Last week the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on 16 bills. The topics of the discussed legislation varied from memorials for firefighters to banning use of certain artificial intelligence applications on state devices and networks. 

· First is House Bill (HB) 2372, this bill would designate the memorial within the Fallen Firefighter’s Museum in Wichita as the official Kansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial and convert the Kansas Firefighters Memorial Advisory Committee into the Kansas Firefighters Memorial Council, with the power to raise funds through grants and gifts.

· Second is Senate Bill (SB) 92, this legislation extends the deadline for decisions on line siting permits with the Kansas Corporation Commission from 120 days to 180 days.

· Third is SB 45, which adjusts graduation rate calculations for the purpose of school accreditation, with the State School Board, by excluding transfer students, after the eighth grade, that fail to earn sufficient credits to graduate or transfer to nonaccredited schools.

· Fourth is HB 2382, this legislation would increase the daily compensation rate for members of the State Board of Education to the rate legislator’s are paid while in session.

· Fifth is HB 2393, this bill would establish additional charges within court procedure costs to fund non-judicial employee salaries from now till the end of fiscal year 2030.

· Sixth is HB 2313, which bans the use of artificial intelligence platform Deep Seek, and similar programs of concern, from use on state-owned devices and networks in Kansas.

· Seventh and last is SB 7, this legislation would increase the bonding authority limits for townships, based on their population, and raise bond maturation terms from 15 to 20 years.

All 16 of those bills debated passed and I voted yes on each one.

House Appropriations (HAPP) was busy last week. Informational briefings across several important topics were held and several pieces of legislation were heard, with one bill being worked and passed out of the committee.

Tuesday the committee heard informational briefings from the Department of Commerce and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. The Department of Commerce presented on the impact of its programs and several recent projects of major note, for example Hilmar Cheese in Dodge City and Amber Wave in Philipsburg. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation informed committee members on the need for more housing in our state and on the impact increased spending has made.

Wednesday saw HAPP hold a hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 14 and an informational briefing on nursing in state institutions. SB 14 establishes emergency budget protocols if the legislature fails to produce a budget in a fiscal year, enacting the previous fiscal year’s budget into law. The bill had one proponent testify, Senate President Ty Masterson, and one opponent testify, Leah Fliter for the Kansas Association of School Boards. Several state agencies provided testimony for the informational briefing on nursing, covering numerous factors that impact nursing in our state, from work-life balance to accreditation requirements.

The committee on Thursday held informational hearings on agriculture and water conservation and worked one bill. Kelsey Olson, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, presented to the committee on important trends in agriculture, from the impact of tariffs to increased beef production. Julie Lorenz, former Secretary of Transportation, presented on water conservation in the state and the need for a state water infrastructure plan, similar to the process used by the Department of Transportation; afterwards SB 14 was passed out of committee with a single amendment.

LEGISLATION FROM THE LEGISLATURE

Last week the Kansas House of Representatives introduced nine pieces of legislation. Below is a selection of four bills from that list. 

First is House Bill (HB) 2397, which would increase the minimum statutory distribution amount given from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to any local health departments from $7,000 to $12,000.

Second is HB 2398. This legislation would appropriate $600,000 from State General Fund (SGF) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 for the State Historical Society to issue a scope statement, timeline, and issue a request for proposal for a master plan on the Quindaro Ruins Archaeological Park, Kansas City.

Third is HB 2399&nbsp;which would establish within the Kansas Department of Health and Environment the Advance Universal Newborn Screening Program, by expanding the scope of conditions covered.

Fourth and last is HB 2400. This bill would categorize trail rides as ranching activity, thus making it qualify as an agritourism activity and subject to different property tax valuation.

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.

