Garner Consulting, LLC

From the end of 2007:

 

Author unknown:

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude."

She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Republican."

"I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct , but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Democrat."

"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"

"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but, somehow, now it's my fault.

Speech recorded at Olathe Republican straw poll, July 5, 2008

Kline won straw poll 69% to 31%.

Embedded Video

First Impressions…
Well, I have now completed my first two weeks in the House and the time has flown by.  According to veteran legislators this has been a slow start, for which I am grateful.  My time has been consumed with meeting other legislators and constituents, learning the procedures followed in committees and in session, and physically finding my way around the Capitol!  As the only incoming new legislator, I have been welcomed with good humor, practical how to’s, and sage political advice.

Beginnings of a Bill---The legislative process is fascinating.  Bills can originate from a committee or from an individual.  Many bills are prompted by constituent concerns.  Legislators work to formulate the bill with the many groups that might be influenced by the bill or have expertise in the area.  Legislative Research provides information related to the topic.  The Reviser of Statues actually drafts the bill.  Want to know more about how a bill becomes law?  Check out this website for a flow chart:  http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-legisportal/bills.do.


My Swearing In…
My swearing in ceremony took place in the House Chamber on the second day of the session, January 15, 2008.  Because it took place at 8:30 am (before session), family and friends were allowed on the House floor to observe and take photos.  Using my maternal grandmother’s Bible held by my daughter Emily, I was sworn in by Ron Thornburg, Secretary of State.  It was an awesome moment; I am so proud and humbled to be a part of Kansas’ history and future.  

A big thanks to those who made the early morning trek for the ceremony.  Photos of the ceremony will be online soon.
 

Bills Week 1 and 2…
I have yet to actually cast a vote by pushing the voting button on my desk.  We have had many procedural votes calling for voice votes.  We have had one bill presented to the chamber for action.  SB 65 was brought by the Committee on Elections and Local government;  It would expand to all counties the ability of county elections officers to designate places other than the central county elections office as satellite advance voting sites.  Current law restricts this to counties with populations exceeding 250,000 (Sedgwick and Johnson counties). The final action on this bill (and my first actual button pushing!) is expected on Monday.  The voice vote was without opposition and I expect to vote “yes.”


Budget woes to limit session…
The budget for fiscal year 2009 is $6,420,825,000 (the 2008 budget plus 5%---the legislature’s own cap to limit growth of government).  This gives the legislature $306.5 million additional dollars to spend this year.  However, much of that money is already allocated.*  Actually only $30.8 million is available for discretionary spending.  Committees and legislators are being discouraged from bringing bills that require funding unless there is a funding mechanism within the bill.  It looks like a lean year if the 5% cap is maintained.

*Previous commitments include:  school finance increase ($179.1 million), human services caseload increase ($43.3 million), KPERS non-school employer increase ($14.9 million), KPERS bond payment increase ($10.0 million), Regents deferred maintenance increase ($7.8 million), estimated additional disaster assistance ($40 million) and a one-time adjustment for state employee salary bonus ($19.4 million).



At the Rail, Lunches & Evening Activities…
Many groups come to the Capitol on designated days to share their legislative issues with legislators in general and their own legislator specifically.  There will be informational displays on one of the lower levels; sometimes lunch is provided while a brief program is presented.  Short (10-15 min.) meetings with a legislator are used to brief him/her on specific bills or concerns.  I have been meeting some of these groups “at the rail,” the brass rail just outside the House Chamber, where we can talk together for a few minutes.  

At the Rail, I have talked with: I have lunched with:

• League of Kansas Municipalities where I talked with Lenexa Mayor  Mike Boehm,  Lenexa Assistant City Administator Matt Shatto, Councilwoman Diane Linver, Councilman Andy Huckaba
  
• KS Choice Coalition whose exhibit marked the 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade and speakers reviewed the history of legislation and practice
• Synapse Energy Economics whose presentation on climate change and coal & carbon liability issues was sponsored by the Land Institute (Salina).
• Jo. Co. Delegation and presenters from the Home Builder’s Association, Time Warner, and KS Credit Unions, and the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce.
  

My evening activities included:

• KS Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence Awards Ceremony where Johnson County’s Joyce Vancrum received one of the Ally Awards for her work with Safehome and a Safehome program received the New Program of the Year Award.
• Public Accountants Association of KS where I met several Jo. Co. accountants
• KS Academy of Family Physicians where I learned about rural health needs and education of family practice physicians

Coming Soon…
Rescheduling of energy panel---No word yet on when the panel will be rescheduled.  I’ll send out another e-mail to let you know.  No bills have surfaced yet regarding the building of the Holcomb plants but something is expected this week.

