Grant Predicts Difficult Road Ahead

The Fort Scott Tribune is running a series on the plans of area legislators. This morning features Rep. Bob Grant, KHD 2.

Most of the discussion focused on the difficulties the Kansas Legislature will be facing in January.

I think it will be one of the toughest sessions I've seen since I've been up there (Topeka)," the 17-year legislator said Thursday. "It's not going to be fun. We're not going to have money to spend. There will probably be some cuts and some tax breaks. It will probably be a lean, mean session.

The economy has lead to a decrease in state revenue, and now the impacts will be felt in the Kansas budget. The result is a nearly $150 million shortfall.

The budget affects everything else," he said. "If we don't do something now, then in 2010 we're looking at probably a shortfall of over $1 billion. Everybody hates to see programs cut, and maybe we don't have to cut them. I won't say we won't cut them, nobody wants to, but if we don't, what do we do a year from now? Where's the money going to come from? It's great to get tax breaks, but tax breaks mean a loss of revenue and it just compounds the problem.

Education funding will be cut this year. At 65% of Kansas' budget, there does not currently appear to be an alternative. Other possible "fun" topics include a rematch on coal-fired power plants, illegal immigration reform, and property tax relief.

Grant compared the upcoming session to that of 1992, a "Year of Hell" spent discussing abortion, the death penalty, and the redistricting of the legislative districts. Could 2009 become "Year of Hell 2"?

Step Up for the GI Bill

Today, hundreds of Young Democrats and young veterans are asking Congress to fulfill the promise we make to always stand by every man and woman who puts on the uniform in service to our nation. Young Democrats are urging immediate action on the Webb-Mitchell "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act," a bill that will expand educational benefits for the men and women who serve in our military.

"As both a student and a veteran, I know first-hand how important veterans' benefits, especially educational benefits, are to our service men and women coming home from overseas," said Cole Hickman, an Army Reserve Sergeant and Iraq war veteran who serves as Chair of the Young Democrats of America's Veterans and Military Affairs Caucus and President of the Young Democrats of Arizona. "This new 21st Century G.I. Bill will give America's newest veterans the support they need to become engines of our economy, improve our communities, and continue their service to our nation while at home, just like the greatest generation did after World War II."

"An investment in our veterans is an investment in America. For less than the cost of fighting in Iraq for one week, this legislation significantly expands benefits to our veterans," said Young Democrats of America President David Hardt. "We urge Congress to include this important legislation in the Iraq war supplemental bill."

Currently, educational benefits for veterans are dispensed based on a law designed for peace-time service -- a law that insufficiently handles all the veterans currently serving in a time of war.

The 21st Century G.I. Bill will:

• Make benefits available to all members of the military who have served on active duty since 9/11/2001, including activated reservists and National Guard.
• Provide benefits for tuition, housing, and books for up to 36 months of education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
• Link amount of benefits to amount of time served on active duty.
• Increase amount of time after leaving active duty to collect educational assistance to fifteen years compared to ten.
• Allows additional payments for tutorial assistance as well as licensure and certification tests.
• Create a new program in which the government will agree to match, dollar for dollar, any voluntary additional contributions to veterans from institutions whose tuition is more expensive than the maximum assistance provided.