More from Chris Reeves and Kansas Progressives... this weekly email has helped me stay on top of the chaotic Kansas legislature, if they get it onto a website or a blog I will start linking to it but for now, heres the copy and paste from the email. Both good information AND good advice. Kansas Progressives Weekly Update January 23, 2014 In This Issue Kansas SB-45 Dear John, Welcome to the Friday Rundown. Throughout the legislative session we will use Friday emails to focus on significant changes in policy and strategy, as well as highight issues that do NOT receive as much significant attention. It is often easy to find out about some issues through friends, but often critical small issues are overlooked. Thats what our Friday update is all about. voting_people.jpg Legislative Session Underway The Kansas Legislature is quickly underfoot and the Brownback administration has begun to make its case on many fronts. Today, Derrick Schmidt noted that the state will pursue the continued litigation of the Gannon case, Link here: cjonline/news/2015-01-23/state-appeal-school-finance-ruling-attorney-general-schmidt-confirms Weve also heard a case for Medical Marijuana, broken into two days - a day of families pleading for consideration, followed by a day of testimony by the opposed. JR Claeys of Salina has proposed legislation promoting individual negotiation despite any union agreement in a school setting - basically unhinging the union negotiation practices. Its hard for many to get a grasp on what is going on in the state house, and so I will remind you that you can find the minutes and testimony of all panels in the state house at their website: kslegislature.org/li/b2015_16/committees/ctte_h_ag_nat_res_1/documents/ Until legislation begins to move, though, the opening weeks of a session are often filled with testimony, feeling legislators out and finding what issues may go forward. At this point, we have only a few pieces of legislation going forward. So, in todays single issue focus, I have decided to look at SB-45, referred to by conservatives as Constitutional Carry. The legislation offers 26 sponsors in a body of 40 members - so it is virtually guaranteed to become Kansas law with broad support i the house. Constitutional Carry - which used be called Vermont Carry, as that was the originator, reflects the idea that an individual can carry a weapon concealed without a permit. Currently in Kansas, acquiring a permit requires a $100 fee to the state, a $32 fee to the local sheriffs department. For those that will concealed carry in the state of Kansas, those fees or need to register will disappear. In a statement regarding the bill, Republicans noted the positive of such legislation: Senator Forrest Knox (R-Altoona) a co-sponsor of the bill said, The vast majority of Kansans are law abiding citizens and should be trusted to keep the peace. SB 45 is a common sense proposal designed to empower citizens to protect themselves from those that wish them harm. With Speaker Merrick noting that just brandishing a weapon often can stop a situation. This, for many who have concerns over such legislation is the problem - the brandishing of use of a weapon to stop a crime is not a sure fire thing; and numerous advocates have argued that untrained owners brandishing a weapon is an accident waiting to happen. Others, including gun advocates have argued that the loosening of permitting may provide a back door for those that view it as a straight pass around poaching, and the neglect of hunter safety and hunting license issues. Of largest concern to Kansas Democrats, however, is the way in which Republicans have effectively neutralized this issue by pulling a Democrat in as a co-sponsor. With Laura Kelly (D-Topeka) sponsoring the legislation, Republicans have been working to market the proposal as a bi-partisan solution, and Democrats now have to be concerned about being seen on the wrong side of a gun issue that Republicans will proclaim has Democratic support, as a way to attack them in 2 years. Gun issues in Kansas are tricky - being on the wrong side of a gun issue in Kansas is often seen as death by the electorate. Still, constitutional carry doesnt represent a real gun issue as much as a process issue. People are free to concealed carry, or even open carry in Kansas as of today. Police departments (admittedly in other states) have argued that constitutional carry causes police officers to assume everyone could be carrying a weapon, because they have no way of knowing who is - and isnt. Capital Republicans have suggested that their strategy - picking off one or two Democrats to support their bills will provide them shelter through election cycles, allowing them to paint other Democrats as outliers while insulating them from taking any party line risk on the outcome should anything go wrong. More importantly for Republicans, the seeming bi-partisan nature of SB-45 effectively kills efforts on SB-25, Oletha Faust Goudeaus bill which promotes background checks for gun shows and internet sales, following up on FFL license checks on interstate commerce. While many issues are in the news this week - and on Wednesday well give you a rundown, its important to look at something we know will pass and will be a matter of law out of this session. Question of the Week This question was submitted by Monica: Our legislators plan on coming home this weekend to talk to us about proposals in the state house. These are all Republican events, is it worthwhile to go? I received variations on this question from several this week, and my answer is: go. I try to remind people that one of the things we do poorly is that we do not effectively document the differences between what people are told in their home municipalities and the realities of what happens in the statehouse. Stay polite and ask focused questions that require specifics in an answer. Its OK to ask questions about ridiculous issues to get responses - Speaker Merrick called for a constitutional convention.. what do you think? or With the state budget crisis ongoing, Im interested in how much time was spent on Friday discussing if the Catfish should become the official state fish? Participating in the process is fun, but you are far more likely to get the information that future candidates and your fellow voters can use by asking pointed questions about policy: Im very concerned about Governor Brownbacks proposal for a 190% increase in cigarette taxes.. that has a clear follow up for a friend, Im glad youre opposed. I know the Governor said $394M will come from those taxes, how do you think we make up that difference? Pick your issues. Because we are early in the education issues, education questions are often too easy for legislators to waffle - and they will, but if that is your issue focus on direct local impact rather than broad issues. What is the impact on YOUR school, etc. rather than broad, statewide concerns. When we ask questions in a public forum like a legislators event, you are asking a question as much for the audience as you are for the legislator, in hopes of getting not just an answer for your question but also data to use later. So remember: have questions. Have a plan, preferably with others and have a way to document the meeting, preferably in video format.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 13:56:18 +0000
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