Statehouse Round-Up - Week of March 27, 2017

Kevin Surbaugh

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Topeka - On Thursday February 22 the Kansas House of Representatives voted 81-44 to pass Medicaid Expansion, but was three votes shy of the margin needed for a veto proof majority. Then Tuesday March 28, the Kansas Senate gave its final approval  with a 25 to 14 vote.
However, the Governors office issued a statement on March 30 saying,

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback today vetoed Medicaid Expansion, issuing the following statement on HB 2044.

“I am vetoing this expansion of ObamaCare because it fails to serve the truly vulnerable before the able-bodied, lacks work requirements to help able-bodied Kansans escape poverty, and burdens the state budget with unrestrainable entitlement costs.”

“Most grievously, this legislation funnels more taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry. From its infancy, the state of Kansas has affirmed the dignity and equality of each human life. I will not support this legislation that continues to fund organizations that undermine a culture of life.”

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has also signed the following eight bills into law:

Tuesday, March 28, 2017:

SB 166 – Exempts Cleveland University-Kansas City from the private and out-of-state post-secondary educational institution act.

SB 66 – Reforms state bank commission appointments.

SB 17 – Amends the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plan.

SB 15 – Updates the effective date of risk based capital instructions.

HB 2109 – Authorizes the state board of regents to sell particular pieces of property.

SB 68 – Establishes the Kansas Lay Caregiver Act.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017:

SB 32 – Adopts recommendations of the Rural Health Care Workgroup headed by Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer to expand medical student loan agreements for psychiatric residencies.

HB 2192 – Officially renames “Lake Scott State Park” as “Historic Lake Scott State Park.”