Sebelius: Kansas moving forward
Governor outlines state’s progress as 2007 Legislative Session concludes

Kansas’ future looks brighter today than it did just a few months ago, Governor Kathleen Sebelius said today as she outlined the successes of the recently-concluded legislative session.

Sebelius discussed the proposals she made during her 2007 State of the State Address in the areas of quality education, job creation, access to health care and renewable energy.  The vast majority of those proposals were accepted by legislators.

“Our state was already heading in the right direction, and the work of the last several months is going to help us continue our progress toward a brighter future,” Sebelius said.

With more than 64 percent of the state’s budget devoted to education, Sebelius has always placed a special emphasis on improving learning opportunities for Kansans of all ages. 

She proposed increasing early learning opportunities for young children, fulfilling the promise made to K-12 students in last year’s school plan and expanding the ability of Kansans to continue education beyond high school.  All of these goals were achieved.

“A quality education is critical to success in the workforce and in life, which is why it’s so important we continue to expand opportunities for learning.  I was very happy with the progress we’ve made in ensuring every child has access to a great education,” Sebelius said.

While an educated workforce is the state’s biggest economic development incentive, Sebelius also proposed ways to promote continued job creation in Kansas.  Those included reducing the unemployment insurance tax, reducing the franchise tax for small businesses and encouraging development in rural areas.  All three were passed by legislators.

In the area of health care, in January Sebelius called on legislators to work with her and the Health Policy Authority on a plan to move toward health insurance for all Kansans.  She also proposed health insurance for children birth to age five.  While legislators did agree to begin working on a plan for expanded coverage, they again rejected health insurance for children.

“It’s good we’ve taken a first step towards full coverage, but it’s very frustrating that politics continues to hold us back when it comes to giving young children access to health care,” she said.

Finally, renewable energy and energy efficiency were both priorities for Sebelius this session.  She and Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson have been working with utility companies to meet goals for wind energy production and energy conservation, and Sebelius praised legislators for passing several energy-related measures.

“Kansas has the potential to be a real leader when it comes to wind power, biofuels and efficiency, and the steps we’ve taken this year will help us move away from fossil fuels,” Sebelius said.

2007 State of the State Scorecard

Creating a Skilled Workforce
«  Funding passed for all three years of last year’s historic commitment to schools
«  Additional local control granted to communities
«  Early learning opportunities for Kansas children expanded
«  Funding provided for critical deferred maintenance needs at state universities
«  Additional scholarships created for Kansas students to seek higher education
«  Operating budget increases for universities and community colleges included in budget

Spurring Job Creation
«  Created the Office of Rural Opportunity to help communities attract families and businesses
«  Provided franchise tax relief for more than 16,000 Kansas small businesses
«  Approved $175.8 million in unemployment insurance tax relief to Kansas employers
«  Provided additional help to laid-off workers, including elimination of waiting week for many
«  Created task force to aid Kansas’ bid for the National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility

Health Care for All Kansans
«  Set out a framework to move toward health coverage for all Kansans

Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
«  Utility companies moving toward wind energy goals set forward by Governor Sebelius
«  Funding for transmission lines to move wind-generated electricity included in the budget
«  Utility-driven energy conservation programs endorsed, underway

Work Left Undone…
»  Legislators didn’t give Kansas kids a healthy start in life by insuring children birth to age five
»  Legislators didn’t create Rural Opportunity Zones to help small communities attract new jobs
»  Legislators didn’t help businesses retain skilled workers by passing the On-TRACK initiative

# # #