April 5, 2024

Tax Relief was passed in the 11^th hour of regular session.  Conference Committee Report (CCR) 2036 will:

• eliminate state income tax on Social Security
• exempt $100,000 of the valuation for homeowners of the 20 mill for K-12
• lower the 20 mill for K-12 to 19.5 for all property owners
• eliminate state sales tax on non-prepared groceries July 1, 2024 instead of Jan 1, 2025
• provide income tax cuts for all Kansas taxpayers by:
  • a two tier income tax bracket changing 5.7 to 5.55, 5.25 to 5.15, and 3.1 is eliminated
  • personal exemptions are currently at $2,250 and will increase to $9,160 for a single filer; $18,320 married; and $2,320 for each dependent
  • standard deduction increases 3%; single $3,500 to $3,605; married $8,000 to $8,240
• eliminate Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund and the County & City Revenue Sharing Fund

You may remember the Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 539 and the House passed their tax package in House Substitute (H Sub) for SB 300.  Leadership decided not to act on the other chambers proposed tax cuts.  Instead, they put together a plan with the Governor.  It was in the first version of CCR 2036, which passed the Senate 38 to 1, but was overwhelming rejected by the House.  Later the next day, I requested information for a tax plan and, coincidentally, the House Tax Chairman had requested information for the same plan.  It made sense because each of us used 539 and 300 as a basis to create the tax plan listed above.  It passed the Senate 24 to 9 on a bipartisan vote.  Seven senators were absent.  Interestingly, 8 Democrats and 1 Republican in the Senate voted No.  The House passed it 119 to 0.  It is known the Governor doesn’t favor the legislation, but she will be going against all the House members in her party if she vetoes it.

The Budget has even more pork after conference committee negotiations of CCR 28.  The Senate had voted to block the 90% pay raise for legislators, but the conference committee put it back.  They put in spending for theaters, sports programs, and many other special interest items.  What they didn’t concentrate on was infrastructure and security, which is what government should be doing.  I did not support this runaway spending.  It passed the Senate 26 to 12 and is on its way to the Governor’s desk.

K-12 Budget was in CCR 387.  It didn’t pass the House until late in session and the Senate never got a chance to hear or work the legislation.  It was an up or down vote, no amendments allowed.  The Senate voted 12 to 26.  A motion was made to send it back to committee on Thursday.  The conference committee was able to meet Friday and negotiate a new K-12 budget.  We will vote on the new version of the CCR when we return for veto session.  A majority of us decided that over $6 billion spending, over $4 billion from State General Funds (SGF), and getting less than 30 minutes to look at the legislation was reason not to support it.

Lies are rampant in the Capitol.  Tom Petty said, “I won’t back down”.  “Well I know what’s right;  I got just one life;  In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around;  But I’ll stand my ground; And I won’t back down.”

We cannot back down and must stand for the truth.  For example, this week there was a reporter who said that I used foul language.  Two witnesses who were sitting next to me and we all said that the reporter was wrong, yet the reporter and his editor refused to write a retraction.  A few local papers picked up the “fake news”.  Another example is a Representative and others who continues to spew false information that I am blocking legislation for veterans.  It’s not even close to the truth and I have worked diligently to pass tax relief for disabled veterans and others.  There are more examples of misleading narratives and fake news.  I will  “not back down” and I will continue to stand for the truth, as should everyone because it is self-defeating not to stand for the truth.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12^th District State Senator.

Caryn

…

The escapee has been apprehended.

Minimum-custody resident Bradley G. Verstraete escaped from Lansing Correctional Facility

~Verstraete, 54, reported missing Sunday night~

LANSING, Kansas. –

Minimum-custody resident Bradley G. Verstraete was placed on escape status at approximately 9:00 p.m. after it was reported that he walked away from Lansing Correctional Facility on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Verstraete, a 54-year-old white male, was reported missing when the resident could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Verstraete is serving a 102-month sentence for convictions of attempted murder in the 2^nd degree and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer that occurred in 2017 in Pratt County.

Verstraete is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has Hazel eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing blue jean jacket, blue jeans, and red hat. His hair was in a ponytail, and he had a goatee-style beard.

Anyone with information on Verstraete can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 913-727-3235 ext. 58224, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463, or local law enforcement at 911.

The walk-away is currently being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available.

The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867. The facility serves only males and maintains maximum and medium units totaling 1,920 beds and a 512-bed minimum security unit.

