Newsletter # 3 – 2011
TerriLois Gregory, Kansas State House Representative
10th District

(I apologize for the lateness of this update, but I had computer issues this week. A new newsletter will follow for the current week.)

BUSY SHORT WEEK
I enjoyed the music and celebration in Lawrence at Free Methodist Church on Sunday evening in honor of MLK. On Monday, all the government offices where closed, so I spent the morning with the Jayhawk Rotary Club at Marceli’s listening to a wonderful speech by Wayne Simien, well known KU and Miami Heat athlete who decided to retire from professional basketball on May 5, 2009 to pursue work in Christian Ministry.
House members still made significant progress in spite of the shortened workweek, and inclement weather. To date, 54 bills have been introduced including three that will have a major impact, (two of which I co-sponsored).

The main focus of this session is, and will continue to be, addressing the $550 million budget deficit and repairing the Kansas economy. Again this week, the focus of most topics ultimately revolved around the bottom line. The first step taken in dealing with the budget came with introduction of House Bill 2014. We started working on a spending freeze bill on Friday to balance the budget for the current year. The goal is to end the current year, on June 30, 2011, with a $36 million positive balance in the checking account. This is still far below the statutory required amount of 7.5 percent of the general fund, or $450 million. The governor wants to be able to sign the spending freeze bill by the end of January. So, lots of elbow grease is being applied to get it done in just a few weeks.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

Tuesday, I attended the first meeting of the committee on Children and Families. We are dealing with the wait lists for disabled children as our first and most important challenge! Four conferees gave concise and useful testimony. Hearings will continue Jan. 25 and a budget overview by staff will follow Jan 27, with bill introductions shortly thereafter.

Planned, are hearings on education of autistic kids, as well as seclusion and restraint of such children. Finally, we will work with foster care, adoption, and family reintegration of CINC kids. We have got to find the money for the kids needing these services!

The Federal and State Affairs Committee (on which I also serve) had an organizational meeting only; we expect to meet every day next week. The perennial discussion on who is allowed to sell full strength beer and liquor will come up again early. As will licensure of microbreweries and wine producers. More importantly, we will once again address illegal immigration.
Next week Fed & State will hear HB 2035 – the Abortion Reporting Accuracy and Parental Rights Act. Under HB 2035, Kansas will join 25 other States that currently require parental consent for minors seeking abortion. The bill has 63 co-sponsors, which assures House passage. Key provisions include:

It should be noted that these provisions only apply to late term abortion of babies who could survive outside the womb. As long as Roe v Wade is the law of the land first trimester abortions will remain readily available. Currently, 1.3 million unborn babies are terminated annually in the US, 11,000 of them in Kansas.

I also serve on the Insurance Committee, and heard a detailed explanation by Insurance Commissioner, Sandy Praeger on implementation of the new federal health care law. I am opposed to federally mandated insurance. I will continue to listen, read, and study as many facts as possible on the subject as new information becomes released.

Commissioner Aaron Jack testified in Financial Institutions, along with Shawn Mitchell, Pres. & CEO of Community Bankers Assoc. of KS, Doug Wareham, Sr. VP for Ks Bankers Association, John Smith of Ks Dept of Credit Unions, and Haley DaVee VP of Gov. Affairs for KS Credit Unions Assoc.

Elections Committee: The Secure and Fair Election Act, Titled the SAFE Act (no bill number until next week) was introduced by Secretary of State Kris Kobach with some 35 co-sponsors, which included me, during a press conference on Wednesday. Secretary Kobach is keeping one of his campaign promises to see that voter fraud is controlled and punished when committed.

Kobach’s intention is to introduce legislation that would require all voters to show photo identification before voting, require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, and extend the power to prosecute alleged cases of voter fraud to the Secretary of State’s office.

The measure would require Kansans to show a birth certificate, passport or other proof of citizenship when registering to vote. At the polls, voters would have to show government issued photo ID before casting their ballot. The Act would require voters who request an advance or mail-in ballot to include (with the ballot application) their driver’s license number or a photocopy of their ID.

Opponents argue the measure is a modern day poll tax that disenfranchises the disabled, poor and elderly. In response, current provisions in the bill allow low-income Kansans to get a free ID or birth certificate if they reside in a household with an annual income of 150 percent of the federal poverty level (approximately $33,000 for a family of four). For residents over the age of 65, an expired driver’s license or photo ID can be used in lieu of a current form of photo ID.

