Received: from unknown (HELO legemailout.ks.gov) ([10.154.203.159]) by lgip01.leg.ks.gov with ESMTP; 29 Mar 2010 16:58:10 -0500 Received: from SWCA01.LGKS.LOC (10.154.203.161) by swhtc02.LGKS.LOC (10.154.203.159) with Microsoft SMTP Server (TLS) id 8.2.234.1; Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:49:40 -0500 Received: from EMAIL01.LGKS.LOC ([fe80::c504:6b9d:cdb5:4803]) by SWCA01.LGKS.LOC ([10.154.203.161]) with mapi; Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:49:39 -0500 Received: from lgip01.leg.ks.gov ([165.201.70.119]) by snt0-mc4-f16.Snt0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959); Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:58:12 -0700 Return-Path: From: "Jeff King" To: "Jeff King" Subject: From the Statehouse - March 29, 2010 Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:49:37 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_00EB_01CAD37B.3390DB90" X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook 12.0 Thread-Index: AcrPibmpIyYQ4kSESpSHy3HwsJZOKg== Content-Language: en-us ------=_NextPart_000_00EB_01CAD37B.3390DB90 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit From the Statehouse - March 29, 2010 The Kansas House is in its final week of the 2010 Legislative session before its annual April recess. Traditionally, the Kansas Legislature meets from the second week in January until about April 1. Then, the Legislature reconvenes on the last Wednesday in April for 1-2 weeks to complete its work. In preparation for the coming April recess, the Kansas House has considered numerous bills. Unfortunately, we have yet to consider a budget for the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2010 ("FY 2011"). Once we debate a budget for FY 2011, I will fully inform you of its progress. Until then, however, I will provide an update on a few bills currently before the Kansas House. SCR 1614 - Budget Stabilization Fund As all of you know, Kansas is facing considerable budget difficulties. The main cause of this budget crisis is the historic recession, which has cost Kansas more than $1 billion in lost revenues annually over the past two years. This problem has been worsened, however, by Kansas' lack of a budget stabilization fund. Kansas is currently one of only 5 states without such a fund (also known as a "rainy day" fund), which would ensure that the state saves money in good economic times to help ease the budget impact of future recessions. To correct this situation, the Kansas House overwhelmingly passed SCR 1614 (which I supported), which would allow voters to decide at the November election whether Kansas wants to create a "rainy day" fund in the state constitution. Under SCR 1614, when the actual state tax revenues exceed the previous year's revenues by more than 3%, the Kansas Legislature would be required to place 0.25% of its total tax revenues in a budget stabilization fund. The Kansas Legislature would only be allowed spend money from this fund only when tax revenues declined and when such spending was approved by at least 60% of the Legislature. SCR 1614 now proceeds to conference committee, where Kansas Senate and House members will agree to reconcile the differences in their two versions of this proposed constitutional amendment. SB 368 - Requiring Ignition Interlock Devices for DUI Offenders Last week, the Kansas House voted unanimously to greatly expand the use of ignition interlock devices by persons convicted of DUIs. Ignition interlocks are devices that prohibit a driver from starting a car if his/her blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit (.08%). SB 368 would require all drivers convicted of DUIs, even first-time offenders, to use an interlock device for a minimum of one year. Such mandatory use of interlock devices would occur after any jail time or driving suspension was served by the offender. I am proud to have voted for this bill. The Kansas DUI Commission, which has met for the past year, will offer its recommendations later this year on reforming Kansas DUI laws. I hope the expanded use of interlock devices proposed in SB 368 will form part of the DUI Commission's plan and soon become Kansas law. HB 2739 - Education Bill I have received dozens of emails and phone calls concerning HB 2739 and a proposed FY 2011 budget unveiled last week by the House Appropriations Committee. HB 2739 proposes an incredibly complex reform of the K-12 school funding system. While I would be the first to admit that the current school funding formula has its problems, the solution proposed by HB 2739 would be nothing short of a disaster for southeast Kansas and the 12th District that I represent. The basic premise behind HB 2739 is threefold. First, this bill would greatly expand the ability of school districts to increase education funding through new local property taxes. Second, HB 2739 reduces the amount of "equalization" dollars for the local property taxes that are used for K-12 education. Third, HB 2739 would force all districts to issue local K-12 property taxes (called "local option budgets" or LOBs) of at least 10% of the money received from the state of Kansas. For at least one of my districts (Elk Valley), this provision alone would require a local property tax increase. The effect of HB 2739 would be simple and devastating - it would require substantial increases in local property taxes to provide the same level of education funding currently enjoyed by our local districts. The equalization of LOB dollars is the fundamental tenet of K-12 funding in Kansas. Equalization recognizes that a 1 mill increase in local property taxes in Johnson County for instance raises far more per pupil than a 1 mill hike in Elk, Montgomery, or Chautauqua counties. Current law corrects this disparity by "equalizing" local property taxes so that, for instance, in Elk County, every dollar raised in local K-12 property taxes brings about $4 in additional funding from the state. Without this equalization money, poor districts cannot raise nearly as much money as wealthy ones - thus making the quality of a child's education directly dependant on the property wealth in that district. Quality public education and affordable property taxes are not rights enjoyed only by wealthy Kansans. It is my job (and that of the Kansas Legislature) to ensure that all Kansas students (from poor and rich areas alike) receive the same opportunity at a quality education. It is my job to ensure that the Kansas Legislature does not further increase our already excessive local property taxes by washing its hands of K-12 funding and forcing local property taxpayers to make up the difference without equalization dollars. If HB 2739 comes to a vote in the Kansas House as currently drafted, I will vote against it. I will likewise oppose any effort to reduce equalization dollars for K-12 education or force local property taxpayers to bear a greater funding burden for K-12 education. HB 2549__ - Tax debate Finally, the Kansas House recently considered HB 2549, a bill that would have removed the sales-tax exemptions provided to churches, certain non-profit organizations, residential utilities, and admissions to high-school sporting events, among others. The House Taxation Committee defeated the portion of the bill targeting Girl Scouts, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and numerous other charities. On the floor of the Kansas House, I am proud to have carried the amendments that preserved this exemption for churches, residential utilities and numerous other worthy organizations. I know the difficult economic times we are facing and know that tough choices must be made. However, trying to balance the budget on the backs of churches, charities, and fixed-income homeowners is bad policy that is not justified in any economic climate. HB 2549 would have placed a new 5.3% tax on electric, natural gas, and water bills for all Kansas homeowners (rich or poor). Studies have shown that a tax on household utilities is the most regressive tax possible because Kansans on fixed incomes still must heat and cool their homes, which are often less energy efficient than homes owned by wealthier Kansans. With studies showing a 13% drop in giving to churches with a 70% increase in demand for charitable services, now is also not the time to place a new tax on these religious organizations that would take another 5-8% of their budgets and further reduce their ability to help the most vulnerable Kansans. I know that the Kansas Legislature faces a difficult task and I appreciate the thoughts that many of you have given me on ways to balance the budget in this challenging year. In carrying the amendments that defeated the new taxes proposed in HB 2549, I was struck by a quote from one charitable group that stated simply "we cannot balance the budget on the backs of the poor." I agree and, accordingly, led the fight to defeat these new taxes on the floor of the Kansas House. Thank you as always for your interest in the Kansas Legislature and for the opportunity to serve as your representative. I will send you a further update at the end of the regular session to keep you posted on the progress of the FY 2011 Kansas budget and on other key issues. If you have any questions about these issues or other legislative topics, please do not hesitate to contact me at 785-296-7667 or by email at jeff.king@house.ks.gov. ------=_NextPart_000_00EB_01CAD37B.3390DB90 Content-Type: text/html; boundary="_000_B0D05B633CB60644A35C31737041AFFE2306344341EMAIL01LGKSLO_"; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

