From budgets to redistricting, higher education to water, a lot is on the table for the Kansas Legislature when the 2022 session convenes next week.
On KVOE’s Morning Show on Wednesday, 51st District Representative Ron Highland of Wamego said the combination of tax revenue and COVID relief funding from the federal government has the state with a $ 2 billion ending balance now and possibly up to $3 billion by July, along with over $1 billion in unallocated COVID funds. This will lead to “a tremendous amount of discussion on what to do with that cash,” including agency requests and tax policy.
Tax rebates, a plan from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, may not see a decision until late in the session. The push to end food sales taxes, both from Gov. Kelly and Republican challenger Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, will also be reviewed, although Highland says that may not happen all at once if lawmakers approve the general idea.
On water policy, Highland says there are several regional issues that could be critical to the state’s economic development, including shrinking aquifers and uranium-tainted waters in the west and heavy siltation in the east — including the KVOE listening area. How water policy moves forward — or whether it does — “all comes down to funding.”
On redistricting, Highland believes he may lose some territory near Rossville once the process is done. On higher education, Highland says lawmakers will take a close look at the Board of Regents’ request for $200 million to clear deferred maintenance and other needs, as well as enrollment trends and tuition costs.
Highland also says he’s mulling a run for another term and may make a decision over the next month. Highland has been serving the district since 2013.
Legislative previews continue at 8:20 am Thursday with 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington.