Contact My Office Representative Troy L. Waymaster 300 SW 10th Street Topeka,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;66612 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> www.troywaymaster.com&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633970422056.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 March 10, 2025HOUSE DELIBERATIONSLast week the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on 16 bills. The topics of the discussed legislation varied from memorials for firefighters to banning use of certain artificial intelligence applications on state devices and networks. Below is a list of 7, of those 16 bills.· First is House Bill (HB) 2372, this bill would designate the memorial within the Fallen Firefighter’s Museum in Wichita as the official Kansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial and convert the Kansas Firefighters Memorial Advisory Committee into the Kansas Firefighters Memorial Council, with the power to raise funds through grants and gifts.· Second is Senate Bill (SB) 92, this legislation extends the deadline for decisions on line siting permits with the Kansas Corporation Commission from 120 days to 180 days.· Third is SB 45, which adjusts graduation rate calculations for the purpose of school accreditation, with the State School Board, by excluding transfer students, after the eighth grade, that fail to earn sufficient credits to graduate or transfer to nonaccredited schools.· Fourth is HB 2382, this legislation would increase the daily compensation rate for members of the State Board of Education to the rate legislator’s are paid while in session.· Fifth is HB 2393, this bill would establish additional charges within court procedure costs to fund non-judicial employee salaries from now till the end of fiscal year 2030.· Sixth is HB 2313, which bans the use of artificial intelligence platform Deep Seek, and similar programs of concern, from use on state-owned devices and networks in Kansas.· Seventh and last is SB 7, this legislation would increase the bonding authority limits for townships, based on their population, and raise bond maturation terms from 15 to 20 years.All 16 of those bills debated passed and I voted yes on each one.COMMITTEE HAPPENINGSHouse Appropriations (HAPP) was busy last week. Informational briefings across several important topics were held and several pieces of legislation were heard, with one bill being worked and passed out of the committee.Tuesday the committee heard informational briefings from the Department of Commerce and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. The Department of Commerce presented on the impact of its programs and several recent projects of major note, for example Hilmar Cheese in Dodge City and Amber Wave in Philipsburg. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation informed committee members on the need for more housing in our state and on the impact increased spending has made.Wednesday saw HAPP hold a hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 14 and an informational briefing on nursing in state institutions. SB 14 establishes emergency budget protocols if the legislature fails to produce a budget in a fiscal year, enacting the previous fiscal year’s budget into law. The bill had one proponent testify, Senate President Ty Masterson, and one opponent testify, Leah Fliter for the Kansas Association of School Boards. Several state agencies provided testimony for the informational briefing on nursing, covering numerous factors that impact nursing in our state, from work-life balance to accreditation requirements.The committee on Thursday held informational hearings on agriculture and water conservation and worked one bill. Kelsey Olson, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, presented to the committee on important trends in agriculture, from the impact of tariffs to increased beef production. Julie Lorenz, former Secretary of Transportation, presented on water conservation in the state and the need for a state water infrastructure plan, similar to the process used by the Department of Transportation; afterwards SB 14 was passed out of committee with a single amendment.LEGISLATION FROM THE LEGISLATURE Last week the Kansas House of Representatives introduced nine pieces of legislation. Below is a selection of four bills from that list. First is House Bill (HB) 2397, which would increase the minimum statutory distribution amount given from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to any local health departments from $7,000 to $12,000. Second is HB 2398. This legislation would appropriate $600,000 from State General Fund (SGF) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 for the State Historical Society to issue a scope statement, timeline, and issue a request for proposal for a master plan on the Quindaro Ruins Archaeological Park, Kansas City. Third is HB 2399&nbsp;which would establish within the Kansas Department of Health and Environment the Advance Universal Newborn Screening Program, by expanding the scope of conditions covered. Fourth and last is HB 2400. This bill would categorize trail rides as ranching activity, thus making it qualify as an agritourism activity and subject to different property tax valuation.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.Contact My Office Representative Troy L. Waymaster 300 SW 10th Street Topeka,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;66612 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> www.troywaymaster.com&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, March 10, 2025

You don’t have to travel far to learn something new. 

