DOCSLIB.ORG

February 17, 2016 Senator Susan Wagle, President of the Kansas

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
February 17, 2016 Senator Susan Wagle, President of the Kansas Phone: (785)-296-3185 900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 404 Fax: (785)-296-0878 Topeka, KS 66612 Water Authority www.kwo.org Gary Harshberger, Chair Sam Brownback, Governor February 17, 2016 Senator Susan Wagle, President of the Kansas Senate Senator Terry Bruce, Senate Majority Leader Senator Larry Powell, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources Representative Ray Merrick, Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives Representative Jene Vickrey, House Majority Leader Representative Sharon Schwartz, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Senator Anthony Hensley, Senate Minority Leader Senator Marci Francisco, Ranking Minority Member, Senate Committee on Natural Resources Representative Tom Burroughs, House Minority Leader Representative Ponka-We Victors, Ranking Minority Member, House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Senate Substitute for HB 2059 was favorably passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on February 4, 2016. This bill in its current state addresses two water related issues; addition of fertilizer to irrigation systems which are sourced with surface water and changes fee structures and review timeframes for applications which would divert surface water to be used in a water transfer. The Kansas Water Authority (KWA) held conference calls on February 10, and February 16, 2016, to discuss the contents of the bill. In particular, the KWA focused on the portion of the bill which lowers fees and removes review timeframes for surface water transfer water right applications. The need to secure Kansas’ stake in waters that flow out of or bypass the state has been recognized as a need within the Long-Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas. Last year at this time, the KWA received and accepted an updated report relative to the transfer of water from the Missouri River through an aqueduct to southwest Kansas. That study identified three possible legal mechanisms to appropriate the water supply, with application under the existing Kansas Water Appropriation Act being one of the three options. We believe this priority should be evaluated further before legislative action. The KWA commits to evaluating the issue further and reporting recommendations to the 2017 Legislature. While the language in the bill attempts to address a legitimate long-term water need, we believe the issues it may create are more substantive and complex. Any significant water transfer plan and project will take many years to develop, permit, and complete. The lack of a timeframe to make a decision on a permit application means that other potential water users seeking to use the same source of water will have projects held up until final decisions on the transfer can be made. This may in fact limit some areas of our state from securing and accessing water that is in their region as well as any associated economic development. The KWA appreciates the proponent’s dedication in continuing to move the discussion on securing Kansas’ water supply forward. However, the method provided in Senate Substitute for HB 2059 contains a significant water policy change and could create opportunity for possible unintended consequences such as: hoarding through the application for an entire surface water supply with no reasonable expected use; speculation by those seeking to profit by being the first applicant; interstate applicants with no guarantee of use in Kansas; premature applications from current surface water users for future, long-term water needs; challenges from other states and tribes who may be concerned about the impacts of such a transfer on their interstate water rights; prohibiting new economic development from surface water sources, and; intrastate disputes between geographically diverse regions in the state. We urge you to provide more time to evaluate the best way to accomplish this priority. The KWA stands ready, as the state’s water policy and planning body, to complete an open and transparent review of methods to secure surface waters that are leaving our state. We can complete this process and report back to the 2017 Legislature with a recommendation that considers all sides, secures our water supply, and limits undue changes to a well-established system of water management. I would be pleased to answer questions or provide additional information. Sincerely, Gary Harshberger Chair, Kansas Water Authority .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • October 6, 2014 Honorable Sam Brownback Governor of Kansas President of the Senate Susan Wagle Vice President of the Senate Jeff
    October 6, 2014 Honorable Sam Brownback Chief Justice Lawton Nuss Governor of Kansas The Kansas Supreme Court President of the Senate Susan Wagle Speaker Ray Merrick Vice President of the Senate Jeff King Speaker Pro Tem Peggy Mast Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce House Majority Leader Jene Vickrey Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley House Minority Leader Paul Davis Senate Asst. Minority Leader Marci Francisco House Asst. Minority Leader Tom Burroughs Kansas Senate Kansas House of Representatives We write to express our concerns regarding Kansas House Bill 2338, signed into law by Governor Brownback on April 17, 2014 and in effect since July 1, 2014. We believe the new legislation, which strips Kansas’s Supreme Court of the power over local court budgets and the selection of local chief judges, threatens to impinge upon the Kansas Supreme Court’s constitutional authority to administer a unified court system and thus endangers the proper balance between the legislative and judicial branches under the separation-of-powers doctrine. 1. The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Authority to Administer a Unified Court System As amended in 1972, Article III, Section 1 of the Kansas Constitution vests the judicial power of the state in “one supreme court, district courts, and such other courts as are provided by law.” To administer that unified system, Article III, Section 1 also grants the Supreme Court “general administrative authority over all courts in this state.” As the Kansas Supreme Court stated in State v. Mitchell: “It is apparent from the unambiguous words of the constitution that the judicial power of Kansas is vested exclusively in the unified court system.”1 It was not always so.
