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As the Kansas House of Representatives approaches its first adjournment, we have been considering bills on the floor all week in order to prepare for “drop dead day” or the last day for non-exempt bills to be heard in either chamber. Next week, conference committees will meet and then we adjourn until April 29. Budget Reporting Under existing law, the Governor must submit The Governor’s Budget Report by the eighth calendar day of each regular legislative session. HB 2360 shifts that date to the first Monday in December. This bill allows us more time to review the budget recommendations without cutting into the 90-day legislative session. By moving up the budget process we are better positioned to ensure that the budget is responsible and accountable as we continue to prioritize taxpayers and reduce the size of government and wasteful spending. Prioritizing State Expenditures The House has passed a bill that requires the Executive Branch to prioritize employee payroll when faced with a budget shortfall. This is not the partisan issue that the Governor would like you to believe. This is about properly utilizing the available funds to ensure that state employee wages are paid on a priority basis. Currently, there is nothing in statute to prevent the Executive Branch from taking high-profile, high-priority expenditures and threatening non-payment when there are many other low-priority expenditures that can be delayed in order to ensure that the most important obligations are met first. Senate Bill 168 (originally HB 2370) will ensure that payment of salaries and wages come first before other state obligations will be met. If sufficient funds are not available, the non-essential expenses will be delayed. I am sure that all of you would agree with me. It is crucial that families receive their hard-earned salaries on time, every time. Energy A press conference was held on March 25 to present findings from a recent survey regarding the comprehensive energy bill currently being discussed in a conference committee. The statewide poll, conducted by Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates, surveyed 600 registered Kansas voters from March 17-19. The survey reveals that 58 percent of Kansas voters consider the economy, jobs and the budget the most important issues facing the state. The Holcomb Expansion Project, which will provide 2,500 jobs during construction and more than 300 permanent jobs, is viewed by many Kansans as an important solution to solving the economic and job issues. Almost twice as many voters support the construction of the project (51 percent to 26 percent) as oppose it. Forty percent of all voters and 56 percent of supporters indicate that their reason for support is based on the project’s job creation and private investment in the state. Voters not only want the power plant expansion to be built in western Kansas, they also expect us to take action on the issue. A solid majority, 56 percent said the legislature should overturn a gubernatorial veto of this issue. Only 25 percent of total participants said the Governor’s veto should not be overridden. The comprehensive energy legislation is the result of a lot of hard work by both chambers. We have lost thousands of jobs during this tough economic cycle, and I believe we simply must pass this legislation to provide the jobs that Kansans deserve, no matter where they live in our state. It is an honor to represent you at the Statehouse. Please contact me if I can be of service or if you would like to discuss your questions or concerns.
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| Copyright © 2009 Owen Donohoe Campaign, Rebecca K. Chapman, Treasurer. |
