Thursday marked a critical deadline known as “turnaround,” marking the official halfway point for the 2020 Legislative session. 

It was a busy week for the Senate, as we spent three full days debating and voting on and passing 56 bills ahead of the Turnaround deadline. 

After being on the floor all day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Legislature will break until March 4th to give clerical staff time to process the significant amount of paperwork resulting from this week. 

 By “turnaround,” a bill, with few exceptions, must have passed its Chamber of origin in order to be considered by the other Chamber before session is over for the year. When the Senate returns on Wednesday, the focus will be to consider bills passed by the House Chamber and bills exempt from the Turnaround deadline.  

SB 290 - Updating how the securities commissioner may be appointed and removed. SB 297 - Requiring appraisal directives to require compliance with uniform standards of professional appraisal practice in the performance of property tax appraisals. SB 331 - Authorizing department of corrections employees, local correctional or detention officers, judicial branch employees, and municipal court employees to have identifying information restricted from public access on public websites that identify home address. SB 334 -Modifying certain rules of evidence in the code of civil procedure related to authentication of records &amp; documents. SB 390 -Placement of license plates on either the front or rear of a vehicle used as a concrete truck. SB 153 - Providing for KDHE response operations for water &amp; soil pollutant release, discharge or escape. SB 307 - Updating approved types of personal flotation devices. SB 354 -Amending the private &amp; out-of-state postsecondary educational institution act, clarifies the state board of regents' authority and provides additional student protections and institutional accountability. SB 256 - Repealing certain statutes regarding elections that pertain to the presidential preference primary; certain election-related contributions by corporations. SB 42 - Amending the meaning of the terms "rebate" and "interest" as used in the real estate brokers' and salespersons' license act. Sub SB 126 - Exempts certain public utilities from Kansas income taxation and requires the filing of new retail electric rates in certain circumstances. SB 264 – the bill would change the procedure of notification when a county appraiser no longer holds the office and sets up a hearing process before the name would be removed through the Kansas Administrative Procedure Act (KAPA). SB 265 - Requiring the state board of tax appeals to serve orders and notices by electronic means if requested by the party. SB 272 - Prohibiting county appraisers and the state board of tax appeals from increasing the valuation of county appraised property in valuation appeals. SB 358 - Providing that the highway patrol will provide the administration and oversight of state-certified ignition interlock manufacturers and their service providers. SB 294 - Would establish, beginning in 2021, new notice and public hearing requirements for certain taxing subdivisions prior to property tax increases above a revenue-neutral rate and is intended to provide transparency in tax increases for Kansans. The bill would not apply to school districts and would remove the tax lid. SB 339 - Allows KCC to approve certain electric contract rates &amp; associated cost recovery from all rate classes. SB 377 - Designating a portion of K-7 as Senator Paul "Bud" Burke Memorial Highway. SB 295 - Provides that the appraised value of real property would not be increased solely as a result of normal repair, replacement, or maintenance of existing improvements on the property. SB 254 - Concerning requirements by the secretary of state; relating to session laws, the Kansas register, proposed amendments to the constitution of the state of Kansas and administrative rules &amp; regulations and guidance documents. SB 266 - Requiring appraisal courses for county appraisers and BOTA members to be courses approved by the Kansas real estate appraisal board. SB 404 - Creating a process to terminate the parental rights of a person whose sexual assault of another has resulted in the conception of a child. SB 420 - Would require individuals convicted of taking pictures of others in a state of undress without their knowledge to be listed on the sex offender register. SB 427 - Reviewing and continuing expiring exceptions to the disclosure of public records under the open records act. SB 262 - State board of tax appeals; changing time to request full and complete opinion to be based on the date of service. SB 289 - Updating the version of risk-based capital instructions in effect. SB 383- Providing for the American Legion, Knights of Columbus &amp; proud educator distinctive license plates &amp; providing for lowered license plate commitments and costs prior to production. SB 221 - Would allow a patron of a club and drinking establishment to remove one or more containers of beer, domestic beer, and cereal malt beverage sold on licensed premises and served in refillable and sealable containers for consumption off the licensed premises. SB 284 -Providing motor vehicle disability placards for school districts &amp; interlocal cooperatives. SB 373 - Modifying the crimes of selling sexual relations, promoting the sale of sexual relations and buying sexual relations by changing terminology from "sexual relations" to "a sex act." SB 382 - Amending the capital improvement state aid schedule to exclude U.S.D. No. 207, Fort Leavenworth. SB 271 - Repealing the sunset provision for the high-density at-risk weighting. SCR 1614 - states the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Kansas support Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses in the Rattlesnake Creek subbasin in protecting their water rights through collaboration with the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge to find a solution to an impairment complaint filed with the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources. SB 337 - Expanding the provision of the ACT college entrance exam and workkeys assessments to students enrolled in nonpublic schools. SB 308 – Allowing the sale of raw milk in the state and will label the packaging of raw milk as to the potential adverse health effects of consuming unpasteurized milk. SB 381 - Authorizing medical student and residency loan assistance to encourage the practice of obstetrics and gynecology in medically underserved areas of the state. SB 283 - Authorizing sports wagering under the Kansas expanded lottery act and ensure that 2% of the state’s assessed tax, would be transferred to the Problem Gambling Additions Grant Fund. SB 253 - Amending requirements for service of process on nonresident drivers and clarifying service of process on certain business entities. SB 405 - Amendments related to driving under the influence concerning motorized bicycle drivers' licenses, ignition interlock devices and driving under the influence by any person less than 21 years of age. SB 384 - Would require the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Department for Children and Families (DCF) to prepare an annual academic report card on educational outcome data for foster care students. SB 371 - Requiring posting of a human trafficking awareness notice approved by the attorney general in certain businesses and public places. SB 319 - Clarifying that bond agents are required to return certain people released on bond to the court in the county where the bond was issued. SB 275 - Eligibility requirements for restricted driving privileges and elimination of additional 90-day wait period of suspended or revoked licenses. SB 267 - Clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring secured vehicle loads is a traffic infraction. SB 251 - Allow businesses to elect to file business reports with the secretary of state annually, biennially or triennially. SB 424 - Amending certain provisions regarding business entities &amp; business filings with the secretary of state extending the effective date of certain provisions pertaining to series of a limited liability company. SB 292 - Granting the commissioner of insurance flexibility in assessing certain excess lines coverage penalties. SB 355 - Prohibiting psychiatric or psychological examinations of victims of crimes. SB 374 - Allowing employees of salvage vehicle pools to perform VIN inspections. Sub SB 335 - Authorizing school districts to pay the tuition for a student's dual or concurrent enrollment in a post- secondary educational institution &amp; requiring a tuition waiver for foster children who are dually or concurrently enrolled. SB 345 - Establishing requirements for the effective disposal of industrial hemp. SB 230 - Clarifying the authority of the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing. SB 152 - Authorizing the secretary of health and environment to collect underground injection control program fees and redirecting water well license program fees. SB 402 - Updating producer licensing statutes pertaining to appointment, fees, licensing, renewal dates, continuing education, suspension, revocation and denial of licensure and reinstatement. SB 380 - Restricting cities and counties from imposing certain regulations and fees on a video service provider for the provision of communications service through a micro wireless facility. SB 293 - Transferring duties concerning registration for charitable organizations and the address confidentiality program (safe at home) from the secretary of state to the attorney general.

KANSAS INSURANCE DEPARTMENT – NEW WEBSITE

The Kansas Legislature established the Kansas Insurance Department in 1871. The first Superintendent of Insurance, later changed to Commissioner of Insurance in 1927, was William C. Webb. There have been twenty-seven Commissioners to lead The Kansas Insurance Department, including current Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. The longest-serving Commissioner was Frank Sullivan, who served from 1947-1971. 

In 2017, the Kansas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 23, which merged the Kansas Securities Commission with the Kansas Insurance Department. Prior to the 2017 Legislation, the Securities Commission was an executive branch agency that reported to the Governor. Established in 1911, Kansas became the first state to pass a law regulating the sale of investments. Following the great stock market crash of 1929, the federal government began to regulate investment activity with the passage of the Securities Act of 1933, and the creation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 1934.

Insurance and securities have changed over the years but the responsibility of The Kansas Insurance Department to the people of Kansas remains unchanged. The Kansas Insurance Department’s new website is: <a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/">https://insurance.kansas.gov</a> and the staff can be reached at 785 296-3071.

VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF KANSAS - <a href="https://portal.kansas.gov/">www.kansas.gov </a>

You can find a wealth of information at this well-designed website which focuses on Kansas with topics of business, education, government, residents and services with links to agencies and staff to help answer any question you might have.  Webfile will take you directly to the Department of Revenue to file your taxes; Form finder will take you to the Secretary of State’s office for all types of forms for businesses; Learning Quest will direct you to the State Treasurer’s Office; the three branches of Government; and Plan your Trip to Kansas will open to the Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.    

Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters this week. It is easy to “get into the weeds” on pieces of legislation that seem on the surface to have universal appeal, but for those who want to pursue a more in-depth analysis of the ones which did not have such agreement, go to <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> and pull up “Bills &amp; Laws,” then “Senate Bills,” before scrolling to the desired number and hitting “SN” (Supplemental Notes) for a general explanation which is written by the Legislative research &amp; reviser staff.

