House committee reconsiders Parents as Teachers funding recommendation

By DAVE RANNEY
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The House Social Services Budget Committee changed its mind Wednesday, voting to shelve an earlier recommendation that could have led to the Parents as Teachers program being cut from the state budget.

“We’re going to have another hearing,” said Rep. Will Carpenter, a Republican from El Dorado and chairman of the committee. Earlier in the week, the committee voted to encourage the House Appropriations Committee to consider dropping Parents as Teachers from the list of programs supported by the Children’s Initiatives Fund, the state’s repository for tobacco settlement monies.

“That really wasn’t about grabbing money,” Carpenter said. “It had more to do with getting their attention, which I think it did.”

Safety net clinics at forefront of debates on controversial issues

By JIM McLEAN
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Kansas hospitals are leading the push for Medicaid expansion. But they’re not the only providers for which expansion is a critical financial issue. It’s also a priority for the safety net clinics that exist to provide free and reduced-cost care to low-income Kansans.

Two-thirds of the people who rely on the clinics live under the federal poverty line: annual income of $11,670 for an individual and $23,850 for a family of four.

Virtually all of them would qualify for KanCare — the state’s privatized Medicaid program — under expansion.

Tax schisms emerge in vote on emergency budget bill

By ANDY MARSO
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- As legislators voted this week on a budget bill to keep the state solvent through the current month, Rep. Larry Hibbard laid down a gauntlet.

Hibbard, a rancher, Republican and self-described “common sense conservative” from rural southeast Kansas, said the price of his “yes” vote to keep state government running was an open debate about income tax cuts spearheaded by fellow Republican Gov. Sam Brownback in 2012 — tax cuts he blames for the budget shortfall.

“We have put at risk our state, our security, our children and our future,” Hibbard said. “I will not vote for any other budget bill until the (tax) bill of 2012 is re-examined and fixed.”

COLUMN: Kansas has millions of reasons to legalize marijuana

By NICK SLOAN
nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has been criticized all across the country for the team's final call in Super Bowl 49.

With the ball on the one-yard-line, the Seahawks chose to play "cute" and pass the ball, rather than giving it to Marshawn Lynch, the best short-yardage running back in the National Football League. That pass led to an interception, which clinched the game for the New England Patriots.

The lesson is sometimes, we over think decisions that should be simple and we don't take advantage of opportunities that are on the table.

In light of this week's announcement regarding budget cuts to education, I'm reminded of the opportunity Kansas has when it comes to legalizing marijuana.

Thousands sign unofficial Brownback recall petition

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Following Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's announced cuts to public education in Kansas, thousands of Kansans have responded by signing a petition supporting the recall of the governor. 

As of 1:30 Friday, over 18,000 individuals have signed the petition. 

The petition is not an official one, meaning that nothing will happen regardless of how many sign it.

However, the creator of the petition is seeking 20,000 signatures.

Below is the summary of the petition from the creator:

Many Kansans traditionally vote along party lines, which is why Brownback recently won re-election by a narrow margin.  

However, citizens are now realizing his policies are NOT in their best interests. Kansans overwhelmingly want good schools, good roads, and a government that is fiscally healthy and takes care of its obligations to all its citizens.  

While this is NOT an official recall petition, it IS a way for the citizens of Kansas to state that Governor Brownback's policies are detrimental to the future of Kansas and must be stopped.

Nursing practice bill back before Kansas Senate committee

By JIM McLEAN
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Groups representing nurses and doctors met several times over the summer and fall but couldn’t reach a compromise on legislation to allow nurses with advanced training to practice on their own.

The failed negotiations threw the dispute back into the laps of Kansas lawmakers, who don’t appear eager to settle it.

After asking a series of questions at Thursday’s hearing on the nurses’ bill, Sen. Jim Denning, an Overland Park Republican, pointedly told one of its supporters that legislators don’t have the experience “to do what you’re asking us to do.”

Sen. Pettey, Rep. Lusk introduce bill to extend concealed carry exemption

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Senator Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, and Representative Nancy Lusk, D-Overland Park, introduced today a bill called the Safe Communities Amendment.

It amends the Personal Family Protection Act to give municipalities the right to file for four-year exemptions from allowing concealed carry in their buildings.

Tobacco fund sweep draws legislator’s ire

KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- A member of the House Social Services Budget Committee on Thursday objected to Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan for using $14.5 million from the Kansas Endowment for Youth to fill part of a $280 million hole in the current fiscal year’s budget.

“This is a problem, in my view,” said Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Republican from Overland Park.

She asked the committee’s chair, Rep. Will Carpenter, a Republican from El Dorado, “Is there anything we can do to prevent this sweep?”