Our state started with voter fraud in March of 1855. Then, around 2,000 registered voters cast 6,307 votes in favor of making Kansas a slavery state.

Current news editorials are proclaiming voter fraud is not a problem, and this bill would deny legal voters their rights, and further claim, an ID card would prevent poor people from voting.

I disagree with these editorial positions; while we are not seeing the numbers of the 1855 vote, fraud still remains an easily manipulated activity. Under the current registration by mail, an individual can register as many names of people living at their address as they want and check a box stating that they are all citizens. There is no legal statewide mechanism to verify that this information is accurate. Once their registration is received in the mail, they can cast absentee fraudulent ballots.

Secretary Kobach said his proposal will, “…make it easy to vote and hard to cheat.”

This bill makes so much sense that it is amazing that there could be opposition. As to having to show ID, it is difficult to understand why this should be such an obstacle. You cannot drive a car, cash a check, get on an airplane, check out a book at the library, get into a casino, buy liquor or cigarettes without a valid ID – but currently in Kansas you can vote.

MORE THAN 2 HOURS LATER…

Both Tom Krebs and Mark Tallman of the KS Association of School Boards may have been sorry they answered my request for a meeting. On Thursday, Jan 20th, we finally talked (after 6 weeks of phone tag and missed connections). My questions had accumulated to a very long list.

Mark is a very knowledgeable and patient lobbyist who ground through my barrage of questions. When a fellow legislator stopped by, Mark joked, “She’s wearing us out!”
All joking aside, education is around 65% of our entire state budget, so even though I am not assigned to any education committee, it still demands much time and consideration.

We discussed everything from standardized chart of account, the $775 million dollars in carry-over cash that Kansas’s schools currently hold, to vouchers and special education challenges.

Mark said the money was held for a time of need; I countered that when Kansas is down $550 million dollars, we are in that time and need to use the taxpayer’s money.

I was pleased they are not against standardized chart of account, but they are in need of a better definition of the level of reporting that would be required.

FISCAL FACTS

Estimates for the State General Fund (SGF) are developed through a consensus process, which involves the Legislative Research Department, the Division of the Budget, the Department of Revenue, and three consulting economists from State Universities. These folks meet twice a year in April and November and their estimate is the base from which the governor and the legislature build the annual budget.

We are still in a financial crisis, having spent more than we took in 4 of the past 5 years. Consequently, we are $150 million short in the 2011 budget (but we also have the certificates of indebtedness to take care of by June 30th). We also must fund the 2012 budget, which is the first proposed by our new governor. Net transfers from the Department of Transportation “The State Bank of the first Resort,” casinos, and the lottery would allow us to balance this year’s budget provided we show discipline. The House is committed to produce a 2012 balanced budget without increasing taxes and will pass a spending freeze for this year.

I am not comfortable robbing the Department of Transportation again of $200 million without repayment plans. We already owe them over one billion dollars.

KDOT told me in a meeting last week that Kansas is ranked 2nd in the nation for our road system, yet we rank 41st in the number of miles traveled on that great system. We do need to maintain our roads, but this may not be the time to start on the wish list of new road projects while requests for limited funds for Mental Health, DD waiting lists, etc. loom so large.

THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

After the last meeting of the consensus group, the following projections dealing with the performance of the State’s economy were published:

1) No double Dip recession, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grows 3.6% in 2011, 5.8% in 2012
2) KPI (Kansas Personal Income) up 3.4% in 2011, 5.6% in 2012
3) Unemployment rate 6.7% in 2011, 5.5% in 2012 (much better than the national average of 9.5%) still 114,000 Kansans are out of work
4) Agriculture—higher commodity prices, outlook for farmers very positive
5) Oil and Gas: Price per barrel crude $73 in 2011, $75 in 2012 (our oil is less “sweet” than foreign oil and brings less), Gas in $3.6 per MCF in 2011, $3.96 in 2012.
6) Inflation 1.6 % in 2011, 2.4% in 2012.
7) Interest rates remain historically low.

Remember these are estimates. It is certain that they are wrong. The question is, “How far off they are?”

In actuality, they have been very good in the past. In any event, their data is all we have to go on. No wonder they call economics the dismal science.

