Friends:
Welcome the return of the trivia question, now called “Kansas Quiz”.  This section was very popular when I first started the Sharp Record, but became cumbersome to maintain.  For the next two months, my session secretary will be helping out.  Ready, set, go!
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to chair the Committee of the Whole for the first time!  I videoed the session, converted it to a QuickTime, and posted it on the website here: http://stephaniesharp.com/news/stephanie-chair-cow-2-7-07.mov/view.
Also, see my overview of Senator Pat Roberts address to a join session of the KS House and Senate under “Floor Activities”.

Announcements
Floor Activities
Education and Personal Activities
Commerce & Labor
Transportation
Government Efficiency & Technology
Where's Waldo
Kansas Quiz
Resources

Announcements

•    Don’t forget!  Rep. Ron Worley and I are hosting a town hall meeting this Saturday, February 10th at 9:30 a.m. at the Lackman Library on 87th Street, just west of Lackman, on the south side of 87th.
•    Bill Land was a Sharp Shadow this week.  Bill lives just around the corner from me off of 79th Street.  These are Bill’s comments about the program.  I have THREE Shadows next week!
o    “On February 6th I had the distinct honor to shadow Representative Stephanie Sharp as she performed her elected duties.  Stephanie not only met with me to discuss issues of personal interest, she provided the opportunity for me to be on the floor of the House of Representatives while the day's business was being conducted.  Additionally, Stephanie included me in all conversations she had with other legislators, lobbyists and government officials.  She was gracious enough to excuse me from one of her committee meetings so I could attend a Senate Education Committee meeting which was of particular interest to me.  This wonderful program provides a unique opportunity to any constituent that has an interest in the workings of government and all of us are so fortunate that Stephanie has provided this for us.”

Floor Activities
I videoed this presentation as well, but had technical difficulties loading the video…  Next week?
Sen. Roberts asked the legislature to join him in supporting the relocation of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility to Manhattan or Leavenworth, KS.  This is a once-in-a-generation economic development and scientific opportunity that will impact the lives of every Kansan.  The facility would conduct cutting-edge research on food security, both plant and animal.  Kansas is one of 18 locations under consideration for the relocation, which will be announced in summer or fall of 2008, with final construction to be completed in 2013-2015. More than 1500 construction jobs are anticipated during the building process, and it is estimated the facility will bring at least 500 high-paying jobs that will entice Kansas science students and academics to stay in the state.  Additionally, service companies will also grow from the needs of the facility.  All told, we’re looking at a $3.5 billion positive impact on Kansas.
    With the KS Biosecurity Research Institute at K-State and the Life Science Innovation Center at KU, we have proven to the feds that we know how to build this caliber of facility, and to do it on time and on budget.  Moreover, we have the partner facilities ready to go, which would enable the existing outdated facility in New York state to be retired sooner (read: cost savings).
    Roberts is chairing a Blue Ribbon Task Force appointed by Gov. Sebelius to lobby the “deciders” to bring the facility to KS.  The communities of Manhattan and Leavenworth are ready to do their part to cost-share a facility if they are chosen as a site.  The KS delegation is lobbying for both sites, each one having unique qualities that make them ideal of this type of project.  Here’s the shtick:  We’re in the middle of the country.  It takes three hours max to fly anywhere in the country from here to assess threats or outbreaks.  Plus, the bulk of food and animal production and science isn’t in our backyard, it IS our backyard.  It only makes sense to locate a food security facility here.

Education and Personal Activities
Have you been watching the drama about KU Med affiliating with the St. Luke’s system?  I can certainly see both sides, but with friends who have been through med school, it seems to me that expanding students’ access to a wide array of medical cases only serves to benefit each and every one of us.  Some are concerned that state money will go to Missouri.  However, have you heard of a state agency that didn’t hoard every dime they had?  I doubt anyone’s going to let a dime go across state lines, and in fact, it will be the other way around.  The St. Luke’s system will be paying to have those students in their hospitals, and the school will be able to add 100 extra students to yearly enrollment (and their tuitions).
What do you think?

My uninsured driver bill, HB 2378 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2378.pdf) is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday, February 15th at 3:30 pm in room 527-S.

Commerce & Labor
Board of Accountancy bills:  Remember last year the girl who had a undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, but the KS Board of Accountancy would not allow her to sit for the CPA exam because she had six AP credit hours instead of spending those six hours in a college classroom.  The bill to fix that passed the House and Senate, but the governor vetoed it.  The Board worked during the interim to assess their requirements with regard to AP, military credit, CLEP, and other non-classroom credit options.  They presented the committee with their recommendations.  HB 2314 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2314.pdf) acknowledges undergraduate and graduate degrees, and the credit hours accepted by those higher education institutions.  However, it would seem in direct contrast to accepting these hours, the Board still maintains veto power over any credits they don’t like.

