On Monday, June 1, the 101st day of the traditional 90 day legislative session, the Senate debated a plan for six hours that would have taken away most sales tax exemptions to plug the $400 million budget hole. The biggest of these exemptions go to non-profits, schools, local government construction, and business inputs like parts[…]
Author: carolyn-mcginn
May 21 Update
First of all, congratulations to all of the graduates of 2015. It’s a great time of year for families, teachers and students to get together and recognize our common commitment to education. Trying to ensure that every kid–urban and rural, wealthy and poor–has access to an equitable public education in Kansas is something that many[…]
May 5 Update
The regular session of the 2015 Kansas legislature ended on April 2. Before adjourning, the Kansas Senate passed a budget that included a deficit of over $600 million over 2 years, based on the current year revenue shortfall and revenue forecast. I voted NO on this budget. The State of Kansas has been teetering on[…]
Preliminary Summary of Legislation – 2015 Kansas Legislature
The following Summary of Legislation Summaries are the most current publications and should provide you with more information about current legislative rulings and processes. 2015 Preliminary Summary of Legislation-Supplement 2015 Preliminary Summary of Legislation
March 18 Update
Education Block Grant – H Sub for SB 7 After announcing and rushing through a new education formula a week ago Friday, the motion to concur on H Sub for SB 7 was up for a vote in the Senate Monday. H Sub for SB 7 was announced at a press conference on Friday morning, March 6th,[…]
March 6 Update
As of late last Thursday, the legislature has reached the traditional mid-point of session known as Turnaround. All bills that have passed the House or Senate will now go to the other chamber for hearings and scrutiny. Any bill not heard on the chamber floor is dead unless it was introduced in an exempt committee[…]
February 18 Update
By the end of this week, the legislature will be one week away from “turnaround,” the traditional point at which legislation needs to have passed the House or the Senate to be considered by the other chamber. There are always exceptions to the rule, often including major legislation decided in the dark of night like[…]
February 10 Update
I have visited with a lot of constituents who have said: “surely, the legislature won’t change the city and school board elections to partisan elections?” Well, the horse is out of the gate…. Testimony needed ASAP today for Senate Bill 171, which would move local and school board elections to November and make them partisan.[…]
February 9 Update
We have begun our fourth week of the 2015 legislative session. Legislation has been introduced in committees and public hearings have been held, but no major legislation has been passed. By the time you read this article, the legislature should be starting an awkward transition from a waltz to the polka. One of the first[…]