Kansas Gas Service Offers Energy Assistance through Share The Warmth
Program Provides Help With Winter Heating Costs
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Feb. 9, 2021 – As colder temperatures have set in, Kansas Gas Service is reminding customers about the Share The Warmth program, which may provide those in financial need with assistance on their heating bill.
Share The Warmth is a partnership between The Salvation Army and Kansas Gas Service that provides energy assistance to senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and those whose immediate financial resources simply cannot cover their home-heating expenses.
The program is funded by the generous contributions of Kansas Gas Service customers and the ONE Gas Foundation.
“We know there are people who have never had to seek assistance before, but now are experiencing hardships due to the pandemic and loss of income,” said Abbey Frye, Kansas Gas Service Director of Customer Service. “For qualified applicants, Share The Warmth may be able to bring some welcomed relief.”
Share The Warmth is available to residents in the communities served by Kansas Gas Service, and applicants do not have to be customers.
If you need help with your winter heating bill, visit KansasGasService.com or contact The Salvation Army at 1-816-756-5392, ext. 2.
If you want to contribute, giving is easy: Kansas Gas Service customers may contribute online at KansasGasService.com by clicking the Share The Warmth button next to the Make Payment button, or by adding an extra amount to your natural gas bill payment and checking the Share The Warmth box on your payment slip.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service delivers safe, clean and reliable natural gas to more than 639,000 customers in 360 communities
in Kansas. We are the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
We are a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a stand-alone, 100 percent regulated, publicly traded natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index, and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States.
For more information, visit the websites at www.kansasgasservice.com or www.onegas.com.
For the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, follow us on Twitter @KansasGas or Like Us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/KansasGasService.
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MANHATTAN, Kansas — A public hearing will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to consider the adoption of proposed regulations related to noxious weed species in Kansas. Due to public health concerns posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing proceedings will be held via a video conferencing system to provide the opportunity for virtual participation online.
KDA is proposing rules and regulations to list the species designated as noxious weeds in Kansas and to set out the control methods that are to be applied to those weed species as required by the Noxious Weed Act. The proposed regulations, proposed revisions to existing regulations, and proposed revocation of existing regulations are set out in detail in K.A.R. 4-8-13, 4-8-14, and 4-8-27 through 4-8-48.
The text of these regulations, as well as an expanded notice of public hearing, may be accessed on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/PublicComment. Anyone desiring to participate via video conference must pre-register to be provided with a video link. Written comments can be submitted on the public comment web page prior to the hearing or sent to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, c/o Ronda Hutton, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS, 66502.
Any individual with a disability may request accommodation in order to participate in the public hearing and may request a copy of the regulations in an accessible format. Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least five working days prior to the hearing. For more information, including special accommodations or a copy of the regulations, please contact Ronda Hutton at 785-564-6715 or [email protected].
Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.
Announcing Committee Assignments for the 117th Congress
This week, I received my committee assignments for the 117th Congress. I am pleased to announce that I will continue serving as the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and that I added a new committee assignment as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
It was my request to serve on the Senate Health committee while we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Serving on both Senate Health and Appropriations committees will be extremely beneficial to Kansans as we work to manufacture more vaccines, tests and PPE to help end this pandemic. The committee has jurisdiction over the Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health, and serving on HELP and Appropriations will be beneficial to Kansas as we work to manufacture more vaccines, tests and PPE to help end this pandemic.
Additionally, I am honored to continue serving as the top Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and will work to make certain our veterans have the resources they need to achieve success in their life after service.
I will serve on the following committees for the 117th Congress:
U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Ranking Member)
I am committed to using my role on these influential committees to advocate for our farmers, ranchers, Native Americans, veterans, manufacturers, innovators, students, moms and dads to deliver results to the great state of Kansas
Urging a Bipartisan Solution for Federal COVID-19 Relief
On Monday, I joined nine of my Republican Senate colleagues to meet with President Biden at the White House to discuss our targeted $600 billion federal relief proposal. This COVID-19 relief package is built on a foundation of bipartisan ideas and would rein in Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan. During our discussion, I encouraged the President to support a targeted, less expensive plan, and to get it done quickly in a bipartisan fashion to benefit Americans.
