Latest news with #SenateBill125
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Laura Kelly objects to 1.5% across-the-board budget cuts ordered by Kansas Legislature
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins, photographed during Kelly's 2025 state of the state speech in January, disagreed on the appropriateness of the Legislature's decision to compel the governor to make 1.5% spending reductions in state agencies. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly denounced across-the-board spending reductions ordered by the Kansas Legislature that sliced $189,000 from the Kansas School for the Deaf and $124,000 from the Kansas School for the Blind. The Kansas Adjutant General's Office lost $118,000 because of the budget mandate, while the Kansas Office of Veterans Services was nicked for $64,000. It was all part of the $7.1 million reduction required by a bill approved by the House and Senate that took effect Tuesday with start of the state government's new fiscal year. The Legislature mandated the governor take the money out of state general fund operating expenditures, which included agency salaries, contractual services, commodities and capital expenses. Kelly said the Legislature's preference for blanket reductions, rather than precision adjustments, was flawed because the result was 'neither targeted nor thoughtful.' 'As governor, I have worked to get Kansas back on the right fiscal track and provide Kansans with the resources they need to prosper without risking the future of the state,' Kelly said. 'I share the Legislature's goal to reduce spending where possible and to increase efficiency in state government. However, the Legislature's mandate to cut state agencies' budgets across the board is not the way to increase efficiency.' Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who is a candidate for state insurance commissioner, said the governor was wrong to oppose what he viewed as the 'small 1.5%' reduction in spending decreed by Senate Bill 125. The House voted 89-36 for the bill and Senate approved it by a margin of 24-16. Kelly said the Legislature compelled her to strip millions of dollars from state agencies managing programs that were 'vital lifelines to the most vulnerable Kansans.' The cuts required of the governor took the biggest bite out of the Kansas Department for Children and Families by stripping $2.2 million from the agency. The second-largest loser in the Legislature's budget was the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, which lost $1 million. Taken together, the two agencies serving children, seniors and people with disabilities absorbed 44% of the reduction because a larger portion of their budgets came from the state general fund. Hawkins, who controls the debate calendar in the House, said Kelly didn't present options for shrinking state spending to the 2025 Legislature. 'This year the Legislature forced her hand with a small 1.5% across-the-board reduction,' Hawkins said. 'I challenge Governor Kelly to come to the table before next session with meaningful ideas on how to make government agencies more efficient and reduce spending.' He said if Kelly declined to present the 2026 Legislature with potential steps for lowering expenditures, 'you can expect to see another across-the-board reduction.' Typically, the starting point for annual budget debates in Kansas would be a governor's recommended budget. GOP legislative leadership departed from precedent by establishing a special committee that drafted a budget bill for consideration by the 2025 Legislature. The objective was to set aside Kelly's preferences so House and Senate members could concentrate on their objectives. The final budget bill approved by the Legislature included the 1.5% across-the-board cut to state general fund expenditures. Other reductions above $100,000 to meet the Legislature's directive: Kansas Board of Indigents Defense Services, $919,000; Kansas Department of Health and Environment, $799,000; Office of Information Technology Services, $247,000; Kansas Department of Education, $314,000; Kansas Department of Revenue, $266,000; Kansas Department of Agriculture, $219,000; Kansas Department of Administration, $146,000; and Kansas Department of Labor, $142,000. And, cuts to agencies with annual budgets at or below $5 million: Kansas Historical Society, $75,000; Office of the Governor, $73,000; Kansas State Library, $45,000; Kansas Board of Tax Appeals, $22,000; Kansas Guardianship Program, $21,000; Kansas Human Rights Commission, $18,000; Kansas Office of Child Advocate, $11,000; Kansas Public Disclosure Commission, $8,000; and Kansas Department of Commerce, $2,000.
