The City of Fort Scott announces another significant downtown rehabilitation has been completed. Fort Scott received back-to-back multi-million-dollar investments from Flint Hills Holdings which speaks to the character of our community and those who have represented us.
Elected officials, business owners, and community enthusiasts who supported the renovation are invited to tour the Union Lofts.
Tours will be on Friday, February 5th offered from 12pm to 2pm.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2021
At a Feb. 1 meeting, the newly formed Fort Scott Land Bank voted on the acquisition of 10 N. National Ave.
“This first acquisition marks a historic step for the Fort Scott Land Bank,” City Manager Jeremy Frazier said. ” It is important to note that this could not have been possible without the visionary leadership of the city commission and the hard work of many key employees such as Community Development Manager Allison Turvey and many others.”
Frazier’s first official day on the job as city manager was Feb. 1.
“The city would also like to express its appreciation to the principal owners of J&S Properties and Earth Always for allowing the Fort Scott Land Bank to acquire this property,” he said. ” When asked why the acquisition was allowed to proceed, the owner noted that first, he felt that this would be the best way to preserve the historic building on behalf of the community of Fort Scott, its residents, and the downtown business community. Second, he expressed that he had great faith and optimism in the current city commission and myself to make the best use of this acquisition in a way that would benefit and improve the community.”
The owner donated the property.
“His generosity has breathed life into the Fort Scott Land Bank which was once only a plan and now is reality,” Frazier said. Thank you J&S Properties and Earth Always. We have high hopes for this building and its location in the future.”
The Fort Scott Land Bank is an independent instrument of the city with the responsibility to efficiently buy, hold, manage, and transform surplus city properties and other underutilized or distressed properties to turn these properties into productive use, according to Allyson Turvey, the newly appointed manager.
The Land Bank Board is comprised of Joshua Jones, Mayor of Fort Scott; Kevin Allen, City Commissioner, Pete Allen, City Commissioner; Randy Nichols, City Commissioner; Lindsey Watts, City Commissioner; Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioner;
Gregg Motley, Bourbon County Economic Development Board, Inc. Director; Turvey, LandBank Manager, and Susan Bancroft, LandBank Treasurer
“At our next meeting (Feb. 9)I will be giving a presentation on the processes and objectives of the Land Bank,” Turvey said. “We will also be discussing priorities for acquisition of property.”
Turvey provided the following on the Fort Scott Land Bank:
The Fort Scott Land Bank focuses on the conversion of vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or otherwise underused properties into productive use.
Vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or otherwise underused properties are often grouped together as “problem properties” because they destabilize neighborhoods, create fire and safety hazards, drive down property values, and drain local tax dollars.
The Fort Scott Land Bank was created to strategically
acquire problem properties, eliminate the liabilities, and transfer the properties to new, responsible owners in a transparent manner that results in outcomes consistent with community-based plans.
These opportunities are a collection of parcels owned by the Fort Scott Land Bank.
Every transfer of property from the Fort Scott Land Bank will be accompanied by a development agreement, outlining the final use of the property as well as accompanying timelines. The purchase price
for Land Bank properties will be negotiated based on the cost to acquire the property as well as the details in the development agreement. The Fort Scott Land Bank Board of Trustees will approve the final agreement and purchase offer.
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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the launch of the “Find My Vaccine” mapping tool, designed to help Kansans locate sites that are administering vaccines in their communities. The tool is available now on https://kansasvaccine.gov, Kansas’s COVID-19 vaccine website. Kansans in vaccine phase 1 and 2 are recommended to use this tool as a resource for finding providers who are or will be offering the vaccine.
“The ‘find my vaccine’ mapping tool allows any Kansan, regardless of where they live, to find the closest vaccine provider to their community,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The national shortage continues to be the biggest obstacle to delivering vaccines, and that means, many of our enrolled providers do not yet have sufficient vaccines to offer to the general public. But we know it’s better to be ahead of the curve and have this platform ready to go before supply has caught up, so that every Kansan is familiar with the tool and so we can be prepared as more providers are activated.”
