Editor’s Note: The following is a report by state Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, on recent action in the Kansas Legislature. Davis was appointed to the Kansas House District 46 seat when former state Rep. Troy Findley left the position to serve as legislative liaison for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Davis’ column will be published online throughout the 2003 session of the Legislature.

The Legislature has returned for its wrap-up session. Most people probably didn’t notice, but the Legislature has been on recess for the past three weeks. During this time, the governor has had an opportunity to review bills that were passed the Legislature and either sign them or veto them. The governor has also been negotiating with legislative leaders in an effort to craft a budget compromise that will end the session. So far, it doesn’t appear that a compromise has been reached.

I’ve remained very busy during this recess period. About six weeks ago, a group of freshman legislators started meeting to discuss the budget situation. All of us were concerned that many immediate needs like K-12 education and social services are not being met by the budget proposals that have been offered so far. We also believe that Kansans deserve an honest solution to the budget problems that exist, not a smoke-and-mirrors solution.

After a number of discussions, we concluded that a tax increase was needed to adequately address these immediate needs and to provide budget stability over the next several years. We began drafting a plan to accomplish this goal. On Tuesday of last week, we announced this plan at press conferences in Topeka, Lawrence and Overland Park. As we worked through this process, I came to believe more and more that this was the right thing to do. Our public schools are really in a state of crisis and there are thousands of people on waiting lists for social services that cannot obtain them because the funding doesn’t exist. These are needs that must be met NOW and cannot wait several years. The quality of our children’s education is being sacrificed because our school district is having to cut important programs and lay off teachers. Our group of 16 freshmen knows that something must be done.

The freshman budget plan was brought up for debate and a vote in the House of Representatives last Thursday. Unfortunately, it failed by a vote of 41-83. We tried our best to present our case for the plan, but it is very difficult to a get tax increase passed when you don’t have the support of the governor or legislative leaders. But the issue is not lost. There has been an outpouring of support from Kansas citizens, editorial writers, social service advocates and education professionals. They know what needs to be done.

I’m very proud of the 15 freshmen who joined me in offering this proposal. We have not given up on meeting the immediate needs that exist in education and social services. We may be forced to wait to next year, but we will be back.