End of the 2011 Legislative Session

Good Afternoon Everyone:

Attached is an end-of-the-session legislative review.  I have moved all my belongings back home, but will be in and out of Topeka over the next several months attending meetings as necessary.  I hope to see you tomorrow evening at the Leavenworth/Lansing Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum from 4:30 – 5:30 pm at the Carnegie Arts Center in Leavenworth.  Have a great summer and keep in touch.  The 2012 Legislative Session starts next January 9.

Best,

Kelly

Week 15 Legislative Update: May 13, 2011

Good Afternoon Everyone:

The legislature officially adjourned about 5:30 this morning.  Attached is the last weekly legislative update for the 2011 session.  I apologize if there are typos or mistakes, I’m working on about 4-5 hours of sleep. J Sometime during the next week or so I will send out a legislative review. 

The Ft. Leavenworth busing issue passed in SB 21 during the wee hours today.  It will help Ft. Leavenworth bus their high school students to Leavenworth High School. 

It has been an honor and privilege to represent you in the Senate.  Have a great weekend.

Best,

Kelly

Legislative Update

Week 15

Senator Kelly Kultala

May 13, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE:

·                  Legislature Adjourns

·                  District Happenings

·                  Ft. Leavenworth Busing Bill Passes

·                  Budget Debated

·                  Voter ID

·                  Arts Commission Closure

·                  Unilateral Annexation

·                  April Revenues Up

·                  KPERS Compromise Reached

·                  Unemployment Insurance

·                  Tourism Week

·                  Important State Phone Numbers

LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS

The Kansas Legislature has officially adjourned the 2011 session about 5:30 am today Friday, May 13, after using the full 90 days allotted.  This year was particularly frustrating, as many of the most important decisions were held until the final days of session. 

This is the last weekly legislative updates.  I will send out an end of the year review in the next week to 10 days.

Even with these setbacks, I’m proud to have voted for legislation this year that protected federal maintenance of effort guidelines for special education funding, took dangerous “bath salts” and K3 off the streets, and substantially changed workers compensation laws for the first time in more than two decades.

With the session now over, I look forward to returning home and spending some quality time out in our community.

   

FT. LEAVENWORTH BUSING BILL PASSES

Early this morning both houses passed SB 21, which contains the Ft. Leavenworth Busing language.  The bill will be on its’ way to the Governor for signature sometime during the next several days. 

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

·     This week I attended the official signing of a law that will designate the juncture of U.S. Highway 24 and K-7 Highway as the Representative Margaret Long Interchange.  Rep. Long served the 36^th House District proudly for a decade, leading the charge on a number of education, transportation and energy issues. 

·     The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs is planning a Barnyard Babies program May 14.  The program will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Ag Hall, 126th and State. Chicks, calves, kids (baby goats) are the special guests at the event. Besides seeing baby animals, visitors may participate in children's hands-on activities, watch the blacksmith, attend living history demonstrations, take a hayride and ride the miniature train. Regular admission fees apply. For more information, visit www.aghalloffame.com or call 913-721-1075.

·     The Kansas City, Kansas, Fraternal Order of Eagles will hold a benefit fundraiser dinner on May 14. The cost of the dinner will be $10 a plate. For reservations, call 913-499-8481 or email eagleswyandotte87@kc.rr.com .

BUDGET DEBATED

Late Thursday evening, Senators finally had a chance to debate the state budget.  Typically, these decisions are made much earlier in the session. 

Unfortunately, the plan introduced in the Senate cuts $2.5 million from early childhood programs, causing huge pains to programs like Early Head Start and Parents as Teachers. It cuts funding for Kansas public schools by $232 per student next year.   These cuts will be devastating to local schools, leading to massive teacher layoffs, school closures and drastic increases in class sizes.

The plan also stripped years four and five of the long-overdue undermarket pay adjustment for state employees.  By reneging on this promise, thousands of state employees who clean our streets, protect us from criminals, work in our prisons and care for the disabled will continue earning far below their private sector counterparts.   

I could not in good conscience vote for these cuts, while leaving a $71 million ending balance.  April revenues were up and May revenues are expected to be millions of dollars higher than previous estimates.  The economy is clearly recovering. 

VOTER ID

An unusual motion was made Wednesday to reconsider a Voter ID bill that became law last month.  Senators behind the maneuver wanted to move the birth certificate requirement for first time voter registrations up from 2013 to 2012 and the law would have allowed the Secretary of State to have prosecutorial powers, currently held by local officials and the Attorney General. 

Although I supported the Voter ID bill, I voted against this measure.  The DMV previously told lawmakers that it needed this time to install a program to validate citizenship.  Without the program up and running, there’s no way to efficiently verify if someone should be allowed to vote.

ARTS COMMISSION CLOSURE

Governor Brownback has vowed to close the Kansas Arts Commission, announcing on Wednesday that he’d sent termination letters to the entire commission staff.

