It was a celebratory week as the Kansas Legislature returned to Topeka for the 2023 Legislative Session. The House kicked off the year with Governor Laura Kelly’s inaugural events, electing new House Leadership, swearing-in new and returning House members and a joint session with the Senate to hear the State of the Judiciary delivered by Kansas State Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Marla Luckert.

This session I have been appointed to serve on the following standing committees: House Appropriations Committee, House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. I also serve on the Joint Committee for Information Technology “JCIT” and the Information Technology Executive Committee “ITEC”.

I am looking forward to serving with our new House members from Wyandotte County, Rep. Marvin S. Robinson, Rep. Melissa Oropeza, Rep. Lynn Melton and Rep. Mike Thompson as well as our returning House members Rep. Louis Ruiz and Rep. Valdenia Winn and Rep. Tim Johnson who gained a portion of Wyandotte County in re-districting. 

It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and appreciate your input on issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 452-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7430 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. You can also e-mail me at pam.curtis@house.ks.gov

Governor Laura Kelly and Lt. Governor David Toland were inaugurated and sworn into office on Monday, January 9, 2023 on the south steps of the Capitol building. The governor’s State of the State address, originally scheduled for the 9th, has been postponed to January 24th. 

“Years from now, if we’re remembered for one thing, let it be this: at a time when national politics was defined by hostility and division, here in Kansas, we chose civility and unity,” Kelly said. “And the people we serve and the state we love are better off for it.”

• Kansas Gov. Kelly calls for ‘civility and kindness’ in second inaugural speech, Kansas Reflector, 1/12/2023
• Oscar-winning filmmaker to host Kansas Inaugural Ball, KSNT, 1/5/2023
  
• Democratic Kansas Gov. Kelly urges civility; Kobach is AG,” Associated Press, 1/9/2023
• Gov. Kelly invokes spirit of civility in second term,” WIBW, 1/9/2023

On Thursday, January 12, Governor Kelly announced her budget recommendations for fiscal year 2024. Continuing with her first term’s successful, balanced approach -- and a noteworthy $2 billion budget surplus -- the governor’s recommended budget includes fully funding schools, tax cuts for families, and keeps Kansas in a solid fiscal position without compromising state functions.

• Axes the state sales tax on groceries, diapers, and feminine hygiene products by April 1, 2023
• Implements a 4-day, “back-to-school” sales tax holiday for teachers and parents
• Invests in early childhood education and childcare
• Keeps the “Bank of KDOT” closed for the second year in a row
• Funds $220 million in infrastructure investments, including broadband and transportation
• Adds over $5 million to increase placement rates for foster homes and support foster kids transitioning to adulthood 
• Provides funding for schools to purchase naloxone (Narcan) for prevention of opioid overdoses in K-12 schools
• Creates a micro internship program through the Kansas Board of Regents for workforce development
• Allocates $20 million for cybersecurity upgrades to KDOL and more

Read more about Governor Kelly’s budget recommendations and view the full presentation:

• Governor Kelly’s Budget Recommendation FY 2024, Adam Proffitt, Director of the Budget, 1/12/2023
• “Here are 6 ways Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wants to spend a $2 billion budget surplus,” High Plains Public Radio, 1/13/2023
• “Kansas governor’s budget ends food sales tax, expands Medicaid and offers 5% raise to workers,” Kansas Reflector, 1/12/2023
• “The Kansas Legislature has the state's $2 billion surplus to wrangle over this year,” KCUR, 1/9/2023

State of the Judiciary

On Wednesday, January 11th, Kansas Supreme Court Justice Marla Luckert delivered the State of the Judiciary Address in a joint session with the House and Senate. Justices of the Kansas State Supreme Court joined Legislature for the State of the Judiciary. Here is a link to Chief Justice Marla Luckert’s speech that was delivered in the House Chamber. 

The chief justice asked lawmakers to support specialty courts, behavioral health services, and pay raises for judges and court employees, saying, “Judges across the state report that they cannot find attorneys to appoint when the law requires them to do so,” Luckert said, “and your neighbors struggle to find an attorney to help with legal issues.”

Across the Rotunda: The Senate Democrats:

In the Senate, two bills were introduced to reduce Kansans’ taxes. The first would eliminate the state sales tax on groceries, diapers, and feminine hygiene products effective April 1, 2023. The second would create an annual, four-day back-to-school tax holiday. That bill is scheduled for a hearing in Senate Tax next Thursday.

In Remembrance:

Flags were flown at half-staff this past week in honor and remembrance of former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan, the longest-serving attorney general in Kansas.

“Robert Stephan dies at 89. He was Kansas' longest-serving attorney general.” Topeka Capital-Journal, 1/3/2023

Did you know! 

All committee hearings can be found on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube page. 

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