The Uniontown High School Seniors are selling raffle tickets to raise funds for their Send-Off-Seniors post-graduation event. The SOS event began as a way for the seniors to celebrate their accomplishments together in a drug-free and alcohol-free environment. All of the donations collected will go towards providing items the seniors will need as they move away from home to college dorms or their own houses.
It has been a challenging year to raise funds for this event. In years past the SOS committee has relied on concession stand revenue and silent auctions. This year the committee has decided to hold a beef raffle. Tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. TWO winners will receive a 40 lb. beef bundle. Bundles will include 25 lbs. of ground beef, 10 lbs. of steak and 5 lbs. of roast. Winners will be drawn on February 25th and you need not be present to win.
The UHS seniors and parents would like to thank G-Three Ranch and the Sutterby Family for donating all of the beef for this raffle.
Please contact any UHS senior or senior parent for tickets. If you or your business would like to donate please contact SOS committee member Rebecca Sutterby at [email protected] or Amy Holt at [email protected]
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Sunshine Boutique
18 E. Wall Street
Downtown Fort Scott
February 11, 2021 @ 8 am
Join us for Coffee, Networking & Community News while visiting the boutique!
Georgia Brown has owned and operated Sunshine Boutique in Downtown Fort Scott since 1981.
Over the past year, the store doubled in size with Georgia’s granddaughters joining the business offering apparel and accessories in addition to the gift shop which features home décor and kitchen wares, coffees and teas, floral design and tuxedo rental, candles, greeting cards and Dixie Belle chalk paint.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
UPCOMING CHAMBER COFFEE SCHEDULE:
~ 2/18 ~ Fort Scott Chamber Board of Directors
~ 2/25 ~ Ascension Via Christi ER – Drive-thru Chamber Coffee
~ 3/4 ~ Chamber Coffee “OPEN” call to schedule!
~ 3/11 ~ Chamber Coffee “OPEN” call to schedule!
~ 3/18 ~ Briggs Auto “Birthday Week” 6 years
~ 3/25 ~ Nevada Regional Medical Center (location TBA)
March 15 Last Day to Complete Enrollment for 2021 Agriculture Risk Coverage,
Price Loss Coverage Programs
Call Today About 2021 Crop Year Eligibility
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2021 – Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2021 must do so by March 15. Producers who have not yet signed a 2021 enrollment contract or who want to make an election change should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to make an appointment. Program enrollment for 2021 is required in order to participate in the programs, but elections for the 2021 crop year are optional and otherwise remain the same as elections made for 2020.
“FSA offices have multiple programs competing for the time and attention of our staff. Because of the importance and complexities of the ARC and PLC programs, and to ensure we meet your program delivery expectations, please do not wait to start the enrollment process,” said FSA Acting Administrator Steve Peterson. “I cannot emphasize enough the need to begin the program election and enrollment process now. This process can be completed when applying for other FSA programs as well.”
ARC and PLC provide income support to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms.
Although 1,033,310 contracts have been completed to date, this represents less than 59% of the more than 1.7 million contracts anticipated by the Agency. By enrolling soon, producers can beat the rush as the deadline nears.
Producers who do not complete enrollment by close of business local time on Monday, March 15 will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2021 crop year and will be ineligible to receive a payment should one trigger for an eligible crop.
ARC and PLC contracts can be emailed, faxed or physically signed and mailed back to FSA. Producers with level 2 eauthentication access can electronically sign contracts. Service Center staff can also work with producers to sign and securely transmit contracts electronically through two commercially available tools: Box and OneSpan. You can learn more about these solutions at farmers.gov/mydocs. Producers may also make arrangements to drop off signed contracts at the FSA county office. Please call ahead for local mailing or drop off information and options for submitting signed contracts electronically.
Producers are eligible to enroll farms with base acres for the following commodities: barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium- and short-grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.
Yield Data and Web-Based Decision Tools Available
FSA recently updated the annual and benchmark yields for ARC/PLC program years 2019, 2020 and 2021. This data is useful to producers in choosing to participate in either ARC or PLC.
For added assistance with ARC and PLC decisions, USDA partnered with the University of Illinois and Texas A&M University to offer web-based decision tools to assist producers in making informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations. Tools include:
Gardner-farmdoc Payment Calculator, the University of Illinois tool that offers farmers the ability to run payment estimate modeling for their farms and counties for ARC-County and PLC.
