District 24 Survey
It is my distinct honor and privilege to serve you in the Kansas House of Representatives. To guide my decision making during this legislative session, I need input from you on several issues that we face during this legislative session. I have placed the survey on line. As your Representative, I believe my role is to fairly and accurately represent your views, not mine.

You may take the survey at: www.ronniemetsker.com Look for the button that says “Constituent Survey.”

Our first Town Hall meeting last Saturday was filled with enlightening discussion and a great exchange of ideas. As well, there were many good suggestions regarding issues facing the legislature during this session. Many commented to me that they enjoyed the conversational style of the meeting and hope that it continues.

I'm taking the many good suggestions regarding issues of sustainability and transportation back to my colleagues in the House. I believe that where it is valuable for me to know what you think ... it is should also be valuable input for others in the House.

To those of you who came, I look forward to seeing you again - and if you were unable to come our next “Town Hall” Meeting will be at the Lucky Brewgrille , 5401 Johnson Drive in Mission on Saturday, February 16, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. Please bring a friend or neighbor so that they can hear what is going on in Topeka . I will provide complimentary coffee and pastries. I look forward to this continued thoughtful conversation and hope it will be a great launching pad for change for District 24 and all Kansans.

A Legend indeed
While sitting on a bench on the fifth floor of the Capitol, I reminisced with a legend this week: for 22 years, Rex Hoy served as our State Representative from District 24. Rex soon finishes 55 years running a State Farm Insurance Agency in Mission . In the House, among other things, Rex chaired the Insurance Committee for 17 years. Thanks for being our Representative, Rex.

Meetings with city leaders of Mission
It’s always a delight to see friends and neighbors from District 24 at the Capitol. Recently, I was privileged to meet with Mayor Laura McConwell , City Council Members John Weber, Connie Footlick and Sue Grosdidier and City Manager Mike Scanlon. It was City Hall day in the Capitol. Mayor McConwell had a slide presentation on her computer showing photos of her recent exploration of a salt water aquarium. I had a great time rounding up fellow legislators as she cast the vision for the proposed salt water aquarium in the East Gateway of Mission. Everyone was excited about the prospect of a new major tourist attraction coming to Kansas in Mission .

Legislative shadows – a future Legislator?
Bethany Harris, SM North 9th grader and Taylor Runion Mission Valley 8th grader, and gifted teacher Cheryl Herrelson were my guests as part of a gifted student legislative shadow program. I volunteered to host two students. Bethany hopes to be an attorney, and someday become a legislator. She hung in there for the entire day until almost 5 PM and I gave her my perspective on her possible career path. All three had a great time. I WILL do this again. What a great investment for our future.

Action in the Legislature this week:

Most legislative committees are still in their usual early session tradition of hearings from state agencies on their legislative agendas. It is a good way to get the committees updated on current status of the agencies in closest relationship to each committee.

Energy
As you may have read, there was a bit of drama last week when a bi-partisan group from the Senate and House simultaneously introduced Senate Bill 515 and House Bill 2711 dealing with the Holcomb coal-fired power plant in Finney County . This week will see four days of hearings on the bill, two for the proponents and two for the opponents. Both Committee Chairs hope to work the bills on Friday.

Property Tax Relief for Seniors?
As I talk to our senior citizens in the district, here’s a typical question: “With property taxes going up every year, will I be forced to sell my home or do without essentials to pay my taxes?” A bill was introduced recently, that would give to those over 65, a tax credit equal to the increase in their property taxes over the past year. According to the bill, residents would pay their full property tax bill —then receive a tax credit, which would come out of state coffers.

Last year, the Legislature added low-income seniors to the list of people who qualify under the Homestead Relief Act, which provides partial refunds on real-estate taxes paid. This new bill could affect those middle class seniors not eligible for the Homestead Relief Act. Next step for this bill is a hearing. Remember, not all bills get heard. But if I get a chance to vote on this one, I will be a resounding yes. As always, the challenge will be the fiscal note.

