This has been Kansas Agriculture week and sponsors included Kansas Dept. of Agriculture and Commerce, Ks. Beef Council, Corn and Sorghum growers and producers, Ks. Cotton Assn, Dairy assn., Pork assn., Ks. Soybean Commission,& Ks. Wheat Commission.
By sponsors I mean these folks had displays throughout the capitol all week and came by our offices to discuss the many Ag. related issues. I received a small letter opener made from corn-based plastics. Renewable and biodegradable, corn-based polymers are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
Kansas farmers produce nearly half a billion bushels of corn and grain sorghum each year to feed our state’s livestock and to produce ethanol fuel in Kansas’ rapidly growing ethanol industry.
Last year there was enough cotton produced in Kansas to make 28,365,400 pairs of jeans. 2006 marked the 11th year of real cotton production in Kansas and our growers planted more than 125,000 acres, a 40% increase from the 2005 crop.
The Kansas Soybean Commission works to improve the profitability of Kansas soybean producers through research, value added product development, extension education programs, international market development, and the promotion of consumer edible and industrial products. Kansas ranks 10th in soybean production for food, feed, and fuel.
Thanks to our state’s improving economy, we have seen a windfall of more than $80 million in state revenues this fiscal year. As responsible legislators we should take this opportunity to establish a new tax policy to keep improving our state’s economy. We will stimulate much more in job and revenue growth in Kansas by returning unexpected revenue back into our economy than if we increase state spending.
I personally think we should be more aggressive on attacking and reducing the state debt of $5.6 Billion. The following are some tax relief bill supported and passed by house:
HB2031, a three-year repeal of State Franchise Tax: Encourages in-state expansion of business subsidiaries and business.
HB 2264, Exempts social security benefits from state income tax; Assist those on fixed income as well as encourages those with $50,000+ incomes to spend their retirement years in Kansas.
SB 83, Reduce Unemployment Insurance Rates: Applies fair rates, stabilizes the fund and allows Kansans to reinvest in and grow their businesses. PASSED BY HOUSE/SENATE AND SIGNED INTO LAW.
HB 2495, Reduce Corporate Income Tax: Helps retain and attract businesses, SCHEDULED FOR HOUSE DEBATE.
HB 2430, Homestead Refund Reform Act: Doubles the refund amount available to those who qualify. SCHEDULED FOR HOUSE DEBATE.
We soon will be discussing the casino/no casino issue in the House, to see one side of the story go to, www.nocasinogettysburg.com/images/iowasalesandcasinosfinal.doc.
"Impact of Casinos on Retail Sales in Mid-Size Iowa Cities" by Loretta Fairchild, Ph.D., Jonathan Krutz, MBA and Amy Stickney. Presented at Nebraska Economics and Business Association 2005 Great Plains Business& Economics Fall Conference in Omaha Nebraska.
Casinos have long been promoted as engines of economic development. The above referenced study paper seeks to test this claim by comparing the growth rate in taxable retail sales between mid-size Iowa cities with a casino and those without a casino. There are many studies and other information available on-line simply google up Casinos and something about economic impact.
I have been following up on the cellular phone availability in Whitewater. I have received information from Mike Scott, AT&T External Affairs, 734 Vermont, Lawrence, Ks. 6604-0863, that is not promising. After checking with Cingular’s executive director of networks for Missouri and Kansas, we agree there is a need for better coverage.
There is not much interest in Cingular building in this area, it is purely a matter of demographics. Whitewater has about 700 people and Cingular currently is building in towns of 40,000, like Hutchinson. The cost of equipment installation is over $250,000 and they; like all businesses need to see a return on their investment. We will continue to work on this issue.
As of 3/15/2007, there are 964 bills in process,
639 are still in the first committee,
29 are out of first committee in the first house,
202 have passed first house and gone into the 2d house,
52 have passed the second house,
4 are in conference committee,
15 have gone to the governor,
8 have become law,
0 vetoed,
15 have been killed.
"The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin" --
-Mark Twain
"Just because you do not take an interest in politics, doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you" -Pericles (430 B.C.)
I want to know what you think as always I consider it a privilege and honor to serve you.
Rep. John C. Grange, State Capitol Room, 411-S, Topeka Kansas 66612, Phone 785-296-7655.
grange@house.state.ks.us, www.johngrange.net,
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