Legislative Report, 3/6/02, Status Report and report on results of Survey
Doug Patterson
Kansas State Representative 28th District
Johnson County
12712 El Monte
Leawood, Kansas 66209
913-897-6905
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State Capital Room 174W
Topeka, Kansas 66612
785-296-7631
Patterson@house.state.ks.us
Dpatter@ink.org
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Vice-Chair: Johnson County Legislative Delegation
Committees:
Judiciary
Commerce, Business and Labor
Health and Human Services
KANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/index.cgi
http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/status/status.cgi
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Wednesday, March 06, 2002
DEAR FRIENDS:
Mountain climber John Roskelley said it best: "You’ve got to know when to turn around."
Last week was "turnaround week" at the Statehouse, and sometimes it seems we’re climbing a steep mountain as we face this years budget challenge. Turnaround week refers to a mid-session deadline for bills to be considered in their house of origin. With a few exceptions, all House bills must be passed by the end of last week in order for them to be considered in the Senate, and vice versa. We burned the late-night oil to make sure bills were heard.
HOUSE ADVANCES REDISTRICTING BILL
On a vote of 105-16, the House approved Substitute for House Bill 2625, which re-draws House districts according to the 2000 census. Truly a bipartisan effort, the new map makes changes throughout the state, with the net result following the continued population shift toward the more urban areas of Kansas City and Wichita. We fared well in Johnson County, retaining all nineteen whole House seats and adding 3 ½+ more. Now Johnson County effectively has 23 of a total of 125 House seats. My 28nd District is now weighted slightly more toward the south since it had about 6000 too many residents. District 28 now equals exactly the municipal boundaries of Leawood. Under the new map passed by the House, my district’s northerly boundary will be 95th Street instead of all the way north to the Leawood northerly boundary at Somerset. All of the current District 28 north of 95th will, for the most part, be included in District 21 represented by Rep. Dean Newton. If the House map is passed, I will regret loosing my friends north of 95th Street, but I can assure you that you will be well represented by Dean. Next on the reapportionment task list: Congressional districts, which will first be debated in the Senate. And of course, the Senate district map passed by a vote of 21/19. We honored the Senate’s decision and passed it just as we got it and then the Governor vetoed it. More to come on that hot little potato.
WHERE CREDIT IS DUE AND "NO CALL"
In this modern age when "identity theft" is a household term, the House voted this week to make it more difficult for criminals to get their hands on your credit card number. HB 2676 would require retailers to blank out credit card numbers (except for the last five digits) on receipts, both the original and the customer copy. This should make it harder for criminals to find discarded receipts and use them to make fraudulent purchases. The bill passed, 111-7, and moves to the Senate for consideration. Naturally, I supported the measure. The House also had an opportunity to initiate a "No Call" bill. This bill narrowly passed the House in the face of stiff opposition since the bill also dealt with certain agricultural issues. I supported the "No Call" bill. Only 4 of our 19 Representatives voted for the "No Call" measure. We will see how it does in the Senate.
SLOTS PROPOSALS GAIN GROUND
The state is strapped for cash, which means any and all revenue-generating ideas are getting discussion under the dome. Slot machines at parimutuel racetracks are at the top of the list. The House Committee on Tourism has heard testimony on several proposals that would allow slots in various locations from racetracks to fraternal clubs and veterans organizations. It’s a bit early to know which bill will make its way to the House floor, but I expect at least one slots bill to clear the committee hurdle this session. The big sticking point: What percentage of revenue goes to the state, the veterans groups, racetracks and other interested parties? This will be the cornerstone of debate on any slots bill. I now support a slots bill, as do a majority of the residents of District 28, but I am working on a provision which would fund, in a significant way, gambling addiction programs much like the Missouri "1-800-BETSOFF" program.
FIGHTING HEALTH-CARE FRAUD
Health care is the single largest cost increase driver in the state budget. That’s why legislators are concerned after seeing the results of a recent audit of Kansas Medicaid fraud prevention program. National statistics indicate that approximately 10 percent of all Medicaid claims are fraudulent, meaning about $138 million each year in Kansas. While I don’t believe this high incidence of fraud exists, even a small 2 percent of fraudulent claims costs us $27 million each year. In an attempt to discourage this fraud, House Bill 2957 would create a civil penalty for those who intentionally defraud or abuse the Medicaid system through false billing practices. This bill gives the Attorney General another tool in pursuing those who seek to steal from our system and thus increase the cost of government and health care for all. This bill was assigned to my Judiciary Committee and I certainly supported the bill.
