Friends:
We have two full weeks remaining in the legislative session and we are certainly picking up speed.  Thank you for your words of encouragement and support for the newsletter, it sure makes this more fun to write!  Most of you don’t always agree with me, but I’m glad you stay tuned to get information about state government activities.  If you write with a kind word or comment and no questions or problems, it will probably take me a bit to get back to you.  Constituents with questions/concerns get triaged first!  I appreciate your patience and consideration.

Have a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day - head down to the parade downtown if you can!

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

Announcements
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and this is my annual reminder to get a colonoscopy!  If you are 50+ or have family history of polyps, Crohn’s, colitis, or cols6on cancer, GET A SCOPE.  Welcome to my very own “Katie Couric moment”:
•    I’ve had two colonoscopies.  Getting the IV to knock me out was harder on me than the infamous “night before”.  Trust me, you’d rather do that than go through cancer surgery and treatment.  Plus, coming out of anesthesia is great entertainment for your spouse.
•    Colon cancer IS PREVENTABLE if you catch polyps before they enlarge and become cancerous.  A colonoscopy is both the video camera and the “scissors” that see the polyp and snip it off in ONE procedure.  Flexible sigmoidoscopy only allows the doctor to see half of the colon (the other half is where most polyps form), and if polyps are found, you have to undergo a colonoscopy anyway because the Flex Sig does not have the ability to collect the polyp.
•    More than 90% of colon cancer cases occur in men AND women 50 and over. 

Sharp Shadow
Two weeks ago, Mary Ca Ralstin was a Sharp Shadow, and her email got lost in the shuffle, so here are her comments from the day:
“Spending the day 'on the floor' of the Kansas House with Representative Sharp was enlightening and tiring.  It really was great to see 'my' Rep so involved and respected by her colleagues.  'Turnaround' is a very busy time. 
“One thing I decided I didn't like was 'General Orders'.  This is where the Representatives vote on bills by using a voice vote - one that is not tallied individually so that you can see by the tally board how each rep voted.  They only count if the Chair or another House Rep asks for a decision.  I think that all the votes should be tallied so we can see who voted on what because our Reps need to be held accountable. 
“The tax bills seemed to generate the most discussion and a few amendments followed by the energy bills.  I had to leave when the bill relating to bullying was being debated.  (Personally, I think this should be left to the local school boards as well as some other education issues that are being brought up by conservative legislators who want to run our public schools).  It was good to put names with faces and to see how some of the Reps behave on the floor.  I would encourage all of you to take time and go a watch for a day.  You don't have to sit on the floor to do that - you can sit in the gallery and get a birds-eye view!  I appreciated Representative Sharp allowing me to share her day AND for doing such a great job of representing us.”
 
Floor Activities
HB 2264 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2264.pdf) is a bill I cosponsored to eliminate a tax I oppose for purely philosophical reasons.  Throughout your working life, you pay contribute money to Social Security, in addition to the payroll taxes deducted from your checks.  When you retire you start drawing Social Security because you’ve been paying it all those years.  In 14 states, Social Security income is taxable.  Kansas is one of those.  This bill repeals the law.  Two amendments were added to the bill that significantly increase the cost of the bill but increase the impact for many constituents in the 17th District.  The first amendment eliminates Social Security income from being considered in the income caps for the Homestead tax credit.  If your income is less than about $27,000, you get an additional tax break.  Exempting SS income from that determination brings more people (especially the elderly on fixed incomes) under that umbrella.  The second amendment is targeted to working families.  It increases the Earned Income Tax Credit (the amount a family can deduct from their tax liability) from 15% to 20%, if they earn below a certain income.
Bill passed the House 121-1.  I voted YES.  It is likely the Senate, in conference committee on this bill, will remove amendments added on the floor due to the cost (more than $30 million).

