By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Falling is a serious concern for many older adults. With age, bones become fragile, and the risk of injury increases. Fall-related injuries can also result in decreased mobility and reduced independence. As the leading cause of death from injury, there is good reason why many people fear falling with age.

The risk of falling increases when we get older due to several factors such as the decline in senses and loss of muscle mass. Both of these can contribute to a lack of balance which many older adults struggle with. In fact, balance starts to decline as early as age 50 and reduced vision, strength, and flexibility can all play a part.

The good news is that there are proven ways to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling. Increasing strength, focusing on unilateral movements, improving flexibility, and concentrating on vestibular health can all help.

Strength training with dumbbells, resistance bands, or body weight can increase muscle mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Resistance exercises help build stabilizing muscles and increase the control of movement.

Unilateral movements also contribute to better balance by increasing the time spent on a single side of the body. These exercises focus on practicing balance and improving coordination while strengthening the body. Including unilateral movements such as walking, climbing stairs, riding a bike, or tai chi can help.

Flexibility training is another key component to improve posture and increase range of motion. When the body is tight, everyday tasks may seem difficult to complete. Bending over to tie shoes or reaching high into a cabinet can be challenging. However, yoga and daily stretching are two ways to work on flexibility that contribute to better balance.

Other factors that affect balance may not be as obvious. A prime example of this is a compromised vestibular system. This is an intricate structure that is located within the ears, and it relays information to the brain regarding orientation and motion. As a person ages, the vestibular system tends to decline and make balance more difficult. However, exercises that

stimulate the vestibular system produce information for the brain to interpret. With repetition, the brain can learn to process this information more accurately. These exercises can include slow movements of bending, turning the head, and stabilizing the eyes. A professional, such as a physical therapist or doctor can provide specific vestibular therapy.

As you can see, balance is complex. The brain interprets information from several senses through the eyes, muscles, and vestibular system to produce stability. When any of these systems are not functioning properly, balance can be compromised. So, it is crucial to focus on strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and repairing vestibular health which can be extremely beneficial for improving balance and reducing the risk of falling.

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictFalling is a serious concern for many older adults. With age, bones become fragile, and the risk of injury increases. Fall-related injuries can also result in decreased mobility and reduced independence. As the leading cause of death from injury, there is good reason why many people fear falling with age.The risk of falling increases when we get older due to several factors such as the decline in senses and loss of muscle mass. Both of these can contribute to a lack of balance which many older adults struggle with. In fact, balance starts to decline as early as age 50 and reduced vision, strength, and flexibility can all play a part.The good news is that there are proven ways to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling. Increasing strength, focusing on unilateral movements, improving flexibility, and concentrating on vestibular health can all help.Strength training with dumbbells, resistance bands, or body weight can increase muscle mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Resistance exercises help build stabilizing muscles and increase the control of movement.Unilateral movements also contribute to better balance by increasing the time spent on a single side of the body. These exercises focus on practicing balance and improving coordination while strengthening the body. Including unilateral movements such as walking, climbing stairs, riding a bike, or tai chi can help.Flexibility training is another key component to improve posture and increase range of motion. When the body is tight, everyday tasks may seem difficult to complete. Bending over to tie shoes or reaching high into a cabinet can be challenging. However, yoga and daily stretching are two ways to work on flexibility that contribute to better balance.Other factors that affect balance may not be as obvious. A prime example of this is a compromised vestibular system. This is an intricate structure that is located within the ears, and it relays information to the brain regarding orientation and motion. As a person ages, the vestibular system tends to decline and make balance more difficult. However, exercises thatstimulate the vestibular system produce information for the brain to interpret. With repetition, the brain can learn to process this information more accurately. These exercises can include slow movements of bending, turning the head, and stabilizing the eyes. A professional, such as a physical therapist or doctor can provide specific vestibular therapy.As you can see, balance is complex. The brain interprets information from several senses through the eyes, muscles, and vestibular system to produce stability. When any of these systems are not functioning properly, balance can be compromised. So, it is crucial to focus on strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and repairing vestibular health which can be extremely beneficial for improving balance and reducing the risk of falling.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: Reduce the risk of falling with better balance

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

I work with a great team! Actually, I work with great teams on many levels.

Locally, our Cottonwood Extension District works together to provide programming in agriculture, family and community wellness, and youth development. We look for ways to support each other’s programs in many ways from sharing resources, listening and providing feedback, and in practical ways such as helping make packets or assisting with registrations.

Across the state, I work with a great team of 4-H Youth Development agents to dive into research, plan events, and explore better ways to develop volunteers, provide community club and project resources, and support each other’s professional development.

Statewide, I am a part of a coaching team for new agents and this part of my responsibilities is extremely gratifying to see new agents grow and develop their own skills and networks. Last summer, I traveled farther than usual to judge at several county fairs because those fairs were being planned and coordinated by new agents; we all know how nice it is to see a familiar and supporting team member when things are stressful!

A few weeks ago, our family suffered a significant health event. I can’t express how heart-warming it is to know that agents in my district stepped in to manage phone calls and events while giving me space to work remotely for a bit. Additionally, agents across the state checked in to see where they could offer very practical support. 4-H families, school partners, and community members extended grace while reiterating that my priority needed to be with family for a bit.

I’ve worked in several different careers and with lots of different teams – some more supportive than others. If you work with a team that has your back, be sure to show them some appreciation. If you don’t work for a team like that, what can YOU do to set an example, to impact the work culture, to show others that you care about them beyond their 8-5 value?

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension DistrictI work with a great team! Actually, I work with great teams on many levels.Locally, our Cottonwood Extension District works together to provide programming in agriculture, family and community wellness, and youth development. We look for ways to support each other’s programs in many ways from sharing resources, listening and providing feedback, and in practical ways such as helping make packets or assisting with registrations.Across the state, I work with a great team of 4-H Youth Development agents to dive into research, plan events, and explore better ways to develop volunteers, provide community club and project resources, and support each other’s professional development.Statewide, I am a part of a coaching team for new agents and this part of my responsibilities is extremely gratifying to see new agents grow and develop their own skills and networks. Last summer, I traveled farther than usual to judge at several county fairs because those fairs were being planned and coordinated by new agents; we all know how nice it is to see a familiar and supporting team member when things are stressful!A few weeks ago, our family suffered a significant health event. I can’t express how heart-warming it is to know that agents in my district stepped in to manage phone calls and events while giving me space to work remotely for a bit. Additionally, agents across the state checked in to see where they could offer very practical support. 4-H families, school partners, and community members extended grace while reiterating that my priority needed to be with family for a bit.I’ve worked in several different careers and with lots of different teams – some more supportive than others. If you work with a team that has your back, be sure to show them some appreciation. If you don’t work for a team like that, what can YOU do to set an example, to impact the work culture, to show others that you care about them beyond their 8-5 value?Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Teamwork

Senate Highlights – Weekly overview&nbsp;

This week was the last week of legislative activity before VETO session.&nbsp; Early Saturday morning, the Senate gaveled out for adjournment and will reconvene on April 25th.&nbsp; When we return, the legislature will consider any items the governor has vetoed and complete its work on the budget and any other remaining bills.&nbsp; The wrap-up period is expected to not last long, but work remains on a few topics.&nbsp;

Senate Floor Action Conference Committee process

The Senate voted on numerous conference committee reports and also debated bills on the Senate Floor.&nbsp; A conference committee is a small, bipartisan, and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences between the House and Senate’s version of a similar bill.&nbsp; Once the conference committee reaches a compromise, the negotiated bill is sent to both the House and Senate for a final vote before advancing to the governor’s desk.&nbsp; Within ten days after passage, a bill must be signed by the presiding officers of each chamber, the chief clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate, and be presented to the governor for approval.&nbsp; The governor has ten days after receipt of the bill to act on it.&nbsp; If the governor does not act on it during the ten-day period, the bill automatically becomes law without the governor’s signature.&nbsp; Most bills passed by the Legislature are approved by the governor.&nbsp; However, the governor may veto a bill by refusing to sign it and returning it to the chamber in which the bill originated, together with a statement of the reasons for the veto.&nbsp; In appropriation bills only, the governor may veto some items (line-item) and approve the others by signing the bill.&nbsp; However, should the governor veto a bill, the Legislature, by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, may override (overturn) the governor's veto and the bill will be enacted into law without the governor’s signature.&nbsp; Once the bill becomes a law, whether by the governor’s approval or a legislative override, it is filed with the Secretary of State.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2036/" target="_blank">Sub Bill for HB 2036</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;would make various changes to income, sales, and property tax law. Specifically, the bill would:&nbsp;

Sub Bill for HB 2036 passed with bipartisan support in both chambers, with a vote of 24-9 in the Senate and 119-0 in the House, it is now headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb28/" target="_blank">SB 28</a>&nbsp;as recommended by the Conference Committee on House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means, contains supplemental funding in FY 2024, funding for most state agencies for FY 2025, and selected adjustments for FY 2026 through FY 2028. &nbsp;SB 28 passed 26-12; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;

