Crime Victims Compensation Board awards more than $545K to victims in Q2
TOPEKA – (August 10, 2023) – The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board awarded financial assistance to 236 victims of violent crime at its meetings during the second quarter of 2023, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said.
The Board reviewed 245 new applications submitted by victims and approved $545,685.48 to be awarded to victims.
“While compensation cannot erase the trauma that victims experience, we hope that our support can alleviate the financial pressure faced by victims of crime,” said Kristen Czugala, Division Chief for Victim Services.
The Crime Victims Compensation program was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for unexpected expenses such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral expenses.
This quarter, the compensation board helped pay for the funerals of 17 victims in Kansas. The board also assisted 23 victims in relocating to a safe place after experiencing violence at the hands of another. The individuals helped include a grandmother who received a quarterly payment to help with the expenses of raising her grandchildren whose mother was murdered. In another instance, the board helped pay up to $25,000 in medical expenses for a stabbing victim.
The state’s Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and how much money will be awarded to each claimant. Awards are limited to a maximum total amount of $25,000 with limitations of $7,500 for funeral and burial expenses, $5,000 for outpatient mental health counseling, $10,000 for inpatient mental health treatment and $1,500 for grief counseling for family survivors of homicide victims.
A portion of assessed court costs and fines, inmate wages, parole fees and restitution paid by convicted offenders provides funding to the program.
For more information about the Crime Victims Compensation program call (785) 296-2359 or visit the attorney general’s website atwww.ag.ks.gov.
Request to Pay – Invoice #08072301-EPEC-WWTP Aeration – $206,654.50
Phase II Aeration Upgrade (Total: $826,618.00)
25% of Total due – $206,654.50
Request to Pay – Bourbon County – I.T. Services 2023 – $25,500.00
Shane Walker – $12,000.00
Jimmy Kemmerer $13,500.00
July Financials
Public Comment:Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda
and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.
Old Business:
Consideration of bids for investment CDs from WWTP funds – B. Hart
Consideration to approve purchase of split case pump and impellor for WTP- $31,052.92 – S. Flater
Consideration to approve MOU to join Bourbon County Health in All Policies Task Force and select a City representative – TABLED 7/25 AND 8/1 –
Consideration to adopt a new policy for City Commission Agenda deadlines
Consideration to pay Diehl, Banwart, Bolton $18,150.00 (approved 7/25/2023) for Certified Audit of Records and Preparation of Audit Report for the year ending 12/31/22. Invoice #161402 indicates an additional $4,975.00 for Single Audit of Federal Funds. Total amount due $23,125.00 requiring a new motion.
Approval to go out for bid for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension
VII. Appearances: None
VIII. Public Hearing: None
New Business:
Consideration of Lake Campsite Improvements – B. Matkin
Consideration of 14-Day Camping Regulation at Gunn Park (Ordinance No. 3606) and corresponding municipal codes
Shelter House Price Increases for #2 and #6 (Ordinance No. 3607) and corresponding municipal codes
Consideration to Approve Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 to USDA – B. Hart
Consideration to Adopt Bond Ordinance No. 3752
Consideration to Adopt Bond Resolution No. 10-2023
Consideration to Approve Earls Engineering and Inspection, Inc. submission of work hours estimate for CCLIP US54-from US 69–Barbee Street – J. Dickman
Please join us on Friday, August 11th at 5:00PM to discuss the idea of Fort Scott considering the option of applying to the Certified Local Government Program as presented to the Design Review Board and the City Commission by Mayor Matthew Wells. The Certified Local government (CLG) program is designed to promote the preservation of prehistoric and historic sites and districts by establishing a partnership between the local government on behalf of the State of Kansas and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of the Kansas Historical Society. Katrina Ringler, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, and Director of Cultural Resources Division of the Kansas Historical Society will be present at the meeting to answer questions.
Please share with anyone who might be interested in learning more about this program and participate in the discussion of this proposal for the City.
Further information that was presented at the City Commission meeting can be found at http://www.fscity.org/AgendaCenter
An announcement will be posted on Facebook as well.
New Round of Funding Announced for Revitalization of Downtown Buildings
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $1.5 million will be available for a fourth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. HEAL grants help close financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts more economically vibrant.
Since the HEAL grant program was launched in 2021, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to fund 63 projects in 48 counties throughout Kansas.