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Political Contributions
    2012 POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS 2012 Lilly Political Contributions 2 Public Policy As a biopharmaceutical company that treats serious diseases, Lilly plays an important role in public health and its related policy debates. It is important that our company shapes global public policy debates on issues specific to the people we serve and to our other key stakeholders including shareholders and employees. Our engagement in the political arena helps address the most pressing issues related to ensuring that patients have access to needed medications—leading to improved patient outcomes. Through public policy engagement, we provide a way for all of our locations globally to shape the public policy environment in a manner that supports access to innovative medicines. We engage on issues specific to local business environments (corporate tax, for example). Based on our company’s strategy and the most recent trends in the policy environment, our company has decided to focus on three key areas: innovation, health care delivery, and pricing and reimbursement. More detailed information on key issues can be found in our 2011/12 Corporate Responsibility update: http://www.lilly.com/Documents/Lilly_2011_2012_CRupdate.pdf Through our policy research, development, and stakeholder dialogue activities, Lilly develops positions and advocates on these key issues. U.S. Political Engagement Government actions such as price controls, pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates, and access to Lilly medicines affect our ability to invest in innovation. Lilly has a comprehensive government relations operation to have a voice in the public policymaking process at the federal, state, and local levels. Lilly is committed to participating in the political process as a responsible corporate citizen to help inform the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • 14Th Annual Kansas Workforce Summit
    Kansas Workforce Summit 14th Annual Kansas Workforce Summit Energizing Education, Economic Development and Employment: Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders in a Rapidly Changing Workplace January 21-22, 2015 Capitol Plaza Hotel • Sunflower BallRoom Topeka, KS AGENDA * SPEAKERS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE * DAY 1 (January 21) Pre-Conference Meetings (as organized by individual committes) 9:00 a.m. Registration Begins 11:00 a.m. Exhibits Open 12:00 p.m. Opening Plenary Luncheon Governor Sam Brownback and Secretary of Commerce Pat George - Both Invited 12:45 p.m. Break and Exhibit Visitation 1:00 p.m. Meeting Demand, Challenging Demand Matthew Sigelman, CEO, Burning Glass Technologies,will discuss how real-time labor information and “big data” analytics give workforce agencies and educators unprecedented insight into the job market. With this information, these key players can understand the real gaps and inefficiencies in the market and answer the Workforce Investment & Opportunity Act’s (WIOA) call to align their programs to meet employer demand. But there’s also an opportunity to challenge demand as well. In many cases, the strategies employers use to hire workers are inefficient and even self-defeating. Workforce agencies and educators can leverage this more specific awareness of demand to flag opportunities to make the job market work better for employers and workers alike. 2:00 p.m. ITC - Who We Are, What We Do, and the Skills We Need Now and in the Future Kevin Burke, Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer, ITC Holdings, Inc., will discuss how ITC fits into the electricity transmission grid, how the transmission business works, the importance of veteran placement services in their control room, and the skills and education required in the energy field now and in the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Parking Call Leads to Drug Bust Three Colby Residents Were Ar- South Grant
    75¢ COLBY Thursday September 4, 2014 Volume 125, Number 138 Serving Thomas County since 1888 10 pages FFREEREE PPRESSRESS Parking call leads to drug bust Three Colby residents were ar- South Grant. rested last Wednesday night on Trevor H. Strutt, 20; Kirstie J. drug charges that resulted from in- Strutt, 23; and Tayte A. Query, vestigation of a traffic complaint. 20, were arrested, taken to the The Colby Police Department Thomas County Jail, and booked SHARON FRIEDLANDER and SAM DIETER/Colby Free Press and Array Technologies said one of its officers was in- for possession of hallucinogenic A group of community leaders (above) broke ground last up the first sod for the project. Lehman talked about the vestigating a traffic complaint at drugs and possession of drug Thursday morning for a new solar array to be built this fall near reasons Midwest wants a new solar array here, which will be about 9:53 p.m. Aug. 27, going paraphernalia. Query and Kirstie the ridge behind them. Colby’s City Manager, at left) Tyson set up with help from Clean Energy. Business and community door-to-door along Grant Avenue Strutt were released on a recogni- McGreer, state Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, Mayor Gary Adrian, leaders (bottom) listened to him and Spencer. The array will and asking for information about zance bond the same night, Trevor City Councilwoman Peg Tole, Ernie Lehman with Midwest be the first of its kind in Kansas to use a tracking system, an illegally-parked vehicle. Strutt was released on a $25,000 Energy and Paul Spencer with Clean Energy Collective dug similar to these panels in Phoenix, Ariz.
