January 17, 2020 ∙ Week One

HARD FACTS

o   Kansas talking points for the passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA):Easily passed: vote of 89-10. Mexico and Canada ar Kansas talking points for the passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA):e the #1 and #2 destinations for Kansas’ exported goods, respectively. In 2018, Kansas exported more than $2.1 billion in goods to Mexico and $1.9 billion to Canada. The new agreement makes much-needed improvements to NAFTA and brings trade between the three countries into the 21^st century.

o·      Spirit AeroSystems announces layoffs of 2,800 employees in the Wichita area, due to issues with the Boeing 737 Max. This follows the announcement that Textron has laid off 875 employees in the Wichita area. Spirit AeroSystems is the largest employer in Wichita. Employees will begin leaving the company on January 22 but will be paid for a 60-day notice period.

o  Re-amortization of KPERS would add another $4.4 billion in new debt if the plan is approved.Tacks on an additional 10 years before KPERS is fully funded. If the state continues with the current payment plan, KPERS is expected to be fully funded within the next 15 years.

Many of us have “learn a new language” as a New Year’s Resolution. With Mango Languages, you can learn right from your own computer or smartphone. This online language learning service https://kslib.info/Mango provided by the State Library of Kansas is easy to use. Choose from 71 languages such as Spanish, French, Mandarin- even Swahili. Mango uses real life situations and conversations to more effectively teach a new language. Mango also includes 19 English as a second language options. Use as a Guest or register to track your progress (and for smartphone use).

If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step. Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296. To see all the State Library’s online resources, visit https://kslib.info/databases.

CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS

Department of Administration Secretary, DeAngela Burns-Wallace

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Department of Corrections Secretary, Jeffrey Zmuda

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 37-2. (I voted Nay, for the following reason: https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article231037338.html )

Kansas Board of Regents, Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Shellaine Kiblinger, and Jonathan Rolph

The Senate confirmed each nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Kansas Development Finance Authority, Alan Deines

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent, Herman Jones

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Kansas Lottery Executive Director, Stephen Durrell

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Kansas Lottery Commission, Catherine Moyer (reappointment), Kenneth ‘Ed’ Trimmer, and Kala Spigarelli

The Senate confirmed each nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Kansas Public Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, Emily Hill and Owen ‘Brad’ Stratton

The Senate confirmed each nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, Kelly Kultala

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Kansas State Gaming Agency Executive Director, Kala Loomis

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Chair of the Kansas Water Authority, Constance Owen

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Director of the Kansas Water Office, Earl Lewis

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

Public Employee Relations Board, Joni Franklin, Jonathan Gilbert, Michael Ryan, Keely Schneider, and Donald ‘Rick’ Wiley

The Senate confirmed each nomination on a vote of 39-0.

State Banking Board, Ruth Stevenson and Patrick Walden

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

State Bank Commissioner, David Herndon

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, Erica Andrade, Michael Birzer, Patricia Hudgins, Laurel Michel, and Richard Ney

The Senate confirmed each nomination on a vote of 39-0.

State Civil Service Board, Sheryl Gilchrist

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

State Fire Marshal, Doug Jorgensen (reappointment)

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board, Romano Delcore (reappointment)

The Senate confirmed the nomination on a vote of 39-0.

RETIREMENT OF SENATOR MARY PILCHER-COOK

State Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook officially resigned Thursday, January 16. Senate President Susan Wagle thanked Senator Pilcher-Cook for her dedicated and passionate service to Kansans.

In a statement announcing her decision, Pilcher-Cook said her record had been consistent with the values she ran on in campaigns for both the House and Senate:

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Kansas for 15 years; two terms in the House, and almost three terms in the Senate. But now it is time for me to step down and give that privilege to someone else. My voting record shows I have consistently been honest with the voters and upheld all my campaign promises, repeatedly voting for limited government, reduced spending and traditional family values. Conservatives understand that power comes from the people, and that new leadership is sometimes required to carry on the mantle of these time-honored principles. I expect nothing less from the next senator to represent the 10th Senate district.”

WELCOME MIKE THOMPSON

Former Kansas City meteorologist Mike Thompson will succeed her in District 10 and will be sworn in Tuesday, January 21 at 2:30.  Senator-Elect Thompson plans to run for a full term during the next election.

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

Governor Kelly’s proposed budget will cost around $7.8 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed plan includes various new social spending initiatives, Medicaid Expansion, delaying payments to our state retirement fund and a pay raise for state employees.

