Long-time legislator sees tough times for '09 session

Grant

Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series on the opinions and plans of area legislators as they prepare to head into the 2009 session of the Kansas Legislature next month.

In addition, readers are cautioned that the following article contains some adult language.

Look for continuing articles in the series in future editions of the Tribune.

By Jason E. Silvers

The Fort Scott Tribune

According to District 2 Rep. Bob Grant, D-Cherokee, the 2009 session of the Kansas Legislature could be the most challenging session lawmakers have faced in several years.

"I think it will be one of the toughest sessions I've seen since I've been up there (Topeka)," the 17-year legislator said Thursday. "It's not going to be fun. We're not going to have money to spend. There will probably be some cuts and some tax breaks. It will probably be a lean, mean session."

Grant used other strong language, which is not printed in this story, to describe challenges that legislators will face in the upcoming session, which he said will focus mainly on a struggling economy and state budget, and the state's ability to fund its various programs.

"The budget affects everything else," he said. "If we don't do something now, then in 2010 we're looking at probably a shortfall of over $1 billion. Everybody hates to see programs cut, and maybe we don't have to cut them. I won't say we won't cut them, nobody wants to, but if we don't, what do we do a year from now? Where's the money going to come from? It's great to get tax breaks, but tax breaks mean a loss of revenue and it just compounds the problem."

Legislators will face a nearly $150 million shortfall in the state budget in 2009, and could face a $1 billion shortfall in 2010 due to a continued sluggish economy.

Grant, a proponent of K-12 education, has said that funding public schools, funding for a new statewide Comprehensive Transportation Plan, and funding for health care, as well as the extension of U.S. Highway 69 south to U.S. Interstate 44, will continue to be top issues in the next legislative session.

Grant said the 2009 legislative session is shaping up to be the most difficult session he has participated in since his first term in 1992.

"That session ('92) was the session from Hell," he said. "We dealt with abortion, the death penalty, and the redistricting of the legislative districts. This year could be the session from Hell, part two."

Concerning budget cuts, funding for public schools across the state could face cuts next year under a proposal by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius -- something that Grant said he does not wish to see happen but may be necessary given the state's current budget situation.

"Education is 65 percent of the budget -- so it just about has to (be cut)," he said. "I don't like to see it. We really need to put more money into education. I've told people in education, 'If you've got any extra money, you'd better hang onto it.'"

The idea of using expanded gaming and casinos as a means of increasing state revenues could once again be discussed by legislators next year, Grant said.

"Reopening gaming might make it a little more viable to bring some revenue into the state," he said.

The continued expansion of U.S. 69 south to I-44 in Oklahoma will also be helpful in growing the economy in Southeast Kansas and drawing more big businesses to the region, Grant said. Other issues that could potentially be up for discussion in the 2009 session include coal-fired power plants as an alternative energy source; illegal immigration reform; and property tax relief, he said.

Ultimately, lawmakers will need to prioritize during the upcoming session with the goal of trying to make the best decisions on where state funds should be spent, and what will work best for the state's budget in the near future, Grant said.

"We need to determine what our priorities are," he said. "We're looking at possibly putting off statehouse renovations. Do we do that or fund the social services budget? This is going to be a tough session."

Funding for public schools and social services, which makes up three-fourths of the state's budget, are both expected to see cuts next year. Higher education is also expected to see cuts in the near future.

The Legislature's attempt to fix the worsening state budget problem will require a bipartisan effort by all lawmakers, Grant said.

"Things are bad, but I don't think we've seen the worst yet," he said. "It's not a Democrat or a Republican problem, it's a state problem. Some tough choices will be made. I just hope to Hell we make the right choices."