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All posts by Submitted Story
Newsletter from State Senator Hilderbrand
State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district
communications from the state capitol
January 18, 2019∙ Week One
HARD FACTS:
- According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, in 2018 Kansas added over 11,000 new jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment (Kansas Department of Commerce).
- GEICO announced a new service center in Lenexa, adding 500 new jobs (Kansas Department of Commerce).
- Spirit AeroSystems announced another major expansion with plans to add over 1,400 new jobs in the Wichita area (Kansas Department of Commerce).
- Since December 2017, Kansas gained 20,100 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 17,200 private sector jobs (Kansas Department of Labor).
The Kansas Constitution, including the Ordinance, Preamble, and Bill of Rights, is available to print in a pocket-sized version from the State Library’s website https://kslib.info/constitution. Just click on the link and follow the instructions. A helpful diagram shows how to fold and where to cut to assemble your pocket-sized constitution. Tip: print double sided and check “flip on the long edge”. A long reach stapler is helpful, but not necessary. There is also a larger sized booklet version. Need help? https://kslib.info/Ask
FLOOR ACTION
Thursday the Senate voted to confirm 17 governor nominated appointments and 2 attorney general nominated appointments.
NEW APPOINTMENTS:
Bowser, Steven – Member, Pool Money Investment Board
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Fertig, Sarah– Medicaid Inspector General
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Hutton, Mark – Regent, State Board of Regents
Confirmed on a vote of 39-0
Schmidt, Allen – Regent, State Board of Regents
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Samaniego, Richard– Crime Victims Compensation Board
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Norris, Eric– State Librarian
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Thomas, Donna Dr. – Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Copeland, Michael – Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
REAPPOINTMENTS:
Dillon, David– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Feurborn, William– Regent, State Board of Regents
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Graves, Gregory– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Lair, Casey– Member, Kansas State Banking Board
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Macke, Carroll– Member, State Civil Service Board
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Melugin, Raymond– Member, State Civil Service Board,
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Neuman, Jack– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Schorn, Harold – Member, Kansas Human Rights Commission
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Waller Ryan– Member, Employment Security Board of Review
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Wright, Jerel– Administrator, Department of Credit Unions
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
Wynn, Deryl– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority
Confirmed on a vote of 40-0
GOVERNOR KELLY’S INAUGURATION
On Monday, January 14th, Laura Kelly was sworn in as the 48th Governor of the State of Kansas. Governor Kelly enters the Governor’s office after serving 14 years in the Kansas Senate, representing Topeka.
The following state officials were also sworn into office on Monday:
Lynn Rogers, Lieutenant Governor
Derek Schmidt, Attorney General
Scott Schwab, Secretary of State
Vicki Schmidt, Insurance Commissioner
Jake LaTurner, State Treasurer
NEW SENATORS
The Kansas Senate had four new faces Monday. Kevin Braun (R-Kansas City) replaces Steve Fitzgerald after he resigned from the Senate in September. Vic Miller (D-Topeka) took Laura Kelly’s seat in the Senate. Eric Rucker (R-Topeka) took Vicki Schmidt’s seat in the Senate as she is now Insurance Commissioner. Mary Ware (D-Wichita) was chosen to replace Lynn Rogers in the Senate.
Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) was also sworn in after winning his special election in November.
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly delivered her first State of the State address. The governor laid out her agenda as she began her first term as governor. Some of her main agenda items include, more money to public education, increased funding to hire more social workers for DCF, and Medicaid expansion.
During her address, Kelly explained she would be proposing a one-year budget with a separate proposal for a two-year education plan.
GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL
Thursday morning, Governor Kelly presented her one-year budget proposal. The $18.4 billion spending plan would be the largest budget in Kansas history, with total spending rising $1.2 billion, or 7.2%.
Kelly’s proposal includes increased spending for areas such as K-12 education, DCF, and Medicaid expansion. Many lawmakers question the number Kelly presented for the cost of expanding Medicaid as many predict it to be well over the budget proposal’s estimate.
Below are some highlights from the governor’s budget proposal:
Kansas K-12 Education Finance
Governor Kelly recommended a $92 million inflation adjustment to state aid for K-12 public schools. This would be a phase in of $364 million over four years. With this increase, the state’s education funding would increase 5.5 percent during the next budget year, to nearly $4.4 billion.
Department for Children and Families
The budget proposed a 14 percent increase in spending on foster care programs. Governor Kelly’s agenda includes the hiring of 55 additional social workers. This would increase the department’s budget 8.7 percent, to $727 million.