By closing the Kansas Arts Commission, more than 4,600 full-time jobs will be eliminated and $150 million in annual state economic activity will come to a halt.  Nearly 290 artists, schools and programs around the state, which were helped by the KAC last year, will be left out in the cold. 

Many Kansas cities, especially in rural areas, won’t have the ability to replace these lost state funds.  When the Kansas Arts Commission is eliminated, smaller and rural communities will lose disproportionately.

The KAC is a vital lifeline to our arts communities.  I’m disappointed the governor has chosen to eliminate this important organization. 

 

UNILATERAL ANNEXATION

The senate has approved a bill prohibiting cities from unilaterally annexing property without the approval of residents.  The issue has been a big concern for farmers and landowners living near growing communities.

New mandates will allow residents living within a proposed annexation area to vote by mail ballot whether the annexation should be approved. If a majority vote against the annexation, it could not take place.  It also requires that county commissions determine whether the city has provided appropriate municipal services to annexed areas.

APRIL REVENUES UP

The Kansas Department of Revenue reported state general funds were up in April.  Total receipts were $759 million, $25.7 million above estimates.  This represents a .5% gain above predictions made last year. 

Several factors played into the above-estimated receipts, including higher individual income tax, insurance premiums and corporate franchises.  Year-to-date, SGF receipts are nearly 14% higher than in April FY2010.

KPERS COMPROMISE REACHED

This week legislators passed a bill to address major underfunding issues with the state’s KPERS system.  The bill creates a 13-member commission to study alternate retirement plans and to make recommendations to legislators next year. 

As it stands, KPERS faces a $7.7 billion gap between anticipated revenues and benefits promised.  If long-term underfunding isn’t addressed, more than 150,000 KPERS beneficiaries risk losing their retirement. 

One plan the commission will study would increase employer contribution rates over 4 years.  Under this scenario, Tier 1 employees (those hired before July 2009) would have their contribution rates increase from 4% to 6%.  Tier 2 employees (those hired after July 2009) would also contribute 6%, but their automatic cost-of-living adjustment would be eliminated.

Another option would let Tier 1 employees continue to contribute 4%, but their multiplier would decrease.  Tier 2 members could choose to contribute 6% and reduce their multiplier, but retain their COLA. 

Appointing a study commission is our best solution.  Taking a serious look at our options is the least we can do for dedicated state employees who rely on KPERS.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

A debate over changes to the state’s unemployment insurance law resurfaced this week.  If you’ll recall, the bill made major changes to current statutes addressing the state’s unemployment trust fund.  The Senate passed the bill 30-8 back in February. 

This week, however, House negotiators began insisting that provisions of another bill –HB2130 – be added in.  HB2130 would take away the ability of union members to have money automatically deducted from their paychecks to support pro-union political candidates.  Opponents of the bill believe it silences the free speech rights of workers. 

To keep the highly contentious HB2130 out of the underlying bill, the Senate moved to accept a House plan that was free of the paycheck provisions.  Assuming the bill is signed into law, lawmakers will be able to strengthen the underlying bill next year.

TOURISM WEEK

Below are some interesting statistics I received from the U.S. Travel Association, in honor of National Travel & Tourism Week:  

·        The travel industry supports more than 10 million jobs, including hotel and rental car employees, tour operators, meeting planners and restaurant staff.  Nearly 1 out of 9 U.S. jobs depend on the travel and tourism industry.

·        Travel and tourism generates $704 billion in direct travel spending, and $113 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments.

·        Each household would pay $950 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry. 

Week 14 Legislative Update: May 6, 2011

Hello Everyone:

The Veto Session continues on.  There is still not any agreement on the budget.  Earlier this morning the budget conference committee met and after the Senate expressed concern about the lack of progress regarding budget proposals from the House, the House announced that the conference committee was at impasse and they wouldn’t meet again until Monday morning to present another offer.  The 90^th day of the legislative session is next Thursday, May 12 and the legislature has not budgeted for any additional days.  The Senate introduced a bill today in the Ways & Means Committee, which would prevent legislators from getting paid past the 90^th day, even if there is not an agreement on the budget.  The budget is the ONLY piece of the legislation that the legislature is required to pass each year via our Constitution. 

The Ft. Leavenworth busing issue is still alive.  Rep. Melanie Meier was able to get the issue amended on the House floor into SB 21 this week.  So now, it rests in SB 11 and SB 21 both bills are in the Education conference committee.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day.

Kelly

Senator Kelly Kultala

Kansas District 5

Wyandotte & Leavenworth Counties

Legislative Update

Week 14

Senator Kelly Kultala

May 6, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE:

·                  Veto Session Enters Week Two

·                  District Happenings

·                  Children’s Initiative Fund

·                  911 Service Fees

·                  Scrap Metal

·                  Annexation Leaves Committee

·                  Kansas Byways Receives Grant

·                  Racial Profiling Bill Passes

·                  Important State Phone Numbers

VETO SESSION ENTERS WEEK TWO

The 2011 veto session continues to progress at a snail’s pace.  As week two comes to a close, legislators continue to meet in their respective conference committees.  These committees must find compromises on a number of important issues before the session can adjourn. 

