Sen. Marshall Announces $1.4 million to Kansas for Maternal and Child Health Block Grant
(Washington, D.C., February 12, 2021) – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. announced the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) received over $1.4 million in block grant funding to improve maternal and child health.
“After working as an OBGYN in rural Kansas for nearly three decades, I know this federal-state partnership makes a positive impact on Kansas mothers and youth,” said Senator Marshall. “These programs support coordinated care for mothers before, during and after pregnancy as well as optimize infant health through feeding and sleeping best practices and providing physical and behavioral health services for children.”
Background:
The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant is a federal-state partnership that provides comprehensive access to care for almost 35,000 mothers, children, and their families annually across the state. Specifically, program funds are used to reduce infant mortality, reduce adolescent pregnancy, support screening and health assessments for children, prenatal and postnatal care, and more. KDHE’s first amount received is $1,430,306.
This funding is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Each year, Dr. Marshall supports robust funding for this program and similar programs – Healthy Start, Safe Motherhood and Infant Health, and the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network – that seek to improve maternal and child health.
For more information on how this program helps Kansans, click here.
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12th, 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 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.
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
Shane Walker – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
Susan Bancroft – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
2020 Audit
Bill Martin – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
Bob Reed – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
County Counselor Comment
Public Comment
Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Nearly $14 Million in Grants for Rural Kansas Communities
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced 32 rural Kansas communities will receive a share of $13,864,149 in federal grants to assist with community development projects.
Through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program facilitated by the Kansas Department of Commerce, these federal grants are being awarded for a variety of community improvement projects, including sewer and water projects, housing rehabilitation and community facility improvements.
“The Community Development Block Grant program is a powerful tool for improving communities, revitalizing vital infrastructure, and maximizing economic opportunity,” Governor Kelly said. “Over the past several months, the pandemic has heightened the challenges our rural communities face when it comes to community development – making assistance like this more important than ever. My administration is dedicated to doing all we can to continue addressing rural Kansans’ most pressing needs.”
“Providing assistance to address quality-of-life issues is a necessary and noble part of economic development,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “By funding community projects like these, the CDBG program is helping to improve the overall business and residential appeal of these small towns. These investments will improve living conditions for Kansas residents, create new economic opportunities for rural communities and bolster the overall prosperity of our entire state.”
Counties, applicant cities and award amounts are as follows:
The CDBG program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives:
The grant will benefit low- and moderate-income persons
The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight
The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available to do so
The CDBG funds are one of the Department of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities.
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.
PRATT – Frozen lakes can be tempting spots for late-winter goose hunters, anglers with an itch to ice fish, and park-goers looking to get some fresh air, but no matter how thick the ice layer, frozen waters should always be approached with caution.
While no ice is 100 percent safe, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) shares these tips to ensure that outdoors enthusiasts return safely home after recreating near or on frozen waters.
The clearer, the better
The appearance of the ice can give potential clues to its integrity. New, clear ice is the strongest. White ice may only be about half as strong. Warm, sunny days can melt the surface and “honeycomb” the ice, which will weaken it, as well. Also be aware that temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and even roosting geese can affect the strength and safety of ice. Never take ice strength and thickness for granted.
Measure for thickness
Wait for at least 4 inches of clear, hard ice before walking on any ice-covered waterbody, and 5-7 inches of ice is necessary to support a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle (ATV). It usually takes several days of calm weather with single-digit temperatures to make “safe” ice. Continually measure the ice thickness when moving farther from shore. And when in doubt, back away and remain on land.
Don’t go it alone
KDWPT recommends never recreating alone, especially during winter; invite a family member or friend. Should an incident occur, chances of survival may be increased with more people present.
If hunting or fishing, pack safety gear
Carry ice picks, and have a length of rope and a throwable floatation device for every member of your party. It’s also a good idea to wear ice cleats, as they make walking on smooth ice easier and much safer.
If fishing, keep ice holes small
When ice fishing, it’s best to use an auger to cut holes – this is a quick and efficient method for drilling into the ice. In Kansas, holes cut in the ice of public waters may be no more than 12 inches in diameter; though, this is a good practice for private waters, as well.
Vehicle use
Motorized electric or gasoline-powered ATVs, work-site utility vehicles, golf carts and snowmobiles may be operated on ice-covered department waters only for the purpose of ice fishing and only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Vehicles shall enter onto the ice only from boat ramps and points of entry established by posted notice.
Falling into frigid water can be a deadly mistake as hypothermia can overcome a person within minutes. Follow these basic rules outlined above to ensure your wintertime outings remain safe and enjoyable.
Patty Love, Bourbon County Treasurer. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County staff are in the process of carrying out a tax sale on property owners who have not paid their taxes.
In Bourbon County, a property qualifies for the tax sale after taxes are three years delinquent, said Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love. “The taxes become delinquent in October of the following year. For example, the 2020 taxes will not be delinquent until October 1, 2021.”
