Dear Friend:

Welcome to the 2015 legislative session. The pomp-and-circumstance of the inaugural, the swearing-in, and the State of the State address has passed and we are well underway in Topeka. As we begin this session, please remember that if you have any questions or comments, you can always reply to this email or call me at 785-296-7548 during the week in Topeka. I will be at home in Lenexa for the weekends – 913-703-3423.

My family history has added a sentimental touch to this experience. Thanks to the Hutchinson News and the Shawnee Dispatch for sharing the story of my father and brother who were, and are (respectively) State Representatives.

State of the State (SOTS)

Each session begins with the governor’s State of the State address, where he outlines the proposals in his budget. He is required by law to propose a budget to the legislature that includes a 7.5% ending balance. This budget is a first draft and demonstrates his priorities and goals; it is far from the finished product that the legislature will draft in the coming months.  

The speech also included his interest in eliminating the school finance formula in favor of block grants until a new formula can be drafted and passed, changing how Supreme Court Justices are appointed, changing when and how our local officials are elected, and delaying the state’s contributions to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). He also proposed a slowing down of the income tax plan and “sin tax” increases on cigarettes and liquor enforcement. For more about the state of the Kansas budget, please take a look at the following resources:

• SOTS Video
• Governor’s Budget Proposal

• Governor’s Allotment Plan

• Governor’s Inaugural Address

• Garden City Telegram Editorial on KPERS

Be A Legislative Page

If your student (12 or older) is interested in spending the day helping legislators in Topeka, taking a tour of the Capitol, meeting the governor, and generally learning the lay-of-the-land, please reply as I would like to host your student. My available dates are February 12 and March 5.

Around the District

Upcoming Events

• Please join me for a town hall meeting featuring Lenexa legislators: Saturday, February 21, 10 am at the Lenexa Barn: 11184 Lackman Road.
• Johnson County Public Policy Council legislative breakfast at the Doubletree in Overland Park on March 7th at 7:30 am.
• The League of Women Voters is hosting a town hall meeting at the Lackman Library on March 21 at 10 am. I hope to see you there!

Serving You…

• Met with Brenda Sharpe and the REACH Health Foundation about registered dental practitioners.
• Presented at the Lenexa Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee
• Attended the Lenexa Chamber Annual Dinner
• Attended an open house at Growing Futures Early Education Center (formerly Head Start of Shawnee Mission)
• Attended a “play date” for the Shawnee Mission Parents As Teachers program to learn more about this critical program and how state funds impact its ability to serve our students.

In The News

Gannon v. Kansas (Adequacy)

Over the last few years, this case has been moving through Kansas courts on behalf of a number of school districts suing to enforce the Kansas Constitution’s requirement for “suitable provision of finance for the educational interests of the state.” The Supreme Court broke the case into two parts – Equity and Adequacy – delivering an opinion on the former in April of last year. This opinion was the catalyst for the education funding in last year’s HB 2506, which provided millions in new funding for many school districts (less than $200,000 for Shawnee Mission schools), but also slashed teacher rights.

The Adequacy component was sent to a 3-judge panel in Shawnee County for consideration. The panel delivered an opinion during the holidays, which in short, said the state is underfunding our schools to unconstitutional levels, and even at those levels, it was relying on local tax dollars to prop up the state’s responsibility. 

As you can imagine, there is a lot of Monday-morning-quarterbacking going on as to how (and whether) to fix funding issues. Constitutional amendments have been introduced to change how Supreme Court Justices are appointed, to make them elected in partisan races, and a myriad of other changes. I will keep you updated as proposals begin to “have legs” and how our communities and schools will be impacted.

• Game On for Kansas Schools: Gannon Overview
• Topeka Capital-Journal: Judges rule school finance inadequate
• Kansas City Star: Kansas court calls school funding inadequate

Committee Work

Children & Seniors

This committee will be relatively slow until bills are introduced and referred through the process. Our meetings will be short and sweet! On Thursday, we will hear testimony on the Federal ABLE Act by fellow Representative Erin Davis.

• ABLE = Achieving a Better Life Experience: Similar to 529 college savings accounts, ABLE allows parents of disabled children to save for housing, transportation, medical, and other disability-related expenses.

Social Services Budget

I look for this committee to manage very difficult issues – there are no easy answers when dealing with the health and well-being of Kansans in poverty. Last week, we were briefed on the KanCare (Medicaid) program and anticipated caseloads (Kansans who meet eligibility requirements based on income and/or disability). We also learned more about the waiting lists for these services. The legislature sets eligibility levels, but the state generally does not fund the cost of those who meet the criteria, creating a waiting list for services. 

The committee also was briefed on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), foster care, and Children’s Initiative Fund programs. This week, the committee will hear overviews on the Kansas Department for Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Health and Health Care Finance; the three KanCare managed care organizations; the Department for Children and Families (DCF); and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDAD). 

Ag & Natural Resources Budget

As rural Kansans move toward population centers, it is helpful to have urban and suburban legislators who understand rural issues, so this committee is actually a pretty good fit for my background. This committee will deal with the Department of Agriculture’s budget as well as other natural resource budget issues. The first few weeks will be slow as the budget process ramps up, but we will soon be swimming in agency updates and budget overviews.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or comments. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent your voice in Topeka.

At your service,