Document Actions
February 20, 2004
ssharp@ink.org
Friends:
Just a reminder that tomorrow is the Overland Park Chamber’s Eggs and Issues breakfast, 7:30 am at the Ritz Charles (137th and Antioch), and the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Polar Plunge at Shawnee Mission Park… Where I will be a “celebrity” judge, but will not be taking any personal plunges – don’t know about you, but I’m trying to AVOID getting sick!
Personal Activities and Education:
Many of you shared your concerns about the alternative education plan that I brought to your attention last week. {If you are VERY new to the Sharp Record, this plan involves funneling $100 million of KPERS funds through the Base State Aid Per Pupil (BSAPP) to increase the overall level of the BSAPP so as to give us a little more Local Option Budget (LOB) authority.} Many of you “called a spade a spade” and I agreed that this is just more smoke and mirrors that could jeopardize both the KPERS fund, and indeed, our local schools.
This concept is not yet in bill form, but I wanted to let you know the word is out, before the proponents try to sell it as “pro-education”. Will keep you up-to-date as this issue progresses!
Floor Activities:
Bills of note that were passed:
- Increasing the maximum level of small claims court cases from $1800 to $4,000. This has not been done in 10 years, and will help lift some of the burden on the courts! Passed 112-11.
- Licensing Athletic Trainers. Passed 92-31.
- Removing requirement for resident insurance agents to carry Errors and Omissions coverage. Rationale: Most insurance companies require their agents to have this coverage, and they can get it through the company. E&O is very difficult to acquire in Kansas anyway, and non-resident agents are not required to keep it by KS statute, so agents who ARE residents are currently at a disadvantage. Passed 110-12-1.
Commerce and Labor:
More Worker’s Compensation. Lots of trial lawyers, a couple of businesses. Looks like we’re set to vote on this Monday.
Health and Human Services:
I chaired the committee on Thursday! Chairman Morrison rotates the Chairman role to different members of the committee so they learn how to run a committee. I held hearings on some very simple bills pertaining to mortuary arts. We should really try to avoid these issues in an after-lunch committee!!
There is a lot of contention on the inhaler/epi-pen bill. We did not pass the bill out of committee, but have decided to work on a resolution encouraging school districts to update their policies, because many school districts (including Shawnee Mission) already allow students to carry meds if their parents and doctors authorize.
Insurance:
Bill requiring insurance companies to provide claim data to businesses – this means names and medical information! We have some SERIOUS privacy and HIPAA-related concerns on this one.
Thursday’s committee was certainly interesting. I am sure the press will be reporting about Representative Patricia Barbieri-Lightner’s handling of the committee. You may remember we had an issue in that committee last year as well. All I will say right now is that I was embarrassed by her actions and you would be too. Stay tuned.
Ethics and Elections:
Not much new, some inconsequential bills – but we like those in this committee… Ethics bills are notoriously difficult to manage on the House floor because the amendments are never-ending!
Resources
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:
Senate (page 6): http://www.kslegislature.org/cgi-bin/getfile.cgi/agstat/2004/sa0220.pdf
House (page 5): http://www.kslegislature.org/cgi-bin/getfile.cgi/agstat/2004/ha0220.pdf
LIVE! Paperless House Health and Human Services Committee (1:30 – 3:00 pm daily):
http://www.kslegislature.org/committeeminutes/03-04/house/hhealth/h_hhs.shtml
- See and hear the committee in action, read agendas and testimony for the day
- You see everything I do!
LIVE! House or Senate Chamber:
http://www.kslegislature.org/currenthappenings/index.html
Where’s Waldo (Rep. Sharp)?
(Besides session and committee meetings 9am – 5 pm)
- Monday, I had my mom, and one of my supporters, Kent Baker, and some Boy and Girl Scouts from United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in town for a Capitol Tour and Dome Tour
- Lunches:
-
- Freshman briefing on the KS Board of Regents
- Johnson County Delegation meeting sponsored by the City and Chamber of Overland Park
- KS State Libraries
- KS Contractors
- Annual dinner with the Governor at Cedar Crest
- Salvation Army breakfast
- Meeting with representatives of the DeSoto School District
- Meeting with Shawnee Mission gifted students and their sponsor, Joe Spease
- 4 one-on-one constituent meetings
- Shawnee Mission Gifted Students visit
- Receptions
-
- KS Car Dealers
- Washburn University
Question of the Week!
Last Week’s Question: What territorial governor of Kansas’ name was used as another state's capital city?
Answer and Winner: Jason Brandenburg of First Tier Financial in Overland Park had the first correct answer: James Denver served as a territorial governor in the 1850s.
NEW QUESTION: This is for you city buffs out there – from Sheila Shockey of Lenexa:
What city hired the first female city manager? (HINT: They have a female city manager today.)
Stephanie Sharp
17th District, KS House
Serving Lenexa and Shawnee