Topeka, KS  66612  elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov 

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org </a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580853658061.jpeg" alt="Sen. Elaine Bowers (R-Concordia, 36th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers (R-Concordia, 36th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>SENATE HIGHLIGHTS Thursday marked a critical deadline known as “turnaround,” marking the official halfway point for the 2020 Legislative session. It was a busy week for the Senate, as we spent three full days debating and voting on and passing 56 bills ahead of the Turnaround deadline. After being on the floor all day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Legislature will break until March 4th to give clerical staff time to process the significant amount of paperwork resulting from this week. By “turnaround,” a bill, with few exceptions, must have passed its Chamber of origin in order to be considered by the other Chamber before session is over for the year. When the Senate returns on Wednesday, the focus will be to consider bills passed by the House Chamber and bills exempt from the Turnaround deadline. FLOOR ACTION THIS WEEK SB 290 - Updating how the securities commissioner may be appointed and removed. SB 297 - Requiring appraisal directives to require compliance with uniform standards of professional appraisal practice in the performance of property tax appraisals. SB 331 - Authorizing department of corrections employees, local correctional or detention officers, judicial branch employees, and municipal court employees to have identifying information restricted from public access on public websites that identify home address. SB 334 -Modifying certain rules of evidence in the code of civil procedure related to authentication of records &amp; documents. SB 390 -Placement of license plates on either the front or rear of a vehicle used as a concrete truck. SB 153 - Providing for KDHE response operations for water &amp; soil pollutant release, discharge or escape. SB 307 - Updating approved types of personal flotation devices. SB 354 -Amending the private &amp; out-of-state postsecondary educational institution act, clarifies the state board of regents' authority and provides additional student protections and institutional accountability. SB 256 - Repealing certain statutes regarding elections that pertain to the presidential preference primary; certain election-related contributions by corporations. SB 42 - Amending the meaning of the terms "rebate" and "interest" as used in the real estate brokers' and salespersons' license act. Sub SB 126 - Exempts certain public utilities from Kansas income taxation and requires the filing of new retail electric rates in certain circumstances. SB 264 – the bill would change the procedure of notification when a county appraiser no longer holds the office and sets up a hearing process before the name would be removed through the Kansas Administrative Procedure Act (KAPA). SB 265 - Requiring the state board of tax appeals to serve orders and notices by electronic means if requested by the party. SB 272 - Prohibiting county appraisers and the state board of tax appeals from increasing the valuation of county appraised property in valuation appeals. SB 358 - Providing that the highway patrol will provide the administration and oversight of state-certified ignition interlock manufacturers and their service providers. SB 294 - Would establish, beginning in 2021, new notice and public hearing requirements for certain taxing subdivisions prior to property tax increases above a revenue-neutral rate and is intended to provide transparency in tax increases for Kansans. The bill would not apply to school districts and would remove the tax lid. SB 339 - Allows KCC to approve certain electric contract rates &amp; associated cost recovery from all rate classes. SB 377 - Designating a portion of K-7 as Senator Paul "Bud" Burke Memorial Highway. SB 295 - Provides that the appraised value of real property would not be increased solely as a result of normal repair, replacement, or maintenance of existing improvements on the property. SB 254 - Concerning requirements by the secretary of state; relating to session laws, the Kansas register, proposed amendments to the constitution of the state of Kansas and administrative rules &amp; regulations and guidance documents. SB 266 - Requiring appraisal courses for county appraisers and BOTA members to be courses approved by the Kansas real estate appraisal board. SB 404 - Creating a process to terminate the parental rights of a person whose sexual assault of another has resulted in the conception of a child. SB 420 - Would require individuals convicted of taking pictures of others in a state of undress without their knowledge to be listed on the sex offender register. SB 427 - Reviewing and continuing expiring exceptions to the disclosure of public records under the open records act. SB 262 - State board of tax appeals; changing time to request full and complete opinion to be based on the date of service. SB 289 - Updating the version of risk-based capital instructions in effect. SB 383- Providing for the American Legion, Knights of Columbus &amp; proud educator distinctive license plates &amp; providing for lowered license plate commitments and costs prior to production. SB 221 - Would allow a patron of a club and drinking establishment to remove one or more containers of beer, domestic beer, and cereal malt beverage sold on licensed premises and served in refillable and sealable containers for consumption off the licensed premises. SB 284 -Providing motor vehicle disability placards for school districts &amp; interlocal cooperatives. SB 373 - Modifying the crimes of selling sexual relations, promoting the sale of sexual relations and buying sexual relations by changing terminology from "sexual relations" to "a sex act." SB 382 - Amending the capital improvement state aid schedule to exclude U.S.D. No. 207, Fort Leavenworth. SB 271 - Repealing the sunset provision for the high-density at-risk weighting. SCR 1614 - states the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Kansas support Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses in the Rattlesnake Creek subbasin in protecting their water rights through collaboration with the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge to find a solution to an impairment complaint filed with the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources. SB 337 - Expanding the provision of the ACT college entrance exam and workkeys assessments to students enrolled in nonpublic schools. SB 308 – Allowing the sale of raw milk in the state and will label the packaging of raw milk as to the potential adverse health effects of consuming unpasteurized milk. SB 381 - Authorizing medical student and residency loan assistance to encourage the practice of obstetrics and gynecology in medically underserved areas of the state. SB 283 - Authorizing sports wagering under the Kansas expanded lottery act and ensure that 2% of the state’s assessed tax, would be transferred to the Problem Gambling Additions Grant Fund. SB 253 - Amending requirements for service of process on nonresident drivers and clarifying service of process on certain business entities. SB 405 - Amendments related to driving under the influence concerning motorized bicycle drivers' licenses, ignition interlock devices and driving under the influence by any person less than 21 years of age. SB 384 - Would require the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Department for Children and Families (DCF) to prepare an annual academic report card on educational outcome data for foster care students. SB 371 - Requiring posting of a human trafficking awareness notice approved by the attorney general in certain businesses and public places. SB 319 - Clarifying that bond agents are required to return certain people released on bond to the court in the county where the bond was issued. SB 275 - Eligibility requirements for restricted driving privileges and elimination of additional 90-day wait period of suspended or revoked licenses. SB 267 - Clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring secured vehicle loads is a traffic infraction. SB 251 - Allow businesses to elect to file business reports with the secretary of state annually, biennially or triennially. SB 424 - Amending certain provisions regarding business entities &amp; business filings with the secretary of state extending the effective date of certain provisions pertaining to series of a limited liability company. SB 292 - Granting the commissioner of insurance flexibility in assessing certain excess lines coverage penalties. SB 355 - Prohibiting psychiatric or psychological examinations of victims of crimes. SB 374 - Allowing employees of salvage vehicle pools to perform VIN inspections. Sub SB 335 - Authorizing school districts to pay the tuition for a student's dual or concurrent enrollment in a post- secondary educational institution &amp; requiring a tuition waiver for foster children who are dually or concurrently enrolled. SB 345 - Establishing requirements for the effective disposal of industrial hemp. SB 230 - Clarifying the authority of the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing. SB 152 - Authorizing the secretary of health and environment to collect underground injection control program fees and redirecting water well license program fees. SB 402 - Updating producer licensing statutes pertaining to appointment, fees, licensing, renewal dates, continuing education, suspension, revocation and denial of licensure and reinstatement. SB 380 - Restricting cities and counties from imposing certain regulations and fees on a video service provider for the provision of communications service through a micro wireless facility. SB 293 - Transferring duties concerning registration for charitable organizations and the address confidentiality program (safe at home) from the secretary of state to the attorney general. KANSAS INSURANCE DEPARTMENT – NEW WEBSITE The Kansas Legislature established the Kansas Insurance Department in 1871. The first Superintendent of Insurance, later changed to Commissioner of Insurance in 1927, was William C. Webb. There have been twenty-seven Commissioners to lead The Kansas Insurance Department, including current Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. The longest-serving Commissioner was Frank Sullivan, who served from 1947-1971. In 2017, the Kansas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 23, which merged the Kansas Securities Commission with the Kansas Insurance Department. Prior to the 2017 Legislation, the Securities Commission was an executive branch agency that reported to the Governor. Established in 1911, Kansas became the first state to pass a law regulating the sale of investments. Following the great stock market crash of 1929, the federal government began to regulate investment activity with the passage of the Securities Act of 1933, and the creation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 1934. Insurance and securities have changed over the years but the responsibility of The Kansas Insurance Department to the people of Kansas remains unchanged. The Kansas Insurance Department’s new website is: <a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/">https://insurance.kansas.gov</a> and the staff can be reached at 785 296-3071. VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF KANSAS - <a href="https://portal.kansas.gov/">www.kansas.gov </a>You can find a wealth of information at this well-designed website which focuses on Kansas with topics of business, education, government, residents and services with links to agencies and staff to help answer any question you might have. Webfile will take you directly to the Department of Revenue to file your taxes; Form finder will take you to the Secretary of State’s office for all types of forms for businesses; Learning Quest will direct you to the State Treasurer’s Office; the three branches of Government; and Plan your Trip to Kansas will open to the Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters this week. It is easy to “get into the weeds” on pieces of legislation that seem on the surface to have universal appeal, but for those who want to pursue a more in-depth analysis of the ones which did not have such agreement, go to <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> and pull up “Bills &amp; Laws,” then “Senate Bills,” before scrolling to the desired number and hitting “SN” (Supplemental Notes) for a general explanation which is written by the Legislative research &amp; reviser staff. Thank you for the honor of serving you! Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov 785 296-7389 <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org </a>

BOWERS: Senate Scene Week 7

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Work is still underway to repair damage at the Ellis County Fairgrounds from an August windstorm.

Interim County Administrator Darin Myers told the Ellis County Commission on Monday the total cost of damages is $650,000.

"It almost seemed like every single building was damaged in one way or another," Myers said, "from roof tin being pulled up on edges to vinyl siding being pelted with hail to light poles taking out fences to buildings being completely blown away, utility poles breaking off and landing on other buildings."

The county will only be responsible for its $500 insurance deductible.

"Almost every single building is getting a new roof or a whole new building or being resided or retinned," Myers said.&nbsp;

Myers questioned why the county had such a low deductible. He said the county is working with its insurer to see if it needs to have a higher deductible to reduce premium costs.

Myers said KCAMP, the county's insurer, has already notified the county its premiums will likely increase in 2021. Those rates will be released this summer.

The county had problems with KCAMP under paying, overpaying or not paying for repairs, Myers said. County staff finally sat down with representatives of the insurer, and Myers said service has improved.

Much of the work that is left to be completed will be done in the next month or two, Myers said.

The fair board is using some of its own funds to reconstruct the chicken barn, and insurance funds will be used to put the roof on the barn.

Commissioners approved an extension and addendum of a food service contract with Consolidated Correctional Foodservice for the jail. The contract changes will save the county $10,400 per year. The contract has been extended through 2024.

There will be $177, 598 in grant funds available to the 15th, 17th and 23rd judicial districts. Peggy Pratt, director of the Northwest Kansas Juvenile Services, said she would like those applying for grant funds to focus on mentoring, education and addiction treatment.

Grant applications need to be returned to Pratt by email by April 10.

The commission has decided to wait on any decision to pay dues to the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission until after a county sales tax vote later this month.

The county is proposing a bylaw change to the commission that would limit the amount of dues paid by any county to $25,000.

The county was paying $40,000 in dues. It cut funding for dues completely this year due to a budget shortfall.

The commission has set its annual road tour for April 22. Commissioners and staff will be traveling to locations throughout the county.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostWork is still underway to repair damage at the Ellis County Fairgrounds from an August windstorm.Interim County Administrator Darin Myers told the Ellis County Commission on Monday the total cost of damages is $650,000."It almost seemed like every single building was damaged in one way or another," Myers said, "from roof tin being pulled up on edges to vinyl siding being pelted with hail to light poles taking out fences to buildings being completely blown away, utility poles breaking off and landing on other buildings."The county will only be responsible for its $500 insurance deductible."Almost every single building is getting a new roof or a whole new building or being resided or retinned," Myers said.&nbsp;Myers questioned why the county had such a low deductible. He said the county is working with its insurer to see if it needs to have a higher deductible to reduce premium costs.Myers said KCAMP, the county's insurer, has already notified the county its premiums will likely increase in 2021. Those rates will be released this summer.The county had problems with KCAMP under paying, overpaying or not paying for repairs, Myers said. County staff finally sat down with representatives of the insurer, and Myers said service has improved.Much of the work that is left to be completed will be done in the next month or two, Myers said.The fair board is using some of its own funds to reconstruct the chicken barn, and insurance funds will be used to put the roof on the barn.<h2>Food service contract</h2>Commissioners approved an extension and addendum of a food service contract with Consolidated Correctional Foodservice for the jail. The contract changes will save the county $10,400 per year. The contract has been extended through 2024.<h2>Juvenile Justice&nbsp;</h2>There will be $177, 598 in grant funds available to the 15th, 17th and 23rd judicial districts. Peggy Pratt, director of the Northwest Kansas Juvenile Services, said she would like those applying for grant funds to focus on mentoring, education and addiction treatment.Grant applications need to be returned to Pratt by email by April 10.<h2>NWKSP&amp;DC</h2>The commission has decided to wait on any decision to pay dues to the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission until after a county sales tax vote later this month.The county is proposing a bylaw change to the commission that would limit the amount of dues paid by any county to $25,000.The county was paying $40,000 in dues. It cut funding for dues completely this year due to a budget shortfall.<h2>Road tour</h2>The commission has set its annual road tour for April 22. Commissioners and staff will be traveling to locations throughout the county.