Expect a postcard in the mail---All 17th District voters who voted in the last election should be getting a postcard in the mail soon encouraging them to take my online survey. My apologies for the past problems with my website link and the survey. Everything is functioning properly now. If you got an error message when you tried to submit your completed survey, please try again. I appreciate your patience and persistence.  If you haven’t yet completed the survey, please do so in the next few weeks.  Simply go to www.jillquigley.com/2008survey and submit it on-line.

Page dates coming---I have an open date for four pages on March 23.  If you have a child who is 12 or older who would like to spend a day at the Capitol as a page, please contact me.

Caucus information---
The Republican Presidential Caucus will be held at 10 am on Saturday, February 9th at various locations around the county.  Attendees need to arrive early and bring a state issued ID; also bringing a voter registration card may speed your processing.  You must be a registered Republican to participate.  Campaigning for your candidate is encouraged.  Voting by secret ballot will take place after each candidate’s supporters have made a presentation. Candidates who receive a majority of the votes in two of the four Congressional Districts will earn delegate votes at the national convention.  For more information check this website:  http://www.ksgopcaucus.org
The Democratic Presidential Caucus will be held on Super Tuesday, February 5th.  For more information, check this website: http://www.ksdp.org/supertuesday.

Legislators Get in Shape---Many of the 21 Health Reform Initiatives from the Health Policy Authority have to do with prevention and taking personal responsibility for your health.  In that spirit, the House has been challenged by the Social Services Budget Committee to walk 10,000 steps per day.  Using a pedometer provided by HealthQuest/KHPA, legislators report their daily step total and earn additional points for each day that they eat a piece of fruit and for each week when they lose a pound.  With my office in Docking and my many wrong turns, I am racking up the steps but have yet to reach the 10,000-step goal!  

Journal Adjustments---I am experimenting with what to include in Jill’s Journal.  Perhaps I am leaving out something you want to know more about.  Perhaps I’m telling you too much about my daily activities.  Let me know what you like and dislike and I’ll make adjustments.  


Please contact me if I can answer questions or help you in any way.  While I am in session (January 15-May 15), I can be reached at:   

300 SW 10th Avenue
L26/27 Docking
Topeka, KS  66612
785-296-7680
jill@jillquigley.com.

Steve Howe's website is: www.stevehowe2008.com

This will be an interesting race due to Rick Guinn's (Steve's opponent) close ties to Paul Morrison. A pdf of Steve's support letter is attached.

 

Steve Howe Letter

Dear Friends,

Hello! It seems absolutely incredible that the 2008 session is here! By popular demand, I am back with my legislative updates for this year.

Before I go into my reactions to the first week, I wanted to emphasize how the job of being a legislator is truly a full time job. While we are in session just 90 days a year, an effective legislator spends a great deal of his/her other time handling constituent requests, meeting community leaders, reaching out to businesses, and of course, preparing for the session by researching issues and introducing legislation. In short, it is quite important for any Senator to have a service-centered approach to their job and not one governed by pure political ambition or a desire to have a certain title before one’s name. Our system in Kansas is designed to have a citizen legislature, and I work hard to live up to that standard.

In the past few months, we of course have had interim committees on both the Judiciary Committee and with the Autism Task Force. I worked hard to initiate relationships with business and community leaders in Lenexa , Overland Park , Olathe and De Soto , building relationships which I feel make me a more effective Senator by giving me more of a window into the diverse concerns of my district.

As for this first week, it started off last Sunday with our Senate Republican Caucus, which laid out an agenda on several key issues, which I will describe below. Our session gaveled in at 2:00 p.m on Monday .

The big item of course was the annual State of the State address by Governor Sebelius. My reaction was that she seemed to avoid too many specifics and instead talk in very general terms. She laid out some concerns regarding health care and education but seemed to offer no real creative solutions other than pushing towards a tax increase. It is my overall impression that things just seem politically driven with her as she seems to be setting herself up for an exit from Kansas , though time will tell on that.

The other big news of course was the appointment of Judge Stephen Six as the next Attorney General. Judge Six appears to be squeaky clean, though certainly, from his political donations, appears to share the Governor’s more liberal viewpoints, which is not unexpected.

As for our initial week in the legislature, there were no bills that came forward to the floor, so our sessions were short. However, I am aware that there may be a bill dealing with the coal plants in Holcomb in the next week or two. There was some work in committees, too:

In Judiciary , there was a discussion of the prison bed population as well as review of our juvenile justice system, and it looks like we may be seeing legislation in those areas – I will of course update you when those come forward.

In Federal and State Affairs , we heard from the head of the Kansas Lottery about the implementation of the voter-approved casinos in Wyandotte , Southeast Kansas and Southwest Kansas (Sedgwick rejected them). Money is already being spent on these casinos via a multi-million dollar loan from the state -- the big question is, of course, whether these casinos are going to be upheld as Constitutional (if you recall, this was one of my concerns in opposing the casinos last year)– and if they are not, how the loan will be repaid? In addition, there is some question about the legality of building the Wyandotte-based casino on lands purchased through Star Bonds. Some feel it may not be wise to be spending this money until these issues are decided. This could get messy and of course, I will keep you updated.

Finally, I do want to take a little time and lay out some of the key elements of the Senate Republican Caucus Priorities. I would say that the key buzzword of 2008 – and one that I agree with wholeheartedly – is fiscal responsibility. In recent years, the state of Kansas has obligated itself to literally billions of dollars in spending on education, KPERS, deferred maintenance, and on tax relief. While each of these areas are priorities, the 1 billion dollar increase over the last two years is simply not a level our state can sustain and I am glad to see our caucus be cautious about engaging in any new commitments. With several of my colleagues in the House holding firm on spending, I see the other body assisting us strong in this regard, and it is my hope that we hold the line on spending.

Another priority of our caucus is education. In school year 2008-09, Kansas public education will receive the final installment of significant funding increases including a three-year funding plan enacted in 2006, before I was elected. When that was enacted, the legislature wrote into the law its intent to fund education through 2010 at the rate of inflation. Senate Republicans will work to fulfill this commitment by setting aside funds in the budget. This is critical and closely related to the fiscal responsibility I mentioned earlier – with education being such a significant part of our funding, we owe it to schools to give them certainty – and owe it to the taxpayers to give them certainty in regards to spending. As part of this funding effort, I will work with my colleagues from Johnson County to ensure our school districts are given a fair share of the pie. Too often, we are seen as the bank and are not provided enough in return for our own children’s needs.

Additional priorities of the Republican Caucus, which I will be discussing at more length in coming weeks, include energy policy, health care, rural development, housing, public debt, public safety, illegal immigration, veterans, and transportation. I highlighted health care, illegal immigration and transportation because I feel those are areas that will be getting the most public attention. On health care, I will be focused on free market solutions that truly promote access and affordability without dramatically increasing government commitments. On illegal immigration, this is an issue I hear quite a bit about – and while our state’s ability to deal with it is somewhat limited, there are some things we can do regarding public benefits and voter security that I think are essential. On transportation, that will be a hot issue in 2009 and it is important to note how expensive this could be, and we will be laying the groundwork for that this session. Legislators will be mindful of the balance between meeting needs in this area and maintaining that fiscal responsibility that I mentioned above.

Finally, I want to let you all know that in the next couple weeks, I will be developing a survey to send out to certain areas of my district. In this regard, are there any issues that you would specifically like me to question my constituents on? I already plan to address the proposed statewide smoking ban and tobacco tax, as well as our impending fiscal crisis. What else would you like to address? I will be asking about ten questions, so I welcome your feedback on which issues you would like to see surveyed.

In closing, see below for a couple other updates that you may be interested in, including my most recent publicized response to “Ask Julia” – this time on the death penalty. On that note, if you have any questions you would like to see answered publicly – send them to askjulia@senatorjulialynn.com . After receiving several, I will respond to them and pick one to publish on my website.

Of course, I encourage you to visit my website at www.senatorjulialynn.com for access to interviews, public service announcements, legislative updates, and other information regarding my activities. In the coming weeks, I will be launching some new features including an expanded photo gallery on Flickr and additional releases of public service announcements, which you may already be seeing on local cable channels!

With that, I have taken enough of your time. E-mail me at julia@senatorjulialynn.com or call my office at 785-296-7382 to express your opinion on any issue. Of course, you can always stop by my office in Topeka – 402S!