    [Show full text]
  • Tightening the Reins New Rules Could Bump Emotional-Support Animals from Planes
    NBA FACES PACIFIC Williamson’s debut lives AP critics predict China locks down up to hype, bodes well largely unpredictable 3 more cities as for Pelicans’ prospects Grammy Awards virus spreads Back page Page 20 Page 3 Dems focus on abuse-of-power charge in impeachment trial » Page 8 Volume 78, No. 200 ©SS 2020 CONTINGENCY EDITION FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2020 stripes.com Free to Deployed Areas IRAQ Iran looks to cash in on anti-US sentiment BY DAVID RISING Associated Press BEIRUT — Iran has long sought the withdrawal of Ameri- can forces from neighboring Iraq, but the U.S. killing of an Iranian general and an Iraqi militia com- mander in Baghdad has added new impetus to the effort, stoking anti-American feelings that Teh- ran hopes to exploit to help real- ize the goal. The Jan. 3 killing led Iraq’s parliament to call for the ouster of U.S. troops, but there are lin- gering questions over whether Iran will be able to capitalize on the sentiment. An early test will be a “million- man” demonstration against the American presence, called for by influential Shiite cleric Moqtada ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREA VILLARI/Stars and Stripes al-Sadr and scheduled for Friday. It is not clear whether the pro- testers will try to re-create a SEE IRAN ON PAGE 7 Tightening the reins New rules could bump emotional-support animals from planes BY DAVID KOENIG Airlines say the number of support animals Associated Press ‘ The days has grown dramatically in recent years. They lobbied the Transportation Department to crack The days of passengers bringing their pets on of Noah’s Ark down on what they consider a scam — passengers airplanes as emotional-support animals could be in the air are who call their pets emotional-support animals to ending.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal/Sta Te Officials
    KANSAS EXECUTIVE OFFICES KANSAS EXECUTIVE OFFICES www.kansas.gov (continued) Governor .........................Sam Brownback (R) Insurance Commissioner ........Ken Selzer (R) 300 S.W. 10th Ave., Suite 241-S 420 S.W. Ninth St. Topeka, KS 66612 Topeka, KS 66612 Phone ....................................785-296-3232 Phone ....................................785-296-3071 Toll-free .................................877-579-6757 Toll-free .................................800-432-2484 Hearing Impaired...................800-766-3777 Hearing Impaired...................877-235-3151 Fax ........................................785-368-8788 Fax ........................................785-296-7805 Email [email protected] Email [email protected] FEDERAL/STATE OFFICIALS FEDERAL/STATE Website ....................... www.governor.ks.gov Website .......................www.ksinsurance.org Lt. Governor ............................Jeff Colyer (R) 300 S.W. 10th Ave., 2nd Floor KANSAS SENATE LEADERSHIP Topeka, KS 66612 www.kslegislature.org/li/b2015_16/chamber/senate/leadership/ Phone ....................................785-296-2214 President ................................... Susan Wagle Toll-free .................................800-748-4408 300 S.W. 10th Ave., Room 333-E Hearing Impaired...................800-766-3777 Topeka, KS 66612 Fax ........................................785-296-5669 Phone ....................................785-296-2419 Email [email protected] Email
    [Show full text]
  • Governor Kelly Delivers the State of the State Address Jan 16, 2020
    Governor Kelly delivers the State of the State address Jan 16, 2020 The following State of the State address is from Governor Laura Kelly: Mr. Speaker, Madam President, Madam Chief Justice, Lt. Governor Rogers, members of the Legislature, Cabinet officers, leaders of the Kansas tribes, honored guests, and fellow Kansans. It is my high honor to stand before you this evening to report on the progress of my administration, and to share my plans for the year ahead. We have much to discuss tonight. But before I begin, please welcome back the third “First Gentleman” in Kansas history, my husband, Dr. Ted Daughety. Ted still misses his garden and his darkroom, but he’s adjusting to our new home by adding some personal touches. He has taken an interest in putting the “Cedar” back in Cedar Crest with the planting of new trees. He also started a vegetable garden. He even has his own compost pile. In addition to all of that, he continues to practice medicine full time. So, Ted and I have settled into life at the Governor’s Residence. In fact, it was the backdrop for our family’s biggest news of 2019! It was a joy to watch our daughter Kathleen wed our new son-in-law, Mathias, at Cedar Crest earlier this year, with our younger daughter, Molly, standing by her sister’s side. Speaking of siblings – my sister, Kay and my brother Paul are also here tonight from Colorado. And listening in online from Richmond, Virginia, is my brother, Father Fred. As everyone here knows, it is not easy to be related to someone who serves in public office.
