The Special City Council Meeting on February 18, 2021 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman (by phone), Amber Kelly, and Charles Wehry. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Joe George, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
To Discuss and make decisions on the following topics:
KMGA February 17, 2021 invoice – Invoice consisted of usual March 2021 estimate prepayment, January 2021 true up, but also included a Collateral Call to reimburse for the $1,000,000 cash collateral required to secure gas to all of their members through the holiday weekend. Our portion of the collateral call is $6,295. Invoice is due by Monday, February 22, 2021 instead of the usual 30 days.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Wehry, Approved 5-0 to pay the KMGA February 17, 2021 invoice in the amount of $10,178.22 by March 22, 2021
How to pay KMGA March Invoice – Council reviewed the usage to date and the daily indexes to date. Clerk Johnson estimates the bill to be $133,678.47 without the collateral call adjusted back off. She will ask KMGA if the collateral call will be adjusted on the next billing and if we could possibly get a month-to-date or weekly statements/invoices to better understand the true financial impact for the month. Council will look at whether to pass on to customers, how much, and in what manner at the March 9, 2021 regular meeting.
Finalize emergency procedures for this gas/extreme weather emergency. Mayor Jurgensen, Councilman Wehry, Superintendent Rich, and Clerk Johnson met on February 16, 2021 with Will Wallis, Bourbon County Emergency Manager, and Commissioner Lynne Oharah.
Bourbon County Emergency Management has cots, blankets, etc needed to set up a warming station. Clerk Johnson had spoken with Bret Howard, Superintendent USD #235, about using the WBE gym for a warming station in the event of loss of gas. It was verbally agreed on. A calling tree has been set up to notify gas customers in the event of loss of gas.
Superintendent Rich informed that manpower would be an issue if this occurred. All gas meters would have to shut off and when flow was reinstated all meters would have to be turned on, bled, and all pilots lit. This would require several people if to be done in a timely manner and each person would have to have to proper tools to complete the task. It was suggested to compile 4-5 tool kits with all the tools that would be needed.
The emergency procedures for a loss of gas event would be:
Notify Bourbon County Emergency Management and USD 235.
Notify Governing Body to implement calling tree. If no answer, visit the location. If they have special needs or need transportation they are to call City Hall.
Shut off meters.
Help transport citizens to warming station.
End of event, an adult household member must be present to turn on gas, bleed lines, and light pilots.
Council also approved a public statement:
As many of you have heard, with the extreme cold we have recently experienced, gas prices have skyrocketed. At this time the City of Uniontown is able to pay for the gas we supply to you. However, a portion of this may have to be passed on to you. We have an emergency plan if for some reason our gas supplier is unable to supply us. We appreciate all of the conservation efforts you have put forth and ask that you continue to conserve. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 8:40PM
The Regular City Council Meeting on February 9, 2021 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Charles Wehry. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Mark Warren, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Smoothwall firewall & guest internet connections, Mark Warren – Mark started out going over all the technology that has been added. He gave a quick tutorial on the function of the Smoothwall firewall and presented options for allowing access to WIFI by guests.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to allow guests open WIFI access with acceptance of terms and conditions before connection
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger presented the January Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $401,098.47, Receipts $70,486.17, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $19,809.54, Checking Account Closing Balance $448,749.10. Bank Statement Balance $453,583.25, including Checking Account Interest of $36.11, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $4,834.15, Reconciled Balance $448,749.10. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $26,921.23, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $17,390.08, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $23,221.60, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $516,282.01. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $36.11 and Utility CDs $0 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $36.11. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of January 2021, Beginning Balance $225.33, Receipts $197.23, Expenditures $197.23, Ending Balance $225.33. January Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,400.00, from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00, for Total Transfers of $3,026.00. Net Income for the month of January $47,650.63, Year-to-Date Net Income $47,650.63. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $8,828.46 (8.8%), Expenditures $6,048.52 (4.9%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $3,048.49 (8.8%), Expenditures $1,969.31 (4.5%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $20,260.03 (15.7%), Expenditures $7,280.52 (2.2%); General Fund YTD Revenue $33,588.86 (45.6%), Expenditures $6,834.21 (4.2%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $1,734.33 (29.0%), Expenditures $0 (0.0%). The February 2021 estimated payables in the amount of $46,224.68 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda including:
Minutes of January 19, 2021 Regular Council Meeting
Mark Warren gave an update on the medical clinic. Building is ready. They are looking for a local nurse practitioner. They will be open three days a week to begin.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Superintendent Rich reported that the steel basketball backboard was received and installed. Clerk Johnson reported that the backboards were donated by the school. A partial payment by the vandal has been received.
