|
Friends:
First of all, please let me apologize to Adjutant General Lee Tafanelli. I ran his picture with Sawyer Green last week and did not get his title correct. It is MAJOR GENERAL LEE TAFANELLI. A big thank you to Steve LaGrone for catching the error!
The legislature continued its work this week in the Veto Session. Unfortunately we will be returning next week to hopefully finish this session. Time is of the essence when we come back on Monday. Finalizing the budget will be a top priority! The 90th day of the Legislature was Friday, May 11th. As I have done my entire time in the Legislature, I will not receive payment for days worked after May 11th. The voters elected me to do this part of the job in 90 days which should be adequate.
I sincerely hope that a Happy Mother's Day was had by all mom's!
|
|
Education and Personal Activities
|
|
HIGHER EDUCATION = JOB CREATION
Here are some statistics regarding how the Kansas Board of Regents are ENGINES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
- Counties with higher education institutions experience higher levels of growth in private employment (8.5%) compared to counties with no higher education institution (-0.9%).
- For every $1 of state support invested in higher education, the Kansas economy receives $11.94 in return.
- In 2010, over $7 billion in economic impacts were generated by the public higher education system and 95,327 jobs were created.
- University researchers are conducting ground-breaking research and development which contribute to the economy through new medical treatments, commercialization of products and ideas, and increased research funding.
- Community and Technical Colleges ensure Kansas businesses and communities have access to customized education that meets local needs, improves employee efficiency, and advances global competitiveness.
**********************************************************************************************
I have been a huge supporter of the Unused Medication Repository. The repository is a collection point for all medications where they are inspected by a pharmacist, entered into a prescription software system that allows tracking in the event of a recall and then the medications are distributed to the eligible clinics. The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas manages the repository. They have been instrumental in developing the program. An on-line ordering process that lists the inventory in real time is available to the clinics. Here are a few statistics on the program:
- 36 eligible organizations donate from every corner of Kansas
- 28 clinics and mental health centers are signed up to participate
- In 2011, 23 of these accessed medications from the repository
- The conservative estimate is $1,066,152.02. Actual retail would have been 20 to 50% higher.
- Since the program was implemented in July 2009, more than $6 million (retail value) in medications have been distributed through the repository.
|
|
|
Floor Activities
| |
Floor Activities
|
PASSING A BALANCED BUDGET:
The Senate passed a balanced budget last week that reduces overall spending by $324 million and calls for a $457.7 million ending balance. The Senate budget takes into account anticipated decreases from the federal government and it restores some of the funds that had previously been cut in state aid to our local schools. During the economic recession, nearly $18,000 was cut from every Kansas classroom. The Senate budget begins to restore some of those dollars to help alleviate larger class sizes, increased fees and teacher layoffs. The House adopted its version of the budget this week, allowing the two chambers to begin negotiating differences in their respective budgets through the Conference Committee process. In this committee the chair, vice-chair and ranking minority of the Senate Ways and Means committee meet with the chair, vice-chair and ranking minority of the House Appropriations committee. There were over 9 pages of differences in the two budgets and thus far the Senate has offered 6 rounds and the House has offered six rounds. While progress is being made in decreasing the differences, much work still remains. The work (negotiations) will continue next week before a final budget can be voted on by both the Senate and the House. Once agreement is reached, each chamber gets an up or down vote only. No amendments may be added on the floor. Stay tuned.........
SCHOOL FINANCE: The Senate sent two bills to the House prior to the close of session regarding school finance. The first would put more dollars directly into the classroom by increasing the base state aid per pupil by $74 over the next two years. This bill was sent to the House Budget Committee at the end of March. The other bill allowed for school districts to save up to 10% of the district's general fund budget in a contingency reserve fund. The option to set aside dollars for future operation expenses helps local schools plan for fluctuations in the economy without putting classroom resources, teachers and other essential services at risk. These bills remain in the Conference Committees as explained above.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF: Property tax relief was a priority for the Senate this year. Senators overwhelmingly passed a plan that will restore utilization of the Local ad Valorem Tax Fund, sending $180 million to local governments for the buy-down of property taxes. The dollars would be sent to cities and counties as $45 million per year for four years. This was adopted in the Senate's version of the budget and for each dollar paid to a county, there is guaranteed a $1 reduction in local taxes.
COLLEGE OR CAREER READY: This plan ensures each Kansas student has the opportunity to prepare for college or a career path prior to graduation. It also establishes an incentive program that awards school districts with $1,000 for each high school student who graduates with an industry-recognized credential in a high-demand occupation. Based on the Governor's technical education plan, the intent of this bill is to support the preparation of our workforce in shortage areas - such as certified welding, automotive, aircraft, nursing and computer support - and to prepare students to go to work at these skilled, higher-paying jobs upon graduation from high school. The House adopted its version of the bill late this week and it will be sent back to the Senate for further consideration.
********************************************************************************************
The following appointments have been confirmed by the Senate.