Your Senator,

Julia Lynn

Ask Julia – Death Penalty

Recently, Julia was asked by Harry whether she supported the death penalty. Harry noted that some states, including New Jersey , were moving towards repeal and he wanted to know her position. This was Julia's answer:

Dear Harry,

Thank you for the question regarding the Death Penalty. You are right, there appears to be a drift in the direction of repealing the death penalty nationally. However, I remain opposed to repealing the death penalty in Kansas . From my position on the Judiciary Committee, I am aware of how heinous some crimes committed against women and children can be, as well as the serious problems of drug abuse and mental health issues. I think that it is important we get to the root cause of crime, particularly violent crime, in our state and nation, and develop ways to not only lower crime rates but improve the culture that allows for such crimes. As part of discouraging the most heinous offenses, we need to keep in place the strongest possible penalty – and deterrent – in place. In addition, I believe it would be against the wishes of Kansans and those in my district. So, I am opposed to repealing the death penalty. Thank you for your question. Sincerely,
Senator Julia Lynn New Public Service Announcement on Seniors
Every couple weeks, we are releasing one of several public service announcements I did for local cable channels. The most recent one was on respecting seniors. You can view all of them in my new Audio/Video section on my website: http://www.senatorjulialynn.com/audiovideo.html De Soto Explorer: De Soto Issues on Senator’s Mind as Session Starts

The De Soto Explorer recently did an article on my approach to De Soto issues. Read the article here:
http://www2.desotoexplorer.com/news/2008/jan/09/de_soto_issues_senators_mind_session_nears/

Julia Lynn, State Senator
http://www.senatorjulialynn.com
Paid for by Julia Lynn for State Senate;
Jay Davidson, CPA, Treasurer

 

Welcome to the first edition of Jill’s Journal.  I am your newly elected State Representative…I hope that this news does not surprise you! 

Adieu to Stephanie…
When Stephanie decided to retire from the legislature this summer, we were all saddened and surprised.  I have spoken with many of you and know how much you appreciated her service and her communications with you.   I join you in wishing Stephanie all the best in her new job as Public Relations Officer with CommunityAmerica Credit Union.  She set a high standard for representing you; she left “big shoes to fill.”   I have been working hard over the past few months to grow bigger feet!  I appreciate your transferred support during this transition period until I earn your support on my own merit.

My Background…
First, let’s get the introductions out of the way. Here are the basics.  I grew up in Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri with a BS in Nursing and the University of Michigan with an MS in Nursing.  I have lived in Lenexa for 23 years with my husband, Jim, and our three children, Matt, Andrew, and Emily.  I have been a long time community volunteer, active in the PTA at Rising Star, Trailridge Middle School, and Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, and a cub scout and girl scout leader.  My church, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, also sees a great deal of my time as I serve on the missions committee and as confirmation leader.  In 1988, I joined the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas where I earned both the Master Volunteer and Community Spirit Awards; I am still a sustaining member.  I work part-time at Southwest Boulevard Family Health Care, a safety net clinic in KCK, as an outreach coordinator. 

The Road to Topeka…
You can tell by my activities that I care about my community.  However, except for running for a precinct seat, supporting local candidates, keeping informed on issues, and voting, I really didn’t consider myself political or have aspirations of political office. Then Stephanie decided to retire and my community view changed.  I was approached by a group of supporters to consider running for the remaining year of her term.  Encouraged by family and friends, I jumped into a decidedly new arena for impacting the community.  In July, the precinct committee men and women of District 17 elected me to be your State Representative.  My thanks to them for their votes; theirs is a critical position, especially when there are vacancies to be filled. 

Be Prepared, Be Prepared….
With probably the lengthiest lead time of any representative-elect, I have been using this time to meet constituents, community leaders, businessmen, legislators and organizations that represent various occupations causes, and interests.  I have been attending interim committee meetings in Topeka on such issues as building maintenance and leasing, disaster relief and recovery, statewide smoking ban, autism, vehicular homocide and DNA testing, and health care reform.  I have met with over 50 governmental, school, and community groups both to hear their legislative agendas for 2008 and get their thoughts on upcoming legislation and issues.  I have immersed myself in reading on such issues as energy, health care, school finance, and the state budget.  It truly has been a whirlwind.

What the 2008 Session Brings…
My excitement grows as I learn more about the upcoming legislative session and the opportunities it presents.  I have met some very dedicated people who want what is best for Kansas and are out there gathering information, formulating legislation, and forming coalitions to try to enact the best laws possible.  I am joining a terrific group of legislators who are true public servants.

With 2008 being an election year for all Representatives and Senators, this session promises to produce wedge issues with lots of “fingerpointing” potential.  Given that disclaimer, here are some of the issues that will be discussed this year.