Expenditures for the Kansas State Department of Education reflect expenditures in SB 387, as recommended by the Conference Committee on House K12 Education Budget and Senate Education, which will be finalized when the Legislature returns for the wrap-up session. For the purposes of this report, expenditures related to the Kansas State Schools for the Blind and Deaf, State Historical Society, and State Library are included within the higher education function of government.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2124/" target="_blank">S Sub for HB 2124</a>&nbsp;would amend law pertaining to microbreweries. The bill would permit microbreweries to self-distribute beer and hard cider up to certain limits, lowers the number of barrels per year a microbrewery may manufacture and store, and requires a study and report on licensed microbrewery compliance with state laws and rules and regulations regarding the collection and remittance of alcoholic liquor enforcement and gallonage taxes. &nbsp;S Sub for HB 2124 passed 37-2 and also passed the House; it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb115/" target="_blank">SB 115</a>&nbsp;would enact the Child Advocate Act (Act) which would establish the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) as an independent state agency. The bill would also amend law in the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children (CINC Code) and the Revised Kansas Juvenile Justice Code (Juvenile Code) to specify the OCA would have access to certain files and records of a child subject to proceedings under these Codes.&nbsp;SB 115 passed 36-3; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2562/" target="_blank">HB 2562</a>&nbsp;would create the Protect Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act and make amendments to the Kansas Uniform Securities Act (KUSA) relating to reporting of instances of suspected financial exploitation, grounds for discipline, and civil and administrative immunity. It creates the Kansas Contract for Deed Act and authorizes the Kansas Real Estate Commission to issue cease-and-desist orders when the Commission has determined a person is practicing without a valid broker’s or salesperson’s license and makes any restrictive covenant on real property in violation of the Kansas Acts Against Discrimination (KAAD).&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2562 passed 38-1; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb271/" target="_blank">Sub Bill for SB 271</a>&nbsp;would prohibit government agencies from purchasing or acquiring drones whose critical components were produced in a country of concern, or whose critical components were produced or owned by a foreign principal.&nbsp; The bill would also prohibit state agencies from entering into a contract or agreement to procure final or finished goods or services from certain foreign principal.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sub Bill for SB 271 passed 21-12; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2105/" target="_blank">HB 2105</a>&nbsp;would prohibit postsecondary institutions from taking certain actions concerning diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI).&nbsp;HB 2105 passed 28-11; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2465/" target="_blank">HB 2465</a>, which would enact the Adoption Savings Account Act that would establish modifications to the Kansas adjusted gross income of an individual for contributions to an adoption savings account and amend the adoption tax credit.&nbsp; It would also enact the Pregnancy Resource Act which would provide a tax credit for certain contributions to certain pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities and enact a sales tax exemption for pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2465 passed 29-10; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2096/" target="_blank">HB 2096</a>&nbsp;would enact the Veterans’ Valor Property Tax Relief Act and would make changes to the Homeowners’ Property Tax Freeze Program, create property tax exemptions for certain businesses subject to government competition and certain personal property, limit transactions that can be considered valid sales for property tax purposes, and modify law related to property valuation notices and appeals.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2096 passed 23-14.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb458/" target="_blank">SB 458</a>&nbsp;amends several provisions of the Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act.&nbsp; It&nbsp; specifies that certain drug offenses do not give rise to forfeiture under the Kansas standard asset seizure and forfeiture act, requiring courts to make a&nbsp;finding that forfeiture is not excessive, restricting actions prior to commencement of forfeiture proceedings, requiring probable cause affidavit filing and review to commence proceedings, increasing the burden of proof required to forfeit property to clear and convincing evidence and authorizing courts to order payment of attorney fees and costs for certain claimants.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 458 passed the Senate 35-0.&nbsp; Having also passed the House, it now heads to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2144/" target="_blank">HB 2144</a>&nbsp;would establish the crime of organized retail crime in the Kansas Criminal Code, make organized retail crime a type of “racketeering activity” under the Kansas Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act and amend law concerning Attorney General authority to prosecute crimes concurrently with county or district attorneys. The bill would also create the crime of encouraging suicide and establish penalties for it under the Kansas Criminal Code.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2144 passed 32-4; having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb462/" target="_blank">SB 462</a>&nbsp;would grant certain authority to the Director of Vehicles of the Division of Vehicles, Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR), regarding the Military Even Exchange Program for commercial driver’s licenses and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Program.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 462 passed 38-1; having already passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/scr1620/" target="_blank">SCR 1620</a>&nbsp; would approve the creation of a port authority, as provided for in continuing law, by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;SCR 1620 passed 32-6.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sr1750/" target="_blank">SR 1750</a>&nbsp;would approve an amendment to the gaming compact between the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and the State of Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;SR 1750 passed 29-6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2498/" target="_blank">HB 2498</a>&nbsp;would increase transfers from the State Highway Fund to the Public Use General Aviation Airport Development Fund from $5.0 million to $15.0 million annually starting July 1, 2024. Continuing law authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to use the Aviation Fund to provide grants to public use general aviation airports for planning, constructing, reconstructing, or rehabilitating facilities. The bill would also increase the minimum amount that must be expended from the Aviation Fund for such grants from $5.0 million to $15.0 million annually.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2498 passed 34-5 and also passed the House; it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2481/" target="_blank">HB 2481</a>&nbsp;would make various commemorative designations related to transportation, including naming several roads and bridges in honor of deceased service members from Kansas. It would designate a portion of US-81 as The Merle Miller Memorial Highway in Republic County and would also designate as the First Responders Memorial Highway the portion of US-281 from the southern city limits of Russell north to its junction with K-18 in Russell County both in Senate District #36.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2481 passed 39-0 and also passed the House; it is headed to the governor. I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2527/" target="_blank">HB 2527</a>&nbsp;would establish new mechanisms for the recovery of costs associated with deferred depreciation and new gas-fired generating units; add and amend law regarding electric public utilities, nuclear-powered and coal-fired electric generating facilities, and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC); and amend the Net Metering and Easy Connection Act to further develop regulation and expand capacity for investor-owned utilities to connect customers’ renewable energy generation systems to the electric grid.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2527 passed 33-2 and also passed the House; it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2588/" target="_blank">HB 2588</a>&nbsp;would create certain rights and establish limitations on the use of county public right-of-way by telecommunication, broadband, and video service providers. The bill’s provision would resemble existing non-discrimination and neutrality provisions for the use of city public right-of-way.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2588 passed 26-7 and also passed the House; it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb359/" target="_blank">SB 359</a>&nbsp;would authorize issuance of seven license plates on and after January 1, 2025, and require the county of registration to be displayed on license plates approved for production and issuance on and after July 1, 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 359 passed 38-1; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2787/" target="_blank">HB 2787</a>&nbsp;would amend law relating to the Kansas Insurance Guaranty Association (KIGA).&nbsp; The bill would also make technical changes.&nbsp; The bill would be in effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2787 passed 39-0; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2560/" target="_blank">HB 2560</a>&nbsp;would amend the State Banking Code and provisions pertaining to trust companies to address the abandonment or expiration of certain applications and allow an originating trustee to have its principal place of business outside of Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2560 passed 34-5; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2711/" target="_blank">HB 2711</a>&nbsp;would create the Countries of Concern Divestment Act, which would require state-managed funds’ divestment from investments with countries of concern and prohibit investments and deposits with a bank or company domiciled in a country of concern and indemnify state-managed funds with respect to actions taken in compliance with the Act; amend the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) working after-retirement provisions and increase the lump-sum death benefit for a KPERS retiree; and amend law governing the KPERS Trust Fund and investment standards to increase a statutory limitation (“cap”) on alternative investments, from 15.0 percent to 25.0 percent, placed on the KPERS Board of Trustees.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2711 passed 30-8; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2532/" target="_blank">HB 2532&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;would amend the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act to credit tax revenue generated from wagers on historical horse races to the Kansas Horse Breeding Development Fund and the Horse Fair Racing Benefit Fund. One-third of the tax revenue generated from wagers on historical horse races would be credited to the Kansas Horse Breeding Development Fund and two-thirds would be credited to the Horse Fair Racing Benefit Fund.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2532 passed 34-3; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb18/" target="_blank">SB 18</a>&nbsp;would create the Kansas Campus Restoration Act authorizing the State Board of Regents to adopt rules and regulations relating to deferred maintenance and demolition of facilities at postsecondary institutions. The bill would allow transfers from the State General Fund (SGF) to the Kansas Campus Restoration Fund (Fund) and require annual reports be submitted to the Legislature.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 18 passed 32-7; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb384/" target="_blank">SB 384</a>&nbsp;would create the Riley County Unincorporated Area Nuisance Abatement Act and the Crawford County Unincorporated Area Nuisance Abatement Act and would amend statutes pertaining to the Emergency Medical Services Board.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 384 passed 33-5; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb356/" target="_blank">SB 356</a>&nbsp;would amend existing law to establish a tiered-fee structure for financial examinations of insurance companies and societies based on the gross premiums received by such entities. The bill would also establish that certain examination costs be “average and reasonable.”&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 356 passed 38-1; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb73/" target="_blank">H Sub for SB 73</a>&nbsp;would amend certain enrollment determination criteria in the Kansas School Equity and Enhancement Act (KSEEA) to require school district enrollment be determined using the current or preceding school year. The bill would also authorize an additional enrollment count determination for school year 2024-2025 only, to allow school districts to consider the arithmetic mean of the sum of the number of students enrolled in the preceding school year and second preceding school year. &nbsp;H Sub for SB 73 passed 35-4; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2614/" target="_blank">HB 2614</a>&nbsp;would amend provisions of election law and the Campaign Finance Act concerning advance voting ballot envelopes, the delivery of advance voting ballot, and corrupt political advertising. The provisions of the bill would be effective on January 1, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2614 passed 26-13; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2618/" target="_blank">HB 2618</a>&nbsp;would amend provisions of election law regarding the Transparency in Revenues Underwriting Elections Act and the crime of false representation of an election official. The bill would be in effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.&nbsp; HB 2618 passed 26-13; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2570/" target="_blank">Sub HB 2570</a>&nbsp;would make various amendments to law related to unemployment compensation.&nbsp; Sub HB 2570 passed 38-1; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2547/" target="_blank">HB 2547</a>&nbsp;would amend the state Uniform Controlled Substances Act and amend the law regarding the stock, maintenance, and administration of emergency medication kits in schools, including epinephrine and albuterol. The bill would amend the liability protections for any person who renders emergency care or treatment at a school, school-sponsored event, or school property as well as provide a level of immunity from liability for a pharmacist, physician, or a mid-level practitioner who distributes or prescribes emergency medications to a school or provides training on the administration of the emergency medicine for school personnel and for the school personnel who administer the medications under specific circumstances.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2547 passed 35-3; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor. I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2501/" target="_blank">HB 2501</a>&nbsp;would require a railroad to maintain a minimum distance of 250 feet between a near-edge railroad crossing and railroad rolling stock stored on sidings if the railroad crossing does not have electronic warning signals. The bill would authorize the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to determine a greater or lesser distance at a particular location and permit or order a railroad to maintain the greater or lesser distance.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2501 passed 36-0; having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb438/" target="_blank">SB 438</a>&nbsp;would establish the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy, create the Literacy Advisory Committee, create the position of Director of Literacy within the State Board of Regents, define the powers and duties of the Advisory Committee, and make appropriations to State Board of Regents; establish a required report from the State Department of Education regarding student statewide assessment scores and postsecondary achievement; modify the Accelerating Opportunity: Kansas career pathways assistance benefit; and make various changes to the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship, Kansas Hero’s Scholarship, and Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship, administered by the State Board of Regents.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 438 passed 34-3; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb410/" target="_blank">SB 410</a>&nbsp;would amend law related to income tax, property tax, and sales tax. It makes changes to the SALT Parity Act.&nbsp; The bill would modify the revenue neutral rate notification and hearing process for property tax notices, make changes to property tax exemptions for certain electric generation property, codify property valuation adjustments related to adverse influences affecting agricultural land, specify land classification related to agritourism, make changes related to filing statements for personal property and certain property appeal procedures, and authorize the use of teleconferencing for certain State Board of Tax Appeals proceedings. The bill would authorize elections to be held for additional sales tax authority for Marshall, Neosho, and Rawlins counties.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 410 passed 34-2; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp; I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb143/" target="_blank">Sub Bill for SB 143</a>&nbsp;would make various changes to the Elevator Safety Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sub Bill for SB 143 passed 36-1; having passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2176/" target="_blank">HB 2176</a>&nbsp; would create the Arkansas City Area Public Library District Act and the Udall Area Public Library District Act. These acts would be identical except for references to the cities of Arkansas City and Udall and references to USD 470 (Arkansas City) and USD 463 (Udall). The bill would also make conforming amendments to a statute defining “local public libraries.” The bill would also create the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center District Act if Douglas County voters approve.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2176 passed 32-5.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb333/" target="_blank">SB 333</a>&nbsp;would extend the sunset date to July 1, 2029, for the State Use Law Committee, which is organized within the Department of Administration.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 333 passed 36-1. I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb19/" target="_blank">SB 19</a>&nbsp;would establish the Kansas National Guard Education Master’s for Enhanced Readiness and Global Excellence (EMERGE) Program to provide financial assistance to Kansas National Guard members pursuing master’s degrees at a Kansas educational institution and require school districts to adopt cardiac emergency response plans based on the statewide standards developed by the Secretary of Health and Environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 19 passed 26-2; having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor. I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2760/" target="_blank">HB 2760</a>&nbsp;would abolish the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office, create the Kansas Office of Veterans Services, and make other changes relating to the transfer of powers, duties, and functions of KCVAO to KOVS; update and clarify certain military definitions. The bill would also update the Veterans Claims Assistance Program to include references to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and cross accreditation requirements.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2760 passed 37-0.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2098/" target="_blank">HB 2098</a>&nbsp;would create a sales tax deduction for certain motor vehicle transactions, provide for manufacturer’s coupons to be excluded from sales price for sales tax purposes, and create several sales tax exemptions including custom meat processing.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2098 passed 34-1; having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb473/" target="_blank">SB 473</a>&nbsp;would amend the Kansas Code of Criminal Procedure to allow a notice to appear (NTA) to serve as a valid complaint and would amend law related to appearance bonds made in district courts.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 473 concurred with amendments in conference, 23-10.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb292/" target="_blank">SB 292</a>&nbsp;would create law to authorize the appointment of a State Judge Advocate by the Adjutant General; create and amend law related to death and disability benefits provided to Kansas Air and Army National Guard members; and amend law throughout Chapter 48 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated to modernize statutory language, remove outdated statutes, and remove references to trial by court-martial. &nbsp;SB 292 passed 37-0; having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb349/" target="_blank">SB 349</a>&nbsp;would continue in existence the following exceptions to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) to include fingerprinting and criminal history record checks under the Industrial Hemp Act, certain carriers of alcoholic liquors under the Kansas Liquor Control Act, and information in the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Act database.&nbsp; The bill would also amend the exception found in information contained in a Secretary of Commerce report to House and Senate Commerce Committees that would be detrimental to the development of a STAR bond project or economic development incentive program. The bill would make such reports open for inspection two years after their submission to the Legislature.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 349 passed 35-0.&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Full texts of the bills and supplemental notes as well as the Final Action vote on these measures can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SEARCH FOR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY -&nbsp;Kansas Unclaimed Property Quick Link&nbsp;

Type in or click this link for the instant search entry form-<a href="https://kansascash.ks.gov/up_search.php" target="_blank">https://kansascash.ks.gov/up_search.php</a>&nbsp;

Please email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785 243-3325 at my office in Concordia with questions or concerns during the break.&nbsp;

Thank you for the honor of serving you!&nbsp;

Senator Elaine Bowers&nbsp; Kansas State Capitol Building&nbsp; Room 223-E&nbsp; 300 SW 10th St.&nbsp; Topeka, KS 66612&nbsp; <a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a> 785-296-7389&nbsp; <a href="https://elainebowers.com/" target="_blank">https://elainebowers.com/</a> <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>

SENATE SCENE Week 13, 1st adjournment before veto session

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

Although Kansas is not known for its mushroom hunting, morel mushrooms can be found here, and rain expected for this week followed by warm spring days should bring them out. Now, I’m not an avid or seasoned morel hunter, and the likelihood of me finding a morel mushroom is probably about the same as finding a transgender Sumo wrestler, but I remember a trip I took several springs ago with a local morel hunting legend.

When I started this adventure, I was aware that dyed-in-the-wool mushroom hunters would just as soon give away their favorite deer stand or rat out their own mother as they would divulge their mushroom honey-holes, so I wasn’t surprised when my host for that evening insisted on anonymity for both himself and our location. My choices were simple; forget who he was and where we were, or ride blindfolded in the trunk of his car. Since I hate blindfolds and the trunk of his car was the bed of his old pickup, I choose the former. I will tell you, however, that we were somewhere south of Nebraska.

We parked and walked up a rutted sandy drive that wound through acres of every kind of cover imaginable, from dry knee-high grass and 3-foot dogwoods to 60-foot cottonwoods and everything between. The common denominator was leaf litter which covered every inch of soil. My host, whom I’ll dub “Hawkeye” for reasons that will become apparent, began to school me in “Morel Mushrooms 101.” As for location, the sandier the soil and the sunnier the spot the better. It seems morels like the soil damp but not too wet. They often prefer somewhat open areas, but not always. We found some of ours in dense cover, often crawling around on our hands and knees. In other words, conditions have to be just right and only the mushrooms can determine that. He ended this part of the class with the prophetic statement “You just find them where you find them,” adding that morels can often be found in the same spots year after year.

We stepped off the drive and headed toward a spot in the woods where “Hawkeye” had found mushrooms in the past. He had hunted deer in this area for over 30 years and knew the terrain like the back of his hand. He found the spot, but no mushrooms. As we walked on, we began to discuss the finer points of morel mushroom reproduction. Morels reproduce from spores which are scattered and distributed mostly by the wind, and no, the old wives tale suggesting they grow totally overnight is not true. My research found they can grow from spore to fully grown in a very few days, depending on conditions, but not merely overnight. “Hawkeye” said he had learned to look along fence lines and tree rows that run in such a direction as to catch the prevailing wind, evidently capturing and holding the wind-borne spores. Since morel reproduction is so “iffy,” God designed their spongy body purposely to hold the maximum number of spores for dispersion.

We had walked only a short distance farther when “Hawkeye” stopped and pointed 30 feet or so ahead of us. “There’s some,” he stated rather matter-of-factly, (I was doing good to see the ground that far away) and sure enough, in a small clearing ahead, several small Morel Mushrooms pointed skyward. We cut them off just above the ground and moved on. Awhile latter I found him staring intently into a small open spot several feet ahead beneath a tangle of vines. “You should find five in there before you’re through” he

stated before walking on. On hands and knees, I crawled under the vines, knowing “Hawkeye” was toying with me…Having added the 5 mushrooms to my bag I crawled out the other side with new found respect for both his eyesight and sincerity! We ended the evening with 2 nice “messes” of fresh spring morel mushrooms.

As a novice to both harvesting and preparing morels, I’ll tell you what works well for my host. They need to be soaked in salt water for awhile to help clean them and rid them of pests, but just before you’re ready to prepare them, as they will get soggy. Soak them just long enough to do the job, say 30 minutes. After cleaning and soaking, slice each one lengthways into thirds (or quarters if large enough) them dredge each piece in a mixture of egg and milk, roll them in flour or your favorite coating and fry them in butter or oil like fish until golden brown.

