March 7, 2017 By Anthony Hensley

RELEASE: Stop making Brownback relevant, start working with Senators in both caucuses

For Immediate Release
March 7, 2017

The following statement is attributed to Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley:

“Today’s debate on the Governor’s tax plan is just another exercise in futility and a clear indication the Senate President and Majority Leader do not have a plan of their own. Until they realize that they need a bipartisan coalition of 27 votes to pass a tax plan, the political gridlock and games will continue.

“I call upon the President and Majority Leader to stop making the Governor relevant and to start working with Senators in both caucuses to pass a tax plan with 27 votes.”

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March 6, 2017 By Anthony Hensley

EDITORIAL: We have to get school funding right, right now

The following editorial is attributed to Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka:

Last week, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled on the adequacy portion of the school finance lawsuit. Their decision confirmed what we already knew: Kansas schools are significantly underfunded, threatening the quality of education our children are receiving wherever they may reside in our state.

In my response to Governor Brownback’s State of the State Address on January 10, I said, “I believe the task of creating a new school finance formula should’ve started already since the temporary two-year block grants will expire at the end of this school year.”

In fact, in 2015, shortly after the enactment of the block grant system, I requested an interim School Finance Formula Study Committee. Knowing this system of school funding would be temporary and inadequate, I proposed that the committee be responsible for reviewing Kansas school finance formula history, analyzing other state’s formulas, and discussing things to consider for a future formula. My request was denied.

Instead, Republican leaders approved an interim committee that discussed topics related to K-12 education, but provided no constructive recommendations for a school finance formula to replace the block grant system.

I also said on January 10, that “a new formula must provide adequate and equitable funding so as to end the school finance litigation we have endured for entirely too long.” Yet, there has been no discussion of a school funding plan in the Kansas Senate this session.

With the deadline set by the Kansas Supreme Court of June 30 looming, Governor Brownback and Republican legislative leaders must stop playing political games. It is time to get serious about fully funding our children’s and grandchildren’s education.

You’re only in first grade one time. You’re only a senior in high school one time. We have to get this right, and we have to do it right now. The future of Kansas children depends on it.

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March 2, 2017 By Anthony Hensley

RELEASE: We have to get this right, right now

For Immediate Release
March 2, 2017

The following statement is attributed to Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley:

“Today’s decision confirms what we already knew – Kansas schools are significantly underfunded, threatening the quality of education our children are receiving wherever they may reside in our state.

“In my response to Governor Brownback’s State of the State address on January 10, I said, ‘I believe the task of creating a new school finance formula should’ve started already since the temporary two-year block grants will expire at the end of this school year.’

“I also said on January 10, ‘a new formula must provide adequate and equitable funding so as to end the school finance litigation we have endured for entirely too long.’

“Now, more than ever, Governor Brownback and Republican legislative leaders must stop playing political games and get serious about fully funding our children and grandchildren’s education.

“You’re only in first grade one time. You’re only a senior in high school one time. We have to get this right, and we have to do it right now. The future of Kansas children depends on it.”

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February 20, 2017 By Anthony Hensley

NEWSLETTER: Capitol Comments – February 20, 2017

Capitol Comments – February 20, 2017

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As we begin “turn around” week, legislators have one question on their mind: Will Governor Sam Brownback veto the tax plan that passed with bipartisan support last week?

On Friday, the Senate considered the House tax plan, Substitute for House Bill 2178. After about an hour of debate, the bill passed 22-18. Since it was not amended, the bill now goes to the governor’s desk. He has told the news media that he will veto it, but he could also let it go into law without signing it. If he vetoes it, the Legislature could override it with a 2/3 majority vote – 27 in the Senate, 84 in the House.

I voted for this bill because I believed it was the next best option after the Democrats’ plan. It is the first step in ending the governor’s reckless policies and putting Kansas on the long road back to fiscal responsibility.

February 23 is the deadline for most bills to clear their house of origin. With a few exceptions, bills that do not make it out of their first chamber will remain in committee and are considered “dead” for the session. This means the Senate will be busy all week working bills on the floor to get them over to the House.

It is truly an honor to serve you. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 785-296-3245 or by email at Anthony.Hensley@senate.ks.gov. Or, stop by my legislative office located in room 318-E of the Statehouse. I also encourage you to follow me on Facebook.com/SenatorAnthonyHensley.

Sincerely,

Anthony Hensley

Senate Democratic Leader

In this issue:

Senate Republicans kill tax plans
Senate approves tax plan, sends to governor
Budget update
Bills of interest
Honoring Bob Chipman
Democrats to gather at Washington Days

Senate Republicans kill tax plans

At the beginning of last week, members of the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation rejected the tax plan proposed by Governor Brownback. The plan did not make it out of committee, making it so it will not be considered by the Senate as a whole. The governor’s plan included tax increases on alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco products. His plan is now considered “dead.” (Read more here.)

Debate resumed on the Senate floor Thursday with consideration of the Senate Democrats’ tax plan. It would have generated enough revenue to end the self-inflicted budget crisis while holding low income Kansans harmless and guaranteeing hardworking Kansans would pay less than they did in 2012.

Debate lasted about half an hour with no comments or amendments from Republicans. The bill failed to receive enough votes to make it to final action, which is the last vote on a bill required to get it out of the chamber. In other words, the only reason Senate Republican leadership brought our plan to the floor was to kill it. (Read more here.)