    [Show full text]
  • Fur Coats, Resort Vacations and a Porsche: Lawmaker Resigns After Allegedly Taking $500,000 from Her Charity
    Fur coats, resort vacations and a Porsche: Lawmaker resigns after allegedly taking $500,000 from her charity The nonprofit founded by a Pennsylvania lawmaker was meant to help some of the neediest people in West Philadelphia, caring for and housing those struggling with addiction, poverty and mental illness. Yet over the past decade, officials say, state Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell (D) used more than $500,000 from the charity’s bank accounts to pay off a Porsche, multiple fur coats and pricey vacations to Mexico — not to mention, funding her two campaigns for a state seat representing a Philadelphia district. Although the Democrat disputed some of those charges, she also submitted her resignation ​ Thursday to step down from office, and officials said she is planning to plead guilty to some ​ ​ ​ charges, which include theft, perjury and related crimes. “Her theft knew no bounds,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “No one is above ​ ​ the law, no matter their position of power. And today is no different.” Johnson-Harrell, 53, is the 60th public official in Pennsylvania to have been arrested by ​ ​ Shapiro’s office since 2017. But the eye-popping allegations against her stand out. Prosecutors say the lawmaker used her charity as a “cash account,” drawing in some cases from her clients’ government benefits, and covered it up by lying on her personal financial records or those of her nonprofit and campaign. “I vigorously dispute many of these allegations, which generally pertain to before I took office,” she said in a statement to the Associated Press, “and I intend to accept responsibility for any ​ ​ actions that were inappropriate.” A lawyer for Johnson-Harrell did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Washington Post.
    [Show full text]
  • Kansas Speaks Spring 2017 Statewide Public Opinion Survey
    Kansas Speaks Spring 2017 Statewide Public Opinion Survey Prepared For The Citizens of Kansas By The Docking Institute of Public Affairs Fort Hays State University Copyright © May 2017 All Rights Reserved Fort Hays State University 600 Park Street Hays, Kansas 67601-4099 Telephone: (785) 628-4197 FAX: (785) 628-4188 www.fhsu.edu/docking Gary Brinker, PhD Michael S. Walker, MS Director Assistant Director Jian Sun, PhD Lynette Ottley Research Scientist Administrative Specialist Bradley Pendergast, MPA Research Coordinator Mission: To Facilitate Effective Public Policy Decision-Making. The staff of the Docking Institute of Public Affairs and its University Center for Survey Research are dedicated to serving the people of Kansas and surrounding states. Kansas Speaks Spring 2017 Prepared By: Bradley Pendergast, MPA Survey Center Manager Gary Brinker, Ph.D. Jian Sun, Ph.D. Director Research Scientist Chapman Rackaway, Ph.D. Michael Smith, Ph.D Senior Policy Fellow Policy Fellow Docking Institute of Public Affairs Prepared For: The Citizens of Kansas In pursuit of Fort Hays State University’s Public Affairs Mission Copyright © May 2017 All Rights Reserved Table of Contents List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................................................... ii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Kansas Legislative Guide
    2018 Kansas Legislative Guide A Publication of The League of Kansas Municipalities © Copyright January 2018 Kansas Senate Capitol Capitol Phone Representative Party/District E-mail Office 785- Alley, Larry (R-32, Winfield) 541-E 296-7381 [email protected] Baumgardner, Molly (R-37, Louisburg) 224-E 296-7368 [email protected] Berger, Ed (R-34, Hutchinson) 235-E 296-6981 [email protected] Billinger, Rick (R-40, Goodland) 236-E 296-7399 [email protected] Bollier, Barbara (R-7, Mission Hills) 237-E 296-7390 [email protected] Bowers, Elaine (R-36, Concordia) 223-E 296-7389 [email protected] Denning, Jim (R-8, Overland Park) 330-E 296-2497 [email protected] Doll, John (R-39, Garden City) 235-E 296-7694 [email protected] Estes, Bud (R-38, Dodge City) 136-E 296-7359 [email protected] Faust-Goudeau, Oletha (D-29, Wichita) 135-E 296-7387 [email protected] Fitzgerald, Steve (R-5, Leavenworth) 124-E 296-7357 [email protected] Francisco, Marci (D-2, Lawrence) 134-E 296-7364 [email protected] Givens, Bruce (R-14, El Dorado) 225-E 296-7678 [email protected] Goddard, Dan (R-15, Parsons) 541-E 296-7742 [email protected] Haley, David (D-4, Kansas City) 134-E 296-7376 [email protected] Hardy, Randall (R-24, Salina) 223-E 296-7369 [email protected] Hawk, Tom (D-22, Manhattan) 135-E 296-7360 [email protected] Hensley, Anthony (D-19, Topeka) 318-E 296-3245 [email protected] Hilderbrand,
