Melanie Meier's Adventures in the Statehouse
Kansas House of Representatives
40th District
Volume 2010, Issue 6: Emails and Calls
Week 9 was full of emails and phone calls from constituents. Many of you voiced your concern about possible school district consolidation and repealing of sales tax exemptions on religious activities and residential utility bills. I am happy you are contacting me and getting involved.
The House was expecting to see HB2549, that proposes repealing certain sales tax exemptions, this past week on the floor for debate and vote but it did not happen. Currently there is no word on whether it will come to the floor at all.
The House Education Budget Committee held a hearing on HB2728 on Thursday, 11 March 2010. It is a proposal to make all school districts consist of at least 10,000 full time equivalent students and to create regional education service centers. Many school districts, including USD 449 in Easton, sent officials to testify against the Bill. I do not know if the Committee will decide to work the Bill after hearing all the opposition, but currently the Bill is not on the scheduled calendar for this coming week. The House did pass HB 2704 on Wednesday, 10 March. This Bill allows three or more districts to consolidate into two districts (essentially allowing one district to split itself among some others in consolidating) and keep the incentive funds for consolidation. This Bill makes it easier for districts to voluntarily consolidate in the manner that they feel best serves their students.
Seat Belts and Texting
The Senate on Thursday, 11 March, formally advanced HB 2437 to the House. If signed into law, the bill would ban texting while driving and would make driving without a seatbelt a primary offense, meaning a police officer can pull someone over if they notice that they do not have their seatbelt on. Although a few concerns were raised on the Senate floor regarding potential racial profiling and enforcement, all 40 Senators voted to approve the bill. This Bill was part of the Governor's recommendations for filling the latest budget revenue shortfall in February and if passed by the House will net Kansas $10 million in federal dollars.
HMOs to Pay Fee
Under current Kansas law, HMOs that operate in Kansas more than 5 years are subject to paying a 1% privilege fee. Historically, the Commissioner of Insurance has waived the privilege fee as it applies to the three HMOs in Kansas who process and receive Medicaid monies. The Legislative Counsel for Children's Mercy Family Health Partners and a representative with the KHPA testified in support of the SB200, which would amend the law so that all health maintenance organizations will pay the same amount. The spokesperson for Children's Mercy Family Health Partners stated that the addition of the $4.1 million in revenue by removing the waiver, combined with an equivalent increase in the Medicaid capitation rate, could generate an additional $25.7 million in revenue for the State between FY 2010 and FY 2012. This Bill was also part of the Governor's recommendations for filling the latest budget revenue shortfall in February. The Bill passed in the House on Friday, 99 to 13, and is now on its way to the Governor for signature.
New Energy Efficiency Programs For Local Governments
As part of its statewide strategy to promote energy-efficiency retrofits in public buildings, two new grant programs have been created to assist cities—the Public Projects Grant Program and the Energy Manager Grant Program.
The Public Projects Grants are designed to supplement the existing Facility Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP) by focusing on energy efficiency projects in public buildings that are either too small for FCIP or include specific improvements that exceed FCIP's 30-year statutory payback period. Examples of improvements funded through these grants include lighting, heating and cooling equipment, energy management controls, and insulation or other envelope measures. The application deadline for this program is July 15, 2010. For eligibility requirements and additional information, see the State Energy Office web site http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/energy/arra/publicproj.htm.
The Energy Manager Grants provide coalitions of local governments (cities, counties, school districts) with an annual stipend of $50,000 for up to two years to hire an energy manager. Energy managers will develop both short- and long-term plans for each of the coalition members, with the goal of reducing energy usage in both the public and private section. The application deadline for this grant is April 15, 2010. For eligibility requirements and additional information, see the State Energy Office web site www.kcc.ks.gov/energy/arra/energymgr.htm.
WESTAR Upgrades In Leavenworth County
I have more details on the WESTAR project I mentioned last week. This month Westar Energy will begin the removal of the vegetation within Westar Energy's easements as well as on road right of way preparing to rebuild the electric transmission line from Stranger Creek Substation to Thornton Substation. Rebuilding this transmission line will maintain the reliability of service to the Leavenworth area. The Southwest Power Pool, the Regional Transmission Organization, directed Westar Energy to construct this transmission line in order to maintain compliance to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation's Reliability Standards. These standards are federally enforceable under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules.
Work will begin at the Stranger Creek Substation and crews will proceed eastward along Bauserman Road and Eisenhower Road. Once the vegetation is cleared, contract crews will begin removing the existing transmission line. After the existing line is removed, crews will begin building the new electric transmission line along the same route within Westar Energy's existing easements. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Jeff Rogers at 785-575-8081.
Out and About this Week
District leaders of today and tomorrow visited Topeka, from the Leadership Leavenworth/Lansing and the Southern Leavenworth County Leadership Development Classes. Danielle Nichols from the Tiny K Foundation in Leavenworth visited with me in my office and USD 449 superintendent, Charles Coblentz, and vice president of the USD 449 School District, Bill Bohne, were here to testify in the Education Budget Committee.
Keep in Touch
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 722, Docking State Office Building, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7668 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at Melanie.meier@house.ks.gov. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.
As always, if you no longer desire to receive updates and information from me, just let me know and I will take you off the mailing list.
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