The final public forum for the south central delegation is set for April 25, shortly before lawmakers return to Topeka for a wrap-up session.
The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the City of Wichita Water Center, 101 E. Pawnee. Lawmakers from the area will be on hand to discuss the session, which is scheduled for first adjournment by Saturday.
Legislators will return to the Capitol on April 29 for a veto session.
TOPEKA – There is a joke around the statehouse that nothing ever dies under the dome.
That seems to be true for efforts to pass a statewide smoking ban which could be debated for a second time in the Senate on Tuesday.
A few weeks ago the issue seemed finished after Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee, decided not to vote on the original bill after several days of hearings.
Following the typical progression of a bill, the matter was dead.
But there are ways around almost any obstacle – such as inserting the smoking ban into House Bill 2221. Originally, the measure dealt with child care.
Now the measure would bar smoking in most public places.
By putting the language in to a measure that has already passed the House, Senators are able to bypass the committees.
If it does go to the House floor, the measure is likely to be sent to a negotiating committee were six lawmakers – three from each chamber – will work out a compromise.
TOPEKA – The Senate quickly restored $1.2 million to its budget proposal on Tuesday to help provide health insurance to low- and moderate-income children.
The money will help expand eligibility for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to families making 250 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $55,000 annually for a family of four.
The amendment offered by Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, takes the money from the state’s Children Initiative Fund.
“What better use for the children of this sate than to provide them with health insurance?” Vratil asked.
The additional money will open coverage to about 8,000 more children.
The amendment passed on a voice vote.
The Senate is debating a budget proposal which spends $5.71 billion in state general fund and totals $13.3 billion when all funds are added together.
TOPEKA – The Senate is expected to debate its budget proposal this afternoon.
Monday evening, the House gave initial approval to a proposal that added more than $12 million in spending to a plan that originally spent $5.76 billion in state funds.
Both budgets are for fiscal year 2010, which begins July 1.
The House’s plan included modest cuts to kindergarten through 12th grade education but deeper cuts elsewhere. The Senate’s plan also includes minimal cuts to education.
The Senate’s plan recommends spending $5.71 billion in state funds and would leave $241.1 million in state coffers when fiscal year 2010 ends.
The Senate’s plan current recommends transferring $6.5 million from special revenue funds for doctor training in Wichita.
The Wichita Center for Graduate Medical Education could also receive an additional $6.5 million from federal stimulus funding if the money is available through the Kansas Health Policy Authority under the Senate plan.
TOPEKA – A proposal that will require women be allowed to see ultrasounds or hear a fetal heart beat before receiving an abortion is on its way to the governor’s desk.
On Tuesday, the Senate pasted Senate Bill 238 on veto proof margin of 32-6. The bill applies to all abortions.
“It gives her full information on the reality and status of her pregnancy and of her unborn child so she can make the best possible decision voluntarily and through informed consent,” said Sen. Mary Pilcher Cook, R-Shawnee who supported the bill.
In addition to allowing women to see images of an unborn child, the measure would also require all sites providing abortions to post a sign reading:
“Notice: It is against the law for anyone, regardless of their relationship to you, to force you to have an abortion. By law, we cannot perform an abortion on you unless we have your freely given and voluntary consent. It is against the law to perform an abortion on you against your will. You have the right to contact any local or state law enforcement agency to receive protection from any actual or threatened physical abuse or violence. You have the right to change your mind at any time prior to the actual abortion and request that the abortion procedure cease.”
For more, read Wednesday’s Wichita Eagle.
Idea behind Senate Bill 208 is to help save the state money by eliminating the death penalty.
As the lawmakers are debating the issue, they frequently reference a 2003 study that showed it was more expensive to prosecute capital punishment cases.
Here is the document they are talking about: Death Penalty Costs.
TOPEKA – The full Senate is scheduled to debate a proposal to abolish the death penalty this afternoon.
The chamber convenes at 2:30 p.m. and the Senate Bill 208 is the only item set for discussion.
The measure would abolish the death penalty for cases sentenced after July 1, 2009. Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, proposed the bill as a cost-saving measure.
Supporters of abolishing the death penalty maintain that the cases are costly and do not deter crime.
The state reinstated the death penalty in 1994. While there are currently 10 men on death row, the state has not executed anyone since 1965.
Leaders on both sides of the aisle have said they don’t have a feel for how the votes might turn out.
The debate will be broadcast over the web, a link is at the Senate’s web pages.
For more on the debate, keep checking Wichitopekington for blog updates.
The Senate will debate a measure to abolish the state’s death penalty on Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, said the issue was the only item scheduled for debate that day.
Senate Bill 208 would abolish the death penalty for cases sentenced after July 1, 2009.
The proposal comes from Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, who says all cost-saving measures should be considered while the state faces a budget crunch.
Opponents of capital punishment say the death penalty is expensive and does not act as a crime deterrent.
Supporters of the death penalty say the decision should not be based on cost alone.
It the measure were to pass the Senate, it would still have to clear the House before heading to the governor’s desk. Time could be a problem. Lawmakers only have three weeks left in this year’s session.
Here are some of the hearing scheduled in House and Senate committee meetings for next week. The list is preliminary and can change.
With four weeks left in the session, more of the action has shifted to debates on the House and Senate floor.
The House and Senate each publish daily calendars listing the hearings scheduled for the week and what bills might be debated in the chambers. The calendars are posted daily on the Kansas Legislature website.
March 9-13
Tuesday
House Health and Human Services, 1:30 p.m., room 531-N: testimony from supporters of SB 25, which would ban smoking in most public indoor spaces.
Wednesday
Senate Transportation, 8:30 a.m., room 136-N: hearing and possible vote on HB 2143, which creates a graduated driver’s license for teen drivers.
House Health and Human Services, 1:30 p.m., room 531-N: testimony from opponents of SB 25, which would ban smoking in most public indoor spaces.
Thursday
Senate Judiciary, 9:30 a.m., room 545-N: hear testimony on SB 279 which would increase the mandatory minimum jail time to10 years for people convicted of involuntary manslaughter while driving drunk.
TOPEKA – The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee could vote on three bills this morning that would impact how and where Kansas purchase alcohol.
The proposals are:
Senate Bill 213, which would expand the currently allowed beer gardens at special events to encompass larger areas and sell alcohol.
SB 212, which would allow wineries to ship directly to private residences.
SB 76, which would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell full strength beer.
If the measures are approved, they will be sent to the full Senate for a debate.