The budget bill was on the House floor on Thursday.  HB 2542 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2542.pdf) took the Governor’s budget (http://budget.ks.gov/gbr.htm) and stripped it down to last year’s funding levels.  Then hearings were held in the six budget subcommittees to determine funding that merited a return to the budget bill.  Now, the bill comes to the floor for those who are not on those subcommittees to propose amendments to the budget.  It’s also a time for “gotcha” votes that you will see on postcards next summer!  Johnson County played defense for most of the day.  Ya gotta love politics.
Interesting amendments to the budget (amendment text in para):
•    KU Med/KU Hospital agreement (http://leg.state.ks.us//2007_2008/HAmendments/year1/FAH2542_Wilk%201st.pdf):  This amendment, to paraphrase, requires the hospital, the medical school, and the Board of Regents to sing Kum-Ba-Yah holding hands around the campfire.  Amendment PASSED onto the bill 70-52.
•    Eliminate funding for the Presidential Primary (http://leg.state.ks.us//2007_2008/HAmendments/year1/FAH2542_Roth%201st.pdf):  I voted YES.  Everyone that replied to that question in the newsletter said NO to this, except one person.  I agree – there are many better ways to spend $2 million.  Apparently many others agreed.  Amendment PASSED onto the bill 85-34.  I voted YES.
•    0-5 health care for children (http://leg.state.ks.us//2007_2008/HAmendments/year1/FAH2542_Ballard%201st.pdf):  This bill increases Medicaid access for families with incomes up to 300% of poverty, which is about $55,000 total for a family of four (if my math is right).  The goal is to cover those who are working, but do not have health insurance, or their insurance does not cover dependents.  Amendment FAILED 55-67.  I voted YES.
o    This was the #1 priority of the KS Health Policy Authority.  You might remember from two years ago that we established this Authority to bring all the health care offices under various other departments into one area.  Their job is to consolidate services and programs, and come up with health care solutions.  We asked, they answered, and we can make a major impact with a small investment.  Additionally, you’re probably tired of listening to me preach about prevention.  Health care access at an early age and creating a medical home (consistent doctor/patient relationship) makes these kids healthier throughout their life cycle, which saves billions (of your tax dollars) in the future.
•    HCBS PD-DD waiting lists (http://leg.state.ks.us//2007_2008/HAmendments/year1/FAH2542_Henry%201st.pdf):  Longtime Sharp Record subscribers will remember the “revolt of 2003” when a group of freshmen, out of frustration with “smoke and mirrors” budgeting,  wrote our own budget that completely funded education, social services, etc.  This is a leftover from those days.  The developmentally and physically disabled can qualify, based on their level of disability, for a variety of services from the state.  For as long as I can remember, folks have qualified for services, but we haven’t put money in the budget to fund them.  Not that we haven’t tried.  Every year there is an amendment to provide services for which needy people qualify, but it doesn’t pass.  Amendment FAILED 53-63.  I voted YES.
•    All day kindergarten (http://leg.state.ks.us//2007_2008/HAmendments/year1/FAH2542_Storm%201st.pdf):  This would provide funding for districts to have all-day kindergarten.  This is available at many of our schools in the Shawnee Mission school district, but most parents have to pay.  For the parents that exceed the income threshold to have “All-Day K” paid for, after paying the fees they usually meet that guideline!  Amendment FAILED 56-61.  I voted YES.
•    Local Option Budget (LOB) (http://leg.state.ks.us//2007_2008/HAmendments/year1/FAH2542_Aurand%201st%20-%20Not%20Adopted.pdf):  Rep. Clay Aurand, Chair of the Education Committee, proposed an amendment to strip LOB funding out of the budget.  This was too close a vote.  Amendment FAILED 47-63.  I voted NO.
•    Johnson County District Judge (http://leg.state.ks.us//2007_2008/HAmendments/year1/FAH2542_Feuerborn%201st.pdf):  This amendment would have removed additional judges placed in overwhelmed areas of the state.  Specifically, Johnson County is set to get another judge this year - the first in ten years.  That’s a population increase of 100,000 people since we’ve had an additional judge!  Again, the bill would have stripped the funding for the new judges out of the budget.  Amendment FAILED 35-72.  I voted NO.
At the end of the day, there were only $5 million in amendments to the bill.
Bill passed the House 79-44.  I voted YES.

Education and Personal Activities
During the 2004 legislative session, the legislature passed a significant bill for school finance.  It included a Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for school districts with housing costs above the statewide average.  Those districts can access additional local control authority to supplement teacher salaries based on the assumption that it takes higher salaries to live in areas with higher housing costs.  This provision affects 18 districts across Kansas, but was put on hold by the court.  At the end of last session, when the court ruled the finance formula was constitutional, they also released the COLA to be used by districts.
Earlier this week in House Education Committee, an amendment was added to a bill that in effect killed access to this local control tool.  The amendment, the creation of Education Committee Chairman Clay Aurand (R-Courtland) and proposed in committee by Rep. Marti Crow (D-Leavenworth), reduced local control authority under the COLA from 5% of a district’s operating budget to 2%.  The underlying bill (SB 69 http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/69.pdf) is important because it changes the requirements to access the COLA. 
Under current law, a district must be at their LOB (local taxing authority) maximum percentage.  However, it doesn’t make sense that you have to max out on one tax to utilize another, and SB 69 changes that statute.  We need the underlying bill, but with the amendments, the bad outweighs the good.  Other options are on the table for the intent of SB 69, without the amendment, and we will continue to work on that issue.