Enhancements have been made for HEAL 4.0 that are designed to set up applicants for even greater success, including a longer application period and a maximum award of $100,000. Additionally, formal bids will be required this round from licensed contractors at the time of application submission.
“HEAL 4.0 will offer even more support and funding for communities working to bring vacant and underutilized buildings back to productive use,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce DavidToland said. “We want as many communities as possible across the state to benefit from this successful program that breathes new life into downtown districts.”
HEAL grants help bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
New or expanding businesses
Housing
Arts and culture
Civic engagement
Childcare
Entrepreneurship
Submitted projects must show potential to be economic drivers in that community and also demonstrate that the space will be occupied by the end of the project. Proof of 1:1 matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application.
Communities that received a HEAL grant in the first round (awarded spring/summer 2022) are now eligible to apply again. Communities that received HEAL grants in either fall 2022 or spring 2023 are not eligible to apply this round.
The application window opens August 14 and closes November 10 with award notifications in mid-December.
A virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Organizations and building owners interested in applying should register and attend the webinar. To register, please click here.
Additional information about HEAL, the webinar and the online application can be accessed 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. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
There is an opening on the Fort Scott Park Advisory Board to finish out the remainder of a vacated seat that expires December 31, 2023. The position is for a 3-year term and may be renewed after the upcoming expiration date, if you wish to continue to serve on the board. The function of the board is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and the City Commission regarding all parks within the City of Fort Scott. They meet on an “as needed” basis. All boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Please submit your letter of interest by October 6, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. to Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected] or at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on the draft Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.
The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The draft STIP document is available for review online at https://www.ksdot.gov/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp. Select the draft FFY 2024-2027 STIP link at the top of the page.
The approval of the STIP requires a public comment period of 30 days, which concludes on Sept. 8. To make comments on the STIP document, contact Lisa Roth at (785) 296-0892 or Gene Ingwerson at (785) 296-0136 with KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management.
This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
The KanDrive website, which provides up-to-date road and weather information for motorists across Kansas, has updated its web address to www.KanDrive.gov. Instead of ending with .org, the domain extension is now .gov.
There are no other changes to the website. People typing the old web address will automatically be directed to the KanDrive website. The address will also be updated soon in Google and other search engines.
Whether by desktop, mobile or tablet, more than 1.64 million KanDrive web sessions in 2022 provided users information that is updated 24/7 on highway maintenance and construction activities, winter highway conditions, flooded roadways, incidents and crashes affecting traffic and closed highways. WICHway and KC Scout can be directly accessed through KanDrive. A commercial vehicle mode also provides information for truck drivers.
Changing KanDrive’s web address is part of an overall update to KDOT websites to help increase security and be consistent with government addresses.
KDOT stopping work on U.S. 69 Crawford County Corridor western alignment; starting new corridor study later this year
In response to feedback from communities and residents along U.S. 69 in Crawford County, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is stopping any further progress on developing the western alignment of the Crawford County Corridor (also known as the Pittsburg Bypass). This includes stopping design work and planned construction of the U.S. 160 improvements (Phase 3) of the Crawford County Corridor. That project would have extended U.S. 160 to the west along 590th Avenue.
Discussions about improving the U.S. 69 corridor have been happening for decades. The project would expand an 18-mile corridor of U.S. 69 to a four-lane freeway, starting at the Cherokee-Crawford county line and continuing north of the City of Arma.
Over time, KDOT has done preliminary engineering and environmental reviews, working with cities and counties along the U.S. 69 corridor. The last study on the project was completed in 2012, and at that time, the western alignment was presented as the preferred alternative. While there have been ongoing conversations through KDOT’s Local Consult process and individual project meetings, until this spring, KDOT had not had a dedicated conversation with communities along the corridor about the project in more than 10 years.
In May, more than 350 people attended city council and county commission meetings where KDOT presented about the U.S. 69 Crawford County Corridor. The overwhelming majority of people KDOT heard from were opposed to the western alignment of the U.S. Crawford County Corridor. The most common reasons included:
The cost of the project relative to its benefit to the community;
The last study was completed in 2012, and there have been significant changes in development since that time;
Impacts to homes; and
The potential impact of a new bypass on towns and existing businesses in the area.
“We heard loud and clear the U.S. 69 corridor is a top priority for southeast Kansas,” said Greg Schieber, KDOT State Transportation Engineer. “We also heard things have changed since decisions were made more than a decade ago, and we need to step back and work with communities to find the right solution for the future of U.S. 69. Infrastructure improvements are expensive, and we want to invest in projects that not only improve the state highway system, but also align with the needs and visions of Kansas communities.”