Carpenter, who’s new to the committee, said he wasn’t sure but would find out. The exchange came midway through an informational briefing on the state’s tobacco master settlement agreement revenues and how they are spent.

In keeping with state statutes, settlement revenues –between $50 million and $70 million, typically -- each year are deposited in the Kansas Empowerment for Youth (KEY) fund. Historically, most of the money in the KEY fund is transferred to the Children’s Initiative Fund where it’s used to underwrite programs and services that promote early childhood development.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Education budget puts Kansas at risk

By Aaron Estabrook
USD 383 Board of Education

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Kansas is at risk.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan stood before the press and television cameras at the White House and held up a report titled A Nation at Risk.

Eighteen months in the making and written by members of the National Commission on Excellence in Education at the behest of Secretary of Education, the report examined the quality of education in the United States—and the findings were atrocious.

Kansas Legislator sees cannabis oil bill as potential alternative

By ANDY MARSO
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Three-year-old Autumn Bay’s red hair floated up and down in the air as her mother, Christine Bay, bounced her in her arms before a hearing on medical marijuana Wednesday at the Kansas Statehouse.

Christine Bay, of Lenexa, was one of several parents who told legislators emotional stories about desperate, futile treatments for the seizures that wrack their children many times a day.

Democrats have proposed bills in the Kansas House and Senate that would legalize marijuana for a broad range of maladies and symptoms such as the children’s seizures. But similar bills have gained no traction in the Republican-dominated Legislature in recent years.

New insurance commissioner strives for a ‘robust’ Kansas market

By ASHLEY BOOKER
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- After taking his new role as Kansas insurance commissioner, Ken Selzer stressed that he will work toward providing Kansas consumers with a more robust insurance market.

Selzer said recruiting insurance companies to move to the state will give consumers more options.

“We are always going to find other ways to help the industry be more vibrant, more aggressive, more productive on behalf of consumers,” Selzer said last week while speaking to the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. “The end game is to always take care of the consumers.”

Health organizations declare support for governor’s proposed cigarette tax increase

By JIM McLEAN
KHI News Service 

 KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- A coalition of health organizations is supporting Gov. Sam Brownback’s call for a big increase in the state’s cigarette tax. Brownback is proposing to raise the tax by $1.50 per pack, increasing it from 79 cents to $2.29.

The governor wants to use the approximately $81 million in additional revenue to close a gaping hole in the fiscal year 2016 budget.

Medical marijuana to get informational hearing in Kansas Senate

By ANDY MARSO
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- About 50 supporters of medical marijuana rallied Thursday at the Statehouse amid news that a Senate committee will have informational hearings on the issue.

Sen. David Haley, a Kansas City Democrat, and Rep. Gail Finney, a Wichita Democrat, have introduced bills that would allow marijuana use to treat a range of illnesses and symptoms.

The last hearing on a medical marijuana bill in Kansas was in 2012. The briefings scheduled next week in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee are not formal bill hearings, but Finney remains encouraged.

Hospitals hope Kansas will follow recent red-state trend on Medicaid expansion

By Jim McLean
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Several red-state governors have dropped their opposition to Medicaid expansion in recent months and are pursuing ways to use federal dollars to fund their own more conservative plans.

Governors in the solidly red states of Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Tennessee are pursuing expansion options that seek to use billions in additional federal Medicaid dollars to help low-income adults purchase private coverage or create health savings accounts.

Many of the proposals, which require federal approval, also include incentives aimed at helping recipients get better jobs so that they can purchase their own coverage without government assistance.

Last week, President Barack Obama said he would instruct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to work with states to expedite the approval process and find compromises on expansion proposals.

KCK legislator seeks hearing for medical marijuana bill

By Andy Marso
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, KAN. — Sen. David Haley says he’s made some tweaks to a bill legalizing medical marijuana for this year’s legislative session, but it’s largely the same as the bill that failed to get a hearing the last two years.

Haley, a Democrat from Kansas City, said he’s relying on an increase in public pressure to convince the Legislature’s Republican leadership to give the issue its first committee debate since 2012.

“There are constituents that are committed to natural alternatives in health care that span the political diaspora,” Haley said. “They’re all across the board. It’s not a conservative or progressive issue. It’s a health alternatives issue.”

Haley noted that the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature, an advocacy group for the state’s elderly residents, has endorsed legalizing medical marijuana.

Kansas Democrats announce standing committee appointments

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The Democratic Party of Kansas announced its standing committee appointments for the 2015-16 legislative term. 

More information below:

______

Incoming House Democratic Leader Tom Burroughs, D-Kansas City, today announced appointments to standing committees for the 2015-2016 legislative term.

“We have a seasoned mix of legislative experience and professional expertise in the House Democratic Caucus,” said Burroughs. “Kansans need strong voices in the Capitol fighting for fiscal responsibility, fair taxes and strong public schools as we tackle the tremendous challenges that are coming in 2015. I know that Kansas House Democrats are up to that task and will offer valuable insight to the committee process.”
Assignments are as follows:

9:00 AM Committees:

Appropriations

Jerry Henry (Ranking Democrat), Cummings
Barbara Ballard, Lawrence
Sydney Carlin, Manhattan
Gail Finney, Wichita
Kathy Wolfe Moore, Kansas City

Children & Seniors
Ponka-We Victors (Ranking Democrat), Wichita
Pam Curtis, Kansas City
Jarrod Ousley, Merriam

Energy & Environment
Annie Kuether (Ranking Democrat), Topeka
John Carmichael, Wichita
Boog Highberger, Lawrence
Harold Lane, Topeka

Federal & State Affairs
Annie Tietze (Ranking Democrat), Topeka
Broderick Henderson, Kansas City
Nancy Lusk, Overland Park
John Wilson, Lawrence
Valdenia Winn, Kansas City

Pensions & Benefits
Ed Trimmer (Ranking Democrat), Winfield
John Alcala, Topeka
Jim Ward, Wichita

Utilities & Telecommunications
Annie Kuether (Ranking Democrat), Topeka
Stan Frownfelter, Kansas City
Ed Trimmer, Winfield
Brandon Whipple, Wichita

Veterans, Military & Homeland Security
Harold Lane (Ranking Democrat), Topeka
Carolyn Bridges, Wichita
Adam Lusker, Frontenac

Vision 2020
Pam Curtis (Ranking Democrat), Kansas City
Roderick Houston, Wichita
Jarrod Ousley, Merriam

1:30 PM Committees:
Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget
Sydney Carlin (Ranking Democrat), Manhattan
Jerry Henry, Cummings

Commerce, Labor, & Economic Development
Stan Frownfelter (Ranking Democrat), Kansas City
Louis Ruiz, Kansas City
Annie Tietze, Topeka
Brandon Whipple, Wichita

Corrections & Juvenile Justice
Boog Highberger (Ranking Democrat), Lawrence
Gail Finney, Wichita

Education
Valdenia Winn (Ranking Democrat), Kansas City
Carolyn Bridges, Wichita
Nancy Lusk, Overland Park
Ed Trimmer, Winfield

Elections
Tom Sawyer (Ranking Democrat), Wichita
John Alcala, Topeka
John Carmichael, Wichita

General Government Budget
Kathy Wolfe Moore (Ranking Democrat), Kansas City
Harold Lane, Topeka

Health & Human Services
Jim Ward (Ranking Democrat), Wichita
Broderick Henderson, Kansas City
Roderick Houston, Wichita
John Wilson, Lawrence

Local Government
John Alcala (Ranking Democrat), Topeka
John Carmichael, Wichita
Pam Curtis, Kansas City

Transportation
Adam Lusker (Ranking Democrat), Frontenac
Barbara Ballard, Lawrence
Jarrod Ousley, Merriam
Ponka-We Victors, Wichita

3:30 PM Committees:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Ponka-We Victors (Ranking Democrat), Wichita
Sydney Carlin, Manhattan
Adam Lusker, Frontenac
Ed Trimmer, Winfield

Education Budget
Valdenia Winn (Ranking Democrat), Kansas City
Jerry Henry, Cummings

Financial Institutions
Stan Frownfelter (Ranking Democrat), Kansas City
Tom Burroughs, Kansas City
Jarrod Ousley, Merriam

Insurance
Roderick Houston (Ranking Democrat), Wichita
Broderick Henderson, Kansas City
John Wilson, Lawrence

Judiciary
John Carmichael (Ranking Democrat), Wichita
Pam Curtis, Kansas City
Boog Highberger, Lawrence
Annie Kuether, Topeka
Jim Ward, Wichita

Transportation and Public Safety Budget
Gail Finney (Ranking Democrat), Wichita
Annie Tietze, Topeka

Social Services Budget
Barbara Ballard (Ranking Democrat), Lawrence
Nancy Lusk, Overland Park

Taxation
Tom Sawyer (Ranking Democrat), Wichita
John Alcala, Topeka
Carolyn Bridges, Wichita
Brandon Whipple, Wichita
Kathy Wolfe Moore, Kansas City

Kansas Senator David Haley calls for hate crime law

By NICK SLOAN
nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Kansas Sen. David Haley is calling for the Kansas Legislature to pass a hate-crime law for the State of Kansas.

Haley told KMBZ that last year's shootings at two Jewish facilities in Johnson County has drummed up some interest in passing a Kansas hate-crime bill.

