Latest news with #SB217
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why didn't Kansas lawmakers slash property taxes like they said they would?
What Happened to Property Tax Cuts? It all seemed so easy back in January. Delivering property tax relief and reform for Kansan homeowners was atop every Kansas legislator's list as if Moses himself was delivering them on stone tablets from Mount Sinai. An expanded Republican supermajority, riding high off November's victory party rhetoric, blustered that property taxes were job No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. Senate President Ty Masterson chiseled it to the very top of his GOP tablets, daring Gov. Laura Kelly's compliance. And when three property tax bills passed out of committee within the first weeks of the session, it appeared the mountain was moving to Moses just as promised. Three months later, Moses came back down with broken tablets and a t-shirt, 'I went to the mountain top and all I got were these crummy 1.5 mills.' So, what in the holy land happened? ▪ Lawmakers grossly oversold their agency — It shouldn't be a big secret by now that the state can only be so transformative with property taxes. They controlled a miniscule one percent — 1.5 mills — portion of your property tax bill for state and university building maintenance. In the end, it was the only unilateral thing they could play with and eliminated it to their credit. The fact it only saves $35 on a $200,000 house is a kick in the shins to vulnerable homeowners. Other bills like HB 2011 and the Dems SB 217 targeted the other portion of your bill under State auspices — 20 mills for local schools — but the juice was not worth the squeeze. ▪ Dueling chambers — For some reason, the Senate revived the same 3% cap on property value increases the House rejected last year. House leaders rejected it again, calling the constitutional amendment gimmicky, given that it doesn't force cities to cut any property tax. Instead, the House deftly proposed an innovative $60 million fund to incentivize local governments to lower property taxes (HB 2396/ASTRA fund). One stick. One carrot. One philosophical logjam. ▪ The well is running dry — As time wore on, enough lawmakers realized they were either unwilling, or unable, to cash checks they'd have to write for property tax relief. This session came on the heels of a massive signature $1.3 billion tax cut in 2024, including twice as much property tax relief. Don't forget, for every dollar of property tax relief they had to backfill with an equal dollar of income/sales tax revenue so schools and public building maintenance didn't' suffer. With the specter of state coffers going red by 2028, the well is drying up like the Ogallala aquifer. ▪ The flat tax 'okey doke' — With everyone spellbound on property taxes, Republican leaders pulled a classic 'okey doke' ball fake very late in the session, by slipping past a Kelly veto block to deliver a phased-in 4% flat income tax. Kelly proclaimed it the 'kiss of death for the Kansas budget' as it sucked the well even drier for property tax relief and unmasked conservatives true colors putting income tax cuts first. In the end, there was no Promised Land. But maybe that's the lesson. The State will not part the Red Sea meddling with mill rates. Not now. The real issue, and their real power, lies in property assessment reform which they control through Kansas statutes and the county appraisal system. That's a talk they could walk. Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University in Topeka, specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nevada's new bill protecting IVF is a win for families like mine
In vitro fertilization process. (Photo by Antonio) Nineteen months ago, I held my son Hudson for the first time. His tiny fingers wrapped around mine, and in that moment, a year of heartbreak, loss, and longing faded into the background. Hudson was here and he was ours. For families like mine, assisted reproduction is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Yet many face overwhelming financial and legal barriers just to have a chance at parenthood. That's why I am relieved and grateful that Nevada is stepping up to protect families like mine with new legislation ensuring access to assisted reproduction. This bill does more than just safeguard our reproductive rights—it protects the very existence of children like Hudson and ensures that hopeful parents won't be denied the chance to have a family of their own. Assisted reproduction is under attack across the country, and Nevada is taking the right stand to protect families like mine. SB217 from Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro isn't just about policy—it's about real people, real children, and real futures. I support this bill because without access to fertility care, my son Hudson wouldn't be here. This bill ensures that no government entity can impose unnecessary burdens on accessing fertility treatments, fertility drugs, or other reproductive services. It guarantees that doctors can provide the care they are trained for without fear of legal retaliation. It prevents insurance companies from imposing arbitrary barriers to fertility treatments. And, perhaps most importantly, it affirms that a fertilized egg outside the womb is not a person under Nevada law—preventing dangerous legal interpretations that could disrupt access to care. When my husband and I first began trying to conceive, we were filled with hope. We tried for a year, because they make you wait a full year before even referring you to a fertility specialist—it's right there in the paperwork. Doctor visits, fertility tests, and failed attempts left us emotionally and financially drained. The next step was medical intervention. I started Clomid pills, my husband had Clomid shots, and we underwent countless tests for unexplained infertility. Before moving to intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF, my doctor suggested trying acupuncture as a less invasive option. We took that route first, but much of the process felt dictated by cost