During spring break a decade ago, my husband and I jaunted to Courtland, Kansas, to explore the Jamestown Marsh area. I expected to see migratory birds, including eagles, cranes, ducks, and geese, and hoped to visit Pawnee Indian Village Museum to study more about early residents of this region. My to-do list included antiquing and photography. 

One thing I never expected was discovering a maple tapping/syrup making operation. In fact, I thought this was a New England-only activity, never realizing Kansans produce local maple products.

Along Highway 36, trees clearly realized spring’s official arrival was days away. Tiny buds turned toward the sun. Robins hopped about still dormant yards seeking a full belly. 

Upon reaching our destination, we noticed unanticipated seasonal scenery. Scores of maple trees sported not only reddish bud clusters, but blue and silver buckets adorned their trunks. After cruising each street to confirm our suspicions, we agreed someone had tapped local maples. 

After arriving at Snow Goose Lodge, the mystery deepened. We spied a sugar shack—a small hut containing a wood-burning evaporation unit—with a wood maple leaf cutout labeled, “Republic County Maple Guys.”

Lodge host Jim Elliott, participant in this spring ritual, simmered maple sap as we drove in. After we met him, he answered one question after another. He explained you tap the trees under certain conditions: day temperatures must be above freezing and night temps below, adding the operation typically has a two-to-three-week collection window. We’d timed our arrival perfectly.

Jim and his business partners-- two youngsters--tapped trees, collected sap, reduced it on a specially designed wood-burning contraption, condensed it further on the stovetop to golden brown, thick syrup they bottled to sell at local farm markets. 

Savoring the kitchen aroma as the well-tended stockpot bubbled made me eager to return as soon as their product hit the market.

Wanting to know more about maple syrup production in Kansas, I researched an article about these entrepreneurs and their efforts. 

According to the Republic County Economic Development site, that year marked their third year of production. Each season, with the aid of local maple tree owners, the team increased efforts enough to collect approximately 600 gallons of sap, which rendered about 12 gallons of syrup. The article focused on value-added agricultural products.

Even more than goods to sell, the value-added human product Mr. Elliott offered his business partners impressed me. 

The lessons these young men learned about identifying trees, negotiating with landowners, tapping trees, collecting sap, converting raw material to consumable syrup, and marketing offered personalized education for all involved. Those lads learned practical math, cooking, food safety, writing, reading, creative thinking, entrepreneurial and people skills that surpass anything textbooks provide. 

Their chance to see opportunities beyond expanding markets and services and connect rural youth to local resources and use those contacts to create expertise created successful entrepreneurs who will grow our state.

What began as a simple getaway for us turned into a bucket full of possibilities. 

Seeing three Kansans turn a natural resource in their yards into not only an agricultural venture but also a skill and character-building effort offers hope that utilizing such assets creates sweet business deals as well.

