Web posted
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Group wants to limit spending
By JOHN HANNA
Associated Press Writer
TOPEKA -- A group hoping to limit increases in state spending set its own spending target Tuesday, and it's more conservative than others already outlined.
The Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity wants to limit the growth in spending financed by the state's general tax dollars to 3.5 percent. Director Alan Cobb said such a figure is in line with inflation, plus the state's annual population growth.
''It's just managing the budget a little bit better,'' Cobb said. ''And we are asking legislators to make a few more difficult choices about duplication and overlap.''
The state expects to pay for about $6.1 billion in spending during the current fiscal year with general tax revenues. The total budget, including federal funds and special fees, is more than $13 billion.
Cobb said that in a few weeks his group will outline a proposed ''model'' budget, showing legislators how they can achieve its target.
The Americans for Prosperity proposal would require some trimming if the state were still to keep promises to public schools and other programs made in recent years.
Those promises would require the state to increase its spending of general tax revenues by almost $241 million, or about 3.9 percent, during the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
But the Americans for Prosperity proposal would set the targeted increase at about $214 million. The difference is about $27 million.
Before the session began, House Republicans set a target of 5 percent growth. That's an increase of $306 million.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposed budget proposal recommends a 4.6 percent increase overall, or about $282 million.
''The budget that the governor submitted for fiscal year 2009 is quite lean,'' Budget Director Duane Goossen said.
Plan for illegal Immigration
Sen. Peggy Palmer, an Augusta Republican, has introduced legislation that she is calling the Kansas Illegal Immigration Relief Act.
Her measure would make it illegal under state law for employers to knowingly hire illegal immigrants. It would require them to use E-Verify, a federal database to check whether a person is legally allowed to work and has a valid Social Security number.
The bill also would restrict public assistance for illegal immigrants to what is required by federal law -- public schooling, emergency medical care and immunizations.
In addition, the bill would repeal a 2004 law allowing some illegal immigrants to pay lower, in-state tuition rates at state universities, community colleges and vocational-technical schools. Immigrants can qualify if they have lived three or more years in Kansas.
Four other Republican senators are sponsors: Jim Barnett, of Emporia; Tim Huelskamp, of Fowler; Phil Journey, of Haysville; and Ralph Ostmeyer, of Grinnell.
Energy legislation
Legislators in both chambers are working on bills to help a utility build two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.
But they're not sure how the measures will deal with a regulatory decision blocking the plants' construction.
Sunflower Electric Power Corp. wants to build the plants next to one it operates outside of Holcomb.
But in October, Health and Environment Secretary Rod Bremby denied a permit for the $3.6 billion project. He cited their potential emissions of carbon dioxide, which many scientists see as a major contributor to global warming.
House GOP leaders hope a bill will be ready this week.
Asked how the measure would deal with Sunflower, House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, an Ingalls Republican, said: ''I don't think I'm prepared to talk about that right now.''
Senate President Steve Morris, a Hugoton Republican, said his chamber will consider an identical bill. But it probably won't be ready until next week, he said.
Health care legislation
With health care a big issue this year, Kansas legislators have kicked off their own fitness challenge.
The goal is to get legislators to exercise 30 minutes a day, four days a week, for six out of the session's 13 weeks.
A legislator who exercises 30 minutes a day -- or walks 10,000 steps -- gets 10,000 points. Losing a pound or more a week is worth 1,000 points for each day of that week. Eating a portion of fruit is worth 500 points.
Last year, about two dozen lawmakers participated. Rep. Tom Hawk, a Manhattan Democrat who helped organize this year's challenge, said he hopes between 30 and 50 lawmakers will participate this year.
Higher power state motto
HIGHER POWER: Rep. Jim Morrison is suggesting that the state create a special license plate containing the national motto, ''In God We Trust.''
The Colby Republican said he's acting on an idea presented by his neighbors, who would like a
chance to buy such a plate. Other specialized plates -- extolling a favorite university, for example -- cost $40.
Morrison took his suggestion to the House Transportation Committee, and it agreed to sponsor a bill.
He wasn't worried that the proposal will attract criticism that it represents state government's endorsement of a particular religion. He noted that the same motto appears on American money.
Under the dome
Tuesday was the ninth day of the legislative session, out of 90 scheduled. ... Abortion opponents and abortion rights supporters marked the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
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