Welcome to the 8th edition of Ronnie’s Report – my regular update for the 2008 Legislative Session. I will hit the highlights of the Legislature and point out issues that may affect us in District 24.
Two More Pages
I was pleased this last week to have at my side two very bright sixth grade young men from Highlands Elementary School . We talked, I taught, they learned and asked lots of questions. We had some Pizza and I tried to not talk with my mouth full (just kidding). Thanks for the wonderful time Quinn Appletoft and Jack McDonald. After lunch they took in the historic Capitol tour and the tour to the top of the Dome. I also enjoyed getting acquainted with Ron Appletoft, Quinn’s Dad, and former City Council Member from both Mission and Countryside.
Missouri property tax deduction for Kansas residents -- not yet
The issue of rectifying the Missouri property tax deduction for Kansas residents has not been resolved.
As you will recall last year, Missouri passed a law that said non-residents of Missouri could not deduct the property taxes on their homes on Missouri tax returns, meaning Kansans working in Missouri would pay more tax. Earlier this year, we passed a bill in the Kansas House which I have referred to as the reciprocity bill. It is still sitting in Senate Tax Committee waiting to be passed. I am told by my colleagues that our strategy is to allow Missouri to fulfill their commitment – repeal that law and eliminate the penalty. We had hoped they would do this early in their session. Some call this a new version of the Border War.
Now, we are days away from tax filing deadlines and still no Missouri repeal. For those who have already filed their taxes with the assumption that the penalty would be repealed, the Missouri Department of Revenue is now sending notices to those taxpayers saying they owe additional tax. The Missouri Department of Revenue will enforce the law until it is changed. This puts the affected Kansas taxpayers in a difficult situation.
Annexation bill update
I serve on the Elections & Governmental Organizations Committee and on the subcommittee for this subject. Our subcommittee has two options for the full committee to consider. Our subcommittee received new text that will be sent to the full committee as one option to be considered. If this text gets amended to the original bill, in effect it would be a “gut and go” of HB 2747 with the original provisions deleted and the following added:
15% of voters in area to be annexed could sign a protest petition in opposition to an annexation
If 50% but less than 2/3 of voters APPROVE of annexation, it still has to go to the county and they can approve or deny with a simple majority
If 2/3 to 80% of voters OPPOSE annexation, it still has to go to the county and their decision must be unanimous
If more than 80% OPPOSE annexation, annexation is disallowed.
The bill is retroactive to January 1st, 2008
Most of the conferees in opposition to the bill stated this change in the law would effectively end annexation as we have known it in Kansas for the last 40 years. I stand in opposition to this option.
However, the subcommittee has also prepared a second option that will be sent to the full committee for consideration. This is the option I support. It would offer a much less radical adjustment in the current law. If this language is adopted, the current law would remain unchanged except for adding greater accountability of counties and cities for performing and fulfilling their annexation plan that they filed at the time of the annexation.
The time frame for performance and review would be shortened to assure residents a greater comfort and offer a greater enforceable remedy in the event a city did not fulfill its obligation to the people of the annexed area. In effect, it puts more teeth into the process of keeping counties and cities accountable. I will keep you posted.
Final Action
HB 2938 would provide new sales tax exemptions for a number of non-profit groups, organizations and entities. Certain groups would have their direct purchases of tangible personal property and services exempt from sales taxation.
The groups exempted must be providing services in one of the following categories: adoption and foster care services; aging services; child and family disability and welfare services; domestic violence services; drug abuse and alcohol addiction counseling services; food bank services for low-income persons; health care research and services; certain homeless and housing assistance programs; certain programs designed to aid low income individuals or communities; certain legal services for the poor; or services for individuals who are legally deaf or blind. An additional exemption would be provided for certain purchases of not-for-profit groups to preserve, renovate, and beautify state property.
Grandfather-clause language would clarify that nothing in the bill would affect the status of any group with an exemption enacted prior to January 1, 2008.
This is a beginning of dealing with this longstanding issue by creating policy rather than having the legislature hold individual hearings for each non-profit that applies for sales tax exemption.
SB 437 would allow the selection committee at each ROTC post-secondary educational institution to award ROTC scholarships to qualified students who are enrolled at community colleges.
The bill also would establish the Military Service Scholarship Program, which would award scholarships to Kansas residents, who had served in military service in Iraq , Afghanistan , on foreign soil, or in international waters in support of military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan for 90 days following September 11, 2001. It also would include individuals who had received an honorable discharge or served in the military operations of Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, or Iraqi Freedom.
The bill also would require the Board of Regents, to collaborate with public post-secondary educational institutions and implement policies to ensure faculty members consider least costly practices in assigning textbooks.
House Bill 2916 implements a new state classified employee pay plan for the Executive Branch and provides salary increases for all state employees in fiscal year (FY) 2009. The total cost of the bill is $85.9 million with $42.7 million coming out of the State General Fund in FY 2009. Very briefly, the bill:
Allows for a 2.5% base salary adjustment for all state employees.
Allows for a below market salary adjustment for classified employees.
Provides for longevity bonus pay for current classified employees.
Establishes five basic pay plans for classified employees
Establishes the State Employee Pay Plan Oversight Committee.
Would codify a compensation philosophy for state employees with the goal of attracting and retaining quality employees.
House Bill 2578 creates the Utilization of Unused Medications Act, a voluntary program by which adult care homes, mail service pharmacies, and medical care facilities can donate unused medications to be distributed by health care clinics who serve the poor, federally qualified health centers or community mental health centers to Kansas residents who are medically impoverished. The bill establishes safeguards to ensure that the medications being donated are safe and sets out regulations that must be followed by the entity dispensing the medications to protect the recipients.
Bills that are important to others
There are 64 Kansas counties with a population of less than 10,000. Most of these counties suffer from lack of many services, such as dentists, and other professions. HB 2781 would amend existing law regarding dental offices to allow dentists to own two satellite offices in addition to their primary location.
Next Town Hall Meeting
Our next “Town Hall” Meeting will be at Lucky Brewgrille , 5401 Johnson Drive in Mission on Saturday April 5, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. We will provide complimentary coffee and pastries. Come be a part of the discussion.
Holcomb Power Plant Bill update
You have no doubt seen the news accounts to know that Governor Sebelius has vetoed the bill as expected. It remains to be seen if there will be an attempted veto over-ride by the legislature. The over-ride in the Senate is relatively secure. The House, however, only passed the bill by 75 and 77 votes each time it came before the body. A veto over-ride will require 84 votes in the House. There is a 30 day time limit on such action.
District 24 Legislative Survey
You are still welcome to participate in my legislative survey regarding issues coming this session. I have posted several questions in an on-line survey that you may take through my website. If you have a few minutes, please go to: www.ronniemetsker.com and look for the button on the left that says “Constituent Survey.”
I have lived in District 24 for over 50 years, and truly believe it is not what I think, but what you think that matters. 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. The intensity of the session has really picked up speed, so I will try to get another edition of Ronnie’s Report to you in a few days.
Until then,
Ronnie Metsker, District 24
Kansas House of Representatives
