2008 Legislative Session - Week of January 14th - 18th 2008

Many key issues face all legislators this upcoming session. As the fiscal year commenced Monday with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ State of the State address, we are rushing into another full Senate Agenda. Though I am still recovering from a power outage and computer crash, I have been extremely involved with my duties of serving you. Due to the computer crash, I have a new email address (rteichman@hughes.net); however, I can still receive mail at (Teichman@senate.state.ks.us) during the legislative session. These email addresses are to be used for and all concerns you may have at any time. You may contact me by phone at (785)296-7394.

I took part in several summer activities and committees including:

Task Forces:

  1. Disaster Relief & Recovery Special Committee
  2. Electronic Motor Vehicle Security Verification System

Interim Committees:

  1. Regulation of Credit Unions
  2. Health Care Tax Credits & Benefits
  3. Subsidence Insurance

Joint Committees:

  • Legislative Educational Planning Committee (LEPC) including study subjects:
  • Services to deaf children ages 0-3
  • Obesity in Children
  • Teacher recruitment and retention
  • Issues related to virtual schools
  • Dyslexia & Related Learning Disorders
  • Pensions, Investments and Benefits including
  • Allow local units of government to elect coverage under KPERS similar to the State Correctional Officer Group
  • Expansion of Employee Groups into the Kansas Police and Fire Retirement System

Advisory Committee:

  • Math & Science Education
  • Several key ideas are on the schedule for the upcoming legislative year. They follow in no particular order. These are the priorities set by the Senate Republican Caucus:
  1. Fiscal Responsibility- All projects within the State cost money and we plan to stay committed to determining the appropriate amount for such areas as K-12 education, higher education deferred maintenance, KPERS financing, transportation, local and valorem tax relief, and many other purposes.
  2. Energy Policy- Senate Republicans plan to work to further develop a Kansas comprehensive energy policy, which includes a strategy for the generation of new base-load electric generating capacity.
  3. Education- We will work to fulfill further funding commitments that allocate a two-year rolling school finance plan allowing local school districts certainty, and the ability to plan and to use funds efficiently. We also plan to commit ourselves to support a seamless transition from K-12 to 13-16 and beyond.
  4. Health care- An opportunity awaits to establish policies which will improve the health of Kansans and expand access to affordable health care.
  5. Rural Development- Working to restore rural areas not only allows for continued development, but promotes the occupancy of small communities. With the continued depletion of wealth in smaller communities, we must work to retain economic activity and endorse rural development.
  6. Housing- As many have experienced first hand, the tornadoes and floods throughout the summer of 2007 have devastated homes and housing developments. With this unplanned occurrence, Senators propose to establish a long-term commitment to promote the construction of housing in rural communities, including the creation of new housing development block grants, starting with those that lost housing in the 2007 disasters.
  7. Public debt- In 2008 Senate Republicans will renew their 2007 efforts to require that debt affordability studies be conducted.
  8. Public safety- A proposal to enact legislation to allow non-violent drug offenders, including felon DUIs, to be sentenced to incarceration in the state prison system that includes intensive drug treatment. Senate Republicans also will consider sentencing reforms that will bring certainty of incarceration to repeat felons.
  9. Illegal immigration- Senate Republicans strongly believe that enactment and enforcement of immigration laws are the constitutional responsibility of the federal government. We will, however, consider proposals brought forward with the intent to fill gaps created by the federal government.
  10. Veterans- With the continued involvement of the United States in global military conflicts, new veterans are beginning to return home and, more importantly, return to Kansas. We plan to offer proposals to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of these American heroes.
  11. Transportation- As this legislative session begins, the second 10-year comprehensive transportation program is coming to an end. The goal of Senate Republicans, in the area of transportation, is to develop the framework for a new transportation program that will take place during the 2009 session.

With such a full agenda, all legislators plan to remain occupied throughout the entire session. Although I am always busy, I encourage everyone, to not hesitate to contact me either by email or telephone. I eagerly await the opportunity to serve you, so please do let me know your concerns. Thank you very much.

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