$650,000 in damages at Ellis Co. Fairground from 2019 storm

MCPHERSON — 
PBT Bancshares Inc., the parent company for Peoples Bank and Trust, 
McPherson, announced Tuesday it has entered into a definitive
 agreement to acquire Community Bank of the Midwest, Great Bend, with locations in Ellinwood, Otis and Ness City. 

The agreement 
provides for a merger of Community Bank of the Midwest into Peoples Bank
 &amp; Trust. Peoples Bank and Trust has three locations in McPherson, 
with additional locations in Hutchinson, Nickerson, Pleasantview, Lyons,
 Little River, Lindsborg, Inman and Yoder. The combined bank is 
expected to have total consolidated assets of approximately $800 
million, of which $650 million are in deposits and $475 million are in 
loans.

Tom Pruitt, President and Chief Executive Officer of 
Peoples Bank and Trust, commented, “We are very excited about the growth
 opportunity the proposed merger with Community Bank of the Midwest 
presents. Our banks share comparable core values and culture and our 
partnership will reinforce our focus of making a positive impact in each
 community we serve. We will also bring additional financial services to
 customers of Community Bank of the Midwest, by offering Trust Services,
 Investment Services, Farm Management Services, and expanded Residential
 Real Estate Lending Services”.

“I believe the merger with Peoples
 Bank and Trust is an excellent fit for our customers, employees and 
communities we serve,” said Steve Sell, President of Community Bank of 
the Midwest. “The combination of our two banks will better align our 
resources, enhance our financial strength, and expand our product 
offerings and technology solutions, all while allowing our same 
employees to remain actively involved in our communities. Our joint goal
 of making the greatest impact on the communities we serve is a primary 
reason for joining with Peoples Bank and Trust. We chose a partner who 
values loyal customer relationships and is a near-perfect match on how 
we do the business of hometown banking.”

The parties currently 
expect to finalize the transaction early in the second quarter of 2020, 
subject to regulatory approval. Once finalized, Peoples Bank and Trust 
will operate in 13 Kansas communities with 18 locations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583334411980.jpeg" alt="Community Bank of the Midwest" />
 <figcaption>Community Bank of the Midwest</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON — 
PBT Bancshares Inc., the parent company for Peoples Bank and Trust, 
McPherson, announced Tuesday it has entered into a definitive
 agreement to acquire Community Bank of the Midwest, Great Bend, with locations in Ellinwood, Otis and Ness City. The agreement 
provides for a merger of Community Bank of the Midwest into Peoples Bank
 &amp; Trust. Peoples Bank and Trust has three locations in McPherson, 
with additional locations in Hutchinson, Nickerson, Pleasantview, Lyons,
 Little River, Lindsborg, Inman and Yoder. The combined bank is 
expected to have total consolidated assets of approximately $800 
million, of which $650 million are in deposits and $475 million are in 
loans.Tom Pruitt, President and Chief Executive Officer of 
Peoples Bank and Trust, commented, “We are very excited about the growth
 opportunity the proposed merger with Community Bank of the Midwest 
presents. Our banks share comparable core values and culture and our 
partnership will reinforce our focus of making a positive impact in each
 community we serve. We will also bring additional financial services to
 customers of Community Bank of the Midwest, by offering Trust Services,
 Investment Services, Farm Management Services, and expanded Residential
 Real Estate Lending Services”.“I believe the merger with Peoples
 Bank and Trust is an excellent fit for our customers, employees and 
communities we serve,” said Steve Sell, President of Community Bank of 
the Midwest. “The combination of our two banks will better align our 
resources, enhance our financial strength, and expand our product 
offerings and technology solutions, all while allowing our same 
employees to remain actively involved in our communities. Our joint goal
 of making the greatest impact on the communities we serve is a primary 
reason for joining with Peoples Bank and Trust. We chose a partner who 
values loyal customer relationships and is a near-perfect match on how 
we do the business of hometown banking.”The parties currently 
expect to finalize the transaction early in the second quarter of 2020, 
subject to regulatory approval. Once finalized, Peoples Bank and Trust 
will operate in 13 Kansas communities with 18 locations.

People's Bank and Trust to acquire Community Bank of the Midwest

By DIANE GASPER O'BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing&nbsp;

Demetrius Chance knows that a huge step in facing and dealing with depression and mental illness is to talk to someone about what’s bothering you. He also knows that is much tougher than it sounds.&nbsp;

The 29-year-old Chance survived childhood abuse, bouts with depression, alcoholism, four suicide attempts and a psychotic breakdown. He doesn’t mind talking about his life – mainly because of the word that now describes him: survivor.&nbsp;

“Mental illness can be a common language if we talk about it,” Chance said. “I have to be able to talk about everything with my life because it helps. I’m an open book.”&nbsp;

Chance is now a happily married college student, majoring in sociology at Fort Hays State University, and a father of five. And he wants to raise awareness about mental illness by squelching the stigmas and stereotypes associated with the disease.&nbsp;

He wants people to know that it’s acceptable to reach out for help to talk about what they’re going through.&nbsp;

“It’s OK for you not to be OK some days,” he said, “but then you have to decide what you are going to do about it,” such as seeking professional help instead of turning to alcohol or drugs.&nbsp;

Chance organized a group of FHSU faculty for a panel discussion as part of a project through the National Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus. His name for the project – “Can You See Me?” – was personal.&nbsp;

“When I was dealing with my trauma and battles with mental illness, I wondered if people were depicting who I was because of my illness,” he said. “Were they seeing me as a person or seeing me for my scars?”&nbsp;

The seven panel members, all from different ethnic groups – including natives of Taiwan, Uganda, Brazil and India – answered pre-written questions while addressing a packed house in the Memorial Union’s Black and Gold Room Tuesday.&nbsp;

The panel discussion followed a moving video with the project title, featuring three students who spoke out about how speaking out ultimately led to a happier life.&nbsp;

One of those students was Chance, who talked about some of the issues he faced while growing up as an adopted child in North Carolina, with his biological father living nearby under the identity of his alcoholic uncle. That led to a troubled young adulthood before he finally sought professional counseling.&nbsp;

Tuesday’s presentation originated from an idea of Ken Windholz, an instructor in FHSU’s Department of Psychology and the advisor for NAMI. Windholz, a licensed clinical psychotherapist for 45 years, has been trying to use NAMI as a vehicle for raising awareness for mental illness for several years.&nbsp;

Chance moved to Hays in 2018 with his wife, Nuchelle – an instructor in the Psychology Department – and their family. A year later, he enrolled at FHSU, joined NAMI and jumped at the opportunity to tell his story.&nbsp;

“My whole life goal now is to help others,” Chance said. “I’m a voice, and that’s the platform I’m trying to build, to encourage others to tell their stories.”&nbsp;

After about nine months of planning and organizing the event, Chance saw his dream become reality. He was deliberate about his panelist choices.&nbsp;

“I wanted to get a diverse perspective of how different ethnic groups deal with psychological trauma,” Chance said.&nbsp;

As a whole, the panelists agreed that everyone deals with psychological pain no matter what their race or nationality.&nbsp;

Windholz and Chance were encouraged by the turnout, and Chance hopes to keep moving forward, maybe land some public speaking opportunities and continue to address breaking down the barriers about mental illness.&nbsp;

“I want to build a platform for the community,” Chance said. “Let’s bring up topics that people don’t feel comfortable talking about ­– but should – and build on it.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

FHSU offers a variety of support for students, from the Kelly Center (the university’s counseling center) to the Office of the President.&nbsp;

Fort Hays State Vice-President for Student Affairs Joey Linn read a note from President Tisa Mason, who was unable to attend. It talked about a recent summit on campus, titled “Hope in the Heartland,” that involved mental health professionals and legislators.&nbsp;

The gathering, she wrote, raised public awareness about mental health, substance use, and stress in farming and agriculture. A large part of the focus was on de-stigmatizing mental health.&nbsp;

Mason stressed that there is hope around continuing dialogue on that issue.&nbsp;

She applauded the audience for coming together to address the stigma of mental health disorders in various cultures and populations.&nbsp;

“Your participation in this dialogue,” she said, “may be the spark that lights the shadows and brings mental health and healing to those in our community who need it most.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582833974065.jpeg" alt="FHSU faculty from different minority groups talk about mental health stigmas in minority cultures during the panel discussion "Can You See Me?"&nbsp; (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU faculty from different minority groups talk about mental health stigmas in minority cultures during the panel discussion "Can You See Me?"&nbsp; (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DIANE GASPER O'BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing&nbsp;Demetrius Chance knows that a huge step in facing and dealing with depression and mental illness is to talk to someone about what’s bothering you. He also knows that is much tougher than it sounds.&nbsp;The 29-year-old Chance survived childhood abuse, bouts with depression, alcoholism, four suicide attempts and a psychotic breakdown. He doesn’t mind talking about his life – mainly because of the word that now describes him: survivor.&nbsp;“Mental illness can be a common language if we talk about it,” Chance said. “I have to be able to talk about everything with my life because it helps. I’m an open book.”&nbsp;Chance is now a happily married college student, majoring in sociology at Fort Hays State University, and a father of five. And he wants to raise awareness about mental illness by squelching the stigmas and stereotypes associated with the disease.&nbsp;He wants people to know that it’s acceptable to reach out for help to talk about what they’re going through.&nbsp;“It’s OK for you not to be OK some days,” he said, “but then you have to decide what you are going to do about it,” such as seeking professional help instead of turning to alcohol or drugs.&nbsp;Chance organized a group of FHSU faculty for a panel discussion as part of a project through the National Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus. His name for the project – “Can You See Me?” – was personal.&nbsp;“When I was dealing with my trauma and battles with mental illness, I wondered if people were depicting who I was because of my illness,” he said. “Were they seeing me as a person or seeing me for my scars?”&nbsp;The seven panel members, all from different ethnic groups – including natives of Taiwan, Uganda, Brazil and India – answered pre-written questions while addressing a packed house in the Memorial Union’s Black and Gold Room Tuesday.&nbsp;<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kSoHbw9XoeI"></iframe>
 <figcaption>(Video and photos by Hays Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>The panel discussion followed a moving video with the project title, featuring three students who spoke out about how speaking out ultimately led to a happier life.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583105592092.png" alt="August Phlieger, AP Productions, produced the film of three FHSU students who've struggled with mental health issues, including Demetrius Chance (at right)." />
 <figcaption>August Phlieger, AP Productions, produced the film of three FHSU students who've struggled with mental health issues, including Demetrius Chance (at right).</figcaption>
 </figure>One of those students was Chance, who talked about some of the issues he faced while growing up as an adopted child in North Carolina, with his biological father living nearby under the identity of his alcoholic uncle. That led to a troubled young adulthood before he finally sought professional counseling.&nbsp;Tuesday’s presentation originated from an idea of Ken Windholz, an instructor in FHSU’s Department of Psychology and the advisor for NAMI. Windholz, a licensed clinical psychotherapist for 45 years, has been trying to use NAMI as a vehicle for raising awareness for mental illness for several years.&nbsp;Chance moved to Hays in 2018 with his wife, Nuchelle – an instructor in the Psychology Department – and their family. A year later, he enrolled at FHSU, joined NAMI and jumped at the opportunity to tell his story.&nbsp;“My whole life goal now is to help others,” Chance said. “I’m a voice, and that’s the platform I’m trying to build, to encourage others to tell their stories.”&nbsp;After about nine months of planning and organizing the event, Chance saw his dream become reality. He was deliberate about his panelist choices.&nbsp;“I wanted to get a diverse perspective of how different ethnic groups deal with psychological trauma,” Chance said.&nbsp;As a whole, the panelists agreed that everyone deals with psychological pain no matter what their race or nationality.&nbsp;Windholz and Chance were encouraged by the turnout, and Chance hopes to keep moving forward, maybe land some public speaking opportunities and continue to address breaking down the barriers about mental illness.&nbsp;“I want to build a platform for the community,” Chance said. “Let’s bring up topics that people don’t feel comfortable talking about ­– but should – and build on it.” &nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583105713679.png" alt="The FHSU faculty panel talks with attendees after the discussion about mental health issues in minority cultures.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The FHSU faculty panel talks with attendees after the discussion about mental health issues in minority cultures.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU offers a variety of support for students, from the Kelly Center (the university’s counseling center) to the Office of the President.&nbsp;Fort Hays State Vice-President for Student Affairs Joey Linn read a note from President Tisa Mason, who was unable to attend. It talked about a recent summit on campus, titled “Hope in the Heartland,” that involved mental health professionals and legislators.&nbsp;The gathering, she wrote, raised public awareness about mental health, substance use, and stress in farming and agriculture. A large part of the focus was on de-stigmatizing mental health.&nbsp;Mason stressed that there is hope around continuing dialogue on that issue.&nbsp;She applauded the audience for coming together to address the stigma of mental health disorders in various cultures and populations.&nbsp;“Your participation in this dialogue,” she said, “may be the spark that lights the shadows and brings mental health and healing to those in our community who need it most.”&nbsp;

