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Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Submitted

Happenings In Fort Scott March 30-April 1

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Schedule of Special Events in Fort Scott,
March 30 – April 1, 2018
Provided by the Fort Scott  Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Center231 E. Wall

FRI, SAT – 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Art Project: New Faces New Neighbors Fort Scott National Historic Site – History & Art come together. Kids have created textile works of art that
encompass the change of Fort Scott NHS throughout its history.
FRI & SAT – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Livestock Sales – Fort Scott Livestock Market – 2131 Maple Rd.
You don’t have to be a buyer to watch the sale and visit the café.
FRI & SAT – 10am-last tour leaves at 3 pm – 50 Minute narrated Trolley tours of Fort Scott, at the Chamber

FRIDAY, March 30th Good Friday
8:00 am – Water/Ways Exhibit on display- Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center – 231 E. Wall St
8:00 am – 5:00 pm – FSHS Thespian Rummage Sale – Fort Scott High School 1005 S. Main.
9:00 am – 5:45 pm – Used Book Sale – Library Events Room 201 S. National Ave.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm -FSCC “Escape the Fort” Escape Room – Contact Matt Glades at [email protected]
or call 620.223.2700 ext. 3520 to set up a time. “May the odds be ever in your favor”-Hunger Games.

SATURDAY, March 31st
8:00 – 12:00 pm – FSHS Thespian Rummage Sale – Fort Scott High School 1005 S. Main.
9:00 am – Gun Park Trail Work Sessions. 1010 Park Ave, Fort Scott. Meet at Shelter House No. 7.
9:00 am – Basic Riders Skills Course – Motorcycle Ministry at Twister Trailer, 400 N. National Ave.
This is a Non-Certification course. Everyone is welcome.
9:00 am – 10:30 am – Eggstravaganza Crafts at BRCC- Preschool to 5th grade. Crafts, face painting, snacks, and drinks. Please pre-register $1 registration fee.
10:00 am – Rhythm and Bliss at Shiney Studios – 123 S. National Ave – A fun and invigorating all levels class
10:00 am – Care to Share Bake Sale at Ruddick’s Furniture Sidewalk Sale -Downtown Fort Scott
11:00 am – 2:0 pm – Easter Bunny at Price Chopper 2322 S. Main St. Fort Scott –
Photo Opportunities for Mom & Dad – Candy for the children.
1:00 pm – Free screening of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, -The Empress Event Center, 7 N Main St.
1:00 pm – FSCC Hounds Baseball vs Neosho County – Doubleheader Games at 1 pm & 4 pm
6:00 pm – Sir Winston Churchill at Liberty Theatre 113 S. Main St. Watch History come to Life on Stage. Sponsored by Friends of the Fort.

EASTER SUNDAY, April 1st Happy Easter!!!
9:00 am – Near Death Experience Sermon Series begins – Community Christian Church 1919 Horton
10:50 am – Resurrection Sunday – Fort Scott Southern Baptist Church
10:00 am – Easter Brunch Buffet – Crooner’s 117 S. Main St. Reservations Required (620-224-9787)
Menu: Ham & Beef Carving Station, Made to order Crab Cakes, Shrimp Cocktail, Quiche, Scalloped Potatoes Salad Bar, Desserts and more.
11:00am Easter Dinner – Nate’s Place Restaurant & Lounge – 750 S. National. Ave.
Reservations encouraged. 620-223-3644

 

Click here for original flyer, then click on the image to enlarge:

Chamber March 30-April 1

Area News, Submitted

Make a difference – Adopt a highway

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Make a difference in your community and help the environment at the same time – join the Adopt-A-Highway program in Kansas.

The goal of the program is to clean along the roadways throughout the state to increase safety for motorists and pedestrians as well as improve the beauty of Kansas. This helps to raise awareness of the negative effects of pollution and the positive aspects of a clean community.

“We’ve been a long time with Adopt-A-Highway,” said Humboldt Lions Club member Larry Barnett, who estimated that club members have been cleaning up a two-mile stretch of U.S. 169 right-of-way east of Humboldt for over 20 years. “We try to do the best we can to keep the highways clean,” he said.

