In partnership with ADM and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today recently announced the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) as a recipient of a grant to help farmers plant cover crops across Kansas. Awarded under NFWF’s Midwest Cover Crop Initiative, this grant will support implementation of this beneficial agricultural practice on 100,000+acres. Kansas conservation districts will assist with implementation. Conservation districts will be taking applications for farmers to receive $10 per acre for planting cover crops on their farm. This program is eligible for farmers new to planting covers and those that are veterans to using cover crops in their crop rotations.
Farmers who implement cover-crop systems may see improvements in long-term profitability through reduced input costs and higher yields. By accelerating the adoption of this practice, this grant will help enhance soil health, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases, improve water resources, and support wildlife while providing economic benefits to participating farmers.
For more information about this new opportunity please contact the Bourbon County Conservation District at 1515 S. Judson Ste. B Fort Scott, KS. or 620-223-3170 ext. 3.
The City of Fort Scott Water Distribution Department will be relocating a section of water main at 17th & Crawford on Monday July 18th, 2022. This is to accommodate the installation of new storm drainage pipe being installed. Customers on Crawford Street between 15th Street and 18th Street will be out of water during this time. The outage will start sometime between 7:00 a.m. & 8:00 a.m. The Water Distribution crew will work to restore water and water service as soon as possible, but customers should expect to be without water for the better part of the day.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 620-223-0550 and ask for Water Distribution.
Governor Laura Kelly Welcomes Local Governments and Business Leaders to Kansas Infrastructure Summit
~~Attendees at Wichita Summit Strategize How to Maximize Impact of Over $3.8B Investment in Infrastructure~~
WICHITA – Governor Laura Kelly today welcomed Kansans to the first-ever Infrastructure Summit hosted by the newly formed Kansas Infrastructure Hub. At the Summit, which takes place July 13 and 14 in Wichita, more than 650 people from across the state are learning more about the grant opportunities available under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), discussing strategies for preparing winning grant applications, and sharing input on infrastructure priorities in Kansas.
“Local governments are on the frontlines providing the quality infrastructure that we all rely on to meet our most basic needs and generate long-term prosperity,” said Governor Kelly. “I’m grateful we could bring together infrastructure leaders from across the state to strategize how we can strengthen Kansas for years to come.”
Under BIL, Kansas will receive close to $3.8 billion in direct funds over the next five years for transportation, water, energy, and broadband projects. Kansas could potentially receive more by applying for competitive grants.
Kansas is one of the first states in the nation to convene conversations at the local level about how federal, state, and local governments and the private sector can better work together to better leverage the dollars to maximize their impact and mitigate challenges associated with delivering these infrastructure improvements.
“These dollars present a tremendous opportunity for Kansas, but with that opportunity also comes a responsibility to deliver,” said Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Whether it’s workforce shortages, inflation, or red tape, we know there will be challenges to achieve the improvements taxpayers deserve, which is why collaboration at all levels of government and the private sector will be critical. I’m so pleased that Kansans from all every region are here to strategize how we can better work together.”
Summit attendees are hearing from subject matter experts about resources available for transportation, water systems, broadband, energy, resilience, and cybersecurity and are learning how to apply for the various grant programs that will become available over the next five years. During this summit, attendees are sharing how the State could better assist them in meeting their infrastructure needs and help communities prioritize their needs at a regional level.
Secretary Lorenz serves as a Chair of the Kansas Infrastructure Hub. In June, Governor Kelly announced the launch of the Hub, a state agency subcabinet working group comprised of representatives from the Kansas Departments of Administration, Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Environment, and Transportation; the Kansas Corporation Commission; and the Kansas Water Office. The Hub has an advisory group comprised of public and private sector leaders and stakeholders across the state that will help determine funding priorities, identify barriers to distributing funds, and communicate the Hub’s work to community members. To learn more about the Kansas Infrastructure Hub, visit KSHUB.org.
KCC launches Energy Smart Kansas website devoted to energy efficiency
TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) recently launched Energy Smart Kansas, a website devoted to helping shape the future of energy efficiency opportunities in the state. Kansans are invited to provide feedback about the types of programs and potential rebates they are interested in. They will also find information on current state and federal offerings.
