2018 legislative outlook
We have heard from conservative legislators who believe the court overstepped its bounds by interfering with the “power of the purse”. These legislators believe the court has no authority to demand more money for schools and that the court’s decision can be ignored. Finally, some may find it simpler to comply with the court order. Here, again Governor Brownback suggested adding $600 million over 5 years to the school funding formula. However, he did state this could be done with no new taxes. Raising taxes is highly unpopular, especially after hiking them up in 2017. Some mentioned a statewide mill levy increase to pay for schools. This might have equity implications, but it would raise the needed funds. There will be ample posturing which might lead to negotiations, but how that plays out and in what time frame is yet to be determined. It is also important to remember that 2018 is an election year and these votes will be used in many primary races to paint incumbents as tax & spend legislators. Couple this with a highly contested race for governor and you have a wild beginning to the election cycle. The cast of candidates for governor grows by the week but the front runners are: Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer Will become Governor if/when Brownback leaves. Dr. Jim Barnett, R-Topeka Physician, past state senator, congress & gov. candidate Wink Hartman, R-Wichita Wichita businessman Mark Hutton, R-Wichita Wichita businessman and former state rep. Kris Kobach, R-DeSoto Secretary of State Ed O’Malley, R-Wichita Fmr. state rep./President/KS Leadership Center. Ken Selzer, R-Overland Park Commissioner of Insurance Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park 3rd District U.S. Congressman Laura Kelly, D-Topeka Kansas State Senator Carl Brewer, D-Wichita Former Wichita Mayor Josh Svaty, D-Ellsworth Fmr. State rep. and fmr. Secretary of Agriculture Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita House Minority Leader Greg Orman, I-Overland Park Unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014 50
The Journal of the Kansas Bar Association
Other races of interest include: Secretary of State Rep. Keith Esau, R-Olathe Rep. Scott Schwab, R-Olathe Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence 2nd District Congressional Seat Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, R-Leavenworth Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker Rep. Kevin Jones, R-Wellsville Paul Davis, D-Lawrence Note: State senators are in the middle of 4-year terms and are not required to resign from office to run for another office. State representatives effectively give up their positions when they seek another office. In the 2016 election Kansas saw a move back to a more moderate legislative body. This proves the pendulum of politics can swing rather quickly. There are also signs of a strong national democratic showing in 2018 which could play a part in Kansas Congressional races, but many believe that the seats won by moderates in 2016 will be highly contested due to the number of tax issues these legislators were forced to make. This will be an interesting summer/fall. The Kansas Bar Association will be engaged on several technical issues with a direct impact on the practice of law. For instance, the KBA supports changes to the Kansas Supreme Court’s budget proposals, the Uniform Arbitration Act, and a variety of probate issues. These proposals, along with other information pertaining to the Kansas Legislature, can be found on the KBA Legislative Homepage, www.ksbar.org. Additional Information: The official state website for the Kansas Legislature is: www.kslegislature.org From that site, you can find information on the House and Senate members and contact information, calendars, bill introductions, committee activity, minutes of committees, committee memberships and virtually anything related to the Kansas Legislature.
Lawyers and Law-Trained Legislators 2018 Kansas Legislature KANSAS SENATOR
Senator David Haley Senate District No. 4 D-Kansas City Haley is the managing partner of Village East, a redevelopment company in Kansas City, Kan. He served in the Kansas House from 1994-2000 and was elected to the Senate in 2000. He was re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. Sen. Haley