Any non-profit group that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or gender can join and there is no cost to the group. Members must be at least 11 years old and have adequate adult supervision. Groups have clean-ups two to three times a year and are recognized for their efforts with signs marking their sections of highway. Since spring 1990, thousands of groups have participated and a number of the original groups are still active today.

Adopt-A-Highway groups are gearing up for the annual Clean Up Kansas Campaign which takes place during the month of April. This event, as well as the program, is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation. All Adopt-A-Highway groups are encouraged but not required to participate in the statewide event.

Groups clean their sections of roadway several times a year at their convenience. Most choose to schedule a clean-up time in the spring, summer, and fall.

For more information contact the KDOT office in your area (listed below). 

KDOT – Iola

(620) 365-2161

KDOT – Garnett
(785) 448-5446

KDOT – Independence
(620) 331-3760

KDOT – Pittsburg

(620) 308-7611

Government, Submitted

New Digital Platform Simplifies Vehicle Registration

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Kansans can now renew their vehicle registration from the convenience of their mobile phone with the launch of the new State of Kansas iKan application, Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., announced Thursday.

The iKan platform is designed to allow users to interact with multiple state services in a self-service, intuitive experience from their mobile phones, tablets, and computers. In addition to renewing vehicle registration, the application empowers Kansans to have access to their official documents anywhere they bring their phone, tablet, or have access to a computer.

“One of the foremost goals of my administration is to make government more accessible for Kansans,” Governor Colyer said. “I’m so pleased that with the launch of iKan, we now have more options to make transactions quickly and conveniently.”

Citizens who use the application will benefit from a modern and personalized experience, with the ease and convenience of having everything they need in one place. Users can receive status updates through email alerts and push notifications for services that previously would have required a drive to the closest office location and a wait in line. The ease of iKan will increase digital transactions while reducing office wait time for those who don’t choose to use the app.

In addition to simplifying the vehicle registration renewal experience, the state plans to roll out access to other frequently requested services through iKan, including vital records and voter registration in the coming months.

“Providing modern, intuitive solutions is a priority for Kansas, as we continue to transform our digital strategy to better serve our citizens,” said Donna Shelite, the Kansas Chief Information Technology Officer. “iKan gives Kansans the ability to get what they need from multiple services in a single experience.”

To launch this new service, Kansas partnered with PayIt, a Midwest-based technology firm specializing in the simplification of government transactions across the country, including taxes, utilities, court records, and more as part of their unique, cloud-based platform. PayIt has provided the myKTag app for the Kansas Turnpike since 2014.

“We’re excited to partner with the State of Kansas and see great results at home,” said John Thomson, CEO of PayIt.

ABOUT PAYIT:

PayIt simplifies doing business with state and local government through its award-winning digital government and payment platform. Along with our government partners, we are transforming the customer experience and making government more modern, convenient and mobile.

Government, Kansas, Schools, Submitted

Governor Colyer Releases Statement on School Finance Legislation

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“In the last two weeks, I have had many productive meetings with education stakeholders and legislators, listening to their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions.  I am confident that we can reach an agreement on a solution that ends the school finance litigation and serves the best interests of our children and the state of Kansas.

I applaud the work of the Kansas Senate this week to address the equity fixes required by the Kansas Supreme Court.  I also appreciate the hard work of the House’s K-12 Education Budget Committee.

Last month, I shared with Kansans a framework for responding to the school finance ruling:

  1. We must keep our schools open.
  2. We need a definitive solution that ends the school finance lawsuits for good.
  3. Increased funding should be accomplished using a phased-in approach that will give schools time to plan and spend most effectively.
  4. We need to ensure the investment is sustainable without increasing the tax burden on Kansas families.
  5. Lastly, and I think most importantly, we must insist on accountability and improved outcomes.

As I have said before, I will support any effort that meets these objectives, keeps our schools open, and ends the cycle of litigation once and for all.

As legislators go home this evening for Easter weekend, I am calling on the legislature to send a school finance bill to my desk before they leave Topeka again.  Let’s get this done.”

Kansas, Submitted

Cold Weather Rule to End March 31

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 The Kansas Cold Weather Rule ends on Saturday, March 31.

That means Kansans who are behind on electric and natural gas utility bills will be subject to disconnection of service unless they contact their utility company to make payment arrangements.

