Ed Bideau doubts two proposed constitutional amendments will pass the Kansas House. THE HOUSE BUDGET will come out today, he said, and has differences from the governor’s; it maintains, for one example, the mortgage exemption for state income tax. OTHER COMMENTS:
Bideau, whose Ninth House District includes Allen County, said here Saturday morning amendments to change the way appellate judges are selected and how education funding is determined were unlikely to attract the necessary two-thirds vote of 84 in the House.
The judicial selection amendment would have the Senate confirm a nominee made by the governor, rather than have the governor select from among three nominees proposed by a lawyer-led committee.
The other amendment would shift responsibility to the Legislature for determining funding for an adequate and equitable education for Kansas children. Orders by the Supreme Court to increase education funding have riled legislators, even though based on studies made on their behalf.
Bideau said his opposition to the appellate court amendment came from a decision in “1963 or ’64 to change Senate representation.” Previously, Kansas senators were selected by territories of three counties, much the same as federally with two U.S. senators from each state.
“Since then state Senate districts have been determined by population,” which has shifted representation to high-population metropolitan areas, Bideau noted.
His fear is having the Senate put its stamp on court appointments would skew political and societal tendencies to those of metropolitan areas, which sometimes are at odds with rural Kansans.
However, he has concerns about how overall funding schemes — the lion’s share of the state budget funds education — will affect local property taxes.
The machinery exemption proposed and backed by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce would cost Kansas and local governing bodies as much as $420 million in ad valorem tax dollars, a post audit report just out shows. That would result in an appreciable shift of responsibility to residential, commercial and oil and gas taxpayers.
“The 20-mill statewide levy for education likely would have to be increased” and local bodies, such as the county or Allen Community College, could see levies increased just to keep revenue static, he said.
A report out last week noted refinery equipment in Montgomery County was so much a component of assessed valuation that more than half of property tax revenue there would be lost.
“The local effect is a real concern for me,” Bideau said, and promised the measure would not get his support.
His concerns, and others with rural roots, would be a moot point if legislators in metropolitan areas signed on to the equipment appraisal reduction, or any other bill.
“Legislators from the four most populous counties now have the votes to do whatever they want,” he said.
— Bideau co-sponsored the so-called “heart beat” bill that would prevent abortion if the heart beat of a fetus was discernible. If the bill passes it “will be challenged and that’s part of the reason for it, to create a test case that would be expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court.” Not all in the pro-life community are supportive, he added, because “they call it half loaf” in not banning abortion altogether.
— Bideau wants a pilot program to determine — he doubts it will — whether KanCare, managed care for Medicaid programs, is the right thing for people with disabilities, such as those served by Tri-Valley Development Services. It was noted that KanCare managers are versed in medical procedures, but not many of the problems that afflict people with disabilities.
— Bideau wants local taxing bodies to be more transparent with what he calls invisible taxes. A taxing body can keep a levy the same as the previous year’s but tax dollar collections increase if assessed valuation goes up. He would require a specific vote by the governing body, to make more visible to patrons if the number of dollars levied in a succeeding year were more.
— Bideau is pro-gun, — a National Rifle Association member — and thinks “there’s a place for concealed carry.” But, he questions what the extent should be in public buildings and thinks that should be a local decision. He sees concealed carry as a means of personal protection.
— Drug testing for welfare recipients is likely to pass both houses, and Bideau thinks it’s appropriate if there is a reasonable suspicion of use. However, with a rehabilitation plan part of the process, he has concerns about costs.
Bideau’s rural roots have role in decisions
