Senate completes week 10
This was the last week for most Senate and House committees to discuss and pass bills. The Senate also worked a large number of bills on the floor this week. I want to cover just a few of those here....
View ArticleAutism, financial literacy and health care
April 4th will mark the end of the 2014 regular session. Legislators will be home in their respective districts until April 30, when the veto session begins. This report addresses three bills I...
View ArticleLegislators work late to conclude session
Both the Senate and House adjourned late Sunday night; to return to the Capitol for Veto Session on April 30. School finance legislation was the biggest subject of debate as session concluded. Both...
View ArticleHB 2506 awaits Governor’s signature
The legislature sent education bill HB 2506 to Governor Brownback that adds an additional $126.2 million to Kansas schools. The bill should fully satisfy the equity portion of the Gannon lawsuit. In...
View ArticleThe Pyle File: Ask tough questions, demand answers
Recently a constituent with the following question approached me asking, “I have been seeing commercials from both gubernatorial candidates, one says ‘education has been cut’ the other says ‘funding...
View ArticleRepresentative Randy Garber: Is our State Constitution important?
The 86th Kansas Legislative session began on Jan. 12, with the swearing in of the elected representatives for each legislative district. Earlier in the day, all other state officials elected last...
View ArticleLegislative Column: School finance complications
The 2015 legislative session is underway, and the Governor has called for a new school finance formula. As a member of the Senate Education Committee, I have had many questions concerning school...
View ArticlePyle File: Taxpayer funded memberships and dues: transparency needed
The past two sessions the legislature has considered making taxpayer funded lobbying transparent. Legislators have expressed interest in knowing how much state and local governments spend on direct...
View ArticleLegislature considers S Sub HB 2095
May 12: The Kansas Senate finished its first full week of “Veto Session” with floor debate last Tuesday and Thursday. The Senate approved 13 pieces of original legislation and 3 Conference Committee...
View ArticleFrom the Statehouse: Consolidation, declining enrollment are causing...
Decreasing student numbers appear to be playing a significant role in the financial problems USD 113 is facing. If the district had the same number of students as it had in the first year of...
View ArticlePyle File: YTD State Revenue above last year’s
The legislature is working through the weekend to bring this session to a conclusion. The big push is for a tax increase. This is similar to the 2002 and 2010 sessions when the legislature raised...
View ArticleRepresentative looks toward 2016 session
With a new year comes a new opportunity for me to serve the citizens of District 62 and Kansas. 2015 was a productive year at the statehouse, as we have moved Kansas toward growth and efficiency. One...
View ArticleGarber talks voter input on property tax increases
It has always been important to me that the people have a say in the issues that affects their lives. I believe that people especially want a say in financial issues surrounding them. At the present...
View ArticleFrom the Legislature: Alvarez and Marsal efficiency study
Kansas is working toward becoming a more efficient state with efforts to reduce spending while maintaining services. We have made great strides, yet more can be done. In case you weren’t aware, an...
View ArticleWhen should the people be allowed to vote?
In any republic, you must trust the people of the electorate. You must trust they will be informed and fulfill their duty to vote. One way of showing that trust is to give the people a vote on how...
View ArticleProposed requirements draw attention
This year’s legislative cycle began with a full caseload of legislation carried over from last session. The session has been slow thus far, but is gaining speed with each passing day. I have been...
View ArticleIs transparency important?
The State Budget has been the topic of conversation in the past few years and especially pertinent lately. The largest expenditure in the budget is K-12 education, because I feel — as do many others —...
View ArticleGovernor’s budget amendment passes
The Senate has continued to stay busy as session has progressed. Things this week have really sped up due to a desire on the part of the legislature to shorten up the session. There has been a lot of...
View ArticleHouse approves budget compromise, interstate healthcare compact
The House approved a budget compromise that was later adopted by the Senate. I supported the budget compromise. The bill is essentially what the House approved after debate the prior week, but with...
View ArticleTopics heat up
As the weather warms up, so does the legislative cycle. One of the big topics in the Senate Education Committee has been SB 444. This legislation would establish a language assessment program for...
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