As I write this last newsletter of the 2000 session, the Senate has just spent nearly five hours on the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, unanimously passing the bill and sending it to conference committee to work out the differences with the House on the final appropriations measure of this session. I do not believe the upper chamber is that far apart from what the House has proposed. We could see this session winding down either late on Friday or early Saturday morning.

Considering the budget funding shortfall we found ourselves in, I believe there has been some significant maneuvering of monies to accomplish funding for some very important issues. The Senate position calls for a .2% growth in state general funds and l.8% in all funds growth. With this small budget increase we have been able to fund many important issues such as:

1. Fifty dollar increase on the base per pupil with "real" money, not funding contingent upon the Intergovernmental Transfer funds. Special education will be funded at a rate of 85% of excess costs, however this increase is contingent upon receiving federal nursing home funds. This funding package is a big win for education in Kansas.

2. All previous proposals for freezing KPERS employer contributions have been removed from further consideration and there will be no effect on the Death and Disability Fund for FY 2001. The thirteenth KPERS bonus check of approximately 50% of a monthly benefit will be issued to all KPERS retirees on October l, 2000.

3. Juvenile Justice Authority had brought a massive building program in excess of $60 million forward this session to construct a new maximum security juvenile offender facility to be located in Topeka, additional construction for a medium security facility in Larned, and remodeling of Beloit juvenile correctional facility. To fund these projects, the state authorized the funding of $50 million in bonding and $l0 million from Federal crime money.

4. One of the budget items which brought many letters, telephone calls, and e-mails to my house, was the concern over funding for the Infant to Toddler (REACH) PROGRAM IN Winfield, as well as the program in Wellington. As a member of the Advisory Board of the REACH program, I had kept in close contact with Phil Rust and his staff, as well as state budget and fiscal staff to make certain the funding was not cut as had been proposed at one time. The excellent lobbying done by the local parents and staff proved successful in maintaining the current level of funding when we were seeing some programs being cut.

5. After encountering opposition this past session to fund the DARE program, I was pleased to see the program funded for another year. Although it is a small budget item, this anti-drug education program is very important for our young school children.

6. Fully funded all Meals on Wheels programs in the current year. Additional funds are expected to be received from the Federal Government. Should these funds fall below the FY 2000 amount, an emergency supplemental bill is to be considered when we return next January.

7. Increased the amount for tourism grants from EDIF funds by $278,000.

8. Legislation was passed providing relief for rising prescription drug costs. Up to $1,200 in relief will go to qualified seniors.

9. I was very disappointed that we were unable to get passed a measure which would have given our underpaid correctional officers a 5% raise. We are having officers leaving our state to work in their profession in states paying much higher wages. The dangerous jobs our correction officers fill deserve a much higher pay than they currently receive.