My next trip to Topeka will take place on Tuesday, May 22d at which time we will officially close the 2006 session by the speaker declaring adjournment “Sine Die”. The Latin translation is; “without day” which indicates adjournment without declaring a specific day to re-convene. This is a technical issue that does allow for calling everyone back to a special session if necessary, otherwise we will see you all in January 2008.
The Kansas Department of Labor released the annual employment review and some very interesting facts surfaced that you might like to be informed of.
The statewide unemployment rate was 4.1% in December 2006, down from 4.3% in 2005.
Kansas’s non-farm wage and salary employment slipped to 1,358,800 in December, a net loss of 400 from November. Construction fell by 1,100 employees mostly due to inclement weather. Manufacturing dropped 700 with losses throughout durable goods.
Downturns primarily in recreation firms led to a decline of 400 in leisure and hospitality. Government lost 400 with the release of election workers at the local level. Education and health services receded 30, with decreases spread throughout the sector.
In contrast, the trade, transportation and utilities sector was 1,900 higher than the previous month
Over the year changes shows the number of nonfarm payroll jobs rose by 11,300 from December 2005 to December 2006. Government was 5,300 jobs higher with most of the increases at the local level. An expansion of 1,800 in professional and business services was largely due to gains at temporary employment agencies. Employment in the leisure and hospitality sector climbed 1,700 with growth in accommodations and food services establishments. Source http://www.dol.ks.gov/lmis/lmr/kmer_current.html.
SB 68 removes the sunset date on the nonproficient weighting within the school finance formula. He bill also requires school boards to adopt policies prohibiting bullying on school property, in school vehicles, or at school sponsored activities. The bill also requires each school district to adopt and implement a strategic plan to address bullying, which must include provisions for training and education of staff and students.
HB 2185 increases the number of months-from 12 months to 60 months-Kansas residents who move out of the state and then return are allowed to be gone and still be considered state residents for tuition purposes at any state educational institutions under the control and supervision of the Kansas Board of Regents.
The bill requires the University of Kansas School of Medicine report to the 2008 Legislature on its evaluation of criteria for identifying underserved areas to be served by recipients of the Medical Student Loans. Additionally the bill creates the Nurse Educator Service Scholarship Program Act to provide funding for registered nurses in graduate level degree-granting programs leading to a Master of Science or doctorate degree in nursing, and who plan to teach nursing.
One of the major issues was addressed in Substitute for Senate Substitute for HB 2237, which created the State Educational Institution Long-Term Infrastructure Maintenance Program. Remember hearing all about “crumbling classrooms”? This bill puts an additional $90.0 million to address deferred maintenance at our state universities. The period covered is fro 2008-2012. Some think this is not near enough; other would say why is it so much. The money can only be used for deferred maintenance projects, no new construction.
We all know that we must maintain our facilities just as we maintain our own homes and business facilities. Some think we should be careful about constructing new buildings unless we set aside funds for maintenance. It must be noted that most structures built today at our colleges are funded by donations from successful alumni and corporations. I still suggest we must set aside some of their contribution to keep the pipes fixed, gutters in place, mechanical systems updated and ceiling tiles from falling.
I know it is not glamorous to have a sewer system or boiler named in your honor, or is it? Has anyone been asked? I think we should be looking at more technology and alternative methods of instruction rather than bricks and mortar. The endowment folks need to think outside the “box’. What do you think?
As I make the rounds of civic organizations, coffee shops and restaurants I get an earful of advice and comments, all of which I appreciate very much. One thing that has always been and will continue is when people make comments about what they “know’. Sometimes facts are provided as backup but often there is no substantiation provided at all. As Napoleon Hill suggests, always ask’ “how do you know”?
One example is that of my legislative pay. I was told I was paid over $100,000 annually. Those people have me confused with our US Congressmen. I pulled my state issued W-2 wage and tax statement, for the 2006 year I received $15,126.94 in gross pay, I paid my federal taxes, state tax, social security taxes, Medicare tax, and contributed to my retirement account. In addition to that I get paid mileage for 220 miles round trip to Topeka and turnpike tolls. This allowance is for a single trip each week during session. I hope this clears up some misunderstandings.
As always I want to know what you think. Contacts: grange@house.state.ks.us, or johng@carlisleinc.net, 1115 Rim Rock Road, 67042, or www.johngrange.net. Thanks John.
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