Feb. 16, 2015
In this issue:
•Last week at the Capitol
•Kansans First: Democrats roll out part one of economic plan
•Changes for state employees
•County treasurer changes
•Bill seeks criminal charges for teachers
•Local elections
•Over at the House
◦Constitutional amendments
◦KPERS bonding
•Senate education
•Newsworthy notes
•Office visitors
Last week at the Capitol
Last week marked the final week for bill introductions. With a few exceptions, as of Friday at 5 p.m., no more bills can be introduced for the 2015 session. Committees continued holding hearings and voting bills out of committee. There are many ready for full consideration by the Senate, but no action was taken this week. Action will pick up the next two weeks as February 27 is the deadline for bills to pass out of their house of origin.
The Senate convenes Monday-Thursday at 2:30 p.m. and Friday at 8 a.m. To listen to legislative proceedings, just click on “Listen in Live” on the homepage of www.kslegislature.org. You can also find daily calendars, committee and district information, and full text and summaries of bills on that website.
If you have any questions about testifying or about bills in general, feel free to contact my office at 785-296-7375 or stop by my legislative office, located in 125-E of the Topeka Statehouse.
Kansans First: Democrats roll out part one of economic plan
House and Senate Democrats held a press conference Tuesday to roll out the first of a series of priorities to strengthen and protect middle class Kansas families. These proposals not only reflect the concerns of our constituents, but also our commitment to making Kansas a place where people can prosper if they’re willing to work hard and play by the rules. The first series of proposals focuses on providing fair and equal wages, preventing the export of Kansas jobs, and emphasizing the importance of fully funding T-WORKS.
Changes for state employees
On Tuesday, the governor announced an executive order that rescinds an order signed back in 2007 by Gov. Sebelius that established protections for state employees, specifically for sexual orientation and gender identity. I do not agree with the governor’s action; discrimination or harassment of any human being should never be permitted.
There is no benefit to the image of Kansas to have our governor rescinding the executive order. It only causes businesses to question thoughts of moving or expanding to Kansas.
County treasurer changes
Secretary of Revenue Nick Jordan confirmed Thursday that the state will no longer be sending letters notifying residents of their car tag renewals, including how much they owe and possible methods of payment. Instead, as an “efficiency,” the Kansas Department of Revenue will simply send postcards notifying residents of their renewals and instructing them to contact their county treasurer for more information. This places a significant burden on counties.
Bill seeks criminal charges for teachers
The Senate Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice approved a bill this week that would allow teachers, administrators, and potentially the entire school district to face criminal charges for distributing materials deemed by an “average adult person” as “harmful to minors.” Under Senate Bill 56, a book in the library that has artwork containing nudity could lead to a librarian being criminally charged.
The bill will now go to the Senate floor for full consideration. I voted against this bill in the Senate Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice. The definitions outlined in the bill are too vague, and I disagree with making courts the first resort for concerned parents rather than the last
Local elections
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections held hearings this week on Senate Bill 171, the “Help Kansas Vote Act.” It shifts local, spring elections to November, makes them partisan, and creates a straight ticket ballot – voters can simply pick a party and check one box that votes for all candidates affiliated with that party. It also allows election commissioners to give notice within 60 days to school districts in order to use school buildings for a voting site. Districts would be required to schedule an in-service day while the buildings are used for the election.
Voting is a right that every Kansan over the age if 18 should value. We need to be making voting easier. This bill does nothing to improve the voting process.
Over at the House
• Constitutional amendments – The House Committee on Judiciary held hearings Wednesday on two constitutional amendments relating to Judicial Selection. The first, HCR 5004, would abolish the Supreme Court Nomination Commission, and instead, create direct partisan election of Supreme Court justices and court of appeals judges. The other proposed amendment, HCR 5005, would also abolish the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, and instead, allows the governor to appoint Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges. I support neither amendment.
• KPERS bonding – The House Committee on Pensions and Benefits Thursday passed House Bill 2095, which allows the issuance of a $1.5 billion bond. This is the bill that helps pay for Gov. Brownback’s proposal of extending the amortization period of KPERS by 10 years, making it so KPERS isn’t fully funded until 2043. Even with these bonds, it will still cost the state $3.7 billion. In other words, it will cost the state billions of dollars in the long term in order to save millions in the short term, all for the sake of the governor’s reckless economic experiment.
Senate Education
We had a hearing on Senate Bill 136. It is supported by many educational organizations, including the Kansas Association of School Boards, the Kansas Superintendents Association, United School Administrators, Kansas, and the Kansas NEA. House Education on the other hand, passed out HB2034. The bill makes changes to collective bargaining law to make it so the only issues that must be negotiated by teachers are salaries and wages. This legislation was rejected by the task force back in December and no one in the education community has expressed support for it. The bill will now go to the House floor for full consideration. I do not support it. The Legislature has asked these educational organizations to work out a plan. Now they have. Shouldn’t we listen to them?
Newsworthy notes
•Tour of the Lansing Correctional Facility- I had the opportunity to take a tour. Warden Rex Pryor is an experienced corrections administrator. His staff is happy to take any group on a tour of the Lansing facility.
•Ft. Riley- I joined legislators and interested community members at a town hall meeting to voice concerns about troop reductions and how it would affect the community. Over 3,000 people attended the meeting.
•Speaking engagement- Rep. Jarrod Ousley and I spoke at the northeast Johnson County Legislative Forum on Feb. 12th at the Merriam Library.
•Radio appearance- on Saturday, Feb. 14, I participated in KCUR’s Statehouse Blend.
•On Tuesday, Feb. 17, there will be a hearing for Senate Bill 153 in the Federal and State Affairs Committee. This is legislation that I introduced and would give libraries the right to file for four-year exemptions from allowing concealed carry in their buildings.
Office visitors
• I had the pleasure of visiting with some representatives from Friends of Yates and El Centro.
• I also visited with Ashley Jones-Wisner, a lobbyist for KC Healthy Kids. She recognized Mr. Droge’s 8th grade class at Rosedale Middle School with a $1,000 award from KC Healthy Kids for their entry in KC Healthy Kids youth advocacy photography contest.