Lawmakers are watching budget trends as they get set to begin the 2020 legislative session next week.
60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia continued KVOE’s legislative previews during Tuesday’s Newsmaker 2 segment. The state has seen revenues come in above projections for months, even as the agriculture economic sector has been struggling that entire time. Now aviation issues are developing as Spirit has offered its employees voluntary layoffs as a result of Boeing’s problems with the 737 Max jet. Schreiber says lawmakers need to be careful with spending as a result.
This puts more emphasis on tax policy. Schreiber says Republican lawmakers have a couple goals in mind for the 2020 session.
Schreiber is pleased Medicaid expansion looks like it has broader support among lawmakers than it has recently. A news conference is coming Thursday morning to unveil a new plan for expanding KanCare, and Schreiber is optimistic it will pass early in the session. Schreiber also said he supports enacting policies to allow the use of medical marijuana, although he’s “not holding his breath” about possible action this session, and he says so-called “red flag” laws, where guns could be taken away from people considered as dangerous to themselves or others, are “worthy of consideration to look at” if due process and other protections are included in the policy.
Schreiber is running for re-election. He is seeking his third term in office.
KVOE’s legislative previews continue Wednesday with 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington joining the Newsmaker 2 slot at 8:20 am. The previews conclude with 51st District Representative Ron Highland for the Newsmaker 2 slot at 8:40 am following the ESU Buzz with President Allison Garrett at 8:20 am.
