2009 News Archive - Senator Jay Emler
Kansas corrections chief says, depending on budget situation, he may ask to close prison
December 15, 2009
More state budget cuts could result in shutting down a prison or releasing hundreds of offenders from parole supervision, Kansas Secretary of Corrections Roger Werholtz said Tuesday. Werholtz’s dire warning to the Senate Ways and Means Committee was typical of testimony given by other agency chiefs in areas of health care, social services and highways as state lawmakers confront an unprecedented budget crisis. Committee Chairman Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg said that while most lawmakers probably oppose any kind of tax increase to shore up the budget, “It’s something that is going to have to be discussed.”
State budget director: 2010 to be even harder
December 16, 2009
At a Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, agency heads told senators what they expect to see given cuts to the current budget. Next year's budget, which lawmakers will develop after they return to Topeka in January, will be even more difficult, State Budget Director Duane Goossen said. "It's not a good picture. We all know it's not a good picture," said committee Chairman Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg.
December 15, 2009
Budget director Duane Goossen and other state officials laid out a long list of bad budget news for the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday as the Legislature faces tough choices in a weak economy that has exasperated budget shortfalls and prompted calls for reviewing tax exemptions...
Kansas lawmakers to debate ban on texting while driving
December 15, 2009
Kansas lawmakers will try to put the brakes on texting while driving. The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday agreed to introduce a bill on the issue during the 2010 legislative session that starts next month. Advertisement Chairman Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, said, “We need to have the discussion.” The bill that Emler contemplates would make texting while driving a criminal offense with possible jail time.
Kansas expects continued woes with its budget
December 13, 2009
Kansas lawmakers will get an early start this week on what promises to be the most difficult state budget in decades. The Senate Ways and Means Committee meets Tuesday to review the state’s dismal fiscal situation, a month before the full Legislature convenes. It’s the future that most worries Sen. Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican who is chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. Federal stimulus funds that helped avert deeper cuts will dry up, leaving lawmakers with an even bigger budget hole to fill. “Folks, this is serious,” he said. From a budget standpoint, “the next two years are horrible.”
Analysis: Higher taxes possible
December 13, 2009
Gov. Mark Parkinson's efforts to keep Kansas' budget balanced appear to continue his administration's drift toward proposing higher taxes next year. The Democratic governor imposed $259 million in cuts and other budget adjustments last month to prevent the state from having a deficit when the fiscal year ends June 30. But he avoided even deeper reductions in aid to public schools and other spending by tapping $86 million in federal stimulus funds. Those dollars had been set aside previously by him and the Republican-controlled Legislature for the fiscal 2011 budget. Some GOP leaders argue there's little reason to postpone budget cuts because the state's financial problems are likely to linger. Tapping stimulus dollars now - or even in 2011 - only postpones some tough decisions, they note. "You pay the piper at some point," said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican...
Citing Finances, Kansas National Guard Closes 18 Armories
December 12, 2009
The Kansas National Guard announced Friday the closing of 18 of its 56 armories. Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the state’s adjutant general, said the closings were a result of the state’s tight fiscal situation and careful deliberation. State Senator Jay Emler, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said armories were important not only because of their role in Guard training but because they house equipment used in natural disasters. And, he noted, they have often sheltered people in storms. But, he said, budget problems have forced Kansas to set priorities. “The public has been served well by those armories, but in the long run, the public is probably going to be served better by education than armories,” said Mr. Emler...
State woes make tax debate inevitable
November 15, 2009
A debate over raising taxes appears inevitable next year for Kansas legislators because of the state's budget problems. It's most likely to focus first on eliminating exemptions to the state's 5.3 percent sales tax, then on rolling back tax breaks legislators granted in previous years. It's possible the debate could broaden further. Even lawmakers who strongly oppose tax increases - and question whether revenue-raising measures can pass - don't believe the debate can be avoided. "You're going to have to have the discussion," said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican.
Legislators believe pressure is building to consider furloughs of state employees
November 12, 2009
The chairmen of the Kansas Legislature’s budget committee believe furloughs of government employees are growing more likely because of the state’s persistent budget problems. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler said fresh cuts could force the issue. “It’s a strong possibility at this point,” said Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. “If there isn’t any money, there isn’t any money.”