Later this year, KDOT will start a new corridor study to re-evaluate the current highway and identify the current and future needs of the communities along U.S. 69 in Crawford County. The study will include an updated traffic and safety analysis to help determine viable options to improve the Crawford County Corridor.
To help inform the study, KDOT will establish a stakeholder group composed of representatives of the cities, county, and businesses along the corridor to hear a variety of perspectives on the priorities in the region. The study will include a robust public outreach effort and multiple opportunities for public input. It will take 12-18 months to complete the new study.
At this year’s Local Consult meetings in October, KDOT will not list a specific U.S. 69 Crawford County Corridor project for discussion. At the last two rounds of Local Consult, KDOT heard from southeast Kansans that improvements to U.S. 69 in Crawford County are a priority. KDOT is actively taking steps, like this new corridor study, to address that priority. The study needs to be done so that KDOT can have projects for consideration at the next round of Local Consult meetings in 2025.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, for a special board meeting at the board office.
Vice-President James Wood opened the meeting.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, presented an updated contract with No Limits Rehabilitation Inc., for physical therapy services. The board heard from building administrators regarding school handbooks.
Superintendent Destry Brown and Gina Shelton, Finance Director, presented the 2023-24 budget. Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, presented the Building Needs Assessment as part of the budget process.
The board approved the following items:
Contract with No Limits Rehabilitation Inc. for the 2023-24 school year
School and Activity Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year
Personnel Report as follows
The board did not accept the resignation of Caitlin Shrewsbury – Eugene Ware Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher
The board went into two executive sessions for personnel matters.
Vice-President Wood adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
August 7, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Abati, Sarah – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Assistant Cheer Coach
Reinbolt, Katren – Fort Scott High School Assistant Track Coach and Assistant Cross Country Coach
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Certified:
Anderson, Anna – Transfer from Eugene Ware Focus Room Teacher to Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Garzone, Laura – Fort Scott Middle School English Teacher – through first semester
Self, Karen – Fort Scott High School English Teacher
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Estes, Thomas – Fort Scott Middle School Custodian – starting 08/07/23
Guss, Jordan – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Hardwick, Lauren – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
Haynes, Tonya – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Large, Lahanna – Winfield Scott Elementary Paraprofessional
Michael, Dariane – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
O’Bryan, Carolina – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional
Palmer, Lana – Preschool Van Driver – 5.5 hours
Thurston, Erin – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Farrington, Jannah – DLM Coordinator
Feagins, Adam – Fort Scott Middle School Detention
Feeback, Brennen – Fort Scott High School Assistant Track Coach
Gorman, Krista – Fort Scott Middle School Testing Coordinator
Gorman, Krista – Fort Scott High School Testing Coordinator
Gulager, Lindsey – Winfield Scott PDC
Harney, Joel – Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Boys and Girls Basketball Coach
Laubenstein, Michelle – CTE Coordinator
Martin, Paul – Fort Scott Middle School Boys Basketball Coach
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Jason Silvers, Michael Hoyt, Mark McCoy, Tayton Majors, Clint Walker, and Rachel Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Mark McCoy.
Nelson Blythe made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 7/24/23, approval of payroll totaling $130,054.08, and approval of accounts payable totaling $1,099,433.01. Clifton Beth seconded the motion and all approved.
There were no public comments.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, said there were several trees down with the last storm that went through, but the guys did a great job getting them out of the roads. The asphalting on Soldier Road is complete on the east side of the railroad tracks. Eric stated that after harvest is over, they will go back to Hammond and pave Soldier Road west of the railroad tracks to 215th Street. There has been a lot of traffic at the grain elevator and Eric didn’t want to disrupt their business by having the road closed at this time, and wanted to ensure that residents knew they would be back to finish the project. The asphalt crew is moving on to pave behind Ellis Park this week. The first lane of dust control was sprayed on Friday and they plan on finishing tomorrow after the roads dry out after the rain. Jim asked if a lot of people were participating this year, and Eric said there were around eight residents. The bridge at 160th Fern that we have the grant for will be let for construction on September 20th. There were three mowers out today and will have the fourth out as soon as it is fixed. Jim thanked Eric for mowing and said the roads in his district look good. Eric brought the aerial maps out to show Nelson a road he had inquired about. A resident had questioned Nelson if Wagon Road west of Highway 3 is a maintained road as he said it is the only road into his property. Jim asked Eric if he had a chance to visit with Lora about the road, and Eric said he did when this was brought up previously but will visit with her again. Jim said he drove several of the roads in his district on Sunday and they looked very good. Clifton said he had heard several comments about the pavement on Soldier Road.
