 |
|
        |
|
|
House Appropriations Carefully Handles Stimulus Dollars Federal stimulus money will play a vital role in Kansas as it will be utilized for job growth and building the economy. Earlier this week the members of the House Appropriations Committee were asked to vote on a motion to essentially give a block grant of stimulus dollars to the Kansas Board of Regents without oversight or direction as to how the money would be spent. The committee voted the motion down and then subsequently offered a motion asking the Board of Regents to return on Monday with a detailed plan as to how the stimulus dollars will be spent. This action will ensure Kansas does not jeopardize stimulus dollars by going on a spending spree. The adopted motion will also provide transparency in the spending of hundreds of millions in Federal assistance to the state. It is important to me that Kansas remains eligible for every stimulus dollar available. The Chairman of the Appropriations Committee is waiting for a definitive answer from the White House on the amount and availability of funds including eligibility requirements. This will be clarified by the end the week. At that point the committee and then the members of the House will be able to make an informed decision ensuring that Kansas receives the maximum benefit from these funds. Annexation House Bill 2029 is an important piece of the House Republican Agenda this year. This bill significantly strengthens our ability as property owners to determine the future of our land and the use of our tax dollars. This bill is a compromise put together by a joint interim committee. However, it is a continued concern for cities to annex property without ever providing the services promised. As a taxpayer, you and I should not only have a voice in the annexation process but also have recourse if the cities do not live up to their end of the bargain. HB 2029 will not stop economic development. It will only ensure that the cities take a measured approach to planning. By allowing taxpayers to determine the fate of their land, homes, and businesses, there will be extra pressure on the cities to provide the promised services in return for the increased tax dollars they will be receiving. Specifically, the bill would: Reduce from five to three years the time that must elapse following the annexation before the board of county commissioners is required to hold a hearing to consider whether the city has provided the services promised when the annexation was approved. If the board of county commissioners refuses to hold the hearing, a landowner would be permitted to bring a court action. Reduce from two and one-half years to one and one-half years following this hearing that a landowner may petition the board of county commissioner to de-annex the land if the city has not provided the agreed upon municipal services. Again, if the commissioners refuse to hold a hearing, the landowner would be permitted to bring a court action. Prohibit the annexation, via approval by the board of county commissioners, of any portion of any unplatted agricultural land of 21 acres or more without the written consent of the landowner. Require an election be held for any annexation proposed in Johnson, Sedgwick or Shawnee counties to be made via approval by the board of county commissioners. Only those residing in the proposed area will be eligible to vote. If the majority of those voting reject the annexation, the city would be prohibited from annexing the land and no further proposal to annex the area could take place for at least four years from the election date. Note: I have also proposed an amendment to the Senate version of the bill that includes Leavenworth County. I will continue to keep you informed about the developments related to both bills. Rainy Day Fund The House passed, 89-33, HB 2320, the Budget Stabilization Fund. To recap from last week’s newsletter, Sub. for HB 2320 is one of the key pieces of the Republican Agenda to fix the policies surrounding the structural imbalance in the budget. This is a great step in order to provide a responsible and accountable state budget that prioritizes taxpayer dollars. The bill would enact a new law establishing the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund (Stabilization Fund) in the State Treasury. Revenue sent to the State General Fund in excess of the amount expected during a fiscal year, based on the April consensus revenue estimate, would be transferred to the Stabilization Fund. Money in the Stabilization Fund could only be spent to make up for shortfalls when compared to the previous year’s budget. This bill will take effect in fiscal year 2011. The bill would also prevent the Governor from proposing expenditures from the fund. Zero Based Budget Currently the House Governmental Budget Committee is working on House Bill 2273. This is another of the House Republican Agenda items aimed at stabilizing the budget and ensuring that tax dollars are responsibly managed. This bill will require state government agencies to submit a zero-based budget on a six-year cycle beginning in fiscal year 2012. This zero-based budget would include a description of the activity requested, a legal basis for the action, and an itemized justification for the amount requested per activity. The bill allows for each state agency to plot out a six-year plan for activity and creates a reasonable estimated state budget for up to six years in the future helping to prevent budget shortfalls that might occur. Additionally, it will give the legislature a fair and logical way to cut unnecessary fiscal drains should a shortfall happen. By waiting until 2012 the legislature is giving state agencies a fair amount of time to prepare their budgets in order and develop a budget reporting system. It is an honor to serve as your Representative. My door is always open if would like to discuss any of your ideas or concerns. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable St. Patrick’s Day. The Donohoe clan wishes you all the best!
|
|
 | |
| Copyright © 2009 Owen Donohoe Campaign, Rebecca K. Chapman, Treasurer. |
