The Legislature is set to go to work again this week to reconcile differences between remaining House and Senate bills – mainly budget and taxation issues. Dozens of bills have been worked and put to a vote. While nearly every bill is of importance, the following is a brief overview of bills that are of broad interest.
State Budget & Taxation
While state income tax rates, beginning in tax year 2013, were reduced to spur economic growth, the state must also be more effective and efficient in its use of resources. The House passed budget contains $211 million in savings. K-12 education funding was not affected by these reductions.
The House tax plan provides for future income tax reductions, while maintaining the sunset provisions of the 2010 “temporary” sales tax increase, dropping the sales tax from 6.3% to 5.7% on July 1st.
Transparency in Taxation
HB2047 will require local units of government to actually vote whether to raise property taxes, rather than allowing automatic windfall tax increases triggered by rising assessed valuations.
Concealed Carry and Privacy
The privacy and safety of concealed carry permit holders is now secured with passage of SB81 clarifying that permit holder information is not public record for release to the media.
Innovative School Districts Initiative
Parents and school districts will now have flexibility to develop innovative methods of classroom teaching and school administration. These “innovation districts” are aimed to improve student success, and efficiency in school operations, providing examples that can be replicated in other school districts.
Strengthening Rape Prosecution
The House overwhelmingly passed a bill removing the statute of limitation on the prosecution of rape, and allowing child victims to report the crime within ten years after turning age 18.
KS Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS)
Lax KPERS oversight has created a $9 billion shortfall. To shore up immediate needs, the House authorized $1.5 billion in bonds. We will revisit KPERS in 2014 to craft a long term solution.
Drug Testing for State Benefits
Individuals who fail a drug test will be prohibited from receiving state benefits until completion of a drug treatment and job training program. A second failed test results in suspension of state benefits for a year. A third failed test results in a long term prohibition of benefits.
Judicial Selection
New appointments to the Kansas Court of Appeals will be nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The measure signed by Gov. Brownback allows for greater public input to the process.
Please let me know your thoughts by dropping a note to me at [email protected], or by phone at (785) 296-4683. Thank you again for the honor of serving you in Topeka!