Legislative Update: Senator Kelly Kultala

Good Morning Everyone:

It has been a crazy and hectic week at the capitol. We have been debating bills on the floor, attending conference committees to see if both houses can reach a compromise on legislation and attending regular committee meetings on a moment’s notice. The plan is for us to be able to go home later this afternoon for the legislative break, returning on April 27 for the veto session. The Senate and House have each passed their own budget bills and the conference committees should be meeting over the break to see if they can craft a compromise budget that both houses could support. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee I will have to come back to Topeka on April 20 & 21 for a committee meeting and as a member of the Kansas Electric Transmission Authority Board I will be attending the Southwest Power Pool meeting in Tulsa on April 25 & 26.

Our legislative office in Topeka will be closed during the break and I won’t send another legislative update until the veto session. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Best,

Kelly

Legislative Update

Week 12

Senator Kelly Kultala

April 1, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE:

· Regular Session Adjourns

· District Happenings

· Google High Speed Comes to KCK

· FY2012 Budget

· Transportation Legislation Passes

· Scrap Metal

· Regents Study

· County Health Rankings

· Important State Phone Numbers

REGULAR SESSION ADJOURNS

The 2011 regular session adjourned this week after passing a state budget and numerous conference committee reports. On April 27^th, legislators will return for veto session, when any vetoes by the Governor will be considered. I will keep you updated as these decisions are finalized in the coming weeks.

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.

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

· Organizers of the Grinter Place Friends Farmer’s Market are seeking growers, egg producers, pie bakers, jam and jelly makers, and crafters to participate in the market between June 4 and November 6 at the Grinter Place Friend’s Visitor’s Center, 1400 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan. An application and more guidelines can be found at web.me.com/photographybynoah/GPF_Farmers_Market.

· Piper Spring craft show will be held on May 7 at Piper High School, 4400 N. 107^th, Kansas City, Kansas sponsored by the Piper Community Education Association. For more info contact Karen at 913-721-3243 or visit www.pipercommunityed.com.

· The Kansas Sampler Festival will be held in Leavenworth on May 7 & 8. The Sampler gives communities the chance to display their unique qualities. For more info contact 913-417-7575 or go to kansassampler.org.

· The Annual KCK Kiwanis West Bike Rodeo will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot and entrance area of Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark, 9400 State Ave., Kansas City, KS.

· Free health screenings at Kansas City, Kansas Community College Health Fair on Thursday, April 14 from 9 am – 3 pm in the lower level of the Jewell Center.

GOOGLE HIGH SPEED COMES TO KCK

Google announced this week its selection of Kansas City, Kansas, as the location for its ultra high-speed fiber project. Google unveiled their plan a year ago to build and study the use of ultra-high speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the country. A little more than 1,100 cities across the nation applied for this unique and innovative partnership.

The Google project will bring internet capacity of 1 gigabyte to KCK in 2012. That equals 1,000 megabytes. Most of us only have access to 5 or 10 megabytes. You will be able to download a full length feature movie in high definition in 5 minutes. Many kinds of companies, which rely on the internet, will be looking to move to KCK and Wyandotte County. Google will provide the service to all schools and universities for free

The economic development deal isn’t like any other. Google is paying for everything. There aren’t any tax abatements or tax increment financing…no public subsidy what-so-ever.

FY2012 BUDGET

After nearly four hours of debate on Tuesday, the Kansas Senate approved a FY2012 state budget. The Senate voted 36-3 for the budget, which leaves an $8.1 million ending balance next fiscal year.

Key provisions in the Senate’s budget bill include:

· EARLY CHILDHOOD: Restores funding for Early Head Start and protects funding for Parents as Teachers.

· MENTAL HEALTH: Restores funding for mental health services back to 2011 funding levels.

· ELDERLY: Protects services for senior citizens, including funding for home-based nursing care so that Kansas seniors can continue to stay in their own homes if they wish to do so, and adds $43 million for nursing home-based care for the elderly.

· K-12 SCHOOLS: Minimizes the cuts to our local schools and maintains special education maintenance of effort funds, which if lapsed, would force the state to forfeit more than $100 million in federal matching funds.

· COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES: Stabilizes funding for Kansas universities, community colleges and technical colleges, including adding $15 million in matching grants to support research being performed at KU Medical Center (cancer prevention), Wichita State University (aviation) and K-State (animal health).

· DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED: Fully funds waivers for the developmentally disabled and provides $6 million in additional funds to help alleviate the number of disabled Kansans on the waiting lists for services. The Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) would also remain open under the Senate’s plan.

· STATE SALARIES: Reduces pay for legislators by 7.5%, while maintaining a long-overdue undermarket pay adjustment for dedicated state employees earning less than their private sector counterparts.

While this budget plan required tough choices, I believe it is our best option for balancing our state budget without cutting too deeply into essential state services.

Because the House has their own budget plan, a conference committee will be appointed to draft a compromise bill. I will keep you up-to-date as the conference committee begins to deliberate.

TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION PASSES

Several transportation issues in HB 2192 have passed both houses and will be going to the Governor for signature.

· “Dead red” – would allow the driver of a motorcycle or the rider of a bicycle to proceed through a steady red signal, subject to other traffic rules governing right of way, if the red light has failed to change to green within a reasonable period of time.

· Passing Bicycles – would require the driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle to pass that bicycle on the left no less than three feet away from the bicycle. It would allow the vehicle to pass a bicycle in a no-passing zone only when it is safe to do so.

· Raising the speed limit to 75 mph in certain areas – increases the maximum lawful speed limit to 75 mph on any separated multilane highway, as designated by the Secretary of Transportation.

· Seat belt law court costs – clarifies that no court costs are to be applied to seat belt violations and would remove outdated language.

SCRAP METAL

The Senate has approved a bill strengthening penalties for scrap metal theft. Under current law, individuals convicted of scrap metal theft can only be fined the cost of the stolen metal. HB 2312 allows fines for either the cost of the stolen goods or the cost to repair the damaged property, whichever is higher.

HB2312 also requires scrap metal dealers to register with city officials. Dealers caught purchasing scrap metal without being registered would be subject to a nonperson misdemeanor.

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.

REGENTS STUDY

The Kansas Board of Regents presented findings of a new study to legislators on Wednesday morning. The study showed the overwhelming impact our Regents Universities have had on in-state job creation and economic development. Here are some of the highlights:

· Regents schools have supported 95,327 Kansas jobs in 2010 with a total payroll of $3.4 billion.

· Regents schools generated $485 million in state and local taxes. For every $1 in taxes paid by Regents schools, $11.94 was circulated into the Kansas economy.

· Although Kansas has suffered a population decrease over the last four decades, every Kansas county with a Regents University has seen a population increase.

· Total impact on our District:

o District 5 - Leavenworth: $23.1 million, Wyandotte: $601 million

The Kansas Board of Regents clearly has had a positive economic impact on our local communities. I hope to continue working with our local community colleges and universities to find ways to create more economic development opportunities for our state.

COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS

The County Health Rankings Project has released its 2011 report, ranking every county in the nation based on health and wellness. Rankings are based on a variety of variables, including individual health behaviors, social and economic factors, quality health care, and the environment.

Here are the rankings for Kansas:

