IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2008

For More Information, Contact:
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
Office of Speaker Melvin Neufeld
Director of Communications and Caucus Information
785/296-2302

SPEAKER: NO VETO OVERRIDE OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS ACT

Topeka – Kansas House of Representatives Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) announced today efforts to override the Governor’s veto of House Bill 2412 will not be undertaken during the Sine Die session on May 29th.

"Scheduling conflicts of a number of House and Senate members and circumstances beyond our control make it impossible to attempt an override of the Economic Stimulus bill," Speaker Neufeld said.

Neufeld said the veto of the economic stimulus package is a tremendous setback for Kansas and will impact billions in development investments. But the Speaker pledged the House is committed to working with the private sector to encourage activities that will provide long term economic benefit for the state including the establishment of a state energy policy.

"An overwhelming majority of Representatives and Senators serving all 105 Kansas counties voted in support of comprehensive energy legislation this session," Speaker Neufeld said. "Our legislative efforts received broad based support from a large coalition of key business, agriculture and labor organizations. They came together to encourage legislation that would return regulatory certainty to Kansas, enable the development of reliable and affordable electricity, promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, and encourage job growth and investment."

He said a sound energy policy will ensure Kansans have a reliable supply of electricity at an affordable cost which is needed to grow the state’s economy.

Neufeld said other action taken by the House during the 2007-2008 legislative term will benefit all Kansans.

"We accomplished a number of good things. Tax relief for Kansas families and businesses; funding of the school finance plan through 2010; funding social services waiting lists; continuing our course to reform our state’s health care system and holding the line on new spending are just some of the highlights," Neufeld said.

Lawmakers return for Sine Die on May 29th at 10:00 a.m.

-30-