From the Statehouse – March 29, 2010

The Kansas House is in its final week of the = 2010 Legislative session before its annual April recess.  Traditionally, = the Kansas Legislature meets from the second week in January until about April = 1.  Then, the Legislature reconvenes on the last Wednesday in April for 1-2 weeks = to complete its work.

In preparation for the coming April recess, = the Kansas House has considered numerous bills.  Unfortunately, we have = yet to consider a budget for the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2010 = (“FY 2011”).  Once we debate a budget for FY 2011, I will fully = inform you of its progress.  Until then, however, I will provide an update on a = few bills currently before the Kansas House.

SCR 1614 – Budget = Stabilization Fund

As all of you know, Kansas is facing = considerable budget difficulties.  The main cause of this budget crisis is the = historic recession, which has cost Kansas more than $1 billion in lost revenues = annually over the past two years.  This problem has been worsened, however, = by Kansas’ lack of a budget stabilization fund.  Kansas is = currently one of only 5 states without such a fund (also known as a “rainy = day” fund), which would ensure that the state saves money in good economic = times to help ease the budget impact of future recessions.  =

To correct this situation, the Kansas House overwhelmingly passed SCR 1614 (which I supported), which would allow = voters to decide at the November election whether Kansas wants to create a = “rainy day” fund in the state constitution.  Under SCR 1614, when = the actual state tax revenues exceed the previous year’s revenues by more = than 3%, the Kansas Legislature would be required to place 0.25% of its total tax revenues in a budget stabilization fund.  The Kansas Legislature = would only be allowed spend money from this fund only when tax revenues declined = and when such spending was approved by at least 60% of the = Legislature.  SCR 1614 now proceeds to conference committee, where Kansas Senate and House = members will agree to reconcile the differences in their two versions of this = proposed constitutional amendment.

