Historic and Religious Public Displays
Last Tuesday, the House debated HB 2037 dealing with the display of religious and historic artifacts on public property. In many of our local municipal buildings and state buildings here in Kansas, we have different historical displays, some with religious significance, which the legislature believes should be protected and should have a place in our local communities. This bill protects the historic tradition religious symbols have played in our state heritage. As with many historic buildings in Kansas, including the state capitol, there are many parts of our buildings which are reflections of the history of Kansas and should be protected.
Last week in the House Federal and State Affairs committee we passed out SB 149 which calls for drug testing for welfare and unemployment benefits recipients. Under the bill the Department of Children and Families would administer tests when there is a reasonable suspicion of drug abuse. It also closes a loophole which allowed for when someone is denied a job because they fail a drug test to still get unemployment benefits.
Budget
Last year, the state passed the largest tax cut in history by significantly reducing state income tax rates and eliminating income taxes on small and corporate business owners for non-wage revenue. The goal for the 2013 Legislative Session is to continue to concentrate on lowering our state’s income tax. With last year’s ambitious tax cut and the continued drive to ratchet down the tax rates, the legislature has focused on responsible spending habits with particular attention to finding efficiencies in state government. The House Taxation and Appropriations Committees have worked in tandem to ensure the state will continue to meet its obligations while also continuing on a glide path to zero state income tax.
The House budget includes $211.4 million in additional savings over two years as compared to the governor’s recommendation and was done without making cuts to K-12 education, public safety, or state hospitals. Included in these savings is the reduced resource package, which includes $25 million in cuts, identified by state agencies themselves.
The House passed Substitute for HB 2231 on Wednesday, March 22nd by a vote of 68-55. I voted Yes.
Tax
The House tax plan would continue the governor’s drive to get personal income tax to zero. However, the House plan adds a 2% growth in revenue trigger in the roll out to ensure revenues are available to sustain the income tax drop. So, as state revenues grow above 2% from the previous year, those excess funds would be used to buy down the income tax.
The House plan would also keep the sunset on the sales tax increase which was passed three years ago.
On July 1st the sales tax would drop to 5.7% from 6.3% statewide. Also on July 1st .4% of the sales tax would be redirected from the state general fund to the state highway plan to fund TWORKS. This has been an important piece for many Kansans as it ensures high quality roads as well as construction jobs across the state.
Income tax deductions would also be phased out but would drop at the same rate as the income taxes. This way we preserve the deductions while buying down their value at the same speed the rates drop.
Also included in this plan is an accelerated drop in the lower income tax bracket. It is weighted so that the lower tax rate goes down twice as much as the percentage increase and the higher bracket goes down half as much. This would provide increased relief for the state’s lower income taxpayers. The House will now meet with the Senate to work out differences in the two plans which should begin early next week.
Pro-Life Legislation
This week, the House passed HB 2253, which would serve to further protect the lives of the unborn in Kansas by ensuring that no taxpayer dollars are used to subsidize abortions and by revising other abortion statutes. Through passage of the bill, the House looks to continue developing a culture of life in Kansas by defending the right to life, including that of the most vulnerable Kansans. The solemn duty of the state to defend this fundamental right is affirmed in HB 2253.
Significantly, the bill would add a statutory provision that would declare that the life of each human being begins at fertilization. The bill would prohibit the use of public funding, tax credits, tax preferences, and state-provided public health care services from being used in any manner to facilitate abortions or in facilities where abortions are performed. It also would prohibit any school district, its employees, agents, and education service providers from offering abortion services and abortion providers would be restricted from sponsoring, offering, or furnishing any course materials or instruction related to human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases in public schools.
The House passed HB 2253 by a vote of 92 to 31. The bill is now headed to the Senate for further consideration and action. I voted yes.
Do not hesitate to contact me if with your thoughts and concerns. I am dedicated to providing outstanding constituent service and your continued communication is vital to that process. You can stay connected by following my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TravisforKansas and website at www.travisforkansas.com. As always, feel free to contact my office at (785) 296-4683 at any time.