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January 29, 2008

New bills cropping up

Licensure and DUI’s

Senator John Vratil (R-Leawood) was made aware of a situation where a teaching license was denied to a new college graduate when a background check brought up a misdemeanor DUI from her college days. Senator Vratil felt that a lifetime ban on a teaching license because of a misdemeanor DUI seemed to be somewhat extreme.

Senator Vratil has introduced SB 492 which would change this from a misdemeanor to a felony. If SB 492 passes, a felony DUI would be cause for non-issuance or renewal of a teaching license while a misdemeanor DUI would not.

Public vote for any capital outlay increase

Under current law, capital outlay levy increases are subject to protest petition and election. If HB 2693 were to pass an election would be required for every bond issue. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mike Kiegerl (R-Olathe), represents some of the fastest growing districts in Kansas whose capital outlay needs are enormous.

Energy bill mandate would likely drive up school construction costs

Senate Bill 452, introduced by the Special Committee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment, contains mandates on school construction that would very likely drive up the cost of that construction.

The bill mandates that new school facilities “be designed, constructed and certified to achieve energy consumption levels that are at least 25% below the levels established under the ASHRAE standard or the IECC…” Energy conservation standards are set by either the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) or the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). A mandate that school facilities be at least 25% better than those standards would add costs to construction.

The bill does indicate that this would kick in only “if such levels of energy consumption are life-cycle cost-effective for such projects and buildings.” In other words, if the energy cost savings over the life of the building would offset the increased costs of design and construction.

While the bill is very good environmentally, it might push the cost of bonds up to a level that would cause voters to reject the issuance of such bonds. One wonders whether long term cost savings would be persuasive to a majority of voters. This bill, especially in conjunction with HB 2693 above, could prove problematic.

Senate Education Committee Talks ROTC

The Senate Education Committee took testimony on SB 437 that would expand the ROTC scholarship program to community colleges. Under current law the scholarship program is available only at "state educational institutions" and municipal universities. The definition of state educational institutions does not include community colleges. At issue for the Kansas National Guard is their shortage of officers. This bill would bring community colleges into the program. The bill was supported by several soldiers and Rep. Mario Goico (R-Wichita). Sheila Frahm, representing Kansas Community Colleges, brought additional information to the discussion. No action was taken.

KCCI talks workforce and taxes

The Senate Commerce Committee heard the results of a survey of Kansas business owners and executives conducted by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).  KNEA is always interested in what KCCI has to say regarding the business and education climate in the state.

Senators expressed disappointment in a number of the responses by business leaders to the survey. KCCI reported that business leaders still felt they paid too much in taxes. This brought out some frustration among the senators since in the 2007 session they passed one of the largest tax relief bills for business on record and the survey was taken after the bill became law.

The survey also said that manufacturing businesses were dissatisfied with the quality of the workforce. Senators pointed out that they had reviewed a number of studies that showed business to be very satisfied with the quality of the workforce in Kansas. Members of the committee asked a number of questions which KCCI representatives could not answer. Further explanations of the survey are due back to the committee by KCCI in the near future.

Prairie Fire is first UniServ District to come for “lobby days”

KNEA members from Prairie Fire UniServ District came to Topeka today for the start of the KNEA/USA annual lobby days program. Prairie Fire covers Douglas, Franklin, and Miami Counties in northeast Kansas and includes Lawrence, Baldwin City, Ottawa, and Louisburg among its school districts.

Prairie Fire KNEA members discussed school finance with a number of legislators and even had an appointment with Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt (R-Independence).

If you are interested in attending a lobby days event, contact your local president or KNEA UniServ Director.

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