rather than medical necessity. If you could afford to go straight to egg retrieval, you did. If that was out of reach, IUI was the next best option. If even that was financially impossible, you were told to try medications and come back. The illusion of choice was frustrating—I still have all the paperwork outlining those financial hurdles. We did what we could, hoping for the best, and whether it was the acupuncture, the medication, or just luck, Hudson finally made his way into our lives. None of it was covered by insurance. As a type-1 diabetic, my pre-existing condition precluded my insurance from covering my procedures and testing, making an already difficult journey even more challenging. We spent $4,000 just for testing, medication, and imaging alone, before even considering more advanced treatments like IUI or IVF. Every test, every medication, every acupuncture session came out of our own pockets. We spent thousands of dollars, all while knowing that if those treatments didn't work, the financial burden of IUI or IVF would only grow. And yet, despite the pain, the cost, and the uncertainty, we had hope, because medical science gave us an opportunity that nature denied us. But now, that hope is under attack across the country. From lawmakers trying to limit access to fertility treatments to court rulings threatening the very definition of embryos, our right to build our families through assisted reproduction is in jeopardy. We saw this happen in Alabama, where a recent court ruling classified frozen embryos as children, prompting some fertility clinics to pause operations out of fear of legal repercussions. Such policies don't just impact hypothetical scenarios; they hurt real families—families like mine. That's why Nevada's new protections for assisted reproduction are so critical. This bill ensures that no government entity can impose unnecessary burdens on accessing fertility treatments, fertility drugs, or other reproductive services. It guarantees that doctors can provide the care they are trained for without fear of legal retaliation. It prevents insurance companies from imposing arbitrary barriers to fertility treatments. And, perhaps most importantly, it affirms that a fertilized egg outside the womb is not a person under Nevada law—preventing dangerous legal interpretations that could disrupt access to care. For parents like me, this legislation is not about politics—it is about our children. It is about ensuring that people facing infertility or medical conditions that threaten their reproductive future still have a path to parenthood. It is about guaranteeing that no one has to hear the words 'I'm sorry, but the treatment you need is no longer available.' Hudson is a joyful, thriving toddler who loves his TonieBox, puzzles, and snuggling up for bedtime stories. He is the reason I fight to protect access to assisted reproduction—because every child like Hudson deserves the chance to exist. Every parent who longs for a baby should have access to the medical care that makes that dream possible. Nevada is leading the way in protecting fertility care. Other states should follow its example. Because no family should have to wonder if their child's existence is up for debate.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Proposed Nevada bill aims to expand IVF access
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A new bill in the Nevada Legislature focuses on modern family planning, specifically expanding IVF access to Nevada families. SB 217 was introduced to the Health and Human Services committee on Thursday. The bill pushes for Nevada families to have greater access to IVF and was modeled after the Colorado Building Families Act. 'The treatments provide hope and opportunity for those struggling with infertility, for same-sex couples who are seeking biological parenthood, individuals with medical conditions that could affect their fertility,' said Democratic State Senator Nicole Cannizzaro, who is one of the bill's primary sponsors. Majority Leader Cannizzaro had with her the founder of Nevada Fertility Advocates, Amanda Klein, who understands the subject matter all too well. 'My husband and I struggled with infertility for five years. I did have to do IVF, I had several miscarriages,' Klein told 8 News Now. 'Ultimately, we had to hire a surrogate to have our daughter, but she's incredible, and she's the reason I do this work today.' Klein has been working with Senator Cannizzaro on this bill for the past year. SB217 includes coverage for treatments like IVF, as well as fertility preservation for those who have diagnoses like cancer. 'We were hit with the reality that one in six Nevadans face and that is that infertility is a disease,' Klein continued. 'The American Medical Association has recognized infertility as a disease- just like cancer, just like diabetes, just like heart disease for several decades- and it should be recognized by insurance companies as well.' However, the legislation isn't without pushback. Some disagree with the bill because of parts of the language. 'SB 217 clearly states that fertilized eggs and embryos before implantation are not legally considered persons,' said Melissa Clement, with the Nevada Right to Life, who spoke on the floor in opposition. 'This is neither scientific nor medical.' Additionally, there are some opponents concerned about the price tag. 'The infertility coverage mandates apply to large employers, which means that the cost for employers and employees will increase due to the cost of these treatments,' expressed Shelly Capurro with the Nevada Association Of Health Plans. However, Klein responded to some of the opposition, saying that family building is a bipartisan issue. 'We understand, especially me, being a lifelong Nevadan that there are cost implications to a bill like this,' Klein said. 'But it is incredibly important for us to work from both sides of the aisle- Republican and Democrat- to get this bill to a place where we can all agree to it. The bill is set to head to the finance committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
