State agencies could move to rural areas

A bill thrown into the hopper would require the Kansas Department of Administration to determine whether any state agencies, or parts of state agencies, could be relocated to rural “economically disadvantaged” areas. If the department determines an office could not be relocated, it would have to publish its reasons.

Under Senate Bill 618 by state Sens. Ralph Ostemeyer, R-Grinnel, and Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, if the department determined that an office could be relocated, then it would have to request information from cities and private entities on the economic feasibility of moving.

Fly away to Manhattan

The Kansas House has approved a bill that will authorize $2 million over two years to help subsidize air passenger service to the city of Manhattan.

Supporters say the legislation is needed because of growth in personnel at Fort Riley, an increase in bioscience research in the region, and the possibility for getting the federal National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

KNEA: Bonus bill would do more harm than good

A bill aimed at providing bonuses for hard to fill teacher positions, such as math and science instructors, was slammed by the Kansas National Education Association.

Mark Desetti, a lobbyist for KNEA, opposed the measure because it would remove the bonuses from the salary negotiating process between school administrators and the teacher’s union.

Plus, he said, the bonuses – up to $1,000 – would do little to recruit and retain teachers in an effort to deal with the state teacher shortage. It would be like “tossing thimbles of water at a house fire,” he said. The measure is House Bill 2870.

Lawmakers seek state debt ceiling

A bi-partisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation that would limit state government debt.

In 1998, Kansas ranked 50th in the nation in state debt at $537 per capita. Now, the state ranks 35th at $1,862 per capita, according to the legislative group.

House Bill 2891 would set the state debt ceiling at 20 percent of the state’s all-purpose, general tax fund. Currently, state debt equals 18 percent of that fund.

The group seeking the limit includes state Reps. Lee Tafanelli, R-Ozawkie, and Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing.

Big deadline coming up

One of the session’s major deadlines – called turnaround – is Saturday. That is when most bills must clear their house of origin to stay alive in the current session.

Certain measures, such as budget and tax bills, are exempt from the turnaround deadline.

But lawmakers will be pushing hard to get their bills approved in the House or Senate to beat the deadline. And since the don’t want to work Saturday, they’ll be trying to beat the deadline by Friday.

Quote of the week

“We should be concerned about Hollywood.”

– State Rep. Peggy Mast, R-Emporia, talking about carbon dioxide emissions from the motion picture industry.

What’s next

1:30 p.m. today and Tuesday: Hearings on House Bills, 2370, 2680 and 2836 dealing with illegal immigration, before House Federal and State Affairs Committee. Room 313-South, Capitol.

10:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday: Hearings on Senate Bill 458, dealing with illegal immigration, before Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. Room 526-South, Capitol on Tuesday; Room 313-South, Capitol on Wednesday.