“The tax sale is the only recourse we have to force people to pay their taxes,” Love said.
“We have mailed out warning letters letting people with 2016 and prior delinquent taxes know that we are working on a tax sale for 2021,” she said. “Those letters were mailed in October, November and December. We have now sent the list to the title company and they are doing the title searches.”
The property title company then returns these to the county attorney and will be filed with the court.
“To keep their property off of the tax sale, the property owner can pay 2016 and prior taxes at this time and they will be removed from the tax sale,” Love said. “Once the attorney has filed them with the court, the only way they can be taken off of the tax sale is if the property owner pays all taxes 2020 and prior taxes plus a $200. court filing fee.”
Once all the properties are filed, a notification will be published in the Fort Scott Tribune newspaper and also to the website bourboncountyks.org.
“The property owner has up until 10 a.m. the day of the tax sale to redeem their property by paying all taxes and $200,” Love said.
“In order to bid on the property at the tax sale, you have to have all of your property taxes current, and sign a paper stating that you are not related to the owner of the property you are bidding on and that you are not buying the property for the delinquent owner,” she said.
The tax sale takes place in the lobby of the Bourbon County Courthouse. with the property being sold to the highest bidder, she said.
“We will determine a date after all properties are filed with the cour,” Love said.
Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Counselor. Submitted photo.
“We started to receive abstracts from the title company about two weeks ago,” said Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks. “We are getting a couple a day. We should have the sale in the late spring and if needed, another one in October or November of this year.”
The county personnel are on the the title company’s timeline,” Meeks said.
“They have been very busy, which is a good thing for everyone because that means houses are selling,” Meeks said.
The LandBank meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. has been cancelled due to the inclement weather.
The LandBank meeting will now be held on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room. There will be a majority of the City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, February 8, 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 – January 20, 2021 – $1,406,590.06
D. Financial Report
E. Activity Fund accounts
F. Point of information – 2021 School Board Election
Board members recognized Jessica Phillips, Fort Scott Middle School Kitchen Manager, for achieving the Kansas Certificate in Child Nutrition Management.
There were no comments in the public forum section.
Brenda Hill, Fort Scott NEA President, gave a report. In addition, Mrs. Hill presented $100 UBenefit Grants to the following teachers: Mercedes Judy, Alexandra VanSickle, Kelly Toll, Michelle Defebaugh, and Kristin Duffey.
Board members heard a report from Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics.
In addition, Superintendent Ted Hessong and Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk presented reports.
Board members approved a Math Resource adoption and also approved disposal of school property with Midwest Equipment Online Auction.
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 Karen Gordon, Winfield Scott technology teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
B. Resignation of Kerry Van Etten, central office HVAC maintenance, effective May 1, 2021
C. Resignation of Brian Allen, high school teacher aide, effective February 5, 2021
D. Resignation of Jill McDonald, Eugene Ware cook, effective January 25, 2021
E. Retirement letter from Kyle Parks, high school vocational agriculture teacher
F. Leave of absence for Katie McGee, Winfield Scott kindergarten teacher
G. Employment of administrators for the 2021-22 school year
Fort Scott High School Athletic/Activities Director – Jeff DeLaTorre
Fort Scott Middle School Principal – David Brown
Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Principal – Matt Harris
Eugene Ware School Principal – Stephanie Witt
Eugene Ware School Assistant Principal – Brandon Boyd
Winfield Scott School Principal – Joy McGhee
Winfield Scott School Assistant Principal – Martin Altieri
Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal – Andrea Scott
District Psychologist/Special Education Coordinator – Rick Scholes
H. Employment of district directors for the 2021-22 school year
Transportation Director – Joe Allen
Food Service Director – Robin Button
Facilities Director – Daniel Koppa
Technology Director – Stephen Mitchell
Academic Director – Dalaina Smith
I. Non-renewal of Amber Toth, Fort Scott High School Principal, for the 2021-22 school year
J. Resignation of Robyn Kelso, high school assistant principal, effective June 4, 2021
K. Employment of Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk, for the 2021-22 school year
L. Addition of a preschool paraprofessional position for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
M. Employment of Jeffrey Dillow as central office HVAC maintenance for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
N. Resignation of Bronson Moylan, middle school assistant football coach, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
O. Employment of Whitney Beth as middle school head volleyball coach for the 2021-22 school year
P. Leave of absence request from Danielle Norris, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher
Q. Transfer of Bethany Higgins, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware technology teacher for the 2021-22 school year
R. Transfer of Amy Lybarger, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware third grade teacher for the 2021-22 school year
S. Employment of Ronda Bailey as a middle school piano accompanist for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
T. Employment of Peyton Guiles as a Eugene Ware special education teacher for the 2021-22 school year
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].
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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.
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.
