The Legislature adjourned for a three week “Spring Break,” while Gov. Laura Kelly reviews bills and decides which to sign, allow into law, or veto.
Legislators will return on April 25 for the “veto session,” to consider either overriding or sustaining the governor’s vetoes as well as finishing up business that remains from the first part of the session.
Read my complete update from Week 12 in the Kansas Legislature. Each of my weekly updates are available at curtisforkck.com/blog.
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and appreciate your input on issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions.
My office address is Room 452-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at 785-296-7430 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. You can also email me at [email protected].
Derek Schmidt came to Wyandotte County prepared to comment on two very controversial pieces of legislation.
Schmidt, the Republican Kansas attorney general who wants to be governor, was the keynote speaker at the monthly meeting of the Congressional Forum held Friday, March 18, at Children’s Mercy Park. The Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the forum.
The first issue Schmidt addressed was the “Safe and Welcoming City Act.” The Unified Government Commission, on a 6-4 vote, recently approved the act for Kansas City, Kansas. The ordinance would authorize the issuances of photo identification cards to undocumented persons to improve the access to public services.
Schmidt favors House Bill 2717 which would prohibit local units of government from passing any legislation that would interfere with law enforcement cooperation in immigration enforcement. He said that the ordinance would encourage sanctuary cities.
Schmidt said it is up to the federal government to reform immigration policies. Employers are very dependent on immigrant labor, particularly in such areas as food service, construction and landscaping. The present immigration system is long, drawn-out and very cumbersome.
Schmidt also commented on the redistricting issue. The Kansas Legislature, controlled by conservative Republicans, approved a map that would split Wyandotte County into two Congressional districts. Democrats allege that such a map was blatant gerrymandering, with lines drawn to dilute a Democrat candidate’s strength.
Suits were filed in Wyandotte and Douglas counties, challenging the Republican maps. The attorney general requested that the suits be dismissed. The Kansas Supreme Court rejected Schmidt’s request, saying that Schmidt should have not short-circuited the judicial process.
It is unfortunate that the ultra-conservative element controls the Legislature; its map shows the worst in partisan politics. A more moderate approach would be to keep the district lines basically the same as it is today. This would keep Wyandotte County and most of Johnson County in the 3rd Congressional District. The far southern semi-rural area of Johnson County would be in the 4th Congressional District.
Schmidt also told of improvements he has made in his 11 years as attorney general. He was able to get legislation passed that places the 150 employees of the attorney general’s office under civil service. He also was successful in getting a new crime laboratory for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is an advisory director of Business West.
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, center, was the featured speaker Friday, March 18, at the Congressional Forum. Also attending were Kim Singleton and Murrel Bland of Business West.
Much of the focus last week was on the House redistricting maps and #AxeTheFoodTax.
Following up on the rally earlier in March, a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine passed the House with near unanimous bipartisan support.
Read my complete update from Week 10 in the Kansas Legislature. Each of my weekly updates are available at curtisforkck.com/blog.
Next week we will be on the House Floor all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday voting on bills as we approach first adjournment on April 1st.
Please take the 2022 Legislature Survey if you haven’t already, at https://www.curtisforkck.com/2022survey. We will soon be voting on these important issues in the Legislature, and your opinion matters to me.
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and appreciate your input on issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions.
My office address is Room 452-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at 785- 296-7430 or call the legislative hotline at 1 -800-432-3924 and leave a message.
