Legislative Update: Senator Kelly Kultala: January 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

Week 3 Legislative Update - January 28, 2011

Good Morning:

Attached is my Week 3 Legislative Update. Things are really starting to pick up here at the capitol. All legislative committees are meeting, bills are being introduced, agency updates presented, and hearings held. Last Monday I had the opportunity to present legislative information to the Leavenworth USD 453 School Board and I attended the Leavenworth/Lansing Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner last night. I also had several members of the Kansas Health Care Association, who were from the Leavenworth area, and Leavenworth County District Attorney Todd Thompson visit me in the capitol. It was great to see people from back home.

Have a great weekend.

Kelly

Legislative Update

Week 3

Senator Kelly Kultala

January 28, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE:

· Busy Week at the Capitol

· My Bill Introductions – the first, regarding a school busing issue in Leavenworth and the second, naming the Hwy.24/K-7 interchange after former Rep. Margaret Long

· Committee Switches

· District Happenings

· Kansas Celebrates 150^th Birthday

· Free Tax Help Available Monday

· Rescission Bills

· Testimony heard on possible DUI Changes

· Statewide Smoking Ban

· Important State Phone Numbers

BUSY WEEK AT THE CAPITOL

It was a busy week at the Statehouse. A Kansas Day celebration was held this morning, complete with a flyover, speeches and traditional music. Committees also continue to meet daily, as hearings on a number of bills are held.

I am honored to serve as your Senator. My office is located in room 124-E. Please feel free to visit or contact me at 785-296-7357, if you should have any questions.

Daily calendars, committee and district information are all available at www.kslegislature.org. To hear legislative proceedings, just click on the “Listen in Live” link.

HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR BILLS I INTRODUCED

I introduced two bills that will have hearings next week. SB 11 has a hearing on Monday in the Senate Education Committee. It will correct a busing issue between the USD 207 Ft. Leavenworth and the USD 453 Leavenworth School Districts. Also, SB 58 will have a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday. This bill designates the junction of U.S. Highway 24 and K-7 highway as the Representative Margaret Long Interchange. This legislation will also be introduced in the House Transportation Committee next week.

COMMITTEE SWITCHES

As you may have heard, Kensington Senator Janis Lee resigned her Senate seat this week. She has been appointed to serve as the Chief Hearing Judge for the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals.

As a result of her departure, committee assignments have been adjusted. Here is a full list of the committees I will now serve on, and the times they meet. If you ever want to testify before a committee, please feel free to contact my office:

· Transportation – 8:30a.m.

· Ethics & Elections – 9:30a.m. on Wed. & Thurs.

· Local Government – 9:30a.m. on Mon. & Tues.

· Ways & Means – 10:30a.m.

· Utilities – 1:30p.m.

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

· Warren Middle School’s Kansas Association for Youth group will be hosting a chili and soup dinner at 4p.m. on February 2^nd.

· Good luck to MacArthur Elementary students Lexi Reyes and Kaitlyn Linney, who will be participating in the Leavenworth County Spelling Bee on February 4^th.

KANSAS CELEBRATES 150^th BIRTHDAY

A ceremony was held at the State Capitol this morning, commemorating Kansas’ sesquicentennial. Members of the Kansas Legislature, Governor Brownback, and hundreds of Kansas residents were present. The celebration included a KC-135 flyover, a posting of Colors, speeches, a reading of the Kansas Day poem, singing of Home on the Range, and a Cannon salute.

An official “forever” stamp was also unveiled at the Kansas Historical Society. The stamp pictures an old-fashioned windmill in front of five modern wind turbines.

This year marked a milestone in our state’s long and diverse history. I’m glad so many Kansans were able to attend today’s events.

FREE TAX HELP AVAILABLE MONDAY

Sites around the state will provide free e-file tax assistance on Monday. The service is offered to moderate- to low-income Kansans, usually those earning $49,000 or less a year.