The amount of water kept in the tank was discussed. He will keep the tank at a level to accommodate weather and fire protection.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that letters regarding the dog bite were sent to the owner of the dog and to the complainant. We have received no response from the Smith Estate regarding the punch list letter from our attorney.
Clerk Johnson stated that the Park Committee would like for their funds to be used for a dedicated pickleball court with a fence at 105 Third St. It was also suggested to consider 210 Sherman St as it already has a cement slab. She will look into measurements for the court and measurements of the lots suggested and the cost of building/fencing a court.
A contract for 2020 financial audit was received from Diehl, Banwart, Bolton.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to accept contract from Diehl, Banwart, Bolton for 2020 financial audit
Clerk Johnson received an inquiry about citywide yard sale. It was decided to have ours the weekend before or the weekend after Fort Scott has theirs. Citywide cleanup was also discussed. It was decided that due to amount of misuse of the service last year that we will not host a citywide cleanup this year.
The Cornhole project based learning group notified us that the target date to complete the project is April 1. Clerk will send a response to have someone from the group and their project teacher contact Superintendent Rich about placement and timing.
A voting delegate needs to be selected for KRWA.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Wehry, Approved 5-0 to appoint Bobby Rich as KRWA voting delegate
A Notice of Conditional Renewal was received from EMC regarding communicable disease exclusion endorsements on the general liability coverage.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilman Wehry – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
Liquor Sales and Sunday CMB Sales – an ordinance authorizing the retail sale of liquor and an ordinance authorizing Sunday sales of liquor and CMB was presented.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Wehry, Approved 5-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 190 authorizing the retail sale of alcoholic liquor within the city limits of Uniontown, Bourbon County, Kansas
Motion by Kelly, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to set the biennial occupation tax at $200 on Ordinance No. 190
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 191 authorizing Sunday sales of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverage in the original package within the city limits of Uniontown, Bourbon County, Kansas
Ordinance No. 191 must be published two consecutive weeks on the same day of the week, allow for a 60 day petition period, and, if petitioned, put before the voters before becoming effective. If no petition filed, the ordinance will become effective April 22, 2021.
SPARK funding – Clerk Johnson still has not received a ship date on the service window. The $225.33 left in the project account is for reimbursement of expenditures between March and June of 2020. These funds were transferred to the general fund February.
NEW BUSINESS
Water Rate Increase – a notice of a 5% rate increase from Consolidated RWD #2 was received. Treasurer Bolinger and Clerk Johnson presented some options on passing the increase on to our customers.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to accept Option B, increase minimum charge 5% (to $25.69 inside city limits, $26.87 outside city limits) and usage charge 5% (to $11.56 inside city limits, $12.10 outside city limits) and adopt Ordinance No. 192 repealing Ordinance No. 188, relating to water rates and amending any previous ordinances or resolutions setting forth water rates for the City of Uniontown, Kansas
Moved by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 8:47PM
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Call to Order
Flag Salute
Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
SEKRPC
Discussion-Does the county want to take hay bids for Elm Creek
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Applications Are Open For Community Service Tax Credit Program
~ CSP provides tax credits to donors to help nonprofit organizations and public healthcare entities fund major community improvement campaigns ~
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that applications are currently being accepted for the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP).
“The Community Service Tax Program helps local nonprofit and healthcare organizations improve the health and economic wellbeing of their communities by streamlining their fundraising efforts,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This program will encourage local solutions to local problems and improve the quality of life for Kansans now and into the future. Good luck to all that apply to this exciting initiative.”