The Kansas Find My Vaccine tool allows Kansans to:
The tool includes locations that are participating in administering COVID-19 vaccines and have provided their information to share with the general public. As federal supply increases, Find My Vaccine will evolve to support the COVID-19 vaccination effort by listing more providers and linking to details and scheduling opportunities as they become available. As the vaccine supply continues to grow, the State asks all enrolled providers who intend to vaccinate the general public to provide their information for Kansans to see in Find My Vaccine. Further information on how to provide information can be found here.
Vaccines are being delivered to all 105 Kansas counties on a weekly basis, but not all providers may be listed on the map at this time. If you do not see an active location in your area – and you are in Phase 1 or 2 – ask your local health department how to access the vaccine. Weekly vaccine allocations for each county are available on the KS COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.
About ‘Find My Vaccine’ Tool
Find My Vaccine allows eligible Kansans to look up their current location and find nearby COVID-19 vaccination locations, see which locations have received doses, and access contact information. To access “Find My Vaccine” and for more information, please visit https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/160/Find-My-Vaccine
January 26, 2021 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the deputy County Clerk-Doretta Neville present.
Also present were the following, (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting): Mark McCoy, Michael Hoyt, Nancy Van Etten, Anne Dare, Susan Bancroft and Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker.
Jim Harris made a motion to approve a utility construction permit for Heartland Rural Electric for work to be done at 242 Terrace & Xavier for 975’ on the North side of the road, Clifton seconded and all approved and signed the permit.
Jim made a motion to approve a culvert permit for Brad Wright at 1175 275th, Clifton seconded and all approved and signed the permit.
The Commissions plan to set a 2021 asphalt work session at a later date.
Eric Bailey reported that heavy rain had caused road issues near Uniontown. He said they are putting brine on the road today for forecasted bad weather.
Eric reported that the guardrail is back up at 215th & Range Road. He said the work is being finished on the shelter at Elm Creek on the rock at the North end.
Eric said he has been working with Chad at the City of Fort Scott regarding the potholes behind the Courthouse; he said they are working on a cost estimate for patching and for curb and gutter.
He said the side arm mower is ready to mow at the Fort Scott Lake.
They are waiting on the turbo for the crusher and hope to have it fixed later this week. Eric said they sold $3,080 worth of scrap metal at the Landfill. Eric asked what the plans were for the beams at the Landfill; they planned to build compost with them. Eric asked if they wanted to sell them, the Commissioners said yes and told him to set a price for them. Eric said the air compressor may be out of dump truck #146, he said it is at Foley for repairs. Eric said they are waiting on two estimates on the truck and trailer that were involved in an accident. Jim questioned Eric on what he wanted to do regarding the Sterling truck that needs $18,000 repairs, Eric said he would review this.
Alan Drake requested rock and a grader for Evergreen Cemetery; all of the Commissioners were in agreement to this. Eric reported that Lath Branch is also needing rock and grading work done.
Eric and the Commissioners briefly discussed the 2020 bridge inspection manual; Eric said they have a crew of two employees and they plan to start working on bridges that need immediate attention. He said they repaired a bridge at 85th & Xavier for $3,700.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy to discuss a job description and job duties, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 9:36, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Eric Bailey and Susan Bancroft). At 9:36, Clifton made a motion to come out of executive session and said no action, Jim seconded and all approved. Lynne asked that an executive session be placed on the agenda next week for personnel matters.
Lynne made a motion to amend the agenda to remove the executive session that Jim Harris had scheduled, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to adopt Resolution 07-21 for the refinancing of the jail bonds, Jim seconded and all approved.
Jim Harris said when he was campaigning, it was suggested to have different times and dates of the Commission meetings so the public could attend, it was discussed to possibly have Wednesday afternoon meetings once a month, the Commissioners will discuss this again next week.
