UTILITIES

This week Dr. Kenneth Shultis, Professor of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, gave his testimony to the House Committee on Utilities. Utility costs for consumers have increased in recent years, especially the cost of natural gas for heating. The cost of electricity is also starting to increase as fuel costs rise. The maximum energy a nuclear plant could produce running at full power all year long is just over 90%, compared to coal at 71%. A nuclear plant can be more efficient but its electricity production costs in cents per kilowatt-hour is less. Nuclear costs $1.72 in contrast to coal - $2.37, gas - $6.75 and oil - $9.63. Due to the shortage of nuclear engineers, the market is tremendous for nuclear workers. I feel hopeful we can get an expansion of nuclear energy in Kansas soon.

POSITIVE GROWTH TRENDS

In the past two years Kansas has pulled ahead in the state’s income growth. This is good news considering for fifteen years (1990-2005) Kansas’ income growth trailed national figures. This can be attributed to the earnest and responsible public policy planning in our great state. The House Tax Committee is committed to uphold the positive growth trends in personal income.

INDIVIDUALLY OWNED HEALTH POLICIES

It is vital for Kansans to strengthen and nurture individual health policies. Virtually every uninsured Kansan can be covered by an individual policy, where group and government coverage is unavailable to many. Individually owned policies are extremely important for workers who work for themselves, work part time, work for multiple employers or, if like many Americans, switch jobs fairly frequently (4 in 10 Americans change jobs annually).

Individually owned health policies will motivate competition to control costs. They also allow more choices and flexibility for patients. One of the single biggest cost drivers in health care is expansion of public entitlements, which don’t compensate for the cost, and therefore the cost is shifted to other sources.

BEWARE MEDICAID RECIPIENTS

HB 2934 would require Medicaid beneficiaries to enroll in wellness programs if they are obese or abuse drugs. If after two years the Medicaid beneficiary does not have a certificate from a doctor showing progress, the beneficiary may receive only the minimum federal assistance. We are still working out the details, but many of my constituents are indignant that they take drug tests to stay employed yet their tax dollars go to some who abuse drugs and alcohol on a regular basis. As it was originally designed, Medicaid’s eligibility is determined by a combination of income and/or functional guidelines determined by states with federal requirements. Because of loss of Federal dollars, this may not be allowed to stay in the bill, but I like the part about drugs and alcohol!!

SURVEYS

Stephanie Kuhlman, my hard working intern, has been working hard to compile the data from the surveys and we should have the job completed soon. I received very good response to the questions and we deeply appreciate those who took the time to fill them out and submit them. We will let you know the outcome of the questions soon. Thanks again for your input and interest.

Congratulations to Sensei Salon and Sunflower Gymnastics on receiving the 2007 Existing Business of the Year Award from the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Emporia State University.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Charity is giving away your money. Theft is giving away my money (the taxpayer)."

A local constituent.