In This Issue:
Supreme Court rules on school finance
The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the current school funding system by block grants is unconstitutional. The court opinion said: “We hold that CLASS does not meet the structure requirement contained in the Gannon I test. In effect, it is merely a fund created by freezing school districts' funding for 2 school years at a prior year's level. It also is only minimally responsive to financially important changing conditions such as increased enrollment.”
It has given the legislature until June 30, 2017 to enact a new school finance system which is adequate, equitable and meets constitutional muster.
The legislature must act quickly to remedy the situation and ensure that our schools and students receive the support they deserve and need. I'm optimistic that we can find a constitutional, bi-partisan solution.
You can read the court's opinion here.
Tax Bill Passes House and Senate
Sub HB 2178 repeals the LLC loophole, which has allowed 330,000 Kansans to avoid paying any state income tax. It also reinstates the third tax bracket to make tax policy fair. In addition, the legislation will protect the mortgage interest deduction rate
A comprehensive bill put forth by the House Tax Committee would largely reverse Governor Sam Brownback’s “march to zero” tax experiment, which has put Kansas in a fiscal crisis. The legislation (Substitute House Bill 2178) is expected to increase the state’s revenue by $590.2M in FY2018, and a steady $460M each fiscal year following.of50%, and returns the medical expense itemized deduction at 100%.
The bill underwent the initial vote on the House Floor on Wednesday, February 15th. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 83 votes to 39. The final vote on the bill occurred Thursday, passing 76 to 48.
The tax bill was debated in the Senate Chamber. It passed with a bipartisan majority 22 to 18 vote and was sent to the Governor. See the full bill here.
House Overturns Governor’s Veto on Tax Bill, Senate Fails
After both the House and Senate formed bipartisan coalitions to pass a bill that largely repealed Sam Brownback’s failed tax experiment implemented in 2012, the Governor issued a veto.
In order to overturn a veto, a body needs 2/3 of the vote. In the House, that 2/3 number is 84. After the initial vote came up just one vote shy, two legislators on the Republican side flipped their votes, surpassing the required number with a total of 85 votes in favor of the veto override.
Later that day, the Senate took up the veto override bill. With 40 members, the Senate needed 27 votes in favor. Unfortunately, they came up just three votes short, and the overturn failed.
Democrats will continue to work for the will of the people to resolve this issue. To see how your legislator voted, check out this interactive map from The Topeka Capital-Journal.
House Passes Budget Fix
Before adjourning last week, the House solved the current budget deficit of $350M by largely liquidating a state investment fund (known as the Pooled Money Investment Portfolio, or PMIP). While this is not the preferred option of Democrats, this position far exceeds the alternative – which would force across-the-board cuts to public schools and higher ed. Kansas education budgets have already suffered severe cuts over the last several years. Kansas Democrats and Kansans overwhelmingly support public education and will continue to defend it.
Read the full budget bills: HB 2161 and HB 2052.
Due Process Passes Through House
Due process for teachers was stripped in 2014 in a vote occurring in the dark of night. This removed protections for Kansas educators. Wednesday morning, the Kansas House passed the first step toward restoring due process rights. Due process ensures a fair dismissal process.
In a final action vote, House Bill 2186 passed with a 72 – 53 vote. This bill included the due process amendment. Next, the bill will go to the Senate for a vote.
Medicaid Expansion Passes House After Killed by Committee
The Health and Human Services committee made a motion to table Medicaid Expansion, effectively killing the bill for the 2017 session.
However, a Medicaid Expansion amendment was added to House Bill 2044. After a long debate, both the amendment and the bill passed. Kansas has refused millions of federal dollars that could have been spent on bettering our hospitals and clinics and taking care of our citizens that need it the most.
The House took final action on the Medicaid expansion amendment, passing with a vote of 81 - 44. This marks the first movement towards expansion of the program.
Hospital Conceal Carry Bill Dead in Committee
On Wednesday, February 15th, the House Federal and State Committee voted on a bill that would exempt Kansas hospitals from the concealed carry law set to take effect on July 1st of this year.
The committee deadlocked with an 11-11 vote. The committee’s chair refused to cast a tie-breaking vote. Democrats will work to find alternative ways to get the bill to the House floor for a vote.
Keep in Contact
It's a special honor to serve as your state representative. I both value and need your input on the various issues facing state government.
Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 43-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7690 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at cindy.neighbor@house.ks.gov.
You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org
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Sincerely,
State Representative
District 18 - Serving Shawnee
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