At each of the sites, IRS trained and certified volunteers will be available to complete electronic federal and state tax returns. Help will also be provided for those filing Kansas Homestead Claims, Property Tax Relief Claims, Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits, and Credit for the Elderly or Disabled.

No appointment is needed, as service will be first-come, first-serve. If filing jointly, both spouses must be present. To find a location near you, call the Kansas Department of Revenue at (785) 368-8222.

RESCISSION BILLS

Because state revenues continue to be lower than expected, the Legislature has been forced to draft a rescission bill again this session. A rescission makes additional cuts to the current fiscal year budget so we end the year with a positive balance. Traditionally, both the House and Senate budgetary committees draft their own rescission bills.

On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee introduced a rescission bill that would eliminate market adjustments for thousands of state workers earning less than their private sector counterparts. It would also cut state employee pay by 7.5% this fiscal year. This affects all state employees, including corrections officers, custodial staff, clerical and administrative support staff, highway patrol officers, and Regents University professors, among others.

As expected, I’ve received dozens of e-mails and calls from constituents about the proposed pay cut. I do not support this proposal. While everyone must make sacrifices in hard economic times, it is unfair to place such a heavy burden on one group of Kansans.

On Thursday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee began drafting their own rescission bill. The committee restored funding to a number of state programs which were drastically cut or eliminated in the Governor’s budget recommendation.

Funding for special education and at-risk programs were fully restored. Nearly $6 million was added to account for enrollment growth this school year. Approximately $280,000 was restored to the legislature’s budget to complete a technology updating project that has already begun.

The Committee restricted the 7.5% pay cut to only affect statewide elected officials, legislators, Regents university presidents, and agency heads. All other state employees will not be affected. In addition, the next two years of undermarket pay adjustments for state employees were restored.

Debate will resume next week. I’ll do my best to keep you up-to-date with the latest budget information.

TESTIMONY ON DUI CHANGES

The Senate Judiciary Committee spent Thursday hearing from opponents of a bill that would change the state’s DUI laws. Proponents spoke on Wednesday.

The bill – SB 7 – would require that interlock devices be used after a first DUI offense. Kansas currently requires interlock devices for repeat-offenders and those first-time offenders who had blood level readings double the legal limit.

Once all parties have had a chance to testify, the committee will decide whether the bill should be sent to the Senate for a vote.

STATEWIDE SMOKING BAN

I’ve received a lot of e-mails this week, urging me to vote against a possible repeal of the statewide smoking ban. Although no formal repeal has been presented, I continue to believe the ban is good public policy and should not be discarded.

Protecting the health and safety of Kansans is my number one priority in the Statehouse. Not only does a smoking ban protect innocent Kansans from harmful secondhand smoke, it will save our state millions of dollars in related health care costs.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Week 2 Legislative Update - January 21, 2011

Good Afternoon Everyone:

Attached is Week 2 of the Legislative Newsletter. We had a short week here at the Capitol due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on the 17^th. Legislative committees are starting to meet and bills are being introduced. I have introduced SB 11, which helps the Ft. Leavenworth and Leavenworth School Districts concerning a busing issue. We’ve also had a hard time trying to get around the streets of Topeka and the interstate highways due to the massive amounts of snow and I understand that there is a potential of another 3-4 inches on the way by Sunday. Yikes! I’m ready for Spring, that’s for sure.

In the Senate this week we honored the nominees for Kansas Teacher of the Year. They were from all over the state and it was wonderful to hear about the great work these people do for our children every day.

As always, thank you for the privilege of serving as your state senator.

Best,

Kelly

Senator Kelly Kultala

District 5

Wyandotte & Leavenworth Counties

Legislative Update

Week 2

Senator Kelly Kultala

January 21, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE:

· Short Week at the Capitol

· District Happenings

· Budget Breakdown

· Confirmations

· State’s 150^th Birthday

· Busing Bill To Help USD 207 & USD 453 To Receive Hearing

· Search and Seizure Hearing Set

· Cereal Malt Beverages

· Important State Phone Numbers

SHORT WEEK AT THE CAPITOL

The legislature met for only four days this week, so state employees could commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Even with the short week, the Senate made a number of confirmations and introduced several bills.