Emergency Manager Will Wallis met with the Commissioners to discuss the new Covid strain; he said it is more contagious and just as deadly if not more, he said people may need double mask for protection, (he said he has plenty of masks and gloves). He said he and Bill Martin sought after a State grant of approximately $100,000 – he said the County purchases supplies and provides a receipt to the State for reimbursement. Will recommended a department head meeting to have a refresher course on protection from the virus, to discuss double masks, to suggest department heads create a plan for employee vacations (travel restrictions), to discuss if employees can work from home, (if they have equipment/internet). He said the Commissioners may have to consider another closure or partial closure of the Courthouse and said employees may need to work from home if so. The Commissioners were in favor of a department head meeting for a refresher course. Will said they are having an exercise Thursday on administering the Covid vaccine, he invited Clifton to attend the exercise, but Clifton said he wasn’t sure if he could attend. Clifton said his opinion was that the new variant of the Covid virus is more contagious, he said if people are wearing the right mask there should be no reason to double mask, he said the department heads should be following the CDC, State and Federal guidelines regarding travel restrictions. Clifton suggested that Will talk with CHC and the Health Department to offer assistance regarding the distribution of the vaccine.
Clifton made a motion for Lynne to attend a SEK Works meeting on Thursday, Jim seconded and all approved. The Commissioners plan to discuss renewing the Chief Elected official for SEK Works again on February 2nd.
The Commissioners were in agreement to pay the $1,100 annual dues for the League of Municipalities.
Lynne said the Assistant County Attorney had resigned and said the County Attorney has been trying to fill the position, they have found someone, but that person can’t start until March 1st, so the County Attorney wants to hire a 1099 Assistant County Attorney from now until March 1st @ $100/hour and said the new employee hired March 1st will make $80,000 annually, which is $15,000 more than they were paying. Clifton made a motion to allow them to hire a 1099 person between now and March 1st, Jim seconded the motion, Jim questioned how the County Attorney working only part time affected other employees; Justin said the County Attorney couldn’t do both the County Attorney and the Assistant County Attorney duties. Lynne said the Attorney has the money in their budget to make these changes. All approved the motion.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy to discuss the job performance for a specific employee, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:37, (the session included the Commissioners and Susan Bancroft), Jim seconded and all approved. At 10:37, Clifton made a motion to come out of executive session and back into open session, no action, Jim seconded and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 20 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy to discuss applications for a new hire, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 11:02, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks, Shane Walker and Susan Bancroft). At 11:02, Clifton made a motion to come out of executive session and back into open session and to add this to the agenda again next week, Jim seconded and all approved.
Justin Meeks said he had met with the Hidden Valley Lake board regarding the 74 parcels there and the tax sale; he discussed the cost/benefit analysis of selling those properties at a tax sale and setting a minimum bid amount on tax sale properties. Jim made a motion to have Justin and Lynne reach out to legislatures to find a solution regarding a tax sale for Hidden Valley Lake properties, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to give Appraiser Clint Anderson permission to hire a 3rd party consultant for the appraisal of commercial property, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Justin suggested scheduling KOMA training on a Tuesday afternoon; the Commissioners were ok with this. Lynne made a motion to approve a consent order for KOMA training, Jim seconded and all approved.
Justin briefly discussed the ongoing Opioid lawsuit; he said some businesses involved in the lawsuit had filed for bankruptcy.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship to discuss potential litigation, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 11:25, Clifton seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). At 11:25, Lynne made a motion to come out of executive session and back into open session and said no action, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Lynne opened the meeting up for public comment; Anne Dare told the Commissioners that changing the meeting day and time is a good start, she questioned if Wednesday interfered with church activities, she questioned if the Commissioners would continue to conduct business first and then allow public comment, she also said the Commissioners should consider the location for the meetings and questioned if YouTube would still be available for broadcasting meetings. Anne suggested that Justin should have scheduled Hidden Valley Lakes on the agenda in case anyone from that area would have wanted to be a part of the conversation. Nancy Van Etten asked about Resolution 07-21; Lynne said this was to refinance the jail bonds and said they needed to attach a resolution to the refinancing documents, Nancy asked if resolutions were published prior to adoption; Lynne said no, but they are kept on file. Nancy said she felt it was good that Will Wallis was having an exercise; she said she would like to see the public health office give a public update more often.