The creation of Energy Smart Kansas is a direct result of efforts by the Kansas Energy Office — funded by the Department of Energy — through the Kansas Corporation Commission, to engage Kansans in the conversation and promote awareness of the ways energy efficiency can save energy and money.
With record-high temperatures and rising energy costs, Kansans are looking for ways to combat high energy bills this summer. The KCC is calling on all Kansans to share their feedback on how energy efficiency can help provide solutions for their energy needs and equip them with the tools to save money and energy in their homes and workplaces.
As the KCC continues to explore possibilities for new energy efficiency incentives, Kansans can learn how to start saving energy and money today and show their support for additional offerings by visiting EnergySmartKansas.org.
About theKansas Corporation Commission The mission of the Energy Office of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is to promote energy conservation and efficiency in Kansas and to serve as a clearinghouse for information on alternative energy and other energy topics. In support of this mission, the Energy Office administers programs, promotes public education through outreach activities, coordinates government and private sector activities, and provides objective and up-to-date information on energy-related topics.
About Energy Smart Kansas The creation of Energy Smart Kansas is a direct result of efforts driven by the Kansas Energy Office, funded by the Department of Energy, through the Kansas Corporation Commission to explore the conversation and promote awareness of energy efficiency with Kansans across the state. In 2020, the KCC Energy Office and Utilities Division worked together with the Research Partnership at Wichita State University to survey Kansans on their knowledge of and attitudes towards energy efficiency. A majority of research participants, across all groups, held favorable attitudes about energy efficiency and showed interest in potential rebate offerings on energy efficient appliances. The KCC continues to explore the possibility of working with utilities to create new energy efficiency programs across the state.
About the United States Department of Energy The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is an executive department of the U.S. federal government that oversees U.S. national energy policy and manages the research and development of nuclear power and nuclear weapons in the United States. The DOE oversees U.S. nuclear weapons program, nuclear reactor production for the United States Navy, energy-related research, and domestic energy production and energy conservation. Their mission is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
(Washington, D.C., July 13, 2022) – TODAY, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. – an OBGYN responsible for delivering more than 5,000 babies – will serve as Ranking Member for a U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing on abortion laws following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade and returning the issue of abortion to state governments. The hearing will take place at 10:00am ET and will be streamed online here: help.senate.gov.
Earlier this week, Republicans on the Senate HELP Committee announced Brandi Swindell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Stanton Healthcare, will testify before the Committee about her work providing life-affirming maternal and infant health care for women experiencing unplanned pregnancies. Ms. Swindell will share the story of her organization’s success in providing alternatives to abortion and compassionate care to women across America.
Hearing Details:
WHAT: Senate HELP Committee Hearing
WHEN: TODAY, Wednesday, July 13th at 10:00am ET
WHERE: Senate Hart 216 or streaming online at help.senate.gov
“Overturning Roe vs Wade was a historic occasion that signaled a new beginning for millions of unborn children. Now, the future of saving lives rests with the American people and their elected officials in the states. But this work is not finished. Mothers must continue to have access to services that will support them and their baby throughout and after their pregnancy, and women need to understand the undeniable threats that are posed by abortion methods, especially if they are prescribed and used incorrectly,” said Senator Marshall. “I’m looking forward to informing the American public why the Supreme Court’s decision is a positive development for our country and setting the record straight in the face of radical pro-abortion fearmongering. I appreciate Ranking Member Burr for yielding me the opportunity to use my knowledge and background as an OBGYN who delivered more than 5,000 babies to lead this hearing.”
Background:
Senator Marshall practiced medicine in Great Bend, KS for more than 25 years. As an OB/GYN, he delivered more than 5,000 babies, giving him a deep appreciation and passion for the sanctity of life and an intimate understanding of the healthcare system. During his time in medicine, Senator Marshall was more than a physician. For 25 years, he was a business owner who signed a paycheck every other week for a practice that grew from 5 people to eventually more than 300.
In April 2022, Senator Marshall questioned Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, about the Biden Administration’s efforts to reduce safety protocols for chemical abortion drugs. You may click HERE for video of Senator Marshall’s questioning.
In June 2022, Senator Marshall offered an amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Landmark Advancements (FDASLA) Act that would require FDA-approved chemical abortion drugs to be prescribed only after a patient has been diagnosed using a medical imaging device. Senator Marshall’s amendment would have ensured appropriate use and informed consent before receiving abortion drugs. The amendment was modeled after Senator Marshall’s Ultrasound Informed Consent Act.
