January 24, 2002

 

Hearings were held in the Senate Ways and Means committee yesterday and today
on the recision bill (SB 385) proposed by Senators Kerr and Morris.  Both
Secretaries Schalansky and Hubbell gave compelling testimony concerning the
idea of a 2% cut in their budgets this late in the fiscal year. And the
resulting cuts that will occur next year.

Education, both K-12 and Universities will also weigh in their concerns.

SB 385 will also impact foster care, general assistance and other "poor"
groups.

In fairness, the bill will add a combined total of about 22 million for
caseloads for next year, but then imposes that 2% cut.  Senator Morris
believes this is better than the Governors Budget. (Understand he is
referring to the Budget the Governor had to submit, not his recommended
proposal.)  If this bill does not pass, Sen. Morris proposes to start from
that "deep Cuts" budget the Governor submitted according to law.

In the mean time, in an effort to get support for SB 385, the Assessment and
Taxation committee is recommending a tax on cigarettes and alcohol that would
raise about 86.7 million and would give the money to K-12 education.  In
combination with the Kerr Morris proposal, SB 385, It would then in effect
not require the 2% cut from education, but would continue the cut in Aging
and SRS.

We believe the intent is to gain votes from Senators who are pro education so
that they can pass SB 385.  We are not against education, but believe if
taxes are to be raised, they should benefit everyone.  That is what the
Governor's plan does.

ACTION:
- PLEASE CALL ALL SENATORS THIS WEEKEND AND ASK THEM NOT TO SUPPORT SB 385.  IN SPITE OF WHAT THEY ARE BEING TOLD, IT WILL HAVE DEVASTATING IMPACTS ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIOR SERVICES.  WAITING LISTS WILL FREEZE, SENIOR STATE FUNDED SERVICES WILL BE CUT IN HALF.  PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT 385!

 WE ESPECIALLY NEED TO TALK WITH REPUBLICAN SENATORS ON THIS.

AS FOR SENATORS WHO SIGNED THE "NO NEW TAXES" PLEDGE, WE WANT TO KNOW IF THEY ARE HOLDING TRUE TO THEIR PLEDGE OR NOT. IF THEY ARE, THEY CANNOT VOTE FOR THIS BILL.  IF THEY ARE NOT, THEN ASK THEM TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNORS PROPOSAL FOR MODEST TAX INCREASES.

THOSE SENATORS ARE:
STAN CLARK, OAKLEY

NANCEY HARRINGTON, GODDARD

TIM HUELSKAMP, FOWLER

NICK JORDON, SHAWNEE

BOB LYON, WINCHESTER

KAY O'CONNER, OLATHE

ED PUGH, WAMEGO
ROBERT TYSON,PARKER

PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK AND LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY TOLD YOU.  WE ARE COUNTING VOTES!

THANKS,
GINA