1.20.12 Newsletter
The Legislature began the week by honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rep. Barbara Ballard and Rep. John Rubin took turns reading Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech originally given August 28th, 1963. This famous speech was a critical moment in the Civil Rights movement and a reminder of the free history of Kansas as an abolitionist state. Kansas entered the union more than 100 years prior to the speech as a staunchly free state, strongly opposed slavery. Right here in Miami county we are proud of the fact that John Brown led the fight against slavery and for the right of all men to be free.
Career Readiness
This week the Governor held a summit with more than 600 attendants to discuss how to make students college or technical school or career ready before graduating from a Kansas High School. This is a laudable goal and is important to focus on this to ensure our children are ready for an internationally competitive job marketplace.
Last week the governor announced $20 million for Career and Technical Education which would provide funding for student tuition, school transportation costs, marketing to increase student participation, incentives for high schools who increase the number of students earning an industry-recognized credential in key occupations. The goal is to make sure high school students have been exposed to the skills and programs needed to be successful after graduation.
Federal Healthcare Law
On Tuesday the Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer filed an Amicus brief, or friend of the court brief, in which Dr. Colyer offered his experience as a doctor and Lt. Governor on how the law is unconstitutional and would stifle choice among Kansas consumers. The Lt. Governor is joining the Kansas Attorney General and more than 25 states in opposing this massive power grab creating a large and overreaching health care bureaucracy.
Grocery Store Liquor
This year there will be another debate over alcohol in Kansas stores. The issue is whether grocery and convenience stores should be allowed to sell full strength beer, wine, and liquor. Presently a Kansans must visit a liquor store to purchase these types of alcohol. Most of us have been to Missouri where when you first walk in there are large liquor displays of spirits within easy reach when you walk into a gas station or grocery store. The new bill would setup a three class system of licenses. Class A would sell beer only. Class B would sell Beer and Wine and Class C would be able to sell all alcohol.
State of the Judiciary
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss gave his address to the Kansas Legislature highlighting the needs in the Kansas Court system. The main issue addressed was the need to reallocate judicial resources across county lines and for that authority to rest with the Supreme Court. The Court released this week a report which indicated there enough judges state wide however they are in the wrong geographical locations to serve Kansans where the demand is needed. This statute dates back to the 1980’s requiring one judge per county and all the staff relating to the operation of the court. There will be hearings this year on this issue to determine how it would affect smaller counties.
The other major issue addressed was updating the computer systems to allow for electronic filing of court records by lawyers and judicial staff. This will reduce the amount of administrative time taken away from judicial employees and lawyers spend filing court documents. The cost however is about $8 million. To raise this money the legislature is looking at many options including user fees to make the improvements. In working to address these issues I met with Judge Smith, a local county district judge, to work to improve access to justice, improve the system, and find a way to pay for the improvements.
Kansas State Historical Society
The State’s historical society has partnered with Ansestry.com to provide free records access to more than 8 million Kansas documents for individuals back to 1865. There are civil war enlistment papers, county vital and probate records, World War I manuscripts, and Spanish-American War Veterans certificates collections. To access this information visit www.kshs.org/ancestry and have your Kansas Driver’s License Number along with birth date to access this information.
Gun Dealer Law
HB 2427 introduced this week would make it illegal for people purchasing a weapon to lie or coerce gun dealers to try to get a gun. This bill was developed after concern from out of state groups who have tried to mettle with Kansas gun dealers and attempt to entrap them in illegal activity. This has happened in other states and the bill is designed to protect Kansas gun dealers.
Debt Concerns
The state’s credit rating is a critical component of the financial health of the state. This is important because as the state’s credit rating goes down, the cost to Kansas tax payers for bonds goes up, not just at the state but also at the local level. Locals will have to cut spending or raise property taxes to pay for the increasing costs of borrowing. To keep Kansas’s credit rating from falling the Governor has called on the legislature to hold the state’s general fund ending balance as 7.5% which will demonstrate to our creditors we have the ability to keep paying our bills. The legislature will work to craft a budget with this policy goal in mind. The state’s financial health is an important concern for all Kansans.
Many issues the Legislature addresses are controversial and have many sides to them. However, the democratic process is one which values and thrives on public opinion. If you have any input on any issue which comes before the legislature this year, please do not hesitate to call me at 785.291.3500 or email me at jene.vickrey@house.ks.gov
Sincerely
Jene Vickrey