Medicaid Expansion
Kelly’s budget included $14 million to initiate Medicaid expansion in Kansas. She explained that an expansion plan would be submitted to the Legislature by the end of the month.
State Employee Salary Increase
The budget provided $22 million for a 2.5 percent salary increase for state employees, excluding the judicial system and legislative branch. An additional $3 million was earmarked to increase wages for officers of the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Kansas Board of Regents
The budget proposal would complete restoration of a 4 percent, or $30 million, cut in 2017 from the Board of Regents. Most of the money was previously restored to universities, but Kelly offered the final $8.9 million to be recovered. This restoration does not include previous cuts from 2008.
Re-amortization of KPERS
Kelly’s budget was built around the re-amortization of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System which essentially refinances the remaining $8.9 billion debt over 30 years. This is meant to provide $160 million in “short-term savings” but will extend the system’s debt until the year 2049. Larry Campbell, Governor Kelly’s budget director, said the debt would become an additional cost of about $7 billion.
Senate Leadership including, President Wagle, Vice President Longbine, Majority Leader Denning, Assistant Majority Leader Petersen, and Majority Whip Bowers, issued the following statement in response:
“Governor Kelly’s budget is simply taking a different path that inevitably spends us right back into the red. She is willing to fund her irresponsible spending agenda at the expense of our Kansas retirees while placing an additional $7 billion burden on our future generations.”
Transfers of Kansas Department of Transportation
$238 million would continue to be drawn annually from KDOT to finance basic government.
NEXT WEEK
Monday –
- The Legislature will be closed on Monday, January 21st to observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday –
- Hearing on: SB 9, authorizing the transfer of $115,000,000 from the state general fund to the Kansas public employees retirement fund during fiscal year 2019 – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 22 at 10:30 am]
Wednesday –
- Presentation on: Kansas Department of Revenue, David N. Harper, Director – [Senate Transportation Committee; January 23rd at 8:30 am]
- Briefing on: Mental Health Task Force Report and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 23rd at 10:30 am]
- Presentation on: Cost of Special Education Funding, LPA – [Senate Education Committee; January 23rd at 1:30 pm]
- Response to KCC Rate Study, Chuck Caisley, SVP, Marketing and Public Affairs for Evergy – [Senate Utilities Committee; January 23rd at 1:30 pm]
Thursday –
- Presentation on: Kansas State University programs by Interim Dean/Director Ernie Milton – [Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; January 24th at 8:30 am]
- Presentation on: Kansas Highway Patrol, Colonel Mark Bruce, Superintendent – [Senate Transportation Committee; January 24th at 8:30 am]
- Informational briefing: Local Impact of Federal Farm Bill, Department of Agriculture – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 24th at 10:30 am]
- Presentation on: Mental Health Awareness: KS School Counselor Association, KS School Psychologist Association, KS School Social Worker Association – [Senate Education Committee; January 24th at 1:30 pm]
2019 SESSION DATES AND DEADLINES
Please be aware of the following dates and deadlines for the 2019 legislative session. As always, each is subject to modification and leadership will keep you updated on any changes which might occur.
| Monday, January 21 | Martin Luther King Day – No Session |
| Monday, February 4 | Last day for members to request bill drafts |
| Monday, February 11 | Last day for non-exempt committees to request bill drafts |
| Wednesday, February 13 | Last day for bill introductions by members |
| Friday, February 15 | Last day for non-exempt committee bill introduction |
| Monday, February 25 | Last day for AM/PM committees to meet |
| Tuesday, February 26 | On floor all day |
| Wednesday, February 27 | On floor all day |
| Thursday, February 28 | Turnaround Day, last day for non-exempt bills in house of origin |
| March 1-5 | No session |
| Friday, March 22 | Last day for non-exempt committee consideration |
| March 25-26 | On floor all day |
| Wednesday, March 27 | On floor all day; Last day to consider non-exempt bills not in originating chamber |
| March 28-31 | No Session |
| Friday, April 5 | Drop dead day; first adjournment |
| Wednesday, May 1 | Veto Session begins |
| Friday, May 17 | Day 90 |
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Dancing With Our Stars Feb. 9
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 22
Young Adult Fantasy Author to Speak at FSHS and Hedgehog.INK
ELANA MUGDAN, FIVE-STAR INDIE AUTHOR, TO APPEAR AT
FORT SCOTT’S NEW BOOKSTORE, HEDGEHOG.INK
~ BOOK SIGNING and AUTHOR TALK ~
ELANA A. MUGDAN’s debut novel, DRAGON SPEAKER, was released in North America on October 15, 2018.