Each time I write about another crop to harvest from the Kansas outdoors, I think I’ve seen them all, but each time, I find I’ve merely scratched the surface! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsAlthough Kansas is not known for its mushroom hunting, morel mushrooms can be found here, and rain expected for this week followed by warm spring days should bring them out. Now, I’m not an avid or seasoned morel hunter, and the likelihood of me finding a morel mushroom is probably about the same as finding a transgender Sumo wrestler, but I remember a trip I took several springs ago with a local morel hunting legend.When I started this adventure, I was aware that dyed-in-the-wool mushroom hunters would just as soon give away their favorite deer stand or rat out their own mother as they would divulge their mushroom honey-holes, so I wasn’t surprised when my host for that evening insisted on anonymity for both himself and our location. My choices were simple; forget who he was and where we were, or ride blindfolded in the trunk of his car. Since I hate blindfolds and the trunk of his car was the bed of his old pickup, I choose the former. I will tell you, however, that we were somewhere south of Nebraska.We parked and walked up a rutted sandy drive that wound through acres of every kind of cover imaginable, from dry knee-high grass and 3-foot dogwoods to 60-foot cottonwoods and everything between. The common denominator was leaf litter which covered every inch of soil. My host, whom I’ll dub “Hawkeye” for reasons that will become apparent, began to school me in “Morel Mushrooms 101.” As for location, the sandier the soil and the sunnier the spot the better. It seems morels like the soil damp but not too wet. They often prefer somewhat open areas, but not always. We found some of ours in dense cover, often crawling around on our hands and knees. In other words, conditions have to be just right and only the mushrooms can determine that. He ended this part of the class with the prophetic statement “You just find them where you find them,” adding that morels can often be found in the same spots year after year.We stepped off the drive and headed toward a spot in the woods where “Hawkeye” had found mushrooms in the past. He had hunted deer in this area for over 30 years and knew the terrain like the back of his hand. He found the spot, but no mushrooms. As we walked on, we began to discuss the finer points of morel mushroom reproduction. Morels reproduce from spores which are scattered and distributed mostly by the wind, and no, the old wives tale suggesting they grow totally overnight is not true. My research found they can grow from spore to fully grown in a very few days, depending on conditions, but not merely overnight. “Hawkeye” said he had learned to look along fence lines and tree rows that run in such a direction as to catch the prevailing wind, evidently capturing and holding the wind-borne spores. Since morel reproduction is so “iffy,” God designed their spongy body purposely to hold the maximum number of spores for dispersion.We had walked only a short distance farther when “Hawkeye” stopped and pointed 30 feet or so ahead of us. “There’s some,” he stated rather matter-of-factly, (I was doing good to see the ground that far away) and sure enough, in a small clearing ahead, several small Morel Mushrooms pointed skyward. We cut them off just above the ground and moved on. Awhile latter I found him staring intently into a small open spot several feet ahead beneath a tangle of vines. “You should find five in there before you’re through” hestated before walking on. On hands and knees, I crawled under the vines, knowing “Hawkeye” was toying with me…Having added the 5 mushrooms to my bag I crawled out the other side with new found respect for both his eyesight and sincerity! We ended the evening with 2 nice “messes” of fresh spring morel mushrooms.As a novice to both harvesting and preparing morels, I’ll tell you what works well for my host. They need to be soaked in salt water for awhile to help clean them and rid them of pests, but just before you’re ready to prepare them, as they will get soggy. Soak them just long enough to do the job, say 30 minutes. After cleaning and soaking, slice each one lengthways into thirds (or quarters if large enough) them dredge each piece in a mixture of egg and milk, roll them in flour or your favorite coating and fry them in butter or oil like fish until golden brown.Each time I write about another crop to harvest from the Kansas outdoors, I think I’ve seen them all, but each time, I find I’ve merely scratched the surface! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

GILLILAND: The Morel of the Story

Corrected: April 15 for events on ESU campus.

By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight Kansas

For the second time in seven years, Kansas has just experienced a near-total eclipse.&nbsp; Both times, I headed outside to view it through my eye-protecting eclipse glasses, here at Emporia State.&nbsp; Each time was a fun opportunity to join with others on our campus and watch a rare, natural phenomenon.&nbsp; This time, it was also a chance to reflect on just how much has changed.

The 2017 eclipse occurred more than two years before the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021, and five years before deep cuts were made to ESU’s workforce and programs in 2022.&nbsp; Back then, the watch party was a busy campus event.&nbsp; Union Square between Plumb Hall and Memorial Union was standing-only, packed with students, faculty, and staff anticipating the event.&nbsp; People shared their eclipse glasses and chatted while waiting for the moon to cross the sun.&nbsp; Some classes let out early and people rushed outside to see it.&nbsp; Academic departments disseminated information about eclipses, reminded people of the proper safety protocols, and encouraged visits to the ESU Planetarium.&nbsp; Campus buildings emptied, then filled back up again after the event’s climax.&nbsp; Watching all those people wearing funny glasses and looking in the same direction, I couldn’t help but think of those 1950s photos showing people wearing 3-D glasses in movie theaters. That was us, crowded together, murmuring excitedly, pointing and watching the sun and moon in all their glory–and ours.

What a difference six and a half years makes.&nbsp; We still watched the eclipse at ESU, and it was still fun, but the feel was completely different.&nbsp; Instead of a standing-only crowd, there was just a handful of us, so few that we could each find a comfortable chair in the newly renovated Union Square.&nbsp; Most who did come were students.&nbsp; I could count only a small number of faculty besides myself. We sat and chatted, taking turns looking through the glasses.&nbsp; 

I was not aware of any campus sponsored eclipse watching events, except for small performance by some music students on another part of campus.&nbsp; I later learned that the School of Science and Mathematics did indeed host such events but I was not aware of them at the time.

&nbsp;Many others preferred to watch at home.&nbsp;

These changes reflect that way our campus, campuses more generally, and work life have all changed since 2017.&nbsp; The cuts of 2022 reduced our faculty, and student enrollments are down as well.&nbsp; Those who remain now work more from home.&nbsp; Courses are a mix of online and face to face. The whole feel of our campus reminds me of a campus during the summer–just a handful of us, quiet, peaceful, plenty of time to get work done.&nbsp;

This tale of two eclipses is part of a bigger story. &nbsp; College enrollments are down nationally, and some other campuses have also experienced deep cuts.&nbsp; Post-pandemic, white collar workers have continued working from home at least part of the time, in no small part due to the high cost and shortage of childcare.&nbsp;&nbsp;

I miss the bustling excitement of 2017.&nbsp; If I’m being honest, though, I can also get used to the new climate.&nbsp; I like the relaxed, chill vibe– just students and a handful of faculty chatting and enjoying the eclipse safely, a comfortable front-row seat for everyone– an endless summer on campus.&nbsp; It’s a good thing, too, because as universities face lower enrollments and working from home gets institutionalized, quieter workplaces are here to stay.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700168795368.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Corrected: April 15 for events on ESU campus.By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight KansasFor the second time in seven years, Kansas has just experienced a near-total eclipse.&nbsp; Both times, I headed outside to view it through my eye-protecting eclipse glasses, here at Emporia State.&nbsp; Each time was a fun opportunity to join with others on our campus and watch a rare, natural phenomenon.&nbsp; This time, it was also a chance to reflect on just how much has changed.The 2017 eclipse occurred more than two years before the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021, and five years before deep cuts were made to ESU’s workforce and programs in 2022.&nbsp; Back then, the watch party was a busy campus event.&nbsp; Union Square between Plumb Hall and Memorial Union was standing-only, packed with students, faculty, and staff anticipating the event.&nbsp; People shared their eclipse glasses and chatted while waiting for the moon to cross the sun.&nbsp; Some classes let out early and people rushed outside to see it.&nbsp; Academic departments disseminated information about eclipses, reminded people of the proper safety protocols, and encouraged visits to the ESU Planetarium.&nbsp; Campus buildings emptied, then filled back up again after the event’s climax.&nbsp; Watching all those people wearing funny glasses and looking in the same direction, I couldn’t help but think of those 1950s photos showing people wearing 3-D glasses in movie theaters. That was us, crowded together, murmuring excitedly, pointing and watching the sun and moon in all their glory–and ours.What a difference six and a half years makes.&nbsp; We still watched the eclipse at ESU, and it was still fun, but the feel was completely different.&nbsp; Instead of a standing-only crowd, there was just a handful of us, so few that we could each find a comfortable chair in the newly renovated Union Square.&nbsp; Most who did come were students.&nbsp; I could count only a small number of faculty besides myself. We sat and chatted, taking turns looking through the glasses.&nbsp; I was not aware of any campus sponsored eclipse watching events, except for small performance by some music students on another part of campus.&nbsp; I later learned that the School of Science and Mathematics did indeed host such events but I was not aware of them at the time.&nbsp;Many others preferred to watch at home.&nbsp;These changes reflect that way our campus, campuses more generally, and work life have all changed since 2017.&nbsp; The cuts of 2022 reduced our faculty, and student enrollments are down as well.&nbsp; Those who remain now work more from home.&nbsp; Courses are a mix of online and face to face. The whole feel of our campus reminds me of a campus during the summer–just a handful of us, quiet, peaceful, plenty of time to get work done.&nbsp;This tale of two eclipses is part of a bigger story. &nbsp; College enrollments are down nationally, and some other campuses have also experienced deep cuts.&nbsp; Post-pandemic, white collar workers have continued working from home at least part of the time, in no small part due to the high cost and shortage of childcare.&nbsp;&nbsp;I miss the bustling excitement of 2017.&nbsp; If I’m being honest, though, I can also get used to the new climate.&nbsp; I like the relaxed, chill vibe– just students and a handful of faculty chatting and enjoying the eclipse safely, a comfortable front-row seat for everyone– an endless summer on campus.&nbsp; It’s a good thing, too, because as universities face lower enrollments and working from home gets institutionalized, quieter workplaces are here to stay.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Eclipse watch parties show how campus has changed

By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University President

It has been my pleasure to witness the growth and expansion of the John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days (SACAD) throughout my time at Fort Hays State University. For the past nineteen years, what started in 2005 with students exhibiting their research in Tomanek Hall, SACAD has grown into a week-long campus-wide showcase of the remarkable research and creativity of FHSU students, faculty, and staff that includes both online and in-person events and activities.