Associated Press
17-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
CE Broker by Propelus Joins Forces With Georgia Secretary of State's Office to Transform Continuing Education Management
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / June 17, 2025 / CE Broker by Propelus, a trusted leader in continuing education compliance for more than 20 years, and the Georgia Secretary of State's Office announced their strategic partnership to transform continuing education management in Georgia. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in transforming continuing education management for more than 400,000 licensed professionals in Georgia, streamlining departmental processes to improve efficiency and provide more user-centric government tools to support licensure compliance, and ultimately better meet the needs of the state's professionals. 'It's extremely important to my office that we keep Georgia's licensed professionals up-to-date on their licensing needs while ensuring that licensure compliance never gets in the way of letting them do their jobs,' said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. 'The CE Broker solution from Propelus will keep Georgia's hardworking professionals in compliance with their specific industry requirements and let them know that my office means business.' CE Broker and the Georgia Secretary of State's Office have formed a partnership to modernize the continuing education experience for Georgia's professionals. With CE Broker's innovative solution, professionals will be able to effortlessly track their continuing education requirements for licensure renewal, quickly identifying any gaps and streamlining the entire renewal process. This collaboration is set to simplify the management of renewal requirements, equipping professionals with the tools they need to efficiently and effortlessly manage their licensing obligations. This partnership aligns with and complements Senate Bill 125, recently passed during the 2025 Georgia legislative session and signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on May 9, 2025. Under this new law, all licensed professionals will be required to submit proof of continuing education completion prior to license renewal. This change is designed to improve government efficiency, strengthen public protection, and promote safer services across communities in Georgia. 'We commend the Georgia Secretary of State's Office for its ongoing commitment to innovation and the modernization of key processes,' said Julie Walker, CEO of Propelus. 'This collaboration reflects our mutual dedication to enhancing public safety, empowering licensed professionals, and promoting access to high-quality services for the citizens of Georgia through effective licensure, regulation, and education.' The integration of the CE Broker solution into the GOALS licensing system, a Salesforce solution, is set to begin in June 2025. The Georgia Secretary of State's Office will notify professionals via email when access to CE Broker becomes available. At that time, professionals can create their accounts at using their Georgia license credentials. Those who already have a CE Broker account in another state will be able to easily add Georgia to their profile once it's available, allowing them to report continuing education across multiple jurisdictions. For more information about CE Broker, visit About CE Broker by Propelus As part of Propelus, CE Broker is modernizing how professionals, their employers, regulators, and associations work better together. For over 20 years, CE Broker has propelled the progress of millions of dedicated professionals along the career journey through its full-lifecycle continuing education management solution. Leveraging innovative technology, essential data, and unparalleled strategic partnerships, we power critical compliance programs for a happier workforce, better operations, and safer communities. Learn more about CE Broker, powered by Propelus, at: Contact InformationStephanie Pavol Sr. Marketing Director SOURCE: Propelus press release
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vermont governor vetoes collective bargaining bill
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermont governor Phil Scott on Monday used his veto pen for the first time since May 15. Senate Bill 125 would make it more difficult for workers to decertify a union. Under current Vermont law, if 30 percent of workers represented by a union file a petition, the union can be decertified. S. 125 would raise this requirement to a simple majority of the workers. This bill would also allow judiciary supervisors to bargain collectively. Read the full text of the bill hereDownload Scott said he opposed raising the threshold for decertification saying in his veto letter that while he supports collective bargaining, he believes that 'employees should have choices for which union they belong to.' Burlington mayor signs amended resolution to clean up downtown, gives $10,000 to relocate Food Not Cops The governor also shared concerns about extending collective bargaining rights to judiciary supervisors. He wrote, 'I'm concerned that despite unions testifying this was a priority for their organization, employees who would be impacted by this bill were not consulted or asked to testify. 'The Judiciary has advised this change could have a negative impact on the effective management of courthouses and fear a workplace marked by divisiveness and angst were this bill to pass. At a time when our court system is managing a significant backlog, we should be focusing on improving efficiencies within the system.' Canadian teen arrested in Vermont trying to drive dad to airport S. 125 passed the House on May 13 in an 81-51 vote, which would be short of the two-thirds threshold needed to override Scott's veto. Vermont's legislature is still working on other legislation before it is scheduled to adjourn later this month, most prominently trying to find a compromise on an education bill that Scott said he would not sign last month without further amendment. He did not issue a formal veto in that case as the bill was not sent to his desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$80 million plan approved for KBI to move out of problematic area in Topeka to new home
