Hottest Issue in Kansas Today! The Kansas Budget is the top issue of the day because of the recession we are experiencing in the Kansas economy and the U.S. economy. The state has experienced over 21% drop in revenues from fiscal year '09 to'FY '11.

Medicaid Cuts
For the 2010 budget, Governor Parkinson made a 10% cut in Medicaid funding last December. However, Karin feels that this was not a good choice to cut funding due to the federal reductions in Medicaid funding that resulted from this cut. The budget will not be finalized before Senate adjournment the week of March 29, 2010, so it will be debated and finalized during the Veto Session beginning April 28, 2010. It is Karin’s hope that during this time the Legislature will find a way to reinstate this Medicaid funding.

Childcare - Senate Bill 447/Senate Sub for HB 2356
Karin values the safety of children and families very highly and agrees that it is important for childcare providers to be held accountable and maintain a safe environment for the children under their care. Karin also feels that Senate Bill 447 is not the proper way to achieve this goal and therefore, voted no on the bill that was passed on March 17, 2010. This legislation would actually reduce the frequency of home inspections from annually for licensed homes to 15 months up to three years. It would institute a new self-evaluation form to be used by licensed daycare providers. This would weaken our current system.

“The effort to ensure our children are safe while in daycare homes is valiant but we have not hit the target in this bill. The NACRRA ranking for Kansas for 2009 of 47th improved to 41st in 2010, without passing legislation. This bill is more likely to drive up the cost of home daycare and the cost of government as its role expands into our homes. We cannot ensure a risk free environment for our children. Other measures should be considered to meet the goal of quality, safe home daycare.” Karin wrote in her explanation of why she opposed the bill.

Autism
Karin takes a great interest in legislation that improves the conditions and opportunities for people and families affected by Autism. She consistently votes in favor of legislation that will increase the value of their lives and assist people affected by Autism. Karin was a conferee on House Bill 2160 concerning insurance coverage on treatments for Autism. This bill was finally passed by the House late on March 30 and will next be considered by the Governor.

Oral Cancer Medication
A provision to study the cost of oral medications compared to intravenously administered cancer drugs was included in HB 2160. I supported this measure. It passed along with HB 2160.

Parents as Teachers
Karin understands that the Parents and Teachers programs are essential to the education of young children and values the improvements the program has made for these children. This is one of the best preschool program in the state. The 2010 budget has not been finalized and the legislature will not do so until the Veto Session beginning on April 28, 2010. Karin hopes that the legislature will find a way to remain under budget while keeping in place important programs like Parents as Teachers.

Tax Increases
Karin does not support tax increases and has voted against legislative proposals to do so. She believes that increased taxes including the most recently proposed soda, liquor, and tobacco propositions are not the answer to budget shortfalls. The best tax policy is broad based and not targeted at specific products or industries. Behind each of these areas are business owners and employees who could be negatively impacted by an excessive tax on their products. The net result could be increased unemployment, which is already at excessively high levels. Karin continues to look for alternative ways to balance the budget and will continue to vote against tax increases for Kansans as we weather the recession.

Holcomb Power Plants
The Governor denied the air permit for two coal fired plants to be built in Holcomb, KS, close to Garden City. This project is critical to economic development efforts for western Kansas. It would allow for Kansas to export electricity outside the state, provide a tremendous tax base and build the much needed transmission lines for the wind farms in western Kansas. Look for the 2008 Legislature to tackle this topic and stand up for growth in all parts of Kansas!
In 2009, under Governor Parkinson, the Legislature approved the building of one larger power plant by Sunflower Electric at Holcomb.

ABORTION
Karin advocated for unborn children by sponsoring and supporting legislation to ban both partial birth and late term abortions and supporting a ban on the sale of fetal tissue and euthanasia. She continues to support this cause to improve the effectiveness of the partial birth abortion ban.
In recent years, Karin has supported efforts to license and inspect abortion clinics in Kansas. Gov. Sebelius has vetoed this legislation twice.

