February 24, 2023

Removing Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) 15% limit on alternative investments, Senate Bill (SB) 23, was scheduled for debate on the Senate floor.  Just before the bill was to be debated, it was pulled from the schedule because several of us questioned removing the limit.  We were told the bill was needed because current “alternative” investments are bumping the 15% limit and the KPERS Board would be forced to liquidate some investments at an inopportune time.  After more research, it was discovered that nothing requires liquidation or selling alternative investments at the 15% limit, but the Board is restricted from participating in additional alternate investments.

Gun Safety courses would be optional in public schools if SB 116 becomes law.  After a cordial debate, the bill passed the Senate 30 to 8.  I voted yes.

County Identifier on License Plates is the intent of SB 130.  It’s helpful to see the two character code identifying a Kansas county on license plates.  Custom plates and specialty plates have not been including the county ID.  SB 130 would require the county ID on these plates.  The county ID will help with people who have wrongly received a ticket or bill from the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) because they have the same number on their license plate as someone from another county.  Many people like seeing the ID.  The bill passed the Senate 32 to 4.

Presidential Primary instead of Caucus is a bill that I requested.  Kansas has been holding party caucuses, instead of primary elections for President mainly because of cost.  National party conventions to nominate candidates for President are usually held in July, while Kansas primaries are in August.  Thus, party caucuses are used to decide Kansas nominees for President.  It would make sense to move the Kansas primary so that it could include candidates for President.  This would address the cost issue and allow primary winners more time between the primary and the general elections.

Property Tax Relief  Just a reminder about tax relief programs passed by the legislature last year.  The Secretary of Revenue is working on problems people have had using the forms to apply for these programs.  The link for the application for property tax relief for low income seniors and disabled veterans is posted at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf and the application for some property tax relief for businesses shut-down or negatively impacted by the Governor’s shutdown during COVID is at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront

You may also call KDOR at 785-368-8222 or e-mail [email protected] with questions about the programs and applications.

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

Caryn

$850,000 Funding Announced for
Downtown Building Revitalization

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $850,000 has been made available to fund a new round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants. The HEAL program, which is funded by the Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation, provides grants to small communities across the state to revitalize downtown buildings.

The HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:

• New or expanding businesses
• Housing
• Arts and culture
• Civic engagement
• Childcare
• Entrepreneurship

“Downtowns throughout Kansas are already making dramatic and visible improvements because of this popular program,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation is creating even more opportunities for communities to bring their historic buildings back to life and strengthen their local economies.”

HEAL is intended to close financial gaps in restoring underutilized properties and making downtown districts throughout the state more economically vibrant. Applicants must show that submitted projects have potential to become economic drivers in the community.

Eligible applicants must be organizations applying on behalf of building owners and may include designated Kansas Main Street programs, economic development organizations, cities, counties, 501c3 or 501c6 organizations, and local community foundations.

Private building owners should contact their local organization to work in partnership on the application and to identify buildings that are strong candidates for the HEAL program. The buildings should be underutilized, valuable to the historic fabric of the downtown district and have a feasible plan for adaptive re-use.

“Contributing to the HEAL program alongside the Department of Commerce is a natural fit for our foundation’s mission,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, President of the Patterson Family Foundation. “Downtown areas are often the heart of communities of all sizes, and we believe rural downtown spaces especially will benefit from improvements to their beauty, safety, and greater accessibility.”

HEAL matching grants will be awarded for either façade or building construction projects. Communities that received a previous HEAL grant are not eligible to apply in this round.

Proof of matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application. The application window opens February 13 and closes March 31 with award notifications at the end of May.

Information about the HEAL grant program and the online application can be viewed at www.kansascommerce.gov/heal.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas in 2021 was awarded Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup award, Area Development Magazine’s Gold Shovel award for two years in a row and was named Site Selection Magazine’s Best Business Climate in the West North Central region of the United States. Find the Department’s strategic plan for economic growth here: Kansas Framework for Growth.

February 10, 2023

Committee Work continues to be the major focus.  The Senate Tax Committee that I chair, passed out several bills.  Some of the bills that passed included exempting Social Security from income tax, increasing income tax standard deductions, and repealing the 1.5 mil of property taxes the state keeps and funding the 1.5 mil using State General Funds (SGF).  The bills still need to pass the Senate and the House before the Governor must decide to veto or let become law.

Tax cut on Premium Taxes, a “sales” tax that insurers pay on premiums that they receive from their policy holders, passed the Senate unanimously.  SB 25 would cut the premium tax from 6 percent to 4.  It was reported that Kansas has one of highest premium tax rates in the nation.  The cut will bring the tax rate more in line with other states.

Premium Taxes are due 90 days after the fiscal year end.  However, SB 19 would change that so that premium taxes would be due 90 days after calendar year end.  The bill passed the Senate unanimously.

Budgets are being worked in committees.  It is frustrating as the information reported is minimal and legislators get a short timeframe to review the information.  During a Commerce Committee hearing on the Department of Commerce budget, it was troubling to listen to  the ways they are giving away taxpayer dollars.  Especially since I hear from Kansans who are struggling to make ends meet because of taxes and the increased cost of necessities.  Legislators have attempted to improve the budget process, but it is a battle against people who want to grow government and have control of the books.  I am working with a few others on solutions and will keep you posted.

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

Caryn

Governor Kelly Announces Introduction of Medicaid Expansion Legislation

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced that her bills to provide affordable health care access for low-wage hardworking Kansans were introduced today in committees of the Kansas House and Kansas Senate. By expanding Medicaid, Kansas taxpayers will have access to health care services they are already paying for through federal taxes.

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February 03, 2023

Committee Work was still the main focus during the fourth week of session.  A record number of bills, including tax bills, have been introduced this year.  There have been several hearings.  Most likely, bills will be worked in the next week or so.  “Working” a bill is lingo for debating, amending, and/or voting on a bill.  Bills, schedules, and recordings of meetings can be found at http://www.kslegislature.org.

Taxes Collected (often referred to as “revenue”) continues to exceed estimates.  January taxes collected exceeded estimates by over $50 million.  That puts the fiscal year collection over $700 million above estimates.  Keep in mind this is after revenue estimate adjustments and tax cuts in 2021 and 2022, including reducing the state grocery sales tax to 4.0.  In 2021, the Governor called the income tax and other tax cuts “reckless”.  The legislature overrode her veto and implemented the cuts.  It is obvious with the increased “revenue”, there could have been more tax cuts.  There appears to be agreement, so the question is, what taxes get cut and by how much?

Energy Policy  A constituent at a legislative coffee asked why Kansas doesn’t have an energy policy and why electricity being produced in Kansas is being sent out of state with Kansas rates continuing to climb.  Excellent questions.  There have been a few bills introduced attempting to chip away at some of these problems.  One bill would elect the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) board members, who oversee utility companies in Kansas, instead of the Governor appointing them.  Almost everyone at the coffee agreed that there needs to be a balance of our energy supply and that Kansas should reap some benefit for having the energy production in our state.

Privacy Free Speech and Foreign Threats News of the China spy balloon this week should be a wake-up call.  However, it is not the first wake-up call.  For years, China, Russia, some technology companies, and others have been challenging the very protections created by our Founding Fathers.  They have been spying, limiting our speech, and manipulating information.  You may not have heard that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a $1.5 million fine to GoodRx for unauthorized disclosure of its users’ medication data with third parties for advertising.  Of course GoodRx denies it and said the fine was less expensive than fighting the accusation.  The notion of privacy is being eliminated.  Technology and complacency have moved us to a surveillance state.  There are a few bills that have been introduced in the Kansas Legislature, but the real change comes down to the choices we make, like choosing browsers and software that don’t track you, and educating yourself and others on threats.

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

Caryn