Capitol Comments
March 27, 2001
With less than two weeks left in the 2001 legislative session, virtually all of our time is spent in the full Senate debating and taking final action on a multitude of bills. The majority of the time left will be spent working on the FY 2002 Budget. Both chambers are amending their bills not receiving approval into the opposite chamber’s bills. Much work will now be put into conference committees in an attempt to reconcile the differences.
EDUCATION
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, Governor Graves unveiled his proposal for additional revenue for education and this week he is touring the state attempting to gain support for his program. I have received many communications from my district expressing comments favorable to the Governor’s proposal.
Speaker of the House, Kent Glasscock, presented his K-3 education plan to the House early this past week. The Glasscock plan has been endorsed by House Minority Leader Jim Garner. The Glasscock-Garner plan does not include an increase in base state aid per pupil or special education. Much work and debate will continue on this very important issue. School finance is of major importance to all of us.
One troubling aspect of the Glasscock-Garner mini-proposal is that the plan will be financed with tobacco settlement money. Many legislators fought hard to protect the tobacco money for prevention and other specified programs. Using the tobacco money would be a betrayal of both the spirit and the intent of the Children’s Cabinet legislation which the Legislature created two years ago to help direct how this windfall should be spent .The funding of education is the state’s responsibility.
The real education financing plan is expected to be introduced in the Senate this week.
MENTAL HEALTH PARITY REJECTED
Mental health parity will likely have to wait another year despite efforts taken by the Senate. Mental health parity would require insurers to offer the same coverage to Kansans who are suffering from a mental illness as is offered for a physical condition. Efforts for parity have been blocked for two years. I believe that mental illness is just as destructive and requires care, just like a physical illness.
Recent research supports and expands earlier findings that implementing parity benefits results in minimal if any increase in total health care costs. A recently updated simulation model estimates an approximately l.4 percent increase in total health insurance premium costs when parity is implemented. In addition, data from a large State show that total health care costs decreased after the implementation of parity.
SLOTS
The Senate rejected a bill to legalize slot machines at existing pari-mutuel race tracks at Wichita Greyhound Park; Camptown Greyhound Park, north of Pittsburg and the Woodlands in Kansas City, which has separate dog and horse racing tracks. This bill could easily raise its head again before the final gavel as supporters have refused to accept defeat by possibly withholding support for proposals to increase taxes to raise money for public schools.
Again, I voted against this bill as I feel the addition of slot machines/casinos would create broad-based effects to the detriment of our area.
EMERGENCY 9-1-1 SERVICE
A bill calling for a centralized authority to encourage and help fund development of expanded wireless 9-l-l emergency service failed on a tie vote last week. The enhanced emergency service would include the ability for dispatchers to determine where 9-1-1 emergency cell phone calls were coming from. The enhanced wireless service would provide both the number of the calling wireless telephone and the location of that telephone.
The benefit of a centralized fund is that the entire state of Kansas would have enhanced wireless 9-1-1 service available at approximately the same time.
This bill will remain on the Senate calendar with possibly more amendments being offered..
IN CONCLUSION
I was honored this past week to meet, and be in attendance when Governor Bill Graves presented awards to two Belle Plaine students for their participation in the “Ag in the Classroom Bumper Sticker Art Contest”. Ashley Montana was awarded the Grand Prize of a $l00.00 bond and Nathan Steele was awarded a $50.00 bond. My congratulations to two great students. Due to the long hours we are spending in debate on the Senate floor, I am unable to take your calls, however, in my absence Betty will take your message and I will attempt to call you back during the breaks of Senate floor action. Please continue to contact 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) 296-7381 or the toll free number l-800-432-3924. You can visit my web page at https://members.tripod.com/~Ggoodwin
Copyright © February, 2001 by Jamiebro Web Publications. All rights reserved.