TOPEKA (KSNT) – One of Kansas' top law enforcement agencies is getting a big upgrade after receiving approval for a new headquarters in Topeka this year, saving it from its current poor location. Lawmakers gave the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) the go-ahead this year for a new headquarters building in downtown Topeka. The agency asked the Kansas Legislature for financial help last year, citing a litany of issues with its current headquarters in Topeka. Governor Laura Kelly and members of the Kansas Legislature passed Senate Bill 125 last week. The bipartisan budget bill allocates cash for fiscal years 2025 through to 2028. While the bill was subject to line-item vetoes from Kelly, the section on the new KBI headquarters was not impacted by them. Why legalizing weed in Kansas isn't working Senate Bill 125 clears the way for a capital improvement project to design, build, renovate and equip a new KBI headquarters in Topeka's downtown area. The bill also allows for the purchase of property for the building. Melissa Underwood with the KBI told 27 News on April 16 the agency is now looking for competitive bids for vendors who can build or renovate a new headquarters building under the stipulations of Senate Bill 125. The project will be covered by up to 30-year bonds with a cap set at $80 million. 'We appreciate that the Legislature recognized the KBI's necessity for having a Headquarters facility that is safe, secure, and efficient for conducting critical public safety operations,' Underwood said. Underwood said the new location for the headquarters and an exact timeline for moving out of the agency's current building isn't known yet. Staff at the current headquarters at 1620 Southwest Tyler Street will move out only after the new facility is completed. KBI Director Tony Mattivi submitted testimony earlier this year reporting the current KBI headquarters is located in a high-crime area, suffers from a bat infestation, leaks in the roof and other issues. He said the more than 100-year-old building, originally built as a school, was not an ideal place to house the agency. Condemned east Topeka apartment cited for trash, vehicle violations Original plans put forward by the KBI asked lawmakers for around $115 million to build a new headquarters. Possible locations pitched for the headquarters included the former Menninger campus, the Kansas Neurological Institute or former State Hospital grounds. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas Legislature votes to reject governor's veto of bill tied to possible income tax cuts
Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, urged colleagues in the Kansas Legislature to support the override of Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a bill that could trigger reductions in the state's individual income tax rates. The House and Senate voted to defeat Kelly's veto on Senate Bill 125. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA —Republican Sen. Caryn Tyson and Democratic Sen. Ethan Corson locked horns Thursday in a debate about override Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of legislation creating an automatic mechanism that would dedicate excess revenue to lowering state income tax rates. 'I can't understand why anybody would veto this or not support this effort and stop our government growth,' Tyson said before the Senate voted 30-10 to override the governor. The GOP-dominated House later produced the two-thirds majority — 87-37 — necessary to complete the rejection of Kelly's veto. Corson, in response to Tyson, said he was frustrated the Legislature passed a bill that locked in future income tax reductions despite not fulfilling a pledge to substantively address property taxes during the 2025 session. 'Where is the property tax relief?' said Corson, who voted with Democrats to support Kelly's veto. 'It's a double whammy for folks expecting their property tax relief. We're not going to give it to you this session and we're not going to be able to give it to you in future sessions.' Tyson's response: 'We always don't get what we want right away.' Kelly set the table for debate on Senate Bill 269 by the Senate and House after concluding the tax legislation could push Kansas off a financial cliff just as aggressive income tax cuts signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback did more than a decade ago. 'The income tax cuts made possible by this bill could cost the state up to $1.3 billion annually,' Kelly said. 'The triggers for those tax cuts are such that as soon as the state sees an uptick in revenue, taxes will be automatically cut regardless of any other economic factors or policy and budgetary considerations. We've been down this road before, and we can't afford to go back to failed tax experiments and policies that will stifle economic opportunity for everyday Kansans.' Under the Senate bill, reductions in state income tax rates would be contingent on the balance in the state's rainy-day fund. The measure would require the state budget director to annually determine whether the preceding fiscal year's state general fund tax receipts exceeded the 2024 total after adjustments for inflation. This calculation would be done by Aug. 15 starting in 2025. The Kansas Department of Revenue would determine whether reductions to the state income tax could be authorized. The bill required both individual income tax rates in Kansas — 5.2% for lower-income individuals and 5.58% for upper-income individuals — to be reduced proportionally until the lower bracket hit 4%. At that point, the upper bracket rate would be gradually sliced until that also reached 4%. If this process went as planned by Republican legislators, the state would wind up with a single-rate individual income tax sought by Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins. Both touted benefits of SB 269, and were critical of the governor's veto of the bill. 'Last year, the governor held tax relief hostage over phony claims it would hurt revenues,' the GOP leaders said in a statement. 'This year, she vetoes a bill with no fiscal note. SB 269 is a simple concept that lowers the cost of living by delivering responsible income tax relief. When tax revenues come in higher than expected, your taxes go down automatically — a sensible way to return tax dollars to Kansans that only Governor Kelly could oppose.' Hawkins and Masterson offered a summary of political distinctions arising from the bill: 'It's clear, her real allegiance is to growing government on your dime. Republicans stand with taxpayers.' House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, D-Lenexa, said the backdoor imposition of a flat tax would place a disproportionately high burden on lower-income Kansans at a 'significant financial cost to the state.' 'We've seen reckless tax experiments like this one in the past, and we know the consequences. This legislation would bankrupt our state,' Woodard said.