Allen (AL) - 94	Finney (FI) - 15	Linn (LN) - 69	Rice (RC) - 54
Anderson (AN) - 77	Ford (FO) - 13	Logan (LG) - 73	Riley (RL) - 1
Atchison (AT) - 66	Franklin (FR) - 40	Lyon (LY) - 44	Rooks (RO) - 65
Barber (BA) - 30	Geary (GE) - 82	Marion (MN) - 49	Rush (RH) - 38
Barton (BT) - 64	Gove (GO) - 35	Marshall (MS) - 16	Russell (RS) - 85
Bourbon (BB) - 95	Graham (GH) - 34	McPherson (MP) - 10	Saline (SA) - 68
Brown (BR) - 84	Grant (GT) - 32	Meade (ME) - 27	Scott (SC) - 58
Butler (BU) - 29	Gray (GY) - 56	Miami (MI) - 22	Sedgwick (SG) - 74
Chase (CS) - 23	Greeley (GL) - NR	Mitchell (MC) - 3	Seward (SW) - 31
Chautauqua (CQ) - 78	Greenwood (GW) - 87	Montgomery (MG) - 97	Shawnee (SN) - 61
Cherokee (CK) - 98	Hamilton (HM) - 79	Morris (MR) - 33	Sheridan (SD) - 9
Cheyenne (CN) - 46	Harper (HP) - 86	Morton (MT) - 43	Sherman (SH) - 90
Clark (CA) - 62	Harvey (HV) - 18	Nemaha (NM) - 24	Smith (SM) - 28
Clay (CY) - 20	Haskell (HS) - 60	Neosho (NO) - 81	Stafford (SF) - 80
Cloud (CD) - 45	Hodgeman (HG) - NR	Ness (NS) - 52	Stanton (ST) - NR
Coffey (CF) - 4	Jackson (JA) - 48	Norton (NT) - 14	Stevens (SV) - 51
Comanche (CM) - 47	Jefferson (JF) - 70	Osage (OS) - 71	Sumner (SU) - 75
Cowley (CL) - 83	Jewell (JW) - NR	Osborne (OB) - 59	Thomas (TH) - 26
Crawford (CR) - 89	Johnson (JO) - 2	Ottawa (OT) - 50	Trego (TR) - 63
Decatur (DC) - 42	Kearny (KE) - 21	Pawnee (PN) - 67	Wabaunsee (WB) - 41
Dickinson (DK) - 17	Kingman (KM) - 6	Phillips (PL) - 72	Wallace (WA) - NR
Doniphan (DP) - 25	Kiowa (KW) - 11	Pottawatomie (PT) - 7	Washington (WS) - 76
Douglas (DG) - 8	Labette (LB) - 88	Pratt (PR) - 53	Wichita (WH) - NR
Edwards (ED) - 57	Lane (LE) - NR	Rawlins (RA) - 39	Wilson (WL) - 91
Elk (EK) - 92	Leavenworth (LV) - 19	Reno (RN) - 55	Woodson (WO) - 93
Ellis (EL) - 5	Lincoln (LC) - 37	Republic (RP) - 36	Wyandotte (WY) - 96
Ellsworth (EW) - 12

Detailed information for each county is available at the County Health Ranking’s Website: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/kansas.

Good Morning Everyone:

The legislature was only in session thru Wednesday of this week, however, I have been in Topeka Thursday and Friday serving on conference committees and attending a Kansas Electric Transmission Authority board meeting. Next week will be the last week of the regular legislative session. This evening I will attend the Leavenworth/Lansing Chamber’s legislative forum from 4:30-5:30 at the Carnegie Arts Center. The weather look a little iffy this weekend, but I hope you are able to relax and spend time with family and friends.

And BTW – Rock Chalk Jayhawk…

Best,

Kelly

Legislative Update

Week 11

Senator Kelly Kultala

March 25, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE:

· Next Week Last on Floor

· District Happenings

· Women’s History Month

· Workers Compensation

· KPERS Contributions

· Emergency Response Fees

· Identity Theft

· Parole Board ERO

· Important State Phone Numbers

NEXT WEEK LAST ON FLOOR

Next Saturday April 2^nd is “drop dead” day for the 2011 session. After this date, bills that haven’t passed both chambers can no longer be debated. Certain bills, such as the budget, are exempt from this deadline.

After a short break, legislators will return for the wrap up session in late April. At this time, the budget bill, conference reports and any vetoes by the Governor will be considered.

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.

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

· Leavenworth’s Danny Zeck Ford has been nominated for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is presented each year to companies who show outstanding support to employees who serve in the National Guard or military reserves.

· The Fort Leavenworth Chapel Community will host its 10^th annual father-daughter banquet on April 10^th at the Riverfront Community Center. Dads and daughters of all ages are invited to attend. For more information, call 684-6820.

· Grinter Place Friends is now in the process of sending applications for growers, crafters and those who bake pies and make jams and jellies. The organization is identifying those who "grow it, bake it or make it" as a first step toward determining who will be accepted as a qualified vendor for the old-fashioned farmer's market. Interested vendors are encouraged to call 913-721-9735 and ask for Phil Noah, or call Lou Braswell at 913-220-8266. The e-mail addresses are pnoah1@kc.rr.com and grinterfriends@sbcglobal.net .The web site is up now at http://web.me.com/photographybynoah/GPF_Farmers_Market and will be updated regularly to tell viewers the names of vendors and any special events taking place at the market.

