Welcome to our online chat with state Rep. Lee Tafanelli about legislative issues.

The chat took place on Tuesday, December 12, at 1:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Welcome to our chat today with state Rep. Lee Tafanelli, a Republican from Ozawkie.

Lee, thanks for being with us today.

Lee, a lieutenant colonel in the Kansas National Guard, is the commander of the Iola-based 891st Engineer Battalion. He resigned his legislative post when the 891st was to go to Iraq. The battalion arrived in Iraq on Jan. 5, 2005, and returned shortly before Christmas.

On Monday, Lee was sworn back into his legislative post and he’ll represent the House 47th District.

He serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

We already have several questions in the hopper, so we’ll go ahead and get started.

Lee, Lawrence: Thank you for serving our country on so many different levels. Bill 2293 is in the appropriations committee and is vitally important to officers working with inmates in county jails across the state, so they can have a retirement system much like the KDOC has for their officers. What are your thoughts about the bill and do you support it? Thank you again for your service.

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: I have not had an opportunity yet to read through that bill and I’ll look forward to reviewing it. If you want to contact me sometime down the road, I will look forward to sharing my thoughts on it as it comes forward through the Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Lee Tafanelli, hugs his children, Francesca, 9, and Nick, 12, before swearing-in ceremonies on Monday in the Kansas House of Representatives chamber in Topeka. Tafanelli is a Republican from Ozawkie in Jefferson County. A lieutenant colonel in the Kansas National Guard, he recently returned from Iraq.

Scott, Wichita: You seem to have an amazing “leadership profile.” Are there any similarities between leading 600 troops in Iraq and leading 125 House of Representative members through a difficult legislative session?

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: Although I’m not in legislative leadership, leadership is leadership. If you surround yourself with good people, give them clear guidance and the resources needed, then you should get out of their way and let them accomplish their mission.

Ann, Topeka: First of all, welcome back “stateside” and thank you for your service.

State employees would like to see step increases [which haven’t been given for the last FIVE years] be paid. Will you work to get those restored? It would be a economic boost for ALL 105 Kansas counties, and would improve morale. Thank you.

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: The issue of pay raises, in the last five years, we’ve had very tight budgets. I have supported pay increases for state employees. State employees do a tremendous job in taking care of the business of the citizens of Kansas. And I have not crawled through the entire budget the governor has recommended, but I do believe there is a 2.5 percent pay increase for state employees for this year and I’ll do what I can to see if we can’t get that supported.

Don – Lawrence: Are there any plans to give KPERS retirees a COLA this year? It has been over 10 years since they have had a raise. Why can’t the COLA for the retirees be tied to the COLA for state employees instead of being voted on (down) every year?

• Audio excerpt: Rep. Tafanelli talks about school finance

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: The issue with COLAs for retirees, it has been a very long time since we have done one. The tremendous cost that is associated with those COLAs, because it is ongoing each year, makes it tough to do in economically challenging years. We have, in previous years, done a 13th check for retirees.

DAVE – OSKALOOSA: Lee, so glad you are home safe and thank you for all you do for us. My question is, do you see the state of Kansas as becoming a leader in wind production on a small or community wind farm level? Thanks again.

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: I believe Kansas ranks in the top three or five states in terms of wind production potential. My personal opinion is I think we will see as we look at alternative forms of energy an increased need for wind generated electricity and I think you will see that will have a positive impact at the small farm level as far as large wind generation farms.

Justin, Lawrence: Do you feel that the Patriot act is needed, and does it violate The Constitution?

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: Yes I feel that it is needed. And no, I don’t feel that it currently violates the constitution. In light of the global war on terrorism, there has to be ways that we can intercept both communications and also come up with better ways that we can protect our country from terrorists. And I believe that the Patriot Act has provided those in law enforcement and those that we rely upon to protect us to better prevent an attack on our country. I believe that there is enough congressional oversight to periodically review the Patriot Act and to ensure our constitutional rights are not violated.

Scott, Topeka: How high did the temperatures get in iraq and did you lose any weight over there?

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: It gets in excess in the summer of 130 degrees. And, like everybody else, I did lose some weight.

Mary/Overland Park: My understanding is that there are two state juvenile offender facilities that are vastly underpopulated, with little reduced cost to the taxpayers. Is their a plan for consolidation or elimination?

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: There has been a shift in the juvenile correctional facilities in terms of the number of juvenile offenders around the state. That is an issue we will be looking at during the budget process as we review it with the Public Safety Committee, of which I am a member.

Ryan, Lawrence: Welcome back. Glad your safe. Could please tell us how the Legislature, given the issue of education funding could have an impact on the South Lawrence Trafficway? Thank you for your service.

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: The education funding still needs to be resolved.

We have the Legislative Post Audit study that was released this week that calls, in some cases, maybe up to another $400 million in additional spending and as we look at not only education but all of the other issues from across the state in the budget process we will look at how we prioritize the many requirements that we have against the limited resources available.

One issue, education, has constitutional implications and the Supreme Court involvement, and the other one doesn’t.

Ray, Overland Park: What pro-life legislation, in addition to the abortion mill safety regulations, can we look forward to seeing passed this year?

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: I’m not sure what will come out of the Legislature this year, with regards to specific pro-life legislation. Each year we see a couple of bills that usually make it through the House, then make it through the Senate and are vetoed by the governor. And I think you will probably see some of that similar legislation this year. I don’t think we will see anything new or different than what we have seen in the previous couple of years.

I try not to predict what the Legislature will or will not do. This being an election year, you just do not know what will happen in the Legislature.

Bob, Ozawkie, Kansas: You have a solid reputation as a legislator and a high profile in the news as a Lt. Col. in the Kansas National Guard. With all the pluses you have in your corner, are you planning to seek the Republican nomination for Governor. If not, you should. Please consider it.

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: I appreciate the vote of confidence and support, but I am very happy serving as state representative for the 47th District. I have no other plans other than to continue to do that. But I appreciate the vote of confidence.

Perry, Kan: Do you support legalized abortion? If so, under what circumstances?

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: I am profile. I believe that every life is important. And I think that we should take every step possible to find ways to minimize the number of abortions and find ways for adoption and other means, without having to resort to abortion.

Perry, Kan: Do you support prayer in public schools?

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: Do I support prayer in public schools, yes. Is it mandatory, no.

Perry, Kan: Should the state constitution be amended so that the Kansas Supreme Court has no jurisdiction over school funding?

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: I believe that it is up to the Legislature to determine suitability of education, as what’s called for in the constitution. I do not necessarily believe that we need to have a constitutional amendment specifically limiting the court from that. I believe the same thing could be accomplished by the Legislature taking some of the ambiguity out of the term suitable, and defining what a suitable education is.

Moderator: That was our last question of the day.

Lee, I’d like to thank you for taking part in today’s online chat. And I’d like to thank our readers for all of their questions today.

Rep. Lee Tafanelli: I’d like to thank everybody for asking the questions. If I misunderstood the question or didn’t provide enough information, please feel free to contact me and I’d be happy to visit with you about any other specific questions you may have, questions or concerns.

My e-mail is tafanelli@house.state.ks.us

My phone number is 785-296-1754.