🎥 FHSU student raising awareness about mental illness stereotypes

Grow Hays this week announced the establishment of a partnership between Grow Hays and Fort Hays State University in conducting the Faulkner Challenge. 

The Faulkner Challenge is a free entrepreneurship contest sponsored by FHSU alumnist Kevin Faulkner. The event includes a written business plan as well as a 10 minute oral presentation in front of 5 judges who then conduct a Q&amp;A and provide feedback. Mr. Faulkner contributes $10,000 in prize money for the event.


"Grow Hays is thrilled to be a part of the Faulkner Challenge. Entrepreneurship is a high priority for us so the opportunity to be involved with an event like this fits perfectly with what we are already doing in the area of entrepreneurship. We also feel expanding the territory of the event to cover participants from 56 counties in Western Kansas gives us the opportunity to truly make a regional impact" said Doug Williams, Executive Director of Grow Hays. 


Dr. Melissa Hunsicker Walburn, Interim Dean, Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University said "We're pleased to bring our entrepreneurship activities into the community and region through our partnership with Grow Hays and BriefSpace. We hope that events like the Faulkner Challenge can continue to bring together entrepreneurs of various backgrounds, with differing levels of experience, with wide­ranging ideas to move ideas to ventures." 


The written business plans must be submitted by March 20. Submitted plans will be judged and six finalists will be notified no later than March 23. The finals of the competition will be April 4 at BriefSpace in downtown Hays at 219 West 10th Street. The event is open to the public. 


Dr. Hunsicker Walburn invites the public "to attend, network and listen to the final presentations. We look forward to this event being not only a competition, but also an opportunity to develop your network and connections." 

A complete list of guidelines and rules can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/cob/faulkner-challenge/">https://www.fhsu.edu/cob/faulkner-challenge/</a>

<div><iframe title="FHSU and Grow Hays team up for the 2020 Faulkner Challenge" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/crq9p-d50781?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=3&btn-skin=101&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>Grow HaysGrow Hays this week announced the establishment of a partnership between Grow Hays and Fort Hays State University in conducting the Faulkner Challenge. The Faulkner Challenge is a free entrepreneurship contest sponsored by FHSU alumnist Kevin Faulkner. The event includes a written business plan as well as a 10 minute oral presentation in front of 5 judges who then conduct a Q&amp;A and provide feedback. Mr. Faulkner contributes $10,000 in prize money for the event.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583188250710.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
"Grow Hays is thrilled to be a part of the Faulkner Challenge. Entrepreneurship is a high priority for us so the opportunity to be involved with an event like this fits perfectly with what we are already doing in the area of entrepreneurship. We also feel expanding the territory of the event to cover participants from 56 counties in Western Kansas gives us the opportunity to truly make a regional impact" said Doug Williams, Executive Director of Grow Hays. 
Dr. Melissa Hunsicker Walburn, Interim Dean, Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University said "We're pleased to bring our entrepreneurship activities into the community and region through our partnership with Grow Hays and BriefSpace. We hope that events like the Faulkner Challenge can continue to bring together entrepreneurs of various backgrounds, with differing levels of experience, with wide­ranging ideas to move ideas to ventures." 
The written business plans must be submitted by March 20. Submitted plans will be judged and six finalists will be notified no later than March 23. The finals of the competition will be April 4 at BriefSpace in downtown Hays at 219 West 10th Street. The event is open to the public. 
Dr. Hunsicker Walburn invites the public "to attend, network and listen to the final presentations. We look forward to this event being not only a competition, but also an opportunity to develop your network and connections." A complete list of guidelines and rules can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/cob/faulkner-challenge/">https://www.fhsu.edu/cob/faulkner-challenge/</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583188056843.jpeg" alt="Faulkner Flyer2.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Faulkner Flyer2.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>

Grow Hays Partners with FHSU for the 2020 Faulkner Challenge

Follow some unforgettable group of friends as they discover the&nbsp;greatest hits of all time! Set in a music-filled suburban basement, this unbelievable&nbsp;heartfelt true story is guaranteed to take you back to the first time you pushed play,&nbsp;tuned in, and set the needle down.&nbsp;

Western Plains Arts Association hosts Forever Young, Branson-based musical theatre, at 3 p.m. CDT, March 8 at the Oakley High School Auditorium.

Forever Young features songs&nbsp;by:&nbsp;Billy Joel, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Huey Lewis &amp; The&nbsp;News, Styx, Queen, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Brooks &amp; Dunn, The&nbsp;Black Crows,&nbsp;Bon Jovi, and many more, this multi-award-winning production is jam-packed with powerhouse vocals, dynamite choreography, and one sensational true&nbsp;story that is guaranteed to make you feel...Forever Young.&nbsp;

Tickets are $20 adult and $10 students. In addition to a host of sponsoring businesses and individuals throughout the area major contributors include the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Lenora, and the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation for Logan County, Bird City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583083858703.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WPAAFollow some unforgettable group of friends as they discover the&nbsp;greatest hits of all time! Set in a music-filled suburban basement, this unbelievable&nbsp;heartfelt true story is guaranteed to take you back to the first time you pushed play,&nbsp;tuned in, and set the needle down.&nbsp;Western Plains Arts Association hosts Forever Young, Branson-based musical theatre, at 3 p.m. CDT, March 8 at the Oakley High School Auditorium.Forever Young features songs&nbsp;by:&nbsp;Billy Joel, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Huey Lewis &amp; The&nbsp;News, Styx, Queen, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Brooks &amp; Dunn, The&nbsp;Black Crows,&nbsp;Bon Jovi, and many more, this multi-award-winning production is jam-packed with powerhouse vocals, dynamite choreography, and one sensational true&nbsp;story that is guaranteed to make you feel...Forever Young.&nbsp;Tickets are $20 adult and $10 students. In addition to a host of sponsoring businesses and individuals throughout the area major contributors include the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Lenora, and the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation for Logan County, Bird City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583083897963.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Forever Young will perform March 8 in Oakley

I think overall wildlife have done a much better job of coexisting with man than we have done coexisting with them. If you think living in town excludes wildlife from our presence (other than the obvious resident squirrels and cottontails) think again. Possums, skunks, raccoons, beavers, foxes, coyotes and armadillos are right at home among us. Wildlife coexist with us in our towns incident-free for-the-most-part, even coyotes, but they all have their good, bad and ugly qualities.

Possums eat about anything, but they especially love dog and cat food, which is always available in dog and cat bowls somewhere around town. Opossums, as they are correctly called are recently being credited with eating large numbers of ticks, which, in my book is enough to give them “good” status. Other than that, they are just plain ugly looking with a mug only a mother possum could love. They can usually be kept from your yard by excluding them from living under porches and outbuildings, and by cleaning up leftover dog and cat food.

Skunks have lived among us for ages and I guess their one good quality could be their appetite for grubs which they will dig for greedily. When I was a kid in Ohio we had an invasion of June bugs one year, which begin life underground as grubs. Skunks were riddling the local golf course greens nightly digging for those grubs and preventing that many from ever becoming mature June bugs, but that appetite also got them in big trouble with the golf course crew. Obviously a skunks worst quality is the stench that results from any unfortunate encounter with them, but they awfully cute when their little.&nbsp;

Try as I might, I can’t come up with a good quality to assign to a raccoon. They are mischievous devils that can break into most anything and are infamous for turning over trash cans, and they can squeeze through the tiniest opening to get into an attic or storage building. They make a mess wherever they go and are known rabies carriers. Once again, they are cute when they’re little, but like every other cute little critter, they grow-up!

Beavers are truly a mixed bag of the good, the bad and the ugly. Over time they have probably created more wildlife habitat than all human conservationists combined, as each time they dam up a wilderness stream or river, the resulting pools and ponds provide room and board for an endless variety of wildlife. The problem is the location of those dams. In the mountains and hills or even in a pasture off the beaten path, where those dams and resulting ponds are of no hindrance to man or agriculture, all is well. The problem is that all too often here in the Midwest, their dams flood valuable farm land or roads and streets around city park ponds, and then they become the bad and the ugly.

I always spend a day or two at the state trapper’s booth at the Kansas State Fair, and last year a lady from Galva stopped to tell us that Galva was overrun with red foxes and people were losing house cats left and right. I already knew that Hutchinson was home to several red fox families, and our local conservation officer confirmed that Galva and a few other towns around, do in fact have a more than healthy red fox population. Red foxes and coyotes do not coexist well, so red foxes have adapted to live quite well in towns and cities. They help keep feral cat populations in check, as well as numbers of cottontails, pigeons, rats and mice. As far as I’m concerned, that is all good, except when someone’s pet house cat is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In 2019 the coyote population in the city of Chicago was estimated to be around 4000. New York City, with all its suburbs and divisions sports a very healthy population of coyotes as well.&nbsp; Some years I’ve trapped a handful of coyotes just a stone’s throw from the Inman city limits. The coyote has long been known as the most versatile carnivore in America, adapting quite well to life in suburbs and inner cities. In the wild, the coyote definitely has a bad and ugly reputation because of the livestock and deer fawn numbers they kill. Coyotes are a tad more aggressive and intimidating than foxes and I suspect that reputation alone gets them labeled as bad and ugly in suburbia too despite the pest control service they provide.&nbsp;

For the past few years armadillos have been steadily creeping northward and are now fairly common in south central KS. They too are grub eaters and will make a mess of golf course greens and lawns in search of snacks. They are very interesting creatures, but like the raccoon, not much good can be said for them.

