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May 2, 2008

Morning

Senate amends their budget bill to include KPERS “bonus check”

In floor debate on the budget bill, Senator Anthony Hensley (D-Topeka) made a motion to include a cost of living increase for retirees and when that failed successfully put a “bonus check.” While far less than a COLA, it is at least something in an environment that is always interested in talking about COLAs but loathe to pass them.

This action puts something in both budget bills for KPERS retirees. We’ll see what survives these last days!

Coal burns up the night; no action on school finance

While the Senate was debating their budget bill, the House took up the override of the Governor’s coal bill veto. The Senate had already overridden the veto handily.

A preliminary vote found the override failing so proponents of the coal plants called for a call of the House. During a call, all members must stay in their seats while any missing representatives are rounded up. Often one side or the other of an issue will deliberately “hide” a member in order to force a call. This gives legislators the opportunity to lobby each other – particularly those that are seen as swing votes on a close issue.

Coal plant proponents used the call to do just that but, after about two hours, gave up and the vote to override fell four votes short. The veto override stands unless proponents can force the issue through reconsideration today.

We were waiting to see what would happen on the conference committee report on SB 531, the fourth year school finance bill. Looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer as the call of the House took up all their time last night.

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