February 18, 2022

Crazy Weather lately the temperature has fluctuated from unusually hot to very cold – kind of like how this year’s legislative session has gone.

Tax Cuts The government takes too much of our money and needs to be more frugal with its spending.  I stand strong for tax cuts, not tax increases.  Last year, I led a successful effort to cut income taxes by increasing the standard deduction and allowing an option to itemize – the Governor vetoed the tax cuts, but the legislature overrode the veto.  This year, I am again working to lower your taxes. Kansans are paying record amounts of taxes – even with last year’s tax cuts.

Senate Bill (SB) 431 modernizes the $20,000 exemption for the schools 20 mil of property tax.  Presently, $20,000 is subtracted from a homeowner’s valuation for the 20 mill collected by the state and sent to the schools.  The $20,000 exemption was established in 1997.  To count for inflation, SB 431 would increase the $20,000 to $65,000 for 2021 and adjust annually.  The bill passed out of the Senate Tax Committee and hopefully, will be debated on the Senate floor next week.

Improving Adoptions in Kansas SB 12 would require performance-based contracts to be established by Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) with stakeholders.  The plan would help with early intervention services for families and children who are awaiting adoption.  The bill passed the Senate unanimously.

Increasing Healthcare Access

SB 200 would provide Kansans an option to see a pharmacist to start therapy for the flu, strep, and UTI (Urinary Tract Infections).  Some think this is a doctor’s responsibility and overreach for a pharmacist.  While others see it as a way to improve our healthcare system.  I voted Yes.  The bill passed 37 to 2.

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

Caryn

KDHE Awarded State Partnerships Improving Nutrition and Equity Program Grant

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is pleased to announce that the Community Health Promotion (CHP) team has received the State Partnerships Improving Nutrition & Equity (SPINE) Program Grant from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD).

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

February 11, 2022

Tax RELIEF – Removing Sales Tax on Shipping

Do you know you pay sales tax charges on postage and shipping in Kansas?  Hopefully, not for long.  The Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 327 unanimously, exempting shipping and postage charges from sales tax if the charges are listed separately on a receipt or invoice.  It just makes sense, and I was glad to lead this effort.  Hopefully, the House will pass it as well.

The Senate Tax Committee passed SB 339, removing all sales tax on food.  While working the bill in Committee a couple of amendments were added, removing sales tax on commercial electric, gas, and other utilities (homeowners don’t pay this sales tax), and removing sales tax on theater tickets.  It looks like the bill will have a few more amendments when worked on the floor.  One of the amendments will be regarding funding to KDOT.  Currently, KDOT gets 16.55% of sales tax collected.  Since sales tax collection will decrease, KDOT would like the percentage to increase proportionally.

Economic Development – Giving away almost everything, including the kitchen sink

The Governor and the Kansas Secretary of Commerce brought a bill, SB 347, to the legislature for economic development with one company in mind.  I opposed the Governor’s efforts to pick winners and losers in business.  Instead we should pass tax cuts that help existing businesses and make Kansas a more appealing state for all businesses to come.

SB 347 could have Kansas writing a check to the company for an obscene amount of money – the current estimate is over $60 million a year for 10 years if the company makes a $4 billion investment.  I asked, “what would qualify as an investment?”  Can you believe the Secretary of Commerce gets to decide?  The bill has payroll, income tax, and sales tax incentives and is being touted as the $1 billion giveaway.  We have also heard the state and local governments will be giving away possible buildings, land, and abating property taxes.

There have been comments about the secrecy and not knowing the company.  As a legislator under these circumstances, I did not sign a non-disclosure.  Anyone who did, was told the company name.

SB 347 goes against what I have been fighting for – transparency and to stop the government from picking winners and losers.  It has been reported the company is a foreign company, possibly Panasonic to make batteries for electric vehicles. Disappointingly, the bill passed the legislature and was signed into law.  My hope is that it doesn’t turn out like the Wisconsin Foxconn “debacle”.

Veto Override Redistricting Map

The legislature voted to override the Governor veto of SB 355, the U.S. Congress redistricting map.  Lawsuits have already been filed, likely more to follow – as the minority party has planned all along.

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

Caryn

Governor’s Office Directs Agencies to Apply State Law When Complying with Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Federal CMS COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

~~Compliance Ensures Continuation of Federal Funding, Affects Six State Facilities, 11.2% State Employees~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today directed affected state agencies to apply Kansas law when complying with the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule requiring staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The directive requires agencies complying with the CMS rule to follow Kansas state laws regarding medical and religious exemptions, documentation, and self-attestation regarding vaccination status.

“I’ve consistently opposed federal COVID-19 vaccine requirements because the responsibility was given to the states from the beginning to make these decisions,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “However, in order to protect the millions of dollars in funding Kansas receives and to prevent Kansans’ tax dollars from going to other states, we must comply with the federal vaccine requirement.

“It’s absolutely critical that any policy implemented in response to the federal ruling must follow our state laws which protect medical and religious exemptions, and prevent intrusive requests from employers,” Governor Kelly said.

In January 2022, the United States Supreme Court upheld the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 vaccine requirement. For nearly all Kansas state employees, there will be no vaccine requirement. 11.2% of state employees work in the state’s six CMS-funded facilities that are subject to the United States Supreme Court ruling.

The Governor’s directive requires that any agency policy implementing the CMS rule should not conflict with provisions of Kansas state law, including but not limited to the 2021 Special Session House Bill 2001 and 2021 Regular Session Senate Bill 159.

The directive requires the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Commission on Veteran Affairs Office, and any other state agency impacted by the CMS Interim Final rule to affirm state laws when complying with the federal CMS guidance, including but not limited to:

• Medical exemptions: Facilities must grant an exemption to the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement if the employee submits a written waiver request stating that complying with the condition would endanger the life or health of the employee or an individual who resides with the employee, as evidenced by an accompanying written statement signed by a physician.
• Religious exemptions: Facilities must grant an exemption to the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement if the employee submits a written waiver request stating that complying with the requirement would violate the religious beliefs of the employee. Facilities can’t inquire into the sincerity of the request.
• Documentation: Facilities must not require employees to provide documentation of their COVID-19 vaccination status. Facilities may request such documentation but must make it clear that providing documentation is not a condition of employment and that no adverse action will be taken if the employee does not provide it.
• Self-Attestation: Facilities can implement a verbal self-attestation of COVID-19 vaccination status policy from any employee who does not provide documentation and does not request an exemption from the vaccination requirement. The facility, not the individual, will be responsible for documenting the individual’s self-attested vaccination status.

Please find the full directive here.

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill, Strengthening Economic Development Toolkit

~Legislation Could Help Kansas Land Biggest Private Sector Investment in State’s History~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed the bipartisan bill known as Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion Act (APEX). The bipartisan bill creates a new tool in Kansas’ toolbox that allows the state to compete on a national and global scale for large economic development projects.

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Medicaid Expansion Bill to Boost Kansas’ Economy, Increase Access to Care

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced legislation to expand Medicaid (KanCare), a law that would provide more than 150,000 hard-working Kansans access to affordable healthcare and create more than 23,000 new jobs, bolstering the Kansas economy.

“Expanding Medicaid so that thousands of hard-working Kansans have access to affordable health care would boost the Kansas economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Expansion would inject billions of dollars into our state, create thousands of jobs, help retain our healthcare workers in Kansas –and help rural hospitals’ bottom lines. It’s time to work together to deliver for Kansans and get this done once and for all.”

Under the proposed legislation introduced on February 9, Medicaid will be expanded to cover Kansans earning up to the full 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, 90 percent of which would be paid by the federal government, starting on January 1, 2023. Furthermore, if Medicaid is expanded, the state is poised to receive an additional $370 million over the next eight fiscal quarters for the current Medicaid population. That’s a total of $68.5 million in State General Fund savings in Fiscal Year 2023 alone, which will be reallocated for one-time strategic investments on housing, childcare, and workforce development.

A 2022 statewide survey finds that almost 8 in 10 Kansans – 78 percent – support expanding Medicaid to allow more Kansans to qualify for health care coverage. This is not only the right thing to do for our state, but it’s incredibly popular among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike.

Expanding Medicaid in Kansas would boost the economy by:

• Providing affordable health insurance to hundreds of thousands of Kansans
• Stimulate the economy for rural, suburban, and urban communities alike
• Create tens of thousands of new jobs
• Inject billions of dollars in increased economic output
• Retain health care jobs in Kansas

The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Environment to collect information from applicants regarding their employment history through the Medicaid application and refer unemployed or underemployed individuals to the Department of Commerce or Department for Children and Families to assist with locating job opportunities through work referral programs.

