Terry L Calloway

Week Four – February 4

Week 4 started with flurries of snowflakes Monday which quickly erupted into a full-fledged blizzard, bringing Topeka to a screeching halt for three days. I hope that all my constituents stayed safe and enjoyed a little down time with their families while school was out. Even though the Capitol looked closed, many of my fellow legislators and I worked. I also saw lots of folks in the Governors’ office. As the Capital reopened Thursday, every Legislator put on his or her track shoes to stay paced with a very packed schedule. I appreciate all who have emailed me with their thoughts and plans are in the works for Town Hall Meetings.

The Budget HB 2014

Next week the House is expected to debate and vote on House Bill 2014. This legislation, as proposed by Governor Brownback, freezes the state budget for the 2011 fiscal year and makes an additional $120 million in cuts and transfers. If passed in its current form, the bill would create a $35 million surplus in the State General Fund for this fiscal year.

On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee scaled back an earlier proposal to cut the pay of state employees by 7.5 percent. The new proposal cuts just the salaries of certain state officials, including elected officials, agency heads, university leaders and state employees making $100,000 by 7.5 percent. I await the final draft before I weigh in on this bill. Please let me know your thoughts and concerns if the pay reduction affects your livelihood. Keep in mind that a dollar saved in the 2011 budget is like two dollars in the 2012 budget making it easier to meet the expected burden.

Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems HB 2088

After serious debate during the 2010 session the legislature approved a one-year ban on municipalities requiring the installation of sprinkler systems. The issue resurfaced this year to remove the one year provision in current law to make it permanent.

The 2011 version, HB 2088, provided one of the first substantive debates in the House this session. It would permanently prohibit cities and counties from adopting and enforcing any ordinance, code or policy that requires the installation of a multi-purpose residential fire protection sprinkler system in a residence. In addition, cities and counties would be restricted from requiring a sprinkler system to be installed before being considered and approved for a building permit.

Although the State Government is concerned for the safety of all Kansan's, requiring citizens to install sprinkler systems walks a fine line on the boundaries of personal freedom. These systems added an unexpected cost to construction projects and the one year reprieve was a positive step. Making it a permanent ban on such a requirement will assure each Kansan that spending money on these types of systems will be their choice. The House debated HB 2088 on Friday, February 4, and is expected to take a final vote on the bill early next week. Always looking for your thoughts on limited government and over burden regulations that prevent your company from being competitive in business.

House Rules HR 6004

The other major issue of note this week was the adoption of House rules. Typically, this is not controversial as the rules are adopted early in the session and without much fanfare. Most of the rules in House Resolution 6004 are technical and merely solidify the long standing practices in the House of Representatives. This year was different though, as the House aimed to craft rules that would alter one of the fundamental rules governing our budget building procedure.

The new rule, commonly known as PayGo, requires any amendment to an appropriations bill to be cost neutral. If a legislator proposes an amendment that requires additional spending, their amendment must also include a way to pay for that specific expenditure. This eliminates the ability for members to propose new spending measures without a viable funding mechanism.

This rule is unprecedented in Kansas, and has never been adopted by either chamber in the Kansas Legislature. The final vote on the HR 6004 is expected early next week. Adoption of the rule is a first step in re-thinking the way we budget as a state. Strained resources will continue forcing us to place an emphasis on prioritization of funds and realistic budgeting practices. PayGo will assist in this regard–and I’m convinced it will have an impact on the way we assemble our state budgets each year. As you remember, I campaigned on ushering in a new era of Fiscal Responsibility in Topeka and look forward to the vote next week.

Bills Being Heard By Committees Week 4

• HB 2129 Healthcare Freedom Amendment (Note: As this bill was being introduced, Florida struck down the federal mandate as unconstitutional that all Americans have to purchases health insurance. This is a victory for our individual freedoms as Americans and support for our state of Kansas entering the federal lawsuit against the National Healthcare Law)

• HB 2039 Extending Smoking Ban to State owned Casinos

• HB 2035 Abortion Regulation - Cosponsor

• HB 2067 Voter Identification Bill SAFE Act - Cosponsor

• HB 2059 Requiring Second Hand Stores to Verify Sellers and Maintain Records

• SB 54 Expanding the Sales of Liquor

Please feel free to track these Bills( http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/year1/measures/ ) as they make their way to the House floor for debate. If you would like an individual meeting, I’d be happy to arrange one or call my office at 785-296-7677 or email Terry.Calloway@house.ks.gov.

Just a reminder that Sunday, February 06, 2011 marked the 100th Birthday of President Ronald Reagan. He was a great “Communicator” to all and changed the course of our country through his wisdom. I take this opportunity to wish this beloved President Happy Birthday.

Thank you for the honor of serving you.

In service to Kansas,
Terry L. Calloway,
Kansas House of Representatives
District 3 Representative

www.terrycalloway.com
www.linkedin.com/in/terrycalloway
www.twitter.com/terrycalloway
www.facebook.com/CallowayForThePeople