Like I said, God’s critters are much better at adapting to us than we are adapting to them. I guess in town, they can all be seen as good, bad or ugly depending on the scenario. One of the many questions I have for God, is “What did you feed all these varmints on the boat ride here? Did you keep grubs in stock? Did you have peanut butter and jelly for the coon’s sweet tooth? How in the world did you keep them all from eating each other?” It all begs the question “I wonder how critters would rate us, good, bad or ugly?” I don’t think I really want to know! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>I think overall wildlife have done a much better job of coexisting with man than we have done coexisting with them. If you think living in town excludes wildlife from our presence (other than the obvious resident squirrels and cottontails) think again. Possums, skunks, raccoons, beavers, foxes, coyotes and armadillos are right at home among us. Wildlife coexist with us in our towns incident-free for-the-most-part, even coyotes, but they all have their good, bad and ugly qualities.Possums eat about anything, but they especially love dog and cat food, which is always available in dog and cat bowls somewhere around town. Opossums, as they are correctly called are recently being credited with eating large numbers of ticks, which, in my book is enough to give them “good” status. Other than that, they are just plain ugly looking with a mug only a mother possum could love. They can usually be kept from your yard by excluding them from living under porches and outbuildings, and by cleaning up leftover dog and cat food.Skunks have lived among us for ages and I guess their one good quality could be their appetite for grubs which they will dig for greedily. When I was a kid in Ohio we had an invasion of June bugs one year, which begin life underground as grubs. Skunks were riddling the local golf course greens nightly digging for those grubs and preventing that many from ever becoming mature June bugs, but that appetite also got them in big trouble with the golf course crew. Obviously a skunks worst quality is the stench that results from any unfortunate encounter with them, but they awfully cute when their little.&nbsp;Try as I might, I can’t come up with a good quality to assign to a raccoon. They are mischievous devils that can break into most anything and are infamous for turning over trash cans, and they can squeeze through the tiniest opening to get into an attic or storage building. They make a mess wherever they go and are known rabies carriers. Once again, they are cute when they’re little, but like every other cute little critter, they grow-up!Beavers are truly a mixed bag of the good, the bad and the ugly. Over time they have probably created more wildlife habitat than all human conservationists combined, as each time they dam up a wilderness stream or river, the resulting pools and ponds provide room and board for an endless variety of wildlife. The problem is the location of those dams. In the mountains and hills or even in a pasture off the beaten path, where those dams and resulting ponds are of no hindrance to man or agriculture, all is well. The problem is that all too often here in the Midwest, their dams flood valuable farm land or roads and streets around city park ponds, and then they become the bad and the ugly.I always spend a day or two at the state trapper’s booth at the Kansas State Fair, and last year a lady from Galva stopped to tell us that Galva was overrun with red foxes and people were losing house cats left and right. I already knew that Hutchinson was home to several red fox families, and our local conservation officer confirmed that Galva and a few other towns around, do in fact have a more than healthy red fox population. Red foxes and coyotes do not coexist well, so red foxes have adapted to live quite well in towns and cities. They help keep feral cat populations in check, as well as numbers of cottontails, pigeons, rats and mice. As far as I’m concerned, that is all good, except when someone’s pet house cat is in the wrong place at the wrong time.In 2019 the coyote population in the city of Chicago was estimated to be around 4000. New York City, with all its suburbs and divisions sports a very healthy population of coyotes as well.&nbsp; Some years I’ve trapped a handful of coyotes just a stone’s throw from the Inman city limits. The coyote has long been known as the most versatile carnivore in America, adapting quite well to life in suburbs and inner cities. In the wild, the coyote definitely has a bad and ugly reputation because of the livestock and deer fawn numbers they kill. Coyotes are a tad more aggressive and intimidating than foxes and I suspect that reputation alone gets them labeled as bad and ugly in suburbia too despite the pest control service they provide.&nbsp;For the past few years armadillos have been steadily creeping northward and are now fairly common in south central KS. They too are grub eaters and will make a mess of golf course greens and lawns in search of snacks. They are very interesting creatures, but like the raccoon, not much good can be said for them.Like I said, God’s critters are much better at adapting to us than we are adapting to them. I guess in town, they can all be seen as good, bad or ugly depending on the scenario. One of the many questions I have for God, is “What did you feed all these varmints on the boat ride here? Did you keep grubs in stock? Did you have peanut butter and jelly for the coon’s sweet tooth? How in the world did you keep them all from eating each other?” It all begs the question “I wonder how critters would rate us, good, bad or ugly?” I don’t think I really want to know! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kan.: Good, bad and ugly of in-town wildlife

<a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575929617735.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583178967052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three-day weather outlook

Last week, Democrats blocked a vote in the Senate on two pro-life bills: S. 311, which would require doctors to provide medical care to a child who survives an abortion, and S.3275, which would ban abortions beginning
 at 20 weeks. 

The&nbsp; Democratic Party’s pro-abortion extremism knows no bounds. It is beyond belief that an entire party would so fiercely object to basic protections for babies. I call on Democrats, as Senate Majority Leader
 McConnell said today, to take a "clear and moral stand" to protect innocent life.


The CDC documented 143 instances of infants surviving abortions between 2003 and 2014. However, only eight states require the reporting of infants who survive abortions. Additionally, this information is provided
 by unsupervised abortion providers. Furthermore, the CDC reports that 1.2% of abortions occur after 20 weeks gestation, which is near the gestational age where many babies can survive outside of the mother’s womb.

Last week, I met with Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., to discuss health matters in Kansas, particularly the steps the department is taking
 to prepare for a potential outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.The safety of Kansans is my top priority and I will continue to monitor Coronavirus developments closely and communicate with officials across Kansas.I encourage families to take steps to understand the signs and symptoms of the Coronavirus and begin making contingency plans for food, travel, and work if an outbreak were to
 occur. As always I recommended regular hand washing, using alcohol based hand sanitizer, and maintaining proper nutrition to keep your immune system strong.&nbsp;

Agriculture is the backbone of our state's economy and will continue to be instrumental in our state's long-term economic growth.I recently had the opportunity to speak to some of Kansas' best and brightest young farmers and ranchers at the&nbsp;Kansas Farm Bureau&nbsp;Young Farmer and Rancher conference.Thank you to all the farmers and rancher for your dedication and commitment to feeding our nation and world. I look forward to continuing to advocate on behalf of Kansas agriculture
 in Washington and appreciated the opportunity to speak at the event.

Last week I met with the Student Body Presidents, Vice Presidents, and other student government leaders of&nbsp;Kansas State University&nbsp;and the University of Kansas. We discussed addressing
 food insecurity in Kansas, strengthening mental health programs, and increasing college affordability.I was impressed by these sharp students’ vision for Kansas and how engaged they are with the federal legislative process. Thanks to KU students Mercedeh Tavocli, Tiara Floyd,
 and Seth Wingerter, and K-State students Jansen Penny, Noah Ochsner, Sadie Polson, Madison Brown, and Ali Karamali for your advocacy and dedication to improving the lives of Kansans all across the state.

On Thursday, the Science Committee’s Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on the importance of flood maps not only to home and property owners, but to agencies that are also
 using these tools. The Committee discussed what tools are currently available to help property owners, coastal managers, community leaders, and other stakeholders as they evaluate current and future flood risk. Mr. Ryan Branfort from Salina testified during the hearing, discussing how geospatial data, technology, and services can help improve the flood maps available through FEMA and
 other federal agencies.

I had an opportunity to reconnect with Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Joseph Martin, at the&nbsp;Army Caucus Breakfast. We discussed the emerging technology being
 developed by the military and how Congress can help keep our nation secure by ensuring adequate funding for advanced research. Gen. Martin, former commander of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, is championing the development of new hypersonic weapons and defenses. Hypersonic weapons can travel
 5 times faster than the speed of sound and pose unique challenges to defend against. It is extremely important that we stay ahead of our adversaries in this field. I thank Gen. Martin for his service and will continue to do everything I can to ensure that our military has the resources they need to keep our country safe.&nbsp;

I spoke before the Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to highlight priorities for the upcoming Water Resources Development Act
 (WRDA). Last spring was one of the wettest on record, with many communities across the state of Kansas feeling the impacts of flooding and other severe weather events. Ensuring that we are both able to prepare for these events as well as respond to them are of vital importance, especially heading into what’s shaping up to be another wet spring.
 I appreciated the opportunity to share my thoughts as well as the feedback I’ve heard during my travels across Kansas with members of the Subcommittee.&nbsp;Click on the video below to watch my testimony:&nbsp;

American Association of Orthodontists&nbsp;

On Tuesday, I met with a group of orthodontists from Kansas who expressed their gratitude&nbsp;for my ongoing support of the dental professional and patient community and their mission to drive excellence in patient
 care.

I have co-sponsored two pieces of legislation that are priorities for their association, H.R.1554 the REDI Act will&nbsp;provide medical and dental residents relief by halting the accrual of interest on graduate student
 loans during residency, and&nbsp;H.R. 1379 - Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act, which will ensure&nbsp;people born with a congenital anomaly or birth defect get the medically necessary care they need.&nbsp;

I appreciate their support and was also happy to thank them for all that they do to make sure Kansans can smile brightly.&nbsp;

Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz stopped by the office on Thursday afternoon to discuss ongoing transportation and infrastructure projects, not just
 in the 1st District but all across Kansas.&nbsp;Transportation infrastructure is vitally important in not only getting Kansans where they need to go, but also in quickly and efficiently getting our products to market. I appreciated
 Secretary Lorenz coming by the office and discussing how we can continue to work together to get available federal infrastructure resources, such as BUILD and INFRA grants through the US Department of Transportation, back to Kansas.

Following the announcement that Boeing would be suspending production of their 737 MAX aircraft and subsequent workforce disruptions felt by supplier Spirit AeroSystems earlier
 this year, the&nbsp;Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce&nbsp;along with a number of business, community, and industry leaders came together to provide support and resources to impacted workers.The Air Capital Committee Working Group, that I had the pleasure of joining earlier this week, meets regularly to provide updates on efforts to support workers and to address
 new issues as they arise.&nbsp;Tuesday was the working group's February meeting where I received an update and reiterated the Kansas delegation's commitment to helping the broader Wichita community and those impacted.

