Week 4 of legislative session

The legislative session is in full swing with the completion of its third full week. For me personally, it was a very busy week. On Wednesday morning I had two gifted students shadow me at their request. They were Jamie Barnes from Oskalosa High School and Eli Johns from Iola High School. I also had two personal pages, Lauren Rockhold and Ashley Nietfeld from the Uniontown school district spend the day with me. They were accompanied by Lauren's parents, Randy and Tina Rockhold.

On Wednesday I also enjoyed the presence of Danny Ellis, Fort Scott, President and Chris Ellis, Kansas City, Executive Director of the Ellis Foundation as my special guests for the day. The day was filled with many opportunities for them to observe, share and be recognized.

On Wednesday evening I had the thrill of attending the K-State / KU basketball game in Manhattan with several other legislators.

Attorney General Six

Pledges to Lead

With Integrity

I attended the ceremony as Stephen N. Six was sworn in Thursday as the 43rd Attorney General of Kansas. He pledged to lead the Attorney General's Office with integrity and independence. Prior to being appointed Attorney General Six served as a District Court Judge in the Seventh Judicial District. He also has extensive experience in complex litigation and trial work.

Happy Birthday,

Kansas!

On January 29th, Kansas celebrated its 147th birthday, complete with cake and singing! It was a special treat to have so many visitors -- especially students -- in the Capitol this week. Renovations of both House and Senate chambers were recently completed and are proudly showcased. I encourage you to visit the State Capitol if possible. The building is open from 8 a.m. -- 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with free tours conducted by the State Historical Society throughout the day. Please call (785) 296-3966 to schedule a tour.

"Eight Wonders

of Kansas Unveiled

Kansas is a beautiful state with many amazing places to visit. Now, the top eight attractions of the state have been determined by both Kansans and visitors from across the country. On Tuesday, the "8 Wonders of Kansas" were unveiled, based on a vote of more than 24,000 people from all 50 states. They are as follows:

* Big Well, Greensburg

* Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, in Barton and Stafford counties

* Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Abilene

* Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, Hutchinson

* Kansas Underground Salt Museum, Hutchinson

* Monument Rocks and Castle Rock, Gove County

* St. Fidelis Catholic Church (Cathedral of the Plains), Victoria and

* Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County.

Kansas Sampler Foundation sponsored the contest. The foundation's mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture. Governor Sebelius announced the winners to an audience of several schoolchildren at the Capitol for Kansas Day events.

New Program to Expand Opportunities for Seniors

and Disabled

Last summer, three state agencies Kansas Health Policy Authority, Department on Aging, and Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services began participating in the "Money Follows the Person" initiative. This federal program aims at promoting community-based care, leaving consumers happier and costs lower.

Many seniors and disabled individuals resent forced transitions to institutional settings such as nursing homes, group homes or state hospitals. Unfortunately, this becomes the primary care solution because too many family members and consumers are not aware of alternatives. "Money Follows the Person" aims to remedy this problem. Over the next four years, SRS and the Kansas Department on Aging will move 934 people -- all on Medicaid -- out of institutional care and back into the community. Medicaid will fund consumers' cost of living in the community just as it covered cost of nursing home care, only for much less.

Kansas Ranked 20th

in Health Care Reform

The Commonwealth Fund (a nonprofit organization devoted to improving health care access, quality and efficiency) recently released a state-by-state comparison of key health-care components. Kansas ranked No. 20 on the list. As legislators continue to examine health care reform this session, studies such as the Commonwealth scorecard provide legislators with helpful, objective information about Kansas' strengths and weaknesses.

Smoking Ban Proposal

Introduced in the Senate

Voters would decide in the November election whether to ban smoking in all public places in their county, under a proposal introduced this week in the Legislature. The measure was introduced in the Senate Judiciary Committee. A hearing is expected in the next week or so.

Highway Funding

State and national highway officials say that policymakers need to figure out new ways to raise money to build roads -- including the possibility of a mileage tax. Lawmakers of the House and Senate Transportation and Tax Committees took no action, but were briefed on inadequacies in the current motor fuels tax to keep pace with transportation needs.

Adjutant General Says Kansas National Guard

Needs Equipment

Our National Guard is still struggling with a shortage of large equipment for training exercises and needs an infusion of manpower to better prepare for active-duty deployments and disasters. "It's getting better," said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the state's adjutant general and director of homeland security. "We're simply not where we need to be."

Energy Bill

Perhaps the most significant event of the week, legislative wise, was the introduction of a bill in both the house and senate that would essentially reverse Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Rod Bremby's decision to reject the expansion of two 700-megawatt coal-fired plants near Holcomb, Kansas. The Secretary cited concerns about carbon dioxide emissions and global warming in his reasoning. Supporters of the expansion say the units will rank among the cleanest coal-burning plants in the nation and provide an economic boost to western Kansas. Opponents decry the environmental and health effects from 11 million tons of annual carbon dioxide emissions, while 85 percent of the energy produced by the plants will be transmitted to out-of-state customers. For months, it has been a highly anticipated topic of the 2008 legislative session. The bill will be discussed at length next week.

Prepare Now: Digital TV Will Soon Be Required

by Federal Law

A law passed by Congress in 2006 will dramatically impact the way 150,130 Kansas residents view television, starting in 2009. On Feb. 17, 2009, television stations across the country will complete a federally mandated transition from analog to digital television (DTV) broadcasting. Consumers have much to gain from this, including more free channels, better sound and enhanced pictures. However, 150,130 Kansas households that currently receive free, broadcast television signals through antennas and do not pay for subscription television service -- will risk losing their reception altogether unless that take easy steps to upgrade.

Keep in Touch

It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and need your input on the various topics facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 760, Docking State Office Building, Topeka, Kansas. 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7698 or call the legislative hotline at (800) 432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at palmers@house.state.ks.us.

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