ARC and PLC Decision Tool, the Texas A&M tool that allow producers to analyze payment yield updates and expected payments for 2019 and 2020. Producers who have used the tool in the past should see their username and much of their farm data will already be available in the system.
Crop Insurance Considerations
Producers are reminded that enrolling in ARC or PLC programs can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products. Producers who elect and enroll in PLC also have the option of purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider. Producers of covered commodities who elect ARC are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres.
Unlike SCO, RMA’s Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by participating in ARC for the same crop, on the same acres. You may elect ECO regardless of your farm program election.
Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the stacked income protection plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres.
More Information
For more information on ARC and PLC including web-based decision tools, visit farmers.gov/arc-plc.
All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including those that restrict in-person visits or require appointments. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with NRCS, Farm Service Agency, or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Our program delivery staff will continue to work with our producers by phone, email, and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus .
The LandBank meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. has been cancelled due to the inclement weather.
The LandBank meeting will now be held on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room. There will be a majority of the City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
St. Martin’s Academy Theotokos Hall. Photo was taken from the school’s website.The St. Martin’s Academy all-school photo taken December 2020. Submitted.
Saint Martin’s Academy, rural Fort Scott, is a Catholic boarding school for boys that combines classical academics with a practical work program on a sustainable farm, according to its’ website. www.saintmartinsacademy.org
The school is in its’ third year.
Daniel Kerr is the headmaster of the academy and gave fortscott.biz an email interview.
Daniel Kerr is the founder and headmaster of St. Martin’s Academy. Photo was taken from the academy’s website.
“We have 42 students this year across all four grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th,” Kerr said. “Our first graduating class of nine will graduate on May 29th. Our graduates’ plans include college, apprenticing in a trade, and mission work.”
Adam Taylor is the new assistant headmaster of St. Martin’s Academy. Photo was taken from the academy’s website.
One of the new faculty this year is Adam Taylor, who is the assistant headmaster.
“Adam spent 20 years in the Marines before entering the private sector as a vice president at Cloudera, a software company,” Kerr said. “His son, Ian, is a 12th grader.”
Bryan Meyers is the new St. Martin’s Academy Dean of Student Life. Photo was taken from the academy’s website.
The school also has a new dean of student life, Bryan Meyers.
“Bryan has taught at a variety of private and public schools for over a decade and has a passion for integrating academics with the living laboratory of the farm and fields,” Kerr said. “He teaches several classes and is also the school’s beekeeper with several active hives and more on the way.”
St. Martin’s Academy Rugby Team. Submitted photos.
The school offers rugby as part of the program.
“Practices for the 2021 Rugby season are well underway and we have seven or eight matches slated in the late winter and early spring, mostly with teams from the Kansas City metro area,” Kerr said. “Team captains Ian Taylor, Henry Hickey (12th grade), and Nate Jones, Danny Harrington (11th grade) will lead the Kingfishers in our first year of playing with a full squad of 15. Rugby is played by all the boys who are able and helps develop a real esprit de corps and sense of camaraderie.”
The school is still in the construction phase with the main completed building, Theotokos Hall, the center of activity.
“Theotokos Hall serves a multifunctional purpose during our first years,” Danielle Bauer, who has development and fundraising duties at the academy, said. “Currently the building houses our kitchen, dining hall, common area and hearth, library and classrooms. Most importantly, the top floor of Theotokos Hall serves as our chapel where the boys gather daily for prayer and Holy Mass.”
It also served as a temporary dormitory until bunkhouses could be built.
A bunkhouse at St. Martin’s Academy in construction. The students help with the building of the structures. Submitted photos.
“Three of our five bunkhouses scheduled for construction are now occupied by the boys,” Kerr said. ” This has been a game-changer for us by freeing up space within our main building, Theotokos Hall, to be developed for proper classrooms and a library. Enrollment next year should approach 60 and it is likely we will have a waiting list by May.”
The students are involved in the community.
“Among our work project, the boys are currently re-building several picnic tables for Gunn Park and have done some preparatory cooking for Fort Scott’s soup kitchen (Feeding Families In His Name at the First United Methodist Church),” Kerr said.
“I am sincerely grateful for the hospitality and kindness of Fort Scott’s civic leaders and residents in welcoming St. Martin’s these first few years,” Kerr said. “We look forward to being increasingly engaged in service and cultural projects that make positive contributions to the community.”
