| Legislative Updates... |
| Legislative Update Week 12 |
| THE END IS NEAR Today, Monday May 10, begins Week 14 of the 2009/2010 legislative session and we have no budget in place. While at the end of each session there is the usual mad scramble to conclude proceedings to work for compromise and acceptable results, this year is very different. I have not experienced anything like it in my six years in the legislature. Early in the session it became clear that there was a fundamental difference in how the financial crisis in Ka... Read More |
| Week 13, 2010 Session |
| SURVEY RESULTS--- THE NUMBERS ARE IN We sent surveys to 4,400 constituents, most to two voter households. Returns were 897 and the tabulated results follow. Almost all surveys included narrative commentary and several also enclosed additional materials to make a point. I promise to read them all but I cannot promise to respond to you individually, except in special circumstances. Contributions came to $1,320 which covered a bit less than one half of printing, handling, ... Read More |
| Week 12, 2010 Session |
| HAPPY EASTER Alleluia, He is Risen! The most important Christian Holy Day just passed. The Kiegerl's attended mass at Sacred Heart as Peggy is still unable to travel to the Latin Community in KCK. What a joy this service was. Father Joe is a wonderful Priest - devout, profound, brief and to the point with his homilies and he has a great sense of humor. I’ve never seen the church so crowded and the service started with a pleasant surprise - a couple not much younger than the b... Read More |
| Week 11, 2010 Session |
| THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS We only met for three days this week, two of which were long, 12 and 14 hours respectively, to complete the bills on general order. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are reserved for House/Senate Conference Committee meetings to iron out differences between bills passed by both Chambers but which differ in content or terminology. When these differences are great, many meetings are necessary to arrive at a compromise acceptable to both. Once the conference... Read More |
| Week 10, 2010 Session |
| CRUNCH TIME APPROACHES: As we approach the drop dead day April 2 and the first adjournment, when we break from April 5 to 28, the pace is picking up and we will spend all day on the floor to debate and vote bills up or down. Things can get hectic and we’ll probably pull a few all nighters. When time gets short we bundle legislation, combining several bills into one, a bad habit which often results in a dilemma for representatives. When seven different bills are placed into a ... Read More |
| Week 9, 2010 Session |
| A NEW RECORD This newsletter will be emailed to 2,024 households, the most ever. In addition, it is published by the Gardner Edge and a low estimate is that about 5,000 individuals read it every week. I’m very gratified as I believe informed constituents are more likely to actively participate in our democracy and will vote intelligently. I write every word of this letter and I solicit your input and your opinions. KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERS COMING I ... Read More |
| Week 8, 2010 Session |
| THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS A short but very busy week. As Senate bills make it through House committees and vice versa, we will see much more final action voting in the next couple of weeks. It seems like the old army dictum, “hurry up and wait,” applies to how we do business. While the chambers negotiate and conference committee reports are hammered out, no final voting can take place. Then comes the deluge and we need to pull a few all nighters. We adjourned early on Frid... Read More |
| Week 7, 2010 Session |
| THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS: We had a short but eventful session. We passed 4 bills and I voted for all of them. These 3 bills were passed unanimously: HB 2657 Establishing Kansas partnership for accessible technology SB 62 Tuberculosis prevention and control SB 316 Water rights HB 2221 The Kansas Clean Air Act (State wide smoking ban) passed 68-54; I voted aye. Voting for this flawed bill gave me major heartburn. During debate... Read More |
| Week 5, 2010 Session |
| THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS And what a week it turned out to be! Friday was “Turn Around Day,” which is when all bills proposed must be disposed of in the chamber of origin then moved to the other. This means that the House had to work all House bills by Friday, Feb. 19 and we held a couple of marathon sessions. On Thursday, we sat 14 hours and we dealt with 34 bills. We finished the job Friday and adjourned until Wednesday, Feb 24 when we begin to address the bills which pa... Read More |
| Week 4, 2010 Session |
| THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS The pace in the legislature is picking up and we had a busy week. Each morning in caucus we struggled to find enough money to cover the $40 million shortfall in the budget the Governor submitted. His proposals also include an 18% sales tax increase which neither chamber has yet agreed to pass. Governor Parkinson has been more responsible than his predecessor by paring down expenses and making budget cuts before we got to Topeka so that the legislatur... Read More |
| Legislative Update |