Frank Miller met with the Commissioners regarding his dump bill; he said he would like to pay every two weeks until he gets caught up, Lynne told him to talk to Susan Bancroft and Jennifer in public works about this.
Jim Harris commended Lynne, Clifton and Jeff Fischer for the work they did to refinance the jail bonds and save over $300,000.
Lynne said he would attend a meeting tonight for juvenile detention, but said Clifton will attend future meetings.
Lynne made a motion to appoint Jim Harris to the Landbank, Clifton seconded and all approved.
At 11:37, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
February 2, 2021, Approved Date
January 19, 2021 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the Deputy County Clerk Doretta Neville present.
Also present were the following; (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Anne Dare, Mark McCoy and Nancy Van Etten.
The Commissioners signed the prior meeting minutes.
Road & Bridge Director Eric Bailey said they treated the roads in the N.E. part of the County on Friday due to inclement weather.
Eric Bailey discussed a bridge at 85Th & Xavier; he said it had prior damage, they cleaned out the channel, filled in the damage and capped the concrete and the bridge is now open.
Eric reported there a several telephone poles at the Landfill; he said some have treated ends and asked the Commissioners to consider selling them. Jim Harris said to sell them for $15/each, first come-first serve.
Eric said any new road cut permits or culvert permits will be given to the Road & Bridge secretary.
Eric suggested having a work session to discuss the 2021 asphalt program; Jim received permission from the other Commissioners to meet with Eric to review what work had been done over the past 10 years, Lynne suggested scheduling a work session after Jim met with Eric.
Eric said he is gearing up for the bridge and culvert crew and asked the Commissioners about advertising for a supervisor position since he had internal candidates interested in the position. Jim said to ask the County Counselors opinion, but said the handbook said positions will be advertised in the newspaper; Justin suggested advertising the position.
Eric said they are replacing a guardrail (from a hit and run accident) on 215th, North of Range Road, he said this road is shut down today for the repairs.
Eric said there was an issue with parts ordered for the crusher, but said the crusher should be running in two weeks.
Eric said they have hired someone to repair the rock that fell off of a header at Elm Creek.
Jim asked the other Commissioners opinion on the County using the side arm mower at the park at the Fort Scott Lake; all of the Commissioners were in agreement to this.
Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners; she suggested that the County use Kansas Works to help fill vacant job positions.
Jody said the County received $132,000 in CDBG grant funds to disperse, she said they have granted out $102,000, she said the County had one year to disperse all of the funds, she said at some point the Commissioners may want to increase the $14,000 parameters previously set. Clifton made a motion to allow Lynne to sign the request for payments of the CDBG funds, Jim asked if there was any accountability on how the funds were spent, and Jody said yes they have to provide receipts for the grant funds, Jim seconded and all approved.
Jody discussed the NRP program; she said the NRP program includes all of the cities and said the program is an incentive to increase the overall value to help lower property taxes. She said the goal in 2020 was to get 20 new applications, but said they received 29.
Jody said they had a feasibility study done for a multi-use facility; she said there is a possible interested developer which could have a $2 million impact on our community.
Jody said they are working on grants for Bwerc; she said they received a $5,500 anonymous donation to remain in the space.
Lynne made a motion to approve paying the 2021 Chamber of Commerce dues, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to approve paying the 2021 NACO dues, Jim seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to approve paying the 2021 Kansas League of Municipalities dues, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to approve paying the 2021 KAC dues, Jim seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to approve Resolution 08-21; a resolution approving wage increases for the County Counselor (now a 1099 contract laborer), the Appraiser and the Elm Creek caretaker, Clifton seconded and all approved and signed the resolution. Jim questioned how much time the caretaker would spend doing windfarm work since he also operates a mower.