County leaders say pipeline gains won’t outweigh losses
November 12, 2009
Leaders from six Kansas counties questioned whether a crude oil pipeline scheduled to run through their counties is eligible for millions of dollars in tax waivers. Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg chaired the Senate Utilities committee in 2006, when Senate Bill 303, which grants the tax exemption, was passed. Emler said there were four bills on the subject, and each had several days of hearings before it was passed.
Analysis: School funding central to budget woes
November 8, 2009
The news from the Statehouse was clear last week. Kansas revenues are failing to make the grade and will continue to lag for months to come. Economists cut $235 million from their previous tax collection prediction, translating into a budget gap that must be filled by June 30, 2010, of as much as $460 million, less depending on who's spreadsheet is used. Sen. Jay Emler, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said school officials and government reports have suggested that there are areas that could be eliminated that would save districts time and money without hurting the classroom. Emler said he'd take all suggestions come January as his committee works the state budget. "We need the information to come from the ground up," said Emler, a Lindsborg Republican.
State dealing with budget woes
November 7, 2009
Leadership, layoffs and litigation. All three play into the chilling $258 million state budget crisis evoking a promise from Gov. Mark Parkinson to affirm a pledge made to the Legislature that he would take personal responsibility for ordering the next round of painful spending cuts. Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said K-12 education must take another hit. Many Republicans will do everything in their power to block any form of tax hike, he said. Emler, an advocate of shutting down KNI in Topeka, said the budget calamity was of such magnitude that "effective programs" must be deleted to balance the ledger.
Governor readies for further budget cuts
October 29, 2009
Kansas' governor said that he's prepared to make additional spending cuts this year to keep the state's budget balanced, and key legislators predicted he'll be forced to further trim aid to public schools. The GOP-controlled Legislature's budget committee chairman, Sen. Jay Emler of Lindsborg, praised Parkinson for promising to make cuts. "It's nice to have the governor step forward and work on this, because he fully understands that we're in a world of hurt," Emler said.
Analysis: State debates stimulus
October 25, 2009
Kansas officials calculate that state government spent nearly $505 million in federal economic stimulus funds through September, and those funds created or saved 6,531 jobs. The chairmen of the Kansas House and Senate budget committees argue that the state faces replacing the stimulus funds -- or imposing the cuts it otherwise would have made this year -- starting in 2011. "If the economy really turns around, then we've dodged the bullet of making tough decisions," said Senate chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. "But that's like going to a casino and plugging your money into the one-armed bandit."
Kansas faces big hole in school aid
October 23, 2009
New students in Kansas' public schools and declining property values have punched what could become a $70 million hole in the state's already shaky budget. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler said the school finance hole is only one budget problem the state faces. And, he said, he doubts Kansas can raise taxes quickly enough to plug any shortfalls because legislators don't reconvene until January. Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, predicted the state will be forced to adjust aid payments to schools. "I don't see any way around it," Emler said. "I'm not going to try to sugarcoat this. We just don't have the money."
Analysis: Kansas budget woes to outlast downturn
September 28, 2009
Budget problems are likely to linger for state government well after Kansas' economy starts to recover. Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson and the Republican-controlled Legislature are waiting to see whether revenues are strong enough in the next few months to avoid additional cuts later this year and next year. But they also must consider how the state will cope if federal stimulus dollars disappear, as expected, after 2011. "I think for at least the next three to four years, we are going to find ourselves under a lot of pressure," said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. "It will last for multiple years."
Not all of state budget challenges answered
May 24, 2009
Legislators and Gov. Mark Parkinson patched together a balanced budget for the state's next fiscal year, but they ducked enough tough decisions that similar problems are looming next year. "We're going to have to go through this whole process of cuts and revenue enhancements again," said Sen. Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican who is chairman of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee. "For various reasons, the less onerous approach was chosen, but in reality, it didn't do us a bit of good."
Bethany to honor six outstanding alumni
May 18, 2009
Bethany College will honor six outstanding alumni at its annual Alumni Recognition Banquet on Saturday. Jay Emler, Tim Hinman and Scott Schoon will receive with the Alumni Award of Merit, which is Bethany's highest alumni honor. Award of Merit recipient Jay Emler, a 1971 Bethany graduate, received his Juris Doctor in 1976 from the University of Denver College of Law...