President Biden has pledged bipartisan cooperation, and I hope he will rise to that promise by working with both sides of the aisle in Congress to pass a bipartisan relief package to meet the ongoing challenges of this crisis.
Later in the week, I joined Pete Mundo on KCMO Talk Radio to discuss my meeting at the White House and the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion proposal that is filled with partisan wish list items and does not appropriately respond to the needs of the American public.
Last year, Congress spent $4 trillion on bipartisan COVID-19 relief packages to support Americans as our country faced the challenges of this pandemic. The latest COVID-19 relief package provided $900 billion in additional resources and was signed into law on December 27, 2020. Much of that assistance is only now being disbursed. This next bill, which President Biden agreed must be a sincere, bipartisan effort to work with Republicans, must be legislation that best serves America both today and into the future.
FY2021 Budget Resolution
Early Friday morning, following 15 hours of debate and roll call votes on more than 40 amendments, the Senate passed a FY2021 budget resolution. While the budget resolution does not carry the force of law and would not be signed by the President, it establishes a fast track process known as reconciliation which Congressional Democrats are expected to use to pass a $1.9 trillion stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through reconciliation, Democrats have the ability to ultimately pass that legislation along party lines with a simple majority vote, bypassing the 60-vote threshold necessary for most Senate legislation to become law.
Many amendments considered during the marathon voting session were intended as legislative placeholders, designed to send messages about Senators’ policy priorities. I was pleased an amendment I cosponsored to strengthen the Provider Relief Fund to help prevent hospitals from closing their doors – particularly in rural and underserved regions – was included in the budget resolution. Several other provisions I supported, including amendments to fund our nation’s police, maintain the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and preserve the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection rule were also passed on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis.
Unfortunately, while every federal COVID-19 relief package thus far has been passed by Congress in a bipartisan fashion, this partisan budget resolution – passing 51-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tiebreaking vote – indicates Democrats in Congress no longer intend to work together on pandemic relief to meet the needs of the American people. It was just last week that President Biden hosted me and colleagues of mine from a bipartisan working group in the Senate at the White House to discuss a better path forward on a more targeted and responsible COVID-19 relief package. I remain committed to holding the President accountable for his promise of working with both sides of the aisle to help Congress meet the ongoing challenges of this crisis.
Providing Food Security for Rural Americans
This week, I joined three of my Senate colleagues in introducing the Healthy Food Access for All Americans (HFAAA) Act. This legislation aims to expand access to affordable and nutritious food in areas designated as “food deserts” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), areas defined to be without grocery stores within one or more miles in urban regions and ten or more miles in rural regions.
Over the past year, we have seen unprecedented need at food banks as Kansans line up seeking access to nutritional food. Even while living in the breadbasket of our nation, food insecurity affects far too many Kansans, a need that has only increased during COVID-19. This bipartisan legislation, which would incentivize food providers to establish and renovate grocery stores, food banks and farmers markets in communities that traditionally lack affordable, healthy and convenient food options, is now more important than ever during this pandemic.
Supporting Modernized Job Training and High-Speed Broadband Access
This week, I joined my colleagues on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in introducing the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act. This legislation would work to address the shortage of trained workers necessary to fill next-generation jobs in the telecommunications industry in communities throughout the country. As our country continues to work towards providing high-speed broadband connectivity to all parts of the country, including the deployment of 5G mobile broadband, there is a growing demand for a skilled workforce that would support this effort. This legislation takes another step to help bridge the digital divide in rural areas like those in Kansas, but would also work to increase the number of well-paying jobs in the economy, supporting our rural workforce in the wake of this pandemic. As the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce Subcommittee with jurisdiction over workforce development, I will continue to support modernized training programs that help produce the highly-skilled workforce needed in a globalized economy.