IT’S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM —KANSAS HIGHLY RANKED

Business Facilities named Kansas a top 10 state in 8 of 20 categories. No other state did better in the annual ranking rates (of the 50 states) on their economic development efforts. We rate a top ten state in economic growth potential, biotechnology, biofuels manufacturing research, alternative energy industry, wind energy manufacturing, quality of life, employment leaders, and education climate.

REPEAL OR NO REPEAL

The controversial and unnecessary Sales Tax increase that became effective last July will be dealt with in this session. It appears that the imposition of the tax was successful in raising $310 million. Consumers did not appear to have changed their spending habits much, but the last few months are down, and a substantial part of the tax is paid by visitors.

The governor’s budget does not call for a repeal, but to offset the receipts with a $300 million effort to help businesses create jobs. I can see the benefit of both arguments and the latter is somewhat more persuasive, but I also recognize that most of the 32 new members of my 150 Caucus campaigned to repeal. I also signed as co-sponsor to repeal the sales tax. (If we can keep offensive amendments off of it, I’ll vote for it, too).

I would like to hear from you! Tell me what you think. TerriLois.Gregory@house.ks.gov.

Some constituents’ responses were so compelling they deserve to be published:

#1 I believe that if allowed to continue that sales tax will never sunset — even the portion that is supposed to in the next several years. Without immediate repeal, it will never go away. And it will make it all the easier next time for Legislators to pad state coffers with new sales taxes. Fat and complacent is not a good way to govern. Furthermore, true free market economists believe government shouldn’t pick the winners and losers in business. That $300 million in incentives will turn into nothing but a slush fund for special interests. Even if I believe — which I do — that those interests are ones with which I agree – fiscal conservatives won’t always be in control of the Governor’s office or the Legislature.

#2 Although the sales tax increase of last summer has raised the additional funds, I still believe that Kansans are double taxed (at a minimum) and that this is a grave injustice to all Kansas Citizens. To pay taxes on what you earn and then on how you spend what is left (in addition to the interest you earn when you save) is very discouraging. I know that many people don’t see or think about their income tax in terms of “writing a check.” They see the extra as a “refund” instead of an “overpayment”. They are overjoyed to get that “refund.” But for those of us who actually do write a check for those taxes, and pay attention to the sales tax we are paying when we go to the store, we don’t look at it as something that the government, whether State of Federal, is entitled to. I don’t know if repeal of the sales tax is the answer — it may be that instead of repeal of that tax, we should look at it as the beginning of a decrease to end the state individual income tax. (I campaigned on repeal of that sales tax prior to seeing the Governors’ plan of overcoming the sales tax burden with a personal income tax reduction.)
I can see that there are both advantages and disadvantages to this approach — one of those that are both an advantage and a disadvantage is for the unemployed. Would a decrease to eradication of the individual income tax encourage people to find a way to be productive, to start businesses, to work some of the jobs that the opponents of illegal immigration legislation/enforcement say Americans won’t work, to get folks to quit holding out for management positions and take a job? If this were the case, the burden on the unemployment compensation for Kansas’s citizens would also be decreased.

BILLS INTRODUCED THIS WEEK

Roughly 1/3 of legislation is correction of minute details incorrectly passed in the previous session. Such bills will not be listed here.

Note, normally I indicate how I intend to vote. It is too early for that. All bills must be vetted in committee, the chairman decides whether the bill gets to the floor and amendments may make the original bill unrecognizable. Once I have bill briefs and more information on content, I will make my intentions known. If one of these bills is of interest to you, please contact me to see how I can help.

1) HB 2015 School districts, calculations of LOB
2) HB 2016 School districts, program weighting
3) HB 2017 School district enrollment, free meals
4) HB 2018 School districts, school finance
5) HB 2019 School districts inter-district agreements
6) HB 2020 Utilization of housing system suspense funds
7) HB 2021 Kan-Ed
HB 2022 Criminal procedure, not guilty verdicts
9) HB 2023 Controlled Substances
10) HB 2024 Constitutional education suitability commission
11) HB 2025 Regulation of motor carriers,
12) HB 2026 Immigration accountability act
13) HB 2027 Rules and regulations filing
14) HB 2028 Trusts and trustees
15) HB 2029 Tort claims
16) HB 2030 Open records

HB 2039 – SMOKING BAN

Introduced on Wednesday, HB 2039 removes the gaming floor exemption found in the current statewide smoking ban. The current statewide smoking ban allows smoking on the gaming floor of racetrack and gaming facilities. HB 2039 has been referred to the House Health and Humans Services Committee for consideration. I’ll support.