This year’s 19th annual event aspires to reimagine and expand this day of scholarly celebration in a variety of new and important ways, starting with a focus on community through an Open House format. On Wednesday, May 1, we are inviting not only members of the university but also the Hays community and other areas beyond to join us in this celebration.

Spread throughout the day and at venues across campus, activities will include academic posters, art, and creative works, meet the authors (book exhibition), musical performances, and applied industrial technology projects. Showcased creations will feature work from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the College of Education, the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and the Peter Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics. A detailed schedule of activities can be found online at https://www.fhsu.edu/research/events-and-opportunities/sacad/event-submission-details.

As much as I am looking forward to this year’s events, I want to take a moment to reflect on the person for whom this day is named, Dr. John Heinrichs. An internationally renowned Arctic researcher, a popular professor of geosciences, and former chair of that department, John made a tremendous impact at Fort Hays State University. His colleagues, university administration, and especially his students held him in such high esteem that numerous events and awards were renamed or created in his honor after his passing in 2014.

In addition to John Heinrichs SACAD, there is now the John Heinrichs SEIRA (Student Excellence in Research Award), the Heinrichs Research Group, the Heinrichs Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, and the Dr. John Heinrichs Memorial Geography Scholarship.

The John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days (SACAD) is the most prominent of all the honors and events dedicated to Dr. Heinrichs. One of several factors that makes SACAD truly unique to FHSU and different from other university presentation forums is the dedication to inclusivity. SACAD planners reach out across the university in order to include as many participants as possible from just about every discipline.

The amount of behind-the-scenes work required for a successful event is an example of what SACAD promotes at FHSU. The tireless efforts, dedication, and passion shown by everyone involved are a testament to John Heinrichs’ vision and would not be possible without the continued commitment from faculty and staff leaders.

This year, Dr. April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice and Scholarship Environment Committee (SEC) Event Coordinator, led the SACAD planning committee. Along with graduate

school and office of sponsored programs director Dr. Keith Bremer, associate professor of applied technology and SEC Chair Eric Deneault, assistant professor of criminal justice and SACAD Committee Chair Dr. Morgan Steele, and numerous other faculty, staff, and committee members, April has been instrumental in bringing this year’s events to life.

“Since learning about SACAD years ago, I’ve looked forward to the event each year,” April said. “I appreciate the welcoming environment it offers our students and the opportunity for everyone to showcase the awesome work they’re doing at FHSU. I’m excited to see the new additions to SACAD 2024 and look forward to the opportunity to converse with those attending and participating.”

Collaboration is key not only for the people who work to make it happen but also for all participants, even students who choose to work independently because they receive hands-on personal guidance from faculty mentors. For some, SACAD is an opportunity to reach across disciplines and bring people with different skill sets together to create something that would not be possible individually.

It is this type of collaboration, something that will be expected of many students once they begin their professional careers, that makes participation in SACAD such an impactful experience.

For members of the community who wish to attend, parking on campus will be free all day, and the FHSU Foundation and Alumni Office will provide transportation across campus. Refreshments will be available at many of the event venues, with additional food and drink options available for purchase from the Union Catering Company within the Memorial Union. Sno-cones, cotton candy, and popcorn will also be served in the quad (limited to the first 200 attendees). I believe there are also plans for a variety of games and activities on the quad as well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University PresidentIt has been my pleasure to witness the growth and expansion of the John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days (SACAD) throughout my time at Fort Hays State University. For the past nineteen years, what started in 2005 with students exhibiting their research in Tomanek Hall, SACAD has grown into a week-long campus-wide showcase of the remarkable research and creativity of FHSU students, faculty, and staff that includes both online and in-person events and activities.This year’s 19th annual event aspires to reimagine and expand this day of scholarly celebration in a variety of new and important ways, starting with a focus on community through an Open House format. On Wednesday, May 1, we are inviting not only members of the university but also the Hays community and other areas beyond to join us in this celebration.Spread throughout the day and at venues across campus, activities will include academic posters, art, and creative works, meet the authors (book exhibition), musical performances, and applied industrial technology projects. Showcased creations will feature work from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the College of Education, the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and the Peter Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics. A detailed schedule of activities can be found online at https://www.fhsu.edu/research/events-and-opportunities/sacad/event-submission-details.As much as I am looking forward to this year’s events, I want to take a moment to reflect on the person for whom this day is named, Dr. John Heinrichs. An internationally renowned Arctic researcher, a popular professor of geosciences, and former chair of that department, John made a tremendous impact at Fort Hays State University. His colleagues, university administration, and especially his students held him in such high esteem that numerous events and awards were renamed or created in his honor after his passing in 2014.In addition to John Heinrichs SACAD, there is now the John Heinrichs SEIRA (Student Excellence in Research Award), the Heinrichs Research Group, the Heinrichs Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, and the Dr. John Heinrichs Memorial Geography Scholarship.The John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days (SACAD) is the most prominent of all the honors and events dedicated to Dr. Heinrichs. One of several factors that makes SACAD truly unique to FHSU and different from other university presentation forums is the dedication to inclusivity. SACAD planners reach out across the university in order to include as many participants as possible from just about every discipline.The amount of behind-the-scenes work required for a successful event is an example of what SACAD promotes at FHSU. The tireless efforts, dedication, and passion shown by everyone involved are a testament to John Heinrichs’ vision and would not be possible without the continued commitment from faculty and staff leaders.This year, Dr. April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice and Scholarship Environment Committee (SEC) Event Coordinator, led the SACAD planning committee. Along with graduateschool and office of sponsored programs director Dr. Keith Bremer, associate professor of applied technology and SEC Chair Eric Deneault, assistant professor of criminal justice and SACAD Committee Chair Dr. Morgan Steele, and numerous other faculty, staff, and committee members, April has been instrumental in bringing this year’s events to life.“Since learning about SACAD years ago, I’ve looked forward to the event each year,” April said. “I appreciate the welcoming environment it offers our students and the opportunity for everyone to showcase the awesome work they’re doing at FHSU. I’m excited to see the new additions to SACAD 2024 and look forward to the opportunity to converse with those attending and participating.”Collaboration is key not only for the people who work to make it happen but also for all participants, even students who choose to work independently because they receive hands-on personal guidance from faculty mentors. For some, SACAD is an opportunity to reach across disciplines and bring people with different skill sets together to create something that would not be possible individually.It is this type of collaboration, something that will be expected of many students once they begin their professional careers, that makes participation in SACAD such an impactful experience.For members of the community who wish to attend, parking on campus will be free all day, and the FHSU Foundation and Alumni Office will provide transportation across campus. Refreshments will be available at many of the event venues, with additional food and drink options available for purchase from the Union Catering Company within the Memorial Union. Sno-cones, cotton candy, and popcorn will also be served in the quad (limited to the first 200 attendees). I believe there are also plans for a variety of games and activities on the quad as well.

HEART OF A TIGER: Celebrating SACAD, FHSU’s annual learning and creative expression showcase

Family gatherings mean food, fun, good times, and laughter, and this year our gathering made me question my memory. Besides bringing a side dish to the gathering, my contribution involved setting up the grandkids outside Easter Egg Hunt. The four grands ages run from five to fifteen, so I have to get creative to challenge each age.

A good-natured group, these youngsters look forward to searching their other grandparents huge yard filled with bushes, trees, yard art, play equipment, and lawn furniture perfect for hiding bright colored plastic eggs stuffed with money or candy. Because of age differences, I color code eggs so each grand picks up only one color. That helps me design the hunt to challenge individual ages and abilities.

To simplify my life, I pre-fill eggs ahead of time, placing each color in its own bag. To start the project, I lay out 8 eggs per kiddo accompanied by piles of goodies to fill those 32 eggs. When the job is done, I store the bags in a plastic tote in the trunk so I don’t forget it. What could go wrong?

The past couple of years, the older youngsters found their treasures way too easily so I decided to hide a few eggs that required creative searching. I made sure the girls could see them if they looked in exactly the right spot, but they’d need to focus. Of course, if things got too frustrating and threatened our scheduled Easter dinner, I’d intervene saying, “Hotter, colder” as needed. My help wasn’t really necessary; with four seekers scampering around the area, they spied hidden gems their cohorts missed and offered their own hints.

After an extended hunt for those extra-challenging treasures accompanied by clues and laughter, the kids found all but one egg. Puzzled, I wandered the yard, checking my hiding spots. I was certain I’d hidden 32 eggs. But I couldn’t find the missing object. Initially, I questioned whether I’d miscounted blue eggs, until the kids catalogued the contents. Checking each stash, I knew the missing egg held 2 quarters. I’d laid out money in four piles to guarantee everyone got the same amounts. When I finished filling eggs, none was left over. That knowledge I filled that egg relieved my mind, but I wondered where was it? Had it fallen off the table onto my dining room chair and never made it to the hunt?

