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It has been wonderful to spend the month of April back home in the district. The Legislature reached First Adjournment in early April with the passage of dozens of bills, which have been sent to the Governor for her consideration. By the time the Legislature returns to Topeka, we will know whether those bills have become law or if they have met the Governor’s veto pen.

During the veto session, the Legislature will finalize the budget, wrap up any other loose ends and consider overrides of any of the items vetoed by the Governor. During the April break, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group meets to make predictions for the state’s finances for the next year, which will help the legislature make the final adjustments to the budget before adjourning for the year.

This newsletter is a recap of many of the items debated in discussed in the lead up to First Adjournment as well as a preview of the items we have remaining in the Veto Session.

I always enjoy hearing from you and even more when we have the opportunity to visit with you back home. I encourage you to watch the action via the Legislature’s YouTube Page or Listen Live to debate or read testimony via the Legislature’s website. I can better represent our community when I know where you stand on the issues.

Rep. Jim Minnix
State Capitol, Room 512-N
Jim.Minnix@house.ks.gov
785-296-7384

The Legislature forwarded to the Governor, H Sub for Sub SB 267, which prioritizes fiscal responsibility and future economic growth. The budget pays down debt, makes key investments in the state and puts $500 million in the state’s budget stabilization fund.

The budget invests $1 billion into KPERS to shore up the state’s retirement plan and pay off debt. This is good for state employees and state finances. The budget also prioritizes economic development by fully funding the economic development incentives in the APEX bill passed earlier this year.

All in all, this was a good budget that not only meets the needs of the state, but helps right some of the irresponsible budgeting tactics used in the past, like taking money from the highway fund and sweeping from fee funds. I am also pleased this budget fully funds the State Water Plan fund.

Again this year, the Legislature debated SB 160, banning transgender athletes from compete as something other than their biological gender. We have seen at the collegiate level the disadvantage this creates, especially for female athletes. It is clear that the NCAA does not have a handle on this problem and we must protect the rights of biological girls involved inKSHSAA activities to fairly competed. I supported SB 160, before the First Adjournment, but it has been vetoed by the Governor.

I joined Rep. Lisa Moser, R- Wheaton, in discussing some important Agricultural issues with Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Beam and his team at the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

First stop, Thomas County Office Complex.

Second stop, Northwest County Officials meeting at Colby Community College.

Third stop, Logan County Buffalo Bill Cultural Center in Oakley.

Fourth stop, Sheridan County, the beautiful Blew Inn in Hoxie.

Fifth stop, Gove County, Jay Johnson public Library in Quinter.

Sixth and final stop for the day, Trego County, Western Electric Conference Room in Wakeeney.

There are several items that did not get completed during the regular session and the Legislature will resume discussions on those when we return for the Veto Session on April 25th. Some of those items include:

• Redistricting- All maps have been approved, but the Congressional map remains in litigation. Hopefully, the courts will resolve the matter and the Legislature can put this issue to bed before the end of the regular session.

• Education Budget- There is little disagreement with the funding levels in the education budget. However, discussions continue on education policy. The House and Senate will resume negotiations in the veto session.

• Sports Wagering- States across American have been legalizing sports betting following a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. The bill to do so in Kansas narrowly passed the House and will be debated in the Senate following the April break. I did not support SB 84.

• Sales Tax on Food- This issue has been on the table all session and the current proposal phases out food sales tax by 2025. House and Senate negotiators will finalize a proposal during the veto session.