News from Kansas State Representative Ken Rahjes
Hello from Topeka. This week we do a deep dive into the proposals in crafting the 2023 budget. Over the next few weeks, members of the Appropriations Committee will hear from budget committee chairs on what the agencies and other government offices would like for the next budget to include. We are already in the fourth week of this legislative session and there has been so much going on that this is the first column of the year. I continue to serve as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and am a member of the Appropriations Committee and Higher Education Budget Committee.
Kansas Hero and Statesman Laid to Rest
Last week, a beloved Kansan, former U.S. Senator Robert Dole was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. His burial site is on a hill overlooking the U.S. Capitol. Dole was eligible for an Arlington site because of his World War II service as a member of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division. Kansans had the opportunity to honor and remember Dole on December 11, both in Russell and at the Statehouse. Dole’s political career started in the Kansas House, with his election in 1950. He served a two-year term (1951-52) representing Russell in what was then District 81. At that time in Kansas history, the Legislature met every other year. He was assigned to the Assessment and Taxation, Gas and Oil, Military Affairs, and Soldiers’ Compensation Committees. His seating assignment was seat 124 in that era’s seating arrangement.
Major Economic Development Legislation Considered
Also this past week, the House Committee on Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development heard SB 347, known as the Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion (APEX) Act. APEX would ensure that companies make a minimum investment in Kansas of $1 billion over a five-year period and in exchange, would grant tax incentives to those companies. The Department of Commerce has announced that Kansas is one of two finalists for a $4 billion, 3 million square foot advanced manufacturing facility that would employ 4,000 people and create 16,000 temporary jobs during construction. SB 347 retools the current Kansas tax incentives in an effort to win this megaproject, as well as attract others in the future.
Republicans are working to incorporate accountability and safeguards into the bill, so that this economic development initiative is not designed solely for one company but is instead designed to drive economic development across the board. The tax giveaways to attract APEX projects should help all Kansas companies—not just one—with a measured corporate tax reduction. Finally, the property tax component of the bill must be addressed to ensure local control so that economic development incentives offered by the state do not place an added tax burden on local residents and local business owners.
Governor Vetoes Fair and Balanced Congressional Map
Last Thursday, Governor Kelly vetoed the Congressional Map, known as Ad Astra 2, that had been passed by an overwhelming majority of the Legislature. Unfortunately, partisan politics tend to emerge when it comes to redistricting. Under federal law, the legislature is tasked with adjusting Congressional district boundary lines every 10 years based on U.S. Census population data. The purpose is to make sure every American has equal representation by having districts with an equal population size.
The Governor has indicated that she does not want Wyandotte and Johnson split into separate Congressional districts. However, population growth in those two counties make it legally impossible for Wyandotte and Johnson to be wholly contained in one Congressional district.
“This isn’t the first time the legislature has had to step up to protect Kansans from Laura Kelly’s partisan agenda,” said House leadership. “It is no coincidence she pulled out the veto pen just hours after the ACLU told her to. It’s clear she is beholden to New York special interests. The legislature is bound to do what is best for Kansans and we won’t back down from that responsibility."
Congressional maps must undergo court review, providing a check and balance for Kansans that the map is drawn fairly and that it does not disenfranchise minority or other voting populations. The Legislature is expected to take up a veto override in order to move the process forward.
House Republicans Propose Plan to Stabilize KPERS
House Republicans have proposed HB 2561 to utilize some of the state’s budget surplus to stabilize the KPERS retirement fund, ensuring it will be there for our teachers, our firefighters, and other public employees when they need it. The plan would appropriate $1 billion to the KPERS Trust Fund, which would:
• Bring KPERS above the 80 percent funded level, a goal in ensuring the stability of retirement systems.
• Lower future costs for taxpayers by reducing the amount needed for the state’s share of employer contributions, saving the taxpayers $82 million in Fiscal Year 2023 and $429 million over the next five years
• Fully fund 2017 and 2019 payments, paying off layering payments, and eliminating the annual $25.8 million payments on delayed employer contributions
HB 2561 will be heard in the House Insurance and Pensions Committee on February 9.
If you would like to contact me: my office is still located in Room: 149-S. My phone number is (785) 296- 7463 and email is: kenn.rahje@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at (785) 302-8416.
It is my honor to serve you.
