Attempts to curb illegal immigration and dry up the jobs that attract such immigrants imploded under pressure from business.
Health-care reform saw modest progress, but most of the plan went unfunded.
The fate of two proposed coal-burning power plants for western Kansas — seen as a key indicator of future energy policy — remains unsettled. But efforts to authorize the plants appear doomed to fall to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto pen.
This year, the Legislature’s debate was America’s debate. Topeka might as well have been Washington.
So how’d they do?
“Major progress on a number of fronts,” said House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, an Ingalls Republican.
“Probably the most difficult session in my years as governor,” Sebelius said. “Because there was an attitude of ultimatum.”
“The governor stood in the way,” said Sen. Tim Huelskamp, a Fowler Republican.
“A downhill conversation,” said Marcia Nielsen, director of the state’s Health Policy Authority.
“Hijacked by coal,” said Rep. Pat Colloton, a Leawood Republican.
“A train wreck waiting to happen,” said Rep. Candy Ruff, a Leavenworth Democrat.
Lawmakers can claim their victories — tight fiscal restraint to gird for tough economic times; economic incentives for a new Cessna plant in Wichita; a raise for state employees; more than $100 million in business tax cuts for next year; tougher penalties for stalking and theft; a new voter ID measure; and more money to educate preschoolers and help people with disabilities.
But if the Legislature’s own priorities, announced in January, are any guide, it was a year marked by small victories and big failures.
The scuttling of immigration bills and the veto of an abortion bill frustrated conservatives.
Small steps on health-care reform angered Democrats.
And the two top lawmakers — Neufeld and Senate President Steve Morris — look likely to lose their major challenge of the year, the coal fight.
The number of bills passed is another indicator. Lawmakers introduced 800 bills and resolutions and passed 266.
In the last election-year session, 2006, legislators passed 320 bills, including eminent domain restrictions, a concealed-weapons law, an extensive school-finance bill and a large sales tax cut for business.
The reasons for this year’s shortfall are various.
Upcoming elections made lawmakers timid. Tight money made new spending and new programs unlikely.
And the sheer complexity of the big issues — health care, illegal immigration and energy policy — posed an almost insurmountable challenge.
“This is the reason they call the states the laboratories of democracy,” said Joe Aistrup, political science chairman at Kansas State University. “They had some failures this year, but look at the issues — these things require years to resolve. The feds aren’t doing any better.”
Many lawmakers say they spent much of their time trying to resolve problems that Sebelius created.
When her environmental regulator rejected the coal project — even though it met state regulations — it not only dealt a blow to western Kansas but also jeopardized the state’s entire business climate, they say. Efforts to reverse the rejection were therefore of obvious importance, they said.
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