2014 Newsletter Week 7
In this Issue:
- From the Statehouse
- House Appropriations reviews Board of Regents and Higher Education budget recommendations
- Committee on Children and Seniors discuss operator qualifications
- Education Budget Committee takes up storm shelters
- Committee on General Government Budget Discusses Lottery, Gaming and Racetrack Industries
- Insurance Commissioner warns of harm of Health Care Compact Bill
- Senate passes bill that would eliminate Leadership PACs
- House votes down Hire Kansans First proposal
- Keep in touch
From the Statehouse
Time is starting to fly by as things really get going under the Dome, and it is hard to believe that it is already the official halfway point of the session! The end of this week, which is referred to as “Turnaround” marks the end of the first half of the session, at which point the House will begin to consider Senate bills, and vice versa. Turnaround was a very hectic time in the House, as we voted on 18 bills Thursday that were debated on Wednesday, and then voted on 26 bills Thursday late in the afternoon after spending the day in the House chamber debating them.
Complete daily calendars are available at along with other useful information. I am also working to keep constituents more informed via Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to follow me at and
I am privileged and honored to be your voice in the Kansas Capitol. If I can ever be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at home, 620-249-5381 or at my office in Topeka 785-296-7691.
House Appropriations reviews Board of Regents and Higher Education budget recommendations
On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee met to review the Education Budget Committee’s recommendations for the Board of Regents, and the following Universities and institutions: Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Pittsburg State, Wichita State, Kansas State, Kansas State Veterinary Medical Center, Kansas State Extension Systems and Agricultural Research Programs, University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center, and the report for Postsecondary Education System-wide.
The Board of Regents and Emporia State University, followed by the Postsecondary Education System-wide, budgets were passed as recommended for FY’s 14-15, effectively passing all of the aforementioned budgets. Concerns presented during the review included the funds for ‘salary restoration’, and bonding initiatives for certain universities.
Chairman Marc Rhoades reminded the committee that the Governor’s budget recommendations are in addition to the already approved FY 14-15 budgets approved during the 2013 legislative session. The Governor’s Recommended budget with State General Fund Dollars shows an increase of $14,462,592 above the previously approved amount for FY 14, and an increase of $29,532,316 for FY 15.
Other committee members also discussed the proposed funding in accordance with tuition increase approvals. For FY 14, and presumably each following year, the Board of Regents has an approved tuition increase of roughly $30 million across all universities, though the exact number was not available during review.
Committee on Children and Seniors discuss operator qualifications
The Children and Senior Committee met on Tuesday to discuss HB2717, which pertains to the registration of operators in the aging and disability service industry. HB 2717 includes an amendment which would change the minimum qualifications for operators. Operators, who oversee assisted living facilities or residential health care facilities, are now required to have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of relevant experience, an associate degree in a relevant field, or a Baccalaureate degree.
Testimony in favor of HB 2717 was heard from representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Kansas Center for Assisted Living and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. These proponents agreed that HB 2717 was a step in the right direction to ensure that loved ones received the most qualified and best possible care.
HB 2717 passed out of the committee favorably.
The committee also heard a presentation from Kristy Childs, the founder of Veronica’s Voice. Veronica’s Voice, based in Kansas City, is an advocacy and survivor-recovery program dedicated to offer support services to the victims of prostitution, commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
Education Budget Committee takes up storm shelters
On Tuesday, the House Education Budget Committee met to discuss HB 2623. This bill would require all school district building construction projects on or after January 1, 2015, to include the construction of a storm shelter to be located in the building of the new project. The storm shelter would be designed and constructed in compliance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General. If the building project already has an existing storm shelter that is not in compliance with the rules and regulations, then the plans for the new project would be required to include the remodeling or reconstruction of the existing storm shelter.
The Department of Education indicates that most new buildings constructed by school districts already include storm shelters. As a result, the Department states the fiscal effect would be negligible. The committee motioned for the bill to be tabled.