Commerce & Labor
HB 2561 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2561.pdf) makes a few minor changes to real estate licensing and examination criteria.  The biggest change moves the post-license exam to a pre-license exam.  The bill would also require a 30-hour practice course.  This would apply to new applicants only.

SB 33 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/333.pdf) is the Fairness in Public Building Construction Contract Act.  If you remember SB 33 from a few years ago, it established the fairness act in private building.  The bill requires public entities to “prompt pay” on public construction projects.  Many times, public units will shore project money in time-based savings, similar to CDs to gain interest on investments.  As you can imagine, this causes a liquidity issue when bills are due to contractors.  The bill requires payment within 45 days of the invoice date.  If you are one of the many builders receiving this, you will want to read the briefer: http://www.kslegislature.org/fiscalnotes/2008/333.pdf

Transportation
SB 211 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/211.pdf) is essentially the same as the under-18 primary seatbelt legislation we passed before Turnaround.  The statistics for deaths of unbelted teens are off-the-charts, mostly because teens represent only 7% of drivers in KS, but 20% of motor vehicle crashes.  This bill is a compromise to a primary seatbelt law for all drivers.  The fine in the House bill is increased from $10 (current law) to $60.  The Senate bill maintains the $10 fine.  We heard testimony from Lakin Texhorn (sp?) from Smith Center, who happened to be in Topeka with her class.  She came to listen to this hearing because last year, she was unbelted, ejected from a vehicle, and unconscious for more than a week.  She supported the bill and encouraged a higher fine.

SB 294 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/294.pdf) is the same graduated driver’s license bill as I reviewed a few weeks ago with a minor change.  The Senate version allows teens to drive before 9 pm if it is to/from a school-sponsored activity or a religious activity.
The supplemental note for this bill is much more helpful than reading the actual bill: http://www.kslegislature.org/supplemental/2008/SN0294.pdf

Government Efficiency & Technology
We heard testimony from five physicians concerned about the KU Med/St. Luke’s affiliation.

Where's Waldo?
•    Johnson County delegation luncheon sponsored by the City of Shawnee and Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
•    Embarq dinner
•    Meeting with DeSoto School District delegation (sort of – we were on the floor all day and I happen to run into the group on my way into the Capitol that morning!)
•    PAGES!!   “The Alexes” came again this year – Alex Kuhn and Alex Heinrich with Alex #1’s mom, Shawnee City Councilwoman Dawn Kuhn.
 
Kansas Quiz
Last Week’s Question:  A top amateur player in the 1950s and 1960s with a lifetime record of outstanding service to the golf industry, this native Kansan is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the first woman elected president of USGA.  Who is she?  What is the name and purpose of the $50-million initiative the association implemented under her leadership?  What is the title of her autobiography?  Bonus/tie breaker question:  Name the amateur who turned pro during her tenure as president and report where he will be March 15-18, 2007.

Winner and Answer: Dave Fairchild of Shawnee wins credit to shoot two buckets of balls at the Tomahawk Hills Golf Course driving range.
Judy Bell; “For the Good of the Game” – grants to introduce golf to nontraditional players: youth, minorities, disabled; Breaking the Mold; Tiger Woods - Arnold Palmer Invitational, Orlando, FL.

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.

Question: This historic road, a memorial to World War I, passed through Kansas.  What was it called?  Over time, it became what highway?  Eventually, sections of this road were incorporated into what highway?  In the early days, what could a traveler expect to find at the Kansas City Camp?  Where was it located?

Resources
Find your long lost CASH!!! http://www.kansascash.com/prodweb/up/disclaimer_page.php
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
Johnson County Election Office - www.jocoelection.org
Spring Primary Election information:
Voter Look-Up:  See your sample ballot!
Advance Voting starts March 27th:
    * March 27 - March 30
          Tuesday - Friday     9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    * March 31
          Saturday     9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    * April 2
          Monday     9:00 a.m. to noon

Johnson County Statehouse Hotline!  Call Topeka for free – 913-715-5000 and ask to speak with your Representative or Senator.

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.