KANSAS ARTS COMMISSION

In an effort to address a nearly $550 million budget shortfall, while protecting the core functions of government, Governor Brownback recommends sweeping reforms in his proposed budget. Among the aforementioned reforms includes the privatization of the Kansas Art Commission.

The Governor recommends the Kansas Arts Commission become a 501(c) (3) known as the Kansas Arts Council. His proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012 allocates $200,000 through the Kansas Historical Society to assist in the transition from a state agency into a private organization. This will save the state’s general fund an estimated $574,642 in FY2012. This recommendation for the council to become a private, non-profit organization is similar to the transition made by the Kansas Humanities Council, which still receives both state funding through the Kansas Historical Society and federal funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities. There is no reason to believe similar federal funding through the National Endowment for the Arts would stop if the Kansas Arts Commission became a private, non-profit organization.

While budget cuts are never easy, the Governor’s plan allows for a steady transition period. At the end of the day, the Kansas Arts Council will flourish as a private entity and it will continue to promote the beauty that is Kansas and created by Kansans.

ART DEDICATION BY KANSAS LOTTERY
Kansas was admitted to the union on Jan. 29, 1861, under a state constitution that said lotteries and the sale of lottery tickets were “forever prohibited.” In 1986, ”Forever” ran out when Kansas voters approved an amendment authorizing a state-owned lottery.
I was pleased to accept the invitation from the Kansas Lottery to view the release of 10 paintings on Kansas’s history at the Landmark Nation Bank in Lawrence. It was good to see my friend and artist Jamie Lavin again, and I enjoyed viewing the work of 10 talented artists. Not only did I purchase the “Wyandotte Constitution,” but also Jamie donated a copy of his, “Where historic trails divide” for a Kansas Days fundraiser. Click below to see the paintings.
From the Lawrence Journal World: “The paintings, which cover topics from trains in Strong City to bison to famous Kansans, were commissioned for the new $2 scratch ticket called Happy 150 Kansas. All are second-chance drawings for the ticket, which means a lottery-ticket holder who doesn’t win money still might win a painting.”
“Four of the paintings were selected to be images on the scratch tickets: a Kanza Indian chief, a lone bison, the Strong City train depot and a cattle drive.”
“Artists who created the pieces and their topics: Chun Wang, Shawnee, the Wyandotte Constitution; Don Dane, Olathe, a Kanza Indian chief; Elaine Lierly Jones, Gardner, famous Kansans; Gary Ozias, Downs, a bison; Michael Walsh, formerly of Ellsworth, Strong City train depot; Joe Bucher, Louisburg, a cattle drive; Kathy Thompson, Lawrence, modern farming; Susan Sinclair, Lenexa, Kansas aviation; Dan Brewer, Westwood, Nicodemus; and Jamie Lavin, Gardner, where historic trails divide.”
CAPITAL RALLY
I joined with my fellow House colleagues and Senators over lunch to greet an estimated 1,500 pro-lifers as they braved the cold and snow to march through downtown Topeka to the KFL Rally for Life. Gov. Brownback’s speech was just over 4 minutes long. View it here:

AP story on Rally for Life

HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY KANSAS!

On January 29, Kansans celebrate the sesquicentennial of joining the Union.

Before the mass emigration from the eastern states, our proud native people dwelled here in harmony with the environmental elements of nature. “The people of the south wind,” from whom our great state honors its name, embodies the spirit of an optimistic presence that cannot be seen, but is known in reality. This optimism laid the groundwork for a strong, resilient people, readily accustomed to overcoming hardships and adaptation.

Since the first crack of the plow put upon the land, our earliest settlers came and conquered the brutality of the soil and weather. They survived plagues of locusts, droughts and floods, tornados and dust storms. More importantly, they conquered the evil trials of humanity by ending slavery, and bringing justice to the unruly frontier. The heritage of these pioneers runs deep through our veins today, and we should give pause to the fact that we too, can overcome the current trials and perplexities facing our state.

As Kansans, we descend from pioneers and poets, intellectuals and industrialists, free spirits and entrepreneurs. We are benefactors of the only state in the union that was created for the specific purpose of freeing people from the bondage of slavery.