· A rummage sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 16 at the PCEA Learning Center, 13651 Donahoo, Kansas City, Kansas. Proceeds will benefit the 21st Century Preschool and Childcare, a program sponsored by Piper Community Education Association. Donations are welcome. For more information go to www.pipercomunityed.com or call 913-721-2577.

· Administrative Office Professionals Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 15 at Lansing Middle School, Lansing, Kan. Cost of the conference is $30 for the public or $25 for the Leavenworth-Lansing Area chamber members. Reservations are due by Friday, April 8, to Karalin Alsdurf at 913-651-2111 or kalsdurf@kckcc.edu .

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of co-sponsoring a Senate Resolution recognizing March as National Women’s History Month. Approved by Congress in 1987, Women’s History Month honors the contributions of American women.

The stories of Kansas women are a large part of our state history as well, from Mabel Chase, the first woman sheriff, to Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, to Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to receive an academy award and to Kathryn O’Loughlin, who in 1932 was elected as the first Kansas Congresswoman.

As March comes to a close, I hope every Kansan will take time to learn more about our Kansas foremothers. Our state, our nation, and our world would have been much bleaker places without their tireless work.

WORKERS COMPENSATION

For the first time in more than two decades, the Senate has passed substantial changes to workers compensation law. The new mandates will increase outdated compensation caps to injured workers as follows:

· For permanent total disability, from $125,000 to $155,000

· For temporary total disability, from $100,000 to $130,000

· For permanent or temporary partial disability, from $100,000 to $130,000

· For death, from $250,000 to $300,000

Under the current caps, which have been in place since 1987, if you are permanently injured on the job at age 45 you will spend the rest of your life living off of $125,000. If you live to age 85, you’re left with just over $3,000 per year to support yourself and your family. And that doesn’t cover medical expenses that are a result of your injury.

These caps were woefully inadequate in today’s economy. By adjusting them, the Senate has recognized the dignity and worth of our state’s injured workers.

Because the Senate bill differs from the House, a conference committee will need to work out a compromise. The Senate will then have an up-or-down vote on that compromise report.

KPERS CONTRIBUTIONS

The Senate has passed a proposal to raise the state’s annual KPERS contributions to $23 million beginning in 2013. A similar plan introduced in the House would raise the contribution by $10 million.

Anyone hired before July 1, 2009 (Tier 1) will have their contribution rates increased to 6% by January 2015. A 1% increase would be enacted on January 1, 2014 and another 1% increasd on January 1, 2015.

Anyone hired on or after July 1, 2009 (Tier 2) will be given an option to have their contribution rate increase from 6% to 8%. Those opting in to the increase will maintain their COLA. Those opting out will forfeit their COLA, but maintain their current 6% contribution rate.

All state employees hired after July 1, 2013 will contribute a mandatory 6%.

Our KPERS system 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.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE FEES

The Senate passed a bill on Monday prohibiting municipalities from charging a “service fee” when EMT’s, fire or police respond to an emergency but their services are not used. Under current law emergency responders may charge an accident response fee, even if their employees or equipment are not needed once on the scene. This can happen when several emergency vehicles show up during an emergency, but only one or two are needed to control the situation.

I supported this bill. Service fees can get extremely expensive; this bill helps control costs for those involved in an emergency.

IDENTITY THEFT

In a bipartisan effort to protect Kansans from identity theft, members of the Kansas Senate have strengthened penalties for convicted offenders. Under HB2008, identity theft will result in mandatory prison time if a person has been previously convicted of a similar crime.

Identity theft is a highly-personal crime that can permanently damage a victim’s good name and credit record. By making prison time mandatory, we’re sending a message that identity theft will not be taken lightly by Kansas courts.

To learn more about deterring, detecting, and defending against ID theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.

PAROLE BOARD ERO

The Senate has upheld an Executive Reorganization Order (ERO) eliminating the Parole Board and moving its functions into the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC). Under the Kansas Constitution, the Senate is able to override a gubernatorial ERO if a 21-member majority votes to do so. Wednesday’s effort failed 20-19.

I voted to keep the Parole Board in place. While some ERO’s will help maximize efficiency, I believe the Parole Board needs to be an independent entity free from outside influence.

Legislative Update: Senator Kelly Kultala

Friday, April 1, 2011

Week 12 Legislative Update: April 1, 2011

Friday, March 25, 2011

Week 11 Legislative Update: March 25, 2011