The Cold Weather Rule is in effect from November 1 through March 31 each year. It provides protection from disconnection to residential customers serviced by utilities under the Kansas Corporation Commission’s (KCC) jurisdiction. That protection ends on Saturday.

Failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in service disconnection. Reconnection may require payment in full.

The Cold Weather Rule requires regulated utilities to set up 12-month payment plans for customers who cannot afford to pay their full bill. As part of this arrangement, the customer must make an initial payment of 1/12 of the overdue amount, 1/12 of the bill for current service, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fees, plus any applicable deposit owed to the utility. The balance is billed in equal payments over the next 11 months in addition to the regular monthly bill.  

The KCC adopted the Cold Weather Rule to protect customers during cold winter weather by providing a reasonable and organized method of paying past due and current bills. For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit: http://www.kcc.ks.gov/aboutus/jurisdiction

More information about the Cold Weather Rule is available at http://www.kcc.ks.gov/consumer-information/cold-weather-rule. Kansans may also contact their local utility company or the KCC’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at (800) 662-0027.

Fort Scott, Submitted

National Historic Site Announces Summer Hours

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Fort Scott National Historic Site

Beginning April 1, Fort Scott National Historic Site will return to its spring/summer hours of operation of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These hours will remain in effect until October 31, 2018. The park is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Upcoming events in the next couple of months include:

 Civil War Encampment on April 21and 22, 2018;

Memorial Day weekend activities from May 26 to 28, 2018;

and Good Ol’ Days on June 2, 2018.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, staff will offer guided tours daily at 11 a.m. Visitors coming the rest of the year can take self-guided tours, using a number of tools available including the site brochure, the site’s film, exhibits along the way, and our cell phone tour. IPhone and IPad users can also access NPS Fort Scott, the site’s Mobile App.

For additional information call 620-223-0310 or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTubewww.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

Area News

Grief Support Offered By Mercy Hospice

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If you have experienced the loss of a loved one and need support, you may find comfort among Mercy’s Bereavement and Grief Support Group.

Mercy Hospice will offer an eight-week bereavement and grief support group at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott on Wednesday’s from 2-3 p.m. beginning April 4 through May 23.

The support group is open to anyone who has experienced loss of a loved one regardless of hospice care or affiliation. Each week, professionals will share topics to assist participants on their journey to dealing with the loss.

Although attendance is not mandatory at all sessions, it’s highly recommended. Enrollment will close on April 18.

For more information and meeting location, please contact Melissa George, Mercy Hospice Chaplain, at 620-223-8533.

Uncategorized

Kansas State Senator Hilerbrand’s Weekly Report

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State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district

communications from the state capitol

March 23, 2018, ∙ Week Eleven

Quote of the Week:
“Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of Liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.”
― Patrick Henry

Speech at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia (23 March 1775)

HARD FACTS:

The Kansas Talking Books program, a division of the State Library of Kansas, provides library materials in a specialized format to any Kansas resident with a visual impairment, physical impairment, or reading disability. A signature from a certifying authority such as a medical doctor, optometrist, or librarian is needed. This no-charge service includes fiction and nonfiction audiobooks, magazines such as Kansas! and Reader’s Digest, plus descriptive videos. A simple application is available at https://kslib.info/talking-books . 

DESIGNATING THE STATE ROCK, MINERAL, GEMSTONE, AND FISH (HB 2650): House Bill 2650 designates the state rock as greenhorn limestone; the state mineral as galena; the state gemstone as jelinite amber; and the state fish as the channel catfish. This bill passed the Senate 38-0.(I voted for this bill, Chetopa is the Catfish Capital, and Galena, is now the state mineral.)

AIRPORT AUTHORITY DISSOLUTION PROCEDURES (HB 2628): House Bill 2628 allows the City of Pratt to dissolve, via adoption of an appropriate ordinance, any airport authority created and established by the city. If such an airport authority is dissolved, the city would acquire the property of the authority subject to any leases or agreements made by the authority. This bill passed the Senate 39-0.