I am honored to serve as your Senator. My office is located in room 124-E. Please feel free to visit or contact me at 785-296-7357, if you should have any questions.

Daily calendars, committee and district information are all available at www.kslegislature.org. To hear legislative proceedings, just click on the “Listen in Live” link.

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

· Congratulations to Piper High School student Alex Reberry for being named a Garvey Competitive Scholarship winner by Washburn University.

· The City of Leavenworth Parks and Recreation Office is holding its 1^st Annual Indoor Ironman in February. Distances include a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run or walk. For more information, call (913) 651-2132.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

As has been reported by the mainstream media, Governor Brownback's budget reduces overall state spending by $876 million (5.9%). Almost all of that reduction was forced by the sunset of the federal stimulus funds Kansas has received over the past 2-plus years ($492 million), the reduction in federal unemployment funds ($425 million) and a reduction in federal disaster relief expenditures ($133 million). Just $9.2 million will be saved by agency reorganization or elimination.

What hasn't gotten any press is the fact that the Governor's budget actually calls for an increase in state general fund (taxpayer dollars) spending of $346 million (6%). Most of that will go for Medicaid, pension and debt service costs. It makes very clear that Kansas will need to reform its own health care and pension systems to ensure economic and financial sustainability over time.

Budget Losers:

· K-12 EDUCATION – Our classrooms will lose another $75 per pupil ($50 million statewide) in the current fiscal year, another $157 per pupil ($105 million) in FY 2012 and another $100 per pupil ($210 million) in FY2013.

· COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS – All remaining state aid ($10.2 million) is eliminated. These funds are used to provide services to poor people who have no private insurance or Medicaid.

· EARLY HEAD START – All funding ($11.3 million) is eliminated. These wrap-around programs are provided for our poorest young children.

· KANSAS ARTS COMMISSION – Will be essentially eliminated by July 2012 ($800 thousand).

· PUBLIC BROADCASTING – All state funding ($1.7 million) will be eliminated.

Still Standing:

· DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS – All $40 million of lost stimulus funds have been replaced with state general funds.

· DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & PARKS – Will now oversee the Division of Travel and Tourism, including 13 staff members and $44.3 million added to its budget. Its new name will be the Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

· HIGHER EDUCATION – $10 million in new budget money has been added, with strings attached for Regents institutions.

· TRANSPORTATION – The 10-year transportation plan has been left in place, although $200 million will be swept from highway funds into the state general fund next year.

SENATE CONFIRMATIONS

On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed 22 appointments made by the Governor and Legislative Leaders. Confirmations are required by Kansas law. Here is a full list of confirmed office holders:

State Board of Regents – Ed McKechnie, Mildred Edwards, and Timothy Emert

Kansas National Guard, Brigadier General – Colonel Victor Braden, Colonel Bradley Link, Colonel Eric Peck, and Colonel Lee Tafanelli

Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation – Kenneth Frahm

State Banking Board – Dale Koch

State Civil Service Board – Wilbert Leiker

KU Hospital Authority – Charles Sunderland and Robert Regnier

Kansas Human Rights Commission – Clyde Howard

Securities Commissioner – Marc Wilson

Kansas Human Rights Commission – Antonio Villegas

Kansas, Inc. – Lawrence McCants and Donald Schnacke

State Board of Indigent Defense Services – James Colgan and John Weber

State Court of Tax Appeals – Trevor Wohlford

Pooled Money Investment Board – Betty Ann Corbin

Kansas Health Policy Authority – Raymond Davis

STATE’S 150^th BIRTHDAY

Kansas will celebrate its 150^th birthday next week, January 29^th. In Topeka, there will be an official ceremony on the south steps of the capitol building. The event will be streamed live on the Internet and on PBS starting at 10 a.m.