At 4:00 PM on Friday, January 25, 2019 Ms. Mugdan will appear at Fort Scott’s new bookstore, Hedgehog.INK, at 16 S. Main Street. She will be hosting an Author Talk with a Q&A session, and signing copies of her book.
Dragon Speaker is the first in a cycle of five novels in Mugdan’s Shadow War Saga. The series is in the popular Young Adult Fantasy genre. After having been published in 2016 by Pen Works Media in England, the book was accepted as an outstanding independent work by DartFrog Books, a leading sponsor of indie authors and booksellers.
Dragon Speaker is one of a select group of novels placed in 50 brick-and-mortar stores across the nation that have partnered with DartFrog Books to showcase and promote exceptional talent. Chanticleer Book Reviews raves: “High fantasy that hits all the marks … fantasy — adventure — coming of age. It’s all here in Elana Mugdan’s Dragon Speaker!” Reader’s Favorite adds: “A fresh premise to the classic dragon theme.”
Everyone knows this story: an unlikely young hero is chosen by divine providence to save the world from a terrible evil. Except Keriya Nameless is crippled, without the power to wield magic in a world where everyone else can. The god who chose her is a mysterious dragon with a knack for exploiting loopholes in the rules of the Allentrian universe. Oh — and that terrible evil the world needs to be saved from? Maybe it’s not quite as evil as everyone says.
Mugdan is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. In 2010 she wrote, directed, and produced her first professional feature-length film, Director’s Cut. It was an official selection at fourteen film festivals in the U.S. and abroad, earning widespread acclaim and winning major awards at four of them, including the Indie Spirit Special Recognition Award at the prestigious Boston International Film Festival in April, 2011. The picture received distribution by Digital Magic Entertainment in 2012 under the title Let’s Make a Movie.
Mugdan is a New York City native who lives a quiet but eccentric life with her pet snake, Medusa. She brings an authentic air to her book signing events and readings by appearing in full Allentrian costume, and encourages attendees to come dressed in their own favorite costumes as well.
Earlier the same day, Mugdan will be speaking to students at Fort Scott High School. She will talk about writing as a career, and discussing today’s publishing industry. She will describe the challenges and rewards of a creative life.
Obituary for Lelah Marie Burgess
Lelah Marie Burgess, age 83, a former resident of Neosho, Missouri and Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Pittsburg Health & Rehab Center in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She graduated from the Girard High School. While in high school where she was involved with the band and Glee Club. Lelah first married Donald Beck. They were divorced. She later married Melvin Burgess.
In earlier years, she did clerical work in the insurance industry. She later worked as a CNA and as a CMA for area nursing homes. She enjoyed going to estate sales and antique shopping as well as spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her son, Bruce Beck and wife, Chizuru of Hanford, California and her daughter, Dawn Marie Morries and fiancée, Richard Wiltberg, of Carl Junction, Missouri; five grandchildren, Vincent, Jay, Sarah, Krystal and Heather and thirteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Anna Louise Martinson from the State of Nevada.
Her first husband, Donald Beck, passed away in 1995. Her second husband, Melvin Burgess, passed away in 2008. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Earline Foy and a brother, Melvin Endicott.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Private burial will follow in the Hiattville Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to either the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude’s Hospital and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Learn How to Navigate A Smartphone or Tablet
Senior Cyber Café
Learn to use your tablet, smartphone
It’s time to turn the table and stop asking your children or grandchildren for help with your tablet or smartphone. Learn how to navigate your device at a free event at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.
Your children and grandchildren will be coming to you for assistance after this seminar! We’ll cover the basics, like sending emails, downloading attachments, sharing photos and searching Google. We’ll also address some advanced topics, like how to use maps and which apps to download to make your life easier.
“Senior Cyber Café – Navigating Smartphones and Tablets” will begin at 2:30 p.m. January 31 at Ft. Scott Village at 2401 S Horton St. The talk is part of Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask series, a free, ongoing lifelong learning program featuring information from local, regional and national experts on topics of interest to older adults and their families.
Space is limited. RSVP by January 30 to Becky Kellum by calling 620-223-5550 or emailing [email protected].