CSP assists private nonprofit organizations and public healthcare entities in undertaking major capital campaigns for projects involving:
Children and family services
Non-governmental crime prevention
Youth apprenticeship
Youth technical training
Health care
Under this program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors making contributions towards approved projects. Organizations are chosen through a competitive selection process. The application window is open through April 30, 2021 at kansascommerce.gov/csp.
Proposed projects should be unique or one-time in nature and create a lasting value for charitable organizations. For example, projects might include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building, etc.
As was the case in 2020, CSP has earmarked $1 million for childcare and early childhood development projects for services to those under the age of 5.
“These tax credits are an incredible opportunity for our state’s nonprofit organizations to create unique, meaningful changes for the people they serve,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Tell us about your initiative, and if it’s a good fit for the CSP program, we’ll provide this significant resource to help make it a reality.”
Applicants may request up to $250,000 in tax credits. Applicant organizations in rural areas (less than 15,000 population) are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit.
CSP is administered by the Community Development Division in the Department of Commerce. More information on the program, guidelines, and application process may be found online here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.
About the Community Development Division
Established in 2019, the Community Development Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce exists to improve quality-of-life in communities across the state through various programs and services. The Kansas Department of Commerce understands the immense role played by strong communities in economic development and prioritizes investments in people and communities as major contributors to the overall strength of the Kansas economy. To learn more, visit the Community Development page at the Kansas Commerce website.
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss economic development. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
(Updated) The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to interview candidates for the City Attorney position. They will also meet to discuss accepting RFQ’s for City Engineering services.
This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to interview candidates for the City Attorney position.
This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, March 1, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – February 19, 2021 – $1,478,744.66
D. Financial Report
E. Activity Fund accounts
Robin Webb, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, led students in a Ready! Set! Read!
presentation.
Reports were given by the following:
· Brenda Hill, KNEA President
· Dalaina Smith, Academic Director
· Ted Hessong, Superintendent
· Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk
Board members approved the following:
· Addition of high school courses for the 2021-22 school year
· Addition of a high school physical education teacher for the 2021-22 school year
· Addition of a middle school teacher/course for the 2021-22 school year
· Resolution 20-09 – Intent to nonrenew the contract of an administrator with two or more years employment as administrator in the district
· Purchase of two buses
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting.
The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Amanda Johnson, Winfield Scott music teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
B. Resignation of Dane Cummings, high school vocational agriculture teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
C. Resignation of Brad Cowen, Winfield Scott custodian, effective March 9, 2021
D. Resignation of Sara Schnichels, preschool paraprofessional, effective March 5, 2021
E. Transfer of Angie Kemmerer, high school/Eugene Ware gifted teacher, to middle school seventh grade social science teacher for the 2021-22 school year
F. Transfer of Kayla Pulliam, Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher for the 2021-22 school year
G. Transfer of Elizabeth Rose, middle school paraprofessional, to preschool paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
H. Transfer of Susan Weddle, Eugene Ware teacher aide, to Winfield Scott teacher aide for the 2021-22 school year
I. Leave of absence for Jeff Armstrong, high school math teacher, for the 2021-22 school year
J. Leave of absence for Dixie Jackson, high school paraprofessional
K. Leave of absence for Joie Moore, high school ticket clerk
L. Adjustment in the work agreement for Angela Mix, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, from 4 hours per day to 7.5 hours per day for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
M. Employment of Sydney Cullison as a high school agriculture teacher for the 2021-22 school year
N. Employment of Jessica Steury as a middle school 8th grade math teacher for the 2021-22 school year
O. Employment of Laura Howard as a middle school 7th/8th grade English/Language Arts teacher for the 2021-22 school year
P. Employment of Tara Wilbert as a middle school 7th grade English/Language Arts teacher for the 2021-22 school year
Q. Employment of Stephanie Flanner as an elementary behavior specialist for the 2021-22 school year
R. Employment of Emily Giffin as a Winfield Scott special education teacher for the 2021-22 school year
S. Employment of Sydney Griffetts as a Eugene Ware third grade teacher for the 2021-22 school year
T. Employment of Annyssa Davenport as a high school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
U. Employment of Dillon Duffy as a four-hour middle school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
V. Employment of Sabrina Cady as a regular route van driver for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
W. Employment of Kennedy Meyer and Dane Cummings as high school assistant softball coaches for the 2020-21 school year
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas was one of 250 health centers, out of 1,400 health centers in America, that was selected to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine directly from the federal government, according to Krista Postai, President and CEO of CHC/SEK said.
