Kansas Legislative Insights Newsletter | May 2, 2019
Veto Session Starts Quickly
The effort by Sen. Anthony Hensley to bring Medicaid expansion to the Senate debate calendar failed by one vote (23-17). The Senate successfully overrode Governor Kelly’s veto of the abortion bill 27-13. The House needed 84 votes to override and only had 83. Wednesday, the House doors were locked for more than 30 minutes for a call of the House, which did not change any votes. After the call of the House was lifted, one member of House leadership switched his vote from yes to no (82-43) to assure the opportunity to reconsider the House action later this week.
The Kansas Department of Revenue announced the April tax-only receipts were $81.2 million more than the estimates, or 7.33% more than the estimates. This will help in finalizing the budget and allowing tax cuts. The House and Senate Tax Conference Committee quickly agreed on a tax-cut bill that is initially projected to be significantly smaller than the $200 million proposal in SB 22 vetoed by the Governor. Much of the reduction results from eliminating the retroactive effect of the tax cuts. The bill includes a reduction of the sales tax on food and a limited internet tax.
On Thursday, conference committees will be trying to wrap up their work and budget discussions will continue. Leadership in both chambers is making every effort to avoid a lengthy veto session. KLI will be providing an update when the veto session concludes.
Kansas Legislative Insights is a publication developed by the Governmental Relations & Public Policy Law practice group of Foulston Siefkin LLP. It is designed to inform business executives, human resources and governmental relations professionals, and general counsel about current developments occurring in current Kansas legislation. Published regularly during the Kansas legislative session, it focuses on issues involving health care, insurance, public finance, taxation, financial institutions, business & economic development, energy, real estate & construction, environmental, agribusiness, employment, and workers compensation. Bill summaries are by necessity brief, however, for additional information on any issue before the Kansas Legislature, contact Foulston Siefkin’s Governmental Relations & Public Policy Law practice group leader, James P. Rankin at 785.233.3600 or jrankin@foulston.com.
Kansas Legislative Insights Editors
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James (Jim) P. Rankin Governmental Relations & Public Policy Law Team Leader 785.806.3600 jrankin@foulston.com | View Bio |
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Gary L. Robbins Governmental Affairs Consultant 785.640.2651 garyrobbinsconsulting@gmail.com |
James P. (Jim) Rankin and Gary L. Robbins are co-editors of Foulston Siefkin’s Kansas Legislative Insights Newsletter.
As a partner at Foulston Siefkin, Jim’s practice focuses on employee benefits law relating to public, private, governmental, and tax-exempt organizations. A large part of his work involves insurance regulatory and compliance issues in many industries, including healthcare. Jim has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® and the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® list. He is the firm's representative with State Law Resources, Inc., a national network of independent law firms selected for their expertise in administrative, regulatory, and government relations at the state and federal level.
Gary, a governmental affairs consultant to Foulston Siefkin’s Governmental Relations & Public Policy practice group, provides legislative monitoring and lobbying services for Foulston’s governmental relations clients. He holds a bachelor of science degree in history and political science from Southwestern College and a master’s degree in labor economics from Wichita State University. Throughout his extensive career, Gary has served as CLE Director to the Kansas Bar Association and as Executive Director of the Kansas Optometric Association.
This update has been prepared by Foulston Siefkin LLP for informational purposes only. It is not a legal opinion; it does not provide legal advice for any purpose; and it neither creates nor constitutes evidence of an attorney-client relationship.