Photo here

March 29, 2024

Tax Relief is still being worked on, but it took an odd turn.  After the House gutted Senate Bill (SB) 300, which was a bankers’ tax bill, and put the contents of House Bill (HB) 2844, which contained many of the tax cuts being considered, in SB 300, and created House Substitute for SB 300.  They passed it 123 to 0.  The Senate President ruled the bill materially altered.  Senators could have challenged the ruling, but it hasn’t been challenged.  There are similarities in House Substitute for SB 300 to the bill the Senate passed, SB 539.  I am working to pass tax cuts for Kansans, especially property tax relief, exempting Social Security from state income tax, and other provisions.

Death Certificates could now be signed by a licensed physician, surgeon, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, coroner, deputy coroner, or special deputy coroner if HB 2358 becomes law. It passed the Senate 39 to 1.  I voted Yes.  As with any bill returning to the originating chamber, the chamber can either concur, not concur and go to conference, or rule it materially altered and assign it to a committee.  Most likely, the House will not concur and it will go to a conference committee.

K-12 Enrollment counts would change so that schools would use the greater of the preceding-year or current year on September 20.  There are other counting changes and the bill was amended on the floor to help schools that are struggling with a declining population.  SB 386 passed on a vote of 33 to 6.  I voted Yes.  We need to delve deeper into our K-12 school funding and spending.  Of the billions of dollars being spent on K-12 funding, a greater percentage needs to get to the classrooms and teachers.  The bill now goes to the House.

Unclaimed Property could be used to invest and possibly make money for the state.  It may sound like a good idea, but what happens if the investments lose money and the property owner is found?  It can and has happened.  Legislators in the past blocked risky alternative investments because it almost broke KPERS and cost taxpayers.  How they forget.  The return on investments has been high so some perceive the risk to be low.  Taxpayers will end up footing the bill for unclaimed property if these investments lose money.  It’s a gamble I’m not willing to take.  HB 2577 passed 38 to 2.  I voted No.  The bill returns to the House since it was amended.

Death or Disability to a police animal would be an increased penalty of a mandatory 90 days imprisonment and a minimum fine of $10,000 plus expenses such as veterinary treatment, funeral, and replacement.  It is understandable we don’t want these animals harmed, but let’s strengthen the penalties for people who are harmed and not overdue for an animal.  HB 2583 passed 25 to 15.  I voted No.

Harm or Death to law enforcement or emergency responders for drivers who do not move-over another lane away from emergency responders would have increased penalties not less than $7,500 for death and $1,000 for harm.  The current fine for not moving over for emergency responders would increase from $195 to $400.  SB 426 passed 39 to 1.  I voted Yes.

Public Utilities would not be able to use eminent domain for wind or solar facilities.  SB 457 passed the Senate 38 to 0.

Energy Companies would be able to defer 90% of depreciation expenses and balances could be included in the utility’s rate base.  If the bill becomes law, these changes could begin 7/1/2024 after the utility notifies the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC).   There are other provisions, like allowing for a new gas-fired plant to be built in Reno County.  My concern is our ever-increasing energy costs and HB 2527 in its current form doesn’t address that.  The bill passed 38 to 2.  I voted No.  The bill returns to the House since there were amendments.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12^th District State Senator.

Caryn

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

March 22, 2024

The Budget is so full of pork, you’d think it’s a bacon factory.  It increases spending 13.9%, over $1.2 billion, in just one year.  There are some good things in SB 514 – the budget, but the waste far outweighs the good.  The final budget bill will be put together in conference committee.  Maybe this year, waste will get trimmed.  The SB 514 passed 24 to 14.  I voted No.

Tax Relief for a second time this session passed the Senate.  The first time was CCR 2284 that was vetoed.  The second time was SB 539 that passed with a bipartisan veto proof majority.  It would provide property, income, and sales tax relief for Kansas taxpayers, but the House buried it in committee.  They introduced a tax bill of their own, HB 2844, Monday, held a hearing on it Wednesday.  Thursday they gutted SB 300 and put the contents of HB 2844 in SB 300, what is referred to as a ‘gut-n-go’.  They passed it out of House Tax.  It’s difficult to say what will happen, but what we do know is that this bill moves to the left and is a smaller tax cut for Kansans.  There is over $3 billion in the state coffers so I am working for maximum tax relief.  Kansans need it, especially with cost of food, fuel, and other necessities.