Throughout the day, family humorously razzed me about losing eggs instead of marbles. Once we arrived home that evening, I immediately searched our dining room, fully expecting to find a runaway blue egg. Zip, nada, nothing. Clearly, I had hidden it but couldn’t find it. Despite a yard full of kids and adults searching, none of us discovered it though we looked high and low.

The next morning, a text announced it mysteriously ended up in the corral. Somehow gravity involved itself. Though I’d stabilized each orb as I hid it, one tumbled out of wire constraints on the limestone post where I’d firmly tucked it. It fell and rolled under a wire fence into the horse pen where family found it when they went out to feed.

I’m guessing those horses spent an afternoon wondering what kind of chicken laid a blue egg in their pen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINFamily gatherings mean food, fun, good times, and laughter, and this year our gathering made me question my memory. Besides bringing a side dish to the gathering, my contribution involved setting up the grandkids outside Easter Egg Hunt. The four grands ages run from five to fifteen, so I have to get creative to challenge each age.A good-natured group, these youngsters look forward to searching their other grandparents huge yard filled with bushes, trees, yard art, play equipment, and lawn furniture perfect for hiding bright colored plastic eggs stuffed with money or candy. Because of age differences, I color code eggs so each grand picks up only one color. That helps me design the hunt to challenge individual ages and abilities.To simplify my life, I pre-fill eggs ahead of time, placing each color in its own bag. To start the project, I lay out 8 eggs per kiddo accompanied by piles of goodies to fill those 32 eggs. When the job is done, I store the bags in a plastic tote in the trunk so I don’t forget it. What could go wrong?The past couple of years, the older youngsters found their treasures way too easily so I decided to hide a few eggs that required creative searching. I made sure the girls could see them if they looked in exactly the right spot, but they’d need to focus. Of course, if things got too frustrating and threatened our scheduled Easter dinner, I’d intervene saying, “Hotter, colder” as needed. My help wasn’t really necessary; with four seekers scampering around the area, they spied hidden gems their cohorts missed and offered their own hints.After an extended hunt for those extra-challenging treasures accompanied by clues and laughter, the kids found all but one egg. Puzzled, I wandered the yard, checking my hiding spots. I was certain I’d hidden 32 eggs. But I couldn’t find the missing object. Initially, I questioned whether I’d miscounted blue eggs, until the kids catalogued the contents. Checking each stash, I knew the missing egg held 2 quarters. I’d laid out money in four piles to guarantee everyone got the same amounts. When I finished filling eggs, none was left over. That knowledge I filled that egg relieved my mind, but I wondered where was it? Had it fallen off the table onto my dining room chair and never made it to the hunt?Throughout the day, family humorously razzed me about losing eggs instead of marbles. Once we arrived home that evening, I immediately searched our dining room, fully expecting to find a runaway blue egg. Zip, nada, nothing. Clearly, I had hidden it but couldn’t find it. Despite a yard full of kids and adults searching, none of us discovered it though we looked high and low.The next morning, a text announced it mysteriously ended up in the corral. Somehow gravity involved itself. Though I’d stabilized each orb as I hid it, one tumbled out of wire constraints on the limestone post where I’d firmly tucked it. It fell and rolled under a wire fence into the horse pen where family found it when they went out to feed.I’m guessing those horses spent an afternoon wondering what kind of chicken laid a blue egg in their pen.

MADORIN: Blame it on gravity

Did you know that optimistic people tend to live longer? In fact,
positivity adds up to 7.5 years to life! Higher levels of optimism are
associated with reduced risk of certain diseases such as heart disease, cancer,
and stroke. This research suggests that embracing positivity may be a way to
increase longevity and improve overall well-being.

Dr. Erin Martinez, Kansas State University Aging Specialist, tells
us to “SMILE BIG.” The acronym can help us remember to be an optimist and reap
the good of life:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Successful aging requires practicing positivity.&nbsp;“If we
have a positive attitude, we are more likely to make changes and implement
healthy behaviors into our lives that are going to help us be successful as we
age.”

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Manage our expectations. “We are not
always going to be at the pinnacle of healthy aging, and that’s okay. We need
to make our expectations something attainable.”

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Interact with positivity.&nbsp;“Research
shows that when you interact with positive people and places, you’re more
likely to embrace positivity as well.”

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Looking for positives.&nbsp;“We know that bad things
happen sometimes, but when you take the time to truly reflect, I bet you’ll
find something positive that came from the situation.”

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Escaping ageism.&nbsp;“Make it a priority to escape
stereotypes associated with aging. Your age does not define who you are.”

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Being healthy.&nbsp;“We know that there are a lot
of healthy behaviors that we should be doing, but we don’t always do them.
Eating healthfully, exercising regularly, taking care of our brain…all of those
things lead to successful aging.”

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
‘I Can’ approach.&nbsp;“Instead of saying, ‘I can’t
do this or that anymore,’ take the ‘I Can’ approach. For example, ‘I can
utilize a cane that will help me move around more safely…’”

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Give yourself grace.&nbsp;“Sometimes we’re going to
mess up or have a bad day. We need to give ourselves grace so we’re not beating
ourselves down when we don’t always embrace positivity. It is okay to not be
okay.”

The “SMILE BIG” approach can be
encouraging because it is a choice. Some factors in life are uncontrollable,
but choosing optimism is something each of us has the power to do no matter our
age. However, seasons of life may present circumstances that make optimism the
difficult choice. So, I challenge you to smile big and spread positivity to all
who cross your path.

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community
Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You
may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictDid you know that optimistic people tend to live longer? In fact,
positivity adds up to 7.5 years to life! Higher levels of optimism are
associated with reduced risk of certain diseases such as heart disease, cancer,
and stroke. This research suggests that embracing positivity may be a way to
increase longevity and improve overall well-being.Dr. Erin Martinez, Kansas State University Aging Specialist, tells
us to “SMILE BIG.” The acronym can help us remember to be an optimist and reap
the good of life:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Successful aging requires practicing positivity.&nbsp;“If we
have a positive attitude, we are more likely to make changes and implement
healthy behaviors into our lives that are going to help us be successful as we
age.”·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Manage our expectations. “We are not
always going to be at the pinnacle of healthy aging, and that’s okay. We need
to make our expectations something attainable.”·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Interact with positivity.&nbsp;“Research
shows that when you interact with positive people and places, you’re more
likely to embrace positivity as well.”·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Looking for positives.&nbsp;“We know that bad things
happen sometimes, but when you take the time to truly reflect, I bet you’ll
find something positive that came from the situation.”·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Escaping ageism.&nbsp;“Make it a priority to escape
stereotypes associated with aging. Your age does not define who you are.”·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Being healthy.&nbsp;“We know that there are a lot
of healthy behaviors that we should be doing, but we don’t always do them.
Eating healthfully, exercising regularly, taking care of our brain…all of those
things lead to successful aging.”·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
‘I Can’ approach.&nbsp;“Instead of saying, ‘I can’t
do this or that anymore,’ take the ‘I Can’ approach. For example, ‘I can
utilize a cane that will help me move around more safely…’”·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Give yourself grace.&nbsp;“Sometimes we’re going to
mess up or have a bad day. We need to give ourselves grace so we’re not beating
ourselves down when we don’t always embrace positivity. It is okay to not be
okay.”The “SMILE BIG” approach can be
encouraging because it is a choice. Some factors in life are uncontrollable,
but choosing optimism is something each of us has the power to do no matter our
age. However, seasons of life may present circumstances that make optimism the
difficult choice. So, I challenge you to smile big and spread positivity to all
who cross your path.Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community
Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You
may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: Smile big, live longer

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

One of the best ways to keep your mind and body functioning at its best is to exercise. When I worked with small children we always used to say, “the best exercise for the brain is exercise!” The same holds true as we age. Exercise produces a wide range of benefits for not only our physical health, but also mental health. Regular participation in strengthening exercises can help you build muscle and increase bone density. It can also help relieve stress and reduce depression symptoms. The Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program focuses on improving the health and well-being of older adults. The goal of the program is to provide safe, structured and effective strength training for older adults. No one is too inactive to participate. Strength training promotes quality of life and independence, especially for adults over age 60. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is an evidence-based program that has been shown to increase strength, balance, and flexibility.

You might be asking yourself, “I wonder what we’ll do?” It is an eight-week program that meets twice a week for one-hour. We will do warm up exercises, easy strengthening exercises, with or without weights, based on your preference, and finish with cool-down stretches and breathing exercises. The best part is there is no membership fees like at a gym and there is no special clothes or equipment needed. We will have weights available if you want to use them. You will work at your own pace and progress as you are able. There are modifications to the exercises based on your own fitness level.

If you would like more information before signing up, I will hold a gathering to answer questions and fill out paperwork at the Hays Senior Center on April 11, 2004 at 1 p.m. The classes will begin on May 14 and will continue until July 5. We will meet each Tuesday and Thursday at the Senior Center at 1 p.m. If you can’t make it on April 11th, please call the office if you have any questions or email Monique at moniquek@ksu.edu .There will be a one-time fee of $20 to participate in the eight-week program. All equipment will be provided.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictOne of the best ways to keep your mind and body functioning at its best is to exercise. When I worked with small children we always used to say, “the best exercise for the brain is exercise!” The same holds true as we age. Exercise produces a wide range of benefits for not only our physical health, but also mental health. Regular participation in strengthening exercises can help you build muscle and increase bone density. It can also help relieve stress and reduce depression symptoms. The Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program focuses on improving the health and well-being of older adults. The goal of the program is to provide safe, structured and effective strength training for older adults. No one is too inactive to participate. Strength training promotes quality of life and independence, especially for adults over age 60. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is an evidence-based program that has been shown to increase strength, balance, and flexibility.You might be asking yourself, “I wonder what we’ll do?” It is an eight-week program that meets twice a week for one-hour. We will do warm up exercises, easy strengthening exercises, with or without weights, based on your preference, and finish with cool-down stretches and breathing exercises. The best part is there is no membership fees like at a gym and there is no special clothes or equipment needed. We will have weights available if you want to use them. You will work at your own pace and progress as you are able. There are modifications to the exercises based on your own fitness level.If you would like more information before signing up, I will hold a gathering to answer questions and fill out paperwork at the Hays Senior Center on April 11, 2004 at 1 p.m. The classes will begin on May 14 and will continue until July 5. We will meet each Tuesday and Thursday at the Senior Center at 1 p.m. If you can’t make it on April 11th, please call the office if you have any questions or email Monique at moniquek@ksu.edu .There will be a one-time fee of $20 to participate in the eight-week program. All equipment will be provided.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

KOERNER: Stay Strong, Stay Healthy offered at Hays Senior Center

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

The state’s Attorney General Kris Kobach has filed a lawsuit against the federal government to block student loan forgiveness, leading a multi-state coalition against the policy.