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158626307.png" alt="Karen Madorin. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINYou don’t have to travel far to learn something new. During spring break a decade ago, my husband and I jaunted to Courtland, Kansas, to explore the Jamestown Marsh area. I expected to see migratory birds, including eagles, cranes, ducks, and geese, and hoped to visit Pawnee Indian Village Museum to study more about early residents of this region. My to-do list included antiquing and photography. One thing I never expected was discovering a maple tapping/syrup making operation. In fact, I thought this was a New England-only activity, never realizing Kansans produce local maple products.Along Highway 36, trees clearly realized spring’s official arrival was days away. Tiny buds turned toward the sun. Robins hopped about still dormant yards seeking a full belly. Upon reaching our destination, we noticed unanticipated seasonal scenery. Scores of maple trees sported not only reddish bud clusters, but blue and silver buckets adorned their trunks. After cruising each street to confirm our suspicions, we agreed someone had tapped local maples. After arriving at Snow Goose Lodge, the mystery deepened. We spied a sugar shack—a small hut containing a wood-burning evaporation unit—with a wood maple leaf cutout labeled, “Republic County Maple Guys.”Lodge host Jim Elliott, participant in this spring ritual, simmered maple sap as we drove in. After we met him, he answered one question after another. He explained you tap the trees under certain conditions: day temperatures must be above freezing and night temps below, adding the operation typically has a two-to-three-week collection window. We’d timed our arrival perfectly.Jim and his business partners-- two youngsters--tapped trees, collected sap, reduced it on a specially designed wood-burning contraption, condensed it further on the stovetop to golden brown, thick syrup they bottled to sell at local farm markets. Savoring the kitchen aroma as the well-tended stockpot bubbled made me eager to return as soon as their product hit the market.Wanting to know more about maple syrup production in Kansas, I researched an article about these entrepreneurs and their efforts. According to the Republic County Economic Development site, that year marked their third year of production. Each season, with the aid of local maple tree owners, the team increased efforts enough to collect approximately 600 gallons of sap, which rendered about 12 gallons of syrup. The article focused on value-added agricultural products.Even more than goods to sell, the value-added human product Mr. Elliott offered his business partners impressed me. The lessons these young men learned about identifying trees, negotiating with landowners, tapping trees, collecting sap, converting raw material to consumable syrup, and marketing offered personalized education for all involved. Those lads learned practical math, cooking, food safety, writing, reading, creative thinking, entrepreneurial and people skills that surpass anything textbooks provide. Their chance to see opportunities beyond expanding markets and services and connect rural youth to local resources and use those contacts to create expertise created successful entrepreneurs who will grow our state.What began as a simple getaway for us turned into a bucket full of possibilities. Seeing three Kansans turn a natural resource in their yards into not only an agricultural venture but also a skill and character-building effort offers hope that utilizing such assets creates sweet business deals as well.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: A bucket of sweet possibility

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

From an early age, we learn that nutritious foods and physical activity can help us stay healthy. Growing evidence now suggests that social connections may also be key to good health. Socially connected people tend to live longer. They’re at lower risk for serious health problems. Social bonds are also linked to our mental health, eating habits, and much more.

Despite the links between our social ties and health, there’s been a troubling increase in social disconnection around the world. About 1 in 3 adults nationwide report feeling lonely. About 1 in 4 say they lack social and emotional support.

Many factors can contribute to a person feeling lonely. These include the quality of your personal relationships, your community, and society in general. Your personal health, life stage, and personality can also have an impact.

People who are socially isolated or feel lonely are more likely to have heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, or anxiety. They’re also at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, and for early death.

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic affected our relationships and feelings of isolation. But the breakdown of social bonds was growing long before the pandemic. Over the past few decades, fewer people have been joining community groups or faith-based organizations.&nbsp;There’s also been a rise in single-person households. 

Digital technologies have made it easier to connect with others. But they can also expose us to harms like bullying.

Scientists are working to better understand the links between social bonds and our health. And they’re looking for ways to counteract the effects of loneliness and social isolation.

“Humans are a social species. We are highly dependent on others from birth,” says Dr. Elizabeth Necka, an NIH expert on social and behavioral science. “So feeling socially isolated can make you feel as though you’re in a very stressful situation. And stress has been associated with chronic inflammation, which can have effects on cardiovascular health.”

 Long-lasting inflammation has also been linked to cancer and other health problems. And our ability to biologically respond to stressors weakens with age.

Necka notes that there’s a difference between social isolation and loneliness, but the two are related. Social isolation means you have few connections or contacts with others. Loneliness has to do with how you feel about being alone, or your perception.

“Some people can be objectively socially isolated but not feel lonely. They may enjoy the solitude,” Necka explains. “Others can be surrounded by people and yet feel very lonely because those relationships aren’t satisfying to them.” Both loneliness and social isolation can be harmful to health. Even people who feel OK about being socially isolated are at increased risk for poorer health.

Everyone feels lonely now and then. But certain factors can raise the likelihood of persistent loneliness or social isolation. These include living alone, having trouble walking or moving, or having problems with vision or hearing. 