SB 368  – Requiring = Ignition Interlock Devices for DUI Offenders

Last week, the Kansas House voted unanimously = to greatly expand the use of ignition interlock devices by persons = convicted of DUIs.  Ignition interlocks are devices that prohibit a driver from = starting a car if his/her blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit (.08%).  = SB 368 would require all drivers convicted of DUIs, even first-time offenders, = to use an interlock device for a minimum of one year.  Such mandatory use = of interlock devices would occur after any jail time or driving suspension was served = by the offender.

I am proud to have voted for this bill.  = The Kansas DUI Commission, which has met for the past year, will offer its = recommendations later this year on reforming Kansas DUI laws.  I hope the expanded = use of interlock devices proposed in SB 368 will form part of the DUI Commission’s plan and soon become Kansas = law.

HB 2739 – Education = Bill

I have received dozens of emails and phone = calls concerning HB 2739 and a proposed FY 2011 budget unveiled last week by = the House Appropriations Committee.  HB 2739 proposes an incredibly = complex reform of the K-12 school funding system.  While I would be the first to = admit that the current school funding formula has its problems, the solution = proposed by HB 2739 would be nothing short of a disaster for southeast Kansas and = the 12th District that I represent. 

The basic premise behind HB 2739 is = threefold.  First, this bill would greatly expand the ability of school districts to increase education funding through new local property taxes.  = Second, HB 2739 reduces the amount of “equalization” dollars for the local = property taxes that are used for K-12 education.  Third, HB 2739 would force = all districts to issue local K-12 property taxes (called “local option budgets” or LOBs) of at least 10% of the money received from the = state of Kansas.  For at least one of my districts (Elk Valley), this = provision alone would require a local property tax increase.

The effect of HB 2739 would be simple and devastating – it would require substantial increases in local = property taxes to provide the same level of education funding currently enjoyed = by our local districts.  The equalization of LOB dollars is the = fundamental tenet of K-12 funding in Kansas.  Equalization recognizes that a 1 mill = increase in local property taxes in Johnson County for instance raises far more per = pupil than a 1 mill hike in Elk, Montgomery, or Chautauqua counties.  = Current law corrects this disparity by “equalizing” local property taxes = so that, for instance, in Elk County, every dollar raised in local K-12 = property taxes brings about $4 in additional funding from the state.  = Without this equalization money, poor districts cannot raise nearly as much money as wealthy ones = – thus making the quality of a child’s education directly dependant = on the property wealth in that district.

Quality public education and affordable = property taxes are not rights enjoyed only by wealthy Kansans.  It is my job = (and that of the Kansas Legislature) to ensure that all Kansas students (from poor = and rich areas alike) receive the same opportunity at a quality = education.  It is my job to ensure that the Kansas Legislature does not further increase = our already excessive local property taxes by washing its hands of K-12 = funding and forcing local property taxpayers to make up the difference without = equalization dollars.  If HB 2739 comes to a vote in the Kansas House as = currently drafted, I will vote against it.  I will likewise oppose any effort to = reduce equalization dollars for K-12 education or force local property = taxpayers to bear a greater funding burden for K-12 education.

HB 2549__ - Tax = debate

Finally, the Kansas House recently considered = HB 2549, a bill that would have removed the sales-tax exemptions provided = to churches, certain non-profit organizations, residential utilities, and admissions to high-school sporting events, among others.  The House = Taxation Committee defeated the portion of the bill targeting Girl Scouts, the = American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and numerous other = charities.

On the floor of the Kansas House, I am proud = to have carried  the amendments that preserved this exemption for churches, = residential utilities and numerous other worthy organizations.  I know the = difficult economic times we are facing and know that tough choices must be = made.  However, trying to balance the budget on the backs of churches, = charities, and fixed-income homeowners is bad policy that is not justified in any = economic climate.  HB 2549 would have placed a new 5.3% tax on electric, = natural gas, and water bills for all Kansas homeowners (rich or poor).  Studies = have shown that a tax on household utilities is the most regressive tax possible = because Kansans on fixed incomes still must heat and cool their homes, which are = often less energy efficient than homes owned by wealthier Kansans.  With = studies showing a 13% drop in giving to churches with a 70% increase in demand = for charitable services, now is also not the time to place a new tax on = these religious organizations that would take another 5-8% of their budgets = and further reduce their ability to help the most vulnerable = Kansans.

I know that the Kansas Legislature faces a = difficult task and I appreciate the thoughts that many of you have given me on = ways to balance the budget in this challenging year.  In carrying the = amendments that defeated the new taxes proposed in HB 2549, I was struck by a quote from = one charitable group that stated simply “we cannot balance the budget = on the backs of the poor.”  I agree and, accordingly, led the fight = to defeat these new taxes on the floor of the Kansas House.

Thank you as always for your interest in the = Kansas Legislature and for the opportunity to serve as your = representative.  I will send you a further update at the end of the regular session to keep you = posted on the progress of the FY 2011 Kansas budget and on other key = issues.  If you have any questions about these issues or other legislative topics, = please do not hesitate to contact me at 785-296-7667 or by email at jeff.king@house.ks.gov.

 

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