Upon entering the U.S. Senate in January 2021, Senator Marshall’s first bill was the Protecting Life in Crisis Act. This legislation would prohibit any funds that are authorized or appropriated for the purposes of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 pandemic, domestically and internationally, from going toward abortions or abortion coverage. Additionally, Senator Marshall is an original cosponsor of the following pro-life bills:
Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act: This bill requires that appropriate care be given to any child who survives an attempted abortion. The bill also allows federal murder charges to be brought against anyone who intentionally kills such a born-alive child.
Prohibiting Federal Emergencies for Abortion Act: The bill would prohibit the declaration of a Federal emergency relating to abortion.
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act: This bill would exclude elective abortion providers like Planned Parenthood from the Title X family planning program.
Life at Conception Act: This bill ensures that current right to life protections granted by the 14th Amendment are truly guaranteed to all human beings, including unborn children at all stages of development. The Constitution already guarantees the right to life in the 14th Amendment, this bill simply enforces the law and ensures those same protections are extended to the most vulnerable members of our society.
Defund Planned Parenthood Act: This bill would ensure that federal tax dollars are not going to Planned Parenthood or any other organizations that perform abortions. Funds for these services would continue to be provided to entities that are eligible and not performing abortions, such as community health centers.
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act: This bill would codify the Hyde Amendment, prohibiting Federal funding for elective abortion, as a permanent, government-wide prohibition. It also would restrict Obamacare’s premium tax credits from being used for elective abortion coverage on the exchanges.
Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: This bill prohibits abortions after 20-weeks, a point at which research has shown unborn children feel pain.
Down Syndrome Protection Act: This bill prohibits the performance of an abortion being sought due to the unborn child having Down syndrome.
Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act: This bill would prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting any research involving human fetal tissue that is obtained pursuant to an induced abortion.
Support and Value Expectant (SAVE) Moms and Babies Act: This bill would prevent labeling changes for already approved abortion drugs; prevent providers from dispensing these drugs remotely, by mail, or via telemedicine; and prevent the FDA from approving any new chemical abortion drugs.
Women’s Public Health and Safety Act: This bill clarifies the authority of states to exclude providers of elective abortion like Planned Parenthood from the state’s Medicaid program. Planned Parenthood receives about half a billion dollars in tax-payer funding per year, most of which comes from Medicaid.
Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA): Currently, only 11 states ban abortions that are sought on the basis of sex. PRENDA would combat the worrying trend of sex-selective abortion in America by making it a federal crime to abort a child based on his or her gender.
Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act: This bill would require abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 15 miles of their practices. The bill also requires abortion centers to meet state-mandated requirements for ambulatory surgery centers.
Parental Notification and Intervention Act: This bill prohibits a person or organization from performing, facilitating, or assisting in the performance of an abortion on an un-emancipated minor without first complying with parental notification requirements.
Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act: The bill would codify an expanded version of the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance Policy, also known as the Mexico City Policy. Specifically, the bill would ensure that no funds be made available to foreign non-governmental organizations, multi-lateral nonprofits, and quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations that perform abortions, counsel for abortion, lobby for abortion policies or expanded access, or provide funding or resources for any entity, including domestic non-governmental organizations and non-profits, that perform abortions abroad.
The Land Bank meeting will be held on Monday, July 18th, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas, in the City Commission meeting room.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
The Land Bank work session will be held on Friday, July 15th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas, in the City Commission meeting room. No action will be taken during the work session.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
TOPEKA – Drivers on the nation’s highways may find themselves under the watchful eye of law enforcement a little more than usual this week. Operation Safe Driver Week is being observed July 10-16. The goal of the yearly observance, started by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), is to reduce the number of crashes involving commercial trucks through education, traffic enforcement strategies and interactions with law enforcement. However, any driver, regardless of whether they are driving a big rig or a passenger vehicle will be cited if dangerous driving such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change, drunk or drugged driving is observed.
Special investigators with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), which regulates motor carriers in the state, are teaming up with Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Investigators to conduct inspections at weigh stations located in Olathe (both North and Southbound), Wabaunsee, Belleville, Kanorado, Liberal and South Haven. At the weigh stations, they will also be talking to motor carriers about the need to focus on improving their driving routines when sharing the road with others.
