Dear Friends...
The 2009 legislative session is underway in Topeka and I am proud to represent the 20th District once again.
We face unprecedented challenges in Kansas this year as we attempt to balance the budget amidst a struggling economy and declining state revenues.
As we work together to build consensus towards these problems, I appreciate your input and comments.
Thanks for visiting my website, I hope it is a valuable resource for you. Please let me know if I can ever be of assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Kevin Yoder's Update from the Capitol
Document Actions
Economic Development Update
With all of the gloomy talk about the 2009 budget crisis and the fledgling economy, Kansas fared very well in the economic development category this session...
In search of information? KLRD Website can help
Kansas Legislative Research Website provides a complete summary of all bills passed this session
Legislators attempt to wrap-up the budget
“This is the Final Four. This is as hard as it gets,” said Rep. Kevin Yoder. He was referring to the effort being put forth to solve the budget crisis, in the final hours of this year's session.
KU Lends 2008 National Championship Trophy to Speaker of the House
Although Rep. Yoder never played on the court at Allen Fieldhouse, always a loyal fan of KU sports, he enthusiastically poses with the trophy like a true champ!
Appropriations Chairman leads with bipartisan efforts
"Key legislator says revenue enhancements may be needed to balance budget"
Yoder Apears on Local TV broadcast April 8th, 2009
Rep. Yoder was among several guests featured on Johnson County Community College's broadcast of "Let's Talk Issues" where they discussed the current legislative session that will be wrapping up in the weeks to come.
More changes necessary to balance budget
After the April 17th Consensus Revenue Estimate results revealed far less revenue than previously expected, more changes to 2010 budget need to be made. Representative Yoder notes that to compensate for this unexpected shortfall, more than $328 million in adjustments to the 2010 budget are needed. “We’re obviously going to have to do something on the revenue side of the picture,” Yoder said. “I think there are some things the governor has proposed that we may be willing to accept.”
Legislators approve budget bill for 2010
The House and the Senate passed a $13 billion budget bill on Tuesday. As soon as the bill was passed, the Dept. of Revenue released preliminary figures indicating that tax collections would be $57 million less than expected, creating an even larger deficit. “It’s going to get bleaker,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Kevin Yoder. “We’re going to have to make further reductions.”
"Kelsey's Law" passed Kansas House this afternoon with a vote of 125-0
With unanimous votes, law named for Johnson County's own Kelsey Smith awaits the Governor's signature
KU excels on and off the court
Congratulations to the KU debate team for winning the National Championship, to KU's women basketball team for advancing to the WNIT Championship game for the first time ever, and to the KU men's basketball team for reaching the Sweet Sixteen for the third consecutive year!
Senate passes smoking-ban bill with 25-15 vote
After heated two-hour debate on Senate Floor, bill will now be considered by Kansas House where it faces greater opposition...
KU calls budget "tough" but could be much worse
“While this is still a budget cut, compared to what had been on the table it will be much more manageable,” Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway said. The Kansas Board of Regents shared the same sentiment, that although its tough, things could have been worse.
Deal struck between House and Senate
"Higher education is the big winner," said Rep. Kevin Yoder, an Overland Park Republican and his chamber's lead negotiator. Legislative negotiators agreed on a budget that mostly leaves higher education uncut, but slightly reduces funding of public school districts.
KU legacy tuition bill HB 2007 signed into law
"The so-called legacy tuition plan would help bring top-quality students from other states who may be inclined to stay in Kansas after they graduate".... Several bills recently signed into law, including HB 2007 and HB 2197, are said to benefit the Regent schools of Kansas greatly
Kansas House trims $680 million budget deficit by cutting state agencies by 10 percent
“It’s tough to go home and tell your constituents ‘I cut services for the poor. … I cut spending on public safety programs,’ ” said Rep. Kevin Yoder, an Overland Park Republican who leads the House budget committee. “The truth is, this Legislature does not have enough money to fund every priority, and we’re going to have to make reductions.”
Legislators reach agreement on energy legislation
Supporters explain "Green provisions" in Kansas energy bill are a part of a greater comprehensive energy policy...
Kansas House Set to Debate FY2010 Budget
House Committee balances budget with cuts to K-12 Education at less than 1%
REP. YODER PROMOTES BILL TO LIMIT STATE DEBT
Kansas debt has grown 2nd fastest of any state in the nation
Legislators eager to work with Lt. Gov. Parkinson
Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson will be appointed to be the next governor of Kansas, as long as Gov. Sebelius nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services is confirmed. Legislators look forward to working with Parkinson to deal with the challenges facing Kansas.
"Legislators crank out bills"
"Lawmakers tackle seat belts, wages" By Tim Carpenter The Capital-Journal Friday, February 20, 2009
Kansas State Employee Pay and Tax Refund Crisis Averted
Widespread fear early this week appears to have been unnecessary after all, Kansas State Employees will receive their checks on time.
Senate majority delivers budget bill, and request State Finance Council meeting
Senate Republicans delivered the revised budget bill to Gov. Sebelius on Tuesday, the 17th, at noon. Legislature will not issue the certificate of indebteness Sebelius requested to be used for cash-flow purposes, until Sebelius signs the budget bill. Republican leaders said "it would have been illegal to issue the certificates of indebtedness because the money won’t be available at the end of the fiscal year to cover them."
