Money matters could well be the dominant underlying issue for Kansas lawmakers as they begin the 2024 session next week.
Tax relief is shaping up to be a hot topic as the state is now starting to miss tax revenue projections, including December, after better than two years of the monthly numbers surpassing expectations — but 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia says the state is still “flush with money.” While lawmakers passed an income tax relief package last year — one vetoed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly — Longbine says the bigger issue is property tax relief. He says he hears from residents daily on the topic, especially from fixed-income seniors worried they could lose their homes.
The most prevalent issue in the media over the past month has been Medicaid expansion — a step long sought by Governor Kelly, Longbine and a minority of other lawmakers. Longbine does not expect any action on that topic this term with Republican leadership adamantly opposed.
Longbine also would like to see widespread action on a range of topics this session — but that might not happen, given the fact that this is an election year.
Longbine is also looking at water issues, saying a lot of policy decisions will be linked to matters revolving around the Ogallala Aquifer, including irrigation, large water users in Kansas, water rights with Colorado and Nebraska and overall conservation.
Longbine was first elected in 2011. He will chair the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee as well as the Pensions Committee this session. He will also serve on the Federal and State Affairs Committee.
Legislative previews continue on KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday. 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia will be on the Newsmaker segment at 7:20 am, followed by 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington on the Newsmaker 3 segment at 8:40 am.
