February 15, 2019
It may appear to be a slow week in the legislature: However, as you know, things aren’t always what they appear. The Senate and the House are doing a majority of the work in committees. It is an important part of the process. Committees study legislation. Conferees testify in person or send written testimony on bills being considered. The input can be critical because a committee will make a recommendation on a bill, often based on testimony. The committee may take no action on the bill, or to vote a bill out of committee favorably or unfavorably. After a bill passes out of committee, the majority leader decides if and when to bring a bill before the committee of the whole, all senators or all representatives of the respective chamber. There are other paths a bill could take in the legislature but this is the most common.
KPERS: This week the House passed a bill out of committee unfavorably. The bill would allow the Governor to re-amortization KPERS. The House Majority Leader brought the bill to the committee of the whole, it was debated and failed the next day on final action 36 Yes and 87 No. This action sent a clear message to the Governor, the House does not want to go into more debt for KPERS. The week before the Senate passed a bill requiring the KPERS payment be made without delay. Both chambers have sent strong messages. Hopefully, each chamber will support the others actions so that Kansas will not take on more debt and will not delay the KPERS payment.
Hearing on Property Tax Relief: The Senate Tax Committee heard from several conferees regarding property tax or a homestead freeze, SB 91. The bill would provide property tax relief for homeowners who are 65 years of age or older and do not have a mortgage on their home or for veterans who are at least 50% disabled. The value of the property must be less than $350,000 and a combined household income less than $50,000 per year. The bill would also allow renters to qualify for a homestead exemption. It is an attempt at addressing property tax increases for some of our most vulnerable. However, it does nothing to address seniors who are still paying on a mortgage or to address the high property tax increases the rest of Kansans are facing. There will be other ideas to regarding property tax as there are many legislators with a desire to address the issue.
Kansas Senate denounces New York’s Reproductive Health Act: Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1606 sends a clear message to New York State that Kansas denounces the recent legislation passed and celebrated by some of its legislators. New York allows third-trimester abortions, removes an abortion penal code, and allows non-physicians to commit abortion. The SCR passed the Senate on a vote of 27 to 13. I voted Yes. The SCR will now go to the House for debate, since it is a joint resolution. If it passes the House, copies will be sent to the Governor of New York and each member of the New York State Senate and State Assembly. Normally, it is not our concern how another state conducts business. However, this is a matter of life and death. Our founding fathers wrote of our natural rights including life and liberty. It is the duty of government to protect the natural rights of people.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Caryn Tyson
Kansas Senate, District 12
785.296.6838