Seeking Information Regarding President Biden’s VA Supplemental Funding Request
This week, I joined Congressman Mike Bost, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, in requesting an explanation from VA’s Acting Secretary Dat Tran regarding President Biden’s request for an additional $17 billion in emergency COVID-19 funding for the department.
I have expressed my commitment to make certain VA has all the resources it needs to deliver care and benefits to our veterans during the pandemic, and I will support additional funding and supplies so VA employees have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and the proper frontline staff to give our veterans the care they deserve. I expressed my concern, however, that this new request for $17 billion, which is in addition to $19.6 billion in emergency funding and $243 billion in regular funding, is not based on a demonstrated need from the department.
VA officials repeatedly stated they had enough funding for the rest of this year when asked, and the department has reported spending less than $9 billion of the $19.6 billion that was provided last spring. Congressman Bost and I will be reviewing VA’s response and justification for this funding request to ensure any additional emergency spending is going to meet the needs of veterans during the pandemic. Our veterans and taxpayers both deserve oversight and accountability on how this emergency funding would be spent.
Advancing PTSD Treatment through U.S-Israeli Collaborative Research
I reintroduced the bipartisanUnited States-Israel PTSD Collaboration Research Act this week to allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to work with academic and non-profit institutions in the United States and Israel to advance research and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
As the leading Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, one of my top priorities has been improving access to mental health care for our veterans. My bill will continue these efforts by allowing the DoD to fund collaborative research efforts between American and Israeli organizations through a robust grant program. We must continue to invest in the research and development of treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions that many of our servicemembers face when they return home from service. While the challenges associated with PTSD are great, they are not insurmountable. I have had the opportunity to witness the advancements that our nation’s medical professionals have made to care for victims of trauma, such as combat veterans, law enforcement officers and victims of violence. PTSD is a serious issue, and the lives of those touched by trauma and violence should receive proper care to help them cope and recover from this disorder.
Protecting Life and Defending the Unborn
This week, I joined 47 of my Republican colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declaring opposition to any legislation that weakens the Hyde Amendment or other pro-life protections. Since it was enacted in 1976, this amendment bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortion except in certain circumstances. For decades, this provision has enjoyed strong bipartisan support, including then-Senator Joe Biden, reflecting the majority of Americans who do not believe tax dollars should be used in this way. Senator Schumer should maintain this sensible, longstanding language.
I will continue to use my role in Congress to further the cause of life and defend the unborn. To read about my efforts to protect the sanctity of life in detail, please click here.
Visiting with BNSF President Katie Farmer
I met virtually with Katie Farmer, the new President and CEO of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, this week. Succeeding Mr. Carl Ice, Ms. Farmer has been with BNSF for almost thirty years, and I enjoyed the chance to discuss her priorities for the industry and how I can be of assistance in the months ahead. BNSF is the largest railroad network in North America, moves 30% of the nation’s rail freight and is an incredible asset to the state of Kansas. I enjoyed working with Mr. Ice over the years, and I look forward to working with Ms. Farmer in her effort supporting policies that continue to promote railway safety, innovation and efficiencies within the industry as she takes on this new role.
Meeting Major General Sims at Fort Riley
This weekend, I met with the Commanding General of Fort Riley, Major General Sims on base. MG Sims assumed command of Fort Riley last year and I was pleased to get to know him better during our visit. I have been a long-time advocate for Big Red One soldiers, and I am looking forward to working with MG Sims to make certain they have the resources they need to keep our nation safe.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.
Carl R. “Butch” Avey, age 75, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2021, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott. He was born August 21, 1945, in Pleasanton, Kansas, the son of Benjamin Harry Avey and Eva Nina Coberson Avey. In earlier years, he had worked for the Kansas Highway Department. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and walking around his neighborhood.
Survivors include his daughter, Carla Avey, of Ft. Scott and his sister, Goldie Strader, of Raymore, Missouri and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Mae Boyd, Eva Kelly, Thelma Eves and Gladys Turner and a brother, Bennie Avey.
There was cremation. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the Eureka Cemetery east of Pleasanton. Arrangements are under the direction 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.
Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site and Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge will host a free guided bird walk Saturday, February 13, at the Fort from 10 am to noon for the Great Backyard Bird Count.
Join a Ranger on an easy, one-mile, two-hour birdwatching walk starting from the National Park Visitor Center. Rangers and participants will record all bird sightings and upload the data to the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This walk is for birders of all skill levels and you don’t have to stay for the entire program to make a difference. Birders are encouraged to bring binoculars and warm, layered, clothing. A free Pocket Guide to Common Kansas Backyard Birds is available courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Since 1998, “The Backyard Bird Count has been an opportunity for citizen scientists around the world to contribute to the understanding of wild birds, their environment, and numbers,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “We encourage everyone to join us each month for additional bird walks and programs.” Watch for scheduled bird walks in the park throughout the year on Facebook or at the Fort Scott NHS Website www.nps.gov/fosc.
For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count, contact Fort Scott National Historic Site by calling 620-223-0310. If you can’t make it to the program, but wish to participate in the bird count, find out more at the Great Backyard Bird Count’s ‘How to Participate’ page.
Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, more than 268,674 estimated participants identified 6,942 species of birds. You can make the difference this year. The results of these bird counts are available at www.birdcount.org.
Senate Resolution (SR) 1707 calls on the Governor to change her phased rollout plan of the COVID-19 vaccines. It sends a strong message that convicted criminals should not be placed before other Kansans who need the vaccine. It is misguided that the Governor has placed criminals such as the Carr brothers (convicted of horrific murders) at a higher priority than our parents and grandparents. As with most legislation or resolutions, there are a couple of items that could have been left out – most notably the 10 frameable copies to the carrier of the Resolution. The resolution passed on a bipartisan vote of 28 to 8. I voted Yes.a A member of the minority party attempted to bring the presidential election into the debate but those efforts were thwarted because it was not germane to the resolution.
Energy Choice
Senate Bill (SB) 24 would create the Kansas Energy Choice Act restricting governments from blocking the use of natural gas for utilities. In California a city government attempted to stop the use of natural gas for utilities. Because of this, some thought it was important to make clear that will not happen in Kansas. The bill passed 28 to 10. I voted Yes.
Economic Recovery
SB 15 is another attempt to pass legislation the Governor vetoed last year. The bill would allow the State Treasurer to administer a loan program to small businesses via local banks using unencumbered state funds. The program would be capped at $60 million. The bill would also reduce restrictions on credit unions allowing them to increase their membership. Lastly, the bill would provide a tax deduction for agriculture land and real estate purchases similar to what credit unions have. It’s an attempt to level the playing field. The tax advantage that credit unions enjoy is a federal tax break and because we cannot change federal law, this bill was introduced. The bill provides a state tax deduction to Kansas banks and savings and loans that is similar to the tax break enjoyed by some credit unions on agriculture land purchases. SB 15 passed 39 to 0.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
The City of Fort Scott City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 15th, 2021 in observance of the President’s Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021.
The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, February 13th, 2021 for the President’s Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Martha Virginia Faulhaber, age 90, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 5, 2021, at her home at the Presbyterian Village. She was born January 11, 1931, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of John L. Babbitt and Edna E. Swank Babbitt. Martha married William Faulhaber on April 25, 1947, at Fulton, Kansas. Bill and Martha maintained their own farm in the Mapleton area for many years prior to retiring to Ft. Scott. They enjoyed traveling and had been members of the Old Forters Camping Club.
Survivors include a son, David Faulhaber, of Mapleton, Kansas; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a son-in-law, David Wilkins, of Bronson, Kansas. Martha’s husband, Bill, preceded her in death on April 16, 2016. She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Janice Lutz and Joyce Wilkins and two sisters, Marjorie Babbitt and Elizabeth Ramsey.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday, February 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the St. Michael’s Cemetery west of Fulton. Memorials are suggested to 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.
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to consider approval of waterline material bids and consideration of Change Order #1 for the Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Video Inspection Services.
This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
