The session is drawing to a close, which means more time spent on the floor. I really appreciate constituent feedback, especially all the letters and emails I have received encouraging fiscal responsibility in the Legislature so please continue to stay in touch with me.

Zero Tolerance Bill HB 2412
This bill had a hearing in the Federal and State Affairs subcommittee this week and it looks like it will make it out of committee. There have been some changes made to the bill including a $1,000 fine for minors who try to purchase alcohol. The original bill provided for revocation of an individuals license for furnishing alcohol to a minor for 180 days, but under the revised bill, the revocation will only be for 30 days. The time for the second violation will remain 1 year.

Unemployment Tax Relief
The legislature is still trying to pass unemployment tax relief for businesses. It has been defeated in the House and Senate, but we think we have finally come to a consensus to get it passed. The bill would lower the tax rate employers pay to the unemployment benefit fund. Although this lower rate will reduce the amount collected by the Department of Labor for the unemployment fund, it will have no adverse affect on the fund due to its large reserves. The controversy over this bill arose when an amendment was added to eliminate the one week waiting period for receiving benefits. Kansas and other states have set this one week waiting period because in most situations employees have a check coming the week after they were fired. Some of the controversy is generated by a post audit showing a lack of oversight by the Department of Labor in dispersing these benefits. This amendment is essentially why the bill was defeated in the House and Senate and also defeated the conference committee report. The compromise that has been reached would give the relief to the employers and would keep the one week waiting period for all employees except for those fired from a business that suddenly closes due to bankruptcy or other similar reasons.

State Spending
Several House members are trying to limit the increase in state spending to 4.5% instead of the governor s proposed 7.7%. This is affordable for Kansas and would promote fiscal responsibility.

Gambling
There are currently 5 bills in committee being debated that would expand gambling.

Health Care
The Wall Street Journal published a positive article about the Health proposal put forth by the House last week. Progress is definitely being made to improve Kansas health care. The plan is being favorably received and will soon be out for public view.

HB 2264
This bill has passed the House and will provide a Kansas income tax exemption for Social Security benefits. House Republicans are committed to lowering the tax burden carried by Kansas seniors and this legislation will help about 115,000 Kansans who pay income tax on their Social Security benefits. The average tax cut benefit for each affected Kansan will be about $164. This bill now moves to the Senate for its members consideration.

State Employee Pay Plan
Many state employees have been lobbying for an increase in pay. The House Pay Plan will address this issue by giving 93 percent of the classified state work force more dollars than the Governor s proposal yet keep the total dollars spent the same as the Governor s plan. The House plan will address an issue discovered by a recent study, which found that the lower paid individuals are underpaid while the many higher paid individuals in state government are not.