Lynne made a motion to approve Resolution 09-21; a resolution certifying the January 5, 2021 election results, Clifton seconded and all approved and signed resolution.
Clifton made a motion to appoint County Commissioner Jim Harris to the Lake Advisory board, Lynne seconded and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 20 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, the subject will be healthcare in Bourbon County, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 9:57 am, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners). At 9:57, Clifton made a motion to go back into open session and said that no action, Jim seconded and all approved.
Justin Meeks reported that the 2nd part of the bond for Phoenix Coal Company would be released shortly; Justin said he believed the roads had been reclaimed as best as they could.
Justin said opened/closed roads are a 100 year old problem in Bourbon County; Lynne said Lora Holdridge had been working through road closing/opening documents. Justin suggested having a work session with residents to help make decisions on opening or closing roads low maintenance roads. Lynne said the County has a map designating low maintenance roads.
Justin said all of the demand letters had been sent regarding the tax sale for property from 2016 and back. He said he would get the cases for the tax sale filed in the next few months. Justin said he is still an advocate for the Landbank and said they were still working on this.
Justin said he is working on an issue from a taxpayer where their taxes went up due to a change in valuation.
The Commissioners and Justin discussed roads and bridges in the County; Justin said the bridge on old 69 Highway needs repairs and said it wouldn’t be around much longer. He suggested getting citizens opinion when it comes to making a decision on what to do about the bridge. Justin expressed a concern over the safety of some of the roads and bridges.
Justin said the City/County had a good meeting recently about shared services.
The Commissioners allowed public comment; Anne Dare asked that the Commissioners apply for KDOT and Federal funds for the roads and bridges in the County. She questioned how much the KAC dues were and suggested that the Commissioners consider having something in writing on what the different organizations that the County belongs to does for the County. She also suggested that the different departments and boards do reports to keep the community involve in what they have been doing/spending. Nancy Van Etten questioned what Lynne was discussing at the City meeting about the sewer board; Lynne said they were going to discuss possibly refinancing the sewer district bond. Mark McCoy discussed shared services between the County/City; he commended the County for working with the City to save money. He said sharing a finance manager with the City is a start in the right direction. Mark said he was the chairman of the shared services committee. He said that Bourbon County economic development is working to hire an economic development director. Mark said he is on the BEDCO board; he said it is a board of 13 volunteer members.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to allow for Commissioner comments, Jim seconded and all approved. Clifton responded to the public comments; he said they needed to hire the right person for the economic development director, he told Anne Dare that they were heading in the direction of getting reports of what is spent. Jim said when he was campaigning he heard the term transparency; he said he felt all of the Commissioners were going to be transparent. Lynne said the Commissioners get a monthly detailed report of what is spent, but thought the finance director would provide easier to read reports. Lynne said the economic development director position would be a challenging job, but said it would be beneficial to the entire county.
Lora Holdridge met with the Commissioners regarding the west parking lot; she said several months ago it was discussed about the City fixing this, she said there is a water leak there and said cars bottom out when entering/exiting the parking lot due to damage there. Jim Harris said the City was going to fix this last September, Lynne said there are also bricks missing out of the street on the northwest end of the block. The Commissioners asked Lynne to call Eric Bailey and have him work with the City on getting the lot fixed.
Greg Vahrenberg with Raymond and James met over the phone with the Commissioners regarding refinancing the 2015 jail bonds; he said Gilmore and Bell had drafted the legal documents and said Standard and Poor’s gave the County an “A” rating, he said they considered giving better than an “A” rating, but didn’t due to the current pandemic. They originally thought refinancing the bonds for the years of 2024-2035 would save $251,000, but a lower interest rate was locked in and the County should have an estimated savings of $367,699. He said there is no penalty for paying the bonds off early. Clifton made a motion to approve the refinancing documents, (Resolution 07-21), Jim seconded and all approved. Jeff made a motion to allow Lynne to sign the documents, Clifton seconded and all approved and all signed the documents. Greg said he would send an updated analysis for the sewer district bonds.