SENATE APPROVES HOUSE TAX PLAN, SENDS TO GOVERNOR

The Senate continued work on a tax plan Friday morning with consideration of House Substitute for House Bill 2178, the tax plan approved by the House without debate earlier in the week. After more than an hour of debate, the bill passed 22-18 with bi-partisan support. I voted for it.

While I believe the plan we offered was the best option, it did not have the bi-partisan support it needed. I supported this bill because it was the next best option. It puts Kansas on the long road back to fiscal responsibility. It repeals the LLC loophole, which exempted 330,000 Kansans from income taxes. It also removes all future formulaic reductions to income tax rates, putting an end to Governor Brownback’s “march to zero.” Additionally, it restores the medical expense itemized deduction to 100% and protects the mortgage interest deduction at its current level.

This bill also maintains the low-income tax exemption for Kansans earning less than $5,000 a year, and adds a third income tax bracket, making it so more pay their fair share.

Our work to right the wrongs of Governor Brownback has only just begun. The damage done by the reckless policies of our governor will not be fixed overnight, but the passage of this tax plan is a step in the right direction.

BUDGET UPDATE

Now with a tax plan passed, the focus will turn to filling the budget hole for the current fiscal year. As you may recall, debate on the Senate’s rescission bill was canceled after Republican leadership determined it did not have the votes to pass. The Senate Committee on Ways & Means has yet to send another option to the floor.

The House, however, passed a budget fix late last week that relies on liquidating a state investment fund (known as the Pooled Money Investment Portfolio, or PMIP) in its entirety to fill the $350M budget hole. Relying on these funds eliminates the need to make across-the-board cuts to the budgets of public schools, higher education, and agencies already struggling to provide essential services to Kansans. This is not ideal, but it’s the best option to protect budgets that have already suffered severe cuts over the last several years. This bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means and is likely to be considered this week.

BILLS OF INTEREST

· HOSPITAL CONCEALED CARRY EXEMPTION FAILS The House Committee on Federal and State affairs voted last week on a bill that would exempt Kansas hospitals from the concealed carry law set to take effect on July 1 of this year. The committee deadlocked with an 11-11 vote, with the committee’s chair refusing the cast the tie-breaking vote. House Democrats plan to find alternative ways to get the bill to the House floor for a full vote.

· MEDICAID EXPANSION UP FOR VOTE The House Committee on Health and Human Services is set to vote today (Monday) on a bill that would expand Medicaid eligibility to more than 300,000 low-income Kansans, those earning up to about $16,000 a year. The committee held three days of hearings with dozens testifying in favor of it the expansion. The vote is expected to be close. I am in favor of Medicaid expansion. It is very beneficial for low income Kansans as well as rural hospitals and clinics.

HONORING BOB CHIPMAN

Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of joining Shawnee County Senators Laura Kelly and Vicki Schmidt in recognizing Washburn University’s head basketball coach, Bob Chipman for a successful career with the Ichabods.

After 41 years as basketball coach, including the last 38 as the head coach, Chipman is retiring. He is the 17th head coach in National Collegiate Athletic Association history and the third head coach in NCAA Division II history to win at least 800 games. He ends his career as the all-time wins leader in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

Congratulations, Coach!

DEMOCRATS TO GATHER AT WASHINGTON DAYS

Washington Days, the Kansas Democratic Party’s annual convention and largest gathering of Kansas Democrats, is scheduled for this weekend – February 24^th and 25^th – at the Downtown Topeka Ramada. It is a great opportunity to mingle with other Kansas Democrats and to learn how to get involved in the party. Outside of the keynote speaker and lunch banquet, it is free to attend Washington Days.

The keynote speaker this year is former Presidential candidate, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. He speaks Saturday evening. Ticket information and a full schedule of events can be found at www.kansasdems.org/washington-days-2017/.

February 20, 2017 By Anthony Hensley

EDITORIAL: Tax plan a step in the right direction

The following editorial is attributed to Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka:

While I believe the tax plan offered by Senate Democrats was more structurally sound, the next best option passed last week with bi-partisan support. Since it was not amended, the tax plan goes to the governor’s desk. The question is whether he will veto it or let it go into law without his signature.

I voted for this tax plan because I believe it is the first step in ending the governor’s reckless policies and putting Kansas on the long road back to fiscal responsibility.

Substitute for House Bill 2178 repeals the LLC loophole, which exempted 330,000 Kansans from income taxes. It also removes all future formulaic reductions to income tax rates, putting an end to Governor Brownback’s “march to zero.” Additionally, it restores the medical expense itemized deduction to 100% and protects the mortgage interest deduction at its current level.

This bill also maintains the low-income tax exemption for Kansans earning less than $5,000. It maintains the rate of 2.7% on earners, married filed jointly, making $0-$30K. It raises the middle bracket from 4.6% to 5.25% for income earners, married filed jointly, of $30K to $100K. This, however, is less than what these earners paid in 2012 where rates were 6.25% ($30K-$60K) and 6.45% ($60K – $100K). Finally, this bill adds a third bracket for those earning $100K or more, married filed jointly, pay 5.45%. Again, this is less than the 2012 rate of 6.45%.

There are a lot of positives that come with this plan. Keep in mind, though, that our work to right the wrongs of Governor Brownback has only just begun. The Kansas Legislature still has a budget hole to address for the current fiscal year as well as for the next fiscal year.

The damage done by the reckless policies of our governor will not be fixed overnight, but the passage of this tax plan – in a bi-partisan manner – is a good step in the right direction.

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