A number of celebrations are being planned across the state as well. These are the events being planned in our community:

Leavenworth:

Traditional Dance in Contemporary Kansas

January 23^rd, 1:30p.m.

Leavenworth Public Library

Kansas 150^th Birthday Celebration

January 28, 5-7 pm

J.W. Crancer’s

Bring coats, mittens and hats to donate to NE Leavenworth Catholic Charities

Kansas City

Traditional Dances in Contemporary Kansas

January 29^th, noon

Argentine Branch Library

Kansas Flora and Fauna, According to Lewis and Clark

January 29^th, 11a.m.-3p.m.

Schlagle Library and Environmental Learning Center

Prehistoric Kansas Hike

January 29^th, 3p.m.

Stotler Cove Nature Trail

Legends Outlets Celebrates Kansas’ Sesquicentennial

January 28 & 29; audio walking tour of Kansas history and birthday cake available

Call 913-788-3700 for more information or to make reservations, which are suggested but not required

Lansing

Why You Love Kansas

Now through January 29^th

Lansing Community Library

Kansas Day at the Museum

January 29^th, 1p.m.

Lansing Historical Museum

The Kansas 150^th Advisory Committee is asking Kansans to “Bake a Cake for Kansas Day.” Cakes can be any size, shape or design. Winning designs will be displayed online. For more information, contact the Kansas Historical Society at (785) 272-8681.

BUSING BILL TO RECEIVE HEARING

The Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 11 this coming Wednesday, January 26^th. The bill would allow USD 207 to bus students living on the Fort Leavenworth military base to Leavenworth High School.

Previously, the federal government paid for this transportation. But with federal money now gone, the State must pass a law so USD 207 can continue busing enrolled students.

I support this bill. Our military families have sacrificed so much to serve our country. The least we can do is help the students living at Fort Leavenworth get to and from school each day.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE HEARING SET

The Senate Judiciary Committee has set a hearing on Senate Bill 6 for Monday, January 24th.

If enacted, the bill would tighten regulations during search and seizures. After a lawful arrest is made, police would be allowed to search for the following:

· Items which would protect the officer from attack;

· Items that would help the arrestee escape;

· Evidence of the crime in question

Previously, law enforcement officers were allowed to seize evidence of any crime. They weren’t limited to just the crime in question.

CEREAL MALT BEVERAGES

A hearing has been scheduled on Senate Bill 25 in the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee for Wednesday, January 26^th.

SB 25 would authorize temporary licenses for on-premises sales of cereal malt beverages. According to the Alcohol Beverage Control Division, cities and counties currently have no authority to issue temporary licenses for special events.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Week 1 Legislative Update - January 14, 2011

Good Morning Everyone:

Today marks the end of the first week of the 2011 Legislative Session and attached is the first of my weekly legislative updates. It has been a week of highs and lows. Last weekend I attended the Inaugural Ball and mourned the tragic shooting of Congressman Gabrielle Giffords and the deaths of six others. The Inauguration of Governor Brownback and Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer and all the other statewide elected officials was held on Monday. On Wednesday the House and Senate assembled to listen to the State of the State of Address and on Thursday the Governor’s Budget was presented. In addition we have a lot of new faces here at the Capitol, over 30 new members of the House and 5 new members of the Senate. We are all trying to find new committee rooms and offices.

As always it is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the 5^th District. If you would like your name removed from this email list or you would like to have your email added just respond back to me. In closing I would like to share a quote from President Obama’s speech given at the memorial service for victims of the Arizona shooting.

“We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us. I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us.”

Have a wonderful weekend, be safe, and give your loved ones a hug.

Best,

Kelly

Legislative Update

Week 1

Senator Kelly Kultala

January 14, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE:

· 2011 Session Underway

· District Happenings

· State Offices Closed Monday

· Governor Delivers State of the State Address

· Democrats Respond

· Budget Recommendations

· Apply Now for LIEAP

2011 SESSION UNDERWAY

The Kansas Legislature convened on Monday for the 2011 legislative session. As a first order of business, all 125 members of the House and 5 members of the Senate were administered the oath of office. Although senators weren’t up for election this year, 5 new members were needed to fill seats vacated by retirements, cabinet appointments, and congressional elections.