From last week; Reciprocity sought from Missouri in treatment of home property taxes
The House on Friday passed HB 2641, which enacts a property tax deduction reciprocity provision. This bill is in response to the action taken last year by the Missouri legislature denying Kansas residents who file Missouri income taxes, deductions for their property taxes paid in Kansas . Key is that if Missouri doesn’t allow Kansas residents who pay Missouri state income tax to deduct property taxes on their Kansas homes, Kansas won’t allow Missouri residents who work in Kansas to take the mirror-image deduction on their Kansas income taxes. Of course, the hope of Kansas lawmakers is that Missouri legislature will rescind their action from last year.

If the law enacted last year is not rescinded, Kansas residents who work in Missouri will pay about $6 million more in taxes than before the 2007 law was passed in Missouri . Since many homeowners who live in District 24 work in Missouri , I will keep you posted on this one. I do not expect the Senate to take long to pass this favorably to the Governor.

Commerce and Labor Committee
Secretary of Commerce David Kerr addressed our committee for two days this week, briefing us on the status of the Dept. In his report we learned that:

• 27 Counties in Western Kansas have an unemployment rate of 3%. Anything 4% or less is considered full employment. We have a work force shortage.
• Companies move to Kansas because of our workforce and their work ethic.
• The aviation industry in Wichita is booming. But the average worker is 50 years old. We have a challenge looming. We need more workers who are willing to learn the new technology of the industry.

Transportation Committee
We passed a bill that will ban any other state license plate from being on the front bumper of a vehicle with a current Kansas registration. For example, a person moving here from Texas or Missouri will have to remove the front tag when they register in Kansas . The bill will not affect us having our favorite university, team, or other such tag on the front bumper. The bill is expected to pass without issue.

Elections and Government Organization

Initiative & Referendum
We again have a bill (HB 2649) similar to last year, relating to initiative and referendum. We were scheduled to hold a hearing this week, but it was cancelled. The bill extends initiative and referendum to counties and reduces the current requirement for petition signatures from 25% to 15% of voters in the previous election.

My take on this: I believe most citizens feel our current form of representative government serves quite well and therefore I will oppose again as I did last year with a similar bill that included cities and counties.

Gambling law update
Shawnee Count District Court Judge Charles Andrews stated in his decision that the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act is constitutional: “The state has preserved for itself the decision-making and functional control over the important aspects of gaming ownership and operation.”

With that, a reference to a Rhode Island Supreme Court decision defining “operate” in terms of the state-owned-and-operated standard that the Kansas Constitution requires, the gaming act controversy is virtually ended. According to our new Attorney General Stephen Six, "This case is not over. The Attorney General's Office will appeal this decision immediately to the Kansas Supreme Court, and that court will have the final word on the constitutionality of the expanded gaming law. Six said he will request the court expedite the appeal because not many people are going to be willing to invest $250-500 million in a casino complex until the Kansas Supreme Court has signed off on the district court decision.

My Shameless Promotion for the Empty Bowls Project
My family and I would like to ask you to join us as we support the third annual “Empty Bowls” event held at Shawnee Mission West. The event is a collaborative effort between the SM School District, and Panera Bread which raises money for City Union Mission. In the last two years we have raised over $20,000. Last week, I was honored to throw two bowls on the potter’s wheel at SM North. My two bowls will be in the silent auction. I had a blast and will do this again.

Tickets for the event are $15 and can be obtained by calling Cortney at (913) 993-8619 or go to www.smef.org . Ticket deadline is February 10. What a deal, for $15 you get a full tummy of delicious fare from Panera, take home a empty bowl made by a SM Student, and feel warm in your heart for helping the City Union Mission. See you there.

I have lived in District 24 for over 50 years, and I truly believe it is not what I think, but what you think that matters. I believe this is the essence of representation. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing from you. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to others you know in our District.

Don’t forget to take the survey at: www.ronniemetsker.com.