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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has served Bourbon County since 1994 with independent and assisted living. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with 18 locations in Missouri and Kansas. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Obituary of Cleta Irene Mayfield
Cleta Irene Mayfield, age 66, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, January 19, 2019, at her home.
She was born September 2, 1952, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Bill and Cleta Norbury Mayfield. Cleta worked as an LPN for Mercy Hospital, Newman Young Clinic, and Dr. McKenna’s office. She loved nursing and caring for people. She later worked as a para-educator for Winfield Scott and Fort Scott Middle School.
Cleta enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, birdwatching and her Diet Coke. Later in life, she did more cooking and baking. If you were a guest in her home, you never left hungry or thirsty. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids who call her “Gigi”.
Survivors include a daughter, Sarah Dell’Antonia Ersland and husband Jake, Lenexa, KS; two grandchildren, Isaac and Faith Ersland; a son Chuck Dell’Antonia and wife Jessica, Pittsburg, KS; a sister, Mary Cullor and husband Jim, Woodland, CA; a brother, Jay Mayfield and wife Mauritta, Richards, MO; a sister-in-law, Shirley Mayfield, Mound City, KS; and her best friend, John Mowrey, Ft. Scott.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, William “Bill” Mayfield and Leroy “Punk” Mayfield; and her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, January 24th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in Woods Cemetery, Redfield, KS.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Cleta Mayfield Memorial Fund 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.
Obituary of Penny Louise Osborne
Penny Louise Osborne, age 63, a resident of Mound City, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado.
At the time of her death, Penny was traveling to Arizona to visit her daughter.
Penny was born April 11, 1955, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Albert E. Beadell and Flora Brotherton Beadell. She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. She married Gregory Osborne on May 18, 1973, in Ft. Scott.
Penny enjoyed crocheting and gardening as well as raising alpacas and rabbits. She was even featured on television at an area rabbit show. She was a member of the Pleasanton Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include her husband, Gregory, of the home in Mound City and her three children, Lisa Osborne-Warne and husband, Alan, of Goodyear, Arizona, Noel Osborne and wife, Jennifer, of North Kansas City, Kansas and Joseph Osborne, of Mound City; and three grandchildren, Levi, Tucker and Aurora. Also surviving are two biological sisters, Jennifer and Patty.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Madeline Osborne.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, January 25th at the Pleasanton Assembly of God Church.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott.
Memorials are suggested to the Diabetes Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Jan. 17-20
Click below for reports.
Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt
Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will no longer hold office hours on Tuesdays at Memorial Hall. She will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wish to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.
Our Post 25 American Legion Oratorical competition is Saturday, January 26, 2019. The competition starts promptly at 9 am and will be held at the First Southern Baptist Church. All Post 25 members, their families and friends of the Legion are invited to attend. The winner of the Post Oratorical competition will move on to the District oratorical competition to be held in February in Olathe.
The first shuttle run for the Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center is Tuesday, February 5. The shuttle will run every Tuesday morning. Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment should call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm. The deadline for scheduling a seat is 5 pm, Monday, February 4.
I am proud to announce that once again Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 leads the Department of Kansas in membership this week. Our 2019 goal was 51 members. Our current membership is at 130% and 67 members. We are 16 members over our goal. By way of comparison, Grainfield Post 301 in District 6, is in 2nd place for membership at 115%. Thanks to all members who have made Fort Scott Post 25 a highly visible and active Legion Post in the Department of Kansas.
Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/. Contact if ordering a Legion cap to insure cap has the correct lettering.
Upcoming Events
January 26. Post 25 Oratorical competition at 9 am at the First Southern Baptist Church.
January 31. Post 25 Executive Committee meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm. Post 25 is member driven. Please make Post 25 Executive Committee members aware of any suggestions or thoughts you may have about improving Post 25.
February 1-3. The Mid-Winter Forum is open to all Legionnaires and offers every member, especially Post leaders and chairmen, the opportunity to learn more about The American Legion, its programs and the direction each program is expected to take if there are any changes being considered, including changes directed by National Headquarters. In addition, the Forum provides information about how and why The American Legion functions in the manner we do as an organization. More information about the forum is available at https://ksamlegion.org/view/document/sunflower2019q1.pdf.
February 4. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
February 4. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.
February 5. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 615 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
March 4. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
March 4. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.
April 1. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
April 1. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
Carl Jowers. Commander
Fort Scott American Legion Post 25
Telephone: 620.215.1688
Email: [email protected]
Martin Luther King, Jr. Lunch and Learn Jan. 21 at FSCC