Matt Quick, County Appraiser, said the Neighborhood Revitalization Program interlocal agreements are ready and need the Chairman’s signature. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the updated NRP agreements. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Mark McCoy with Bourbon County REDI said they are here working with and for Bourbon County. Tayton Majors presented a Business Retention and Expansion findings study and spoke about several of the highlights throughout the study. The major businesses that were questioned for the study employee thousands of the county’s residents. 100% of employers interviewed stressed the necessity of moderate-income housing. The loss of the hospital was a huge loss for the county and REDI has been working with many healthcare providers and have already relocated a few into the old Mercy building. REDI is focusing on creative solutions for childcare because adequate childcare was another need that employers stressed. REDI has brought in several industry leading individuals in workforce management to give insight to business and educators in community and to try to help facilitate the transition between school into the workforce. The businesses that were interviews said although the workforce pool is small, they rank their employees at 8 out of 10. Mr. Majors said this is a positive thing when trying to get other businesses to expand into our community. Looking forward REDI plans to expand their focus into Agribusiness, infrastructure, and many more things. Mr. Majors said with your continued financial support REDI will continue to persist in the pursuit of excellence, will further mold their processes, build on successes, and implement new initiatives ensuring that our communities’ needs are met in a way that is efficient and impactful. Jim thanked Tayton and said there was a lot of good information presented. Mark McCoy said they are willing to come back at any time.
Justin said two of the executive sessions requested were on the same topic and suggested combining them.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy. The executive session will include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and they will return at 6:08. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:08 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to strike his executive session from the agenda. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Justin Meeks asked for a 15-minute executive session to discuss proprietary information and three contracts.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session under 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. The executive session will include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and they will return at 6:25. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 6:25 with action. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson made a motion to allow Clifton Beth to negotiate contracts for future development. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson questioned why the budget discussion was removed from the agenda and Jim explained it was due to Susan being unable to attend the meeting.
Jim said he had residents complain about the railroad tracks being blocked at Jayhawk Road and said they had sent out an RFQ for a feasibility study for an overpass south of town that would help emergency personnel and residents access the east side of the county when there is a train sitting. Jim said this won’t happen tomorrow and that it may take years, but they have to start somewhere.
Nelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:28. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Visiting with Kansans
This week I had the opportunity to spend time away from Washington, D.C. and meet and listen to Kansans across our beautiful state. Personally visiting with Kansans reinforces my long-held belief in the strength and spirit of our communities and the values that make Kansas a great place to live, work and raise a family. I believe our state will continue to thrive thanks to the work ethic, concern and kindness of its people – but it’s vital that Congress to be an ally of the people, not an adversary.
I truly appreciate the input I get from you during my Listening Tour stops and Community Visits. Please continue to give me your questions, complaints and marching orders. I will work to make certain policymakers in our nation’s capital understand them as well.
Listening Tour Stop in Cheyenne
Saturday I was able to participate in the Cheyenne County Fair Parade, in Saint Francis. I appreciated the opportunity to ride in the parade and celebrate the end of the Cheyenne County Fair with the community. A special thanks to veteran and local VFW post commander Bob Ogdon for driving me during the parade. After the parade, I walked downtown St. Francis and visited with members of the community. We discussed matters important to Cheyenne County and Northwest Kansas as well as the state of our country.
I want to thank Rodney Shay for taking time to visit with me as he was getting gas before leaving town.
On my way out of St. Francis, I stopped in Wheeler at the American Implement Dealership and visited with staff about the state of the crops in the area and the recent hail storms and severe weather that had damaged corn in some parts of the county.
Visiting McCarty Family Farms
This week I toured McCarty Family Farms in Rexford. The McCarty Family operates a state-of-the-art dairy and milk processing facility that provides specialized milk products to meet the needs of current consumer trends. The McCarty’s decided to invest in Northwest Kansas over 20 years ago and they continue to expand and upgrade their operations for the future providing new employment opportunities and economic development for the region.