MODIFYING CERTAIN FEES IN THE KANSAS POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION ACT(HB 2542): House Bill 2542 removes the June 30, 2018, sunset on a statute authorizing the Kansas Board of Regents to fix, charge, and collect fees for state institutions domiciled or having their principal place of business outside the state of Kansas. The bill would also remove fees concerning program modification; on-site branch campus reviews; renewal of registration of a representative; and changes in institution profiles. This bill passed the Senate 39-0.

SELF SERVICE OF BEER FROM AUTOMATED DEVICES (SB 433): Senate Bill 433 allows licensed public venues, clubs, and drinking establishments to provide self-service beer to customers from automated devices in the same manner as is permitted for wine under current law. The licensee must monitor the dispensing of beer and must be able to control such dispensing. This bill passed the Senate 37-3. (I voted in favor of this bill. I opposed this bill as it was introduced because of a lack of accountability measures for the machines. These concerns were addressed and the bill was amended to address these concerns.)

PROVIDING COMPENSATION FOR THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED (HB 2579): House Bill 2579 creates a civil cause of action allowing claimants to seek damages from the state for wrongful conviction. This bill passed the Senate 40-0.

REGULATING ACCESS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDINGS(HB 2571): House Bill 2571 modifies the statute governing disclosure of video or audio recordings made and retained by law enforcement using a body camera or a vehicle camera. HB 2571 would add a provision requiring the agency to allow the listening or viewing of the recording within 20 days after the request is made by the person who is subject to the recording or any parent or legal guardian if the subject is under 18 years old. This bill passed the Senate 40-0.

URGING THE KCC TO LOWER RETAIL ELECTRIC RATES (SCR 1612): Senate Concurrent Resolution 1612 urges the State Corporation Commission (KCC) to have regionally competitive retail electric service rates and urges the KCC to take any and all lawful action to reduce Kansas electric rates to such levels and maintain the rates and such levels. This concurrent resolution passed the Senate 30-9. (I was proud to be a sponsor of this resolution)

Session of 2018

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1612

By Senators Lynn, Alley, Baumgardner, Berger, Bowers, Denning, Doll, Estes,

Faust-Goudeau, Fitzgerald, Givens, Goddard, Haley, Hardy, Hawk, Hensley,

Hilderbrand, Holland, Kelly, Kerschen, Masterson, McGinn, Petersen,

Pilcher-Cook, Rogers, Skubal, Suellentrop, Sykes, Taylor, and Wagle

2-28

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION supporting

and facilitating regionally

competitive retail electric rates in the state of Kansas and urging the

State Corporation Commission to take all lawful action to promptly

set rates for retail electric service in the state of Kansas at regionally

competitive levels.

WHEREAS, Rates for retail electric service in Kansas have risen

significantly over the last decade; and

WHEREAS, Kansas retail electric rates are no longer competitive

with rates for electric service in the surrounding region; and

WHEREAS, Kansas’ regionally uncompetitive electric rates are

negatively impacting the State’s economic competitiveness as a location

for industry and commerce; and

WHEREAS, Captive Kansas residents and businesses are

economically harmed by the significantly escalating electric rates of

monopolistic electric public utilities, which are increasing rates at levels

far outpacing the annual rate of inflation: Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas, the House of

Representatives concurring therein:

That it shall be the policy of the state

of Kansas to have regionally competitive rates for retail electric service to

promote economic growth and support local communities; and

Be it further resolved:

That we urge the State Corporation

Commission to take any and all lawful action to promptly reduce Kansas

retail electric rates to regionally competitive levels; and

Be it further resolved:

That, following any initiative to reduce retail

electric rates, we urge the State Corporation Commission to take any and

all lawful action to maintain Kansas retail electric rates at regionally

competitive levels; and

Be it further resolved:

That, to the extent the State Corporation

Commission determines it does not have sufficient statutory authority to

promptly and effectively undertake an initiative to materially reduce retail

electric rates, we urge it to report to the Kansas legislature, identifying

any new statutory authority that is necessary or that would assist the

SCR 1612

agency to reduce retail electric rates to regionally competitive levels; and

Be it further resolved:

That the Secretary of State shall send enrolled

copies of this resolution to Chairman Shari Feist Albrecht, Commissioner

Jay Scott Emler and Commissioner Pat Apple of the State Corporation

Commission.

