2-26-01

Capitol Comments

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February 26, 2001

Friday, February 23, marked “turnaround” the first major milestone of the 2001 session in the Kansas Senate. Thus far, we have had a rather uneventful session. So much of our attention has been devoted to renewing the Kansas Lottery that we haven’t had time to consider other issues. The Lottery bill is now before a House/Senate Conference Committee where members will negotiate a compromise to work out the differences contained in the two chambers renewal bills. Hopefully, the legislative pace will quicken now that we move into the second half of the session. It is customary for the Senate to now consider bills passed by the Kansas House during the first part of the session. However, several bills have been “blessed,” in the closing hours of the Senate action last week which means they may still be considered by the Senate this year. Two of the most important issues that were kept alive include school finance and campaign and election reform.

WATER ISSUES STUDIED

The Senate Natural Resources Committee has been holding subcommittee meetings on Senate Bill 204, a bill which would redefine the uses of more than 1,200 streams and rivers in Kansas. By removing the requirement that these streams meet water quality standards fit for recreation, less stringent standards could be established. A proposal to look at each of these streams and rivers to determine the appropriate use of the body of water before declassifying them has, to this point, been largely ignored by the subcommittee members. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has indicated that they have federal funds in their budget to perform these use-attainability assessments. Hopefully a compromise can be achieved which will promote reasonable standards for agriculture while protecting the quality of our Kansas waterways.

EDUCATION ISSUES CONTINUE ON FRONT BURNER

The Senate Education Committee continues to discuss the school finance proposal which provides dramatic increases in funding for Kansas public schools. This plan calls for an additional $75 million in funding above what Governor Graves proposed in his budget. The funding proposed by the plan will come from an increase in the sales tax of two-tenths of a cent a year for three years. This proposal would yield an estimate of $76.1 million in FY 2002, $79.2 million in FY 2003, and $82.2 million in FY 2004. Funding the plan is going to be most contentious. Many legislators are hesitant to increase the sales tax. In fact, some legislators won’t vote for any tax increase on any issue. Their commitment to public education is questionable in my mind. To get this plan passed this year, we are going to have to work very hard at the state level, as well as at the local level. The stakes are too high if we fail. I have been very pleased by the response I have received since the school finance plan was released. I have had several school superintendents, school board members, students, parents and other concerned constituents from my Senate District in my office this past week all wanting to voice their support. I believe the support is there, now we need to take action. We will need grassroots support and I encourage those concerned to contact their legislators.

DRIVER LICENSE RULES TIGHTENED

I carried a Transportation Committee bill on the Senate floor on Thursday which would tighten the rules for getting drivers’ licenses for people who suffer seizure disorders, as well as clarify requirements for those drivers with vision impairments. This bill was prompted, in part, by a car crash that killed Laura and Brett Kunkel, ages 15 and 13, in Wichita. The bill requires a doctor’s report, based upon an examination within the past three months, stating that the driver has been free of seizures that cause loss or alteration of consciousness for a period of six months. During court proceedings on the Kunkel accident, it was shown that the driver of the vehicle who caused the deaths had continued to drive despite a history of seizures that caused repeated auto accidents. The bill passed 40-0.

STATE AWARDS COMES TO COWLEY COUNTY

The annual Demofest weekend was held in Topeka on Friday and Saturday where Democrats from across the state come to Topeka to celebrate Washington Days. One of the highlights of the weekend for Cowley County was the presentation of the Joan Finney Outstanding Service Award to Natalee and the late John Story for their loyalty and long time devotion to the work for the good of the Kansas Democrat Party. Cowley County certainly misses John and the care and compassion he showed for our county. We know Natalee will continue her work for good government for the people of Kansas.

Cowley County brought home another distinguished award when Secretary of State, Ron Thornburg, presented the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 10 Winfield with an official flag of the State of Kansas which was flown over the State Capitol on election day and an enrolled Resolution for their mentoring for first time voters in the Honor A Vet With Your Vote Program. I was honored to be present for this award along with Commander Jim Buterbaugh, Auxilliary President Loydene West, Beulah Shafer, Roger Casebolt, Jim King, Bill Long, and George Bodkins.

IN CONCLUSION

I was pleased to be able to spend an evening with the Sumner County Leadership Class and get to know new friends from the Sumner County area. What an interesting and knowledgeable group they were. I predict the members of the class will greatly benefit our area with their outstanding leadership skills.

I will be accompanying Governor Graves to Winfield on Friday as we visit the InnerChange Program located in Winfield. I have spent time with the InnerChange Program at our Department of Corrections facility and have witnessed remarkable progress being made with our inmates. Two years ago, I accompanied Warden Emmalee Conover to the prison facility in Sugar Land, Texas to tour the first faith-based program established in the United States. Shortly after that trip, Kansas submitted an application for the program to be expanded to our state. Iowa received the second program with the third voluntary program being established in Kansas. Statistics thus far show huge drops in the recidivism rate for those inmates participating in this program.

On February 22, I was pleased to have Jaymee Peterson and Hannah Kersting assist the Senate Chamber with paging duties. Both students attend Douglass Middle School.

Should you have concerns or issues of a legislative nature, you can reach me via E-mail at ggoodwin@ink.org.. OR Goodwin@senate.state.ks.us.. My address is State Capitol , Room 403-N, Topeka, KS 66612, telephone (785) 296-7381or l-800-432-3924. You can visit my web page at https://members.tripod.com/~Ggoodwin.