Kansas considering tax amnesty to help encourage payment of back taxes
April 28, 2009
Three key Republican senators proposed Tuesday that the state use an amnesty program to lure Kansans into paying back taxes and help the state with its budget problems. Such a program would allow people to pay their outstanding taxes without penalty or interest for a short time. The state used a 2-months-long amnesty program late in 2003 to collect more than $30 million in back taxes.
Legislators: Global recession puts crimp on state spending
April 28, 2009
Three state lawmakers said a deepening global recession casts along shadow on the 2010 budget and could make for a lengthy wrap-up session. The state senate is looking at a 2.5 percent across-the-board reduction that would cut about $125 million for the 2010 budget, according to information from state Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg. The new budget starts July 1 and would put the per pupil base state aid at $4,292. If that recommended cut was used it would eliminate about $75 million for K-12 schools.
Kansas House, Senate budget bills cut millions from education
April 24, 2009
A Senate committee on Thursday endorsed a bill cutting about $125 million from Kansas' next budget, including $75 million in state aid to public schools. The reduction in aid for K-12 schools amounts to about 2.5 percent of their state funding. Base aid per pupil would drop about $70, to $4,297. "Nobody really likes it, but the bottom line is that we have to balance the budget," said committee Chairman Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg. "This certainly is a fair approach."
Analysis: Kansas forecast sets up tough choice
April 20, 2009
The new fiscal forecast for Kansas government appears to be pushing legislators toward a difficult choice: cutting education funding or increasing taxes. In November, fiscal forecasters had said the state would collect $5.88 billion in tax revenues. Last week, the dropped the figure for anticipated tax collections by a whopping $509 million, to less than $5.37 billion. "I think everything is on the table," said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. "It is really depressing."
State forecast: $328 million in the red
April 18, 2009
Flagging tax receipts will punch a $328 million deficit in next year's state budget, Kansas economic experts predicted Friday. "The overall economic outlook clearly reflects, unfortunately, that perfect storm of almost every economic indicator going the wrong way," said Alan Conroy, director of Kansas Legislative Research. He said Friday's projections show the biggest drop since the state began forecasting revenue in 1975. I don't see how we can make ends meet without including education," said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg.
Kansas governor signs state budget
April 13, 2009
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed the $13 billion budget to finance state government after July 1, but legislators expect they will have to rewrite it because of expected declines in state revenues. "Based on what we heard for March, it's a harbinger on the consensus revenue estimates Friday which means we will have to relook at what we do for 2010, no doubt about it," said Senate Ways and Means Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican.
April 2, 2009
The Senate approved legislation Thursday requiring all Kansans to wear a seat belt and handing law enforcement officers greater authority to pull over motorists for infractions of safety belt laws. The bill sent to the House would stipulate that everyone in a car or truck wear a seat belt. Current Kansas law imposes that mandate on drivers and anyone 17 or under. Sen. Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, said his daughter’s life may have been saved by a seat belt last year in a traffic wreck. “Both cars were totally destroyed,” he said. “Had she not been wearing her seat belt, she would not have turned 18.”
March 27, 2009
House and Senate Democrats said Friday that state employees and the state’s higher education institutions were among beneficiaries of a budget compromise for the upcoming fiscal year. We worked hard to make sure this budget fairly balances our state’s priorities,” said Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
March 23, 2009
A state constitutional amendment creating a rainy day fund today moved to a final vote in the Senate. The resolution must receive a two-thirds majority of the Senate and House before placed before Kansans in the November 2010 election. Legislators and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius made $300 million in adjustments to limit spending in 2009 and are haggling over deeper cuts in 2010. Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said a rainy day fund would have mitigated these reductions if the process had been put in place years ago.
Schools Favored in Kansas Budget Debate
March 22, 2009
Public schools are emerging as a protected class as Kansas legislators struggle with the state's budget problems, much to the frustration of Republicans who believe schools aren't shouldering their share of the burden. The state appears unlikely to cut its aid to Kansas' 295 school districts anywhere near as much as it will reduce some programs or agency budgets, if at all. "Any time you take 50 percent of your budget out of consideration, then some people are going to get hurt a whole lot more than others," said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. "It just is devastating when you only consider cutting half your budget and not all of it."
Kansas GOP sees strong tide on stimulus swing towards Sebelius
March 16, 2009
Republican leaders continue to warn that Kansas must curb spendthrift tendencies in its state government instead of using federal stimulus dollars to avoid tough budget decisions. "It's extremely exasperating," said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. "It's smarter to stop spending now than two years from now, but people just can't seem to accept that."