St. Martin’s Academy students practice music in their bunkhouse room. Submitted photo.
St. Martin’s Academy is located at 1950 Indian Road, Fort Scott.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, February 8, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – January 20, 2021 – $1,406,590.06
D. Financial Report
E. Activity Fund accounts
F. Point of information – 2021 School Board Election
Board members recognized Jessica Phillips, Fort Scott Middle School Kitchen Manager, for achieving the Kansas Certificate in Child Nutrition Management.
There were no comments in the public forum section.
Brenda Hill, Fort Scott NEA President, gave a report. In addition, Mrs. Hill presented $100 UBenefit Grants to the following teachers: Mercedes Judy, Alexandra VanSickle, Kelly Toll, Michelle Defebaugh, and Kristin Duffey.
Board members heard a report from Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics.
In addition, Superintendent Ted Hessong and Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk presented reports.
Board members approved a Math Resource adoption and also approved disposal of school property with Midwest Equipment Online Auction.
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting
The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Karen Gordon, Winfield Scott technology teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
B. Resignation of Kerry Van Etten, central office HVAC maintenance, effective May 1, 2021
C. Resignation of Brian Allen, high school teacher aide, effective February 5, 2021
D. Resignation of Jill McDonald, Eugene Ware cook, effective January 25, 2021
E. Retirement letter from Kyle Parks, high school vocational agriculture teacher
F. Leave of absence for Katie McGee, Winfield Scott kindergarten teacher
G. Employment of administrators for the 2021-22 school year
Fort Scott High School Athletic/Activities Director – Jeff DeLaTorre
Fort Scott Middle School Principal – David Brown
Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Principal – Matt Harris
Eugene Ware School Principal – Stephanie Witt
Eugene Ware School Assistant Principal – Brandon Boyd
Winfield Scott School Principal – Joy McGhee
Winfield Scott School Assistant Principal – Martin Altieri
Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal – Andrea Scott
District Psychologist/Special Education Coordinator – Rick Scholes
H. Employment of district directors for the 2021-22 school year
Transportation Director – Joe Allen
Food Service Director – Robin Button
Facilities Director – Daniel Koppa
Technology Director – Stephen Mitchell
Academic Director – Dalaina Smith
I. Non-renewal of Amber Toth, Fort Scott High School Principal, for the 2021-22 school year
J. Resignation of Robyn Kelso, high school assistant principal, effective June 4, 2021
K. Employment of Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk, for the 2021-22 school year
L. Addition of a preschool paraprofessional position for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
M. Employment of Jeffrey Dillow as central office HVAC maintenance for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
N. Resignation of Bronson Moylan, middle school assistant football coach, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
O. Employment of Whitney Beth as middle school head volleyball coach for the 2021-22 school year
P. Leave of absence request from Danielle Norris, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher
Q. Transfer of Bethany Higgins, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware technology teacher for the 2021-22 school year
R. Transfer of Amy Lybarger, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware third grade teacher for the 2021-22 school year
S. Employment of Ronda Bailey as a middle school piano accompanist for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
T. Employment of Peyton Guiles as a Eugene Ware special education teacher for the 2021-22 school year
Karl Robert Flanner arrived into the home of Raymond Loring Flanner and Alice Estella (Benedict) Flanner on January 9, 1958. He joined 3 brothers, Frank, Dean and Don Flanner and 3 sisters, Margaret, Jan and Alena. His baby sister, Karen, would arrive 3 years later, almost to the day. He grew and thrived at the family farm in Fulton, Kansas, before the family moved to Fort Scott during his 8th year. He completed his education through the Fort Scott school system and is an alumnus of FSHS class of 1976.
By his own words, he accepted Christ as his savior as a young teen, yet he wandered through the young seasons of his life.
After graduation he began his career at the “Owl Roost”, where he met his wife and life partner, Joyce (Golden) Flanner. They were married on June 7, 1980 at West Liberty United Methodist church. Two years later, they were blessed to become the parents of Kyle Raymond Flanner. Their second son, Kevin Ryan Flanner, arrived in August of 1984, just as they began making plans to purchase the “Owl Roost”.
