TURN AROUND

We have reached the half way mark for session 2008 with little damage done so far. The first official vote taken after turn around (where the House bills are officially sent to the Senate to work and the bills that originated in the Senate are sent to the House to be worked in committees) was a vote on the conference committee report for the new power plant at Holcomb in Western Kansas. This was the final vote on the energy bill that will ensure lower utility rates for those in that part of the state and will also ensure power when we need it in the future. The bill will also allow for the construction of crucial lines needed for more wind generation in the state. I did support the bill as I have done through the process and would be happy to discuss this vote with anyone interested.

GAMBLING REVENUES

The Appropriations Committee is busing working the budgets of the many agencies in smaller sub-committees. The Expanded Lottery or casinos and the Racing and Gaming Commission have had their budgets worked for this year and sent on to the larger committee for approval. In 2007, it cost Kansas taxpayers $2,000,000 and 25 additional State employees to have the expanded gambling. There were no revenues. This year, the Governor wants to add 7 new employees. For 2009, the Governor’s recommended budget is $12,200,000 for Racing and Gambling and 44 new state employees! It looks like Kansas gambled on expansion of gambling and the looser is the State of Kansas. So far, there have been no revenues from this industry. It is uncertain when there will be.

FUN FACTS

Kansas is number three in annual market value of livestock! That value is $6,327,797,000. We need to keep this valuable resource at the top of our priorities.

The State of Kansas will need to come up with $17.6 billion over the next 30 years to pay for the estimated cost of retiree benefits. At this time, it is only 69% fully funded. That makes it difficult to give additional benefits.

Need help? Want to volunteer, but don’t know where? Just dial 2-1-1. The statewide service is available 24 hours a day. Also, go on-line to www.211kansas.org. The services offered are there to help meet basic human needs. They offer resources for older individuals, the disabled, children, youth and families as well as physical and mental health resources. The service is funded by the Kansas Health Foundation, Capitol Federal, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Preferred Health Systems. It is a great idea and not run by the government!

HEALTH REFORM

The special Sub-committee on Health started up this week with long meetings looking at present proposals on the table. We also had testimony from the Kansas Health Policy Authority that has initiatives they want to pursue. Of course, lack of money this year will be the biggest challenge. One thread that ran through the testimony and seemed to strike a common bond is the need for more transparency in pricing and better forms of communication between practitioners and pharmacies. We begin next week by looking at all of the individual parts of possible reform including emergency room overuse, shortage of professionals, safety net clinics, and long term care. How do we increase competition, choice, affordability, and portability? We will be working to get our hands on a lot of data in a short period of time. It is exciting to work on this as well as so many other issues.

Quote of the Week:

"Government should learn from small business people – not try to control them. Small business is the backbone. Break the back and see a country paralyzed".

A very wise constituent.