At 11:42, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
January 26, 2021, Approved Date
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Securing Workforce Certainty for Kansas Agriculture
Each year, thousands of guest workers travel from South Africa to work for Kansas farmers, ag co-ops and custom harvesters. These workers are essential to America’s food security, helping to plant, harvest and process our nation’s crops. After hearing from the Kansas agriculture community about the impact President Biden’s executive order restricting travel from South Africa would have on our agricultural workforce, I spoke with State Department officials on Tuesday about making certain these H-2A workers could travel while still ensuring strict COVID-19 safety protocols. The State Department followed up on my call to clarify that agricultural workers from South Africa will receive a national interest exemption. This is positive news for Kansas producers who continue to work to feed a hungry world.
Improving Vaccine Distribution and Communication
Discussing COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout with The University of Kansas Health Systems
On Wednesday morning, I joined The University of Kansas Health System (TUKHS) for their daily media update to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine distribution across the state. I also discussed how I am calling on the White House to double their stated goal of 100 million doses in 100 days. I was joined by TUKHS Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control Dr. Dana Hawkinson, TUKHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Stites and national member of the Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes Dr. Jessica Kalender-Rich for the media update.
The COVID-19 vaccine is our best shot at getting Kansas back to normal. Our discussion emphasized the importance of improved vaccine distribution and the need to get as many shots into as many arms as possible over the next months. We need greater transparency on the numbers of vaccines being produced and what we can expect in the future from the federal government. We also need improved transparency at the state level on where the vaccine is being shipped, who has been vaccinated and where future shipments will be sent so that our counties and health care providers can better prepare for the next few months.
Following my conversations with health care providers and county officials, I have been working to create an open dialogue between our counties, the state and the federal government to facilitate clear communication around vaccines. This extends to our hospitals in Kansas, who have grown frustrated at the lack of an explained and extended plan regarding vaccine distribution and administration throughout the coming months. I will continue to work to make certain all Kansans, both rural and urban, have access to the COVID-19 vaccine during the coming months.
Visiting the Ambulatory Infusion Clinic in Wichita
On Friday, I visited Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph Campus in Wichita. I was pleased to spend Kansas Day learning how I can be of greater help to hospitals like Ascension Via Christi. I learned about their COVID-19 treatment options, as well as the vaccination process that is underway to ensure that both health care workers, and now the general public, can be vaccinated.
In addition to their vaccination program, Ascension Via Christi also provides an antibody infusion. The infusion, called Bamlanivimab or BAM, received the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) emergency use authorization and is used to ease the severity of a COVID-19 patient’s symptoms in the hopes of preventing hospitalization. I was impressed by the skilled work of the health care professionals at the clinic, especially as they maneuver the challenges of caring for positive COVID-19 patients.
Update on Impeachment
On Tuesday, senators were sworn in to begin the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. One of the first acts was a vote on a motion to dismiss the trial. Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a motion to table Senator Rand Paul’s amendment that ruled on the constitutionality of impeaching a former president not currently in office. Senator Schumer’s motion prevailed 55-45 and the Senate will hear the impeachment charges on February 9.
The Constitution is where I go to find answers. Unfortunately, the Constitution does not clearly answer whether a former president can be impeached. This decision will set precedent for future Congresses in regards to impeachment, and I am clearly on the side that a former president should not be subject to impeachment. Giving the green light that future Congresses can impeach a former president would cause extreme damage to our country and the future of the presidency.
Protecting Life and Defending the Unborn
Friday marked the 48th National March for Life, an annual event that, under normal circumstances, brings communities from across the country, including hundreds from Kansas, to march peacefully in protest of a decision that has enabled the elimination of more than 60 million children. For the first time since Roe v. Wade was announced in 1973, these individuals were not able to come to Washington due to the ongoing pandemic; instead, they voiced their support through a series of virtual events to continue their stand to defend America’s most vulnerable. While I missed the ability to meet with Kansans outside the U.S. Capitol this year, I want to thank each of you who participated in the virtual March for Life to stand for the unborn.