    [Show full text]
  • Foulston Siefkin LLP
    NEWSLETTERS KANSAS LEGISLATIVE INSIGHTS NEWSLETTER | MAY 28, 2020 May 28, 2020 HOUSE BILL 2054 VETO As expected, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed House Bill 2054 on Tuesday, pointing out that the bill was hastily crafted and could have damaged Kansas’ ability to respond to all future disasters. The governor was concerned the bill weakened the authority of local county health officers and added unnecessary layers of bureaucracy to emergency response efforts. Republican legislative leaders expressed disappointment along with business organizations. Gov. Kelly issued a new 15-day emergency declaration giving reopening control back to Kansas counties. She also issued a proclamation calling the Kansas Legislature back for a special session starting on June 3 to extend the emergency declaration. Click below to read the details about the emergency declarations issued on Tuesday. Executive Orders Press Releases SPECIAL SESSION There have been fewer than two dozen special sessions since Kansas became a state in 1861. The special sessions have ranged from several days to more than a month. The first special session was in 1874 to address a grasshopper plague. One hundred years ago in 1920, there was a special session to deal with a coal strike. Most special sessions addressed constitutional amendments (19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution for example), legislative redistricting, taxes, and emergencies. Other sessions addressed banking, education, highways, railroads, severance tax, and welfare. This special session will obviously disrupt fundraising efforts by legislators, who are prohibited from soliciting contributions from lobbyists and PACs while the Legislature is in session. In addition, legislators will be away from businesses, families, and re-election campaigns.
    [Show full text]
  • Frontline December-January 2016-17 a Publication of Kansas Organization of State Employees
    Frontline December-January 2016-17 A Publication of Kansas Organization of State Employees Movement toward the Middle in Kansas Elections New Leadership at the Capitol In the 40 seat Senate, where 21 votes are needed to prevent or move legislation, the number of moderate senators grew On December 5, Legislators gathered in Topeka to select lead- from five to 12-14. When moderate senators combine with ership within their parties. With eight new Senators and 31 the nine Senate Democrats it is possible to block or move bills new House members, we’ve seen a shift back to more moder- in the Senate Chamber. ate thinking and talking, even by Senator Susan Wagle and Senator Jim Denning, both who scored big zeroes on our is- In the 125 seat House, the 40 Democrats combined with mod- sues last session. erate republicans, should be enough to get to the magic num- ber of 63 to block or move legislation. It is possible leadership will continue to distance themselves from the governor’s policies. While the House leadership is For the 2016 November elections, AFT-Kansas (KAPE-COPE) under the control of Representative Ron Ryckman and Repre- sentative Scott Schwab, both of whom have been staunch al- made recommendations in 30 Senate contested races and 14 lies of the current governor in his extremist positions, the of the recommended candidates prevailed. In the House, recommendations were made in 63 House is more balanced with moderates than we have seen contested races and 34 of the recommended since the exodus of in 2012.
    [Show full text]