“They have a million doses to distribute weekly, so we expect to receive – for the whole 10-county region we serve – up to 4,000 doses per week,” she said “Which means – I am excited to say – that we should have enough vaccine – along with what the counties are receiving — to take care of everyone in southeast Kansas over the next few months. We are required to still follow state guidelines on priority groups, but counties do have some flexibility.”
CHC staff spent last week building the infrastructure needed to set up a toll-free phone line and appointment schedule.
“We have already started calling our patients ( more than 7,500 people) who are 65 and older and getting them an appointment as early as Thursday,” Postai said.
“Companies who have been notified by the State of Kansas that their employees are now eligible to be vaccinated should email Dawn McNay at [email protected] with their contact information, employee count and a copy of the letter. She will be working with our outreach teams to take the vaccine to the companies,” Postai said.
To find further resources on how to protect you and your family, visit coronavirus.gov or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website here.
Vaccines in Kansas
Visit kansasvaccine.gov for information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Kansas, including availability and FAQs.
To find providers offering COVID-19 vaccinations, use KDHE’s Find My Vaccine map tool. Enter your zip code or address to find the providers nearest you.
Assistance
If you are a Kansas resident and you or your family needs assistance with matters related to COVID-19, please click here.
If your employment situation has been impacted by COVID-19, including reduced work hours, please refer to these resources from the Kansas Department of Labor:
Please visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment here.
U.S. Small Business Administration Resources
For information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including second draw loans, please visit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website by clicking here.
For information regarding Economic Injury Disaster loans, please click here.
Veteran Resources
For information on veteran and VA related topics, resources and contact information, please click here.
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Phone Calls to Kansans
Hon. Pat Proctor, Kansas House of Representatives, Leavenworth
Riley Scott, Scott Consulting, Lawrence
David Kensinger, Kensinger and Associates, Topeka
Stephonn Alcorn of Gardner
Jeff Seibel, Edward Jones, Hays
Mayor Peggy Dunn of Leawood
Russell and Cleo Fischer of Dodge City
Bill Hybl, The Garden City Company, Garden City
Hon. Mike and Susan Pompeo, Wichita
Deanna Munson, Munson Prime, Junction City
President Dr. Amy Carey, Friends University, Wichita
Bette Lessen, City Clerk, Arma
Lee Tafanelli, Kansas Electric Coops, Topeka
Hon. Chip Westfall, Harvey County Commissioner, Newton
Bill Cochran, Chief of Staff, City of Topeka
Brian Wheeles, Chief of Police, Topeka
Jared Suhn, Game Changer Strategies, Shawnee Mission
Gordon Ramsey, Chief of Police, Wichita
Hello,
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.
COVID-19 Vaccination Centers and Resources in Kansas
Right now, we must focus on vaccines—it’s the most important objective we can undertake. More shots in more arms is the best thing that can happen for our country’s well-being, both from a health perspective and for our economy.
I encourage all Kansans to continue to take precautions to keep yourself and your families safe, including wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and frequently washing your hands. To get the most up-to-date recommendations from the federal government, please visit coronavirus.gov.
Calling on Governor Kelly to Improve Response Times to Kansans Filing for Unemployment
We are approaching nearly a year since COVID-19 arrived, but Kansans are still facing extreme difficulties receiving their unemployment benefits from the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL). My office is fielding urgent pleas for assistance from constituents who, through no fault of their own, are finding themselves without the means to pay their bills. It is unacceptable to make Kansans wait weeks or months before finally receiving their unemployment benefits from the state. On Friday, I led the Kansas Republican Congressional Delegation along with Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson and Kansas Speaker Ron Ryckman in calling on Governor Kelly to utilize available resources already provided by Congress to improve KDOL’s response times to Kansans filing for unemployment insurance.
