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The key word in Kansas government this year is reform. Ideas and proposals swirl around for
tax reform, education reform, healthcare reform, corrections reform, . . . Programs and legislative initiatives fly thick and fast from all directions: the governor’s office, state agencies, citizens, and legislators.
Often it seems that nothing happens in Kansas state government but conflict, arguments, and name-calling—a process as gory as making sausage. However, robust debate about policy is the lifeblood of good government . It is crucial that lawmakers ensure that our state government is flexible and responsive. So—while representative government is sometimes messy and unpleasant and inefficient—it is essential.
What follows is a brief recipe for the ‘sausage-making’ in Topeka. (Those with weak stomachs may skip to the end.)
There are three basic parts to the annual legislative session in Topeka, each lasting about a month:
(1) consideration of legislation separately in the House and Senate,
(2) reconciliation of differences between the two houses if the legislature, and
(3) disposition of legislation vetoed by the governor.
(Unfortunately, the actual process is not nearly as clear-cut as this sounds. These main parts overlap and intermingle and are squeezed into very short links of time. )
First, legislators have what they think are great ideas for bills. The ideas must be legally formulated and presented to appropriate committees to be publicized, examined, and debated within the committees. The committees can approve, fix, spice up, or reject the ideas. After the committee process, some approved legislation may be debated on the floor of the Senate or the House (depending on where the ideas were introduced). At this time, the bills may pass, be amended, or not pass.
Next, bills that have passed in either chamber go to the other chamber to grind through the same process. (This is called ‘turn-around.’) If the legislation passes unmodified, the bill goes to the governor’s desk to be signed or vetoed. Most bills are modified in some way and must be reconciled during the conference process. Members from each chamber try to hash out their differences and reach agreement. (Sometimes this is actually called ‘gut-and-go.’) If this happens, each chamber may then concur or disagree with the sliced-and-diced legislation. If passed, the legislation can either be signed or vetoed by the governor.
Finally, during the veto session, any legislation that was vetoed can be reconsidered. Normally, a simple majority in each house is all that is required to pass a bill. However, vetoed bills require a two- thirds majority in both chambers.
The key word in Kansas government this year is reform. Ideas and proposals swirl around for
tax reform, education reform, healthcare reform, corrections reform, . . . Programs and legislative initiatives fly thick and fast from all directions: the governor’s office, state agencies, citizens, and legislators.
Often it seems that nothing happens in Kansas state government but conflict, arguments, and name-calling—a process as gory as making sausage. However, robust debate about policy is the lifeblood of good government . It is crucial that lawmakers ensure that our state government is flexible and responsive. So—while representative government is sometimes messy and unpleasant and inefficient—it is essential.
What follows is a brief recipe for the ‘sausage-making’ in Topeka. (Those with weak stomachs may skip to the end.)
There are three basic parts to the annual legislative session in Topeka, each lasting about a month:
(1) consideration of legislation separately in the House and Senate,
(2) reconciliation of differences between the two houses if the legislature, and
(3) disposition of legislation vetoed by the governor.
(Unfortunately, the actual process is not nearly as clear-cut as this sounds. These main parts overlap and intermingle and are squeezed into very short links of time. )
First, legislators have what they think are great ideas for bills. The ideas must be legally formulated and presented to appropriate committees to be publicized, examined, and debated within the committees. The committees can approve, fix, spice up, or reject the ideas. After the committee process, some approved legislation may be debated on the floor of the Senate or the House (depending on where the ideas were introduced). At this time, the bills may pass, be amended, or not pass.
Next, bills that have passed in either chamber go to the other chamber to grind through the same process. (This is called ‘turn-around.’) If the legislation passes unmodified, the bill goes to the governor’s desk to be signed or vetoed. Most bills are modified in some way and must be reconciled during the conference process. Members from each chamber try to hash out their differences and reach agreement. (Sometimes this is actually called ‘gut-and-go.’) If this happens, each chamber may then concur or disagree with the sliced-and-diced legislation. If passed, the legislation can either be signed or vetoed by the governor.
Finally, during the veto session, any legislation that was vetoed can be reconsidered. Normally, a simple majority in each house is all that is required to pass a bill. However, vetoed bills require a two- thirds majority in both chambers.
This time-honored process is intricate, confusing, and even frustrating. Anyone reading through all this may be convinced that sausage-making is clean and neat in comparison. However, legislators understand that a better Kansas depends on as many people as possible understanding and getting involved with the controlled chaos we fondly call government.
A great website to use to follow what is going on in Topeka this session is www.kslegislature.org.
Legislators enjoy exchanging ideas and information with their constituents. (Honest.) Contact information for everyone in state government is on the website—along with lots of other up-to-date information about in-process legislation and governmental activities.
Please contact me any time with your ideas: cell (913) 547-0565, email janagood@kc.rr.com, in person at monthly town halls, Lansing City Hall (lower level), first Mondays, 6:30 p.m.