Here’s what Kansas leaders are saying:

“After pushing to continue the federal match for states that expand Medicaid—and fighting to increase it twice—I’m glad to join Governor Kelly and hundreds of thousands of Kansans in a renewed effort to deliver this much-needed expansion. We cannot continue to leave Kansans out in the cold. It’s time to bring these federal dollars back to our state, expand Medicaid, and boost our state economy along with it.” – United States Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03)

“The list of reasons to expand Medicaid grows with every year we refuse to do so. This wildly popular policy will ensure we have a healthy workforce, create jobs, and attract businesses. More importantly, it will allow our fellow Kansans to flourish and participate fully in our state, which brings prosperity for all of us. The first best time to expand Medicaid was in 2014. The next best time is now.” – Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes

“Expanding Medicaid is enormously popular among Kansas and addresses many issues facing the state. First and foremost, it is a pro-business, pro-growth policy. Throughout the legislative session, people repeatedly ask what we can do to keep our college graduates in the state and bring in outside business investment. Medicaid expansion is a clear solution with bipartisan voter support. It’s past time to embrace this common-sense policy.” – House Democratic Leader Tom Sawyer

“Medicaid expansion would benefit an estimated additional 120,000 to 165,000 Kansans, some of which are people living with disabilities. What facts tell us is that folks living with disabilities are more likely to be employed in states where there is expanded Medicaid coverage. Having access to health insurance is one tool that allows Kansans living with disabilities to be lifted out of poverty, because it relieves the very real stress of worrying about when the next healthcare bill will hit. Those living with disabilities are often confined to poverty because earnings have been too high to be deemed eligible for Medicaid, yet those who surpass income limitations still cannot afford health insurance on their own. This is a Kansan issue, not a partisan issue.” -Lynn Rogers, Kansas State Treasurer

“The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has long advocated for Medicaid Expansion in the State of Kansas. It is too important to our businesses, our hospitals, and every taxpayer in Kansas. New data shows Medicaid Expansion will bring more than 2,800 jobs in the Greater Kansas City region alone, and an estimated economic impact of nearly $125 million. The State of Kansas has an opportunity to recapture federal funds that can help create jobs, advance economic growth, and most importantly improve the health of all Kansans.” –Joe Reardon, President & CEO, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

“Rising healthcare costs are impacting businesses and individual Kansans alike; adding to the burden is that the costs of uninsured, low-income Kansans are being passed on to companies and everyone else in the system. Therefore, we must implement solutions that expand affordable coverage to all Kansans to improve the health of our families and control the cost of care for our employees, families, and businesses.” – Tracey Osborne Oltjen, President & CEO, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

“Kansas hospitals continue to strive to maintain a dedicated and innovative workforce. As surrounding states implement expansion, Kansas could experience a disadvantage as our neighboring states may have additional resources to recruit health care staff away from our state. This would exacerbate an already challenging problem for Kansas hospitals and health care providers. KanCare expansion is a critical issue to level the playing field for the Kansas health care industry.” — Chad Austin, President and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association

“The Alliance for a Healthy Kansas commends the introduction of legislation enacting KanCare expansion. We know that Kansans are feeling the rising costs of everyday life, and health care is no exception. Expansion helps low-wage parents stay healthy and reduces health care costs for everyone.  It protects Kansans from medical debt by fixing eligibility limits for KanCare that are currently too low.  It preserves and strengthens rural health care and makes Kansas more economically competitive with our neighboring states that have all expanded their Medicaid programs. Kansans are tired of waiting for a long-term solution for the health care coverage gap. It is time to enact KanCare expansion or we will all keep paying the price.” – April Holman, Executive Director, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas

“A sustainable health system is crucial to the future of rural Kansas communities. High uninsured rates and hospitals facing high levels of uncompensated care threaten the future of health care. Expanding KanCare would help protect the 70 rural hospitals currently at risk of closing across our state. Expanding KanCare would strengthen the rural health care system and help ensure rural Kansans get the health care they need while giving a boost to their economies. The time to expand is now.” – David Jordan, President and CEO of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund

“New Kansas-specific economic data indicate our health care costs are outstripping those in other states, including other non-expansion states. A recent voter survey showed 8 in 10 Kansans are concerned about the costs of health care – and want a long-term solution. They also understand current income eligibility is too low – less than $4 an hour for a family of three, or $8,350 a year. Kansas voters want lawmakers to expand Medicaid and leverage this fiscally responsible option now.” – Brenda Sharpe, President and CEO, REACH Healthcare Foundation

“Health Forward is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to high-quality health care. We fully support Gov. Kelly’s plan to expand KanCare so people living on lower incomes live healthier and more economically secure lives. ” Expanding KanCare will bring the cost of health care down for everyone.  The inability of Kansans to afford health coverage means more in ER bills, increased uncompensated care for hospitals, and untreated mental and physical health needs. This means individuals, families, and businesses all end up paying more for health care. – McClain Bryant Macklin, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Health Forward

 “We’re encouraged to see the introduction of Medicaid Expansion bills, especially as data indicates that Communities of Color are far more likely to be uninsured – and expansion narrows racial disparities in health care coverage and improves health outcomes and access to preventable services for diseases that disproportionately impact People of Color.” – Teresa Miller, President and CEO, Kansas Health Foundation