|
|
|
|
|
Category Archives: Kansas
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
April 28, 2023
Property Tax Relief for seniors in need and disabled veterans by expanding the property tax freeze that passed last year, is in CCR 8 along with several other provisions. The Senate passed it with a bi-partisan vote of 26 to 13. Hopefully, it will became law. It’s in the Governor’s hands.
Record Number of Vetoes and veto overrides is being reported. The legislature didn’t attempt to override all of the vetoes, but of the ones they did, 12 were overridden.
The Governor worked to get a Republican Senator and an Independent (former Republican) Senator to vote against the veto override on CCR 169. Apparently, they were seen coming out of her office on the day of the vote. These are two legislators who originally voted YES on CCR 169. It contained tax cuts on Social Security, an accelerated food state sales tax cut, some property tax relief for homeowners, an income tax cut by increasing the standard deduction, and a single income tax rate of 5.15%. It would have accelerated the corporate tax cuts in 2024 and 2025 to 2024. The Republican who flipped, said the bill was too rich for corporations, but these are cuts they are going to get anyway.
The state budget increased over $1 billion this year, $1.5 billion was given to a handful of companies over the last two years, over $1.5 billion has been put in a rainy day fund, and yet the Governor and a few legislators blocked tax reductions for all Kansans. Some say it was because of the single income tax rate policy at 5.15%. A Democrat said the last day of session, “Don’t worry, you’ll get it next year because it is an election year.” My heart sunk. It shouldn’t matter if it is an election year. We should pass it because it is good policy, no matter what year.
The successful veto overrides include: HB 2313 Born-Alive Infant Protection, HB 2264 Women’s Right to Know about Abortion Drug Reversal, HB 2350 Making Human Smuggling a Crime, HB 2138 Requiring Separate Accommodations by Biological Sex on Overnight School Trips, HB 2094 Work or Training Requirement for Able Bodied Adults to Receive Food Benefits, SB 228 Modernizing County Jail Statutes (reimbursement for mental health detainees), and SB 180 Women’s Bill of Rights. Bills that failed to secure 2/3 majority for an override: HB 2344 Loosening Overly Burdensome Daycare Regulations, HB 2236 Parents Bill of Rights, SB 169 Tax Reductions, SB 206 Ballots Due by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, and SB 26 Child Mutilation Prevention Act.
Session has ended. Many of us were surprised when leadership ran the Sine Die resolution, ending the 2023 session April 28th. Usually it is a few weeks after the last day of veto session, not on the last day of veto session. As I was walking out of the building many people commented they had no idea that day was going to be Sine Die.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
State of Kansas’ Total Tax Collections $1.3B in April
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue announced today that total tax collections for April 2023 were $1.3 billion. That is 2.3%, or $30.1 million, below the estimate. Total collections are down 14.7% from April 2022.
Individual income tax collections were $593.5 million. That is $76.0 million, or 11.4%, below the estimate, and 41.7%, or 425.3 million, below what was collected in April 2022. Part of the decrease in the individual income tax receipts is attributable to having two fewer processing days after the April 18 due date than in April 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $354.2 million. That is $50.2 million, or 16.5%, more than the month’s estimate and 150.4% more than in April 2022.
“The lower individual income tax receipts and higher corporate income tax receipts reflect the impact of the SALT Parity Act, which allows owners of pass-through entities to elect to have the pass-through income taxed at the entity level rather than at the entity owner level,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.
Combined sales and compensating use tax receipts were $308.6 million, which is $2.2 million, or 0.7%, below the estimate, and down $1.4 million, or 0.4%, from April 2022. The continued impact of reducing the food sales tax can be seen in the year-over-year decrease in the combined sales and compensating use tax collections.
Click here to see the April 2023 receipts.
###
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
April 25, 2023
The Governor’s Veto Pen is in overdrive again this year. Besides the fairness in women’s sports bill (which was successfully overridden) and the born-alive bill, she vetoed Senate Bill (SB) 180, defining a biological sex for the protection of women. It takes a supermajority of legislatures (2/3) to override a veto. She also vetoed House Bill (HB) 2344, allowing daycares to accept more children. The rules and regulations implemented by bureaucrats have become too restrictive. In fact, so restrictive that Kansan Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) testified about reducing the regulations and then didn’t follow through. HB 2344 was an attempt to address the overreaching restrictions.
