one of the original projects authorized in my first year in the legislature, (2005).
SB 395 expanded the types of dairy industry fees collected by the state. Supporters say this bill is intended to raise enough money to continue an inspection program required to ship Grade milk to other states. Without a budget adjustment of some kind the dairy inspection program associated with production of Grade A milk could go broke by 2012.
The new fees are expected to generate about $75,000 annually. The cost to consumers would be about 1 cent for every 25 gallons of milk consumed. This bill will now receive consideration in the House.
HB 2435 revises the statute known as Jessica’s Law, which imposes stricter penalties for sex crimes against children younger than 14. The new language clarifies that a person convicted of multiple Jessica’s Law offenses during a single trial can be classified as a “habitual offender”. It also adds attempted or actual criminal solicitation of a child to the list of crimes that qualify for the sentence.
HB 2654 is an act that would move spring elections to the first Tuesday of August and November, the same dates of primary and general elections. This would mostly affect local elections for city councils and school boards.
Supporters believe this switch would increase participation in local elections and would save both the state and local jurisdictions the cost of the extra election. Opponents argued the bill would push the local elections to become more partisan and would reduce the amount of media coverage local issues would receive. What do you think?
The House Taxation Committee just wrapped up six days of hearings on a bill that would eliminate sales tax exemptions for religious and non-profit organizations; utilities and others. The Governor’s department of Revenue Secretary, Joan Wagnon, requested the bill.
There was extensive testimony from both sides of the issue. Interestingly, there was no support for eliminating the sales tax exemption on utilities, (water, electricity, or natural gas). We do not pay sales tax on those now and apparently there is little appetite to try and impose a new tax there.
The churches and non-profits provide valuable services to our communities and I fear if we revoke their sales tax exemptions they will have less money for their projects. Then of course the state could not fill in and take over their functions. Who would want them to?
It is hard to believe we are ½ through our session. With the tough economic conditions there seems to be less legislation being processed, which is not all bad. The budget bills and tax policy issues are getting a lot more attention as I think they should. I would rather we take more time to thoroughly discuss issues and hear all arguments before passing judgment.
There seems to be quite a stir over making any substantive changes. The sexual predator laws have been receiving quite a bit of discussion and I predict there will be more efforts to provide for strict enforcement and stiffer penalties.
I think we all need to study the issues and be open-minded when it comes to other ideas. There is a proposal to enforce the seatbelt law by making it a primary offense that would allow law enforcement to stop a vehicle if the occupants are not wearing a seatbelt. This is seen by some as a violation of their rights; others think it would open the door for unwarranted vehicle inspections.
I think we should get something out that addresses the issue of texting while driving. The use of a cell phone while driving and other driver distractions could be cause for a law change as well. OK let’s not forget the helmet laws for the motorcyclist too.
I hope you get a chance to come to Topeka during this session, we are in recess for most of April and have the veto session in early May. If you or your group plan to come up you had better do it in March or we will be gone.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed comments that are aimed at influencing my decision on any number of topics. Many have been informative suggestions, some are noteworthy and some well thought solutions have been offered. Keep them coming I need all the help I can get.
I consider it an honor and privilege to represent you in Topeka and I want to know what you think. If I can be of assistance please give me a call.
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