BILLS IN PROCESS

The Adoption Tax Credit and the Health Parody Bill are both in bill form and have been entered into the Tax Committee waiting for a hearing.

Earlier this week the Salvia bill had a hearing in the Health and Human Services committee. While testimony was being offered, many on the committee were searching the web and finding how dangerous and easy this drug is to obtain. I want to thank Theresa Walters from Emporia for coming up to testify on behalf of that bill. She did an excellent job.

The big Utilities bill was debated in committee from 9:00am-1:30pm on Monday. There were several amendments added, and at this time, the final implications are still undecided. It was finally voted out of committee and now needs to come before the House for full debate on Monday.

The Transparency Bill, HB 2730, was debated today. This bill requires a website be created that allows taxpayers to have full disclosure about how each agency spends taxpayer dollars. This bill should made government more accountable to its citizens.

I have been working with a local constituent Greg Giger, to get HB 2875 passed. This bill relates to registration of custom vehicles and street rods. The bill will have a hearing in Transportation Committee.

As you can tell, session is in full swing now and bills are moving!

IMPACT OF TYSON

Not only is Emporia feeling the strain of the Tyson layoffs but local communities are as well. I met with Senator Jim Barnett and Representative Don Hill and although dollars are tight, the three of us are working together to find ways to help at the state level. Some area schools have felt the shock as many families in surrounding communities have been affected by the layoffs. My goal is to do everything possible to keep these families thriving in their communities.

THE BUDGET

How I love being the bearer of good news and how I regret bringing bad news!! The economic stimulus policy which will put more money into the hands of taxpayers to try to encourage spending and stimulate the economy will have a negative impact to the State budge of perhaps around $87million. Add that to the fact the Governor added $81 million of non-existent gambling dollars into the state budget in order to balance her budget and look like she is growing government at less than 5% increase, plus the fact she cut education $147 million, and we are in a real pickle! The budget committees have been instructed to allow no new enhancements at this time.

More bad news: Secretary Bremby of Kansas Department of Health and Environment has announced that his actions will be much more far reaching than coal fired plants, but may even reach into your cow pens, manufacturing plants, and who knows, maybe even corn stoves!!

THANK YOU

I want to say thank you for all the visitors this past week. It is always a treat for me to have you all stop by my office to say hi.

PRESCRIPTIONS TOO HIGH?

Check out www.kansasdrugcard.com. Get a free prescription card and then compare prices. It might help….Really!!! And the government doesn’t run it.

Quote of the Week:

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase"
Martin Luther King, Jr.