How does the state of Kansas balance its budget goals?
That was a key talking point for 51st District House Representative Ron Highland of Wamego during KVOE’s legislative preview finale on Thursday’s Morning Show. One of Highland’s priorities this session is something that hasn’t been seen much traction as a major legislative issue in years past: flood control.
Highland says the state may need more retention dams, but it would have to rely on federal money if lawmakers and the governor pursue that flood control method.
Highland says the state has to balance other funding goals like higher education and mental health. Speaking of money, he believes it will cost the state too much to make Medicaid expansion viable.
Highland says he does not support several other proposals from Governor Laua Kelly, including medical marijuana and a reduction in payments to the state’s pension system. He’s also not supportive of so-called red flag laws that could take guns away from people considered as dangerous to themselves or others. Highland says he plans to get input from several sources about the benefits and drawbacks of combining the Department for Children and Families, Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Department of Corrections’ juvenile services division into the Department of Human Services.
Lawmakers formally start the 2020 session Monday. Find all of our legislative session previews from this week in the KVOE.com Audio Vault.