Thursday morning I met with patients and parents with children that suffer from rare diseases from Kansas. They advocated on the importance of medical research and how innovation
 has brought new medicine to treat uncommon diseases that were once believed to be untreatable.&nbsp;As a physician and now member of Congress I have always been a strong supporter of the National Institutes of Health. The research done there and in research centers across the
 country – including in Kansas – deliver promising discoveries that help save lives.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1575044847505.jpeg" alt="First Dist. Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Great Bend" />
 <figcaption>First Dist. Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Great Bend</figcaption>
 </figure>Friends, Last week, Democrats blocked a vote in the Senate on two pro-life bills: S. 311, which would require doctors to provide medical care to a child who survives an abortion, and S.3275, which would ban abortions beginning
 at 20 weeks. The&nbsp; Democratic Party’s pro-abortion extremism knows no bounds. It is beyond belief that an entire party would so fiercely object to basic protections for babies. I call on Democrats, as Senate Majority Leader
 McConnell said today, to take a "clear and moral stand" to protect innocent life.
The CDC documented 143 instances of infants surviving abortions between 2003 and 2014. However, only eight states require the reporting of infants who survive abortions. Additionally, this information is provided
 by unsupervised abortion providers. Furthermore, the CDC reports that 1.2% of abortions occur after 20 weeks gestation, which is near the gestational age where many babies can survive outside of the mother’s womb.<h2>Preparing for Coronavirus</h2>Last week, I met with Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., to discuss health matters in Kansas, particularly the steps the department is taking
 to prepare for a potential outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.The safety of Kansans is my top priority and I will continue to monitor Coronavirus developments closely and communicate with officials across Kansas.I encourage families to take steps to understand the signs and symptoms of the Coronavirus and begin making contingency plans for food, travel, and work if an outbreak were to
 occur. As always I recommended regular hand washing, using alcohol based hand sanitizer, and maintaining proper nutrition to keep your immune system strong.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583166810668.jpeg" alt="Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher conference" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher conference</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Advocating for Ag</h2>Agriculture is the backbone of our state's economy and will continue to be instrumental in our state's long-term economic growth.I recently had the opportunity to speak to some of Kansas' best and brightest young farmers and ranchers at the&nbsp;Kansas Farm Bureau&nbsp;Young Farmer and Rancher conference.Thank you to all the farmers and rancher for your dedication and commitment to feeding our nation and world. I look forward to continuing to advocate on behalf of Kansas agriculture
 in Washington and appreciated the opportunity to speak at the event.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583166726463.jpeg" alt="With SGA leaders of Kansas State University" />
 <figcaption>With SGA leaders of Kansas State University</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Meeting with Student Leaders</h2>Last week I met with the Student Body Presidents, Vice Presidents, and other student government leaders of&nbsp;Kansas State University&nbsp;and the University of Kansas. We discussed addressing
 food insecurity in Kansas, strengthening mental health programs, and increasing college affordability.I was impressed by these sharp students’ vision for Kansas and how engaged they are with the federal legislative process. Thanks to KU students Mercedeh Tavocli, Tiara Floyd,
 and Seth Wingerter, and K-State students Jansen Penny, Noah Ochsner, Sadie Polson, Madison Brown, and Ali Karamali for your advocacy and dedication to improving the lives of Kansans all across the state.<h2>Discussing Flood Maps</h2>On Thursday, the Science Committee’s Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on the importance of flood maps not only to home and property owners, but to agencies that are also
 using these tools. The Committee discussed what tools are currently available to help property owners, coastal managers, community leaders, and other stakeholders as they evaluate current and future flood risk. Mr. Ryan Branfort from Salina testified during the hearing, discussing how geospatial data, technology, and services can help improve the flood maps available through FEMA and
 other federal agencies.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583166684255.jpeg" alt="With Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Joseph Martin" />
 <figcaption>With Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Joseph Martin</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Keeping Our Nation Strong</h2>I had an opportunity to reconnect with Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Joseph Martin, at the&nbsp;Army Caucus Breakfast. We discussed the emerging technology being
 developed by the military and how Congress can help keep our nation secure by ensuring adequate funding for advanced research. Gen. Martin, former commander of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, is championing the development of new hypersonic weapons and defenses. Hypersonic weapons can travel
 5 times faster than the speed of sound and pose unique challenges to defend against. It is extremely important that we stay ahead of our adversaries in this field. I thank Gen. Martin for his service and will continue to do everything I can to ensure that our military has the resources they need to keep our country safe.&nbsp;<h2>WRDA Member Day</h2>I spoke before the Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to highlight priorities for the upcoming Water Resources Development Act
 (WRDA). Last spring was one of the wettest on record, with many communities across the state of Kansas feeling the impacts of flooding and other severe weather events. Ensuring that we are both able to prepare for these events as well as respond to them are of vital importance, especially heading into what’s shaping up to be another wet spring.
 I appreciated the opportunity to share my thoughts as well as the feedback I’ve heard during my travels across Kansas with members of the Subcommittee.&nbsp;Click on the video below to watch my testimony:&nbsp;<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EZzDYJVABZg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>American Association of Orthodontists&nbsp;</h2>On Tuesday, I met with a group of orthodontists from Kansas who expressed their gratitude&nbsp;for my ongoing support of the dental professional and patient community and their mission to drive excellence in patient
 care.I have co-sponsored two pieces of legislation that are priorities for their association, H.R.1554 the REDI Act will&nbsp;provide medical and dental residents relief by halting the accrual of interest on graduate student
 loans during residency, and&nbsp;H.R. 1379 - Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act, which will ensure&nbsp;people born with a congenital anomaly or birth defect get the medically necessary care they need.&nbsp;I appreciate their support and was also happy to thank them for all that they do to make sure Kansans can smile brightly.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583166628476.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Improving Infrastructure</h2>Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz stopped by the office on Thursday afternoon to discuss ongoing transportation and infrastructure projects, not just
 in the 1st District but all across Kansas.&nbsp;Transportation infrastructure is vitally important in not only getting Kansans where they need to go, but also in quickly and efficiently getting our products to market. I appreciated
 Secretary Lorenz coming by the office and discussing how we can continue to work together to get available federal infrastructure resources, such as BUILD and INFRA grants through the US Department of Transportation, back to Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583166595026.jpeg" alt="Air Capital Committee Working Group" />
 <figcaption>Air Capital Committee Working Group</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Supporting Workers</h2>Following the announcement that Boeing would be suspending production of their 737 MAX aircraft and subsequent workforce disruptions felt by supplier Spirit AeroSystems earlier
 this year, the&nbsp;Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce&nbsp;along with a number of business, community, and industry leaders came together to provide support and resources to impacted workers.The Air Capital Committee Working Group, that I had the pleasure of joining earlier this week, meets regularly to provide updates on efforts to support workers and to address
 new issues as they arise.&nbsp;Tuesday was the working group's February meeting where I received an update and reiterated the Kansas delegation's commitment to helping the broader Wichita community and those impacted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583166512542.jpeg" alt="Rare disease legislative advocates" />
 <figcaption>Rare disease legislative advocates</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Rare Disease Legislative Advocates</h2>Thursday morning I met with patients and parents with children that suffer from rare diseases from Kansas. They advocated on the importance of medical research and how innovation
 has brought new medicine to treat uncommon diseases that were once believed to be untreatable.&nbsp;As a physician and now member of Congress I have always been a strong supporter of the National Institutes of Health. The research done there and in research centers across the
 country – including in Kansas – deliver promising discoveries that help save lives.&nbsp;

MARSHALL: Doctor's Note, March 3

Last week, the House considered a number of bills on the
House floor. The topic of these bills varied from egg repackaging rules for
retailers to establishing a state-wide broadband grant program.

One of those bills, House Bill 2646, was from the Judiciary
Committee. This bill was concerning the coordination of training for law
enforcement agencies on missing and murdered indegous people. The bill was
brought forward to address high rates of murder and missing persons in the
Native American population. The bill passed out of the House on February 26 in
final action by a vote of 125 to 0.

Another bill was House Bill 2528, from the Transportation
Committee. This piece of legislation would amend the current statute for
antique vehicles in the state of Kansas. Current law defines an antique vehicle
as any vehicle, including antique military vehciles, that is 35 years old or
greater and have no modifications. 

House Bill 2528 would stipulates that regardless of the age,
type of components, or equipment installed on the vehicle, as long as it was 35
years or older, the vehicle would be classfied as an antique vehicle. The bill
passed out of the House in final action by a vote of 124 to 1, I voted “yes.”

Another bill was House Bill 2575 and this bill would increase
the environmental surcharge tax from 2.5% to 5% for gross receipts of dry
cleaners, which would pass the increases on to the consumers. The bill passed
out of the House in final action by a vote of 95 to 29, I voted “no.”

Reciprocal
Licensing for Military Service Members and Spouses

House
Bill 2506 was heard on the House floor February 26. The bill would allow
veterans, military service members, and their spouses to apply and receive
occupational or professional licenses in Kansas, if they already had equal or
greater training and qualifications to practice specific professions in another
state. The only profession not included
would be attorneys. If the veterans, military members, and their spouses did
not qualify, they then would have to make up the difference in requirements for
licensing. The bill was proposed in order to help veterans, military members,
and their family’s transition into Kansas. House Bill 2506 passed out of the
House and now goes to the Senate.&nbsp; I
voted “yes.”

We
have now approached the point of session referred to as “Turnaround.”&nbsp; “Turnaround” refers to the deadline for
certain bills, bills that originated in non-exempt committees, to be passed out
of the originating chamber. Now at “Turnaround,” the legislative session has
hit the half-way point of the legislative session. There is much left to do,
however. In March, both the Senate and House will consider bills sent to the
other chamber before “Turnaround.” Both the House Appropriations and Senate
Ways and Means will continue to work on finishing the last budget committee
reports and construct the state budget for Fiscal Years 2020, 2021, and beyond.


In
April, House Appropriations will work with Senate Ways and Means, in conference
committee, to establish the state budget into law. Then on April 27, veto
session will begin, which will last until the conclusion of the 2020
legislative session.

I
will be attending several legislative coffees to speak directly to my
constituents and fellow Kansans on the happenings in the Kansas Legislature on
what we have currently discussed and the remaining half of the session. 

Three
coffees will be held on March 3, in Mankato, Smith Center and Natoma.&nbsp; Others will be held on March 7, in Great
Bend, March 21, in Lincoln, and on April 23, in Rush Center.

Make
Kansas Work: First-Time Homebuyer Accounts Legislation Passes

This week the House overwhelmingly passed <a href="about:blank">House Bill 2516</a>,
legislation enacting First-Time Homebuyers accounts on a vote of 123-2. The
bill encourages individuals to set aside funds for costs associated with the
purchase or construction of their first home. Structured like 529 college
savings accounts, contributions to the savings accounts are tax deductible.
Communities can also establish these accounts to attract professionals to make
the move to their community.&nbsp; During
debate on the bill, the House added an amendment to have annual reports made to
the Legislature on the implementation and usage of the tax credit provided for
in the act.

The bill has been sent to
the Senate for their consideration. 

Anytime that one would like to participate and
listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House
floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.

As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to
contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at #waymaster4house, or email me
at <a href="mailto:troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov">troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse,
please let my office know.