Governor Kelly continues to place the blame on Congress for lack of funding to assist in updating KDOL’s outdated technology. However, according to a House Oversight Committee report released on February 12, Kansas’ Executive Office still has $218 million unspent from the coronavirus relief packages passed last year, showing Kansas is not in imminent need of resources. It is not a solution to continue throwing money in a direction where the process is the problem. The fact of the matter is Kansans’ livelihoods have been put on the line during the upheaval caused by the department’s four different leaders over the past year, the false narrative that additional federal funding will solve the current issues, and playing politics rather than problem-solving. When Kansans are getting evicted from their homes or are unable to purchase groceries and are calling for help but receiving none, it is evident something must change immediately.
Pressing the Biden Administration to Prioritize Veteran Vaccinations
This week, I spoke with leaders from the Biden administration as the lead republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) to press them to prioritize veterans as the COVID-19 vaccine is distributed. Dr. David Kessler and General Gustave Perna, the two officials leading the administration’s vaccine rollout, provided valuable information to Sen. Tester and me regarding the vaccine distribution process. The efficient and effective distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine remains one of my top priorities, especially for high-risk veterans, and I will continue working with federal, state and local officials to streamline this process.
I am concerned that rural and underserved veterans will be left behind, so I received commitments from Dr. Kessler and General Perna to work with me to support rural veteran vaccine distribution.
Conducting a Hearing Evaluating VA’s Ongoing Vaccination Efforts
On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee conducted an oversight hearing for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ongoing efforts to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to America’s veterans. Following my call with the Biden administration’s COVID-19 Response Team on Tuesday urging them to prioritize our nation’s heroes in the vaccination process, VA officials announced at the hearing several thousand extra doses will be distributed to veterans and the frontline staff who provide their care starting today.
Even with this announcement, I will continue to make certain that the VA is doing its best work at taking care of veterans and seeing that this vaccination rollout is working in the most efficient and expeditious manner possible. We ought to have smooth processes that make certain the most vulnerable veterans are able to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Currently, veterans who have existing health risks or are over 75 years of age, and some eligible caregivers, are able to receive the vaccine. The VA is reaching out to those individuals personally to notify them of their eligibility and coordinate their vaccines. If you are a veteran, you can click here for more information about the VA’s COVID-19 testing and treatment resources. You can also sign up for updates about vaccine availability here.
As the lead republican on the Senate VA Committee, I remain committed to making certain the VA provides the highest level of care and service to those who served in uniform. My work in Congress will continue to make certain that veterans, regardless of where they live, are able to access these vaccines.
Speaking with Veterans Receiving their COVID-19 Vaccine at Topeka’s VA Vaccine Clinic
This week, I visited the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center vaccine clinic in Topeka. I appreciated hearing more about how VA facilities receive and distribute vaccinations as they continue to adapt to the rollout program and the opportunity to hear from Kansas veterans receiving their COVID-19 vaccine shot. The veterans I spoke with were happy to be receiving the vaccine and described their desire to be able to visit their family and loved ones again. I was encouraged that they were able to get the vaccine, however, we have a long way to go, and I will work to make certain that veterans in Kansas who want to be vaccinated get that opportunity.
I want to extend my thanks to Director Rudy Klopfer, Chief Nurse Shelby Bowen and Associate Chief Pharmacist TJ McCombs for the informative visit.
VA Announces Mobile Vet Center Deployments to Help Vaccinate Kansas Veterans
Last week, the VA announced it would be sending Mobile Vet Centers across Kansas to hold mass vaccination events. As part of the VA’s vaccination efforts, it is using the Mobile Vet Centers to extend its vaccination reach beyond brick and mortar VA facilities to provide additional vaccination capacity to Kansas veterans and VA employees. Beginning this week and running until March 27th, the VA will utilize Mobile Vet Centers at 13 mass vaccination events in locations like Hays, Salina, Dodge City, Ft. Leavenworth and Olathe—just to name a few. Due to the limited vaccine supply, local VA facilities will be reaching out to veterans to confirm eligibility and appointments for all Mobile Vet Center vaccination events. Sign up for updates about vaccine availability here.
