Greetings,

Legislative Update #5, February 4, 2009

No Easy Choices

The House will take their turn today on a rescission bill for the 2009 budget which ends June 30.  Yes, these are just the adjustments having to be made on the faltering revenues ravaging all states, just to get Kansas' state government through Fiscal year 2009.  The House budget has more severe cuts than the Senate bill passed out of their chamber, especially to K-12 Education.

Heavy debate will take place on some very real sobering choices.  It goes from sobering to at times hostile environment as lawmakers contemplate the possiblity of closure of some of our state's oldest institutions and staples of the communities where they reside.  In some rural areas if a state hospital or correctional facility goes, some say so goes the town.  Closure of of the Stockton and Toronto is in the bill!  Job loss in urban areas of Kansas are already on the rise in this fledgling economy. 

The debate in the House is on a republican budget bill that purposely pits the disablity groups (those that lobby on behalf of the physically and developmentally disabled) and education against eachother.  Republicans in this instance, funded some relief to the disabled to set up this scenario.  Both are groups democrats tradionally look out for.

The House bill cuts an additional 1.5% beyond the Governor's adjustments in K-12 education (or $48 million).  An amendment could reduce this, but the cut is still significant.  There is a cut of 4% to State Regent's Universities.  The House version does not include one-time accounting maneuvers that the Senate used. 

Call your House member and let them know that public education is the only chance for working families to make their life better.  Let them know that we need government to take on a role of finding a soluition like only government can, that saves and creates jobs.

Minimum Wage - The Senate Ways and Means Committee has scheduled a hearing on raising the state minimum wage.  It is scheduled for February 10th.