The dairy industry in Kansas is growing and with that growth the needs of the industry will continue to grow as well. Dairies like McCarty Family Farms require a workforce that is technically trained to operate and maintain mechanized and robotic machinery that is found in modern day dairies as well as a reliable and efficient supply chain for milking and milk processing equipment. Thank you to brothers Ken and Dave for providing me a tour of their operation and I look forward to working with them to support the growing dairy industry in Kansas.
Attending Greeley County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
On Tuesday I was in Tribune and joined the Greeley County Farm Bureau for their annual meeting. Before the meeting I was able to visit with members of the county board as they were preparing the meal for the meeting as well as the student agricultural ambassadors of the Greeley County Farm Bureau. It is the role of these students to help educate their fellow classmates on agriculture and the food system. I enjoyed visiting with the students about their future plans and their projects in the upcoming Greeley County Fair.
During the meeting I visited with Farm Bureau members about their operations and the fortunate change of drought conditions in the area and thanks to rain this summer. Special thanks to all the Farm Bureau members for speaking with me and for being strong advocates for farming.
Brewster Community Visit
This week, I stopped in Brewster to visit businesses and to hear from members of the community. While in Brewster Grocery I had the opportunity to visit with the employees of the store and patrons. I was pleased to see the success of Brewster Grocery and learn about how they source local fresh produce from 4B Farms in Grinnell.
I also was able to visit with Kansans at Farmers Bank & Trust to talk about banking in the Brewster area. I also spoke with staff at Frontier Ag where we discussed the recent wheat harvest. While at S&T Telephone I had the opportunity to talk about rural broadband access and how important internet connectivity is for rural businesses and education. Thank you to Heather McDonald and Bonnie Holm for taking time out of their day to visit with me. Thank you to all the Kansans I visited with while in Brewster for allowing me to take a break from the heat in their air conditioning.
Belleville Community Visit
On Monday, I travelled to Belleville and made several stops across town to hear from Kansans about what was new in town and across Republic County. While walking downtown I stopped in at Gottschalk & Company CPAs to talk with the staff about their business and issues with the tax system. At the Republic County Court House I appreciated the opportunity to speak with fellow public servants in the Register of Deeds office and the County Treasurer and Clerk’s offices. We spoke about the issues they are facing as they serve the communities in Republic County and what ways the federal government could better provide assistance. At City Hall I spoke with the City Clerk’s office and had similar conversations on public service and heard more about issues specific to the City of Belleville. I also stopped by the Chamber of Commerce and Mainstreet Program office. While there I learned about the work the Chamber is doing to support businesses in Belleville and to keep main street a thriving center for business and commerce.
This week was fair week across many Kansas communities, including Republic County. Before leaving town I made sure to stop by the United Methodist Church Food Court for a piece of Apple Pie!
Touring Flame Engineering
In the 1950’s Ralph and Mike Pivonka began using homemade torches for weed control on their family farm. Interest in their products grew and they decided to establish Flame Engineering. Today, Flame Engineering’s products can be found on shelves in retailers across the United States and Canada. I appreciated the opportunity to tour their factory floor and learn more about their business and culture of safety. For over 21 years, Flame Engineering has not had a lost time work accident. Thank you to Mike, Jason, and Tyson Pivonka and Linda Miller for their time and willingness to share their experience with me.
Visit to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Field Division This week, I had the opportunity to meet with the hard-working Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, assigned to the Rocky Mountain Field Division. The agents took the time to brief me on fentanyl precursor chemicals from China, which are regularly shipped through the US Postal System. It is also difficult to track Transnational Criminal Organizations because they often utilize cash to crypto currency.
As the lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies I have oversight of the DEA and visits like this are important as we work to make certain the DEA has the right resources to better protect our communities and nation.
Visiting with Kansas Bankers Association
This week, the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) held their annual leadership meeting. Throughout the conference we discussed right-sizing federal regulation for Kansas banks to best serve their customers and limiting federal efforts to increase the cost of credit which would harm their ability to service the needs of their communities.
This week’s gathering was an opportunity for me to hear directly from Kansas lenders about the issues they are experiencing. Banks are critical to growing communities both large and small, and we discussed how to continue improving the regulatory environment to satisfy their customers’ needs. The Access to Credit for Rural Economies (ACRE) Act, a bill I introduced with Sen. King (I-ME), would help community banks lower interest rates for ag real estate and mortgages in rural towns. I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend the KBA’s annual meeting and look forward to continuing the dialogue with Kansas lenders.
Radio Interviews Across Kansas KMAN in Manhattan
This week, I was on KMAN radio in Manhattan, where I had the opportunity to discuss the recent passing of the NDAA and the resources it will have for our servicemembers and for Fort Riley. I worked with my colleagues to ensure that Fort Riley has the resources to construct an aircraft maintenance hangar, air traffic control tower and has new investments to the power generation and micro grid. It also includes resources for the Bob Dole railyard to transport our military equipment rapidly in times of deployment.
KXXX in Colby On Tuesday, I spoke on KXXX 790 in Colby about my visit to McCarty Farms and my plans for touring the state during the month of August. It was great to talk with Joel about the dairy industry and expected growth in the future as national dairy companies look to Kansas to utilize its resources.
As large businesses and government agencies are moving from cities to the Midwest, we discussed the need for more affordable housing and childcare options as job opportunities increase in the state. Both federal and state programs are working to provide entry-level housing development and renovations so that families and individuals can afford buying a home.
Creating a Fair Organ Donation System
The Senate recently passed legislation to give the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) statutory authority to break up the monopoly contract currently held by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to manage the nation’s Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). The bill already passed the House of Representatives and is now on the President’s desk to be signed into law.
I introduced the Securing the U.S. OPTN Act with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to improve the management of our organ procurement and transplantation system by allowing HRSA to divide the OPTN contract and increase competition for those contracts through an open, transparent bidding process. UNOS’ over 30-year hold on the sole OPTN contact has resulted in everything from damaged organs to discriminatory organ donation policies. It has long been clear that UNOS should no longer be the sole contractor for the organ donation system.
I have worked for years to shed light on the mismanagement of the organ donation system and have consistently called for the contract to be divided. Congress has now given HRSA the authorities needed for the agency to bring in new contractors and we will continue urging HRSA to review the unfair policies and regulations put in place under UNOS’ direction. Once signed into law, this legislation will help provide greater transparency to the organ donation system and change how the contract is divided. Every organ counts, and now the system will be overhauled to help save lives.
Improving the VA & Holding Bad Actors Accountable I recently introduced the Leadership, Engagement, Accountability and Development (LEAD) Act of 2023 to improve oversight and whistleblower protection at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to enhance the quality of service provided to our veterans. My colleagues, Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined me in introducing this legislation. This effort will help in building a comprehensive package, complementing another bipartisan bill I recently introduced, the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act, that would provide VA with the authority to discipline bad employees in a more timely, fair, manner to help foster a healthy workplace and more importantly, put our veterans first.
In my role as the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I’ve seen far too often – across the nation and in our state of Kansas – instances of a few bad employees disrupting the culture and service at the VA, and negatively impacting veterans. That is unacceptable. Department leaders at all levels need to take more proactive measures to root out bad actors and empower rank-and-file employees to hold leadership accountable. Bills like the LEAD Act and the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act would help prevent wrongdoing and leadership failures while also increasing patient safety and the quality of services, care, and benefits at VA facilities across the country. While I know the vast majority of VA employees are upstanding employees and wholeheartedly believe in VA’s mission, we need to ensure that the Department has the tools it needs to hold the few bad apples to account. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass both bills in the Senate.
Introducing Legislation to Remove Hidden Hotel Fees
High prices are forcing Kansans to account for all their expenses, and they should not need to guess how much they will end up paying for a hotel room. I introduced the Hotel Fees Transparency Act with Senator Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to improve transparency for consumers by requiring anyone advertising a hotel room or short-term rental to clearly show up front the final price a customer will pay to book lodging. This commonsense legislation requires hotels and other short-term lodging providers to display and advertise the total price of their room, so Kansans can be certain that the listed price is what they will pay at check out. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to pass this important legislation.
Introducing the Farmer to Farm Education Act I also recently introduced the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, allowing Kansas farmers and ranchers to leverage and expand their networks to address conservation challenges, including weather events, drought, floods, wind erosion and general best practices. The legislation authorizes the USDA-National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to enter into cooperative agreements with community-agricultural groups in Kansas to establish and develop conservation peer networks. Farmers and ranchers in Kansas are the original conservationists and we should give them all the necessary tools available so they can continue to produce high-quality food and fiber.
Now Accepting 2023 Service Academy Applications
Applications are now open for students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2028. One of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator is appointing Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
For the list of requirements and to apply, you can visit my website here. All application materials are due to my Olathe office by Friday, September 1, 2023. After applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of interviews with my Service Academy Selection Board.
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
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