BUSINESS
Support of small business legislation, which has reduced various tax burdens on Kansas businesses, earned Karin the Guardian of Small Business Award in 1999.

CONCEALED CARRY OF WEAPONS
Studies have shown that gun control laws have not been effective in reducing crime in the United States or other countries. For this reason, Karin voted for legislation what would have allowed Kansas citizens to protect themselves with the stipulation that they complete a gun safety course. After gubernatorial vetos by Governors Graves and Sebelius, the 2006 legislature over-rode the Governor's veto and passed Concealed Carry for Kansas. During the 2010 session there is interest in expanding locations where one can carry a gun.

EDUCATION
Throughout her time in the Senate, Karin has been involved in many issues pertaining to local school districts including:
Supporting charter schools, which allows Kansas districts to access grants from federal funds.

Sponsoring legislation which allowed local school districts to implement a ten day short-term suspension as opposed to a five day suspension.

Sponsoring “Home Rule” legislation that would have allowed school districts more flexibility in decision making before asking permission from the state legislature to implement new ideas. Unfortunately, this legislation did not pass the House Education Committee.

Karin also believes that local school districts should be allowed to raise additional funds from their community without being limited to the Local Option Budget (LOB).

GAMBLING
As several studies suggest, when new Casinos are built, there is a rise in personal bankruptcy, crime and corruption relating to gambling. It also can have a negative impact on small businesses. For these reasons, Senator Brownlee has consistently voted against measures that would expand gambling in Kansas.

HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM
Karin has actively advocated for simplifying access to healthcare including supporting an effort to reduce the burden of referrals. For more information, please see FI&I Committee work under Legislative Experience.

INTERMODAL
The Intermodal to be built near Edgerton, KS did not receive the TIGER grant from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. Unfortunately the grant was given to Kansas City, Missouri to build sidewalks, curbs and add traffic lights. There is still a possibility that the Intermodal will receive federal funding through additional TIGER funds. Because of the slow economy, the building of this Intermodal was delayed by BNSF. This facility has caused tremendous growth in warehouse distribution facilities in the area. This project has been controversial for the southwest region of my district. BNSF initiated this project to handle cargo on one of the busiest rail lines in the country.

INTERNET CRIME
At Senator Brownlee’s request, a Judiciary Committee studied various forms of Internet crime including solicitation of a minor over the Internet, stalking using the Internet, sale of prescription drugs and identity theft. Through the research conducted by this committee, the 2000 Legislature determined that stalking through the Internet is a crime and upgraded identity theft from a misdemeanor to a felony. The legislature continues to address current needs in this area. The Attorney General’s office has been addressing the improper sale of prescription drugs through the Internet.

PROPERTY TAXES
During her first term as Senator, Karin supported the reduction of the statewide mill levy from 35 mills to 20 mills.

Senator Brownlee would support exploring market based methods of capping the increases on appraised values on property values. This issue has become a backdoor tax increase for citizens in the 23rd Senate district.

Karin also believes there is a need to address the increasing burden of property taxes on our Senior Citizens. This may require a State Constitutional amendment.

TRANSPORTATION
In 1999, Karin voted for the final version of the ten year Transportation Plan. This plan utilizes $12.9 billion to build new highways and interchanges in Kansas. Widening 169 Highway to four lanes south of Spring Hill is one way this bill directly impacted constituents in the 23rd Senate District.

Senator Brownlee has also supported Legislation which increases driving time for teens before they can secure their full driver’s license.

Issues Prior to 2000

BISTATE TAX II
Karin chose to oppose expanding the use of Kansas sales tax to support sports and sports facilities. It is possible for sales tax collected from Bistate Tax II to be used for projects in both Kansas and Missouri.

SUNFLOWER ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT
Transferring the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant the Oz Corporation could lead to the state of Kansas being liable for the cleanup of the contaminated site, should the Oz Corporation not successfully complete the cleanup. For this reason, Senator Brownlee has opposed the transfer.

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