With help from many family members, Karl, and Joyce, owned and operated Flanner’s Owl Roost for the next 12 plus years, until a fire destroyed the business in 1996. Karl’s work ethic and ability to engage people brought him success in the business area and he finished his career at Peerless Products, where he worked through chemotherapy treatments and his late stages of cancer.
Karl, like all of us, may be best defined by certain life events and his response to those; as well as the quality of his relationships. Some of those moments were the birth of his first grandson and the loss of his father and mother. During this season in particular, Karl shared that his understanding and acceptance of God’s grace and mercy poured over his life as he began to search for God’s purpose and direction. After seeing his son, Kyle, leave this earth for Heaven in 2015, his focus on God’s kingdom became more focused and pervasive in all that he said and did.
A quick smile and encouraging word were always available and he showed care and respect to all who knew him. He loved Jesus, his family and friends, and was a Chiefs fan for all time. His greatest joys were serving Christ and spending time with his family and friends, particularly, his children, Kevin and Stephanie (Stiemsma) and his grandchildren, Treyton, Logan, Tobias and Ronin Flanner.
Karl joined his Savior on February 8, 2021, where he was also welcomed by his son, Kyle; his parents and a great cloud of witnesses who have gone on before. We seek Christ’s peace in our loss and lean on our hope and assurance of being reunited in Heaven some day.
Family and friends are invited to swap stories and remembrances on Thursday, February 11, from 5:30-7:30 PM at Fort Scott Nazarene. The funeral will also be held at Fort Scott Nazarene on Friday, February 12, at 11:00 AM. Chiefs attire is appropriate. Memorials are suggested to Fort Scott Nazarene and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Kansas Gas Service Offers Energy Assistance through Share The Warmth
Program Provides Help With Winter Heating Costs
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Feb. 9, 2021 – As colder temperatures have set in, Kansas Gas Service is reminding customers about the Share The Warmth program, which may provide those in financial need with assistance on their heating bill.
Share The Warmth is a partnership between The Salvation Army and Kansas Gas Service that provides energy assistance to senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and those whose immediate financial resources simply cannot cover their home-heating expenses.
The program is funded by the generous contributions of Kansas Gas Service customers and the ONE Gas Foundation.
“We know there are people who have never had to seek assistance before, but now are experiencing hardships due to the pandemic and loss of income,” said Abbey Frye, Kansas Gas Service Director of Customer Service. “For qualified applicants, Share The Warmth may be able to bring some welcomed relief.”
Share The Warmth is available to residents in the communities served by Kansas Gas Service, and applicants do not have to be customers.
If you need help with your winter heating bill, visit KansasGasService.com or contact The Salvation Army at 1-816-756-5392, ext. 2.
If you want to contribute, giving is easy: Kansas Gas Service customers may contribute online at KansasGasService.com by clicking the Share The Warmth button next to the Make Payment button, or by adding an extra amount to your natural gas bill payment and checking the Share The Warmth box on your payment slip.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service delivers safe, clean and reliable natural gas to more than 639,000 customers in 360 communities
in Kansas. We are the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
We are a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a stand-alone, 100 percent regulated, publicly traded natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index, and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States.
For more information, visit the websites at www.kansasgasservice.com or www.onegas.com.
For the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, follow us on Twitter @KansasGas or Like Us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/KansasGasService.
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MANHATTAN, Kansas — A public hearing will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to consider the adoption of proposed regulations related to noxious weed species in Kansas. Due to public health concerns posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing proceedings will be held via a video conferencing system to provide the opportunity for virtual participation online.
KDA is proposing rules and regulations to list the species designated as noxious weeds in Kansas and to set out the control methods that are to be applied to those weed species as required by the Noxious Weed Act. The proposed regulations, proposed revisions to existing regulations, and proposed revocation of existing regulations are set out in detail in K.A.R. 4-8-13, 4-8-14, and 4-8-27 through 4-8-48.
The text of these regulations, as well as an expanded notice of public hearing, may be accessed on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/PublicComment. Anyone desiring to participate via video conference must pre-register to be provided with a video link. Written comments can be submitted on the public comment web page prior to the hearing or sent to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, c/o Ronda Hutton, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS, 66502.
Any individual with a disability may request accommodation in order to participate in the public hearing and may request a copy of the regulations in an accessible format. Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least five working days prior to the hearing. For more information, including special accommodations or a copy of the regulations, please contact Ronda Hutton at 785-564-6715 or [email protected].
Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.
Announcing Committee Assignments for the 117th Congress
This week, I received my committee assignments for the 117th Congress. I am pleased to announce that I will continue serving as the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and that I added a new committee assignment as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
It was my request to serve on the Senate Health committee while we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Serving on both Senate Health and Appropriations committees will be extremely beneficial to Kansans as we work to manufacture more vaccines, tests and PPE to help end this pandemic. The committee has jurisdiction over the Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health, and serving on HELP and Appropriations will be beneficial to Kansas as we work to manufacture more vaccines, tests and PPE to help end this pandemic.
Additionally, I am honored to continue serving as the top Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and will work to make certain our veterans have the resources they need to achieve success in their life after service.
I will serve on the following committees for the 117th Congress:
U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Ranking Member)
I am committed to using my role on these influential committees to advocate for our farmers, ranchers, Native Americans, veterans, manufacturers, innovators, students, moms and dads to deliver results to the great state of Kansas
Urging a Bipartisan Solution for Federal COVID-19 Relief
On Monday, I joined nine of my Republican Senate colleagues to meet with President Biden at the White House to discuss our targeted $600 billion federal relief proposal. This COVID-19 relief package is built on a foundation of bipartisan ideas and would rein in Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan. During our discussion, I encouraged the President to support a targeted, less expensive plan, and to get it done quickly in a bipartisan fashion to benefit Americans.
President Biden has pledged bipartisan cooperation, and I hope he will rise to that promise by working with both sides of the aisle in Congress to pass a bipartisan relief package to meet the ongoing challenges of this crisis.
Later in the week, I joined Pete Mundo on KCMO Talk Radio to discuss my meeting at the White House and the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion proposal that is filled with partisan wish list items and does not appropriately respond to the needs of the American public.
Last year, Congress spent $4 trillion on bipartisan COVID-19 relief packages to support Americans as our country faced the challenges of this pandemic. The latest COVID-19 relief package provided $900 billion in additional resources and was signed into law on December 27, 2020. Much of that assistance is only now being disbursed. This next bill, which President Biden agreed must be a sincere, bipartisan effort to work with Republicans, must be legislation that best serves America both today and into the future.
FY2021 Budget Resolution
Early Friday morning, following 15 hours of debate and roll call votes on more than 40 amendments, the Senate passed a FY2021 budget resolution. While the budget resolution does not carry the force of law and would not be signed by the President, it establishes a fast track process known as reconciliation which Congressional Democrats are expected to use to pass a $1.9 trillion stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through reconciliation, Democrats have the ability to ultimately pass that legislation along party lines with a simple majority vote, bypassing the 60-vote threshold necessary for most Senate legislation to become law.
Many amendments considered during the marathon voting session were intended as legislative placeholders, designed to send messages about Senators’ policy priorities. I was pleased an amendment I cosponsored to strengthen the Provider Relief Fund to help prevent hospitals from closing their doors – particularly in rural and underserved regions – was included in the budget resolution. Several other provisions I supported, including amendments to fund our nation’s police, maintain the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and preserve the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection rule were also passed on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis.
Unfortunately, while every federal COVID-19 relief package thus far has been passed by Congress in a bipartisan fashion, this partisan budget resolution – passing 51-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tiebreaking vote – indicates Democrats in Congress no longer intend to work together on pandemic relief to meet the needs of the American people. It was just last week that President Biden hosted me and colleagues of mine from a bipartisan working group in the Senate at the White House to discuss a better path forward on a more targeted and responsible COVID-19 relief package. I remain committed to holding the President accountable for his promise of working with both sides of the aisle to help Congress meet the ongoing challenges of this crisis.
Providing Food Security for Rural Americans
This week, I joined three of my Senate colleagues in introducing the Healthy Food Access for All Americans (HFAAA) Act. This legislation aims to expand access to affordable and nutritious food in areas designated as “food deserts” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), areas defined to be without grocery stores within one or more miles in urban regions and ten or more miles in rural regions.
Over the past year, we have seen unprecedented need at food banks as Kansans line up seeking access to nutritional food. Even while living in the breadbasket of our nation, food insecurity affects far too many Kansans, a need that has only increased during COVID-19. This bipartisan legislation, which would incentivize food providers to establish and renovate grocery stores, food banks and farmers markets in communities that traditionally lack affordable, healthy and convenient food options, is now more important than ever during this pandemic.
