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Author: Hays Post
HAWVER: Federal tax cuts could be a positive for Kan. budget
You know how all that goes.
But one place that it mostly goes well is the Kansas budget.
There are dozens of little changes in federal taxes that jiggle the top line of your Kansas income tax form, but on a mass basis, that number—what you have left after paying your federal income taxes—yields for most purposes the income on which you’ll pay Kansas income taxes this year.
And the big news is that the federal tax cuts leave more Kansas-taxable income for the state to levy against.
Result: Kansas is likely to receive $138 million more than expected in the fiscal year that starts July 1. And it just gets better… Estimates are that the next year, Kansas will take in $180 million more and the year after $188 million. That additional state income doesn’t require any icky tax increases here; there’s really nothing to blame the Legislature about because it has no fingerprints on the federal tax cuts that yield more money for the State General Fund which lawmakers will spend.
That federal trickle-down could brighten the amount available to spend in the upcoming budget year which lawmakers are now assembling, or, rather, just touching up what they planned last year to spend in the new fiscal year.
So, what happens? Well, things probably brightened for state employees looking for raises. It could mean less sales tax money pulled out of the budget of the Kansas Department of Transportation, which has canceled more than 20 highway and bridge projects in the last year. It could mean more money for health care for the poor and their children and lots of nice things.
But it will undoubtedly become just another stick to use in the fight over increasing state support of public schools demanded by the Kansas Supreme Court which says the state isn’t making suitable provision for school operations statewide.
The first scrap, remember, is coming up with a new school finance formula this legislative session and financing it and then proving to the court that the problem is solved…that children in every public school from border to border are receiving a good education.
Ironically, the new state income tax money is probably about the right amount over the next few years to meet the roughly $600 million in new K-12 spending that most of the Legislature believes is the magic amount that will see the court decide that if divvied up right, it meets constitutional requirements.
That’s if the estimate is right and if all of it, and probably a little more, is spent on schools and almost nothing else.
Expect that the additional money is already being sized-up by legislators—especially House members who all stand for reelection this year—for spending on other stuff, like raises for state workers, health care, assistance for the elderly and poor and nearly every other task of state government.
And, remember that there are conservative lawmakers—especially in the Senate which doesn’t stand for reelection this year—who believe the Supreme Court is wrong, that maybe some changes in school spending patterns are needed, but that the state is spending all it needs to for K-12. That makes the millions of increased state revenue just money in the bank.
That spare cash will get interesting…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
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From the Dome to Home: Waymaster newsletter
February 16, 2018
Bills Passed In the House
This week was a busy one in the Kansas House of Representatives as we started to debate numerous bills as we near the point in the session that we refer to as “Turnaround.”
House Bill 2455 is a bill that requires the juvenile justice oversight committee to calculate and reduce expenditures with out-of-home placements. This bill passed, 118-2.
House Bill 2444 is in regards to the investments made by the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). This bill specifically prohibits the Board of Trustees with KPERS from investing any money in companies with certain business operations in Sudan. This passed, 111-9.
House Bill 2505 relates to a mayor’s position in local government. The bill makes a change that has mayors considered as part of the city governing body in all manners when the cities have a format of commission or commission-manager form of government. This bill passed the House, 122-0.
House Bill 2506 is in regards to the rehabilitation of abandoned property by a city. This bill makes changes to what is considered blighted which is highly relevant in eminent domain cases. For example, inadequate drainage would no longer constitute a property as being blighted. The bill also changes what is considered as “abandoned” property. This bill passed, 90-32. I voted “yes” on all.
House Bill 2533: Horse and Dog Tracks
On Tuesday, the Federal and State Affairs Committee heard testimony regarding the Horse and Greyhound tracks in the state. The main point of contention from those that own the racetracks is that since the passage of the Expanded Gaming Act of 2007, the allowable slot machines are taxed differently depending on the facility. The owners of the racetracks would like to reduce their slot machine tax from 40%, which is current law, to the same tax rate as that of state-owned casinos at 22%. During discussions with the racetracks and the casino managers, there has been this impending threat of a lawsuit by the casino managers if there are changes made to the existing law.
Appropriations Committee- Budget Work
This week was a busy one for the House Appropriations committee. We had a full week with the budget chairs reporting the reviewed budgets in their respective committees to the full committee.
On Monday, we had the budgets of the Department of Administration, Attorney General, and the office of the Governor. Tuesday, the budgets of the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training, Office of the State Fire Marshall, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Board of Indigents’ Defense Services were reported out.
Then on Wednesday, we reviewed the budgets of the departments of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and Agriculture, and the Kansas Commission on Veteran’s Affairs Office. On Thursday, we ended the week with reports on the budgets regarding the Board of Regents, Emporia State University, Wichita State University, and the University of Kansas Medical Center. This is the first full week of budget reports that will be included in the supplemental budget bill.