The lawsuit comes on the heels of the 2023 case led by Missouri where the Supreme Court struck down the federal government’s previous student loan forgiveness plans.

It’s clear that Kobach is leading this charge at least partly because he’s likely to be successful. In the 2023 case, the conservative majority Supreme Court demonstrated a willingness to grant standing to states suing the federal government for harms state agencies could face if student loans were forgiven.

The lawsuit challenges the legality of the federal government’s newest attempt to forgive student loans for some borrowers called the SAVE Plan. It only applies to borrowers who took out less than $12,000 and have been making consistent payments for over 10 years.

Not only is it questionable if Kansas has the legal standing for the lawsuit — the burden of proof is on the coalition of states to prove that individual states will be financially harmed by the forgiveness program — blocking student loan forgiveness would deny 1,200 Kansans financial relief, according to the federal government.

Millennials stand to benefit most from the student loan forgiveness program. According to TransUnion, Millennials hold 43% of all student loan debt as of 2023.

Millennials are those who came of age around the year 2000, typically born between 1981 and 1996, and are currently between 43 and 28 years old.

The Kansas Speaks public opinion survey, fielded every fall by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, gives us some insight into the attitudes of Kansas Millennials on economic and life-prospects in the state.

Older Millennials had the worst rating of the Kansas economy in 2023. 37% of those aged 35-44 rated the state’s economy as “poor” or “very poor”. The next lowest rating was 26% and among younger Millennials and Gen Z — those aged 18-34.

Older Millennials also expressed the most concern that the Kansas economy will seriously threaten their family’s well-being over the next year, 26% are very concerned and 23% are moderately concerned.

These survey questions present various ways of measuring financial stability among this age group.

According to a 2021 poll by the National Association of Realtors, 60% of Millennials say student loan debt has delayed their ability to buy a home. In 2021, only 43% of Millennials were homeowners, the lowest home ownership rate of any generation, per research conducted by Freddie Mac.

In Kansas Speaks, older Millennials also had the highest rate of renting (47%), highest concern about the cost of housing in their community (73%), and the highest rate of disagreement with the statement “I spend the right amount of my income on housing costs” (42%).

The cost of a college education has increased over the past several decades as states have consistently cut higher education funding, thus increasing tuition costs for students who then have had to take out more student loans. At the same time, the cost of living has increased exponentially while wages have remained stagnant for college graduates.

Millennials are largely bearing this economic burden, and Gen Z is starting to join them.

In 2019, Millennials became the largest population cohort in the United States, surpassing the Baby Boomers. Their sheer size gives Millennials social, economic, and political influence.

Given the recent precedent, there’s good reason to assume Kobach’s case will be successful at the Supreme Court, begging the question of whether this is smart politics for Kansas?

Championing a lawsuit that targets Millennials, the state’s largest voting cohort, doesn’t seem like the brightest political move by the state’s Attorney General, but only time will tell.

The case will be heard by the US District Court in the coming months.

Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699489540.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight KansasThe state’s Attorney General Kris Kobach has filed a lawsuit against the federal government to block student loan forgiveness, leading a multi-state coalition against the policy.The lawsuit comes on the heels of the 2023 case led by Missouri where the Supreme Court struck down the federal government’s previous student loan forgiveness plans.It’s clear that Kobach is leading this charge at least partly because he’s likely to be successful. In the 2023 case, the conservative majority Supreme Court demonstrated a willingness to grant standing to states suing the federal government for harms state agencies could face if student loans were forgiven.The lawsuit challenges the legality of the federal government’s newest attempt to forgive student loans for some borrowers called the SAVE Plan. It only applies to borrowers who took out less than $12,000 and have been making consistent payments for over 10 years.Not only is it questionable if Kansas has the legal standing for the lawsuit — the burden of proof is on the coalition of states to prove that individual states will be financially harmed by the forgiveness program — blocking student loan forgiveness would deny 1,200 Kansans financial relief, according to the federal government.Millennials stand to benefit most from the student loan forgiveness program. According to TransUnion, Millennials hold 43% of all student loan debt as of 2023.Millennials are those who came of age around the year 2000, typically born between 1981 and 1996, and are currently between 43 and 28 years old.The Kansas Speaks public opinion survey, fielded every fall by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, gives us some insight into the attitudes of Kansas Millennials on economic and life-prospects in the state.Older Millennials had the worst rating of the Kansas economy in 2023. 37% of those aged 35-44 rated the state’s economy as “poor” or “very poor”. The next lowest rating was 26% and among younger Millennials and Gen Z — those aged 18-34.Older Millennials also expressed the most concern that the Kansas economy will seriously threaten their family’s well-being over the next year, 26% are very concerned and 23% are moderately concerned.These survey questions present various ways of measuring financial stability among this age group.According to a 2021 poll by the National Association of Realtors, 60% of Millennials say student loan debt has delayed their ability to buy a home. In 2021, only 43% of Millennials were homeowners, the lowest home ownership rate of any generation, per research conducted by Freddie Mac.In Kansas Speaks, older Millennials also had the highest rate of renting (47%), highest concern about the cost of housing in their community (73%), and the highest rate of disagreement with the statement “I spend the right amount of my income on housing costs” (42%).The cost of a college education has increased over the past several decades as states have consistently cut higher education funding, thus increasing tuition costs for students who then have had to take out more student loans. At the same time, the cost of living has increased exponentially while wages have remained stagnant for college graduates.Millennials are largely bearing this economic burden, and Gen Z is starting to join them.In 2019, Millennials became the largest population cohort in the United States, surpassing the Baby Boomers. Their sheer size gives Millennials social, economic, and political influence.Given the recent precedent, there’s good reason to assume Kobach’s case will be successful at the Supreme Court, begging the question of whether this is smart politics for Kansas?Championing a lawsuit that targets Millennials, the state’s largest voting cohort, doesn’t seem like the brightest political move by the state’s Attorney General, but only time will tell.The case will be heard by the US District Court in the coming months.Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Kansas AG challenges student loan forgiveness, millennial voters

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Our current winter wheat crop condition for Ellis and Barton County has been pretty favorable due to the precipitation events last fall and this winter. There are always exceptions to this, where the crop did not emerge until later, due to when the crop was planted, when and how much moisture was received.

No surprise to anyone, that our winter has been warmer than average, my wife would argue that fact with me, but the weather data does not lie. Growing degree days (GDD) is a measure used to estimate the growth and development of a certain crop during the growing season. According to Kansas Mesonet weather data the GDD are well ahead of the normal averages for our Kansas wheat crop.

Last week Kansas experienced a cold front that sent temperatures well below freezing. What kind of impact can that have on our wheat crop in this area. Well like so many things, it depends. Factors that influence the potential for freeze injury to wheat include primarily:

Other factors, such as position in the landscape and the presence of residue covering the soil surface, might also impact the extent of freeze damage within a field. “The challenge is integrating all these factors into a reasonable estimate of freeze injury”, according to Romulo Lollato, K-State Wheat Specialist.

Soil temperatures can help buffer freezing air temperatures if the growing point is below ground or near the soil surface. However, its buffering capacity decreases as the crop develops and the growing point moves above the soil surface. Thus, we can expect a positive effect from soil temperatures in the majority of the state since soil temperatures did not reach levels below 35 degrees F, with exception of southeast where the crop is further along and the growing point is well into the canopy.

For fields that have not jointed yet, the crop can generally withstand temperatures of 15-20°F fairly well, especially if the growing point is still below ground. Kansas Mesonet data indicates that temperatures fell below this threshold, reaching as low as about 10°F in parts of northwest Kansas.

If the growing point is already above ground (first joint visible), wheat can sustain temperatures down to about 24 degrees F for a few hours. Minimum temperatures below 24°F for extended periods of time increase the risk of crop injury. Information from the K-State Mesonet indicates that air temperatures were around this 24°F threshold in most of central and north-central Kansas; however, they dipped below the threshold for as many as 17-21 hours in southwest Kansas, which can cause damage to fields at the first node of development or more advanced stages.

Based on the wheat growth stage, temperature and duration of temperature. Romulo Lollato says “we estimate that parts of southwest Kansas would be more exposed to the potential freeze damage”, given that the crop is relatively advanced (at or past jointing) and was met with many hours of air temperatures below 24°F, with lowest temperatures reaching 13°F.

