1) Collective Bargaining Bill Dead

Yesterday, the Senate voted NOT to continue debate on S. 3991, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2010. The vote was 55 yeas to 43 nays. Sixty votes were needed to proceed with debate.  This means that for all practical purposes the bill is dead for this legislative year.
 
The vote followed a very powerful speech by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) in which he implored senators to oppose the bill.  He cited numerous mayors whose cities have collective bargaining but oppose the bill, and also cited NLC’s report on the fiscal crisis of cities to make his points that this was a bad bill that would damage state and local government autonomy. 

For 15 years members of the House and Senate have attempted to pass a mandatory collective bargaining bill for public safety officers.  Each year they have failed.  The failure this year of the majority to pass this bill is a tribute to the efforts of cities and state leagues across the country.

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2) Transition Team Seeks Input

The Transition Team for Governor-elect Brownback is seeking input from cities regarding issues that are important to local governments in Kansas. As a member of the Transition Team, Wichita Councilmember Sue Schlapp is asking that city officials from around the state take the time to offer their input on policy issues for the incoming administration. Don’t miss this important opportunity to have your voice heard. Simply, send an email to Councilmember Schlapp at SSchlapp@wichita.gov and identify your thoughts on key issues for the new administration.

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3) KACIR Conducts Best Practices Survey

In an effort to help Kansas local governments find ways to provide services at their most effective and least costly levels, the KACIR (Kansas Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations) is seeking to identify current examples of what your local government is doing to promote these efficiencies.

      Are there certain steps your local government has taken to alleviate fiscal pressures?

      Are you particularly proud of an efficiency improvement your local government has made?

Your positive endeavors will be shared on KACIR's web site and included in the KACIR 2010 Annual Report to the Governor.

Please take a few moments to tell KACIR how your local government is prevailing during these times of tremendous financial pressure. Please send your best practice to lynn_robinson@kdor.state.ks.us before December 15, 2010.

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4) Register for the January MLA

January's MLA, Finance Planning and Policy Concepts, will be in WaKeeney on January 7 and Lansing on January 22. This elective course will offer participants a better understanding of municipal finance issues in Kansas. Finance Planning and Policy Concepts has been designed to complement the themes covered in the core MLA municipal finance class. Prior participation in Municipal Finance is not required. To register or for more information, please click here.

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5) Join Us for City Hall Day

LKM is proud to present our annual "City Hall Day." Pleas join us on Wednesday, February 2nd for this event, which is designed to bring city officials together with state leaders to discuss issues of importance to city officials. Contact your House and Senate members in advance to schedule meetings to discuss issues of concern to your city along with the LKM Action Agenda. City Hall Day will be free of charge to all city officials and legislators, but please sign up here so that we can get an accurate headcount. For more information, click here.

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6) Sign Up for the ICDD Public Issues Facilitation Workshop

Registration is open for the ICDD (Institute for Civil Discourse & Democracy) 2011 Public Issues Facilitation Workshop that will take place January 10-12 on the K-State campus in Manhattan, Kansas. This training will equip participants  to organize, facilitate, and assess community forums on issues critical to local communities. During the three-day training session, participants will develop skills necessary to serve an important role in the future direction of their communities. Please click here for more information.

There is also an option for students (undergraduate and graduate) to earn course credit through participation in the workshop and an 8-week, online follow-up course.  Click here for credit information, and credit registration information can be found on the ICDD web site.

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7) Attend a Kansas Water Issues Forum

Registration is now open for the February Kansas Water Issues Forum. There is an excellent line up of speakers this year. The theme is Kansas in Transition: Forecasting Our Future Water Needs. The forums will present the latest census data and its implications to water demand and political representation, an update on invasive species, and author Richard Wood on "Can Rural Kansas Survive the 21st Century?" The afternoon highlight is a debate on "First in Time, First in Right is no longer the best water allocation tool to meet Kansas' future water needs", in which the audience decides which side wins.

To see the full agenda and to register, please click here. This year online registration is offered and encouraged, or you can print out and complete the mail-in registration form.

The forum will be held in two locations to make it easier for you to attend: Tuesday, February 22nd, in Wichita, KS; and Wednesday, February 23rd, in Hays, KS. The basic agenda is the same at each meeting, but the breakout sessions differ with more emphasis on municipal and urban issues at the Wichita meeting, and more focus on agricultural issues at the Hays meeting.

The meetings are open to the first 150 members of the public to pre-register for each location, with a registration fee of $15. Late Registration after Monday, January 31st is $20 and will be accepted as space is available. Registration fees cover a buffet -style lunch, refreshments, and meeting materials.

The Kansas Water Issues Forum is co-hosted by the Kansas Water Office and the Kansas State University KCARE (Kansas Center for Agriculture Resources and Environment). If you have any questions, please contact: susan.stover@kwo.ks.gov or anna.powell@kwo.ks.gov, Or please call 785-296-3185 or toll-free 1-800- KAN-WATE(R).

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For a PDF Version of the League News, Click Here