THE ASBESTOS TRUST CLAIMS TRANSPARENCY ACT (HB 2457): House Bill 2457 requires the plaintiff to provide certain statements and materials no later than 30 days prior to the date the court establishes for the completion of all fact discovery. Specifically, the plaintiff would be required to investigate, file all asbestos trust claims that can be made by the plaintiff, and provide a sworn statement indicating the investigation has been conducted and all possible claims filed. The plaintiff would be required to provide all parties with all trust claim materials, accompanied by a custodial affidavit from the asbestos trust. The bill also requires the plaintiff to supplement the information and materials within 30 days after the plaintiff, or person on the plaintiff’s behalf, supplements an existing asbestos trust claim, receive additional information, or materials related to such a claim, or files an asbestos trust claim. This bill passed the Senate 23-16. (I voted in favor of this bill)

AMENDING THE KANSAS STANDARD ASSET AND FORFEITURE ACT(HB 2459): House Bill 2459 amends the Kansas standard asset seizure and forfeiture act and establishes the Kansas asset seizure and forfeiture repository. This bill passed the Senate 39-0.

I had the privilege of Charing the Senate debate for HB 2457-Enacting the asbestos trust claims transparency act, and HB 2459-Amending the Kansas standard asset seizure and forfeiture act and establishing the Kansas asset seizure and forfeiture repository.

SCHOOL FINANCE COST STUDY:

Last Friday, the legislature received the highly anticipated 156-page report by Dr. Lori Taylor on K-12 education funding in Kansas. On Monday, Dr. Taylor presented her report to the House K-12 Education Budget Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Education Finance. Dr. Taylor’s study provided three recommendations of either $451 million, $1.7 billion, or $2 billion.

The $451 million scenario would be enough to maintain current student achievement targets in reading and math while improving graduation rates to 95 percent. The $1.7 billion scenario would increase achievement further and the most expensive scenario, $2 billion, calls for even higher achievement standards. The study’s recommendation would raise annual K-12 funding from $4.652 billion to $6.438 billion or $6.719 billion by 2022.

The study explained that the additional money is needed to reach a 95 percent graduation rate. Currently, no state in the country has a graduation rate that high; Iowa ranks at number one with a graduation rate of 91 percent. The national average is 84.1 percent. Kansas has a graduation rate of 86.1 percent placing it 22nd in the nation.

Dr. Taylor was hired after the Supreme Court ruled in October that last year’s increase of $300 million in state aid, paid for with a tax increase, was not enough. The court gave the legislature an April 30th deadline to respond to the ruling.

Next Thursday, Dr. Jesse Levin of the American Institute for Research will present a peer review of the study.

2018 KANSAS MASTER TEACHERS:

On Thursday, the Senate recognized the 2018 Kansas Master Teachers. Senators Jeff Longbine (R-Emporia), Rick Billinger (R-Goodland), Bruce Givens (R-El Dorado), Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan), Ty Masterson (R-Andover), Mike Petersen (R-Wichita), and John Skubal (R-Overland Park) introduced Senate Resolution 1781, congratulating and commending this year’s Master Teachers.

Emporia State University established the Master Teacher awards in 1954. The awards are presented annually to teachers who have served the profession for at least five years and exemplify outstanding qualities. Candidates are usually nominated by their school district and the selection committee decides on seven recipients. Only one person from a USD can be selected.

The 2018 Master Teachers are:

  • Connstance Allmond- El Dorado
  • Deanna Burton- Manhattan
  • Abby Cornelius- Overland Park
  • Todd Flory- Andover
  • Chitra Harris- Wichita
  • Matthew Irby- Emporia
  • Kimberly S. Schneweis- Hays

This year’s Kansas Master Teacher Recognition Day will be held on April 4th at Emporia State University.

ADOPTION PROTECTION ACT:

This week the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee held hearings on SB 401, the Adoption Protection Act. The bill works to protect faith-based adoption agencies from being forced to place children in homes that violate their religious beliefs. The bill would ensure that faith-based organizations cannot be denied permits, licenses, or authorizations due to their refusal of placing children in certain homes.

There are currently no laws that restrict organizations that do not receive state funding from their placement criteria, but SB 401 is meant to act as a proactive measure. Proponents of the bill want to ensure that faith-based organizations are free to serve and protected from any future policies that might target them.