HIGHWAY PLAN HITS SPEED BUMP
Speaking of tough times, one area of the budget that hasn’t received much attention is the Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The $13 billion plan was passed in the 1999 session, and depends on revenue from a variety of taxes to keep it in place for the next 10 years. Gov. Graves recommended cutting all funding for the plan from his 2003 budget as a way to cut costs. Translation: The plan is in trouble without new money, refinancing, project cuts, or a combination of the three.
Speaker Glasscock has appointed the Select Committee on Transportation Appropriations to examine funding alternatives that could keep the plan on track, preserving our great highway system. You don’t have to drive far to the east to discover the value of good roads, just as important to our agricultural producers as to our urban commuters. I am hopeful that the committee will produce a proposal that can help cut costs while keeping the enhancement projects in place.
SHOW US THE (SCHOOL) MONEY!!!
The budget dilemma of this year’s legislative session presents special challenges for our commitment to funding education, both K-12 and higher education. Almost 70 percent of the state general fund is spent on education, which means any substantial cuts will affect local school districts. As we examine district budgets, it becomes very difficult to sort through the confusing budget documents and reporting systems that vary at each school district. A bill in the House Education Committee would address this problem by creating a uniform method for school district budgeting , including an easy-to-read, school-by-school summary of how money is being spent. This proposal would make it easier for all of us to accurately assess education funding levels and determine how best to support quality educational resources for our children.
You have read about various proposals offered by the Governor as well as the Senate. The problem with this approach is that, without a complete picture of the budget, we really don’t know where to find or increase receipts or cut spending in favor of education…or by how much. So while the education oriented models you have read about sound good, they have been manufactured out of a vacuum. Hopefully early this month, the House Appropriations Committee will float a proposed complete budget to put all of these conflicting factors together so as to allow us to see where revenue can be found and what additional revenue enhancements can be offered to education. That is why I have not written about education earlier. There is not a significant amount of proposed legislation out there yet that has a chance. Also, the CREG report (described below) is not scheduled to be released until March 8, 2002. When information arrives, I will let you know. I am in touch with board members, staff and others of Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission school districts on a regular basis. I can tell you that our two school districts are well represented under the dome.
A ROUGH ESTIMATE
March 8th is a big day as we work to write a state budget. The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) will meet to revise its forecast of tax collections for the next 18 months. This group, which includes university economists and state policy analysts, sets the numbers that legislators use to determine how much money can be spent.
The CREG numbers will be the driving force behind the rest of the session, as legislators begin to focus more closely on the budget. These numbers will determine the final size of the budget shortfall, already estimated at more than $425 million. If current projections hold true, the state will take in less revenue this year than in fiscal year 2001, a troubling statistic when coupled with the increased financial demands for education, the elderly, courts, transportation and other essential elements of state government.
THE SURVEY
In January, I sent out a survey containing 14 questions. These questions ranged from financial issues such as what type of tax increase, if any, should be considered, to political quires, such as what type of job you think Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius is doing. A good sampling of people responded. The results are as follows (and thanks to everyone who took the time to respond):
QUESTIONARE RESULTS
Are you in favor of a tax increase? if so, what type of tax increase (income tax, property tax, tobacco tax or sales-tax) and for what purpose: education, transportation, homeland security, etc.
YES 82%
NO 5%
NO RESPONSE 8%
WHAT TYPE
PROPERTY 13%
TOBACCO 24%
INCOME TAX 8%
ALCOHOL 10%
SALES 19%
GASOLINE 3%
NONE SPECIFIED 25%
PURPOSE
FARMING 2%
EDUCATION 67%
HOMELAND SECURITY 6%
TRANSPORTATION 4%
SOCIAL SERVICES 13%
DISABLED SERVICES 6%
BUSINESS 2%
2. Are you in favor of a tax increase to continue education funding only at its current level? If so which: income tax, sales tax or real estate tax?
