Senate talks KPERS, taxes, liquor laws

Because of the Martin Luther King holiday, the week of Jan. 16 was a short one at the Capitol.

Nearly all committees met this week and the bill action is nearly back up to speed. We passed two bills out of Education with favorable recommendations and held hearings in Transportation and Taxation committees on various bills.

In Education and on the Senate floor, we honored the 2012 Teacher of the Year Team. What an impressive group of young teachers. Kansas truly has some outstanding teachers. In the Joint (Senate and House) Kansas Public Employee Retirement committee, we heard the KPERS Study Commission's report outlining their plan to address the funding problem with our state's pension plan.

In Taxation, we also heard a presentation by Dr. Art Laffer, economist, on behalf of the governor's proposed new taxation plan. Redistricting and Medicaid reorganization continue to be discussed in their appropriate Senate committee.

Other issues:

* Talking about taxes: Taxes have been the focus of discussions and committee meetings as the legislature begins to review various proposals related to income, property and sales taxes in Kansas. Arthur Laffer, a nationally-known economist who served as an adviser to President Ronald Reagan, visited the Statehouse this week to speak with legislators about the governor's tax plan.

The governor's plan would reduce the state's income tax rates from 6.45 to 4.9 percent, and from 3.5 percent to 3 percent. The plan would also eliminate state income taxes for most small businesses in Kansas and broaden the tax base by eliminating certain income tax deductions and itemized deductions. Taxes will remain an important part of the discussion this session as we work to bring more jobs and economic growth to our state.

* Liquor laws: Two proposals were introduced at the Statehouse this week that would make changes to the liquor laws in Kansas. One proposal, similar to a bill considered by the legislature last year, would allow grocery stores and convenience stores in Kansas to sell full-strength beer, wine and spirits. Under the new bill, the state would have three classifications of liquor sales. Class A license holders would sell beer only; Class B holders would sell wine and beer; and Class C holders would be able to sell beer, wine and spirits. Grocery stores and convenience stores would be eligible to apply for Class A and Class B licenses under this proposal. Another proposal introduced this week would allow liquor store owners to host taste tests in their stores similar to taste testings offered at wineries.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Kansas, the State Library now offers a unique historical database called "Kansas History: Territorial through Civil War years, 1854-1865." The online database offers nearly 200 historical documents, including personal narratives and memoirs, pamphlets and political speeches, sermons and songs, legal treatises and children's books. Find the database online at www.kslib.info.

Editor's Note: Sen. Bob Marshall, R-Fort Scott, 13th District, can be reached at Room 135 E State Capitol; (785) 296-7370, or email Bob.Marshall@Senate.ks.gov