HB 2295 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2295.pdf) allows the Real Estate Commission to conduct fingerprint and background checks for real estate license applicants.  I think this is a great idea considering the amount of trust we give these professionals to come into our homes, have access to our financial documents, etc.

HB 2315 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2315.pdf) deals with home inspections.  Especially in an area that is growing as much as ours, it is critically important that home inspectors have some sort of quality oversight so these folks are qualified to do what they do and insurance to back up their assessments, should something go wrong.  I know we have a handful of inspectors that live in our area, and if you have had personal experience, either good or bad with home inspectors, let me know your thoughts.

Transportation
HB 2195 (http://www.kslegislature.org/fiscalnotes/2008/2195.pdf) would increase penalties for pulling out in front of a moving vehicle.  Apparently, in the case of vehicle accidents that result in deaths, there is obviously a concern that the $50 fine for causing the accident is not appropriate for causing a death.  This bill would increase fines such that if you cause an accident that causes $1,000+ in damages, you will see a $200 fine and your license would be suspended for 60 days.  If the driver of the vehicle you hit is injured (any injury, the bill does not define injury), you would be fined $500 and your license would be suspended for 90 days.  If someone in the other car is killed in the accident, your fine would be $1,000 and your license would be suspended for three years.

HB 2119 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2119.pdf) creates an EMS license plate for EMS attendants and license ambulance service operators.  This does not give these folks special privileges, just allows them to demonstrate pride in their profession, and an opportunity for Kansans to thank these brave servants for their hard work.

Government Efficiency & Technology
Overview of the history of telecommunications in Kansas by Nelson Krueger, former director of the KS Telecommunications Consortium.
We held our first bill hearing this week.  HB 2207 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2207.pdf) would require the state develop an online, searchable site for the state’s budget.  This information is mostly online in various department websites, but this would be a one-stop shop for state budgeting information, what’s paid in, from where and whom, and what’s paid out, to where and whom.  While this is a good idea, from looking at the legislation, I have some serious concerns about your privacy as a taxpayer.

Where's Waldo?
•    Am I the only that was praying for the groundhog to be blinded last week?  Don’t know that I’ve ever done that, but man, could we use some sunshine!
•    Met with Sharp Record subscriber and Occupational Therapist, Diane Pickel
•    Met with Dr. Mike Kennedy, who was Dr. of the Day at Capitol, he is also Dean of Rural Health at KU Med.
•    Bill Land, constituent and president of Blue Valley NEA was my Sharp Shadow on Tuesday
•    Met with Carlton McNair with the Silver Haired Legislature
•    Johnson County Public Policy Council reception
•    Kansas Chamber of Commerce annual chamber caucus dinner with speakers Bob Dole and J.C. Watts.  State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins was the emcee, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts and Governor Sebelius also spoke.  Dole and Watts were the highlights of the evening.  Dole was his hilarious, dry-humored self, and Watts was inspirational as I remember.  He was in Washington when I was there, and I’ve been a big fan ever since.
•    Johnson County delegation luncheon sponsored by the county chamber leadership programs
•    Met with Courtney George with the university student advocates
•    Dinner with my alumni representatives from Southwestern College
•    Allison Lockwood with MOCSA, on domestic abuse
•    Mike Patrick and Linda Boring with Community America Credit Union
•    Finney County dinner
•    Lenexa Chamber of Commerce legislative affairs committee
 
Kansas Quiz
Email my session assistant, Mary Koles at maryk@house.state.ks.us to answer the question.  The first correct answer received to that address will win a prize, and recognition with the correct answer in next week’s Sharp Record.

In 1920, “this Kansas company used fifty-nine different kinds of material gathered from all parts of the United States and the world” and manufactured over 450,000 products. Name the company, identify the its product advertised as “Sunshine of the Night,” and give the location of the key room where a key that belonged to the founder is displayed.

Resources
Johnson County Election Office - www.jocoelection.org
Keep Kansas Sharp Blog:  www.keepkansassharp.blogspot.com
Kansas Legislature:  http://www.kslegislature.org
KS Ethics Commission:  http://www.kansas.gov/ethics/
KS Legislative Research:  http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/klrd.html

Next week’s committee schedule:  See anything of interest to you? 
House Agenda: http://www.kslegislature.org/agstat/2007/ha0202.pdf
Senate Agenda: http://www.kslegislature.org/agstat/2007/sa0202.pdf

Please do not hesitate to contact me about these or any other issues of interest to you.  I appreciate the opportunity to represent you in Topeka.

Rep. Stephanie Sharp
17th District, Kansas House
Serving Lenexa and Shawnee
www.stephaniesharp.com
Home:  913-894-1201

Privacy Policy:  I respect your time and the volume of your Inbox.  I appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you in a timely and economical fashion.  This is a privilege I take very seriously.  You have entrusted me with your email address and I vow to you it will not be sold or lent for any purpose other than for the strict use of my email updates.  If you wish to unsubscribe from the Sharp Record, simply reply to this email with "Unsubscribe" in the Subject line.