FY10 Budget incl Federal Stimulus Money
With the national economy continuing to decline, it has become more important than ever to balance the state budget. I am happy to report that on February 17 Governor Sebelius signed the 2009 recession bill into law with the exception of six vetoed items. When that happened, State Employee checks & state income tax refund checks could be sent.
The FY2010 budget is still in the process of being created. As of this week, the Senate Ways and Means Committee agreed to the Base Budget for schools that the Governor recommended. Hopefully that will hold.
On Wednesday March 4, Chris Whatley, Director of the Council of State Governments, gave an overview what Kansas can anticipate from the federal stimulus package. Currently, Kansas is scheduled to receive approximately $1.75 billion of federal aid. Of the $1.75 billion, $588 million is reserved for education. The state of Kansas is eligible for over $1.27 billion in federal funding through FY 2011 and additional assistance could result through competitive grants. Up to $1.75 billion in total funding is available to Kansas. The state will receive over $483 million, through 2010, in flexible funding to supplant current state spending for Medicaid and the fiscal stabilization fund for education. Of the $483 million, 90 percent of the funds will go to Medicaid and the remaining will be put toward assisting with education funding.
The details are few, the programs are scattered, the requirements are confusing, and the impact of some programs will not be felt until after the expiration of the Recovery Act. Full guidelines for the grants are supposed to be posted at www.grants.gov by March 19.
In order to ensure that state agencies are using federal money wisely, I have introduced the Kansas Stimulus Bill Due Diligence Act. Just as someone who buys property should investigate what liens and problems are associated with the property, I believe the state government should identify if there are liens (strings attached) or problems (requires extra monies from the State General Fund) associated with accepting the Stimulus money. Primarily, I want state agencies to report how much money they expect to receive, how they plan on utilizing the money, how many jobs will be created, and how they plan to deal with the absence of such funding after those federal funds are depleted in two years. It is just Due Diligence.
Energy Bill including the Coal Plant
HB 2014 enacts new law regarding energy efficiency standards of state-owned and leased spaces and equipment, amends law authorizing large electric cooperatives to be deregulated under certain situations, creates renewable energy standards, enacts the Net Metering and Easy Connection Act, and amends portions of the Kansas Air Quality Act concerning the decisions and powers of the Secretary of Health and Environment. Senate Sub for HB 2014 passed 31 to 9on Thursday, March 5. I voted for the bill.
Smoking Bill
On February 16, the Senate debated SB 25, banning smoking in certain areas, which passed with a 26 to 13 vote on February 17. In addition to banning smoking in public areas, the bill requires employers to ban smoking at the workplace, adopt and maintain a written smoking policy, and clearly post signs with the "no smoking" symbol on the premises.
This raises the question... at what point does the power of Government infringe on the rights of the individual business owner? I want to be very clear, I am a believer in limited government and free markets. Some may say it is trite, but I am a believer in the phrase that we have unalienable rights, that among these is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I think it foolish for people to smoke, but on the principle of business owners should be able to control their own business, I did not support this measure and do not believe the government-local or federal-should be allowed to control what legal activities a private citizen may condone in his own business.
Other Bills
In mid-February the Senate Finance Institutions and Insurance Committee conducted hearings on SB 12 which would expand autism service coverage. During the hearings, however, a great deal of confusion arose on what is currently required by the mental health parity law and the new services proposed by SB 12. As a result, the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee asked the Kansas Insurance Department to conduct research before it takes action on SB 12. This research would include clarifying the existing services currently covered, figuring out the cost of the program, and outlining the impact of the federal stimulus package for autism coverage under Medicaid. It is still in committee.
Finally, the Senate discussed two particularly interesting bills this month. First, the Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings on whether to abolish the death penalty. There are currently eleven prisoners sentenced to death in the state of Kansas. This is an issue that creates lots of fervor. It was passed out of committee on a 6-5 vote.
Second, SB 107, which increased the award limits given during bingo sessions, failed to pass by a vote of 10 to 29. I voted against the bill.
Sincerely,
Steve Abrams
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