Opponents of the bill say it is discriminatory against same-sex couples since faith-based adoption agencies would be allowed to deny child placement to those couples.

The Kansas Department of Children and Families supports SB 401, saying that it allows for more adoption agencies to help place the 7,000 children that are currently in DCF custody.

ARMED FORCES APPRECIATION DAY:

March 22nd was Armed Forces Appreciation Day at the Capitol. Outside the statehouse, members of the Kansas National Guard showcased military equipment including specific equipment used to help fight wildfires.

Governor Jeff Colyer signed two proclamations Thursday, the first officially declared March 22nd as Armed Forces Appreciation Day in Kansas. The second proclamation declares Thursday, March 29th as Vietnam War Veterans Day, honoring Kansans who fought in the Vietnam War.If you or someone you know would like information or an application, please visit the Kansas Talking Books website https://kslib.info/talking-books or call 620-341-6280 or 1-800-362-0699.

NEXT WEEK:

MONDAY-

  • Hearing on: (opponents) HB 2583, relating to the control and eradication of noxious weeds in the state of Kansas — [Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, March 19 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2674, establishing Kansas telemedicine act — [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 19 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: Sub HB 2556, establishing the state interoperability advisory committee — [Senate Ways and Means Committee, March 19 at 10:30 am]
  • Presentation on: Overview of Study-Dr. Lori Taylor and Jason Willis — [Joint Meeting with Senate Select Committee on Education Finance & House K-12 Education Budget, March 19 at 12 pm in 346-S]

TUESDAY-

  • Hearing on: SB 444, decreasing the sales and use tax rate on food and food ingredients — [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 20 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2604, secretary of state; posting precinct-level election results; certain offices — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government, March 20 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2642, elections; corrupt political advertising — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government, March 20 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing continuation on Proponents SB 401, creating the adoption protection act — [Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, March 20 at 10:30 am, Room Change: 346-S]
  • Hearing on: SB 431, creating the extreme risk protective order act — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 20 at 10:30 am, Room Change: 144-S]
  • Hearing on: HB 2566, making the criminal penalty for possession of THC equal to the criminal penalty of possession of marijuana — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 20 at 10:30 am, Room Change: 144-S]
  • Informational hearing on HB 2701, establishing the statewide broadband expansion task force — [Senate Utilities Committee, March 20 at 1:30 pm]
  • Hearing on: SB 422, requiring a minimum local option budget and requiring local school boards to notify the state board of education of their intent to increase local option budget authority — [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance, March 20 at 1:00 pm in 144-S]

WEDNESDAY-

  • Hearing on: HB 2416, income tax credit for certain purchases of goods and services by a taxpayer from qualified vendors that provide employment to the individuals who are blind or severely disabled — [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 21 at 9:30 am]
  • Informational hearing on SB 49, elections; registration; election day registration — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government, March 21 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2496, enacting the nurse licensure compact — [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 21 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: Opponents SB 401, creating the adoption protection act — [Senate Federal and State Affairs, March 21 at 10:30 am, Room Change: 346-S]
  • Hearing on: HB 2648, including federal law enforcement officers in assault and battery against a law enforcement officer — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 21 at 10:30 am, Room Change: 144-S]
  • Hearing on: Senate “simplified transportation formula” — [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance, March 21 at 1:30 pm in 144-S]

THURSDAY-

  • Hearing on: SB 376, increasing the rates of taxation of cigarettes and tobacco products; establishing the cigarette and tobacco product cessation fund — [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 22 at 9:30 am]
  • Presentation on: Concurrent Enrollment and ACT – for all High School — [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance, March 22 at 1:00 pm in 144-S]

Below are links to make it easy for constituents to follow the Kansas Legislature:

Website – www.kslegislature.org. It is great for looking up bills, calendars, journals, as well as, the roster in each Chamber.

YouTube of Legislature – http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Did you know the legislature is now streaming its proceedings? The YouTube page has an archive of the sessions thus far – including the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary.

Committee Streaming – http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/ The Kansas Legislature is also streaming committees, with every committee room equipped with audio streaming technology.

 

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.