| THE WEEK THAT WAS This week we began with final action on several bills and introduction of significant new legislation. The bills on general orders we voted on were: HB 2440 Requires the secretary of corrections to notify a victim and family upon the death or escape of a prisoner. Passed 118-0 HB 2412 The parole board may release a prisoner who has a terminal medical condition and deemed by a licensed physician to die within 30 days and who is not a risk to pub... Read More |
| Week 2, 2010 Winter Session |
| WEEK THREE: NO FINAL ACTION YET Last week we were busy in committee with bill introductions, scheduling hearings and listening to presentations from advocacy groups, lobbyists, and state agencies. The process to bring a bill to the floor is slow and we have not voted on substantial legislation yet this session. That is par for the course and activity will pick up as committee and conference reports come to the floor. Towards the end of the session we will pull a few all nighter... Read More |
| Week 1, 2010 Winter Session |
| THIS IS THE FIRST NEWSLETTER OF 2010 …although we just completed week two of the legislative session. Week one was uneventful as moving into new offices, getting the computers connected, visiting old and new colleagues, and getting acquainted with new secretaries and staff took up much of the time. Daily sessions were short and voting consisted of passing some routine resolutions which essentially were of a housekeeping nature. There were committee meetings and hearings held ... Read More |
| Thanksgiving Newsletter |
| THIS IS THE PEN ULTIMATE .... newsletter before the 2010 session, which begins Jan 12. We'll publish one more time in December, and then, when in Topeka on your behalf, the much briefer letter will come to you every weekend. The purpose of weekly messages is to inform you of what happened in the week gone by and, more importantly, what legislation is coming up the following week. When I know I will also inform you how I intend to vote to allow immediate feedb... Read More |
| Legislative Update October 2009 |
| GARDNER IS GROWING We welcomed 79 new residents and families to the community in the month of September. I trust they will find out what we already know; that Gardner is a great place to live and to raise children. In my letter greeting them, I asked that they become informed citizens and exercise the privilege to vote. The importance of the franchise was demonstrated in recent elections, when one State Representative won by 2 votes and a Mayor by 4. The comm... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 12 |
| RECESS After a crazy week of frenzied activities trying to complete the agenda before us, the legislature adjourned on “drop dead day” Friday evening, April 3rd until April 29th when we come back for the wrap up, a.k.a. the “veto” session, which lasts to May 9th. On that day we adjourn sine die, meaning the 2009 session is officially over. On rare occasions a special session is called to dispose of an unusual problem, which is possible but not likely this year. The last... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 11 |
| ONE MORE WEEK, ONE MORE REPORT: After 40+ hours of work in 3 days, both House and Senate adjourned Wednesday evening until Monday, March 30, when the final week of the regular 2009 session will end. Both chambers will reconvene at the end of April for the clean up (veto) session. This will be when bills vetoed by the Governor, if any, will be dealt with. To override a veto, two thirds majorities are required in both House and Senate. This number is hard to come by and we have o... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 10 |
| THE 2010 BUDGET The House appropriations committee under the chairmanship of Rep Kevin Yoder has been working hard on the budget of the new fiscal year, which begins July 1 2009. Because of the Governor’s lack of leadership, the committee was forced to deal with balancing the current budget which took the first 5 weeks of the session in its entirety. Since then, the committee tackled the greater problem, namely reconciling the 2009/2010 expected shortfall with the need to balance a w... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 9 |
| BILLS VOTED ON THIS WEEK HB 2320 is the rainy day fund for emergencies, also known as budget stabilization fund. It sets aside funds for disaster relief should we encounter another Greensburg type calamity. A lengthy and spirited debate centered on whether we can and should segregate such funds in these times or whether we ought to first pay down the state’s debt. These arguments certainly have merit, but they were countered that without such a fund we could not even pay for ... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 8 |
| LATE TERM ABORTION BILLS PASSED WEDNESDAY HB 2206 introduced and carried by Rep Lance Kinzer which will help enforcement of the current law on late term abortion restrictions passed the House 82-40. SB 238 “The woman’s right to know and see act” giving women contemplating a late term procedure more information passed with a veto proof 85-37 margin. I co- sponsored both bills and carried the latter on the floor. These bills ought to be non-controversial. Our law sh... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 7 |
