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Matt Grange, Treasurer
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Legislative Update -- April 5, 2007

Watching the news might lead you to believe that the legislative work involves a lot of sitting around, partisan bickering and little in the way of productive policy that impacts everyday Kansans. With political agendas set from the very first week, we poise ourselves to be labeled as winners and losers for we very clearly staked our claims over the issues we value and hoped to see movement on. Some include; school finance, budget, tax cuts, spending controls, debt reduction, limited government growth, as well as improving health care and quality of life issues.

Despite what pundits might reveal, hard work and careful planning has produced a healthy crop of positive legislation for the folks back home. I want to give you some highlights of a few of the legislative initiatives that I am most pleased with.

Over the course of the past 82 legislative days, the 125 House members and 40 Senators have written hundreds of bills and amendments. Here is the short version.

  • 158 House bills were passed and sent to the Senate
  • 14 House proposed bills died in the House
  • 16 House resolutions were adopted
  • 9 House concurrent resolutions were adopted and sent to the Senate
  • The House passed 89 Senate bills
  • 1 Senate bill was killed in the House

    To summarize, the House of Representatives considered 287 pieces of legislation on the floor of the House over the course of the last thirteen weeks in addition to considering other initiatives in committee meetings. As you might imagine, some of these proposals are far more controversial than others but each requires specific attention to detail, explanation, and careful consideration before being voted into law. Because our days are limited and the proposals are vast, not everything makes it to the table.

    Among those 287 pieces of legislation considered, there are many I am particularly proud to have supported.

  • Pre-funding of K-12 school finance plan for 2008 and 09.
  • Strengthening of our crime and public safety laws through passage of Alexa’s Law
  • Encouraging our state’s entrepreneurial spirit through tax incentives such as repeal of the franchise tax
  • Campaign and election reform
  • Beginning the reformation of our state’s health care system with proposals from the Health Task Force
  • Serving on the select Committee on the State Employee Pay Plan and proposing a change in the pay matrix
  • Holding the line on State spending of Unexpected Revenues by keeping the budget growth at about 5%, almost ½ of the percentage increase seen last year.

    Fairness in public contract laws
    So despite the news segments that point to bitter debates, winners, losers, and tales of a do-nothing-legislature, I assure we all have been hard at work. When we return at the end of April we will finish up on committee reports, complete action on bills that were in negotiations, and take action on any measures that may have been vetoed.

    I am currently home on a short break before returning for the 3-4 day Veto Session. It is nice to home during the week to see old friends and attend some local meetings and gatherings to discuss current issues. I will be preparing weekly updates by listing completed legislation and let you know how different pieces will be affecting your life.

    I have been selected as one of 8 Kansas Delegates to a conference hosted by the National Council of State Legislators. I will be traveling to Washington D.C. for 3 days of meetings and conferences with legislators from other states to discuss issues of mutual interest. The round table discussions will focus on current legislation and past results of legislation. I am to serve on the Transportation Committee and will be discussing our state’s highway system, rail service, aviation assets, and security issues.

    “The only difference between a taxman and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin”- Mark Twain

    “A billion seconds ago it was 1951, A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive and walking in Galilee, A billion hours ago no one walked on two feet on earth, and a billion dollars ago was 10.3 hours in Washington D.C.” Alexander B. Trowbridge Jr.

    I want to thank all of you that called, came by the office, wrote letters, and e-mails. I believe I have been helpful with many of your issues and enjoy the constituent work this job allows me to complete. I consider it an honor and privilege to represent you. Contact me at; grange@house.state.ks.us, or johng@carlisleinc.net, or www.johngrange.net, mail should be sent to my home, 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado, 67042, my home phone is 316-321-2087. Thanks again, Rep. John C. Grange.

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