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