Committee on General Government Budget Discusses Lottery, Gaming and Racetrack Industries
The Committee on General Government Budget met on Tuesday to discuss HB 2469.
HB 2469 pertains to debt set off, specifically in the lottery, gaming and racetrack industries. Under HB 2469, if an individual wins over $1,200 in prize money, their name will be checked to ensure that they are not listed on the state debtor files. Meaning, if an individual wins prize money and has child support or other debts owed to the state, their prize money (or the amount of which they owe) will be withheld.
HB 2469 has garnered support and sponsorship from members on both side of the aisle, and the bipartisan effort lead to the bill being passed out of the General Government Budget Committee.
The committee also heard reports from representatives from the Kansas Lottery and the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. Both agencies discussed their efforts towards minimizing gambling addiction problems, particularly through their voluntary self-exclusion programs. These programs are a way for those with gambling addiction issues to eliminate any temptation by removing themselves from any mailing lists distributed by Kansas-owned casinos.
Insurance Commissioner warns of harm of Health Care Compact Bill
HB 2553, a bill passed out of Federal and State Affairs Committee and known as the Health Care Compact Bill, would allow Kansas to opt out of the federal health care overhaul. By opting out, federal funding for all health care services and health plans would be placed under the control of the Legislature and governor.
On Wednesday, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger released a statement urging the defeat of this bill. Commissioner Praeger pointed out that opting out could jeopardize Medicare funding for over 450,000 beneficiaries in Kansas. Under this bill, should state revenues fall short, then funds for Medicare and other health programs could be used to support other state programs.
Not only would this bill pose a serious threat to Kansas seniors, but also to hospitals and physicians. According to the CEO of Lawrence Memorial Hospital, the bill would keep medical professionals from delivering the quality care that Kansas seniors deserve.
The Health Care Compact bill is currently “below the line” in the House and will most likely be debated and voted on in the coming weeks. Yet again, this is a statement by legislators who simply refuse to accept the Affordable Care Act. Should the bill pass in both chambers and be signed by the governor, the compact could not be enforced until all authority over health care funding is ceded by Congress to the states.
Senate passes bill that would eliminate Leadership PACs
On Thursday, the Senate passed SB 274 which would eliminate party leadership political action committees in the Legislature. These leadership PACs allow caucuses to raise money during the legislative session and receive larger contributions. Under the bill, Leadership PACs for Senate Democrats as well as our caucus would be eliminated. Senate Republicans have one as well, but it is controlled by ousted moderates and not their current leadership. This is yet another attempt to silence and weaken the minority party. While I understand how it could seem unfair that our caucus is able to raise money during the legislative session while House Republicans cannot, this bill does not accomplish real finance reform. It would make more sense to allow current leadership to establish their own PACs, rather than dismantle one of the minority party’s primary means of fundraising for campaigns. Furthermore, this bill does not level the playing field, as a plethora of other entities contribute to republican campaigns directly or indirectly.
SB 274 is set to hit the House floor in the next coming weeks and I will keep you informed as the debate progresses.
House votes down Hire Kansans First proposal
Legislators on Thursday voted against an amendment requiring government contracts to go to companies employing at least 70% state residents. The amendment was proposed during debate on a bill to expand PEAK – Promoting Employment Across Kansas. Rep. Tietze, who proposed the amendment, argued that “We talk about the American dream and we want to grow jobs but we need to create jobs first.”
Republicans argued that the state would be closing its borders through this policy, but the amendment included language that would allow the state to pick another company if the company with state workers did not make fiscal sense to be picked. This amendment was proposed to underline the necessity of our state to focus on itself. It is time we worked on commonsense policies to ensure that Kansas is creating new, good jobs for our residents.
The amendment was defeated by a vote of 87-36, but along with the rest of my caucus, I remain unwavering in my efforts to promote sustainable job growth for our state.
Keep in touch
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 174-W, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7691 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at . You can also follow the legislative session online at