Contact Information
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, visit www.troywaymaster.com or email me at [email protected]. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
Police: Kansas man shot during robbery
SHAWNEE COUNTY ‑— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery.
Just before 9p.m. Monday, a man arrived at a Topeka hospital with injuries consistent with a gunshot, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson.
Through the investigation, it was learned that the injuries, which were not life threating and were received during a robbery to in the area of 13th and Western in Topeka.
Officers searched the area, but have yet to locate an exact crime scene where the robbery occurred. The suspects were described as two black males with ski masks armed with a handgun.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police.
Cold, windy Tuesday
Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 9 AM CST for freezing drizzle and isolated thunderstorms with freezing rain.
Today Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 28. Wind chill values as low as zero. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 9. Wind chill values as low as -3. North northeast wind 9 to 11 mph.
Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. Wind chill values as low as -4. East wind around 9 mph.
Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. East wind 5 to 8 mph.
Thursday A slight chance of snow and freezing rain before 3pm, then a slight chance of freezing rain between 3pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of rain after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Baby hospitalized after burned in Kansas house fire
TOPEKA — One person was injured in a fire Monday in Shawnee County.
Just after 3p.m., fire crews responded to a home in the 3200 Block of Skyline Drive in Topeka, according to a media release.
Upon arrival, fire crews found the two-story wooden frame residential structure with smoke showing. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack keeping it confined to the structure of fire origin. All occupants made it outside of the house before firefighters’ arrival.
Firefighters performed a search of the structure and confirmed there was nobody left inside. One infant patient was transported by AMR from the scene to a local hospital for injuries sustained from the fire.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. They reported the fire damage was $40,000 to the structure and $10,000 contents loss. There were no working smoke detectors in the home at the time of the fire, according to fire officials.
Police: No new leads in search for missing Kan. boy
SEDGWICK COUNTY – The search for a missing 5-year-old Kansas boy continues. There are no new leads in the child’s disappearance.
Police said they received a call about 6:15 p.m. Saturday reporting that to report Lucas Hernandez was lost in southeast Wichita. When officers arrived, Lucas’ 26-year-old stepmother said he was last seen Saturday afternoon in his bedroom before she showered and fell asleep.
Police spokesman Charley Davidson said Monday afternoon the search continues but police had little new to report.
Officers and dogs have searched the boy’s home, neighborhood and the 216-acre Chisholm Creek Park. Davidson said police have found no evidence suggesting Lucas was abducted.
An FBI team is assisting police. Lucas has brown hair and eyes and weighs about 60 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt with a bear on it.
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Editor’s note: The story is updated to explain that the child was last seen Saturday. Wichita Police originally reported Friday.
SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a missing child and asking the public for help to locate him.
The Wichita Police Department (WPD) officials continue working with partnering agencies in search of 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez, according to officer Charley Davidson.
Just after 6:15 p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to a lost juvenile call at a residence in the 600 block of South Edgemoor. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 26-year-old female who is the stepmother of Lucas. She reported she last saw Lucas in his bedroom at approximately 3 p.m., on Saturday, prior to her showering and falling asleep.
The boys has brown hair and brown eyes, approximately 4-feet tall and weighs 60 pounds and was last seen at 3 p.m. in his bedroom wearing black sweats, white socks, a grey shirt with a bear on it.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) team is assisting WPD with this investigation. If anyone has any information on this case, please call (316) 383-4661. The case number is 18C010693.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a missing child and asking the public for help to locate him.
Just after 6:15p.m. Saturday, officers responded to report of a lost juvenile call at a residence in the 600 block of south Edgemoor in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
The child, 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez has brown hair and brown eyes, approximately 4-feet tall and weighs 60 pounds and was last seen at 3 p.m. in his bedroom wearing black sweats, white socks, a grey shirt with a bear on it.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of Lucas or has any information please call 911 immediately.
3 hospitalized after I-70 rear-end crash
ELLIS COUNTY – Three people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Monday in Ellis County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Juke driven by Stacy Ruiz-Arreola, 34, Westminster, CO., was westbound on Interstate 70 three miles west of U.S. 183 in the right hand lane.
The Nissan rear-ended the back of the trailer being pulled by GMC Sierra and driven by Lindsey Selby, 38, Box Elder, South Dakota.
The pickup left the roadway into north ditch and rolled.
Ruiz-Arreola, Selby and a passenger in the Sierra Dimitrius Selby, 38, Box Elder, SD., were transported to the Hays Medical Center. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
2 face life in prison for Kansas City carjacking, murder
KANSAS CITY – Two Kansas City men were convicted by a federal trial jury of charges related to the kidnapping and murder of another man, according to Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Raynal King, 26, and Howard R. Ross, III, also known as “Lil’ Howard” and “Shooter,” 23, both of Kansas City, were found guilty of multiple counts related to the carjacking, kidnapping and murder of Jaime Patton on Sept. 6, 2016.