Empowering Student Athletes While Maintaining College Sports Integrity
This week, I introduced the Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act of 2021, to create a consistent, federal standard to allow student athletes greater control of their name, image and likeness (NIL). Over the years, college athletics have grown into an increasingly profitable, billion dollar industry, however the rules surrounding athlete compensation have not been modernized. In an attempt to fix this issue, nearly 30 states have introduced legislation on athlete compensation, which could lead to a confusing system of inconsistent state laws that would be cumbersome for schools and athletes to navigate. My legislation would create a national standard of guidelines to make certain student athletes can benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness without hurting their eligibility to compete as a student athlete while at the same time protecting the existing model of college athletics that has afforded so many young athletes an opportunity to pursue an education.
Athletics teach young men and women many valuable skills that serve them throughout their life, and Kansas has an unparalleled history of college athletics that includes several premier programs attracting student athletes from all over the nation and the world. I will continue to work with my congressional colleagues to ensure this NIL legislation strikes the appropriate balance of empowering amateur athletes while maintaining the integrity of college sports that we all know and love.
This week, I was pleased to announce that Novacoast, a national leader in cybersecurity development, has decided to make Wichita the location of its new Security Operations Center. This is an exciting move for many of the region’s leaders in cybersecurity technology research and development, including Wichita State University, Friends University, Butler Community College, and the 177th Information Aggressor Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base. Kansas is becoming an important leader in this field, and Wichita is now a pipeline for some of our nation’s most talented cybersecurity professionals. Novacoast’s presence in Wichita will create many rewarding partnerships, along with several well-paying technology industry jobs for our community.
The Greater Wichita Partnership announced this move on Thursday, and I offered remarks to express my support for the future of Novacoast and my eagerness to assist in their important mission of providing cybersecurity for American companies. Paul Anderson, CEO of Novacoast, announced that they will soon be advertising jobs on Kansas Works and the Wichita location would begin operations three or four months from now. He mentioned that he chose Wichita because it is a place where people would be happy to make a home, and I wholeheartedly agree.
Holding Big Tech Accountable
Social media platforms that promise to be free and open marketplaces of ideas should abide by these assurances. This week, I introduced the Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment (PROMISE) Act with Senators Mike Lee and Mike Braun. This legislation would ensure social media companies are consistently following their own public statements and policies on censorship and hold them responsible when they display political bias that contradicts their own standards.
Unfortunately, we have seen recent examples of these social media companies exhibiting political bias when moderating content, making our bill more urgent than ever. Twitter, Facebook and other social media websites have permanently banned President Trump, while allowing despotic leaders like Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei to remain on their platforms and post violent and hateful rhetoric, despite having terms of service against such speech. Pro-life voices have also been restricted by Big Tech, while pro-abortion groups are allowed to continue to advertise their views. For example, Facebook has prohibited advertising from pro-life groups such as Life of America, Live Action and Choose Life Marketing from advertising on their platform. In addition, Twitter has prohibited Live Action from advertising as well. Simultaneously, Planned Parenthood is permitted by both companies to advertise on their websites.
I urge my colleagues to work with Senator Lee, Senator Braun and I to ensure that social media companies are being held accountable when they act on political bias that runs contrary to their public statements and policies.
Questioning HHS Nominee Attorney General Xavier Becerra
During my first Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee hearing this week, I questioned President Biden’s U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary nominee, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, on several topics. First and foremost, I spoke to Attorney General Becerra about the current issues facing the 340B Drug Pricing program as certain drug manufacturers are refusing to live up to their end of the bargain. 340B has been an issue for as long as I have been in the Senate, but these recent developments are creating particularly dire circumstances for Kansas’ community health centers who are losing significant revenue due to the 340B program’s issues.
As the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in our health care infrastructure, telehealth has proved to be a powerful source of care. The recent coronavirus relief packages passed by Congress included provisions to reduce the regulations around telehealth, allowing it to be a more reliable, accessible source of care for both rural and urban Kansans. As I told Attorney General Becerra, creating permanent extensions of the emergency telehealth provisions should be a high priority moving forward.