Throughout the week, I continued to use my role in Congress to further the cause of life and defend the unborn by introducing multiple pieces of legislation to prevent federal dollars from funding abortions, provide commonsense protections for unborn children, protect expectant mothers and their babies from dangerous abortion drugs and make certain newborns that survive abortions receive medical care. To read about my efforts to protect the sanctity of life in detail, please click here.
Questioning the Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough
On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee considered the nomination of Denis McDonough to be the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I met with Mr. McDonough earlier this month and stressed how important it is for the next VA Secretary to be ready on day one to deliver the benefits and services our veterans have earned. Over the last four years, VA has made significant improvements in both veteran and employee satisfaction. VA has also begun to implement reforms passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump: expanded health care access and caregiver support under the MISSION Act, faster processing of appeals under the Appeals Modernization Act and expanded educational and training benefits for servicemembers, veterans and their families under the Forever GI Bill. In our conversation and in my questioning of the nominee, I made it clear that VA must faithfully implement these laws and work with Congress to see to it that veterans benefit from these reforms as intended.
Stressing the Importance of Kansas Agriculture with Nominee Tom Vilsack
This week, I met virtually with Tom Vilsack, nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. During our meeting, I highlighted issues important to Kansas farmers, ranchers and rural communities. In 2015, when Secretary Vilsack previously served in this role, he attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Bio Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan. During our conversation, I invited him to join me again in Kansas to see the tremendous progress being made in constructing NBAF and to receive an update on the central role USDA will play in operating the facility once construction is completed. I look forward to Secretary Vilsack’s visit to our state.
During our discussion, I also raised issues of immediate consequence to Kansas farmers and ranchers, most importantly, climate change and environmental regulation, as well as our shared commitment to addressing global hunger and ways we can work together to push policies that reduce food insecurity.
I look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack in the future to best serve Kansas’ farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.
Listen to my interview with the Kansas Ag Network (WIBW) discussing my meeting with Vilsack here.
Questioning Secretary of Commerce Nominee Gina Raimondo
This week, I questioned Governor Gina Raimondo, the nominee to be the Secretary of Commerce, about the recapitalization of aging Department of Commerce infrastructure and the potential imposition of tariffs on imported phosphate fertilizer. Phosphate fertilizers are critical for farmers to grow crops, as phosphorous accounts for approximately 20 percent of fertilizer usage in the United States. Governor Raimondo committed to working with me and Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Tom Vilsack regarding export and import policies for farmers. I remain committed to ensuring that the government is not making it more difficult for Kansans to make a living in the agricultural sector.
I also spoke with Governor Raimondo the day before the hearing about the Privacy Shield agreement between the U.S. and the E.U. and about data privacy. Last year, I introduced the Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act, a bill that would strengthen the laws that govern consumers’ personal data and create clear standards and regulations for American businesses that collect, process and use consumers’ personally identifiable data. This legislation would complement the Department of Commerce’s ongoing efforts to negotiate a new Privacy Shield agreement, which small and medium sized businesses in Kansas utilized for transatlantic commerce but was invalidated by a European court last year. As the lead Republican on the Commerce, Justice, and Science Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, and lead Republican on the Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection Commerce Subcommittee, if she is confirmed, I will work with Governor Raimondo to ensure the priorities of Kansans are the priorities of the Department of Commerce.
Urging President Biden to Retain Trump Administration WOTUS Rule
I joined my Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution this week to express support for the Navigable Waters Protection Rule—the Trump administration’s replacement for the Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.
In 2015, the Obama administration finalized a rule that expanded the definition of the WOTUS, creating confusion and burdensome red tape for the agriculture community and many others. The Trump administration replaced the 2015 WOTUS rule with the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This new rule provided much-needed predictability and certainty for farmers by establishing clear and reasonable definitions of what qualifies as a “water of the United States.” The Navigable Waters Protection Rule was finalized last year.
