Dear Friends,
The Kansas Legislature wrapped up the 2009 session just before 3 a.m. Saturday morning (it always seems that it’s the middle of the night when we gavel out for the year). As expected, the state’s declining economy and balancing the budget dominated our work – affecting nearly every other decision we made. The other big headline – the Legislature and the Governor finally overcame their nearly two-year impasse on a comprehensive state energy plan.
Balancing the Budget
Lawmakers knew coming into this session we would need to make some drastic changes to state agencies’ spending habits. In the end we cut 6.25% from the state’s general fund. Every agency, program and service was asked to share in the burden – admittedly, some more than others. We did what we could to protect funding for K-12 Education and critical services. The budget also provides additional funding for early detection and diagnosis of Autism – ensuring parents and children have access to early diagnosis across the state.
Unfortunately with the state’s worsening economy, this is not the end of the state’s budget woos. The budget we passed for Fiscal Year 2010 has a very small ending balance - about $17,000. That’s not a lot of wiggle room for a $13 billion budget. If revenues drop more than expected or if the state is suddenly faced with a natural disaster or some other unexpected expense, the Governor will have to make further cuts.
Also, legislative researchers predict that based on current spending levels, Fiscal Year 2011 will be at least $600 million in the red. That means unless the economy turns around quickly, the Legislature will either have to make more hefty cuts or drastically raise your taxes when lawmakers return to Topeka next January for the 2010 session.
Energy Plan
For the fifth time in two years a comprehensive energy bill is on its way to the governor – but this time, Gov. Mark Parkinson is committed to signing it into law. The plan includes much of what I have supported – including letting Sunflower Electric build a new power plant near Holcomb. Senate Substitute for HB 2369:
- Directs the KDHE to establish emissions standards that are no more stringent, restrictive or expansive than those required under the Federal Clean Air Act;
- Clarifies the KDHE Secretary use of emergency powers;
- Allows Kansas Electric Transmission Authority (KETA) to assist in the building of transmission lines that would serve small and local communities;
- Sets State Energy Efficiency Standards;
- Requires energy companies get at least 20% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020;
- Establishes Net Metering;
- Requires new coal-fired plants to purchase at least 5% of their coal supply from Kansas coal mines, provided it is competitively priced.
The two-year impasse came to an end when Gov. Parkinson and Sunflower announced they had reached a compromise. In announcing the agreement, the governor said his goal was to increase the state’s use and production of renewable energies but knew the only way he could get those goals through the legislature was to allow Sunflower to move forward with its expansion.
I want to commend Sunflower and the Governor for their work. There is a great deal of compromise in their agreement. The electric coop will build one 895 megawatt plant – instead of two 700-MW plants. Sunflower also agreed to a number of conditions that will reduce the impact of the new plant’s emissions output.
The most exciting part of this deal is the number of new construction and permanent jobs the new plant will create as well as the trickle-down impact it will have on communities across our state. This legislation puts our state at the forefront of renewable energy production and is just what we need during these tough economic times.
OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Assistance for Unemployed Kansans
The Legislature passed a measure that will help thousands of unemployed Kansans -and garner the state another $69 million in federal stimulus funding. House Bill 2374 adds another formula that can be used to qualify for unemployment benefits. It also extends benefits for 26-weeks for those enrolled in a state-approved job training program. And it insures the state’s unemployment insurance fund won’t run out of money during this recession – good news for the thousands of Kansans who lose their jobs.
Other employee-related measures: Senate Bill 160: On January 1, 2010, the state’s minimum wage law will increase from $2.65 an hour to $7.25 an hour. House Bill 2052: Provides for premium subsidies for COBRA coverage from federal stimulus funding.
Public Safety
House Bill 2060 increases the penalties for a number of crimes including battery against a law enforcement officer; fleeing and eluding police; cockfighting; dog fighting; and some drug crimes.
House Bill 2165 strengthens the penalty against adults who knowingly provide minors with alcohol. This law is aimed at those who allow teens to consume alcohol in their homes or on their land – not at parents whose son or daughter steals from the liquor cabinet.
The Kelsey Smith Act (Senate Substitute for HB 2126) requires cell phone companies to provide cell phone location information to law enforcement in emergency situations. This will help investigators track down missing loved ones and bring their home alive.
House Bill 2098 toughens penalties on offenders who solicit children younger than 14 years old. It also strengthens the state’s “Rape Shield” law by better protecting victims of aggravated trafficking and electronic solicitiation.
Job Creation
In an attempt to attract new companies and new jobs into Kansas, the Legislature passed the “Promote Employment Across Kansas Act” or PEAK. Senate Bill 97 gives tax incentives to companies who bring jobs to Kansas from other states or countries. The better paying and more jobs – the better the incentives.
With Senate Bill 108, the Legislature expanded the state’s “Economic Revitalization and Reinvestment Act” to include wind and solar energy projects. As a result, Siemens Energy will build a wind turbine production facility in Hutchinson – creating about 400 new jobs.
As always, it is an honor to serve you. Please do not hesitate to call or email me if I can be of any assistance.
Sincerely,
Pat
Rep. Pat George
119th House District
785/296-7655
