After a trying, yet productive week the 2009 legislative session reached its official halfway point. While the sheer number of bills we’re considering is lower than it has been in previous years, the legislature is facing some of our more controversial topics under the harsh spotlight of a delicate and politically precarious budget shortfall.
The week began with a well publicized and critical debate as the coalition of House and Senate leadership disagreed with the Governor on the legal ramifications of issuing a certificate of indebtedness in order to meet Friday’s payroll and continue issuing income tax returns. A certificate of indebtedness is essentially an intergovernmental loan used to enable the government to continue offering services during times in which our revenues are down. Luckily, the situation was quickly addressed and both sides came to terms and issued the loans.
On Wednesday, we celebrated Armed Forces appreciation day here at the Capitol. We had the honor of hosting two soldiers stationed at Fort Riley, both veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Through their sacrifices they have purchased for us the privileges of freedom, democracy, and unmatched opportunity that we enjoy in the United States today, and have secured the United States’ place as global leader, and the most respected and feared military in the world. I was so honored to have those soldiers visit and thank all of our service members for their dedicated service.
Finally, resolving an issue the legislature has been working on for over 5 years, we passed an excellent piece of legislation known now as “Cody’s Law”. The bill is the first substantial overhaul to our graduated driver’s license system in many years, and strikes a balance between the needs of our rural communities and the safety of our children. The bill will require every teen to hold a learner’s permit for 12 months before obtaining a restricted or full license. It will limit teen drivers to no more than one non-sibling passenger under the age of 18 during the first 6 months of full licensing and limits late-night driving to 9:00 p.m. during the first 6 months of full licensing unless driving to and from work or school. Most importantly for rural areas, the bill makes no changes to the existing farm permit provisions or restricted license provisions.
When we return to work next Wednesday, we’ll begin addressing some of the issues that have cleared the Senate in addition to work from the House that comes from some of our “exempt” committees. I anticipate debate very soon on a comprehensive energy policy, the 2010 budget, and a few localized issues such as the statewide smoking ban. As always, your input on these matters and any others are critically important to my decision making and I hope you’ll take a moment to notify me of your wishes and concerns as these matters come before us.