"There were many people from across Kansas who responded, saying to them that we shouldn't have to call upon the department of justice and the federal hate crime statute," Haley told KMBZ.

If enacted, a state hate-crime bill would call for longer prison sentences depending on the crime.

Medicaid expansion, local revenues on top of UG agenda for Kansas Legislature

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

Kansas City Kansan Publisher

The expansion of Medicaid in the State of Kansas and protecting local revenue funds are two of the top agenda items for the Unified Government as the Kansas Legislature session begins next month.

Unified Government Commissioners met earlier this month to discuss the upcoming session.

UG Public Affairs Director Mike Taylor, who serves as the government's lobbyist in Topeka, said there will be a fight with the Republican-dominated legislature on most issues.

COMMENTARY: Kansas Legislature should enact Year-Round Daylight Saving Time

By NICK SLOAN
NJSloan212@gmail.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- A question for my fellow Kansans: Do you like it when it gets dark outside by 5:00 p.m. during the fall and winter months?

Assuming there are no vampires in the State of Kansas, I'm in belief that most of you would say no.
And for those who don't like this set-up, it doesn't have to be this way.

The federal government allows states to opt out of the current Daylight Saving Time time switch. Currently, the great states of Hawaii and Arizona do not switch their clocks back and forth.

The Kansas Legislature should make Kansas the third state to opt out of the federal government's requirement.

While there are more important issues the Kansas Legislature will debate next year, this is an issue that would help all Kansans, whether they are Republicans, Democrats or in my case, a libertarian.

Along with more sunshine, there are practical and common sense reasons to have daylight saving time all year round.

1. Going to daylight saving time all year could save lives on the road. 

Many studies over the years (including this one) indicate that night-time driving is significantly more dangerous than driving in daylight. Also, common sense tells you it's better to drive in daylight than night-time.

Extending daylight saving time to winter would allow evening commuters - which includes workers and students who stay after school - to reach home when there's still light outside. Also, if you live in an area near woods, there is the potential to hit a deer while driving. If you live in Wyandotte County, just drive down Leavenworth Road near Wyandotte County Lake and into the Piper community once in a while.

Now, I certainly understand that with an extra hour of daylight in the evening comes an extra hour of darkness in the morning. Some commuters would have to drive to work in the night depending on the hours. But I think most would exchange a little darker morning if it meant a little lighter evening. Keeping that extra hour of daylight would be worth the extra hour of darkness in the morning.

2. Extended daylight could reduce energy costs

In a study done by the California Energy Commission, having the extended hour of daylight during the winter months would reduce energy costs in California by 3.4 percent. It wouldn't lead to a revolution and wouldn't be a long-term solution for our energy situation in Kansas, but any little bit counts. An extra hour of daylight during winter could lead to lower energy costs. And guess what? It wouldn't cost the taxpayers' anything to help reduce energy in this case. It would just take passing a bill.

3. Crime could be reduced with extended daylight in the afternoon and evening hours

This study indicates that the lowest peak for crime in most cities is between the 3 a.m. - 7 a.m. hours. Outside of that time frame, crime happens around the clock, so not all crime could go away. But most violent crimes happen when it's night outside. Extending daylight saving time to winter would keep the 3-7 a.m. period dark while keeping the afternoon and evening hours lighter.

There are many other reasons to point out, but everyone would win with extended daylight saving time during the winter. Commuters would win. Students staying after school would win. Businesses would win with that extra hour of daylight during the evening hours. The environment wins with less energy being used. Those of us who like to exercise outside or walk the dog after work would benefit from this during the winter hours.

While most issues debated in the legislature have different sides, this is one we all can agree with it.

It's time for the Kansas Legislature to make it happen. Keep the sun shining in Kansas!

Kansas budget director says job growth eventually will restore revenues

By Jim McLean
KHI News Service

A $21 million shortfall in September tax collections has renewed the debate on Gov. Sam Brownback’s economic policies heading into the last month of the 2014 campaign.

Over the last five months, tax receipts have fallen more than $360 million short of official projections, driven largely by the 26 percent reduction in income tax rates championed by Brownback and passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2012 and 2013.

The continuing shortfalls are forcing the state to spend through its reserves, a strategy that analysts in the nonpartisan Kansas Legislative Research Department say could put the state nearly $240 million in the red by July of 2016.

Paul Davis, Brownback’s Democratic challenger, used the September revenue report to launch another attack on what he calls the governor’s “failed policies.”

“The governor’s economic experiment isn’t working, and it’s not going to work,” Davis said in a campaign news release. “It is damaging our schools, hurting our economy and putting our children’s future in jeopardy.”

Brownback and others in the administration insist that the drop in revenue is temporary and that the tax cuts will transform the Kansas economy if given enough time to work.