1/18/10 Rep. Wetta Legislative Report

FROM THE STATEHOUSE - Vince Wetta Report

Vince Wetta, Representative, 80th District * 1204 N. Poplar * Wellington, KS 67152 * 620-326-5205 (home)

Sumner & Harper Counties

FUTURE NEWSLETTERS

Due to the cost of sending newsletters by mail, this e-mail will continue to be used to communicate with constituents. Please share this with friends and we will send this to anyone interested. My address and phone numbers may change. The e-mail address in Topeka is the same, vince.wetta@house.ks.gov.

We are off and running in 2010. This is expected to be the most challenging session since the Great Depression. We anticipate a $400 million shortfall in the budget for 2011. Even after five rounds of crippling budget cuts, revenues are still too low to keep the state operating at current funding levels.

The next few weeks will be extremely busy as bills are introduced and committees begin their work. Complete daily calendars are available at www.kslegislature.org along with other useful information.

I am privileged and honored to be your voice in the Kansas Capitol. If I can ever be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at home or in Topeka.

Governor Parkinson’s State of the State

On Monday, Governor Mark Parkinson delivered an unique State of the State address. In the few short months since he’s held the office, Governor Parkinson has proved time and time again that he does business differently from any governor we’ve had in the past. During a year of unprecedented economic challenges, this is both refreshing and appreciated. Our state is in too much financial trouble to waste time on partisan politics.

In his speech, Governor Parkinson outlined his legislative agenda and a specific FY 2011 budget proposal. Included in his budget recommendations was a revenue package. Although discussions about taxes are never popular, Governor Parkinson proposed a budget that he believes will see this state through this financial crisis in the most responsible way possible. Governor Parkinson made it very clear that he is open to new ideas and I look forward to working with him and my other colleagues to find the best solution possible. I have received numerous letters both for and against any tax changes. The main thing I need to communicate is that we have a long way to go on this issue. In the end, no one will get everything they want and I will vote for what is best for the 80^th District and the state of Kansas.

The Governor announced the creation of a statewide task force to further grow green jobs in Kansas. Finally, he announced his support for the establishment of a “Rainy Day” fund, which would require the state to set surplus money aside in good economic times, helping avoid budget shortfalls such as the one we currently face. I will have more information on these initiatives throughout the session as we move through the committee process.

FY 2011 Budget Debate Begins

State revenues have declined four straight years; this has never happened before. There have been five rounds of state budget cuts in the last 18 months, equaling a total spending cut of $1 billion. The consensus revenue estimating group is predicting yet another $400 million shortfall in the next fiscal year.

A review and trimming of state government services and programs is both healthy and necessary. It is critical that we be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. However, we are long past the point of “trimming the fat.” An additional $400 million in cuts to state services would severely impact every Kansas citizen. This is about public school teachers being laid off, offenders released early from prison and with no supervision, skyrocketing tuition for college students, to name a few. These are not abstract “what ifs” on the distant horizon. This is where we are today.

Legislator Furlough Proposal

This week, a furlough package was discussed as a means of saving the state money. If it passes, lawmakers in both houses will be furloughed without pay during the next three Fridays of the session. The legislature will formally adjourn on Thursdays and resume on Mondays, though some legislators may work in committee meetings during the adjournments. In addition, a 5 percent pay cut for legislators will be discussed and a roll back of a recently passed $116 daily food and lodging allowance to the previous $109 a day level.

The Legislature needs to play by the same rules as every other state agency. As we work through this budget crisis, we need to lead by example and our own budget is the best place to start. However, I also think this is a bad time to take off work. The challenges we face this year are unprecedented, and our constituents elected us to be engaged Monday-Friday for the duration of the session. I am committed to working for you every day of the week, regardless of whether I get paid or not. I would gladly give up a part of my pay to help close the budget hole and will vote to do so, but the truth is our pay isn’t that great and this would be more a symbolic than a substantive proposal.

Energy Committee

Most Committees did introductions and informal work last week. The Energy Committee was off and running. We saw a presentation on CO2 capture and using the Wellington oil field to store the carbon. This field has been studied and is an excellent candidate for this storage. The oil field was discovered in 1922 and there were over 134 wells, there are now 44 active wells. The field is owned by Berexco. In the formations of Arbuckle and Mississippi, there is the capacity for 30MM tons of CO2. With the federal government’s possible incentives and support, this sequestration has the potential of becoming a major industry in Kansas. Being on this Energy Committee and also the Joint Committee with the Senate on Energy and Environmental Policy gives me the chance to be involved in all of this.

Keep in Touch

It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 7^th Floor, Docking State Office Building, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7665 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at Vince.Wetta@house.ks.gov. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.

In Closing

As you can see, we have our work cut out for us over the next few months at the Capitol. The time has come to lead a real conversation about the challenges and responsibilities we face in Kansas. Vigorous debates lie ahead, but our most passionate debates are usually the most important. I welcome your feedback on these important issues or any other issue that impacts you and your family. This is the time for legislators to put aside political labels and do what’s best for Kansas. With hard work and dedication, we will transform the challenges of 2010 into new opportunities for 2011 and beyond.

Useful Numbers and Resources:

The following is a list of the numbers I receive the most requests for during the legislative session. You can find these as well as many others online at http://da.state.ks.us/phonebook. I hope you will find this information helpful.

Adjutant General: Department on Aging: Attorney General:

785.274.1001 800.432.3535 785.296.2215

Better Business Bureau: Child/Adult Abuse Hotline: Child and Family Services:

785.232.0454 800.922.5330 785.296.4653

Commerce: Consumer Protection: Crime Tip Hotline:

785.296.3481 800.432.2310 800.572.7463

Crime Victim Assistance: Driver’s License Bureau: Gov. Kathleen Sebelius:

800.828.9745 785.296.3963 800.748.4408

Kansas Health Wave: Highway Road Conditions: Housing Hotline:

800.792.4884 800.585.7623 800.752.4422

Insurance Hotline: Kansas Lottery: Legislative Hotline:

800.432.2484 785.296.5700 800.432.3924