Other risk factors include financial struggles and mental health issues. Living in a rural, unsafe, or hard to reach neighborhood also raises your risk. So do major life changes like retirement or the death of a loved one.

Many studies have found that older adults are especially likely to feel lonely or socially isolated. But a recent analysis of more than 128,000 people from over 20 countries reports that young adults are also vulnerable.

 “Over the course of the adult lifespan, we found that loneliness is higher in young adulthood and older adulthood. It dips during mid-life,” says psychologist Dr. Eileen Graham at Northwestern University.

Graham and others have found that “generativity”—the urge to nurture younger people—can play a protective role. “People who are high in generativity are more socially resilient,” Graham says. “They feel they’re contributing to society, and they’re teaching new generations. It promotes well-being.” And it may help buffer against the harms of social isolation and loneliness.

“There’s an interesting thing that happens in late life,” Necka adds. “People tend to focus more on relationships that are high quality and on the positive and meaningful impacts of those relationships. There’s less focus on relationships that are a bit more casual. Research suggests that tendency in late life actually can be protective for older adults.”

“Marital status, or intimate relationships, are also an important feature of our social networks,” says Dr. David Sbarra, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Arizona. Married people tend to live longer and have other health benefits compared to the unmarried. 

But the quality of the relationship, whether supportive or fraught, can have an impact. “In a high-quality relationship, your needs are taken under consideration, and you perceive that your partner cares for you,” Sbarra says. “This perceived responsiveness, or empathy, is key to intimacy.”

Sbarra’s team has found that divorce and separation are linked with changes to structures deep within cells called telomeres, which are associated with aging. Such changes are linked to health problems, including cancer and shorter life.

The team is now using brain imaging and smartphone apps to assess the quality of couples’ relationships. They’re studying whether repetitive negative thoughts in one partner leads to stress and health problems for both.

“If you’re feeling lonely or socially disconnected, it can feel intimidating to try to form new connections,” Necka says. “High-quality connections are best. But even brief interactions can make a difference. It can be a first step.”

For example, you might go to the grocery store at the same time every week and see the same clerk. You can smile and strike up a brief conversation. Or you notice that someone at your regular bus stop always wears purple. You could chat about favorite colors. Over time, you might feel more comfortable connecting with others in different ways.

“If you see someone in your community, maybe an older adult who lives alone or a single parent, check in and ask what they might need. Let them know that you’re available,” Graham adds. “Offer to bring them dinner, play cards, or other things. We can reach out and help each other connect.” See the Wise Choices box for more tips, and in the process improve your health.

