For a day when there wasn’t a lot of action at the Capitol, there’s lots of news to catch up on from Monday. Here’s a look at what you may have missed but need to know from the start of the fourth week of this year’s legislative session.
Governor defends reamortization
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday defended her plan to refinance payments into the state pension fund to a group of retirees attending a rally at the Capitol on Monday.
Facing widespread opposition from Republican lawmakers, Kelly once again explained how the restructuring plan is intended to level out the payments into the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System and give the state a sustainable and stable payment schedule into the future.
The plan frees up $145 million this year, but also is expected to cost the state about $7.4 billion more in interest over the life of the new payment schedule.
Here’s coverage from John Hanna at The AP, WIBW, and KWCH. And there’s this story from McClatchy on the Kelly honeymoon with the Legislature coming to a quick end less than a month into the session.
Hunting fees dead
This idea got slammed dunked quickly. On Monday, Sen. Dan Kerschen, chairman of the Senate agriculture committee, quickly killed a bill that would have raised the cap on hunting and fishing license fees.
The Garden Plain Republican told news outlets that he didn’t plan to even give the bill hearing although the legislation only authorized an increase in fees.
The bill drew serious opposition after it was first reported by the Topeka Capital-Journal last week. Here’s coverage on Monday from the C-J and the Wichita Eagle.
For what it’s worth, here’s the bill, the fiscal note and the accompanying statement from the wildlife department saying it had no immediate plan to raise fees even if the legislation had been approved.
Substance abuse plan gets nod
The Topeka Capital-Journal is reporting that the House corrections committee on Monday approved a bill that would expand a substance abuse treatment programs for anyone convicted of a felony for distributing controlled substances. The program depends on the Legislature approving Gov. Laura Kelly’s budget recommendation to fund the program with $1.1 million. Here’s the fiscal note on the bill if you’re interested in knowing more.
Highway plans in the works
Lawmakers are having bills crafted that would fund a new multi-year transportation plan. Proposals include raising the gas tax by 3 cents over three years, raising fees on oversize vehicles and charging a registration fee for alternative-fueled vehicles. The goal is to start discussions in the Legislature about how a new state transportation plan might be funded.
Washington Days keynote speaker
Democrats on Monday announced that U.S. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana would be their keynote speaker at the party’s annual Washington Days gathering March 1 and March 2 in Topeka.
Tester, just starting his third term in the Senate, will speak at the Washington Days banquet on the night of March 2. He will be joined at the banquet by Gov. Laura Kelly. Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers and Congresswoman Sharice Davids will speak at the luncheon earlier in the day on March 2.
Tester may be most known for winning elections in a red state as a Democrat, a theme familiar to Kansas Democrats. He just won a third term in a state that went for President Donald Trump by 20 points two years ago.