Governor Sam Brownback, Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer, and statewide officeholders were also sworn in this week.

Even with a number of new faces, I am confident that members of the legislature can solve important issues facing our state. By putting partisan politics aside, we can pass legislation that improves the lives of all Kansas families.

I am honored to serve as your Senator. My office is located in room 124-E. Please feel free to visit or contact me at 785-296-7357, if you should have any questions.

Daily calendars, committee and district information are all available at www.kslegislature.org. To hear legislative proceedings, just click on the “Listen in Live” link.

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

· Congratulations to Leavenworth High School wrestler Nathan Butler. Butler, who is ranked No. 1 in the state for his weight class, recently won the Leavenworth Challenger, the Smithville Invitational, and the Louisburg Invitational.

· The US Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Prisons will be hosting a public meeting on January 20^th. The organizations will share their proposal for building a new medium-security correctional facility on the ground of the existing US Penitentiary. The meeting will start at 7p.m. at the Riverfront Community Center.

STATE OFFICES CLOSED MONDAY

The Statehouse will be closed Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. All state offices will reopen Tuesday morning.

Celebrations in honor of Dr. King will be taking place across the state. Here are several planned in our community:

Kansas City:

· Southern Christian Leadership Conference Community Breakfast

MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe

8 a.m., January 17^th, 2011

· MLK Holiday Celebration

Jack Reardon Civic Center, 5^th Street and Minnesota Ave.

11 a.m., January 17^th, 2011

· Motorcade for Hunger

Mount Zion Baptist Church, 5^th Street and Richmond Avenue

10 a.m., January 17^th, 2011

· 7^th Annual Legacy an Scholarship Awards Dinner

Overland Park Marriott, 10800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park

5:30 p.m., January 17^th, 2011

· Bonner Springs and Edwardsville Celebration

148 Nettleton, Bonner Springs

1 p.m., January 17^th, 2011

GOVERNOR DELIVERS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

On Wednesday, Governor Sam Brownback delivered his first State of the State Address. He did so before a joint session of Senate and House members, cabinet secretaries and dozens of state dignitaries.

In his speech, Governor Brownback outlined several themes his administration plans to implement this year. Here are the highlights:

Brownback Proposals:

· Increase private sector jobs and eliminate 2,000 unfilled state jobs;

· Eliminate corporate tax subsidies;

· Allow Kansas businesses to deduct a higher percentage of investment costs;

· Waive state income taxes for individuals relocating to counties with a double digit percentage population decline in the last 10 years;

· Build the Holcomb Power Plant;

· Transfer $200 million from the Kansas Dept. of Transportation to help defray the increased costs of Medicaid;

· Expand wind energy projects;

· Update policies that govern wireless and broadband access;

· Reform the current school finance formula;

· Establish an Office of the Repealer;

· Freeze the state budget;

· Fight federal health care;

I was pleased to see that jobs and the economy were core themes. The Kansas Legislature has made tremendous strides in the last decade to ease the burden facing workers and small business owners. But if we are going to position Kansas as the best place in the nation to work and do business, we must stay united in our efforts.

We must focus our attention on job growth, retention, and good benefits for hardworking Kansans. We must create an environment where businesses look to Kansas as a land of opportunity and every willing Kansan has the chance to be gainfully employed.

I also appreciate that Governor Brownback addressed education funding. Our current school finance formula passed with bipartisan support, and provides a quality education to every Kansas child. It also expands resources for low income, at-risk, special education and bilingual students – including many in this district.

As a result, student achievement has improved. In the last four years, reading scores have increased more than 8 percent. Math scores have increased more than 10 percent. We’re clearly on the right path. We must not turn back now.

In the 2011 session, we must maintain our commitment to public education without making crippling cuts to local schools.