| MORE ON THE BUDGET--IF YOU CAN STAND IT ! With the 2009 budget battle behind it we're now working on the infinitely more difficult 2010 budget, which begins with our new fiscal year on July 1, 2009. I had many inquiries on how the state budget is completed. What follows is a very short explanation of a long and complicated process, if you want more detail contact my office. The budget starts with the governor after she reviews requests for funding from all state agencies. She t... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 6 |
| TURN AROUND TIME We are at the half way mark of the session and last week was very hectic. Having spent an inordinate time during the first five weeks on the critical 2009 budget, we found ourselves backlogged with committee reports and bills to be considered. A large number of bills were voted on, and Friday we used a parliamentary procedure to allow final action on bills discussed and voted on the same day. This cleared the consent calendar and we're caught up. Turn around means that... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 5 |
| 2009 BUDGET House Substitute for Senate Substitute for SB 23 (the mere length of the title of this bill gives an idea of the complexity of the issue) passed the House and Senate Thursday Feb. 12. The vote was 74-46 in the House and 27-11 in the Senate. I voted with the majority. If the Governor signs on, this will bring an end to five weeks of concentrated effort by both Chambers, one week of which was consumed by the conference committee finding solutions and compromise on mat... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 4 |
| KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERS COMING ...and e-mails, too. Last week I received 1,120 messages, mostly electronic but also written and telephonic. If you called, it is likely you did not get an immediate response unless you caught me at the office, but I read all messages. Terri and I attempted to respond to all others within 48 hours, but in as much as all contacts were essentially the same I hope the following will assuage your concerns. Budget cuts were being considere... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 3 |
| ACTIVITY ACCELERATES Last week things started to pick up. Committee work is in full swing and bills are coming to the floor. This week will see us vote for the first time this session and one of the most critical votes will be--you guessed it -- on the 2009 budget. I expect a vigorous debate in chambers and several votes, amendments and substitutions before we'll pass a workable and acceptable bill. There are differences between the House and Senate versions which means whateve... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 2 |
| BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET As things continue to ramp up the budget crisis was the topic which occupied the legislature almost exclusively. While committee work goes on in other important areas, prospects for any other legislation are pushed to the background until we have found a solution to produce a workable budget and the sources to fund it. At this time we need to cover an anticipated revenue shortfall of $186 million for the 2009 budget immediately and then deal with ... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 1 |
| IT'S OFFICIAL The swearing in ceremony for the 2009-2010 legislative session was conducted, as usual, by the Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme court in the House Chamber on Jan. 12. After signing the requisite papers I begin my third term in office as your Representative. I appreciate the confidence placed in me by the voters of the 43rd District and will work hard to represent all of my constituents. Please contact me for questions, comments, gentle constructive criticism, a... Read More |
| Thank You |
| THANK YOU ! We prevailed with 54% of the vote, my two opponents gathering 36 and 12% respectively. The result of the Libertarian candidate is extraordinary, considering that she did not participate in the debates, work the district or spend money to reach the voters. I believe that most of her votes should have been mine as some of my supporters left me over my votes for the Gardner Bond Guarantee and my support of the Sunflower energy plant. While I understand the disaffection ... Read More |
| Campaign Update |
| FOUR WEEKS TO GO: CAMPAIGN UPDATE The campaign is in full swing. I ask all volunteers and especially my precinct committee people to continue to walk their precincts using the walk lists provided. Please coordinate your efforts with Terri. If you run into voters who have special questions notify us and I will make an effort to contact these persons myself. Take early voter application copies with you and encourage their use when going door to door. Remember:... Read More |
| Legislative Update - Final Report |
| Visitors Last week's visitors included pages, Shane Slyter (Spring Hill), Rebecca Wehmeier (Gardner) Blake Phelps (Gardner) and Kayla Cloud (Edgerton.) The Day After: A Summary of the 2008 Session This is the last news letter reporting on the legislature, as we adjourned at 11:40 pm on May 7. We will return on a pro forma basis (only if a vote is scheduled) on May 29 to adjourn sine die (Latin for Without another day) un... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 12, March 31 – April 4, 2008 |
| IN RECESS - But much left to do Legislative Update Week 12, March 31 – April 4, 2008 Working well into the night this past week, the House finished up debating bills and concentrated on dealing with conference committee reports. As each committee reaches an agreement the conferees return to their respective chambers to explain the compromise. These are the result of negotiations between House and Senate leaders to reach agreement on divergent opinions and formulatio... Read More |