If you haven’t looked at our history in a while, consider doing so. It is a great state that we call home, and a proud time to be a Kansan!

Each morning, Speaker O’Neal offers a trivia question and the winner receives a huge prize (a $100,000 candy bar), which I garnered for knowing that Hockaby named Highway K-96 for the digits in his phone number.

Get involved and Celebrate our birthday!! Sesquicentennial Happenings

BAKE A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR KANSAS!

In honor of Kansas’ 150th anniversary of statehood January 29, 2011, the Kansas 150 Advisory Committee invites Kansans to “Bake a Cake for Kansas Day.” The cakes can be any size, shape, or design, but should be a sort of birthday cake for the state of Kansas, perhaps using the state symbol or the Kansas 150 logo, which can be found on www.ks150.org, a portal to events, programs, resources, and agencies commemorating the anniversary of statehood.

For more information, please visit: Bake A Cake for Kansas Day

SESSION PLANNER

Note the following upcoming dates in the legislature:

Jan 28– Kansas Day, a great day to visit, hear the House sing Home on the Range.
Jan 3–Last day for a member to request bill drafts
Feb 7–Last day for non-exempt committee to request bill drafts
Feb 9–Last day for bill introduction for members
Feb 11–Last day for non-exempt committee bill introduction
Feb 22–Last day for committees to meet, on the floor all day, the entire week
Feb 25 –Turnaround day Senate bills considered g by House, House bills by Senate

PAGES AND VISITORS

There are still Page dates available in February, March, and April. For consideration during these dates, please contact my secretary Georgana at 785-296-7646.

As time progresses we become ever more involved and we spend many hours on the floor, sometimes all night. Therefore, if you’re planning to visit, try to do so during January and February. If you want legislation introduced, see me as soon as possible.

At my invitation, Pastor Mark Halford was the Chaplin of the Day on Jan. 18th & his prayer is now a permanent part of Kansas history. Normally I would insert the link here to the Journal of the House. “KLISS,” which was to make the Capitol paperless, is not quite up to par, making bill research extremely challenging. In the effort to have a more “open and transparent government,” we can’t access anything! So I have inserted it here:

“My Heavenly Father who is the Creator and Sustainer of Life, I humbly come before your presence today in the name of your only Begotten Son Jesus.
First of all I wish to Adore You for who You are. I recognize Your Glory is unmatched and incomparable to any other thing.
Secondly I desire to Confess my own inadequacies & short comings. I am constantly made aware of my need for dependence upon You. Forgive me for the times that my independent spirit has forgotten that truth.
I also wish to offer You Thanksgiving on this day. Your blessings have been abundant and much more than I deserve. On behalf of this Great State of Kansas I am thankful for the Leadership that you have allowed to be in place and for Your continued blessings upon all Kansans.
I come before you offering Supplication on behalf of our elected officials, I realize the great opportunity and responsibility each one of them has; Opportunity to lead this Great State in the pathways of continued success and greatness, Responsibility to represent all Kansans in their pursuit of Happiness & Fulfillment. May Your wisdom rest upon our State Leadership, may the light of Your Truth continue to illuminate the pathways to enduring success for all Kansans.
I ask these things in the name of Your beloved Son Jesus whose Kingdome reigns forever and ever. Amen.”

Other visitors were Jo Anne Zada of Lawrence, Dennis George of Ottawa, Kathy Clausing-Willis of Lawrence, Jim Flory & of Lawrence, and Bill Yanek of Baldwin City.

At my request, Dr. James Sturgis of Baldwin City was Doctor of the Day on January 20th.

Visitors are always welcome! Give us a day or two, we’ll gladly arrange a tour of the capital and I’ll make sure I’m available when you come. A photo-op with the Governor might also be arranged. Please call my secretary.

CONSTITUENT SERVICES

My new office is L5, Docking Office Building
Topeka KS 66612
Tel # 785-296-7646
E-mail TerriLois.Gregory@house.ks.gov.

My district mailing address is
PO Box 105, Baldwin City KS 66006
Tel # is 785-222-0445
E-mail RepTLG@gmail.com.

THE NEXT TO THE LAST WORD
“Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.”
Thomas Jefferson

THE LAST WORD (quote from my own Aunt)
“I need a new vision…my reality is so much better than I ever dreamed possible.”

And it is.