Regents propose tuition freeze
March 12, 2009
The Kansas Board of Regents agreed Thursday not to raise tuition for state residents if the Legislature limits proposed budget cuts and approves the use of federal stimulus dollars. The board said the freeze would last for the 2009-10 school year. In return, the regents said they want assurances that lawmakers won't cut the higher education budget more than 7 percent. However, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Jay Emler said the regents wouldn't be treated differently than other state agencies. "Everybody plays," said Emler, a Lindsborg Republican.
Plan to prop up budget endorsed
March 10, 2008
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ plan to use federal stimulus dollars to prevent a deficit is emerging piece by piece from legislative committee discussions about the next state budget. The Senate Ways and Means Committee endorsed a part of her plan today. It agreed to use Medicaid dollars from the recently enacted stimulus package to shore up the budget for fiscal year 2010, which begins July 1. “I’m going to guess that the committee is going to adopt it,” said Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. “It’s a lot of money to turn down.”
March 8, 2009
Bumper-sticker warnings roll off the tongues of Republican legislators anxious about $380 million in federal stimulus money that is preventing cuts in state aid to public schools for two years. What happens, they proclaim, when the gold rush ends in 2011? Sen. Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said stimulus money flowing into the state should be devoted to one-time expenditures to the extent possible. That will make it easier for agencies of state government to be weaned from the extra federal money in two years, he said.
Legislators to Answer Questions on Television Program
February 16, 2009
"The Kansas Legislature 2009" on Smoky Hills Public TV will feature five legislators to represent central and western Kansas to discuss the past week's activities at the capital. Legislators appearing on the show will include Pete Brungardt from Salina, Josh Svaty from Ellsworth, Jay Emler from Lindsborg, Dan Johnson from Hays, and Janis Lee from Kensington.
February 12, 2009
The Legislature's top two leaders ended an impasse Wednesday over social services spending and cleared the way for final action on a bill balancing the state budget. The measure makes $324 million in adjustments in the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30 to close a deficit currently estimated at $199 million. "We need to get on down the road, so, yes, we can live with it," said Republican Sen. Jay Emler, of Lindsborg, the lead Senate negotiator.
State agencies told to prepare for dramatic budget cuts
February 10, 2009
State agencies are being told to prepare for deep cuts in the next fiscal year, possibly as much as 19 percent. The message came down Tuesday from Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg. “I don’t think the public fully understands what the recession has done to us,” Emler said. “We just don’t have the money to pay anything.”
Kansas budget talks hit impasse
February 9, 2009
House and Senate negotiators compromised on cutting school funding but quit talking about how to balance the state budget after failing to agree Monday night on how much extra to spend to help the disabled. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, whose chamber controls the bill, said he has not plans to resume talks. "I'm not calling another meeting. We've gone as far as we can go," said Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. "I have nothing to come back with for them."
House passes budget with $306M in adjustments
February 6, 2009
The House finished its work Thursday on a bill to adjust the current state budget by $306 million to eliminate a deficit. On a vote of 74-48, the bill went back to the Senate, which approved its own version last week. Sen. Jay Emler, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said there are a few policy decisions the House made that will be an issue during negotiations, including cuts to education and increases for some social programs. Still, the McPherson Republican said the two chambers weren't far apart. "In terms of the dollar amount, I think we're very close. It's just, how do you get to those dollars?" he said.
Kansas Senate OKs Gitmo detainee resolution
February 2, 2009
The Senate approved a resolution Monday opposing the transfer of any of the suspected terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay to Fort Leavenworth. "These are really not the nicest people in the world. I think we need to stand strong with our communities and our fort," said state Sen. Jay Emler, a McPherson Republican and vice chairman of the Joint Committee on Kansas Security.
January 29, 2009
A bipartisan coalition in the Senate voted Wednesday to attack the state's deficit with $335 million in budget adjustments highlighted by a 1.5 percent across-the-board reduction that exempts only public schools. "This plan is built upon one-time money. That does not fix any problem. It exacerbates it," said Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, chairman of Senate Ways and Means Committee that gave life to the GOP leadership's bill.
