2008 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

BUDGET:  To provide Kansans with a balanced budget that slows government growth and spending, stabilizes the state budget, and expands transparency in state spending.

• Limit increases in state spending to 5%.
• Establish a Budget Stabilization Fund.
• Expand state budget transparency.

TAXES:  To provide sound tax policy for Kansas businesses, families and property owners that makes Kansas more competitive both nationally and globally.

·        Establish a “Back to School” sales tax holiday.

·        Resolve the tax issue with Missouri for taxes paid by those who work across statelines.

·        Restructure the state’s Corporate Income Tax Rates and Corporation Tax Credit Plan.

HEALTH CARE:  To improve affordable access and services to all Kansans; to relieve the burden of increasing premiums for individuals and small businesses; and to promote Kansans’ personal management of their health care dollars.

• Continue health care reform including various KHPA recommendations.
• Support tax incentives for small businesses that provide or expand 125 plans to their employees.
• Pass the Healthcare Tax Equity Bill to provide uniform tax treatment to all Kansans for health related expenses.
• Improve portability of health insurance coverage by extending state COBRA policy from six to 18 months of optional coverage.

IMMIGRATION:  To relieve the burden of the cost of state services for illegal aliens on Kansas Taxpayers; to ensure state and federal immigration laws are enforced; and to assist legal immigrants to assimilate into the Kansas culture and economy.

• Impose civil and criminal penalties on any illegal alien who registers to vote and/or votes in an election and on those who knowingly register an illegal alien to vote.
• Enforce federal law that denies public benefits to illegal aliens.  
• Enhance the penalties of Dealing in False ID Documentation (KSA 21-3830).
• Withholding state funds from organizations and businesses which knowingly violate Kansas immigration laws.
• Establish penalties for any business found to have knowingly employed an illegal alien or failed to comply with federal law regarding verifying an employee’s legal citizenship/work status.

EDUCATION:  To ensure our public schools, vocational schools, community colleges & universities’ continue their high standards of education and workforce development.

• Restructure education programs at vocational schools, community colleges and universities focused on meeting the needs of the Kansas business community.
• Establish a uniform budgeting and reporting system for Kansas school districts with emphasis on budget transparency.
• Stabilize in-state tuition to encourage attendance at Kansas universities, colleges and vocational schools.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM: To encourage our state’s entrepreneurial spirit by utilizing our natural resources, history and people; to encourage private sector job growth; and to establish a state energy policy.

• Focus on workforce development programs that meet the ongoing needs of the Kansas business community and ensure efficient use of state and local resources.
• Establish a Rural Development Commission to assist economic development and growth in rural Kansas counties
• Develop a state energy policy that includes a balance of baseload energy, renewable energy, and conservation efforts; and is based on sound scientific and economic analyses that carefully address costs and benefits.

ELECTIONS/CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM:  To bring more credibility to the electoral process and to ensure every qualified Kansan's vote is counted.

• Constitutional Amendment to change how vacancies of statewide offices are filled.
• Require disclosure of taxpayer-funded lobbying.
• Expand Satellite Voting Statewide in Kansas.
• Require Voter Photo ID.
• Require Campaign Finance Reporting during 10-day period prior to elections.

CRIME/PUBLIC SAFETY: To equip law enforcement agencies and prosecutors with the necessary resources to better enforce tougher penalties and protect citizens and to ensure the Kansas Judicial System serves all Kansans.

• Increase penalties on personal felony crimes.
• Automatic prison sentence dedicated to an Alcohol/Drug Treatment program for those who are sentenced to a fourth or more DUI.
• Reform the judicial selection process for appellate court judges.

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