It is almost unbelievable the Governor has prioritized corporations over families and individual taxpayers by vetoing a CCR 169. It would cut sales, property, and income tax by:
- accelerating “food” sales tax cut to zero on Jan 1, 2024 – instead of Jan 1, 2025
- increasing the property tax exemption for homeowners to $60k from $40k on the K-12 20 mil
- exempting most Social Security from state income tax, eventually exempting all
- increasing income tax standard deductions each year based on inflation
- creating a single income tax bracket of 5.15% while exempting income below $6,150 for individuals, $12,300 married so that it is a tax cut for all personal income tax filers
- accelerating the corporate income tax cut by one year to 1% cut 2024, instead of ½ percent in 2024 and 2025 (which the Governor signed into law last year)
- and cutting the privilege tax for banks ½ % in 2024 and ½ in 2025
Keep in mind that this is the same Governor who signed into law tax cuts and/or exemptions for major corporations and vetoed tax cuts in 2021 CCR 50. It is estimated just the APEX tax exemptions she pushed will be over $1.5 billion for two companies, one being a foreign owned company. Her claims for vetoing the tax cuts in CCR 169 are much the same as in 2021, that it would break the state. After CCR 50 became law, the state has continued to collect record revenue (taxes collected). She was wrong then and now. Let’s hope we can override the veto this year putting the brakes on massive government growth and providing tax relief for all, especially families and individuals in need.
Environmental Social Governance (ESG) has been creeping into Kansas and there were a couple of pieces of legislation attempting to restrict ESG ratings in taxpayer investments such as Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). During debate on Senate Bill (SB) 291, I ran an amendment that would stop taxpayer money being invested in foreign adversaries of the U.S. The amendment passed and the bill passed the Senate 29 to 11. During conference committee a stripped-down version of 291 was put in CCR 2100, taking out the language blocking investments in China and other foreign adversaries. The Senate sent a strong message to the House killing the conference committee report, but later reconsidered so we didn’t lose the entire ESG bill. It became law without the Governor’s signature.
It is important to get KPERS and other taxpayer money out of these countries. KPERS currently has approximately 2% invested in China, over $543 million. Some say it will cost too much to divest. I contend it is to costly to stay. This was proven when KPERS Russia investments went from over $30 million to basically $0 last year. KPERS board members and others have refused to take action so the legislature must. Hopefully, it will not be too late as we are a part-time legislature and the 2023 session is coming to an end.
HB 2036 would exempt veterans from property taxes, but the bill was not accepted during conference committee negotiations. I did not block the bill, as a State Representative who is a veteran is reporting (see https://www.teamtyson.org/HB2036.htm for more details). I have fought diligently for tax cuts for our veterans, military, and all Kansans. I have been a leader on the property-tax freeze for seniors and disabled veterans. Tax conference committee members were instrumental in leading the effort to pass the program last year and the possible expansion of the program this year in CCR 8. Hopefully, CCR 8 will become law this year.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Infrastructure and Economic Development Grants
Governor Kelly Announces Awardees of
Nearly $50 Million of Infrastructure
and Economic Development Grants
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced awardees for the second round of the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) economic development grant program. Thirty-eight awardees will receive a share of nearly $50 million in BASE grants, which will be used to address infrastructure and economic development needs where solutions were delayed or slowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kansas Department of Commerce reviewed more than 400 applications from the first round and more than 100 new applications from the second round. In total, more than $2 billion in funding was requested for the nearly $50 million program, demonstrating both the need for this program and the many opportunities that exist throughout the state.
“To continue our record-breaking success in attracting businesses and creating jobs in Kansas, we must invest in infrastructure and economic development,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “That’s exactly what these grants do, and I’m proud that we were able to work together, across party lines, to continue driving our state forward.”
The second round of the BASE grant program, as approved by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee, offers matching funds to address economic development opportunities with the goal of expanding the state’s base of businesses and residents.
“The State of Kansas is determined to strengthen as many communities as we possibly can,” Senate President Ty Masterson said. “These BASE grants will get more vital community projects back on track, while transforming the state’s economy.”