We must fund education without implementing a budget freeze or shifting the burden onto local property taxpayers. At a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, we can’t shirk our constitutional obligation.

A full transcript is available at: http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103863233447-34/2011+State+of+the+State+address.pdf.

DEMOCRAT RESPONSE

As is tradition, the party not in power presents a response to the State of the State. This year, the response was given by Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley.

Working together and protecting Kansas values were overriding themes. “We must work together – not as Democrats and Republicans – but as Kansans – to continue moving our state forward while protecting the values we cherish most,” Hensley said.

The response included a number of initiatives supported by the Democratic caucuses. These include:

· Fund the current school finance formula without passing the buck to local property taxpayers;

· Increase access to affordable higher education;

· Protect the safety net for older and disabled Kansans;

· Maintain our commitment to the jobs-creating transportation plan;

· Insure adequate benefits for Kansans laid off because of the recession;

· Provide fair workers compensation for Kansans injured on the job;

· Implement a tax structure that is fair to families and small business owners

If there is one value all Kansans hold dear, it is education. But students cannot succeed in the school house if we fail them in the Statehouse.

Democrats believe that it is the legislature’s constitutional duty to fund public education – not property taxpayers. Therefore, we have proposed that the state continue funding the current finance formula. If we don’t, local schools will suffer crippling cuts and school boards will be forced to increase their local option budgets.

Democrats also propose that the state look for ways to improve higher education. Addressing the growing cost of tuition, improving retention and graduation rates, and increasing work-readiness will all be needed.

All Kansans should have access to affordable higher learning opportunities. Whether it’s at one of our regent’s universities, community colleges or technical schools, Kansas students should have an opportunity to fulfill their academic dream.

Protecting a safety net for disabled and older Kansans is also a priority for Democrats.

Safety net providers deliver an invaluable service, offering health care and home care to thousands of Kansans. In rural communities especially, these providers help to keep patients in their own home as long as possible.

As we debate the future of health care in our state, we need to recognize the limitations placed on these growing populations.

To ease the burden facing Kansas families, Democrats propose that the State maintain its commitment to a comprehensive transportation plan. This plan will create 175,000 jobs in the future and make new investments in every Kansas county.

For unemployed Kansans and those injured on the job, Democrats propose a safety net that insures adequate benefits. Without unemployment or workers compensation, many of these struggling Kansans would be unable to put food on the table or keep a roof over their head.

All too often in the past, the issues of unemployment and workers compensation have divided Democrats against Republicans, labor against business. These issues are too important for the working men and women of Kansas to allow this divisiveness to continue.

BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS OUTLINED

Governor Sam Brownback presented his budget to members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday. It will take several days for me to read through all of the details of the 429-page proposal.

In general, I am concerned that his budget will be detrimental to local public schools and social services. The budget presented to us will cut funding to schools by $332 per student in the next two years; $75 cut in the current budget year, $157 cut in 2012 budget and $100 cut in the 2013 budget. It also eliminates Early Head Start.

Governor Brownback’s proposal eliminates state aid to mental health centers, eliminates developmental disability grants, and reduces general assistance by $3.5 million.

I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to pass a responsible state budget. But, we must do so without causing harm to essential state services or public schools.

To access the Governor’s Budget Report in full, visit the Kansas Division of Budget’s Web site at http://budget.ks.gov.

APPLY NOW FOR LIEAP

Kansans struggling to afford energy costs this winter may qualify for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). LIEAP is a federally-funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their winter heating bills.

To qualify, you must have paid your heating bill the last three months. You must also prove that your bill totals 10 percent of your household total income. Individuals who are disabled, elderly, or have children are more likely to receive assistance, although any Kansan may apply.

Anyone receiving SRS benefits (cash, medical, food assistance or LIEAP) will automatically receive an application packet in the mail. Applications can also be requested by calling toll-free 1-800-432-0043 or visiting www.ks-energy-assistance.com.

SRS will be accepting applications through March 31, 2011.

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