Supporting Modernized Job Training and High-Speed Broadband Access
This week, I joined my colleagues on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in introducing the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act. This legislation would work to address the shortage of trained workers necessary to fill next-generation jobs in the telecommunications industry in communities throughout the country. As our country continues to work towards providing high-speed broadband connectivity to all parts of the country, including the deployment of 5G mobile broadband, there is a growing demand for a skilled workforce that would support this effort. This legislation takes another step to help bridge the digital divide in rural areas like those in Kansas, but would also work to increase the number of well-paying jobs in the economy, supporting our rural workforce in the wake of this pandemic. As the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce Subcommittee with jurisdiction over workforce development, I will continue to support modernized training programs that help produce the highly-skilled workforce needed in a globalized economy.
Seeking Information Regarding President Biden’s VA Supplemental Funding Request
This week, I joined Congressman Mike Bost, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, in requesting an explanation from VA’s Acting Secretary Dat Tran regarding President Biden’s request for an additional $17 billion in emergency COVID-19 funding for the department.
I have expressed my commitment to make certain VA has all the resources it needs to deliver care and benefits to our veterans during the pandemic, and I will support additional funding and supplies so VA employees have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and the proper frontline staff to give our veterans the care they deserve. I expressed my concern, however, that this new request for $17 billion, which is in addition to $19.6 billion in emergency funding and $243 billion in regular funding, is not based on a demonstrated need from the department.
VA officials repeatedly stated they had enough funding for the rest of this year when asked, and the department has reported spending less than $9 billion of the $19.6 billion that was provided last spring. Congressman Bost and I will be reviewing VA’s response and justification for this funding request to ensure any additional emergency spending is going to meet the needs of veterans during the pandemic. Our veterans and taxpayers both deserve oversight and accountability on how this emergency funding would be spent.
Advancing PTSD Treatment through U.S-Israeli Collaborative Research
I reintroduced the bipartisanUnited States-Israel PTSD Collaboration Research Act this week to allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to work with academic and non-profit institutions in the United States and Israel to advance research and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
As the leading Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, one of my top priorities has been improving access to mental health care for our veterans. My bill will continue these efforts by allowing the DoD to fund collaborative research efforts between American and Israeli organizations through a robust grant program. We must continue to invest in the research and development of treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions that many of our servicemembers face when they return home from service. While the challenges associated with PTSD are great, they are not insurmountable. I have had the opportunity to witness the advancements that our nation’s medical professionals have made to care for victims of trauma, such as combat veterans, law enforcement officers and victims of violence. PTSD is a serious issue, and the lives of those touched by trauma and violence should receive proper care to help them cope and recover from this disorder.
Protecting Life and Defending the Unborn
This week, I joined 47 of my Republican colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declaring opposition to any legislation that weakens the Hyde Amendment or other pro-life protections. Since it was enacted in 1976, this amendment bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortion except in certain circumstances. For decades, this provision has enjoyed strong bipartisan support, including then-Senator Joe Biden, reflecting the majority of Americans who do not believe tax dollars should be used in this way. Senator Schumer should maintain this sensible, longstanding language.
I will continue to use my role in Congress to further the cause of life and defend the unborn. To read about my efforts to protect the sanctity of life in detail, please click here.
Visiting with BNSF President Katie Farmer
I met virtually with Katie Farmer, the new President and CEO of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, this week. Succeeding Mr. Carl Ice, Ms. Farmer has been with BNSF for almost thirty years, and I enjoyed the chance to discuss her priorities for the industry and how I can be of assistance in the months ahead. BNSF is the largest railroad network in North America, moves 30% of the nation’s rail freight and is an incredible asset to the state of Kansas. I enjoyed working with Mr. Ice over the years, and I look forward to working with Ms. Farmer in her effort supporting policies that continue to promote railway safety, innovation and efficiencies within the industry as she takes on this new role.
Meeting Major General Sims at Fort Riley
This weekend, I met with the Commanding General of Fort Riley, Major General Sims on base. MG Sims assumed command of Fort Riley last year and I was pleased to get to know him better during our visit. I have been a long-time advocate for Big Red One soldiers, and I am looking forward to working with MG Sims to make certain they have the resources they need to keep our nation safe.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.