| Weekly Update Week Nine, March 10-14, 2008 |
| This was a week of high drama, long deliberations, behind the scenes "horse trading" attempts, frustration and limited accomplishments. The stage is set for a contentious, if not nasty, final 3 weeks of this session. To start with, the accomplishments: We passed significant and important tax legislation by tentatively approving corporate income tax relief and a complicated, almost revolutionary sales tax exemption manifesto. The top corporate income tax rate will go from 7.35% to 6.8... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week 8, March 3rd -7th, 2008 |
| Back to Business House members resume their regular legislative schedules this week, attending committee hearings, working with constituents and meeting on the floor of the House daily. For the next several weeks, we will consider bills that have already passed through the Senate. Likewise, the Senate is working the House bills that we passed out over the course of the last seven weeks. The Appropriations committee will also introduce the budget for debate on the House floor bef... Read More |
| Legislative Summary Week 7, February 25-29, 2008 |
| It was a busy week on the House floor, with 28 bills on the debate calendar on Thursday. This week is the last week for a non-exempt bill to be considered in its chamber of origin. In order to meet that deadline, members spent most of the day Wednesday and Thursday on the floor debating bills. House Republican Agenda Update With the half-way point upon us, it is important to evaluate where we are at in 2008. At the time of this newsletter, here is the progress made by ... Read More |
| Weekly Legislative Summary Week 6 |
| Weekly Legislative Summary Week 6, February 18-22, 2008 This week in the Kansas House of Representatives the energy debate dominated the headlines. Members of the House voted to move the energy debate into a conference committee. In conference, the House and Senate will sit down and finish crafting the State’s energy plan. House Energy Plan Regulatory Uncertainty/Financial Impact: The bill prohibits state officials from superseding federal guidelines an... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week Four, Feb. 4th – 8th, 2008 |
| Missouri Lawmakers React to Kansas Tax Bill In reaction to passage of HB 2641 by the Kansas House, Missouri lawmakers hurried a tax repeal bill though their chambers this week. Our bill eliminates the property tax deduction for residents of any state that does not give Kansas residents the same deduction. As a result, Missouri Legislators have drafted an identical bill that would reestablish the deduction. This is a major victory for the House and its Leadership who have worked... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week Three Jan 28 – Feb 1, 2008 |
| This week got off to a fast start on Monday with the House undertaking Final Action for the first time this session with the votes tallied on the new voting boards. It set the tone for the week that saw a new Attorney General sworn in, a bill introduced to facilitate a compromise on the Holcomb power plant, and a expanded gaming decision by the Shawnee County District Court. With the start of the session behind us, the House Republicans are buckling down in anticipation of the work ahead. ... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week Two January 21-25 |
| In order to appropriately address the issues facing Kansas today, we must keep the end goal in mind. Though much legislative toil is dedicated to initiating new programs and fixing old ones, each has a price tag that Kansas taxpayers must reckon with. This is true every year, but as consensus revenue estimates show a downward trend it is imperative that we look at legislation which is sound policy, economically sustainable and fiscally responsible. To that end, legislators have been focuse... Read More |
| Legislative Update Week One January 14-18 |
| Opening of the 2008 Legislative Session The 2008 Legislative session began officially at 2:00 pm on Monday Jan 14. Representatives welcomed Rep Jill Quigley from the 17th District who replaces retired Rep Stephanie Sharp. During the interim Republican members met in several caucuses, assemblies and committees to formulate the legislative priorities for this session. This ambitious agenda was released just a few days prior to the start of the session. The 2008 House Republican A... Read More |
| Shane Austin, Hero, R.I.P. |
| PFC Shane Austin lost his life in Iraq on Oct. 8, 2006 when a grenade was thrown into the armored vehicle he was riding in. He sacrificed his life by throwing himself on the grenade so that his comrades would live. He will not be forgotten. Please remember this soul, and his family in your prayers.... Read More |
| Week 13, 2007 Session Legislative Update |
| Session By the Numbers Watching the news might lead you to believe that legislative work involves a lot of sitting around and partisan bickering and little in the way of productive policy that impacts everyday Kansans. With political agendas set from the very first week, we poise ourselves to be labeled as winners and losers, for we have very clearly staked our claims over the issues we value and hope to see movement on. This year Republicans unrolled an impressive agenda that was met... Read More |