This week, President Biden signed an executive order that would roll back the Trump administration’s executive order which originally began the process of rescinding Obama’s WOTUS rule. Repealing the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule will reinstate burdensome regulations on Kansas farmers, ranchers and small businesses. This commonsense rule promotes clean water for our communities and families, while respecting private property rights and providing certainty for landowners. We’ve already seen the damage and confusion caused by the Obama-era WOTUS rule, and returning to that standard is unacceptable.
Biden’s “Made in America” Agenda Must Prioritize American Farmers and Ranchers
Kansans take pride in our farmers and ranchers feeding a hungry world. Since the enactment of the Food for Peace Act under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, America has reached more than 4 billion hungry and starving people in the world and in America, saving countless lives. This week, I wrote an op-ed urging President Biden to recognize the vital role farmers and ranchers play in U.S. international food aid programs in the administration’s “Made in America” agenda. The Obama administration proposed a massive overhaul of U.S. international food aid that would have damaged programs that provide U.S.-grown commodities to food insecure people around the world, including by sending cash assistance to food insecure nations instead of food and commodities grown in Kansas. The Biden administration should not return to these failed proposals. Instead, I asked the President to submit a budget to Congress that calls for robust funding for international food aid programs that utilize U.S.-grown commodities and rejects efforts to diminish the role of our nation’s farmers and ranchers in the programs.
Read my full editorial in Agri-Pulse here.
Protecting Veterans from Ongoing COVID-19 Unemployment
This week, I introduced the Veterans Economic Recovery Act, legislation to provide unemployed veterans access to rapid retraining programs so they can re-enter the workforce. In 2019, thanks to the many reforms enacted by Congress, we saw the lowest unemployment rate in 20 years. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate for veterans spiked into the double digits in the early surge of the pandemic, and the veteran unemployment rates continue to be higher than the historic lows we experienced previously. As the pandemic continues, meaningful employment is key to the well-being of our country’s veterans and their families, and this legislation is one more tool to ensure veterans receive the retraining opportunities they have earned. This legislation will provide needed resources and benefits to our Kansas veterans and the men and women across the country who have raised their right hand to serve our nation. As ranking member, I look forward to working with Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mon.) and my colleagues on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to advance this legislation as soon as possible.
Announcing U.S. Olympics and Paralympics Commission Members, Including Kansan Robert Cohen
This week, I was pleased to announce that four individuals have been selected to serve on the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics. The four members of the Commission are Kansas native and Denver Sports Founder Robert Cohen, former Olympic athletes John Dane and Brittney Reese, and U.S. Olympic Endowment Chairman William Hybl. Established by my sweeping Olympic reform legislation, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act, which was signed into law by President Trump last October, this commission is tasked with reviewing the operations and performance of the United State Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). I am grateful to these four individuals for their willingness to serve on the commission.
Preventing Chinese Goods Made by Forced Labor from Entering the U.S.
This week, I sponsored the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act, which will ensure products made with Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region do not enter the United States. I have repeatedly condemned the abuses carried out by the Chinese government, and last summer, I called China’s treatment of Uyghurs a genocide. The State Department recently affirmed my belief by determining that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is committing crimes against humanity and genocide against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. The United States cannot ignore what is happening nor in any way enable the continued abuse of the Uyghurs. By preventing goods made by forced labor and abuse of the Uyghurs from ending up on American soil, this bipartisan legislation will make certain the CCP does not profit from slave labor.
Visiting with the Topeka Chamber at the Congressional Forum Breakfast
I spoke with the Topeka Chamber at their Congressional Forum Breakfast this weekend, where we discussed the COVID-19 vaccine response, including increasing the efforts at all levels to distributing the vaccine into as many arms as possible. During our discussion, I emphasized the importance of getting kids that have been learning remotely back into school, so that parents are able to go to work. We also talking about the Payment Protection Program (PPP) program and how it must continue to support business throughout this pandemic.
Thank you to Curtis Sneden and to all Chamber members who attended both virtually and in-person.
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