Funds will support infrastructure investments associated with economic development projects. In addition to funds awarded, the BASE program has generated $44 million in matching investment by public and private stakeholders for awarded projects.
“The infrastructure projects this round of funding supports will foster prosperity for future generations of Kansans,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins said. “The SPARK Committee focused on projects that set the stage for strategic long-term growth through thoughtful and targeted planning.”
County and local governments, economic development organizations, local chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders were eligible to apply for the second round of the BASE grant. Applications not awarded from the first round were also considered in the second round. There is a minimum 25% applicant match requirement and applicants were required to document how the project was delayed or affected negatively due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Communities throughout our state will receive long-lasting benefits as a result of the BASE grant program,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Local leaders proposed specific solutions to address needs in their communities and these focused investments will continue to propel our state’s historic economic growth.”
For a list of BASE grant recipients and more information on the program, click here.
KDOT to replace bridge on U.S. 69
The week of May 1 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) expects to start a project to replace the First Cow Creek drainage bridge on the southbound lanes of U.S. 69 in Crawford County. The bridge is 2¼ miles north of the U.S. 69/69A junction at Frontenac.
Traffic will be carried through construction on a temporary crossover to the northbound lanes. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 miles per hour and a vehicle width restriction of 12 feet will be in effect. Weather permitting, the new bridge is expected to be open in late 2023.
KDOT awarded the construction contract of $1.7 million to Mission Construction Company, Inc., St. Paul, Kansas. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more highway condition and construction details. Persons with questions may contact Doug Pulliam at KDOT-Pittsburg, (620) 235-9523, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
USDA Announces Grassland Conservation Reserve Program Signup for 2023
MANHATTAN, Kansas, April 17, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting today and running through May 26, 2023. Among CRP enrollment opportunities, Grassland CRP is a unique working lands program, allowing producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while conserving grasslands and promoting plant and animal biodiversity as well as healthier soil.
“Grassland CRP clearly demonstrates that agricultural productivity and conservation priorities but also complement and enhance one another,” said Dennis McKinney, FSA State Executive Director in Kansas. “The strength of this program lies in its many benefits — the program helps producers and landowners produce and maintain diverse wildlife habitat, sequester carbon in the soil, and support sound, sustainable grazing.”
More than 3.1 million acres were accepted through the 2022 Grassland CRP signup from agricultural producers and private landowners. That signup—the highest ever for the program—reflects the continued success and value of investments in voluntary, producer-led, working lands conservation programs. The current total participation in Grassland CRP is 6.3 million acres, which is part of the 23 million acres enrolled in CRP opportunities overall.
Since 2021, USDA’s FSA, which administers all CRP programs, has made several improvements to Grassland CRP to broaden the program’s reach, including:
- Creating two National Priority Zones to put focus on environmentally sensitive land such as that prone to wind erosion.
- Enhancing offers with 10 additional ranking points to producers and landowners who are historically underserved, including beginning farmers and military veterans.
- Leveraging the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to engage historically underserved communities within Tribal Nations in the Great Plain
How to Sign Up for Grassland CRP
Landowners and producers interested in Grassland CRP, or any other CRP enrollment option, should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before the deadlines.
Producers with expiring CRP acres can enroll in the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), which incentivizes producers who sell or enter into a long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land.
Other CRP Signups
Under Continuous CRP, producers and landowners can enroll throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap. Continuous CRP includes a Climate-Smart Practice Incentive to increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping producers and landowners establish trees and permanent grasses, enhance wildlife habitat, and restore wetlands.
FSA offers several additional enrollment opportunities within Continuous CRP, including the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative, the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP), and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Also available is the Clean Lakes Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR30) Initiative, which was originally piloted in twelve states but has since been expanded nationwide, giving producers and landowners across the country the opportunity to enroll in 30-year CRP contracts for water quality practices.
USDA hosts an annual General CRP signup. This year’s General CRP signup was open from Feb. 27 through April 7. The program helps producers and landowners establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. The Climate-Smart Practice Incentive is also available in the General signup.
More Information
Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. It was originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production. The program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits.