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="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictThe Power of Personal ConnectionsFrom an early age, we learn that nutritious foods and physical activity can help us stay healthy. Growing evidence now suggests that social connections may also be key to good health. Socially connected people tend to live longer. They’re at lower risk for serious health problems. Social bonds are also linked to our mental health, eating habits, and much more.Despite the links between our social ties and health, there’s been a troubling increase in social disconnection around the world. About 1 in 3 adults nationwide report feeling lonely. About 1 in 4 say they lack social and emotional support.Social BondsMany factors can contribute to a person feeling lonely. These include the quality of your personal relationships, your community, and society in general. Your personal health, life stage, and personality can also have an impact.People who are socially isolated or feel lonely are more likely to have heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, or anxiety. They’re also at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, and for early death.Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic affected our relationships and feelings of isolation. But the breakdown of social bonds was growing long before the pandemic. Over the past few decades, fewer people have been joining community groups or faith-based organizations.&nbsp;There’s also been a rise in single-person households. Digital technologies have made it easier to connect with others. But they can also expose us to harms like bullying.Scientists are working to better understand the links between social bonds and our health. And they’re looking for ways to counteract the effects of loneliness and social isolation.“Humans are a social species. We are highly dependent on others from birth,” says Dr. Elizabeth Necka, an NIH expert on social and behavioral science. “So feeling socially isolated can make you feel as though you’re in a very stressful situation. And stress has been associated with chronic inflammation, which can have effects on cardiovascular health.” Long-lasting inflammation has also been linked to cancer and other health problems. And our ability to biologically respond to stressors weakens with age.Necka notes that there’s a difference between social isolation and loneliness, but the two are related. Social isolation means you have few connections or contacts with others. Loneliness has to do with how you feel about being alone, or your perception.“Some people can be objectively socially isolated but not feel lonely. They may enjoy the solitude,” Necka explains. “Others can be surrounded by people and yet feel very lonely because those relationships aren’t satisfying to them.” Both loneliness and social isolation can be harmful to health. Even people who feel OK about being socially isolated are at increased risk for poorer health.Who’s at Risk?Everyone feels lonely now and then. But certain factors can raise the likelihood of persistent loneliness or social isolation. These include living alone, having trouble walking or moving, or having problems with vision or hearing. Other risk factors include financial struggles and mental health issues. Living in a rural, unsafe, or hard to reach neighborhood also raises your risk. So do major life changes like retirement or the death of a loved one.Many studies have found that older adults are especially likely to feel lonely or socially isolated. But a recent analysis of more than 128,000 people from over 20 countries reports that young adults are also vulnerable. “Over the course of the adult lifespan, we found that loneliness is higher in young adulthood and older adulthood. It dips during mid-life,” says psychologist Dr. Eileen Graham at Northwestern University.Graham and others have found that “generativity”—the urge to nurture younger people—can play a protective role. “People who are high in generativity are more socially resilient,” Graham says. “They feel they’re contributing to society, and they’re teaching new generations. It promotes well-being.” And it may help buffer against the harms of social isolation and loneliness.“There’s an interesting thing that happens in late life,” Necka adds. “People tend to focus more on relationships that are high quality and on the positive and meaningful impacts of those relationships. There’s less focus on relationships that are a bit more casual. Research suggests that tendency in late life actually can be protective for older adults.”Coupling Up“Marital status, or intimate relationships, are also an important feature of our social networks,” says Dr. David Sbarra, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Arizona. Married people tend to live longer and have other health benefits compared to the unmarried. But the quality of the relationship, whether supportive or fraught, can have an impact. “In a high-quality relationship, your needs are taken under consideration, and you perceive that your partner cares for you,” Sbarra says. “This perceived responsiveness, or empathy, is key to intimacy.”Sbarra’s team has found that divorce and separation are linked with changes to structures deep within cells called telomeres, which are associated with aging. Such changes are linked to health problems, including cancer and shorter life.The team is now using brain imaging and smartphone apps to assess the quality of couples’ relationships. They’re studying whether repetitive negative thoughts in one partner leads to stress and health problems for both.New Connections“If you’re feeling lonely or socially disconnected, it can feel intimidating to try to form new connections,” Necka says. “High-quality connections are best. But even brief interactions can make a difference. It can be a first step.”For example, you might go to the grocery store at the same time every week and see the same clerk. You can smile and strike up a brief conversation. Or you notice that someone at your regular bus stop always wears purple. You could chat about favorite colors. Over time, you might feel more comfortable connecting with others in different ways.“If you see someone in your community, maybe an older adult who lives alone or a single parent, check in and ask what they might need. Let them know that you’re available,” Graham adds. “Offer to bring them dinner, play cards, or other things. We can reach out and help each other connect.” See the Wise Choices box for more tips, and in the process improve your health.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: Build social bonds to protect health

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Brain health: It’s a topic that many of us are concerned about. Most of us know someone who has dementia, and there’s good reason why experts call Alzheimer’s “the biggest health crisis facing the world today.” In fact, about 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and the number is expected to double by 2060.

Watching loved ones suffer from deteriorating brain health can be extremely challenging. It can also be uncomfortable to realize your own risk of developing dementia as statistics rise. So, what if you knew the disease was in your future? Would you act now?