With 84 days of the 90 day session already used, legislators are very aware that time is limited.  If we are not able to finish our work this weekend, legislators may choose to forfeit some of their pay to extend the session into next week.  I will do my best to keep you up-to-date as these scheduling decisions are made. 

All House and Senate sessions are open to the public.  And live broadcasts of Senate and House proceedings can be found at www.kslegislature.org.  To hear legislative proceedings, just click on the “Listen in Live” link.  

 

I am honored to serve as your Senator.  My office is located in room 124-E.  Please feel free to visit or to contact me at 785-296-7357, if you should have any questions. Due to state budget cuts our office staff has been sent home for the rest of the legislative session, so you will need to leave a message and I will check the answering machine as my schedule allows.

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

·     The 7^th Annual Lansing DAZE festival will be held this weekend in Lansing.  Festivities will include games, rides, and fireworks.  For more information, contact the Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau at 913-727-5488.     

·     Congratulations to the 127 Leavenworth High School students who were recognized Monday night at the Academic Banquet.  Honorees represented the top 2.5 percent of freshman, the top 5 percent of sophomores, the top 10 percent of juniors and top 15 percent of seniors.

·     Sporting KC and Cerner Office Complex in KCK is a Top 10 Economic Development Project in North America. Site Selection Magazine has name the $400 million Sporting Kansas City Major League Soccer Stadium and Cerner Corporation Office Complex in Village West one of the top 10 economic development deals in North America in 2010.

·     The 2011 Kansas Sampler Festival will be held Sat. May 7 from 10 am – 5 pm and Sun. May 8 from 10 am – 4 pm at Ray Miller Park, 4201 South 4^th St. in Leavenworth.

CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE FUND

I’ve received a number of calls and e-mails this week from citizens concerned about a possible 17.5% cut to the Children’s Initiative Fund (CIF).  Funding for the CIF is currently being debated by members of the budget conference committee.  The Senate proposed moving $8.3 million dollars from the State General Fund (SGF) into the CIF for early learning programs.  As of today, the House has refused to accept the offer.

  

The Children’s Initiative Fund helps prepare Kansas children for school, especially at-risk children in under-served areas.  I believe it’s a vital program that should be protected.

911 SERVICE FEES

The Senate has imposed a monthly fee on landline and cell phone users to help pay for 911 services.  The fee will be 53 cents per month, which replaces the previous fee of 75 cents per month on landlines and up to 50 cents a month for cell phones.  Those using prepaid wireless service will be charged $1.06 per retail transaction. 

I voted for this bill. Because we need to continue to update and fund our emergency response systems.

 

SCRAP METAL

In an effort to curb scrap metal theft, the Senate on Monday passed a mandate that will allow property destruction to be considered when fines are given to thieves.  Under current law, individuals convicted of scrap metal theft can only be fined the cost of the stolen metal.  HB2312 also includes new provisions which will make it more difficult for thieves to sell their stolen goods to scrap metal dealers, and require dealers to keep more detailed records. 

Scrap metal theft has been a problem for many years.  Stolen scrap metal – especially copper – can be resold for thousands of dollars.  Unfortunately, when the metal is taken from a building or construction site, it often leaves thousands of dollars worth of damage for the owner.  Creating a dealer paper trail and increasing penalties are both good steps to deter future theft. 

ANNEXATION LEAVES COMMITTEE

A Senate and House Conference Committee debated a measure that would make changes to the state’s annexation and incorporation laws.   As originally approved by the Senate, the bill allowed a city to incorporate if it had 250 residents or more.  Current law requires a minimum of 300.  

The House altered the bill, adding a number of changes to the state's current annexation statutes. The new bill would allow residents whose land is in a proposed annexation area to vote whether the annexation should be approved. If a majority of landowners voted against the annexation, it would not be allowed.  It also requires that within three years of an annexation, county commissions determine if the city has provided appropriate municipal services. If a hearing is not held within the allotted time, a landowner could bring legal action against the commission.

The approved conference committee report will be sent to the full Senate for a vote sometime next week.

KANSAS BYWAYS RECEIVES GRANT

The Kansas Byways program has been awarded a $220,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  The funding will provide local byway committees that may not have local funds an opportunity to develop and tell their story.

Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has awarded over $428 million in funding for more than 2,926 state, tribal and nationally designated byway projects in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.  To learn more about the 10 Kansas Byways, visit the website at ksbyways.org.

RACIAL PROFILING BILL PASSES

SB 93 would prohibit a law enforcement officer from using racial or other biased-based policing, allow community advisory boards to be established, and require written policies and annual reports, data collection, and procedures for the investigation and disposition of a racial or other biased-based policing complaint.  Complaints will go to the Attorney General’s Office for investigation, then if necessary, forwarded for possible action to the Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (CPOST).