Privately owned grazing lands cover nearly 30 percent of the national landscape, and USDA recognizes the tremendous opportunity address climate-change through voluntary private lands conservation. In addition to CRP, resources are available at FSA’s sister agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Earlier this month, NRCS announced its $12 million investment in cooperative agreements for 49 projects that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Kansas Department of Revenue Announces Expansion of Online Renewal System
~~iKan App Now Includes Identification Card Renewal~~
TOPEKA – Today, the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR), in partnership with PayIt, announced the addition of identification (ID) card renewal services to iKan.
iKan is the State of Kansas’ award-winning digital government platform that delivers services from numerous state agencies in a single, end-to-end experience for Kansas residents, with web, mobile, and native Apple and Android apps available.
ID renewal joins the growing list of online services available to Kansas residents through iKan, including renewing driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, ordering birth, death, and marriage certificates, and purchasing annual park passes.
“Since starting our journey with PayIt in 2018, our commitment to serving residents with an accessible, convenient digital experience has remained a top priority,” David Harper, KDOR Division of Vehicles Director, said. “We’re proud to add another service to the platform, enabling ID holders of all ages to have the option to renew online. We will continue to invest in delivering digital services that make Kansans’ lives a little easier.”
As of March 2023, more than 1 in 3 Kansas residents are registered with iKan, and the addition of ID renewal enables iKan to serve over 10,000 additional residents each year.
To renew an ID, residents can log into the iKan platform or access as a guest, select ID credentials renewal, and provide their name, date of birth, ID number, and last four digits of their social security number to submit the request — all in just a matter of minutes and a few clicks.
To explore iKan, visit https://ikan.ks.gov/.
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
April 7, 2023
Final Action on Conference Committee Reports (CCR) sent many pieces of legislation to the Governor last week. Work was intense the past week, with leadership finally shutting down business after 4 am Friday morning. The legislature returns in late April.
Property, Income and Sales Tax Relief passed the legislature in CCR 169. It still has a final hurdle. The Governor could sign it into law, let it become law without a signature, or veto it. The property tax cut is a result of exempting the first $60,000 of valuation, up from $40,000 on the 20 mil for schools. The Senate had led the effort last year on this and many other tax cuts. The House offered $80,000 and the Senate countered with $60,000 and an increase for inflation each year, which passed last year. It is a difference of around $50 savings per household, which is important, but the Senate position was a much bigger savings, to remove state income tax on Social Security and lowering the income tax rate below 5.25. Final agreements were: a single rate of 5.15% after a subtraction so that it is a tax cut for all; increasing the exemption on Social Security from $75,000 to $100,000 and an increase of $5,000 per year until there is no state income tax on social security; an annual increase on standard deductions based on inflation; accelerating the .5% corporate income tax cut scheduled in 2025 to 2024 and cut the privilege tax (bankers income tax) by .5% in 2024 and another .5% in 2025. The state grocery sales tax that passed last year, will be accelerated to zero in 2024 instead of 2025. Finally, taxpayers are a priority, not growing government. Throughout my time in the legislature, I have fought for tax relief and for fiscally responsible policy. CCR 169 is a major success in those efforts.
Expansion of the Property Tax Freeze for seniors and disabled veterans, property tax exemption for businesses competing against government business, limit filings and penalties for personal property, clarifying agritourism property classification, codifying in statute Revenue Neutral Rate notice language and the state to pay for the mailing for one more year, exempting manufacturer coupons from state sales tax, creating a tax credit for pregnancy center donations, expanding adoption tax credits, and other provisions are included in CCR 8. The House graciously accepted the Senate position on many provisions. I was very grateful as we are trying to help all Kansans. The House voted at 4 am Good Friday on CCR 8. The Senate will vote on it when we return in late April.
Limit on Property Tax Valuations We started with a 3% limit each year on property valuation increases in SCR 1610. It fell one vote short. It requires 2/3 majority in both chambers, to get it on the ballot for voters to decide. Working with others, we were able to keep the topics alive and found that 4% would pass the Senate. It passed with a super majority 28 to 11 (a reminder – the 3% limit failed on a vote 26 to 14). As I led the effort, we all know legislation of this magnitude doesn’t occur in a vacuum – it takes a team. Hopefully, the House will be able pass it this year.
