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Greetings, Legislative Update #9, February 27, 2009 Past Turnaround and Looking Forward Republican legislators head for home while Democrats gather to celebrate Washington Days at Topeka's Ramada Inn. Friday's session on the floor was quick and to the point. The KS AFL-CIO continues to monitor a number of bills and things are just now beginning to shake up. But, it won't last long as the budget will soon again be the focus, as well as Energy. A vote today in the House that passed an energy bill HB 2014, sets up an inevitable veto by the Governor and an attempt to override. The vote in the House was 79-44, four votes shy of being veto proof. First things first though, it goes to the Senate before any veto actions. Our work in (2) coalitions has been fruitful but there is still much to do. That is where you come in. We need you all to contact your legislators to see that some legislation moves forward to help working families. In a year such as this, when state spending is under a microcope it makes it very difficult to protect those programs that help working people. Still, this provides opportunity for things that do something to help people in these difficult times, but don't come at a cost to the state. State Minimum Wage now sits squarely in front of the House Commerce and Labor Committee. But, that committee needs some nudging. With your help we got it passed out of the Senate with a solid 33-7 vote. Now on the House side, a hearing is to take place on the bill (Senate Bill 160) in the House Commerce and Labor Committee meeting Thursday, March 5th at 9:00 AM. This committee meets in the Docking Building adjacent to the Capitol, Room 784. Join us for a Raise the Wage Kansas Press Conference there at 8:30 AM. We urge you to contact the House Commerce Committee and ask them to pass this bill raising the state minimum wage to the federal level. The $2.65 per hour Kansas Minimum Wage is out of touch with reality and the rest of the country. Ask the House Commerce and Labor Committee to pass this out of the Committee favorably and allow a full debate on the House chamber floor. Do let legislators know that it is high time they addressed this embarrassment. But, when doing so, make sure to always be respectful and polite. All phone numbers are a 785 area code. They can be contacted at: Rep.Brunk-steven.brunk@house.ks.gov or 296-7645 Rep.Grange-john.grange@house.ks.gov or 296-7655 Rep.Bethell-bob.bethell@house.ks.gov or 296-7616 Rep.B.Wolf - bill.wolf@house.ks.gov or 296-7653 Rep.Kerschen-dan.kerschen@house.ks.gov or 296-7667 Rep.Quigley-jill.quigley@house.ks.gov or 296-7682 Rep.Bowers-elaine.bowers@house.ks.gov or 296-7644 Rep.Ruiz-louis.ruiz@house.ks.gov or 296-7122 Rep.Grant-bob.grant@house.ks.gov or 296-7650 Rep.Schwab-scott.schwab@house.ks.gov or 296-7655 Rep.Garcia-delia.garcia@house.ks.gov or 296-6838 Rep.Pottorf-joann.pottorf@house.ks.gov or 296-7501 Rep.Prescott-william.prescott@house.ks.gov or 296-7604 Rep.Worley-ron.worley@house.ks.gov or 297-7633 Rep.Tietze-annie.tietze@house.house.ks.gov or 296-7669 Rep. S. Gatewood - sean.gatewood@house.ks.gov or 296-7657 Rep.Hermanson-phil.hermanson@house.ks.gov or 296-7671 Rep. Henderson - broderick.henderson@house.ks.gov or 296-7697 Rep. Palmer - shirley.palmer@house.ks.gov or 296-7698 Workers Compensation - After an "embargo" on our Work Comp bills, there is a bit of movement now. A hearing is scheduled for March 3rd. It took a short and simple bill to help get things moving, but the bill (SB 258) gets at one of the fundmental problems with our Work Comp system. It would help those unfortunate workers, through no fault of their own, that have become injured workers to maintain some dignity and respect. The bill would rectify a neglect to the Workers Comp system that has lasted over 20 years. That's right, some of Kansas' most seriously injured workers are still collecting benefits equivalent to 1987 dollars. No adjustments have been made to benefit levels to account for the Cost of Living. Inflation has eroded the ability for families of an injured worker to survive. Kansas has the lowest benefits in the region, lower than Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, and Colorado. The weekly benefits are less than half that of Iowa! Only a handful of states cap benefits for workers permanently and totally disabled and the Kansas cap is the lowest! Contact these Senators and ask them to support the work Comp bill (SB 258). Senate Commerce Committee: Sen.Wysong-david.wysong@senate.ks.gov or 296-7369 Sen.Lynn-julia.lynn@senate.ks.gov or 296-7382 Sen.Emler- jay.emler@senate.ks.gov or 296-7354 Sen. Kelsey - dick.kelsey@senate.ks.gov or 296-7367 Sen. Reitz-roger.reitz@senate.ks.gov or 296-7360 Sen. Wagle-susan.wagle@senate.ks.gov or 296-7386 Sen. Schodorf - jean.schodorf@senate.ks.gov or 296-7391 Sen. Holland - tom.holland@senate.ks.gov or 296-7372 Sen. Faust-Goudeau - oletha.faust-goudeau@senate.ks.gov or 296-7387
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