House passes budget cutback
The House passed a Republican backed bill, on Tuesday, to reduce government spending by $305 million. "The Republican caucus came together to lead the way and pass a fiscally responsible plan," said House Speaker Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson.
The 2009 Session Gavels into Session
Legislators began the 2009 session with the Governor's annual State of the State address on January 12, 2009. This being the 7th State of the State, given by Governor Sebelius, legislators again looked for the opportunity to hear the Governor's position on the challenges facing Kansans.
Appropriations Committee Update
With the beginning of the 2009 Session, Chairman Yoder, Vice Chair Watkins and Ranking Minority Member Feuerborn, along with the Appropriations Committee and its 23 members have been hard at work. The Representatives on the committee have met each day to hear testimony from a variety of state agencies as well as individual proponents and opponents of the Governor’s Budget.
Kansas legislators weigh bigger cuts
Republican's legislators are looking to cut $300 million from this year's budget in order to deal with the budget shortfall for the current year. The cut is $100 million more then the budget proposed by Gov. Sebelius. Both the House and Senate are trying to work out a new budget as quickly as possible.
GOP announces new agenda
House Republicans outlined a legislative agenda on Wednesday that is going to try to resolve an upcoming state budget shortfall and for shaping new energy policy. House lawmakers want to build a coal-fired power plant in Western Kansas, and across-the-board budget reductions.
Page Program at the Capitol
Do you have a son, daughter or grandchild that would be interested in serving as a page in the Kansas Legislature? Each session, Representative Yoder selects young Kansans, age 12 and older, to serve as legislative pages in the Kansas House.
Representative Yoder's home town recognizes his most recent honor: "Hutch native Kevin Yoder tapped for budget post"
"It's going to be a very difficult session but one in which I think the Kansas Legislature is up to the task," Yoder says, commenting on his recent appointment as the head of the Appropriations committee.
Representative Yoder is appointed Appropriations Chair by new Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal
December 10, 2008 - Kansas City Star "It's a banner day for two rising political stars in Johnson County. New Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal released his list of committee chairs today, and reps. Kevin Yoder and Lance Kinzer did very well."
Representative Yoder speaks to veterans at Vietnam Veterans Park in Kansas City
Representative Yoder with Philip Haffner better known as "Serge". Serge is Representative Yoder's postman and a well respected veteran of the Vietnam war.
Representative Yoder is reelected to Kansas House in the 20th District
Representative Yoder will begin his seventh year of serving the state of Kansas this January in Topeka when a new session begins.
Representative Yoder would like to say thank you for all of the support throughout the 2008 Reelection Campaign
"Thanks again for all of your help and support. I'm looking forward to a
great election evening..."
Kevin Yoder
Representative Yoder: Fox4 on November 4th
Representative Yoder has been invited by Fox4 News, here in Kansas City, to join in their election commentary and give political insight on the night's results. Log onto http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/ to get more information. Representative Yoder will be streaming live on the internet from 7-9 pm central time. The televised broadcast will include clips from this stream from time to time throughout the evening. It is also possible that Representative Yoder will be part of the 9 and 10 o'clock broadcasts. Tune in to get all of your election night information and support Representative Yoder!
Representative Yoder speaks at the University of Kansas Recreation Fitness Center dedication and is recognized for his contribution to its construction
A ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24., to dedicate the David A. Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center
Read more about Representative Yoder and David Ambler's contribution to the KU Recreation Center
..."The sun Ambler spoke of came in the form of Kevin Yoder, who was elected as Student Senate president in 1998. Ambler said the day after Yoder was elected, he came to Ambler and told him he would make sure there were concrete plans to build a student recreation center before he left office...To his credit, the proposal passed.”
ELECTED OFFICIALS HELP TEACH LOCAL PRESCHOOLERS ABOUT VOTING
Students host "election" at their school, choose a presidential snack of the day
Representative Yoder participates in The 2008 Overland Park Fall Festival
The Overland Park Fall Fesitval took place in down town Overland Park on Saturday September 27, 2008. The main event of the festivities was a parade through the city, which Representative Yoder participated in.
Representative Yoder Welcomes Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain and Vice Presidential Nominee Sara Palin to Kansas City
Representative Yoder shaking hands with Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain and Vice Presidential Nominee Sara Palin in Kansas City
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce announces Representative Yoder's 100% voting record
Recently the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce published their 2008 Kansas Session Final Legislative report, in which Representative Yoder had a 100% voting record for the 2008 Legislative session on business and economic issues important to Johnson County
Representative Yoder's News Feed
Stay up to date on most recent campaign events, local issues and politics and Representative Yoder's involvement in the 20th District
Recent Endorsements
June 29th: "As we wage the war against Cancer in Kansas and all across the country we must let research flourish and must avoid political gamesmanship or partisan battles." -Representative Kevin Yoder
Recent Endorsements
June 12, 2008 Representative Yoder has recently been endorsed for re-election by E-PAC
Representative Yoder's leadership pays off for Johnson County District Court
June 2nd, 2008 Johnson County official court reporters celebrate their 7.75% pay increase thanks to Representative Yoder's efforts in the Kansas House.
Representative Yoder announces plans for energy task force
Representative Yoder recognizes that a comprehensive energy policy is needed throughout Kansas
KU legacy tuition bill HB 2007 signed into law
"The so-called legacy tuition plan would help bring top-quality students from other states who may be inclined to stay in Kansas after they graduate"....