Environmental Social Governance (ESG) was sent to the House with an amendment I offered, prohibiting state investments in countries that are known foreign adversaries to the U.S., such as China, Russa, and others. All investments would have to be divested within 18 months. Disappointingly, the House removed it and weakened the legislation. CCR 2100 was the final language. The Senate killed it on a vote of 16 to 20 to send a message, we didn’t agree with the House excluding the foreign adversaries language. However, we did a motion to reconsider since it appeared it was all we were going to get at this time. It passed 27 to 12. Why is it that a majority of Senators understand taxpayer money should not be invested with foreign adversaries of the U.S., but others do not?
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Air Quality Advisory Issued for the Flint Hill Region
Air Quality Advisory Issued for Parts of the Flint Hill Region Due to Seasonal Burning
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing an air quality advisory for the Flint Hill region, through Manhattan toward Nebraska.
KDHE activated the Kansas smoke modeling tool on March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems.
Modeling has predicted conditions will worsen because of existing smoke combined with weather inversion patterns starting at 10 p.m. – 10 a.m. with a brief reprieve possible between noon and 5 p.m. and may continue for several days. The advisory took effect on April 7 for central and north-central counties in Kansas due to smoke from the Flint Hill seasonal burning between Topeka, Manhattan, and Salina, Kansas. When human health impacts are reduced, KDHE will rescind the advisory.
KDHE reminds Kansans that March and April are when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within the Flint Hills. These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and effectively manages rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas.
Smoke management techniques are vital to reduce air quality and health impacts for the most vulnerable individuals, including those with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children, and the elderly.
“Because air quality levels can change quickly, we are asking people to remain vigilant,” Doug Watson, meteorologist, said. “Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals.”
Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis.
If individuals live or have activities near these areas, they can take these steps to protect themselves when smoke is present:
- Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
- More vulnerable people should remain indoors.
- Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
- Contact their doctor for symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue.
For more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling tool, please visit http://ksfire.org.
Proposed Regulations for Retail Food Establishments Hearing is April 17
|
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
March 31, 2023
Too many bills to mention Last week the Senate worked over 75 bills in three days. It was a grueling schedule. All of the bills can be found at www.KSLegislature.org Below are a few highlights from the marathon of legislation.
Property Tax was discussed in some detail on the Senate floor regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that I requested, Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1610. It would limit property valuations to a maximum 3% increase each year. According the Revisors office (lawyers), this change must be made in the Constitution. It was modeled after Oklahoma and Oregon, states that use fair market value systems, similar to Kansas. A couple of Senators argued that it would take us out of compliance of fair market value and some owners would be paying more because they remodeled or sold their home. However, the more important argument in support of the 3% limit is why should you be paying higher property taxes if your neighbor sells or remodels their home? Oklahoma and Oregon have had valuation limits for over 25 years. It will not break the Kansas system, but it will keep property owners from these massive property tax valuation increases in one year. It does not stop local governments and schools from increasing your property taxes, via mil levy increases, but it does stop these super-inflated valuation increases and the burden of contesting them. The SCR must pass both chambers by 2/3 majority. It failed in the Senate on a vote of 26 to 14. If one Senator who voted no, will change their vote Monday 4/3/23, it would go to the House for a vote. It is a step in the right direction for limiting these massive property valuation increases.
Freedom from Government Competition is the intent of Senate Bill (SB) 252. Businesses should not have to compete against their government. There are government ran businesses in Kansas, creating an unfair advantage and SB 252 would help level the playing field. If the Department of Revenue decides that your business is competing against a government business in your city then sales and property tax for your business would be exempt. It passed the Senate 24 to 16. I voted Yes.
Environmental Social Governance (ESG) is a rating system established to encourage politically charged investments, such as stopping investments in the oil and gas industry. The Kansas Senate took a major step in prohibiting state agencies and other political subdivisions from giving preferential treatment to or discriminating against companies based on ESG criteria. I offered an amendment that would prohibit state investments in countries that are known foreign advisories to the U.S., such as China and others. All investments must be divested within 18 months. We should have never been invested in these countries. The amendment passed. The bill passed the Senate 29 to 11. I voted Yes.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn