The most time consuming issue that the legislature faced this session was the budget. The Legislature was to pass a budget that was not only balanced but also fiscally responsible and cut wasteful spending. There was a wide range of debate on the final budget proposal, but at the end of the day almost 70 legislators remained focused on our goal to build a better Kansas, recognizing that passage of the budget with an ending balance while avoiding tax increases was a significant step in reforming state government and trusting Governor Brownback to lead us to a new era of small, responsive and responsible government.

I voted in favor of this budget. I believe that it is a step in the right direction towards fiscal discipline. The road to fiscal discipline does not end with the passage of this budget. For conservative legislators, such as myself, who are committed to fiscal responsibility, this is the start of the process of restructuring state government and making state government more efficient to ensure that essential services such as education, public safety, and care for the most vulnerable in our society are maintained. I want to commend the conferees from the House, Senate and also the Governor for his work in helping guide the conference committee through this process. This was not an easy task.

This budget is not a perfect one, but it is the beginning of having our state live within its means just as our families do.

KPERS Reform (S. Sub. for HB 2194)<

One of the most critical issues we faced upon arrival in Topeka this year was our chronically underfunded Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS). Currently, KPERS has an unfunded liability of $8 billion dollars. In terms of actuarial solvency, recent studies have shown Kansas to have the second worst state pension system in the United States, falling only behind Illinois.

The House and Senate both passed legislation to begin the process of repairing the solvency of the KPERS retirement system. A conference committee met to negotiate the differences between the respective bills and came to an agreement that modifies the KPERS pension plan for current KPERS members and future public employees of the state, school and local groups. The agreement makes a variety of changes, contingent upon specific triggers including future action by the Legislature in 2012 and approval by the IRS for allowing tier I and II members the option of choosing alternative benefit and contribution options. The changes made to KPERS by this legislation will bring the state, school and local groups into balance by the 2019 fiscal year.

First, the bill establishes a 13 member KPERS study commission to review alternative retirement plans and to report its recommendation by January 6, 2012. Those recommendations would be introduced in the House and Senate during the 2012 session. Second, the bill requires the legislature during the 2012 session to vote on each of the bills. Third, upon the legislature voting on the respective KPERS bills, the statutory state, school and local employer contribution rate caps of 0.6 percent would be increased for local employers to: 0.9 percent in FY 2014, 1.0 percent in FY 2015, 1.1 percent in FY 2016 and 1.2 percent in FY 2017.

Some of the concerns that I am hearing about this summer are:

Caylee's Law
Since the verdict of Casey Anthony, I have received numerous emails concerning the establishment of a "Caylee's Law." The Speaker has made the review of Kansas law concerning matters such as these a priority for the 2012 session. I am confident that we will make any needed revisions to our laws in the upcoming session.

Redistricting
The task of redrawing the congressional district boundary lines has begun. Every 10 years following the census the 4 Kansas congressional districts are evaluated to see the population spread to determine if proper representation is equalized.

The reorganization can have an impact on Judicial, House and Senate members as well. The idea is that each Kansas House Representative would represent approximately 22,000 constituents and each Senator would represent approximately 65,000 constituents.

As population base changes over the years it can become easy for some districts to gain population while others lose residents. The reasons vary but always come down to lifestyle changes, employment opportunities; medical services needed, family requirements and so on.

The realignment commission takes population data and voter registration information and develops maps that can show this realignment according to population information. With the aid of computer models the data can be manipulated to provide a wide range of scenarios and possibilities.

Here is the link where you can find out when and where this committee is having hearings.

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Redistrct/public-hearings.htm

I will keep you posted how it will affect our district when information becomes available.

Thank you to all of you that participated in the Shawnee Days Parade in June and the Lenexa Community Days Parade in July. I appreciate your support and willingness to bear the heat with me.

Remember that just because the House is not in session that does not mean you cannot contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas you have. You can reach me in the following ways:

email- Kelly.Meigs@house.ks.gov or kelly@kellymeigs.com
phone: 913-406-5061 In your service,

Kelly Meigs
State Representative
District #17