Dear Friends,

We have just completed the 1st half of the 2010 legislative session. I have been keeping the trusty ‘ole Buick’ busy traveling home every weekend. Every trip has been marked by fog or snow but it’s always good to be home with family and friends. God has truly blessed me with all the good folks he has put in my life.

Last Saturday marked the session’s first major deadline – “Turn Around Day”. This session is like no other that I have been involved with because of the serious economic climate that we are in. We continue to look at eliminating tax exemptions, savings from various budgets, various tax increases and decreases and monies being appropriated at the national level.

A lot of thought and consideration on how to fill the $400M projected shortfall for the 2011 budget year has taken place. Over the next month a final plan will be formulated. This is not an easy process during good times let alone now. I appreciate the comments and support from all of you and as always promise to ‘do my best’.

Some of the chambers’ other action over the last month:

Horsethief Reservior Law Enforcement
The House approved a bill last week that gives the management at Horsethief Reservoirlaw enforcement powers. This should be one of the final pieces to having a first class recreational facility in Western Kansas. If you haven’t been out to see HTR, it is worth the drive (approx 15 mi north of Dodge City).

House Bill 2638 would require the law enforcement officers to meet the requirements of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act like other law enforcement officers in Kansas. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

Budget Progress
I mentioned our progress on the 2011 budget year. Before we could turn attention to it, we had to wrap up work on the current 2010 budget year with what is known as the “Rescission Bill.” The rescission bill is meant to balance state spending with incoming revenues before the fiscal year ends on June 30th.

As you know, the state has experienced a tremendous drop in tax revenues the last year or so. The Legislature used the rescission bill to approve the $91 million in spending cuts Governor Mark Parkinson ordered last July and November. We also cut our salaries as well as other elected state leaders and restored about $2.4 million in Medicaid funding for services for Kansans with developmental disabilities.

Still, it appears the 2010 budget still has a budget gap of about $40 million. The Legislature and Governor may need to make additional adjustments before the June 30th deadline.

Bill Increases Milk Fees
The Senate expanded the types of dairy industry fees collected by the state. Supporters say Senate bill 395 is intended to raise enough money to continue an inspection program required to ship Grade A milk to other states. Without a budget adjustment of some kind, the dairy inspection program associated with production of Grade A milk might go broke in 2012.

The new fees would generate about $75,000 annually. The cost to consumers would be about 1 cent for every 25 gallons of milk consumed. The bill is now headed to the House for its consideration.

House Clarifies Jessica’s Law
The Kansas House approved legislation to clarify the state law on habitual child sex offenders. House Bill 2435 revises the statute known as Jessica's Law, which imposes stricter penalties for sex crimes against children younger than 14.

The new language clarifies that a person convicted of multiple Jessica's Law offenses during a single trial can be classified as a "habitual offender." It also adds attempted or actual criminal solicitation of a child to the list of crimes that qualify for the sentence.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Bill Would Switch Date of Spring Elections
The House Elections Committee heard testimony on HB 2654, an act that would move spring elections to the first Tuesdays of August and November, same dates of primary and general elections. This would mostly affect local elections for city councils and school boards. Supporters believe the switch would increase participation in local elections and would save both the state and localities the cost of the extra election. Opponents argued the bill would push the local elections to become more partisan and would reduce the amount of media coverage local issues would receive.

Committee Considers Eliminating Sales Tax Exemptions
The House Taxation Committee which I serve on just wrapped up six days of hearings on a bill that would eliminate sales tax exemptions for religious and non-profit organizations; utilities and others. The bill was requested by the Governor’s Department of Revenue Secretary, Joan Wagnon.

We heard a lot of testimony from both sides of the issue – except when it came to eliminating the sales tax exemption on utilities (think your water, electricity, or natural gas bill). No one – not even the revenue secretary, spoke in support of that part of the bill. I don’t support it either.

The committee is scheduled to debate the bill this week. I will be voting against the proposals. Our churches and non-profit groups serve an important and very valued roll in our communities. I fear if we revoke their sales tax exemptions, they won’t be able to accomplish as much as they do. And it would cost the state much more to try to fill their shoes.

Benedictine College Honored by Legislature
I had the privilege, along with Rep. Jerry Henry and Sen. Pete Brundgradt, to introduce resolutions in our respective chambers to recognize Benedictine College, one of the state’s oldest colleges, for its 152 years of service to the people of Kansas.

I graduated from Benedictine. The quality of education benefited me immensely. The discipline I learned there shaped my life as well. Benedictine’s reputation is recognized across the country. I work in a number of states and when I mention I am a graduate, people I work with know of the college and its academic of excellence. Among the college’s many accomplishments:

Named one of the top Catholic colleges in America by the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College;
Named to the first tier of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report
Named a leader in educational excellence in the book, Colleges of Distinction
Named a McGowan Scholar School, one of 82 colleges nationwide
Named a best buy in faithfulness and affordability by the Center for the Study of Catholic Higher Education Haiti Relief I would like to give a special thanks to the many folks from Southwest Kansas, and all Kansans, that have done so much to help with the Haiti relief efforts. A big ‘shout out’ to U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, Congressman Jerry Moran and their staffs for all their help with securing passports, helping logistically with medical teams, finding individuals that were in Haiti and many other items.

Of course, the need to help will be with us for a long time. If capable to help financially, please give. More than anything – please keep the Haitian community in your prayers.

Dodge City Night
By far, my favorite event of the legislative session is hosting the annual Dodge City Night. Many members of the Dodge City Chamber and Ford County Development Corp join me in sharing a good Dodge City steak with my colleagues from the House and Senate. This year’s night is set for March 8th.

How to contact me
You can find me in Room 168-W in the Statehouse. I would love for you to stop by for a visit any time you are in Topeka. Just call my secretary, Diane Threadgold, at 785/296-7655 and she will explain how to get to the office.

Also feel free to send me an email when you have a question or concern about legislation before the Legislature: pat.george@house.ks.gov or check out my website at www.patgeorge.org.

As always, I appreciate your support. 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

Rep. Pat George
119th House District
785/296-7655