ENERGY/HOLCOMB POWER PLANTS
In October, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health & Environment Rod Bremby denied an air quality permit for the building of two coal-fired electric plants in Holocomb, Kansas, proposed by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation.  Bremby cited concern for the public’s health and environment due to CO2 and other green house gas emissions.  Supporters of the plant point out that the plant would meet or exceed all current Federal requirements; would produce 1400 mgw of power (225 mgw for Kansas and 1175 mgw for surrounding states); and provide 140 additional full-time jobs.  While this has been painted as a western Kansas versus eastern Kansas issue, a recent survey showed the majority of people across the state oppose the building of the plants.  The legality of Bremby’s decision is being questioned in the courts.  The Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, both from western Kansas and supporters of the coal plants, support bringing this issue before the legislature.

If you would like to learn more, there will be a panel discussion of this issue in the auditorium at Shawnee Mission South high school on Thursday, January 24 at 7pm. You might also check out these websites: http://www.holcombstation.coop/index.cfm and http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2007/10182007a.htm.


HEALTH CARE REFORM
The Health Policy Authority has presented a 21 point health care reform package to the legislature.  The points are divided into three areas: prevention, providing and protecting affordable health insurance and promoting personal responsibility.  KHPA recommends a statewide ban on smoking in indoor public places and a $0.50 tax increase on tobacco.  Other points promote immunizations, physical education and healthy food choices in schools, dental services to pregnant women and expanded cancer screening.  Those of you looking for major overhaul of the system will be disappointed in the lack of sweeping change in the package but KHPA opted to present basic reforms that might actually be considered in an election year.  View all 21 points by visiting: http://www.khpa.ks.gov/.

TAXES
With regard to taxes, there is discussion of a “Back to School” tax-free holiday.  Legislators will also be trying to resolve the punitive tax change made by Missouri for those Kansans who work in Missouri.

IMMIGRATION
In the absence of federal legislation, states are taking action on immigration.  The Republican agenda for 2008 calls for penalizing illegal immigrants who knowingly register to vote, businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants, and those involved with false documentation. The key word here is “knowingly.”  Without a reliable national data base, secure borders, and funds/procedures for large numbers of deportations, it is unlikely that state policies will be effective but it looks like immigration will be batted about in the 2008 session.

SCHOOL FINANCE
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the legislature has increased the funding to school districts across the state since 2005.  Another $122.7 million has been promised for 2008.  The amount of funding available to Shawnee Mission  ($8,142 per pupil) is still well below the state average.  Out of the 296 school districts, Shawnee Mission ranks 267th in funds available for operations.  The following changes in the school finance formula would benefit SMSD:  state funding for all day kindergarten (currently Shawnee Mission parents whose children do not qualify for free lunch must pay for full day kindergarten); increasing the Local Option Budget to 32; provide increased funding for non-proficient at-risk students; and providing for multi-year funding.  See Shawnee Mission School District’s legislative agenda at: http://www.smsd.org/parents/legislative.htm.

Join Jill on the Journey…
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."   Margaret Mead

In order to represent you, I need to know what you think on the issues.  Please take a few minutes to visit my website www.jillquigley.com/survey to complete a short survey on issues facing Kansans. 

Want to have a voice in choosing the Republican candidate for President?  Attend the Kansas GOP Presidential Caucus at 10am on Saturday, February 9th.   To participate, you must be a registered Republican by January 25th.  Simply bring a photo ID* to one of the caucus locations.  For Lenexa and Shawnee the closest location is West Glen Theatre.  You are encouraged to campaign for your candidate so arrive early.  At 10am there will brief presentations about each candidate with a secret vote to follow. The Kansas ballot will include: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Former Ambassador and Author Alan Keyes, United States Senator John McCain, United States Congressman Ron Paul, Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and Former United States Senator Fred Thompson. Candidates who win a majority of votes in 2 of the 4 Congressional districts will earn the support of Kansas delegates at the Republican National Convention in September 2008.

     *Also bringing your voter registration may facilitate your registration process.


For 2008, I will be serving on these committees:
Commerce & Labor,
Health & Human Services, and
Government Efficiency & Technology.
If you have expertise in these areas or a special interest, please let me know.

Please contact me if I can answer questions or help you in any way.  While I am in session (January 15-May 15), I can be reached at:   
300 SW 10th Avenue,
L26/27 Docking                                        
Topeka, KS  66612
785-296-7680
jill@jillquigley.com