2009 Session Update

District 53 Constituents and Friends:

Thank you for allowing me to serve on your behalf once again.  It is truly an honor to work in the House.  I have met thousands of new friends over the last four years and been part of some exciting legislation that is making our state a better place to live.

The 2009 session promises to be one that will require some very tough decisions.  When we left last spring, we expected to have a positive balance at the end of the 2009 fiscal year (July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009).  With the downturn in the economy, we now have to deal with a potential deficit.  The Governor has already asked her agency heads to cut spending for this year and next.  But that will not be enough to deal with the revenue shortfalls we expect.

State agencies are not our biggest expense.  Our biggest expenditures are for schools and social services.  Much of that money is spent locally by city/county governments and school boards.  When we cut those services, it is a double-edged sword.  When you cut education, you cut the one thing that can help drive better jobs and prepare workers for a changing economy.  When you cut social services, it can cost you more in the long run.  For example, spending money to keep seniors in their homes saves money over nursing home care.  Spending money on therapy for the disabled saves money on future care.  But no one said it would be easy and I’m ready to go to work.

MY ASSIGNMENTS

This year I will be the ranking Democrat on the House Higher Education Committee.  I am thrilled that I will be able to have more input on issues affecting post-secondary education.  I am also going to be serving on the House Education Committee working on K-12 issues, and the Local Government Committee. Local Government works on issues like annexation, so that will be handy!

I will be located in the Docking Building again this year, on south end of the 7th floor.  About 90 members of the House will be located there while they renovate the south wing of the Capitol.  Please drop by any time!

2009 LEGISLATION

Thank you all for your ideas and suggestions for legislation for the coming session.  Here are some of bills that I plan to file when the session resumes.  

•  Unilateral annexation – This bill requires county commission approval of cities’ unilateral annexation proposals.  Also requires a follow up in three years after an annexation to be sure that commitments are met by cities annexing property.
• KPERS retiree income limits – Currently KPERS retirees who go back to work for other KPERS entities have a $20,000 per year limit on earnings.  This bill raises that limit to $25,000.
• Immigration reform – This bill requires businesses to use the federal e-verify system for new hires to verify legal status; increases penalties for providing false identification for workers; and increases penalties for misclassification of workers.
• Tax credit for college tuition – This tax credit will help provide relief for the cost of post-secondary education.  May not have much of a chance this year, but I want to get it in the hopper if there is any improvement over the next two years.

If you are interested in legislation in another area, please write to me and let me know.  I can be reached at Mah@house.state.ks.us.  

OTHER ISSUES 

Here are some other issues that we will be dealing with this session:

• Health care:  The Kansas Health Policy Authority will be making some recommendations on improving health care in Kansas.  Access to affordable insurance, insurance for children, preventive care, and a smoking ban will be sure to be discussed.
• Coal plants:  There is still interest in a bill to remove the Secretary of Health and Environment from the process so that three new coal plants can be built in western Kansas.  Two are planned for the initial phase and a third later on.  Of the 1400 MW of electricity planned to be generated by the first two plants, 200 MW is for use in Kansas and 1200 MW for other states. 
• Transportation plan:  We are nearing the end of a 10-year transportation plan.  A special legislative committee will make recommendations on whether to do another long-range plan. 
• At our recent “kitchen cabinet” meeting, there was interest expressed in a smoking ban, a cigarette tax, and school district consolidation.  I’d like to get your feeling on those issues.  Please express your opinion by clicking on the “Click here to cast your vote” link at the top of this page.

PAGE REQUESTS

If you have a student between 6th and 12th grade who would like to serve as a page for me this session, please write and let me know.  I am limited to about 10 students per session and give preference to those who have not served before.  The pages serve for one day (from about 8 am to 3 pm) and do errands for the House members.  They also get a tour of the Capitol.  You can write to me at Mah@house.state.ks.us if you are interested. 

KANSAS AMONG TOP BUSINESS STATES

Kansas has been ranked among the nation’s top states for business by five publications.  We were noted for being good for new business locations, competitive for capital investment, high in business development and biotechnology development.  Our national position for attracting high-tech jobs increased even more as we were named the site selected for the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility at K-State.  We already host over 30% of the world’s animal science research in the corridor from Manhattan to Kansas City.   But the bottom line is, are we bringing in the jobs?  So it’s good to note that from October 2007 to October 2008, Kansas ranked 9th in the nation in new job growth. 

The key to maximizing this position is to get workers trained to do the jobs.  If you are trained in nearly any of the trades, health care, computer technology, teaching or engineering, we have jobs waiting for you!  That is why it is important to be sure our technical schools and colleges are funded to provide the training industries need.  If we cut back on training, we lose the jobs.  It will be one of our major challenges this session.

DIGITAL TV TRANSITION

On February 17th, local television broadcast stations will switch from an analog signal to an all-digital signal.  If you are not hooked up to cable tv (ie, you are using an antennae or rabbit ears), you will most likely need a converter box for your television to work.

Through March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the coupon program. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). More information can be found at www.DTV2009.gov.

If you have already purchased a converter and have a recommendation to make to others for a good brand, please let me know.  One constituent recommends the DTVPal and the PAL Plus by DishNetwork.  He liked the sensitivity and program guide.

SHAWNEE COUNTY TAX COMPARISON TABLE
Below is a table of taxes levied to those in the city of Topeka and the townships in my district.  This will give you an idea of what residents pay around the area.  (I am working to get the same information for those I serve in Douglas County.)

NOTES:  For verification of your particular tax levy, consult the recent statement sent to your home.

1. Those in the Wakarusa Watershed district pay an additional 1.117 mill levy.  This includes some residents of the City of Topeka, Tecumseh, Williamsport, Topeka, and Monmouth townships.
2. The examples above assume a certain school district.  If you live in a different combination of location and school district, you need to adjust.  For example, a city resident in the Shawnee Heights School District instead of USD 501 would have a lower total levy.
3. Some city residents and Williamsport residents also have a .335 levy for the Shawnee Center Cemetery (located south of Heartland Park).
4. Some residents of Topeka township pay 1.304 mills for Pauline Street lights.

STAY IN TOUCH
If you would like to receive my email newsletter this session, please write to me and let me know.  Just go to the “Contact Ann” page above and send me your email address.  It’s a good way for me to let you know how I’m voting and get your feedback.

As always, it is an honor to serve. 

Regards,

State Representative – District 53

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