King and Ross were convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of aiding and abetting a kidnapping resulting in death, one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a kidnapping that resulted in a first degree felony murder, one count of robbery of a motor vehicle (carjacking) resulting in death, one count of using a firearm in furtherance of carjacking that resulted in a first degree felony murder, and one count of aiding and abetting each other as felons in the possession of a firearm.
Patton was returning home from the hospital, where he had been caring for a family member, sometime after 5 a.m. that day when King and Ross kidnapped him and stole his 2014 Jeep Patriot. They held Patton at gunpoint and drove him around in his Jeep to ATM machines, attempting to force him to provide his PIN number for his debit card so they could withdraw cash from his bank account.
Patton was unable to provide a working PIN number to withdraw cash. While held at gunpoint by King and Ross in the Mazuma Credit Union parking lot, he called his wife to obtain the working PIN number, but he was unable to do so. King and Ross became upset with the lack of cooperation from Patton and shot him in his upper thigh to make sure he knew they were not playing around.
King and Ross then drove Patton in his Jeep south on Holmes Road while they discussed what to do with him. At approximately 6:30 a.m., shortly after traveling south on Holmes Road through the intersection with 135th Street and further out of the city, Patton jumped out of his Jeep while it was moving. Patton was shot multiple times while attempting to jump and he fell to the roadway. King and Ross then fled from the area in Patton’s Jeep, leaving him to die on the side of the road.
According to evidence introduced during the trial, King and Ross began planning to commit a robbery a couple of days earlier. King had recently purchased a silver Pontiac Grand Prix but was unable to make his car payments or pay the sales tax fees. Text messages between King and Ross (recovered from their phones) shows that only days before the kidnapping King communicated with Ross about his problems and about a potential robbery.
Ross, who was on state probation for robbery at the time of the crime, was held in the Jackson County Jail after his arrest. While in the Jackson County Jail, Ross made multiple recorded phone calls to others regarding disposing of various items of evidence. Ross discussed with friends and family the location of his iPhone, which led to search warrants and the recovery of Ross’s iPhone and further evidence on his iPhone.
Investigators recovered evidence from Ross’s iPhone that showed weeks before the kidnapping Ross had a Springfield Armory .45-caliber pistol. Patton was murdered with a .45-caliber bullet. Ross took photos of himself carrying the pistol; he messaged those photos to others and posted photos on social media sites. Shortly after the murder, Ross attempted to sell the pistol to an acquaintance.
When forensic examiners were able to search King’s Android phone, several messages, photographs, and relevant Internet searches were recovered as evidence. King took photos of the stolen Jeep and messaged with others in an attempt to sell the Jeep to obtain sufficient money to make his own car payment on his Silver Pontiac Grand Prix before it would be repossessed.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for just under three hours before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Monday, Feb. 12, 2018.
Under federal statutes, King and Ross each face mandatory life imprisonment. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
Kansas GOP votes to oppose validating transgender identity
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Republican Party has voted to oppose all efforts to validate transgender identity.
The party’s state committee endorsed the statement after a debate on human sexuality at the party’s annual meeting during the weekend.
The resolution says God’s design for gender is determined by biological sex and not by self-perception. It opposes surgical or hormonal efforts to alter a person’s body to conform with gender identity.
Eric Teetsel, president of the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, sponsored the statement. He says the resolution was prompted by love and noted it recognizes the dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
LGBT advocates criticized the resolution. Equality Kansas director Tom Witt called it an undignified and crass assault and a cheap election year attack.
Listen to Tiger Talk with Fort Hays State basketball coaches Tony Hobson and Mark Johnson
Click below to listen to Tiger Talk with the “Voice of the Tigers” Gerard Wellbrock and Fort Hays State women’s basketball coach Tony Hobson and men’s coach Mark Johnson.
Tiger Talk airs on Monday evening at 6 p.m. on Tiger Radio Mix-103.
General Motors confirms new vehicle for Kansas plant
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — General Motors says it will build a new vehicle at its plant in Kansas City, Kansas.
The company said Monday it will build the Cadillac XT4 crossover sport utility vehicle at its Fairfax Assembly & Stamping Plant.
GM spokeswoman Mary Padilla says the announcement means the plant will keep about 500 jobs. The assembly plant currently employs 2,235, including about 2,000 hourly workers, making the Chevy Malibu.
The company is spending $265 million to prepare to manufacture the vehicle.
Fairfax lost its third shift last fall after sales of the Malibu slumped. It had employed about 3,000 with the three shifts.
The Cadillac XT4 is a crossover SUV.