The good news is that there are steps you can take today to reduce the risk of cognitive decline for you and your loved ones. It’s also important to remember that it is never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle. 

Here are a few ways to boost brain health:

Get good quality sleep. Six to eight hours of restful sleep allows the immune system to repair and renew the body. This is also true for the brain. When one doesn’t get enough sleep, inflammation is hard to control, which contributes to brain-related disease.

Learn something new. You’ve heard the saying, “Use it or lose it.” Activities that challenge the brain, such as learning and intellectual hobbies, strengthen synapses between brain cells. Overall, this can improve brain health.

Stay socially connected. According to the CDC, social isolation is associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia. Maintaining relationships helps to provide a sense of purpose, and it helps to prevent cognitive decline.

Take care of your mental health. Studies have shown that a history of depression increases the risk of cognitive decline. Reducing stress, participating in hobbies you enjoy, and finding support can help to improve mental health.

These steps to boost brain health are just a few ways to take action. If you are interested in taking care of your brain health or helping a loved one, resources are closer than you may think.

A Different Mindset Association, located in Hays, aims to support caregivers, provide education, network resources, and promote awareness about Dementia. Currently, the group hosts caregiver support group meetings via Zoom and in person. The group also offers respite services for caregivers on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.

To support the impactful resources that A Different Mindset Association provides, consider attending A Rock “N” Roll Night to Remember on March 22 and enjoy an evening of music by Jimmy Dee and The Fabulous Destinations. The event will include a meal and drinks along with a crowded dance floor and a silent auction. 

Join A Different Mindset Association at the Ellis County Fairgrounds at 5:30 pm to support local dementia resources. Don’t forget to grab your tickets at <a href="https://www.adiffmindsetassoc.org/adm/fundraisers/">https://www.adiffmindsetassoc.org/adm/fundraisers/</a>

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. K-

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="Karissa Winkel&nbsp;the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel&nbsp;the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictBrain health: It’s a topic that many of us are concerned about. Most of us know someone who has dementia, and there’s good reason why experts call Alzheimer’s “the biggest health crisis facing the world today.” In fact, about 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and the number is expected to double by 2060.Watching loved ones suffer from deteriorating brain health can be extremely challenging. It can also be uncomfortable to realize your own risk of developing dementia as statistics rise. So, what if you knew the disease was in your future? Would you act now?The good news is that there are steps you can take today to reduce the risk of cognitive decline for you and your loved ones. It’s also important to remember that it is never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few ways to boost brain health:Get good quality sleep. Six to eight hours of restful sleep allows the immune system to repair and renew the body. This is also true for the brain. When one doesn’t get enough sleep, inflammation is hard to control, which contributes to brain-related disease.Learn something new. You’ve heard the saying, “Use it or lose it.” Activities that challenge the brain, such as learning and intellectual hobbies, strengthen synapses between brain cells. Overall, this can improve brain health.Stay socially connected. According to the CDC, social isolation is associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia. Maintaining relationships helps to provide a sense of purpose, and it helps to prevent cognitive decline.Take care of your mental health. Studies have shown that a history of depression increases the risk of cognitive decline. Reducing stress, participating in hobbies you enjoy, and finding support can help to improve mental health.These steps to boost brain health are just a few ways to take action. If you are interested in taking care of your brain health or helping a loved one, resources are closer than you may think.A Different Mindset Association, located in Hays, aims to support caregivers, provide education, network resources, and promote awareness about Dementia. Currently, the group hosts caregiver support group meetings via Zoom and in person. The group also offers respite services for caregivers on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741112674696.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>To support the impactful resources that A Different Mindset Association provides, consider attending A Rock “N” Roll Night to Remember on March 22 and enjoy an evening of music by Jimmy Dee and The Fabulous Destinations. The event will include a meal and drinks along with a crowded dance floor and a silent auction. Join A Different Mindset Association at the Ellis County Fairgrounds at 5:30 pm to support local dementia resources. Don’t forget to grab your tickets at <a href="https://www.adiffmindsetassoc.org/adm/fundraisers/">https://www.adiffmindsetassoc.org/adm/fundraisers/</a>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. K-

WINKEL: Boost brain health, support local dementia resources

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

Well, you know what they say, “Spring waits for no man.” Wait, maybe it’s just me that says that. 

