Dahl, Barnett address issues, answer questions at coffees
Staff reporter
Concealed weapons, education, business retention, government spending, and taxes were topics District 70 Representative Don Dahl and District 17 Senator Jim Barnett discussed Saturday in Marion and Hillsboro during the annual legislative coffees.
Constituents heard opening comments from each legislator and were given an opportunity to ask questions during the 60-90 minute sessions.
Topics and comments
"We need leaders with the guts to stop the spending," said Barnett about government spending and courts stepping in to make decisions.
He said it was a constitutional issue and only legislators can spend money.
"The folks you vote for should set funding for schools, not courts," Barnett said.
Jobs, youth, in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, and state spending are other concerns facing the two legislators.
"We have great highways but unfortunately our children and grandchildren drive on them out of the state," said Barnett.
Dahl reported there were 6,100 jobs gained in government sectors from August 2000 to August 2005, while the private sector lost 14,400 jobs.
From August 2004 to August 2005, Kansas ranked 42nd in private sector job growth.
"This is unsatisfactory," Dahl said. "The trend cannot continue."
Legislators continue to juggle school finance, taxes, and the state's debt in making decisions.
Barnett said state leaders used to be cautious about accruing debt but now is one of the leaders in the nation.
"In 1992, the state's debt was $424 million or $195 per resident. Since then the total debt has increased a staggering 832 percent to $3.7 billion or $1,352 per resident," said Dahl.
Just to service the state's debt in 2005, $429 million was paid in principal and interest, he said.
States cannot go in debt but are allowed to bond.
From 1972 to 2002, spending of the state's general fund increased 1,119 percent while average wages in Kansas increased only 348 percent.
"Wages are not keeping up with state spending," said Dahl.
The state's total outstanding debt in 1992 was $500,000, said Barnett. Today it is nearly $4 million.
The "No Child Left Behind" initiative is supposed to be met by 2014. In order to accomplish this, the state would have to significantly increase taxes, said Barnett. He said he proposed the only education plan to the state senate.
Barnett's plan would add $500 million the first year to the base of the education fund, and to bilingual, at-risk, and special education programs. During a four-year period, funds would continue to increase and reach $1 billion by the fourth year.
In order to accomplish this without raising taxes, Barnett proposed freezing the state budget except Medicare and regent institutions (colleges and universities).
"We have to tighten our belts until we grow again," he said.
He proposed cutting taxes in 2008, eliminating estate or death taxes, and increasing dependent exemptions and decreasing on income taxes.
Barnett said states with lower income taxes have created more jobs.
He added that he does not support the bill that would exempt personal property taxes for those businesses that purchase new machinery or equipment.
"It just shifts the burden," he said. "If we do this, it will increase property taxes."
The state has promised to provide some funding to counties on a sliding scale to assist with budget concerns.
Dahl said he supported the exemption for business equipment and machinery and said something had to be done for businesses.
Questions from constituents
— Hillsboro Mayor Delores Dalke said there is a meeting between city, state, and federal officials today (Wednesday) regarding the status of the blue-green algae at Marion Reservoir.
"The problem is not getting better," said Dalke, and further explained that Marion Reservoir needed to have a "critical need" status in order to receive priority in funding opportunities.
Matching grant funds of $400,000-$500,000 were needed to complete a study.
Dahl said Congressman Jerry Moran had addressed some of the water issues and asked questions about water quality.
— Bob Maxwell of rural Marion said he was not in favor of Air Tran of Wichita receiving subsidies to continue operations in Wichita.
He also asked Dahl why committee votes regarding in-state tuition for illegal immigrants was not recorded. Dahl responded the votes are unrecorded unless requested. Dahl added those in attendance at the committee meeting could see how members voted.
Maxwell also asked Dahl how there could be an 11-11 tie. Dahl said not every committee member attends meetings. In this case, the chairman voted to tie the motion to keep it in the committee for more debates.
— Retired Marion teacher Pat Jackson said English needs to be the official language in Kansas.
"Teach children English and don't carry on bilingual training any longer than necessary," Jackson said.
Barnett said there needs to be a faster transition to English.
— Roger Hannaford III of Marion said cost for college education for middle class income families keeps increasing and wondered how average-income families could afford it.
Barnett said legislature used to control tuition and then it was shifted to the regents. Regents then approve construction of new buildings without a means to provide maintenance and increase tuition to cover expenses.
He said he supported a program to provide an overview of tuition control and building maintenance.
— Diane Glaser or rural Peabody, said she was concerned about the recent passing of a bill that allowed individuals to carry concealed weapons.
Barnett said he voted for the bill but, as a physician, it was a difficult decision.
"I trained at Heartland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, when President John F. Kennedy was shot," Barnett said. "Every Friday night was the 'Gun and Knife Club'."
Dahl also said he supported it because he had constituents who said they were concerned for their own safety and this was a way to protect themselves.
Kansas is only one of four states without the law. The issue had been researched and indicated crime was reduced with a concealed weapons law.
"Terry Nichols and Dennis Rader both had licenses for concealed weapons," said Glaser.
"There are no good or bad guns," said Dahl, and implied that people make good and bad decisions with guns.
— Hillsboro City Councilman Len Coryea said he was concerned about property being sold to out-of-state hunters by Mike Hayden, secretary of Kansas Wildlife and Parks. Coryea said the philosophy is eminent domain can be used to get property returned to the in-state owners.
Dahl said legislators are trying to get the issue under control.
"A bill was passed that gives agencies authority to write rules and regulations and then legislature has the option to adopt," said Dahl. "Agencies sometimes take advantage of the situation.