“Unfortunately yesterday, Kansas had its 31st tragic fatal crash involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) when a pick-up ran into the back of a turning CMV on US-160 in Stanton County. Last year there were a total of 52 fatal crashes involving CMV’s in Kansas, at this rate that number will be exceeded this year. Many of these crashes were the result of unsafe driving and poor decisions. That is the purpose of these initiatives, to educate everyone to be safe when traveling on the highways, whether they are in a commercial or personal vehicle. We want everyone to arrive at their destination safely.” said Gary Davenport, KCC Deputy Director of Transportation.
The KCC offers some safety best practices for drivers to keep in mind when sharing the road with large trucks this summer.
Give them space and maintain a safe following distance.
Pass with care and don’t cut them off.
Stay out of the blind spots – if you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at their offices on Monday, July 11, 2022, for their regular monthly meeting.
President James Wood opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The old board adjourned Sine Die with reorganization of the new board. Danny Brown was elected president, and Kellye Barrows was elected vice-president for the 2022-23 school year.
The board also approved the consent agenda:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – June 17, 2022 – $1,799,386.85
D. Financial Report
E. Activity fund accounts
F. Designation of banks for deposit of school funds
G. Designation of newspaper for official school publications – The Fort Scott Tribune
H. Officers for the 2022-23 school year
I. Recreation Commission board member terms
J. Resolution for Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
K. Resolution for Rescinding Policy Statements Found in Board Minutes
L. Resolution to Establish Home Rule by Board of Education
M. Resolution to set dates and times for board meetings
N. Resolution for Destruction of Records
O. Resolution for Bank Account Signers
P. Set fees for copying of records
Q. Mileage reimbursement rate – current state mileage rate
R. Point of information – July 25 – 5:30 p.m. – Special Board Meeting
S. 2022-23 Salary Schedule correction
Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, and Gina Shelton, Board Clerk/Finance Director, shared reports with the board.
David Stewart was selected as the REDI representative.
The board approved the following
· 2022-23 district handbooks
· Notification to the County Clerk that the district will not be revenue neutral this year
· Homeschool students participating in district student activities policy
· Classified salary schedule
Board members set a date of August 1 at 5:30 p.m. for a budget presentation, and the date of August 22 at 5:30 p.m. for a Revenue Neutral Hearing and the 2022-23 budget hearing.
There were no comments in the public forum section. The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel. The board returned to open meeting and approved the following employment matters:
a. Employment of Dennis Dennigan as a high school special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year
b. Employment of Karleigh Schoenberger as a high school assistant volleyball coach for the 2022-23 school year
c. Placement of Mike Krull, high school head boys’ basketball coach, on Step 29 of the Supplemental Salary Schedule
d. Employment of Polly Mayberry as district ESOL Coordinator for the 2022-23 school year
e. Employment of Kerri Hanson as a middle school counselor for the 2022-23 school year
f. Employment of Toni Burton and Angela Colvin as classified employees for the 2022-23 school year
The board approved a 1% salary increase for administrators and directors. In addition, the board approved an average 10.5% salary increase for classified employees.
There is an opening for the Fort Scott Planning Commission:
Two openings (City residents) on the Fort Scott Planning Commission.
The function of the Planning Commission is to review and adopt (as well as update) the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Fort Scott, to establish zoning districts and allowable uses, to review zoning regulations within the City and to review requests for special permits or conditional uses within certain zoning districts in the City. Also reviews site plans for planned areas and is responsible for zoning within the 3-mile limit of the City of Fort Scott. Their recommendations are given to the City Commission for final approval. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this Boards and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on any of these boards, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by July 29th, 2022.
One opening (Must be a City resident) for the Fort Scott Library Board.
The function of the Fort Scott Library Board is to review requests in reference to the library. This Board meets monthly at 5:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration to the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by July 29th, 2022.
This announcement is a significant step forward and a huge milestone for KU Cancer Center. The NCI Comprehensive Designation Status solidifies KU Cancer Center as a national and world leader in the fight to treat and cure cancer and will open new avenues for federal funding, collaborative research opportunities and deeper partnership with NCI. The millions of dollars in increased funding from NCI is absolutely critical to supporting KU’s research and development and translating their findings into effective treatments for patients. As an Appropriator in the United States Senate, I look forward to continue investing in NIH research which will provide NCI a larger allocation to distribute resources to cancer centers like KU. The grants that we frequently apply for, that are too often rejected, now stand a greater chance of being accepted.
