2009 Session Begins

News for the 118th District
By Representative Don Hineman
January 19, 2009 Volume 1, Number 1

Swearing-In, and another Kalo Hineman in the House
Don Hineman was sworn in as a member of the 2009 Kansas House of Representatives on Monday, January 12. Many family members were on hand for the ceremony, including his three-year-old grandson, Kalo Andrew Hineman. The photo shows Don and Kalo walking the halls of the Capitol building, where Don's father and Kalo's namesake, Kalo Albert Hineman, served as a member of the legislature from 1974 to 1981.

It’s all about the budget
When the 2009 Kansas Legislative Session began last Monday it was immediately apparent that the key issue and concern during this session will be the state’s budgetary shortfall and how to address the problem. Current projections are that if no action is taken, the state will have a deficit of $180 million by the end of the current 2009 fiscal year, which ends on June 30. And projections for the 2010 fiscal year are even more grim, indicating the state could be $1 billion in the red by June 30, 2010. In reality this cannot happen, as the state is statutorily prevented from running a deficit. Given the current difficult economic environment, there is little enthusiasm for raising taxes as a way to make up the shortfall. That means it will be up to the legislature and the governor to devise cuts in state spending that keep expenditures in line with expected revenues. To give you an idea of the magnitude of the problem, the projected 2010 deficit of $1 billion represents 15 % of the current state general fund budget.

The Governor’s Proposed Budget
Governor Sebelius proposes making up the shortfall with selective cuts to certain programs while holding others harmless. There are a number of problems with her budget, including:
1. There is a basic inequity in selective cuts that lead to deep cuts in some areas, such as higher education and social services while not asking other governmental sectors to “share the pain”.
2. Her budget denies scheduled fund transfers to local government, which will increase the burden on our city and county budgets and would likely lead to higher property taxes.
3. She proposes sweeping existing excess balances out of special fee funds, leaving those entities with the very real possibility of needing increased fees as a result. This amounts to “breaking everyone’s piggy bank and checking under the cushions of the couch” in an attempt to finance state government. I would hope we could find a more responsible way to do our business.
4. State statutes require a State General Fund ending balance of 7.5 percent. The governor’s budget ignores this requirement and would basically leave the state with an ending balance of less than 0.1% on June 30, 2010.
5. She proposes transferring all expanded gaming revenues to the State General Fund instead of using them for the three areas required by law.

Crisis Equals Opportunity
The process of devising a balanced budget for the state will be a painful one, and I ask for your input, support, and prayers as we look for solutions. The economic downturn will not last forever, and this great state of Kansas can rebound quickly if we craft the budget correctly. It will require compassion for those who must look to the state for assistance, while keeping a keen eye toward not making damaging cuts that would undermine the ability of the Kansas economy to grow again as we come out of the downturn. A time of introspection and self-examination is always good for individuals and businesses, and the current situation will force a closer look at all areas of state government and how we conduct the business of the state. That can be and will be a healthy process in the long run.

Thank You
My wife Betsy’s recent surgery and difficult recovery reminded me of my many blessings, and I want to thank all who supported us during that time. Your calls, cards, support, and prayers meant the world to both of us. Thanks also to those who helped in my campaign last summer and fall, and to all who voted in the elections. I am proud to be your representative, and I want to hear from you with your questions or concerns.