To the Kansas Bioscience Authority:
- Leon Borck, appointed by Gov. Brownback (Confirmed 40-0)
- Dale Rodman, appointed by Gov. Brownback (Confirmed 31-4)
- Earl McVicker, appointed by Speaker of the House O'Neal (Confirmed 40-0)
To the State Board of Indigents' Defense Services
- Andrew Wimmer, appointed by Gov. Brownback (Confirmed 40-0)
*******************************************************************************
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CCR FOR SB 207 will amend laws relating to various types of municipalities by allowing counties to accept credit or debit cards for payments, authorizing the conversion of an existing school district recreation system to a city recreation system, allowing county treasurers to accept partial payments, and grant city governing bodies the authority to cause the repair or removal of unsafe or dangerous commercial real estate. IT PASSED 29-9. I VOTED YES.
CCR FOR SB 300 will extend the time to provide title and to register a vehicle, authorize two new specialized license plates, and allow a county treasurer to accept royalties to be paid to sponsoring organizations for use of their logos on certain specialized license plates. IT PASSED 36-2. I VOTED YES.
CCR FOR SENATE SUB FOR SUB FOR HB 2318 will change several statutes concerning the criminal code and drug crimes. IT PASSED 36-2. I VOTED YES.
CCR FOR SEN SUB FOR HB 2730 will amend various sections in the Kansas Food Service and Lodging Act, and the Kansas Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. IT PASSED 34-3. I VOTED YES.
CCR FOR SB 83 will amend the Kansas Product Liability Act to provide that a retail seller of used products would not be subject to liability in a claim arising from an alleged defect in a used product sold by the seller if the seller establishes certain conditions. IT PASSED 40-0. I VOTED YES.
CCR FOR SUB FOR HB 2689 is the Omnibus Liquor bill. IT PASSED 40-0. I VOTED YES.
CCR FOR HOUSE SUB FOR SB 129 will amend the requirements for extension and drainage district elections, adds a form of identification acceptable for voting, provides for free birth certificates for purposes of voting, and increases the campaign contribution limits for State Board of Education candidates from $500 to $1,000. IT PASSED 40-0. I VOTED YES.
CCR FOR SENATE SUB FOR HB 2077 will create the Professional Employer Organization Act. IT PASSED 40-0. I VOTED YES.
*******************************************************************************************
MOTIONS TO CONCUR (AGREE)
SB 211 will change the Pharmacy Act to add a second exception to the requirement that pharmacists fill all prescriptions in strict conformity with the directions of the prescriber. The new exception would allow a pharmacist to provide up to a three-month supply of a prescription drug that is not a controlled substance or a psychotherapeutic drug when a practitioner has written a drug order to be filled with a smaller supply but the prescription includes enough refills to fill a three-month supply. IT PASSED 38-0. I VOTED YES.
|
|
Ways & Means:
Sen Sub for HB 2650 received a hearing and was advanced out of committee. This bill would provide for the powers, duties and functions regarding geographic information, systems and services. It also creates the Kansas Geographic Information Systems Policy Board within the Office of Information Technology Services.
HB 2561 passed out of committee. This bill would extend the sunset for the Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds Financing Act by five years, from July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2017. |
|
|
On Thursday I was honored and privileged to present a resolution for Sara & John Ratzenberger. Sara was diagnosed at age 31 with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. She has always lived a very healthy lifestyle as a runner and a non-smoker. Unfortunately for Sara, her diagnosis was delayed and she had surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung. Sara and John found the LUNGevity Foundation which provides support to those diagnosed with lung cancer by improving survival rates and striving for a higher quality of life. Please see the website of THE LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION. With Sara and John at the presentation were Ron and Sara Youngers (Sara's parents), Todd Thompson (Friend), Robin Holthaus (Cotton O'Neil Cancer Center and Clinical Manager and Friend). Please see their picture on the right. Also attending was my good friend Linda Reynolds. Linda's daughter, Heidi Everley, was 36 years old when she succumbed to this dreadful disease in November after a valiant, courageous fight. Thank you to all of you for helping raise awareness about early detection!
*************************************************************
On Friday two resolutions were presented. The first was for Hillary Boyle, Miss Capital City 2012. Hilliary graduated this weekend from Kansas State University with her Bachelor of Science Accounting with a Minor in Economics. She has held several leadership positions at KSU and is an accomplished vocalist. Hillary was unable to be with us due to her graduation. The second resolution was for Belinda Post, Miss Topeka 2012. Belinda is also a Kansas State University graduate. She was a KSU Twirler and has taught dance and baton for 9 years. She has been actively involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and is a member of the Kansas Volunteer Commission. Please see her picture at right. Ms. Evelyn Rivera was present as a pageant sponsor. Both of these talented young women will be competing in the Miss Kansas contest with the crowning on June 9th. Good luck to each of you!!
|
Please do not
hesitate to contact me about issues of interest to you. I appreciate the
opportunity to represent you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Vicki
Schmidt
Assistant Majority Leader
20th District, Kansas Senate
vicki@vickischmidt.com
785-296-7374 (Senate Office)
Paid for by Schmidt for Senate, Brad Koehn, CPA,
Treasurer
|
|
|
|