My priority is to make Kansas a destination for industry, defense, education, science, technology, engineering and research. But my main priority is to make Kansas a place where we are not only recruiting the top talent in the world to our state, but also keeping our students, their knowledge and intellect in Kansas. Kansans will have the opportunity to change the world, the globe, right here from home.
KU Cancer Center now joins only 52 institutions across the country that have earned the NCI Comprehensive Designation. There are a number of individuals who deserve a special thanks today, and especially the entire leadership team at the KU Cancer Center. Chancellor Girod, Dr. Simari and Dr. Jensen, should feel immense pride in their team and the work at KU Cancer Center. This is only the beginning, and really good things continue and begin to happen here at the KU Cancer Center. If you have a family member that suffers from this tremendous disease, there is more hope today than there was yesterday. And, God willing, one day we will provide something more than hope. We will provide that cure.
The VA Outpatient Clinic in Kansas City, Kansas is Officially Open On Friday, it was great to be with veterans in Kansas City as we officially opened a new VA Outpatient Clinic. To open the new VA Outpatient Clinic, we were joined by the first patient to be treated at the clinic and navy veteran, Carroll Hill. Mr. Hill’s grandfather was also the first American drafted in WWI. This is a family that is truly dedicated to serving our country and I thank them for their service. There is no group of individuals I hold in higher regard than those who have served our country, and I’m pleased that this new VA Outpatient Clinic will help veterans like Mr. Hill. This VA Outpatient Clinic will offer many important services to veterans in the KC-area including primary care, labs, pharmacies, tele-health and behavioral-health services.
During the ceremony today, we were also joined by Paul Mimms, the Vice President of the National Blinded Veterans Association. Mr. Mimms presented the VA Outpatient Clinic with a Bronze Braille Flag to be on display at the clinic. I appreciate all Mr. Mimms does for veterans in Kansas and across our country, and I look forward to displaying a replica of the Bronze Braille Flag in my office.
Thank you to Director Rudy Klopfer, Joseph Burks and everyone in the Eastern Kansas VA Health System, as well as Bill Turner, Director of the Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs, for your commitment to serving our veterans.
Attending ATLAS Pod Ribbon Cutting in Emporia
This week, I attended the ribbon cutting for ATLAS (“Accessing Telehealth Through Local Area Stations”) Pod at American Legion Ball-McColm Post #5 in Emporia. The addition of this telehealth pod for the region means better access to quality health care for our veterans, especially those with limited broadband access in rural areas. This event is a significant step for our veteran community, and I was pleased to work with the VA, as well as the American Legion and the telehealth pod designer Philips, to bring the first ATLAS pod to Kansas. During a time when many people across our state and country are turning to telehealth as a convenient option for quality care, it is critical this same benefit is offered to our veterans. Thank you to all of the leadership and members at American Legion Post #5, as well as Joseph Burks, from the Eastern Kansas VA, and Matthew Shuman, of Philips, for their work in making this project a reality for our veteran community here in Kansas.
Announcing a Federal Investment for Emporia State University
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to join Emporia State University to announce a $1.5 million-dollar federal investment to establish a cybersecurity center on campus. Cybersecurity is more relevant now than ever, and I appreciate Emporia State’s commitment to broadening the educational programs that are essential to national security. With this investment, Emporia State can train the next generation of professionals to deter cyber-attacks on both a large scale, and right here in Kansas. Thank you to Dr. Ed Bashaw, Dean of the School of Business, and Dr. Greg Schneider at Emporia State for allowing me to speak.
Meeting with Upward Bound Students at Emporia State University While at Emporia State I also got a chance to speak with students participating in the Upward Bound Trio program. It was great to hear these young adults share the positive impacts that Upward Bound has had on their academic success, and I enjoyed learning more about the variation of services this program provides for them. Academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, and financial guidance are just a few of the ways in which TRIO aims to improve educational experiences and sustain retention rates for our high school students. Supporting programs like Upward Bound has been a priority to me during my time in Congress because of the clear effect it has on educational access for young Kansans. I appreciated visiting with the Northern Heights and Emporia High schoolers participating in this program, and I thank the Upward Bound leadership team for their dedication to improving the lives of these promising young adults.
