The first “Eggs and Issues” of the 2013 session presented Saturday by the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce was also a first for all three Kansas legislators.

111th District Rep. Sue Boldra, R- Hays, and 110th  District Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, R-Palco, are freshmen.  Longtime legislator  Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, now has the city of Hays in his 40th District, following redistricting.

Audience members in the Fort Hays  State University Robbins Center had lots of questions for the trio following their opening remarks.

Rep. Boldra is a member of the House Utilities and Telecommunications Committee.    A bill that supporters say would continue the deregulation of telecommunication companies in Kansas sailed through initial passage in the House Friday with bi-partisan support.  House Bill 2201 will be considered for a final vote Monday.

“Fewer and fewer of us have ‘landlines,'” said Boldra, “and this bill is intended to modernize existing regulations, which are used to provide support for technological investment. These dollars will be shifted to fund newer broadband technologies and other advanced services, further connecting Kansans.”

“It’s moving telecommunications towards more of a utility,” she explained.

The measure would reduce funding requirements of the Kansas Universal Service Fund, thus reducing consumer telephone bills.

Opponents say the Kansas Corporation Commission would no longer would be able to assist customers when their phone service quality is unacceptable, and telecommunication companies would no longer be required to participate in the Kansas Lifeline Service Program, which provides discounts for basic telephone service for low-income Kansans.