Senators start debating across-the-board cuts to state agencies
January 28, 2009
The full Senate has started debating how reduce this year’s budget by about $300 million. The GOP proposal, substitute for Senate Bill 23, includes 3.4 percent across-the-board cuts to state agencies or $265.1 million in spending reductions. “This is not a common occurrence this is not a pleasant occurrence, but the state does not find itself in a pleasant situation at this time,” said Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg who chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee ...
January 28, 2009
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius declared Tuesday a veto awaits a $300 million budget-rescission bill championed by Senate Republicans that relies heavily on across-the-board cuts in spending. Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said the across-the-board approach was necessary because the Legislature must take decisive action to balance the current year's budget before starting work on the 2010 budget. There is no time to make targeted reductions in spending, he said.
Senate committee endorses GOP state budget plan
January 27, 2009
The Senate will convene four hours early Wednesday in anticipation of spirited debate on $300 million in state budget adjustments crafted to counter a recession-triggered collapse in tax revenue. Chairman Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, said emergency action was required because the existing $186 million deficit would likely expand this spring.
Committee endorses GOP plan to fix Kansas budget
January 26, 2009
A Kansas Senate committee Monday endorsed a $302 million plan from its Republican chairman for eliminating the state's budget deficit, including a big cut in education funding. The plan was drafted by committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, and it includes most of the targeted spending cuts proposed by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in her deficit plan. But his plan adds a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut in spending financed by general tax revenues.
GOP Plan to Fix Kan. Budget Endorsed
January 26, 2009
A Senate committee endorsed a $302 million Republican plan for eliminating a deficit in the current state budget. The plan cuts aid to public schools by about $100 million more than Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and her fellow Democrats had proposed. The Ways and Means Committee endorsed the plan Monday on a 8-5 vote. It was drafted by committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican. "There's no doubt education is extremely important but I suspect if you talk to the folks who have developmental disabilities, and they could very easily get cut, I would suspect that they say they're every bit as important as education is," Sen. Emler said. "People need to understand we are in a very serious situation. The state cannot issue money the way the federal government can. We cannot deficit spend," Emler said. "The bottom line is we have to figure out how we're going to pay for these bills."
Legislators ask for 3.4 percent across-the-board cuts
January 26, 2009
State Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, today unveiled a 3.4 percent across the board cut to the state budget. Emler said the proposal represents a $300 million cut in the current fiscal year. He said that cut is $101.3 million more than has been proposed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. The measure is being considered by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which Emler chairs.
Skeleton of Republican’s budget cut plan begins to emerge from Legislature
January 23, 2009
The Senate budget committee’s chairman plans to outline a plan Monday with targeted spending cuts proposed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and other, across-the-board reductions to eliminate a state budget deficit. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler and other Republican senators are trying to trim $300 million from the current budget by June 30. “I’m putting something together over the weekend here, and I’ll present it on Monday,” Emler said. “We looked at some of the things the governor did. Part of that’s going to be in there.”
Senate preparing $300 million cut
January 23, 2009
Details of a plan authored by Senate Republicans to slash $300 million from the state budget will emerge Monday, and the package is certain to include across-the-board cuts in Kansas government agencies. Sen. Jay Emler, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said his plan would include some targeted reductions proposed by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
Kansas Governor forms group to study state facilities
January 22, 2009
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius formed a commission Thursday to study possible closings of state hospitals, schools for the deaf and blind and other institutions. Sebelius' executive order creating the Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission called for draft recommendations by Dec. 1. Senate Ways and Means Committee Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, said it's good for the executive branch to review programs to see whether savings can be realized.
Kansas Republicans set budget cut bull's eye at $300 million
January 22, 2009
Senate Republicans have set a target for budget cuts in the current-year budget: $300 million. Now, they just have to figure out where to get the money. "I don’t see any way we get to $300 million without it (an across the board cut),” said Sen. Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican who chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “Do I like it? No. But the bottom line is we have to find the money.”
Kansas Senate committee says next week for budget
January 21, 2009
The Senate Ways and Means Committee chairman hopes to have a bill dealing with the state budget crisis ready for debate in the chamber next week. Chairman Jay Emler said Wednesday he hopes his committee can complete work early next week on cutting some $186 million in planned spending from the current budget. He had hoped to have a proposal ready for debate this week, but it's taken longer to complete work.
