Hornet Statehouse Buzz: Jan. 24-28
Week 3 of the Statehouse Buzz
Jan. 28-2022 Week 3
A few things worth updating from last week.
- Senate Bill 322, proposed by Senator Jeff Longbine (R-Emporia) and the Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments and Benefits. This bill relates to the sale of surplus property for state agencies eliminating the need to credit 80% of money from such sales to the Kansas Public Employment Retirement Fund. The bill had a hearing—it was short--and it has not yet been moved out of committee.
- House Bill 2466, proposed by Representative Steve Huebert (R-Valley Center), is labeled the Computing Knowledge Act had its hearing postponed due to a lengthy four-hour House session on redistricting, with the House voting to adopt the controversial Ad Astra 2 map to move Lawrence into the Big First congressional district and to divide Wyandotte and Johnson counties. It was not a veto—proof vote so all suspect it will wind up in court.
The main events were redistricting and the vote for economic development for a secret company which would make a huge investment to build the biggest factory in Kansas employing some 4,000 people. That was voted out favorably and it does not bind the state to pay the money to the company chooses not to locate here.
Yours truly had several good meetings—about nine in total—with legislators about higher ed budget issues, and especially Emporia State. Next week, the budget hearings intensify in committees. Interim president Ken Hush will be presenting before the Higher Ed Budget Committee on February 10 and the Senate Ways and Means committee on February 17, with recommendations from the committees for budgets coming soon after. While matters have slowed down for the Buzz lately, they’ll soon get busy again.
Let me know if I can be of any assistance with legislative matters!
For the Buzz,
Greg Schneider
Government Relations Officer