Finally, I encouraged Attorney General Becerra, if he is confirmed, to look into the policies surrounding organ transplants. We live in a nation with the world’s leading transplant surgeons and hospitals, but thousands die every year because of scarcity of donated organs. HHS ought to be implementing policies to increase the number of kidney transplants nationwide and consequently, save hundreds of lives each year.
Keeping Skies Safe With The CONTRACT Act
This week, I introduced the Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers (CONTRACT) Act with a number of my Senate colleagues. Regional economies across Kansas rely on the aviation industry and our state’s eight contract towers, which play an important role in making certain air travel is safe. This legislation removes unnecessary hiring barriers and financial disincentive for air traffic controllers who have retired from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), providing a simple and sensible solution to ensuring we have highly-skilled and experienced controllers working at federal contract towers and keeping skies safe across the country.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, with jurisdiction over the FAA, I will advocate for contract towers in the state of Kansas and work to advance this legislation.
Securing Benefits for Combat-Wounded Veterans
This week, I introduced the Major Richard Star Act along with Chairman Jon Tester and Senator Mike Crapo. This bipartisan legislation will allow combat-injured veterans to receive the full benefits they deserve and will eliminate what is known as a Concurrent Receipt.
Under current law, only military veterans who retire with a full 20 years of service and who receive at least a 50 percent combat-related disability from the VA receive their full payments of both retirement pay and disability benefits from the DoD and VA. All other combat-injured retirees receive a single payment in which their retirement payments are offset from their disability compensation, which results in a lower average payment. The Major Richard Star Act would remedy this problem and make certain that veterans whose military careers ended due to combat injury receive the full benefits that they have earned. It would impact 42,000 veterans throughout the United States, including many who reside in Kansas.
Introducing The Kelsey Smith Act
This week, I introduced the Kelsey Smith Act to require wireless communication providers to provide call location information to law enforcement officials when responding to a call for emergency service or in an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or serious physical harm.
This legislation is named after Kelsey Smith, who was abducted in broad daylight from an Overland Park department store and murdered on June 2, 2007. The abduction was captured on the store’s security camera, leaving little doubt of the emergency nature of the circumstance. Four days after she disappeared, authorities were able to locate Kelsey’s body after her wireless provider released the “ping” or “call location” information from her cell phone.
Kelsey Smith’s tragic abduction sent shockwaves through the Overland Park community and the country, and this bill is named in her honor. Providing this information as fast as possible is critical to ensure law enforcement officials can rescue victims in imminent danger of death or serious harm when every second counts.
In honor of their daughter and to aid law enforcement in rescuing kidnap victims, Greg and Missey Smith have fought to successfully pass this legislation in 27 states and are continuing to work to make it federal law. This legislation will make certain first responders have the tools they need to quickly locate people who have been abducted, and I urge my colleagues to support this sensible bill to help save lives. I will continue to work with the Smith family and my Senate colleagues to ensure this critical legislation is passed into law.
Advancing Greater Job Opportunity for Women in the Trucking Industry
Over the past year, we have relied on the essential service of the trucking industry as it transports critical resources to Kansas and across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the trucking industry continues to face a driver shortage, we must find new ways to recruit and retain drivers, including supporting women pursuing careers in trucking.
This week, I introduced the Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act to support women pursuing trucking careers. The legislation would establish a Women of Trucking Advisory Board that would be responsible for working with organizations and companies to coordinate formal education and training programs and help identify and establish training and mentorship programs for women in the industry. This sensible and bipartisan legislation will lead to new job opportunities for women, combat the shortage of workers in the trucking industry, and promote equality for those who are currently working in the trucking industry.
Confirming Secretary Vilsack for the Department of Agriculture
On Tuesday, I voted to confirm Tom Vilsack to be the Secretary of Agriculture. Prior to his nomination vote, I met with Secretary Vilsack to discuss issues important to Kansas farmers and rural America. I believe the Secretary of Agriculture must be a voice for farmers, ranchers and rural communities both within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as across the entire administration. When I met with Secretary Vilsack, I invited him to Kansas to see progress on the construction of the National Bio Agro-defense Facility in Manhattan. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for USDA, I look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack to support Kansas farmers and ranchers and to defend and protect our way of life in rural communities across the state.
