Legislative Update
Dec. 12, 2007

Did you know that in China there are more than six times as many residents than in the U.S? In a meeting with journalist Ted Fishman I learned many facts about China. Mr. Fishman has written a book called “China Inc.” better get a copy.

A national agenda in China is to move more people to the cities; Mr. Fishman said, “It is the biggest demographic shift in the history of mankind.” People are moving from rural areas to metropolitan areas to work in factories. Cities the size of Phoenix (pop. 2 million) are created on a regular basis and the Chinese consider cities of 1 million to be small.

Other statistics are historic, he said. For example 1.5 to 2 million new jobs are being created every month. Global exports are up $900 billion. Over 125 million new businesses have been created in China compared to 26 million in the U.S. With the influx of new money, the Chinese are looking for economic opportunities, which include buying mid-size businesses in America with the intent to expand them.

I recently attended a breakfast meeting with area Economic Development personnel that was sponsored by The BCC Economic Development & Corporate Services and Frontier Refining of El Dorado. The panelists included David Alfaro from Butler County, Joel Pile City Administrator from Rose Hill, Kim Young Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition and Dr. Kori Gregg Economic Development & Corporate Services of BCC. Moderating the meeting was Mary Moon.

A group of approximately 30 business members, government representatives and a handful of elected officials heard the various missions of each entity and we found there is quite a network of groups that are actively pursuing economic opportunities for Butler County.

Sadly we had a shooting in Omaha last week that left 8 citizens dead before the shooter killed himself. Apparently a troubled youth decided the way to become famous and important was to perform such a terrible act. The Nebraska legislature passed concealed firearm carry legislation on the same day of the shooting. That law is now ready for the governor’s signature.

 According to the Sioux City Journal Dec. 7^th 07, the states law is similar to ours in Kansas as far as background check, training, restrictions and cost. This makes our friends to the North the 40^th state to pass such legislation. One can only wonder if the shopping mall, like many in Kansas will post the “No Firearm” sign to keep the law abiding citizens from carrying their firearms as is allowed by the new state law. The state of Nebraska expects 64,000 people to apply for permits.

One would have to further question; would a lawfully armed citizen have stopped the needless murders? The reports say it took a full three minutes for the  mall security guards to confront the illegally armed and mentally unstable gunman. The sign offers no protection from illegal activity and actually emphasizes that unarmed citizens are the only people welcome in the store. What would have happened in our own Wal Mart, or at a Wichita Mall? What do you think?

In 2006 the legislature changed the responsibility for the arrestee health care from the county to the government entity that initiated the arrest. The result was a significant additional –and unexpected—budget obligation for the municipalities. I have heard from several city governments around the state and they are watching what we do next in an effort to help fix or fund this issue.

Improvements on our El Dorado State Park continue with electrical upgrades in the Walnut River campgrounds. An installation of a heating system in a bathhouse in area #2 will extend the seasonal usage for this area. Remember I told you about the large influx of contract workers several months ago and reported there is a housing shortage? The KDWP is working hard to accommodate these Frontier Refinery transient workers with allowing extended stays in areas formerly closed this time of year.

The KDWP requested and the legislature agreed to reduce the cost of daily admission to the state parks, the result is a 40% increase in attendance over last year. Maybe a good Christmas gift would be a lake Pass for the next season.

This is the time of the year when the governor and staff are preparing the budgets for next year and many of you have offered advice on expenditures and adjustments, I want to share the following.

Estimates for the State General fund (SGF) are developed using a consensus process that involves the legislative Research Department, Division of the Budget, Department of Revenue, and three consulting economists from state universities. The group meets in November to adjust their previous estimates for the upcoming year (FY 08) and provide forecasts for the following year (FY09)

The total tax only receipts for last year (FY07) were $5,394,372,000.00 (billion). This money is added to the various fees we pay to come up with the total income that we can use to pay for the State of Kansas operating expenses. The total budget expenditures authorized by the legislature for last year was $12.625 billion. We expect an estimated 8.1% increases or $456 million for this next year. $13.081 billion.

Cigarette and tobacco taxes amounted to $123 million and liquor tax added $71 million. These make up the “sin taxes”. If wish to ban the use of these legal products we must be prepared to replace the income their taxes produce. I think there can be some savings by eliminating the agencies that collect these taxes, however I seriously doubt a huge savings to the State of Kansas. www.kslegislature.org/klrd.

The session begins January 14^th, 2008,  please feel free to contact me at; Home 1115 Rim Rock Road El Dorado, 67042, 316-321-2087, email: johng@carlisleinc.net, grange@house.state.ks.us,