Education funding big budget issue for Kansas Senate panel
January 20, 2009
Disagreements about potential cuts in education funding stalled a Senate committee's work Tuesday on a plan for eliminating a projected $186 million deficit in the state's current budget. The Ways and Means Committee must decide how much state aid public schools should lose by June 30 and how those cuts should be distributed among Kansas' 295 school districts. The timetable has now slipped a little bit in terms of when the bill is going to be debated," said committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican.
Kansas Senate panel works through inaugural ceremony
January 20, 2009
Members of the state Senate Ways and Means Committee didn't get a chance to see Barack Obama become the nation's first black president. Chairman Jay Emler said Tuesday the committee was busy trying to rework Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposals for closing a state budget deficit estimated at $200 million.
January 20, 2009
More Senate budget talksWhile many people are focused on the inauguration happenings in Washington D.C., work in Topeka goes on. The Senate Ways and Means Committee, has resumed its budget conversations which will continue through tomorrow. “We will take no final action on Senate Bill 23 today,” said committee chair Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg.
Plan to Stop Statehouse Renovation Opposed
January 16, 2009
A proposal by House Republicans to suspend renovation of the Statehouse gets a chilly reception from a key senator. The project is in its ninth year and is expected to cost at least $285 million. Suspending the work is part of the House Republicans' legislative agenda for this year. But Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler says that's not a good idea because resuming the work will cost even more money.
Kansas schools say they still face budget woes
January 15, 2009
Educators fought a perception Thursday that public schools are protected from financial pain in Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' plan for resolving the state's budget problems. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Kevin Yoder, an Overland Park Republican, described public schools as "skating." His Senate counterpart, Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, said trying to spare some parts of the budget from cuts won't close the deficit. "The only way you fill the hole is across the board," Emler said.
Senate committee aims for 2009 budget bill by Friday
January 15, 2009
The Senate Ways and Means Committee is working to complete the session’s first budget bill by the end of Friday and the chamber’s Republican leaders said they continue to hope it will be a measure that includes across-the-board cuts for all agencies. But Sen. Jay Emler, the Lindsborg Republican who chairs the committee, said Thursday he was still unsure enough committee members would go along with that plan. Emler and other Senate leaders have said a bill approving across-the-board cuts for the remainder of fiscal 2009 would be the quickest way to deal with the problem so that agencies aren’t left trying to make up the differences between spending and revenue at the tail end of the fiscal calendar. “If across-the-board doesn’t go tomorrow, then this is going to take a whole lot longer,” Emler predicted.
Budget puts bite on new session
January 11, 2009
The 2009 legislative session begins tomorrow and lawmakers face the challenge of figuring out how to downsize the state's activities to bring them into line with the downsized economy. "There's going to be one really hot-button issue," said Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg. "That's the budget."
January 9, 2009
There was little positive news coming out of Bethany College’s legislative panel Wednesday night. State statute does not allow the state to operate with a deficit, which means law makers will have to make funding cuts or find additional sources of revenue to finish out fiscal year 2009. By the end of the current fiscal year, Emler said, the state will be in the neighborhood of $180 million below projection. If the current economic downturn continues and revenues continue to decrease, Emler said the state will face a $1 billion shortfall for fiscal year 2010.
Budget woes lead list for Kansas lawmakers
January 9, 2009
Kansas legislators start their annual session Monday, about the only questions they're likely to ask are where to cut spending and by how much. Incoming Senate Ways and Means Chairman Jay Emler said, "In fairness to K-12, if we are going to do anything, we need to do it as quickly as possible so they can do something for their next budget year." The Lindsborg Republican added: "If we don't do something to close the gap for this year, we are going to be in a world of hurt for next year."
Educators pleased by governor’s pledge
January 2, 2009
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius recently said she hopes to protect public education from any funding cuts in the next budget she's preparing to present to the legislature. It was a statement that many local school districts were pleased to hear. State Senator Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg, said the projected shortfalls in 2010 are too large not to cut from schools. "I don't know at this point whether that can be done," Emler told the AP.
Kansas tax revenues less than expected in December
January 2, 2009
Kansas collected 7.2 percent less than anticipated in general tax revenues in December, a sign that its budget problems might not have hit bottom. "It's obviously not looking good at all," incoming Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, said Friday. "But I'm not surprised at all."
- 2008 Archived News Articles -