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| Kansas Day highlights busy third week for state Legislature |
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| Written by Jene Vickrey | |||
| Wednesday, 03 February 2010 09:00 | |||
The celebration of Kansas Day always seems to be when the legislative session picks up an even more hectic pace. By this time, committees have been meeting regularly for two weeks, with some already kicking out bills for consideration on the House floor. I’ve included a few of the highlights so far, and I always appreciate hearing from you.  Tax Legislation Last week’s discussion of HB 2475 (the bill to raise sales tax 1 percent) sparked numerous e-mails. The information in the hearings has outlined well the task before the Legislature. First, I will discussthe impact budget shortfalls are having on the ability to provide vital state services, and second, the economic loss due to the increase. Chris Cartwright, legislative research principal economist, testified that a 1 percent increase in our state sales tax would cause a 16.67 percent slippage. To define, slippage is the loss due to consumers either spending less or making purchases out of state or on the Internet. Dr. Art Hall from the University of Kansas School of Business added that an additional $41 million would be lost from income taxes, as 3,936 jobs would be lost, also resulting in a $2.8 million reduction in private investment and $17.1 million less revenue for local governments. At hearing testimony on both sides of the issue, the bill was reported out of committee adversely. I appreciated Jo Ann and John Gangel of Louisburg expressing strong concerns about the KDOR request to charge $25 for any individual that files by paper. They noted that many people would be unable to file over the Internet. I agreed and plan to support an incentive to encourage those who file electronically rather than penalizing those who don’t. Recession bill passes the Senate This year’s rescission bill, ensuring funding for the remainder of FY 2010, passed the Senate on Thursday. Next week, the House will be debating the bill on the floor after the Appropriations Committee finishes hearings. One of the hot issues will be the 10 percent Medicaid cut, which disqualifies the state for a 70 percent match from the federal government. In Miami County, nursing homes are being cut $637,000. Staffing levels and care will be at risk, and Denise German told me that assisted living homes could be forced to no longer accept Medicaid residents, and that those residents would be redirected at a higher cost to our state. Other bills being considered HB 2130 requires the wearing of seat belts by everyone in the car. Present law does not require adults in the back seat to wear a belt. HB 2439 would ban texting while driving. HB 2040 changes current law to authorize the Kansas Parole Board to defer subsequent hearings for up to 20 years for serious felons who have been denied parole. HB 2221 Prohibits smoking in all public places, taxis, restrooms, lobbies and common areas in hotels, condos, multiple residential buildings, any place of employment, and access points to businesses. HB 2011 requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to amend the current reporting requirements for late-term abortions. SB 375 would eliminate the death penalty. SB 401 would bring slot machines to state’s pari-mutuel tracks and lower the minimum investment for a casino in southeast Kansas. You can get copies of all bills and follow their progress by going to the state Web site, www.kslegislature.org, or contact me at (785) 296-6014. Maureen Stinson, my legislative assistant, always knows where I am. You may also e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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