“We can’t solve problems by using the same thinking as when we created them, learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” Albert Einstein
This month has been spent trying to prepare for the 2010 session. Many of my legislative colleagues and I have been meeting with numerous constitutent groups. You may call they “special interest” which I do not consider that a negative term. The meetings are designed to hear concerns and hear proposed solutions.
The number one topic now of course is the extensive cuts being imposed on the state budget. Every single agency is affected, some more than others and it appears we are still facing funding shortfalls. I have heard from practically every agency secretary and many department heads as well as individual state employees. Each explaining why their mission success is in jeopardy because of funding cuts.
I sent a survey to many of the voters in the 75th District and have received numerous responses. I will soon consolidate the responses post those results on my website but there is indeed a trend starting to emerge.
I have been impressed with the willingness of respondents telling me what is wrong with our various agencies and their policy and procedures. Several returned surveys offered some suggestions such as across the board cuts if necessary, no new taxes, eliminate duplication of services, place a cap on property tax increases and stop wasteful spending.
Another angle that has been suggested is to eliminate some or all tax exemptions. This may sound like it may have merit, however some tax exemptions that were put in place have actually stimulated economic development and the tax revenues generated have by far exceeded the cost of the exemption. I am working on a list of specific examples and I hope to have something to share with you in the next couple of weeks.
We really cannot discuss the cost of selected tax exemptions without looking at the benefit side of the same equation. During the period of 2002-2009 the cumulative total of tax exemptions was roughly $1.135 billion, while during the same period the increase in taxes collected increased close to $2.5 billion.
It can be very difficult to tie specific economic development dollars to a tax exemption however we do know that the $100 million expansion of the GM plant in KC would not have taken place without the Machinery and Equipment exemption currently on the books, jobs were saved and added to the plant.
As we look around the State of Kansas many companies choose to locate here because of a favorable tax environment. We want to encourage that type of growth because it provides job stability and at the same time helps local economies that supply goods and services to those companies. The diversification is important to lessen the impact of a single industry recession.
Several comments were presented through my questionnaire about cutting the size of the government and eliminating fraud and wasteful practices. What I did not receive were specific examples of the fraud and waste that supposedly needs eliminated. I suggest the entity or agency that relies on state funds for operation should become very proactive on offering their suggestions on savings.
I have been in discussions with the Department of Corrections and some private groups on possible uses of the now vacant El Dorado Honor Camp (North Unit). There is some interest in seeing the dormitory building used for church retreats, large group gatherings or other similar events. Anyone desiring to lease or rent the building must be aware that there are plans to reopen for DOC minimum level inmates. This limits what can be placed there.
Last week I attended the Towanda Lions Club meeting and I am scheduled to attend the Circle School Board meeting on the 14th. On the 17th I will be in Topeka for the last of my interim committee meetings and some scheduled talks with two contractor groups in reference to some proposed legislation. We begin the 2010 Legislative Session on Monday January 11th.
I will make myself available for your group to discuss the issues that you feel have an impact on your daily lives. While I appreciate letters, I am skeptical of those I receive with no return address or that do not identify the sender. I do appreciate the opportunity to hear first hand the concerns you might like to share. I need your contact information should I need to reach you and further discuss your comments.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday Season and that you take the opportunity to share time with your family and friends. Make this an opportunity to share your time, talent and treasures with those less fortunate. I consider it a high honor and privilege to be your Representative in Topeka and I want to know what you think.
Many building projects now will actually cost less to the developer or owner, the contractors are willing to take less for a project and hope they keep their talented employees for when this recession turns ends and the economy picks back up and construction begins again.
I had a “ WOW” moment last Tuesday Dec. 1st. While I was in Topeka I participated in an event sponsored by the BNSF Railroad. The railroad provided a train “The Holiday Express” for the soldiers from the Kansas National Guard and the active duty soldiers from the “Big Red One’ at Ft Riley that had just returned from a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan.
These soldiers, their wives and children were treated to a special train ride that departed Topeka and went on a 2-hour run. As a special treat Santa was on the train and provided entertainment for all on board. The train is making a cross-country tour to provide the same experience for soldiers in Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines, Galesburg, and Kansas City.
At each stop a cash contribution is presented to the unit endowment fund to help with the needs of families who encounter difficulty in meeting normal expenses while their mother or father is deployed. What a great gift the BNSF has given to these soldiers and their families. Thank-you BNSF!
In 2008 Kansas BNSF employed 3,198 with a payroll of $249,774,156. The BNSF foundation has donated over $517,284. The railroad has major facilities in Argentine, Ark City, Dodge City, Emporia, Hutchinson, Newton, Topeka and Wellington. They own 1,231 miles of track in the state. They annually move 3.5 million carloads of freight in Kansas.
BNSF is one of the largest grain-hauling railroads in the US. In fact, BNSF hauls enough grain to supply 900 million people with a year’s supply of bread. Approximately 50 percent of the agriculture commodities traffic BNSF hauls is transported to export points in the Pacific Northwest, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico and the Great Lakes.
More than 10% of the electricity produced in the United States is generated from coal hauled by BNSF. More than 90% of the coal BNSF hauls comes from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana and is 60% lower in sulfur than most other coal sources.
Many items found in local retail stores, restaurants and automobile dealerships were shipped on a BNSF train. Each year BNSF moves about 10% of the vehicles sold in the US, enough canned beverages to supply every resident of New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles with beverage a day and enough sugar to bake 3 million batches of cookies.
BNSF is a leader in transporting forest products, chemicals, metals and other products that drive our economy. Each year BNSF transports enough lumber to build more than 500,000 homes; enough asphalt to lay a single lane road four times around the equator; and enough coiled sheet steel to lay the unrolled coils end to end 12 times between New York City and Seattle, WA.
Thanks to our soldiers for their service to our country and thanks to BNSF for their support of these troops.
Property Taxes are Due Dec 10th. There is a mistake on your 2009 Butler County Real Estate Tax Statement. In the section, Revenue from Property Tax Levies, the distribution numbers are not correct. County Administrator, Will Johnson notified me at press release time of the mistake. There will be a statement coming from his office describing the error. The section on what taxes you owe is correct and you probably should pay your taxes, again the deadline is Dec. 10th.
I consider it an honor and privilege to be your Representative in Topeka and I want to know what you think. If I can be of help do not hesitate to call on me.
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