City of Lawrence 2006 Legislative Policy Statement

The Lawrence City Commission desires to express their appreciation for the dedication of legislators serving Lawrence and the Douglas County community. Because we serve and share the same constituents we desire to partner with you for the betterment of our citizens and community.

We have prepared a list of concerns and issues impacting the City of Lawrence that are likely to be addressed during the 2006 legislative session. Many of these items are frequent annual concerns – their redundancy speaks to their continuing importance not our lack of creativity. We will be particularly concerned about unfunded mandates and attempts to erode our local authority to determine local spending and taxing priorities.

Local taxing & spending decisions should be made by locally elected officials

The Lawrence City Commission strongly opposes the enactment of State imposed spending or taxation controls or lids. The so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) proposals create an arbitrary and capricious procedure for what should be an essential function of representative democracy: elected officials determining the appropriate spending and taxing policies of their community. Local tax and spending decisions should be made by locally elected officials – not by artificial limits in the state statutes or constitution.

city support for public education funding

The Lawrence City Commission supports adequate State funding for the Lawrence Public Schools system and the University of Kansas. The quality of life of our community greatly depends upon the quality of our public schools. We encourage our State legislative delegation to seek State funding to ensure the highest quality for both K-12 and higher education. We also note that the City of Lawrence supports our public schools through numerous programs - from shared public facilities to school resource officers and school crossing guards funded by the City.

State limits on Condemnation Powers

We oppose efforts to unnecessarily restrict the City’s current authority to exercise eminent domain powers for public purposes. Public infrastructure and community improvements sometimes require the condemnation of private property interests – these important powers should not be unnecessarily reduced.

Protecting sales taxes as an essential city revenue source to fund important city services

Sales taxes are an increasingly important component of City budgets, funding essential municipal services and capital improvements which benefit our entire community. An important federal and state issue that must be addressed is the legal authority to impose state, city, and county sales taxes on electronic commerce and catalog sales. A sales tax on e-commerce and catalog sales protects an important revenue source for state and local governments and puts traditional land based businesses in our communities on an equal taxation footing with their electronic competitors. The Kansas Legislature should continue to pursue the “Stream-lined Sales Tax” efforts and other opportunities to included Internet and catalog sales tax collection. We also oppose efforts to reduce municipal authority to enact excise taxes.

Telecommunications legislation

Lawrence's ability to franchise utility companies and regulate its public rights-of-way must not be compromised. Private companies which use a public asset – such as locally owned right-of-way – should continue to be required to collect franchise fees for the use of public right-of-way and property. These utilities should also continue to be required to relocate in the right-of-way for public projects at their own expense – and not at the expense of local taxpayers.

Lawrence must be able to regulate utilities that use public right-of-way.

KPERS and KP&F – commitments to our public servants

KPERS and KP&F are very important benefits for the individuals who have chosen public service in the State of Kansas, including City of Lawrence employees. We do all Kansans a disservice by ignoring current and future funding obligations for this vital benefit system. Any proposals to change KPERS and KP&F should encourage – not discourage – public service.

Transportation Planning and Funding

We support the current State highway program and the necessary funding to achieve the goals of the program. We also support regional transportation planning efforts, including the Mid-America Regional Council’s (MARC) Smart Moves plan to foster a regional multi-modal transportation system.

State alcohol tax funds important city and community services

Recreation facilities and programs play an important role for Lawrence youth.

The City of Lawrence and many community groups rely heavily on monies received from State taxes levied on alcohol purchases. Pursuant to State law, one-third of the fund revenues are allocated to the City's General Fund, one-third to the Special Recreation Fund and one-third goes in the City’s Special Alcohol Fund. Resources in the City’s general fund provide support for a number of City services, while monies deposited in the City’s Recreation Fund provides resources for a number of park and recreation activities. A number of not-for-profit Lawrence organizations rely on the funds from the City’s Special Alcohol Fund for their programs. These programs and services are vital to the health of the Lawrence community.

Homeland Security

The City of Lawrence urges an active partnership between state and local governments regarding issues of homeland security. The City’s police department and our City/County fire and medical department are essential resources in providing security and safety to our community. These departments rely on funding resources that should be protected by our State legislature.

Investment law

Current State laws limit the authority of the City to place investments in certain banks depending upon their national or state charter status – costing the City and our taxpayers several thousand dollars a year in lost investment returns. These laws should be amended to the give cities the same modern investment authority enjoyed by the State of Kansas and cities in other states.

City authority for regulation of drinking establishments

City authority to regulate and license drinking establishments is important for neighborhood preservation and public safety. Clear statutory authority allowing for reasonable municipal regulations and licensing of drinking establishments should be enacted.

Unfunded mandates

The City of Lawrence opposes unfunded mandates from the State of Kansas. These mandates drain limited resources from needed City programs and activities. State legislators know how federal mandates hamper the State's ability to respond to problems and issues, similarly the State should not impose unfunded mandates on local units of government.

Waste reduction/recycling

We continue to support State efforts to encourage resource conservation and recycling.

The Lawrence community annually participates in an Earth Day celebration.

Ensuring adequate water supplies for our future

Because a good water supply is essential to the welfare and growth of the Lawrence community, the City Commission has taken steps to assure continued quality water resources. The City opposes federal and state regulatory changes to quality standards that are not demonstrably related to public health unless adequate state and federal financial assistance is provided to meet such new treatment requirements. We oppose water transfers that will negatively affect Lawrence’s current and future water supplies.

GENERAL INFORMATION

City of Lawrence

P.O. Box 708

Lawrence, KS 66044

(785) 832-3400

www.lawrenceks.org