County On License Plate would be required on a majority of license plates and would authorize First City of Kansas (Leavenworth) distinctive license plates.  HB 2498 passed unanimously.

Occupational Licensing would be expedited, and fees waived for military service members and spouses residing or planning to reside in Kansas.  HB 2745 passed unanimously.

Kansas Commission On Veterans Affairs Office would be reestablished as the Kansas Office of Veterans Services.  The Veterans Claims Assistance Program would be updated to include references to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.  HB 2760 passed 40 to 0.

Peer Support Counseling is with peers of similar experience.  It would by expanded allowing law enforcement, emergency services, or the Kansas National Guard to utilize more resources for peer support and extend privilege to discussing a critical incident.  HB 2557 passed 36 to 4.  I voted Yes.

Silver Alert for a missing person would be expanded to include anyone over 18 diagnosed with an intellectual disability.  Currently, silver alert is for elderly who are missing.  SB 371 passed unanimously.

Ignition Interlock Devices are required for a person convicted of DUI.  Currently, they pay a monthly fee for the device and the manufacture pays a fee to the Highway Patrol.  SB 493 would establish another fee fund that would be paid by the convicted person to the Highway Patrol for administering the program.  This increased cost will not be a deterrent from drunk driving.  “I don’t think that you shall see, a fee that doesn’t tax you or me.”  It passed 28 to 12.  I voted No.

Kansas Credit Unions would be able to operate outside the state.  A suspended board member may apply for review that has to occur within 60 days.  It would allow the Credit Union Administrator to collect civil penalties.  There are several other provisions in the HB 2561 that passed 40 to 0.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12^th District State Senator.

Caryn

March 22, 2024

The Budget is so full of pork, you’d think it’s a bacon factory.  It increases spending 13.9%, over $1.2 billion, in just one year.  There are some good things in SB 514 – the budget, but the waste far outweighs the good.  The final budget bill will be put together in conference committee.  Maybe this year, waste will get trimmed.  The SB 514 passed 24 to 14.  I voted No.

Tax Relief for a second time this session passed the Senate.  The first time was CCR 2284 that was vetoed.  The second time was SB 539 that passed with a bipartisan veto proof majority.  It would provide property, income, and sales tax relief for Kansas taxpayers, but the House buried it in committee.  They introduced a tax bill of their own, HB 2844, Monday, held a hearing on it Wednesday and put the contents of HB 2844 in a shell, SB 330 which is a Commerce bill.  They passed it out of House Tax on Thursday.  It’s difficult to say what will happen, but what we do know is that this bill moves to the left and is a smaller tax cut for Kansans.  There is over $3 billion in the state coffers so I am working for maximum tax relief.  Kansans need it, especially with cost of food, fuel, and other necessities.

County On License Plate would be required on a majority of license plates and would authorize First City of Kansas (Leavenworth) distinctive license plates.  HB 2498 passed unanimously.

Occupational Licensing would be expedited, and fees waived for military service members and spouses residing or planning to reside in Kansas.  HB 2745 passed unanimously.

Kansas Commission On Veterans Affairs Office would be reestablished as the Kansas Office of Veterans Services.  The Veterans Claims Assistance Program would be updated to include references to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.  HB 2760 passed 40 to 0.

Peer Support Counseling is with peers of similar experience.  It would by expanded allowing law enforcement, emergency services, or the Kansas National Guard to utilize more resources for peer support and extend privilege to discussing a critical incident.  HB 2557 passed 36 to 4.  I voted Yes.

Silver Alert for a missing person would be expanded to include anyone over 18 diagnosed with an intellectual disability.  Currently, silver alert is for elderly who are missing.  SB 371 passed unanimously.

Ignition Interlock Devices are required for a person convicted of DUI.  Currently, they pay a monthly fee for the device and the manufacture pays a fee to the Highway Patrol.  SB 493 would establish another fee fund that would be paid by the convicted person to the Highway Patrol for administering the program.  This increased cost will not be a deterrent from drunk driving.  “I don’t think that you shall see, a fee that doesn’t tax you or me.”  It passed 28 to 12.  I voted No.

Kansas Credit Unions would be able to operate outside the state.  A suspended board member may apply for review that has to occur within 60 days.  It would allow the Credit Union Administrator to collect civil penalties.  There are several other provisions in the HB 2561 that passed 40 to 0.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12^th District State Senator.

Caryn