Friends:

We completed the Freshman Budget Proposal and are getting ready to break for lunch.

Here is the latest:

1.  Motion to reconsider the dedicated funding for education passed 63-58.

2.  That amendment got 63 votes and a Roll Call vote was ordered.  After that was called, the landslide started - once folks knew they were going to be on record for this vote, they wanted to vote the right way.  We won the amendment 111-13.

3.  Rep. Faber arises again...  He tried AGAIN to prohibit cities and counties to raise a sales tax for their schools, and it PASSED.  We decided we would work to remove the amendment later and that the underlying bill and the amendments that already passed were great, so I supported the final plan.

4.  Final vote:  After a long morning and some fantastic work by Reps. Bill Kassebaum and Tom Holland who carried the bill, it failed by a vote of 41-83.  THIS IS NOT A DEFEAT!!!  Our goal with this was to start the conversation.  We got some VERY good Roll Call votes on education issues that we can call on those people again, and besides that ------ we started with 17 Freshmen legislators and ended up with 41 votes.  That is a HUGE victory, and a crucial stepping stone in the process.

Again, please do not be discouraged.  The talk is out there, we have recorded votes, we have support for education.  Patience is the key (yes, I am trying to convince myself!).

Will drop another line later in the day with more updates!

Friends:

A lot to say!

Gambling
1.  Well, the bill passed - to be honest, there is so much junk on it (that includes good junk and bad junk) that I should have sent out an entirely separate email when it was fresh in my mind!  The amendment that was introduced was a slots-at-tracks program, then everyone started to "Christmas tree" it.

2.  One amendment dedicated a significant amount (20 percent, which was later increased to 30 percent) of the proceeds to teacher salaries, I supported that, it passed.
3.  Another amendment dedicated 25 percent to the judiciary system.
4.  I am anxious to see the summary tomorrow because there is SO much on there, I think about 125 percent of the proceeds ended up being dedicated somewhere!
5.  It passed General Orders and will be up for Final Action tomorrow.

Budget bill

1.  Amendment failed to add $50 to the base for this year and SRS funding (part of the Freshman budget plan) for this year by vote of 61-62.

2.  Capital Outlay!!!!!!!  Here's the story - Capital Outlay was added into the Omnibus budget plan in conference, and there was an amendment to remove it, which failed.  There were a couple of other attempts to remove it and limit it, all of which failed.  So, since that brings so much to the Shawnee Mission School District, I will vote for the overall bill because of this.  Yes, there are a couple of bad ideas in here (see #3 for a perfect example) but the benefit for USD 512 is too good to pass up.

3.  Income tax refund delays...  This is pretty bad policy, I voted to get it out of the bill, but the amendment failed.  So, if it stays on through conference, I would encourage you to file your taxes early next year!  Again, this is a decision where you have to weigh the good and the bad, I'll hold my nose if this provision remains to the next stage.

4.  The budget passed by a hairline vote of 63-61 on General Orders and will go to a final vote tomorrow, then it goes to conference.

Looks like we are done for the day - a 14 hour day isn't that bad for veto session.  Then again, it has only just begun (last year I remember them doing 2, 3, and 4 am!).
More tomorrow - I hope multiple emails doesn't annoy anyone, but these are busy, crazy days, so I am trying to do play-by-play for you.

Until then, sleep tight!