Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:	City Manager Mike Wildgen
FROM:	David L. Corliss Assistant City Manager & Director of Legal Services
Date:	November 24, 2004
RE:	2005 State Legislative Priority Statement

The City of Lawrence traditionally prepares a Legislative Priority Statement to share with the area State legislative delegation.  Attached is the legislative letter prepared for the 2004 Session.  Also the League of Kansas Municipalities 2005 Statement of Municipal Policy is also available.  The City of Lawrence greatly relies upon the work of the League in monitoring legislative issues.

The key municipal issue in the upcoming session will likely be a strong defensive posture to oppose limitations on city taxing and budget authority.  Additional issues include attempts to weaken existing annexation laws, limit or prohibit the authority to adopt  excise taxes, and limitations on condemnation powers. State budget issues, particularly any legislative response to judicial actions on school funding, may also impact city taxing authority and revenues.

City Commission direction is needed concerning items of interest to include in the City’s 2005 priority statement.