It is a distinct honor to serve as your
representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and
questions.&nbsp; I always appreciate hearing
from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas,
as well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581438801245.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster (R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist. " />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster (R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist. </figcaption>
 </figure>Action
on the House FloorLast week, the House considered a number of bills on the
House floor. The topic of these bills varied from egg repackaging rules for
retailers to establishing a state-wide broadband grant program.One of those bills, House Bill 2646, was from the Judiciary
Committee. This bill was concerning the coordination of training for law
enforcement agencies on missing and murdered indegous people. The bill was
brought forward to address high rates of murder and missing persons in the
Native American population. The bill passed out of the House on February 26 in
final action by a vote of 125 to 0.Another bill was House Bill 2528, from the Transportation
Committee. This piece of legislation would amend the current statute for
antique vehicles in the state of Kansas. Current law defines an antique vehicle
as any vehicle, including antique military vehciles, that is 35 years old or
greater and have no modifications. House Bill 2528 would stipulates that regardless of the age,
type of components, or equipment installed on the vehicle, as long as it was 35
years or older, the vehicle would be classfied as an antique vehicle. The bill
passed out of the House in final action by a vote of 124 to 1, I voted “yes.”Another bill was House Bill 2575 and this bill would increase
the environmental surcharge tax from 2.5% to 5% for gross receipts of dry
cleaners, which would pass the increases on to the consumers. The bill passed
out of the House in final action by a vote of 95 to 29, I voted “no.”Reciprocal
Licensing for Military Service Members and SpousesHouse
Bill 2506 was heard on the House floor February 26. The bill would allow
veterans, military service members, and their spouses to apply and receive
occupational or professional licenses in Kansas, if they already had equal or
greater training and qualifications to practice specific professions in another
state. The only profession not included
would be attorneys. If the veterans, military members, and their spouses did
not qualify, they then would have to make up the difference in requirements for
licensing. The bill was proposed in order to help veterans, military members,
and their family’s transition into Kansas. House Bill 2506 passed out of the
House and now goes to the Senate.&nbsp; I
voted “yes.”The
Legislative CalendarWe
have now approached the point of session referred to as “Turnaround.”&nbsp; “Turnaround” refers to the deadline for
certain bills, bills that originated in non-exempt committees, to be passed out
of the originating chamber. Now at “Turnaround,” the legislative session has
hit the half-way point of the legislative session. There is much left to do,
however. In March, both the Senate and House will consider bills sent to the
other chamber before “Turnaround.” Both the House Appropriations and Senate
Ways and Means will continue to work on finishing the last budget committee
reports and construct the state budget for Fiscal Years 2020, 2021, and beyond.
In
April, House Appropriations will work with Senate Ways and Means, in conference
committee, to establish the state budget into law. Then on April 27, veto
session will begin, which will last until the conclusion of the 2020
legislative session.I
will be attending several legislative coffees to speak directly to my
constituents and fellow Kansans on the happenings in the Kansas Legislature on
what we have currently discussed and the remaining half of the session. Three
coffees will be held on March 3, in Mankato, Smith Center and Natoma.&nbsp; Others will be held on March 7, in Great
Bend, March 21, in Lincoln, and on April 23, in Rush Center.Make
Kansas Work: First-Time Homebuyer Accounts Legislation PassesThis week the House overwhelmingly passed <a href="about:blank">House Bill 2516</a>,
legislation enacting First-Time Homebuyers accounts on a vote of 123-2. The
bill encourages individuals to set aside funds for costs associated with the
purchase or construction of their first home. Structured like 529 college
savings accounts, contributions to the savings accounts are tax deductible.
Communities can also establish these accounts to attract professionals to make
the move to their community.&nbsp; During
debate on the bill, the House added an amendment to have annual reports made to
the Legislature on the implementation and usage of the tax credit provided for
in the act.The bill has been sent to
the Senate for their consideration. Contact
InformationAnytime that one would like to participate and
listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House
floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to
contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at #waymaster4house, or email me
at <a href="mailto:troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov">troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse,
please let my office know. It is a distinct honor to serve as your
representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and
questions.&nbsp; I always appreciate hearing
from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas,
as well.

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, March 3

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

<a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">To read more about the event visit the Hays Public Library website.</a>

<div><iframe title="First HPL Foundation Wine and Cheese Fundraiser set for May 30" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/d63dq-d53ebe?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a><a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">To read more about the event visit the Hays Public Library website.</a>

🎤Post Podcast: First HPL Foundation Wine and Cheese fundraiser set for May 30

U.S. crude production is at record highs, even as production in Kansas reached a record low. U.S. crude-oil production last year reached a record 12.23 million barrels per day (bpd, an 11% increase over the year before.&nbsp;But 2019 will be listed as the worst year ever recorded for oil production in Kansas. The Energy Information Administration reports Kansas production of just over 2.7 million barrels in December, bringing the annual total for last year to 32.98 million barrels, or a little over 90-thousand barrels per day. That's the lowest annual total in 70 years of state record-keeping, according to online data. Records posted on the KGS Web site show that last year's annual total was about a million barrels less than the previous low posted in 2002.&nbsp;

Crude prices posted three percent gains Monday morning on the heels of the biggest weekly loss in over ten years last week. Analysts appear to be betting on economic stimulus from the world's banks and additional production cuts later this week from the "OPEC+" exporters. &nbsp;

Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson closed out the month of February last week at $35 a barrel. The average price for the month was a fraction below $41 a barrel, which is over seven dollars less than the average in January. &nbsp;

Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported a 23% drop in its weekly Rig Count in Kansas. There are still four active rigs in the eastern half of the state, down two, and 13 west of Wichita, down three.&nbsp; Drilling was underway on one lease in Barton County, one in Ellis County and one in Stafford County.

Baker Hughes reports 790 active rigs nationwide, a decline of one oil rig. The count in Texas was up four. Oklahoma was down three.

There are just five new drilling permits filed across Kansas last week, two east of Wichita and three in Western Kansas, including one in Russell County. Regulators have okayed 114 permits for drilling at new locations so far this year.

Operators completed 26 wells last week across the state, 217 so far this year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports nine new completions in eastern Kansas and 17 west of Wichita, including one in Barton County and one in Ellis County.&nbsp;

The Energy Information Administration reported a half-million barrel increase in U.S. crude-oil inventories for the week ending February 21.&nbsp; Stockpiles are three percent below the five-year seasonal average at 443.3 million barrels.

Average domestic crude production for the week ending February 21 was 12.974 million barrels per day, which is down about seven thousand barrels per day from the week before, but nearly a million barrels per day above the weekly total a year ago at this time.

The government reported another decline in U.S. crude oil imports last week, dropping 330,000 barrels to an average of 6.2 million barrels per day (bpd).&nbsp; EIA said the four week average is 6.6 million bpd, down 1.6% percent from the same four-week period last year.

Regulators in Oklahoma have proposed new rules to allocate ownership of so-called "marginal," or brackish groundwater to surface owners, thus allowing for its production and use by, among others, the oil and gas industry. The Daily Oklahoman reports the intent primarily is to provide the patch with an additional source of water for horizontal drilling operations. But it also opens up the water’s use for other agricultural and commercial purposes. Marginal water is not water produced as part of oil and gas operations. It does include underground formations of brackish water. The rules must be accepted by Oklahoma’s legislature and governor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574099516454.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARU.S. crude production is at record highs, even as production in Kansas reached a record low. U.S. crude-oil production last year reached a record 12.23 million barrels per day (bpd, an 11% increase over the year before.&nbsp;But 2019 will be listed as the worst year ever recorded for oil production in Kansas. The Energy Information Administration reports Kansas production of just over 2.7 million barrels in December, bringing the annual total for last year to 32.98 million barrels, or a little over 90-thousand barrels per day. That's the lowest annual total in 70 years of state record-keeping, according to online data. Records posted on the KGS Web site show that last year's annual total was about a million barrels less than the previous low posted in 2002.&nbsp;Crude prices posted three percent gains Monday morning on the heels of the biggest weekly loss in over ten years last week. Analysts appear to be betting on economic stimulus from the world's banks and additional production cuts later this week from the "OPEC+" exporters. &nbsp;Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson closed out the month of February last week at $35 a barrel. The average price for the month was a fraction below $41 a barrel, which is over seven dollars less than the average in January. &nbsp;Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported a 23% drop in its weekly Rig Count in Kansas. There are still four active rigs in the eastern half of the state, down two, and 13 west of Wichita, down three.&nbsp; Drilling was underway on one lease in Barton County, one in Ellis County and one in Stafford County.Baker Hughes reports 790 active rigs nationwide, a decline of one oil rig. The count in Texas was up four. Oklahoma was down three.There are just five new drilling permits filed across Kansas last week, two east of Wichita and three in Western Kansas, including one in Russell County. Regulators have okayed 114 permits for drilling at new locations so far this year.Operators completed 26 wells last week across the state, 217 so far this year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports nine new completions in eastern Kansas and 17 west of Wichita, including one in Barton County and one in Ellis County.&nbsp;The Energy Information Administration reported a half-million barrel increase in U.S. crude-oil inventories for the week ending February 21.&nbsp; Stockpiles are three percent below the five-year seasonal average at 443.3 million barrels.Average domestic crude production for the week ending February 21 was 12.974 million barrels per day, which is down about seven thousand barrels per day from the week before, but nearly a million barrels per day above the weekly total a year ago at this time.The government reported another decline in U.S. crude oil imports last week, dropping 330,000 barrels to an average of 6.2 million barrels per day (bpd).&nbsp; EIA said the four week average is 6.6 million bpd, down 1.6% percent from the same four-week period last year.Regulators in Oklahoma have proposed new rules to allocate ownership of so-called "marginal," or brackish groundwater to surface owners, thus allowing for its production and use by, among others, the oil and gas industry. The Daily Oklahoman reports the intent primarily is to provide the patch with an additional source of water for horizontal drilling operations. But it also opens up the water’s use for other agricultural and commercial purposes. Marginal water is not water produced as part of oil and gas operations. It does include underground formations of brackish water. The rules must be accepted by Oklahoma’s legislature and governor.

News From the Oil Patch, March 2

Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:

AND Bakery&nbsp;- Feb. 26 205 E. 23rd - Hays

A routine inspection found no violations.

Lincoln Elementary&nbsp;- Feb. 26 1906 Ash - Hays

A routine inspection found one violation.

Popt Gourmet Popcorn&nbsp;- Feb. 26 1106 E. 27th - Hays

A routine inspection found two violations.

Tommy Sues&nbsp;- Feb. 26 104 Cheyenne - Schoenchen

An FDA contract inspection found no violations.

Vernie's Hamburger House&nbsp;- Feb. 20104 E. Seventh - Hays

A joint inspection found three violations.

<h2>Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575919293668.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>AND Bakery&nbsp;- Feb. 26 205 E. 23rd - HaysA routine inspection found no violations.Lincoln Elementary&nbsp;- Feb. 26 1906 Ash - HaysA routine inspection found one violation.<ol>
 <li>In the back storage area, there were five non-food grade containers that had dried cereal in direct contact with the containers.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Popt Gourmet Popcorn&nbsp;- Feb. 26 1106 E. 27th - HaysA routine inspection found two violations.<ol>
 <li>In the retail area, there were multiple self serve candies and nuts without any ingredients or allergens listed.&nbsp;</li><li>In the kitchen, stored as clean, there was one scoop and the lid to the mini presto machine with dried food debris on them. </li>
 </ol>Tommy Sues&nbsp;- Feb. 26 104 Cheyenne - SchoenchenAn FDA contract inspection found no violations.Vernie's Hamburger House&nbsp;- Feb. 20104 E. Seventh - HaysA joint inspection found three violations.<ol>
 <li>In the middle Saturn single-door refrigeration unit, there was a covered tray of raw hamburger patties that were being stored on a wire rack directly over a covered container of mustard. No evidence of leaking was observed.&nbsp;</li><li>In the milk cooler, there was an opened milk carton that had no date of when it was opened.&nbsp; In the first Saturn single-door refrigerator, there was a covered pot of green bean dumpling soup with no date of when it was cooked.&nbsp;</li><li>In the third Saturn single-door refrigerator, there was an opened Coconut Cream Pie and an opened Lemon Cream Pie that did not have the date of when they were opened.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>

Ellis Co. restaurant and lodging inspections 2/24 ⁠–  3/1

<a href="https://salinapost.com">Salina Post</a>

SALINA — A 32-year-old Salina man in a pickup stolen from Russell County led 
local law enforcement personnel on a chase through north Salina and part
 of Saline County before being apprehended in the west part of town.

