Legislative Updates

Legislative Update - January 22, 2010

It was a short week for Kansas lawmakers who observed Monday’s celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and were not in session. The highlights of the rest of the week were the celebrations of K-State’s victory over Texas and KU’s win over Baylor. Good thing they’ve got great college basketball or lawmakers would have little good news to discuss. The daunting challenge of the session seems to be visibly wearing on many of them.

STATE'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLS SEAL CERNER PROJECT

BIG news came out of Wyandotte County this week as the proposal to develop a new 18,000-seat arena and office complex with 4,000 new jobs was sealed. The areas will serve as the new home for the Kansas City Wizards professional soccer team and the office complex will include a 600,000 square-foot office project to house Cerner’s “explosive growth” in the medical technology business. Key to the deal was agreement with the state on use of Star Bonds and assorted other state tax credits. The entire project carries a price tag of more than $400 million and is estimated to create some 3,000 construction jobs. The complex will be an impressive addition to the Village West development, home to the Kansas Speedway, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Cabela’s and many other retail and lodging establishments.

BUDGET ADVANCES

Legislation enacting the cuts and budget adjustments outlined by the Governor for the current fiscal year is slowly advancing, as the Senate Ways and Means Committee endorsed Sen. Sub for HB 2222. This measure restores partial funding for the judicial branch that was inadvertently shorted last year, enacts transfers from various agencies into the state general fund and funds adjustments in social service programs that are seeing growing caseloads due to the down economy. The Senate is expected to debate the measure next week. Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee hasn’t acted on its version of the measure. With the state’s monthly revenue receipts continuing to be below the estimates, it is likely the House is waiting to see what January receipts total before taking action.

LOOKING AT NEW REVENUE

Last week the Senate Tax Committee couldn’t find the will or the way to have the Governor’s proposed new revenue bills introduced, but that was corrected this week. And in the House Tax Committee, debate on the proposed temporary sales tax increase has already begun. Hearings on HB 2475 began with proponents articulating the impact current budget shortfalls are having on vital state services. Opponents of the sales tax will have their “say” next week as the tax committee continues its work. The measure would increase the state sales tax by one cent and would sunset or expire in three years. This measure, along with an increase in the state’s tobacco tax, would be used to fund the projected $400 million shortfall in the state’s budget.

ALL ABOUT THE COURTS

Next week promises to focus attention on the Kansas court system. The House Judiciary Committee has reserved Monday, January 25 for hearing several measures that explore options for allocation of judicial resources. Among these issues is HCR 5026 which would direct that a comprehensive study be commissioned to identify the appropriate allocation of court resources and funding levels. For instance, Kansas currently has a law that requires a judge in each 105 of the state’s counties. And while there is legislation to erase that requirement (HB 2429), it is thought to be premature until a comprehensive and objective study is completed.

AND ALSO AT THE SUPREME COURT…

Attorney General Steve Six has asked the Kansas Supreme Court to reject arguments made by some 70 local school districts to reopen the school finance lawsuit that led to lawmakers being forced to substantially increase public school funding. In papers filed with the court, General Six is arguing that the lawyers for the schools are improperly trying to get around a state law that would stem such litigation.

NEW GAMING BILLS IN THE MIX

What legislative session would be complete without a debate on expanded gaming in Kansas? Legislation to bring slot machines to the state’s pari-mutuel tracks and lower the minimum investment for a casino in southeast Kansas will be heard next week in the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. SB 401 will be heard on Wednesday, January 27th. A similar proposal has been introduced in the Kansas House, but there’s very little optimism that lawmakers will re-open the state’s gaming laws this session.

MORE KANSAS POLITICAL CANDIDATES

As the week drew to a close, there was more news from political candidates entering the field of various offices. The field of candidates is especially large for Secretary of State, where Senator Chris Steinegar, D-Kansas City, filed his official papers to get his party’s nomination for the office. And on the Republican side, long-time Shawnee County Election Commissioner Elizabeth Ensley announced plans to seek the GOP nomination for the office. Current Secretary of State Ron Thornburg announced plans to not seek re-election last year. Also making news was Senator Tom Holland, D-Baldwin, who says he is actively considering a run for Governor in Kansas. He is currently serving the second year of his first term in the Kansas Senate.

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