House Republicans outlined an agenda at the start of the session including ten crucial goals intended to foster growth in the areas of Public Safety, Economic Prosperity & Job Creation and Home & Family Protection.

“We have passed legislation that protects our most vulnerable citizens while giving our law enforcement the necessary tools for combating sexual offenders and violent criminals,” said Rep. Mast. “I voted to modify the tax code, improve our economic climate for small businesses and we have responded to the Court with a school finance plan.

HB 2576, Jessica’s Law, passed the House enacting harsher penalties for sexual predators. In addition, the House passed HB 2554 giving law enforcement the ability to solve violent crime cold cases by creating a criminal DNA sample backlog. Concealed carry passed the House and Senate during the regular session, granting private citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon.

“The legislation we passed this year protects our children from sexual offenders, our businesses from over taxation and our property rights from government encroachment,” said Mast.

The machinery and equipment tax exemption passed the House on the final day of the wrap-up session with strong support. The bill removes tax penalization from businesses investing in the economic future of Kansas. The tax exemption is expected to encourage business growth and bring in new revenue for the state.

SB 323 passed the House overwhelmingly, protecting private property rights.

“Ownership of private property is a fundamental right of every Kansan and demands the highest level of protection,” said House Speaker Doug Mays. “The action we took this session on eminent domain will do just that. I am pleased that the House Republican caucus and leaders like Rep. Mast took the initiative in getting it passed”.

The House also answered the Supreme Court with a bi-partisan school finance plan that passed the House and the Senate on the 92^nd day of the 2006 session. The plan grants $466 million in new money for schools to prepare Kansas school children for the future.

“We started the session with the intention of protecting our citizens and creating new and better opportunities for Kansans and leaders like Representative Mast have met that goal,” said Mays. “I am proud of the work Peggy has done to improve this great state and welcome her return in 2007.”

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