The
 incident began about 1 p.m. Friday when a patrol officer in the 700 
block of North Ninth Street observed Joshua Quested, 32, of Salina, 
driving a 2001 Ford F150 pickup, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester 
said this morning. The officer knew that Quested had an active warrant 
for a probation violation, so he began pursuit of the pickup, Forrester 
said.

During the pursuit, the pickup traveled on multiple streets 
in north Salina, sometimes at speeds in excess of the posted limits, and
 almost hit two other motorists, Forrester said. Additionally, items 
began falling out of the bed of the pickup, he said. The pickup drove 
through multiple stop signs and multiple properties, eventually heading 
west on West North Street and catching southbound Interstate 135 (I-135)
 at the State Street exit, he said. 

Just before reaching the West
 Crawford Street exit, Quested turned east through the median and the 
northbound I-135 lanes, went into the east ditch and through a Kansas 
Department of Transportation fence, coming out onto Westport Boulevard, 
where he drove through a fence at Romm Chiropractic, 660 Westport 
Boulevard, Forrester said. Quested then went east on West Crawford 
Street and turned south on Willow Drive, abandoning the pickup in the 
1600 block of Redwood Drive, Forrester explained. Quested was found 
nearby running through some yards on Redwood Drive and was taken into 
custody, Forrester added.

According to Forrester, Quested was arrested on suspicion of the following.

• Felony flee and elude • Spilling loads on a highway • Littering • Driving while suspended • No proof of insurance • Criminal damage to property • Trespassing • Felony possession of stolen property (for the pickup -- valued at $3,500 -- reported stolen from Russell County a week earlier)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583176083636.png" alt="Joshua Quested. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Joshua Quested. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://salinapost.com">Salina Post</a>SALINA — A 32-year-old Salina man in a pickup stolen from Russell County led 
local law enforcement personnel on a chase through north Salina and part
 of Saline County before being apprehended in the west part of town.The
 incident began about 1 p.m. Friday when a patrol officer in the 700 
block of North Ninth Street observed Joshua Quested, 32, of Salina, 
driving a 2001 Ford F150 pickup, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester 
said this morning. The officer knew that Quested had an active warrant 
for a probation violation, so he began pursuit of the pickup, Forrester 
said.During the pursuit, the pickup traveled on multiple streets 
in north Salina, sometimes at speeds in excess of the posted limits, and
 almost hit two other motorists, Forrester said. Additionally, items 
began falling out of the bed of the pickup, he said. The pickup drove 
through multiple stop signs and multiple properties, eventually heading 
west on West North Street and catching southbound Interstate 135 (I-135)
 at the State Street exit, he said. Just before reaching the West
 Crawford Street exit, Quested turned east through the median and the 
northbound I-135 lanes, went into the east ditch and through a Kansas 
Department of Transportation fence, coming out onto Westport Boulevard, 
where he drove through a fence at Romm Chiropractic, 660 Westport 
Boulevard, Forrester said. Quested then went east on West Crawford 
Street and turned south on Willow Drive, abandoning the pickup in the 
1600 block of Redwood Drive, Forrester explained. Quested was found 
nearby running through some yards on Redwood Drive and was taken into 
custody, Forrester added.According to Forrester, Quested was arrested on suspicion of the following.• Felony flee and elude • Spilling loads on a highway • Littering • Driving while suspended • No proof of insurance • Criminal damage to property • Trespassing • Felony possession of stolen property (for the pickup -- valued at $3,500 -- reported stolen from Russell County a week earlier)

Police: Salina man in custody after chase involving pickup stolen from Russell Co.

SALINA — A Hays woman was arrested after a single-vehicle accident early Saturday morning.

Salina
 Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that Abagail Eklund, 
20, Hays, was eastbound in the 100 block of Charlotte Avenue in a 
2005 Accura ATL when she drove left of center, struck the curb, and hit a
 tree, causing the vehicle to roll on its top. When police arrived, 
Eklund was still in the vehicle and having trouble getting the doors 
unlocked, however, she managed to get out, he said. The accident 
occurred at approximately 4 a.m. Saturday, he added.

According to 
Forrester, open containers of alcohol were found in the vehicle and 
Eklund displayed signs of impairment. While waiting for EMS to arrive, 
she attempted to walk away and was arrested, he said. Eklund was 
transported to Salina Regional Health Center with minor injuries, 
Forrester added.

Eklund was arrested on suspicion of the following, Forrester said.

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol • Transporting open containers • License carried/exhibited • No proof of insurance • Improper driving on laned roadways

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583175944337.png" alt="Abagail Eklund. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Abagail Eklund. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina PostSALINA — A Hays woman was arrested after a single-vehicle accident early Saturday morning.Salina
 Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that Abagail Eklund, 
20, Hays, was eastbound in the 100 block of Charlotte Avenue in a 
2005 Accura ATL when she drove left of center, struck the curb, and hit a
 tree, causing the vehicle to roll on its top. When police arrived, 
Eklund was still in the vehicle and having trouble getting the doors 
unlocked, however, she managed to get out, he said. The accident 
occurred at approximately 4 a.m. Saturday, he added.According to 
Forrester, open containers of alcohol were found in the vehicle and 
Eklund displayed signs of impairment. While waiting for EMS to arrive, 
she attempted to walk away and was arrested, he said. Eklund was 
transported to Salina Regional Health Center with minor injuries, 
Forrester added.Eklund was arrested on suspicion of the following, Forrester said.• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol • Transporting open containers • License carried/exhibited • No proof of insurance • Improper driving on laned roadways

Hays woman arrested after striking tree, rolling vehicle in Salina

Since Thursday was the last day for non-exempt bills
to be heard by the full Senate, last week’s floor action was jam-packed. 

The
Senate passed a total of 56 bills last week. 

The bills covered a wide range of
Kansas topics including protecting women and children from human trafficking,
providing funding for at-risk school children, holding DCF accountable for the
educational outcomes of foster care children, and allowing sports wagering in
Kansas-just to name a few.

In the Ways and Means Committee we are in the process
of working on the Senate budget. 

The Governor chose not to fund many of the
enhancement requests from DCF and KDADS in her budget. 

It is very disturbing to
me that the Governor has again in this budget neglected the most vulnerable
Kansans including the children in our foster care system. 

One of the bills
passed by the Senate was SB384, which will require DCF to provide
information to the legislature, which will hopefully help to improve our foster
care outcomes. 

This bill was amended and will require the Kansas State
Department of Education (KSDE) and the Department of Children and Families
(DCF) to prepare an annual academic report card on educational outcome data for
foster care students. 

The bill would require the following data for foster care
students to be included in the academic report card: graduation rate; number
and percentage promoted to the next grade level; number and percentage
suspended during the school year; number and percentage expelled during the
school year; state standardized assessment scores and number and percentage
meeting academic standards; number enrolled in preschool-aged-at-risk programs;
Kansas Preschool Pilot program, or early childhood special education program
under the federal individuals with Disabilities Act; total number of foster
care students in the state; and how many students are enrolled in school
districts and how many are enrolled in accredited nonpublic schools. 

We
continue to have many missing foster care children and we are still receiving
reports of foster children sleeping on the office floors. Hopefully this bill
will start to address some of the unanswered questions.

Several other bills of interest that were passed last week were:

* SB271 will repeal the sunset provision for the
high-density at-risk weighting.

*SB294 would establish in 2021, new notice and public
hearing requirements for certain taxing subdivisions prior to property tax
increases above a revenue-neutral rate and is intended to provide transparency
in tax increases for Kansans. This is a similar bill that has been used in Utah
for 20 years. The bill would not apply to school districts or to any taxing
subdivisions receiving less than $5,000 annually in property taxes. This bill
also removes the tax lid.

*SB345 establishes requirements for the effective
disposal of industrial hemp.

*SB295 would provide that the appraised value of real
property would not be increased solely as a result of normal repair,
replacement or maintenance of existing improvements on the property.

It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th
Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at <a href="mailto:rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov">rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov</a> or you may call me with your questions or concerns.
My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 784 899-4700. If you are
in Topeka, stop by my office at 236-E.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581353884625.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger (R-Goodland, 40th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger (R-Goodland, 40th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>Since Thursday was the last day for non-exempt bills
to be heard by the full Senate, last week’s floor action was jam-packed. The
Senate passed a total of 56 bills last week. The bills covered a wide range of
Kansas topics including protecting women and children from human trafficking,
providing funding for at-risk school children, holding DCF accountable for the
educational outcomes of foster care children, and allowing sports wagering in
Kansas-just to name a few.In the Ways and Means Committee we are in the process
of working on the Senate budget. The Governor chose not to fund many of the
enhancement requests from DCF and KDADS in her budget. It is very disturbing to
me that the Governor has again in this budget neglected the most vulnerable
Kansans including the children in our foster care system. One of the bills
passed by the Senate was SB384, which will require DCF to provide
information to the legislature, which will hopefully help to improve our foster
care outcomes. This bill was amended and will require the Kansas State
Department of Education (KSDE) and the Department of Children and Families
(DCF) to prepare an annual academic report card on educational outcome data for
foster care students. The bill would require the following data for foster care
students to be included in the academic report card: graduation rate; number
and percentage promoted to the next grade level; number and percentage
suspended during the school year; number and percentage expelled during the
school year; state standardized assessment scores and number and percentage
meeting academic standards; number enrolled in preschool-aged-at-risk programs;
Kansas Preschool Pilot program, or early childhood special education program
under the federal individuals with Disabilities Act; total number of foster
care students in the state; and how many students are enrolled in school
districts and how many are enrolled in accredited nonpublic schools. We
continue to have many missing foster care children and we are still receiving
reports of foster children sleeping on the office floors. Hopefully this bill
will start to address some of the unanswered questions.Several other bills of interest that were passed last week were:* SB271 will repeal the sunset provision for the
high-density at-risk weighting.*SB294 would establish in 2021, new notice and public
hearing requirements for certain taxing subdivisions prior to property tax
increases above a revenue-neutral rate and is intended to provide transparency
in tax increases for Kansans. This is a similar bill that has been used in Utah
for 20 years. The bill would not apply to school districts or to any taxing
subdivisions receiving less than $5,000 annually in property taxes. This bill
also removes the tax lid.*SB345 establishes requirements for the effective
disposal of industrial hemp.*SB295 would provide that the appraised value of real
property would not be increased solely as a result of normal repair,
replacement or maintenance of existing improvements on the property.It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th
Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at <a href="mailto:rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov">rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov</a> or you may call me with your questions or concerns.
My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 784 899-4700. If you are
in Topeka, stop by my office at 236-E.

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