Capitol View

We are nearing the end of the general session in the legislature. April 5 is set for adjournment, with the legislature returning in May for the veto session.

Our days last week were spent on the House floor debating several bills.

The House budget was one of the larger issues we passed. For fiscal year 2019, the total state general fund (SGF) expenditures are $7.1 billion.

In committee, we added funds for foster care issues. Specifically, $452,516 was added for the Family First Prevention Act, a federal matching program that will make dollars available earlier to help keep children from entering the foster care system. The funds can be used for mental health services, substance use treatment and in-home parenting skill training to help keep children in their homes where possible.

We added $400,000 to increase child welfare positions in the department of children and families. Additionally, $2.2 million was added for the Kancare clearinghouse to address eligibility and backlog concerns.

For fiscal year 2020, total SGF funding is $7.7 billion. Last year, we passed a schedule of increases for K-12 education. We have one more year of big increases in KPERS to continue to meet the required contribution for the school group. This, along with restoring our investment in transportation, accounts for a large share of the increase from 2019.

New increases for 2020 include several areas in social services. I will highlight a few.

We allocated a 2 percent increase for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers ($13.4 million total) and a 2 percent increase in reimbursement rates for nursing facilities ($13.6 million total).

Six million dollars were added to reduce the wait lists for Medicaid HCBS waivers for individuals with an intellectual/developmental disability and individuals with a physical disability. Community Mental Health grants were allocated an additional $3 million.

Some other increases include $22.3 million for a 2.5 percent pay increase for state employees excluding the judicial and legislative branches.

Five million dollars were added for the judicial branch phased in over the next three to five years.

The Board of Regents was increased $10.5 million for several initiatives. Many areas have seen no increase in funding for several years which puts more pressure on the budget.

The largest budget question remaining is K-12 education.

From previous years’ education policy, we continue increasing K-12 funding by about $115 million per year for this and the next three years. There were similar increases over the previous three years.

The Senate position added some $90 million in funding above these scheduled increases. This is similar to the governor’s plan.

The House passed a bill with several policy options.

Attorneys for the schools in the lawsuit suggest increasing another $364 million in annual funding over four years. Unless we have strong growth in the economy or are able to cut other spending, we may be looking at an increase in taxes to sustain our funding in three years.

I had a team of pages from Little River join me on Monday. They started their long day at the capitol by hitting the road at 5:30 a.m. It is always a joy to share with students from the district. I appreciate Superintendent Garrison organizing the trip and bringing the students to Topeka.

Thursday and Friday, I spent reviewing industrial hemp applications. The advisory board met at the department of agriculture Friday afternoon. It is exciting to be close to when some farmers will begin planting and learning what this industry could bring to Kansas.

We look forward to making more progress on issues this week. Please continue to contact me with your thoughts at steven.johnson@house.ks.gov.

Have a great week!