This week’s balmy spring-like temperatures had a bit of a thawing effect on the previously frosty 2009 legislative session. On Wednesday, after weeks of preparation and careful consideration on a very difficult ’09 budget, the House passed our version of the “rescission bill” making just over $300 billion in cuts. The adjustments will all be made prior to June 30, which marks the end of our fiscal year in Kansas.
This was a tremendously difficult process; however it pales in comparison to the work we now face in finding a solution for the projected $1.2 billion shortfall in 2010. To give you some perspective, this shortfall comes out of an annual budget of around $6.4 billion. Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away while listening to Congress and national media outlets throw around the astronomical figures that are being debated in Washington, but the reality is Kansans are going to be facing devastating shortfalls in the coming year.
As always, I look forward to hearing your opinions on how to best address this painful issue. While the end result of our legislative efforts will most likely not find universal appeal, please understand that I am working diligently to maintain our most critical and cost effective services to a degree that their essential services and abilities remain unaffected. We are constantly looking for ways to better manage our resources and I am confident we will eventually find a balanced, compassionate and responsible compromise that divides the unavoidable “pain” across the broadest spectrum possible.
We also passed a resolution in both the House and Senate dealing with an issue receiving national attention and threatening to impact Kansas. As you may know, President Obama recently chose to close the terrorist detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Since then, the Military Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth have emerged as a potential candidate for re-location. I am strongly opposed to this terrible idea. The heart of the Midwest is not fit to be the home for the world’s most dangerous criminals. Additionally, I find it highly inappropriate to force our soldiers and service members to be in such close quarters with those they’ve fought so vigorously to defend against. I dearly hope the decision makers in Washington soon realize the scope and danger of this decision and reconsider.
Aside from those actions, committee work is in full gear. With just a little over a week left for committees to meet, there are a number of important issues to tackle before hitting those deadlines.
Next week will bring a number of bill recommendations as committees churn through numerous proposals and we will soon begin work on the difficult 2010 budget. As I mentioned before, I understand how important it is for us to balance the cuts as equally and compassionately as possible. I welcome your input, and promise that I will continue to work diligently for both the interests of our district’s communities and families, but the needs of all Kansans.