YES 41%
NO 16%
NO RESPONSE 43%
WHAT SORT OF TAX? INCOME 14%
SALES 28%
PROPERTY 25%
ALCOHOL/TOBACCO 8%
NONE SPECIFIED 25%
In order to increase education funding, would you support a tax increase?
YES 85%
NO 10%
NO RESPONSE 4%
4. Would you support a new "please tax me" fund, where citizens voluntarily send in tax money to the state for education, or other specific purposes?
YES 6%
NO 40%
NO RESPONSE 43%
(I probably didn’t need to ask this one)
5. Do you support your local school districts Local Option Budget
(LOB) and/or an increase if the LOB? If not please explain.
YES 47%
NO 2%
NOT SURE 6%
NO RESPONSE 45%
6. What measures should the State or local governments enforce to
protect Kansans from threats of terrorism?
NONE 4%
ANY POSSIBLE 2%
I DON’T KNOW 16%
SPECIFICALLY
SCHOOL PROTECTION 2%
AUTHORIZE RIGHT TO CARRY 2%
EDUCATION 2%
AIRPORT SECURITY 1%
BIOLOGICAL/MED RESPONSE 2%
PROACTIVE STANCE 6%
KEEP TRACK OF
IMMIGRANTS 2%
NEW LICENSES& SS# 7%
POLICE & EMT TRAINING 2%
NO RESPONSE 58%
7. How have you and/or your family been affected by the downturn in
our state and national economy?
SCHOOLS/EDUCATION 4%
BUSINESS/SELF EMPLOYED 6%
STATE FUNDED PROGRAMS 2%
CHARITABLE GIVING 2%
STOCKS AND BONDS 8%
LOST JOBS 4%
SPENDING POWER 4%
UPWARD MOVEMENT IN JOBS 2%
DEBT 2%
BEEN LUCKY 13%
NO RESPONSE 54%
8. Would you support allowing slots at current pari-mutuel dog and
horse tracks in Kansas such as The Woodlands in Wyandotte County?
YES 32%
NO 13%
NO RESPONSE 55%
9. Do you support expanding gambling by allowing slots at fraternal
organizations, such as VFW, legions, and bingo halls, with a county option vote?
YES 19%
NO 29%
NO RESPONSE 52%
10. What is your perception of tourism in Kansas and how could it be
improved?
NOT A TOURIST STATE 21%
GAMING/GAMBLING CENTERS 7%
MAJOR AIRPORTS 2%
HISTORICAL VALUES 2%
INCREASE SALES TAX 2%
FUEL TAX 2%
MORE PUBLICITY 7%
NO OPINION 7%
NO RESPONSE 55%
11. Would you have supported the OZ project in southern Johnson
County, Kansas?
YES 13%
NO 21%
NEUTRAL 2%
NO RESPONSE 55%
12. Do you believe current Insurance Commissioner Sebelius is doing a good job in protecting consumers from increases in insurance premiums?
YES 13%
NO 4%
DON’T KNOW 21%
NO RESPONSE 63%
( I’ll show Carla Stovall and Kent Glasscock this one)
13. Are you in favor of any other expenditure which would require a
tax increase? If so what?
YES 16%
NO 22%
NO RESPONSE 59%
DON’T KNOW 2%
WHAT? STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 40%
EDUCATION 40%
GOVERNMENT SERVICES 10%
BALANCED BUDGET 10%
(this was not a well worded question in light of respondents’
position on taxation and funding for education earlier)
14. Kansas currently maintains a "rainy day fund", 7.5% ending
balance requirement. Should this balance be lowered so more dollars could be used?
YES 21%
NO 15%
DON=T KNOW 6%
NO RESPONSE 58%
IN CLOSING...
As the legislative session continues, I will continue to provide you with regular updates on policy issues that affect the 28th District. If you would like to receive these updates by e-mail, please send me a message at patterson@house.state.ks.us or Dpatter@ink.org. Also, I am happy to respond to constituent inquiries at this address. Please include your home address so I may contact you with a response. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to others and if you have e-mail addresses of other interested members of our community, please send them to me for inclusion in my e-mail address book.
We live in a great State and as always, thank you for the honor and opportunity to serve you in the Kansas Legislature – House of Representatives. I appreciate your continued support and will do my best to represent your interests in Topeka.
Respectfully,
Doug Patterson
C:\Dist28\2002reports\Rep#2 Mar0602.rtf
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