In the remainder of the state, temperatures needed to cause damage at the observed crop stages were borderline, and therefore, we expect that only more advanced fields could sustain freeze damage.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictOur current winter wheat crop condition for Ellis and Barton County has been pretty favorable due to the precipitation events last fall and this winter. There are always exceptions to this, where the crop did not emerge until later, due to when the crop was planted, when and how much moisture was received.No surprise to anyone, that our winter has been warmer than average, my wife would argue that fact with me, but the weather data does not lie. Growing degree days (GDD) is a measure used to estimate the growth and development of a certain crop during the growing season. According to Kansas Mesonet weather data the GDD are well ahead of the normal averages for our Kansas wheat crop.Last week Kansas experienced a cold front that sent temperatures well below freezing. What kind of impact can that have on our wheat crop in this area. Well like so many things, it depends. Factors that influence the potential for freeze injury to wheat include primarily:· Growth stage of the crop· Air temperatures· Duration of cold temperatures· Soil temperatures· Snow coverOther factors, such as position in the landscape and the presence of residue covering the soil surface, might also impact the extent of freeze damage within a field. “The challenge is integrating all these factors into a reasonable estimate of freeze injury”, according to Romulo Lollato, K-State Wheat Specialist.Soil temperatures can help buffer freezing air temperatures if the growing point is below ground or near the soil surface. However, its buffering capacity decreases as the crop develops and the growing point moves above the soil surface. Thus, we can expect a positive effect from soil temperatures in the majority of the state since soil temperatures did not reach levels below 35 degrees F, with exception of southeast where the crop is further along and the growing point is well into the canopy.For fields that have not jointed yet, the crop can generally withstand temperatures of 15-20°F fairly well, especially if the growing point is still below ground. Kansas Mesonet data indicates that temperatures fell below this threshold, reaching as low as about 10°F in parts of northwest Kansas.If the growing point is already above ground (first joint visible), wheat can sustain temperatures down to about 24 degrees F for a few hours. Minimum temperatures below 24°F for extended periods of time increase the risk of crop injury. Information from the K-State Mesonet indicates that air temperatures were around this 24°F threshold in most of central and north-central Kansas; however, they dipped below the threshold for as many as 17-21 hours in southwest Kansas, which can cause damage to fields at the first node of development or more advanced stages.Based on the wheat growth stage, temperature and duration of temperature. Romulo Lollato says “we estimate that parts of southwest Kansas would be more exposed to the potential freeze damage”, given that the crop is relatively advanced (at or past jointing) and was met with many hours of air temperatures below 24°F, with lowest temperatures reaching 13°F.In the remainder of the state, temperatures needed to cause damage at the observed crop stages were borderline, and therefore, we expect that only more advanced fields could sustain freeze damage.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: 2024 Kansas wheat crop and the weather

Budget Bill in Conference Committee

The House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means budget conference committee began negotiations Monday on the state budget. During the conference committee, numerous rounds of offers from both the House and Senate conferees were deliberated until an agreement was reached early Wednesday afternoon.

We were able to include in the Board of Regents Budget, $2.2 million for the Kansas Osteopathic Scholarship and $15.8 million for Student Success Initiatives at community colleges throughout the state. Each of these are available for fiscal year 2025. We also included $5 million for the Kansas Comprehensive Grant.

We included $4.7 million from the State General Fund to pay off state debt incurred from the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility and Kansas State House renovations, and we agreed to pay off bonds that refinanced prior obligations for a variety of capital improvement projects.

We included the $16.5 million for fiscal year 2025 from the House budget to the Department of Commerce for housing and retail development for northwest Kansas. We deleted 10 Full-Time Equivalent positions in both fiscal year 2024 and 2025 from the Department of Revenue budget. For the Judicial Branch, we provided $2.4 million in fiscal year 2024 and $1.1 for fiscal year 2025 for expenditures related to the security breach and $1.1 million for one year credit monitoring for those impacted by the breach in fiscal years 2024.

In the Department of Health and Environment budget we included $50 million, all funds, to increase the Medicaid Outpatient Hospital Reimbursement Rates. We included in the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services fiscal 2025 budget, $5.8 million, all funds, to address 250 individuals from the waitlist for the Physical Disability Waiver and 250 individuals from the waitlist from the Intellectual and Developmental Disability waiver with an all-fund cost of $17.3 million.

Another item that we negotiated was a position of the Senate. They had $10 million from the State Highway Fund to address expansion needs of the seven commercial airports throughout Kansas. We agreed to a compromise of $5 million, with a grant maximum amount of $1 million.

Following the completion of the conference committee, we adopted the conference committee report on the House Floor and it passed Friday afternoon, 78-44.

The Legislature is scheduled to leave for what is referred to as First Adjournment. The House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means Committee will return Thursday, April 25. We will meet jointly to receive updates regarding the consensus revenue estimates, Human Services caseload estimates, education caseload estimates and the Governor’s Budget amendments.

Following that joint meeting, the Appropriations Committee will meet to discuss the items that we wished to discuss at a later date, commonly referred to as Omnibus. We will also discuss any new budget items and those that were submitted by the Governor as a budget adjustment. The final week of session, Veto Session, commences on April 29.

Before we adjourned for first adjournment on Friday, April 5, many bills still needed to be addressed, including bills for the budget and education. Another bill that was discussed is a tax bill. This is the third tax bill that the House has debated this session so we can use the State General Fund ending surplus for tax relief for Kansans.

The income tax will remain as a three-tiered structure. Two attempts were made this session to reduce it to either a one or two-tiered rate system. The rates would be the top rate of 5.70% to 5.50% and no rate changes to the lower to brackets. The bill also immediately eliminates Social Security Income Tax up to a total income of $100,000.

The bill addresses the elimination of the state’s sales tax portion on food and has that tax eliminated on July 1, 2024. The bill also reduces the state’s portion of the 20 mills that the state has control regarding property taxes to 19.5 mills. A provision to raise the residential property tax exemption from $43,000 to $100,000.

As mentioned above, this is the third tax bill that we have debated during the 2024 Legislative Session. The first tax bill was vetoed by the Governor, mainly due to the single rate, and the second, which passed 123-0 in the House, was refused by the Senate. This tax bill was referred to the Tax conference committee by the House Thursday night. We can do better for Kansans with tax relief.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621346439026.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka April 5, 2024Budget Bill in Conference CommitteeThe House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means budget conference committee began negotiations Monday on the state budget. During the conference committee, numerous rounds of offers from both the House and Senate conferees were deliberated until an agreement was reached early Wednesday afternoon.We were able to include in the Board of Regents Budget, $2.2 million for the Kansas Osteopathic Scholarship and $15.8 million for Student Success Initiatives at community colleges throughout the state. Each of these are available for fiscal year 2025. We also included $5 million for the Kansas Comprehensive Grant.We included $4.7 million from the State General Fund to pay off state debt incurred from the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility and Kansas State House renovations, and we agreed to pay off bonds that refinanced prior obligations for a variety of capital improvement projects.We included the $16.5 million for fiscal year 2025 from the House budget to the Department of Commerce for housing and retail development for northwest Kansas. We deleted 10 Full-Time Equivalent positions in both fiscal year 2024 and 2025 from the Department of Revenue budget. For the Judicial Branch, we provided $2.4 million in fiscal year 2024 and $1.1 for fiscal year 2025 for expenditures related to the security breach and $1.1 million for one year credit monitoring for those impacted by the breach in fiscal years 2024.In the Department of Health and Environment budget we included $50 million, all funds, to increase the Medicaid Outpatient Hospital Reimbursement Rates. We included in the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services fiscal 2025 budget, $5.8 million, all funds, to address 250 individuals from the waitlist for the Physical Disability Waiver and 250 individuals from the waitlist from the Intellectual and Developmental Disability waiver with an all-fund cost of $17.3 million.Another item that we negotiated was a position of the Senate. They had $10 million from the State Highway Fund to address expansion needs of the seven commercial airports throughout Kansas. We agreed to a compromise of $5 million, with a grant maximum amount of $1 million.Following the completion of the conference committee, we adopted the conference committee report on the House Floor and it passed Friday afternoon, 78-44.April ScheduleThe Legislature is scheduled to leave for what is referred to as First Adjournment. The House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means Committee will return Thursday, April 25. We will meet jointly to receive updates regarding the consensus revenue estimates, Human Services caseload estimates, education caseload estimates and the Governor’s Budget amendments.Following that joint meeting, the Appropriations Committee will meet to discuss the items that we wished to discuss at a later date, commonly referred to as Omnibus. We will also discuss any new budget items and those that were submitted by the Governor as a budget adjustment. The final week of session, Veto Session, commences on April 29.Another Tax BillBefore we adjourned for first adjournment on Friday, April 5, many bills still needed to be addressed, including bills for the budget and education. Another bill that was discussed is a tax bill. This is the third tax bill that the House has debated this session so we can use the State General Fund ending surplus for tax relief for Kansans.The income tax will remain as a three-tiered structure. Two attempts were made this session to reduce it to either a one or two-tiered rate system. The rates would be the top rate of 5.70% to 5.50% and no rate changes to the lower to brackets. The bill also immediately eliminates Social Security Income Tax up to a total income of $100,000.The bill addresses the elimination of the state’s sales tax portion on food and has that tax eliminated on July 1, 2024. The bill also reduces the state’s portion of the 20 mills that the state has control regarding property taxes to 19.5 mills. A provision to raise the residential property tax exemption from $43,000 to $100,000.As mentioned above, this is the third tax bill that we have debated during the 2024 Legislative Session. The first tax bill was vetoed by the Governor, mainly due to the single rate, and the second, which passed 123-0 in the House, was refused by the Senate. This tax bill was referred to the Tax conference committee by the House Thursday night. We can do better for Kansans with tax relief.Contact InformationAnytime that you would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, you can tune in by video or audio at <a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/">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 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

Opinion