Speaking to Emporia Lions Club Meeting While in Emporia, I had the opportunity to join the Emporia Lions Club to speak with them about the issues facing their community and the surrounding area. I also want congratulate the Emporia Lions Club for marking 100 years of serving their community!
It takes generations of Kansans committed to serving their neighbors to achieve this goal. Civic clubs like Emporia bring us together and offer us the opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people close to us, which is truly one of the most impactful ways we can live. I also appreciate the insight this group provided as we discussed the importance of providing opportunities for students in the local area who are interested in STEM. Thank you to Tammy Edmiston, President of the Emporia Lions Club, and all of the other Emporia Lions Club and Emporia State members who joined in this discussion.
Announcing New Federal Resources for Riley County Police Department This morning on my way back to Washington, D.C., I joined Interim Director Kurt Muldrup of the Riley County Police Department (RCPD) to announce new federal resources for the department to purchase a vehicle for the Hazardous Evidence Response Team. As the lead appropriator for the Department of Justice, I worked to secure this investment for our law enforcement in order to address the growing problem of issues with hazardous materials across our state. In a time when others have called to defund the police, I have made every effort to support our law enforcement community, and to provide them with the resources necessary to fulfill their mission of protecting and serving our Kansas communities. I will continue to work alongside our Kansas law enforcement to make certain they receive the support they need.
To those who serve our country in blue uniforms, thank you. You deserve our respect and gratitude for risking your lives to protect us, our families and our neighbors. I want to recognize the work of Interim Director Kurt Moldrup, Sergeant Dustin Weiszbrod and everyone else who serves with the Riley County Police Department. Thank you also to the local and state elected officials who joined us today to show support for our law enforcement, and to discuss the ways in which we can work together to provide necessary resources for our police and to keep our communities safe.
Touring AdventHealth in Ottawa On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to visit AdventHealth in Ottawa for a tour of their facility. During the visit, I saw firsthand the efforts of the staff at AdventHealth to provide quality health and wellness care for the surrounding community. This center offers a wide variety of services for nearby Kansans, including senior and children’s care, diabetes treatment, a full spectrum of cancer care, emergency and urgent care services, occupational medicine, neurology and neurosurgical care, orthopedic services and lab testing. Thank you to AdventHealth CEO Dallas Purkeypile, Ottawa Mayor Eric Crowley, Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Coen, Ottawa City Manager Richard Nienstedt, Kansas Hospital Association President Chad Austin and all of the health care providers at AdventHealth for hosting me during my visit.
85/15 GI Bill
I recently joined my colleagues on the Senate and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in introducing legislation to protect student veterans and their dependents, as well as schools. This bill would fix an issue that schools of higher education are facing due to new guidance issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the end of last year. The VA’s direction, also known as the “85/15 Rule,” prohibits the VA from paying benefits to students enrolling in education programs where more than 85 percent of the students receive funding from the VA. This guidance was established to combat the predatory practices of schools targeting veterans using the GI Bill. Last fall, the VA implement additions to the 85/15 Rule may include students who are not receiving any form of assistance from the VA, artificially inflating the number of students counted as part of the 85 percent.
This past November, I sent a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, asking that he clarify this new guidance and provide additional training to school officials. However, the VA did not fix this issue, causing concern that this rule would negatively impact students entering school for the Fall 2022 semester.
Due to this concern, I introduced the Ensuring the Best Schools for Veterans Act of 2022, along with the rest of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs leadership, to provide clarity for our schools and student veterans. This bill would ensure there are no negative impacts for our student veterans by requiring that the VA adjust procedures to match the original intent of the law as passed by Congress. This is an important bill, and I look forward to getting it to the President’s desk as soon as possible.
Visiting Overland Park and Leawood
This week, I visited several local businesses in Overland Park and Leawood, including Sheraton Café, Inland Truck Parts, Rx Solutions and Reece Nichols Real Estate. It’s always great to meet with Kansans, and to discuss with them the issues impacting their local communities, as well as the ways in which my office and staff can be a resource for them, both in Washington D.C. and here in Kansas.
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.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
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Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