Receiving the Sonny Montgomery Student Veteran Champion Award
This weekend, I received the Student Veterans of America’s Sonny Montgomery Student Veteran Champion Award during their annual national conference. I was joined by my colleague, Chairman Jon Tester in receiving the award for the bipartisan work we were able to accomplish last year to make certain student veterans and their education were protected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Receiving this award, which was so aptly named after Sonny Montgomery, was an additional privilege due to Sonny’s work on behalf of our nation’s veterans. Sonny dedicated his life to this nation, both in and out of uniform, and pushed for a better GI Bill for veterans in his years in Congress.
Kansas is home to many student veterans and members of Student Veterans of America, so I want to extend my thanks to the Student Veterans of America for their tireless dedication to advocating and improving the lives of our nation’s student veterans and their families, and for honoring me with this
Meeting with Members of the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association
This week, I met with members of the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) to hear about issues that agriculture producers, retailers and rural communities are facing. We discussed agriculture’s role in climate discussions, including the importance of developing policies that are incentive based rather than harmful regulations. We also spoke about the strain recent extreme weather events have caused on our nation’s energy supply and concerns about consumer utility bills. I appreciate hearing from agriculture retailers from Kansas and across the country, and I look forward to working with them to advocate on behalf of the agriculture community in the future.
Accepting NWAG’s Wheat Leader of the Year Award
I joined the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) for their annual board meeting this week where I was presented the 2020 Wheat Leader of the Year award, the highest award given each year by NAWG. I appreciate NAWG President Dave Milligan and NAWG Board Member and Kansan Kyler Millershaski for presenting me with this honor. I also had the opportunity to speak with farmers from across the country about the importance of wheat to Kansas and the country. I look forward to continuing to work with NAWG to be a strong advocate for America’s wheat producers in Congress.
Protecting the Right to Life
I met virtually with Peter Northcott of Kansans for Life and Douglas Johnson of National Right to Life to discuss the Equal Rights Amendment this week. The amendment, if ratified, could adversely impact laws protecting the unborn from abortion. Passed in 1972, a year before Roe v. Wade was decided, Congress set a deadline of 1979 to secure the approval of the three-fourths of states required to add a new amendment to the Constitution. That deadline passed without adoption, but there is an effort to do away with the deadline and accept states that subsequently ratified the amendment. The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel last year issued an opinion saying that Congress cannot revive the amendment after the deadline, and the process must begin anew. The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg held a similar position. As the ranking member of the Appropriations subcommittee for the DOJ, I asked Attorney General Nominee Merrick Garland about his approach to this matter, and I intend to make sure the law, as it was written in 1972, is upheld.
Federal Resources to Assist Kansas
EDA to Invest $2.6 Million in Southeast Kansas
I was pleased to announce the U.S. Economic Development Administration is investing in the people and economy of southeast Kansas with a $2.6 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant, creating hundreds of jobs, improving telehealth services and providing important resources for workforce training.
Thank you to the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center for leading the charge on this initiative and the many health care providers and local businesses willing to work in partnership to bring this project to a reality. As the lead republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, I will continue to support the ongoing and critical mission of the Economic Development Administration to assist the economic activity of our communities, especially during this pandemic.
Morton County Receives Resources to Bolster Area Telemedicine
I was also pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Morton County Health System with a Rural Development grant to assist in the further development of telemedicine in the area, serving the greater southwest Kansas region. Access to health care is a challenge in many rural communities and the COVID-19 pandemic has made that access even more limited. This grant will invest in new technology and resources to bring telemedicine to Morton county and the surrounding areas to help folks in rural communities receive the health care they need to make them feel secure and safe.
Newton City-County Airport Funds Received
In 2019, I announced that the Newton City-County Airport was awarded an Airport Improvement Program grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. This week, I received word that the survey and bid process has been completed and the $6.1 million needed to complete the project will be awarded. As I said upon its original announcement, this grant will allow for much-needed infrastructure improvements, enabling the airport to support the area’s aviation needs for years to come.
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