| Week 10, 2007 Session Legislative Update |
| This was the week we allocated budget resources spending your money.Republicans held the line on spending.the total expenditures for the state come to $ 5.9 billion.During a 11 hour battle on the House floor the Democrats produced 39 amendments each of which would increase costs.One amendment passed was by a Republican legislator which increases newborn screening test for treatable diseases from 4 to 29.We also approved additional funding to deal with domestic violence.We approv... Read More |
| Week 9, 2007 Session Legislative Update |
| The big news last week was the announcement of the Republican proposal for Health Care Reform .Rep Jeff Colyer MD chaired the health care task force on which I served. Members of the task force traveled to Washington DC to elicit support and obtain waivers from the federal government. We also heard from experts from think tanks like the Heritage Foundation the Flint Hills Center and others. We examined plans considered by other states. I believe that the resultant KAN CARE program is a most ... Read More |
| Week 8, 2007 Legislative Update |
| Summary of Legislative Events - Week EightBack to BusinessHouse members resume their regular legislative schedules this week, attending committee hearings, meeting with constituents and meeting on the floor of the House at 11 am daily. For the next several weeks, we will consider bills that have already passed through the Senate. Likewise, the Senate is working the House bills that we passed out over the course of the last seven weeks. By the end of March, the Legislature will h... Read More |
| Week 6, 2007 Legislative Update |
| This Week in Topeka Business, Education and Local Government News from the Legislative Session week of Feb. 19-23, 2007 This is intended to present an overview of the past week in the Kansas Legislature and is created for the members of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. Please contact my office if you would like additional information on any of these issues at mike@mikekiegerl.com, 785-296-7615. "Turnaround Week" officially ended in the Legislature on Thursday nig... Read More |
| Week 5, 2007 Legislative Update |
| Summary of Legislative Events - Week Five Historic Times in the House Revenue estimates are up, the political posturing associated with the recent elections has mostly subsided and now five weeks into the 81st meeting of the regular session, the House continues to focus on crafting good policy on a number of issues effecting Kansans from all walks of life. In the midst of bill hearings, floor debates and business as usual, Kansas House members have had two unusually im... Read More |
| Week 4, 2007 Session Legislative Update |
| Week 4: The House of Representatives at Work: House at work: Monday January 29th marked Kansas' 146th birthday as a State in the Union. Republicans from across the state held a special celebration the weekend falling closest to the 29th to honor Kansas and elect new party leaders. Kris Kobach was elected State Party chair and his work to continue growing the republican Party begins immediately. In the House of Representatives, Republicans are already working ... Read More |
| Week 3, 2007 Session Legislative Update |
| Summary of Legislative Events - Week ThreeWorking on the AgendaThe House began floor debate on Tuesday with HB 2002, HB 2019 and SB 30. Both HB 2019 which addresses satellite voting and SB 30 which contained pre-funding for the out years of the school finances plan addressed top issues of the House Republican Caucus Agenda. The debate was good, the vote was solid and on Wednesday, January 24, the House saw its first Final Action votes.EDUCATIONRepublican House memb... Read More |
| Week 2, 2007 Session Legislative Update |
| Working on the Agenda The House is off and running towards the goals outlined in the House Republican Caucus Agenda. Though the house has not yet begun to debate legislation on the floor of the House, committees are already working bills that directly address the state's top legislative concerns. EDUCATION Republican House members have pledged to ensure our public school and universities maintain their high standards of education and to encourage our chil... Read More |
| Week 1, 2007 Session Legislative Update |
| On January 10th, Gov. Sebelius gave her state of the state address...Most notably, the Governor proposed universal health care, again failing to mention how we would fund the program but saying she hoped to "reduce overhead". The House Republican Caucus is seeking legislation that increases access to health care by allowing portability, tax deductible insurance premiums for individuals and tax credits for small businesses that pay health premiums for employees.Sebelius talked in... Read More |
| Week 1, 2009 Fall Session Update |
| p>WE'RE BACK We returned safely from our family vacation late July 4, and I'm still recovering from jet lag and the 26 hour day flying home. The cruise was wonderful, a brand new ship, the weather great, and the sights exciting. I’m grateful to God to have this opportunity to be allowed to share these experiences with my children and grandchildren who are at the age where they appreciate and understand the cultural and national differences. We asked them to do research on one of the ... Read More |
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