Lawmakers are back in Topeka for the veto session which got underway at 10 am Monday morning and business has been quick-paced so far.
Prior to the start of the session 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia joined KVOE’s Morning Show to discuss the Legislature’s progress to this point and to preview what is still to come. bills vetoed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly last month, two major pieces of legislation have already seen action. Both the Senate and House chose to override the governor’s veto on Senate Bill 50 which essentially decouples certain state and federal taxes affording residents the option, once they reach a certain threshold, to not pay a full amount on either.
On her decision to veto the bill last month, Kelly stated she felt it took too much money away from the state that could be used for essential services saying, “…in order to provide sustainable funding for essential government services, we cannot return to the era of perennial, self-inflicted budget crises that undermine the very fabric and foundation of our state.”
Schreiber stated he is in favor of the bill and believes one of the pieces involved will help level the playing field between online retailers and local small merchants.
The House voted to override the veto by a final vote of 84-39 while the Senate voted 30-10 in favor of the override.
Also Monday, lawmakers voted to uphold the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 55, also known as the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. The legislation that would have banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at either the high school or collegiate levels was vetoed by the governor late last month.
From the start, Schreiber has stated he is not in favor of the bill at one time calling it “discriminatory and unnecessary.” An override of the governor’s veto failed to pass the Senate by a vote of 26-14.
Overall Schreiber says the session has not been “perfect” given the uncertainty surrounding the session due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However; he feels the Legislature has accomplished a lot over the past few months and says “we have made some good steps.”
Schreiber’s interview concluded a series over the past week which included interviews with 51st District Representative Ron Highland of Wamego and 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia.