Thoughts From Under the Dome
As I am writing this the 2026 legislative session starts next week but I am in Topeka early to get settled in and ready for the upcoming fun. The House Higher Education Budget Committee is meeting today and although I am not on that committee I will be setting in this afternoon to hear Pittsburg State President Dr. Thomas Newsome give his presentation. I find it helpful to keep in touch with the educational institutions that serve our corner of Southeast Kansas as they are a great resource.
On the subject of upcoming legislation, I am sponsoring House Bill 2412, which will change the offense of endangering a child under the age of six years old from a misdemeanor to a felony. I was prompted to initiate this legislation after meeting with the family of Benny who is a child who suffers from permanent disability as a result of neglectful daycare workers. The persons who were responsible had their day in court, but in my opinion, the sentencing was much lighter than what an offense of this magnitude warrants. The bill also addresses dangerous environments where methamphetamine and fentanyl are involved.
As the legislative session progresses, I welcome your calls and emails to let me know when you agree or disagree. I also enjoy visits from the folks back home so I encourage everyone to spend a day in Topeka as your schedules allow and be sure to let me know that you are coming so I can schedule time to meet. It brings a real positive energy to the halls of the Statehouse when school groups are here, so if you are a teacher, feel free to bring your classes up for a visit. Until next time, Ad Astra Per Aspera.
Ken Collins
Kansas State Representative-Second District
I have written to the Kansas State Highway officials several times about leaving the town of Fulton off the exit signs on Highway 69. The old signs had it on them, but the new signs only say Garnett exit or Wagon Road exit. Garnett is at least 52 miles from Fulton west and north of Fulton. The signs also Highway 31 exit. Both Hammond and Prescott have their town names on a sign before their exit. I grew up in the rural area of Fulton and my brother still lives there. He asked me to find why the name of Fulton was not on the signs anymore. I serve on the Osaga Historical Society at the old high school in Fulton. We have many activities there, and several people ask about the lack of the Fulton exit sign. We have garage sales, family reunions, Alumni meetings. dinners, and weddings at the old high school. We keep it in good condition by having events there and former graduates donate money and items for the upkeep of the 1917 school building. I would appreciate it very much to see if your influence would help restore the Fulton exit sign on the highway. All my emails have not done any good. Sincerely, Newata Kay Wimmer Thompson
Ms. Wimmer,
As a pupil of Welcome VanSickle, and someone who sang happy birthday for her 102th early, please let me explain. Hammond and Prescott are both located on local roads. In both cases, these towns were on the Jefferson Highway, the precursor to the current US 69.
Currently on State and Federal Highways there is a policy that governs what is stated on those signs and Garnett, because it is located on a State Route and is a Anderson County Seat, it is listed. Same way that Mound City and Girard are listed at those exits. There is a rubric that establishes what is placed on such signs.
When the current alignment was built, some of the exits were associated with the towns along the “military trail” or Jefferson Highway. This was when your address may have been Route 2. In the 80’s, The Hammond Exit became Solider Road and “Miller’s exit” became Popular Road.
Linn County has their own 911 address structure. Trading Post is still where it is (and so is Barnsville) but the US highway sign declares that to be the Butler exit as Butler is the county seat and it is on a state highway.
The placement of signs along these roadways are fairly regulated. This may help with the WHY with the recent sign upgrades that you reference. I used to admire the Wimmer Homestead and had sketches (artwork) of those beautiful barns!
Love to talk!