The governor will, once again, ask lawmakers to invest a lot less in KPERS, extending payments 10 years and adding an estimated $4.4 billion dollars to the total costs.  It’s a plan Republicans successfully defeated last year. Right now, if we continue to fully fund our KPERS obligation, the delayed payment debt is estimated to be eliminated in 15 years.

The Governor also wants to provide $53 million dollars in tax credits to low-income families for sales tax relief while a Republican plan would eliminate the cumbersome tax return credit element and simply lower the amount of tax paid at the store when Kansans buy groceries.

In an attempt to help Kansans with property tax costs, the Governor suggests funding a program called the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund, which hasn’t been used since 2003.  It is a cumbersome fund designed to send money back to local government to decide whether or not to pass the money on to taxpayers. LAVTRF relief estimates calculated by independent researchers show, after going through all the red tape, taxpayers who own a $150,000 home would only save an average of about $12-25 per year depending on the county.

Other spending plans include $5 million in new aid for low-income students, a $14.8 million block grant for universities, and $8.5 million for tech students, a $7.2 million infusion into the state prison system for new beds and substance abuse programs, a $14.5 million allotment for two new highway patrol helicopters with infrared equipment and a 2.5% pay raise for state employees other than the judicial and legislative branches.

To help try to offset at least some of her spending plans, the Governor would like to begin taxing streaming services like Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and Netflix which, if approved, would take effect in July.  Her budget plan, according to the state’s bipartisan Legislative Research Department, overspends and cuts into our reserves by an estimated $571.8 million.

I strongly support allowing Kansans to take advantage of the Trump Tax Policy which allows taxpayers to itemize their deductions to get breaks on property taxes, mortgage interest rates, and healthcare costs.

SUMMARY:

Next week, together, both houses will conduct hearings on the proposed constitutional amendment to continue to allow the legislature to regulate the abortion industry as it does all health care industries.  The amendment is a top priority for Republicans who know unregulated health care is not in the best interest of Kansans who value protecting women and babies from harm.  Hearings will also begin on the Medicaid Expansion proposal where committee members are expected to hear arguments for adding a work requirement along with other suggested amendments.  Federal and State Affairs committee members will also hear reasons to establish “polka” as the official state dance.

DETAILS:

 MONDAY, January 20: NO SESSION; MLK Day

TUESDAY, January 21: 2:30 p.m. Session

·      Hearing on: SCR1613 — Amending the bill of rights of the constitution of the state of Kansas to reserve to the people the right to regulate abortion through their elected state representatives and senators. Meeting concurrently with House Federal and State Affairs Committee.(Joint Senate Judiciary and House Federal & State Affairs Committees, 9:00am, 346-S)

WEDNESDAY, January 22: 2:30 p.m. Session; Possible General Orders

·      Briefing on: 2019 Report on Rural Prosperity-Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers (Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, 8:30am, 159-S)

·      Informational briefing: Kansas Department of Transportation, Secretary Julia Lorenz and Joel Skelley, Director of Policy (Senate Transportation Committee, 8:30am, 546-S)

THURSDAY, January 23: 2:30 p.m. Session; Possible Final Action

·      Briefing on: Report on Senate Substitute for HB2167, Industrial Hemp (Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, 8:30am, 159-S)

·      Informational briefing: Kansas Highway Patrol, Colonel Herman Jones (Senate Transportation Committee, 8:30am, 546-S)

·      Kansas Department of Labor Overview (Senate Commerce Committee, 8:30am, 548-S)

·      Hearing on: (proponents) SB252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. Please note: Opponents to be heard on SB252 on January 27 & 28. (Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, 9:30am, 118-N)

·       Hearing on: SB158 — Designating the state dance as the polka. (Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, 10:30am, 144-S)

·      Department of Commerce (Senate Ways and Means Committee, 10:30am, 548-S)

·       Update on: Rural Opportunity Zones Kansas Department of Commerce (Senate Ways and Means Committee, 10:30am, 548-S)

·       Presentations by Legislative Post Audit: At-Risk School Funding (Senate Education Committee, 1:30pm, 144-S)

FRIDAY, January 24: 8:00 a.m. Session

·      Hearing continuation on (proponents) SB252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. Please note: Opponents to be heard on SB252 on January 27 & 28. (Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, 9:30am, 118-N)

Thank You for Engaging

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.

Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.