Anyway, it’s true, and while we certainly have some winter left, I think we can figure there’s more of winter now in our rearview mirror than there is in front of us. 

So, as we wait to see if she comes in like a lion or a lamb, spring will continue to claw its way across the calendar and arrive at just the right time that God has planned. In the meantime, here are a few things in the Kansas outdoors still going on, or on the horizon.

Light geese, more commonly known as snow geese, can still be hunted under a special “conservation order” until April 30.

 In order to thin down the enormous population of these birds, besides allowing for a lengthy season, the special conservation order removes all harvest limits and allows for unplugged shotguns to be used. That lets hunters use the complete shell capacity of their shotgun, rather than only three shells in the gun at a time that is legal for normal waterfowl hunting. Permission to hunt these guys is usually easy to get, too, as most farmers want them gone.

Both beavers and otters can be trapped in Kansas until March 31. 

I have never trapped otters, but I know that spring beaver trapping can be really productive as the males become very active in spring. They can be enticed to check out man-made castor mound sets that they make naturally in the wild to attract females. A pile of mud and leaves pulled up onto the edge of the bank and sweetened with a dab of beaver castor-based lure will usually do the job.

Wild turkeys will soon be leaving the large flocks where they accumulate, sometimes by the hundreds, for safety and security during the winter. The toms will start putting together their smaller harems of hens, and heading to where they will breed, nest and raise their broods.

 The 2025 spring turkey season for youth and disabled hunters starts April 1, archery season begins April 7 and regular firearms season starts April 16.

We all watch to see the first robins, wrens and other songbirds arrive back in Kansas each spring, but another less popular and often maligned, or at least ignored species will begin arriving back in our state in the month of March. 

Turkey Vultures that have wintered in South America will begin gracing our skies again in mid to late March. 

Vultures are God’s clean-up crew and have a face only a&nbsp;mother could love, but watching them soar effortlessly on huge outstretched wings for hours at a time is mesmerizing to me.

&nbsp;One spring years ago, Joyce and I were told of an old tumbled-down building not far away that had been a vulture nesting site for years, and that year we were privileged to watch a pair of Turkey Vulture chicks grow-up and fledge from that nest. 

Talk about humble beginnings; that so called “nest” was nothing more than a flat spot on the floor, amidst filth and excrement, in a concealed corner of that old ramshackle building. But from there grew two more amazing birds to float on the Kansas winds and to help clean up dead critters from along our highways.

 Yet another example of how God can use the meekest among us for His service.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas OutdoorsWell, you know what they say, “Spring waits for no man.” Wait, maybe it’s just me that says that. Anyway, it’s true, and while we certainly have some winter left, I think we can figure there’s more of winter now in our rearview mirror than there is in front of us. So, as we wait to see if she comes in like a lion or a lamb, spring will continue to claw its way across the calendar and arrive at just the right time that God has planned. In the meantime, here are a few things in the Kansas outdoors still going on, or on the horizon.Light geese, more commonly known as snow geese, can still be hunted under a special “conservation order” until April 30. In order to thin down the enormous population of these birds, besides allowing for a lengthy season, the special conservation order removes all harvest limits and allows for unplugged shotguns to be used. That lets hunters use the complete shell capacity of their shotgun, rather than only three shells in the gun at a time that is legal for normal waterfowl hunting. Permission to hunt these guys is usually easy to get, too, as most farmers want them gone.Both beavers and otters can be trapped in Kansas until March 31. I have never trapped otters, but I know that spring beaver trapping can be really productive as the males become very active in spring. They can be enticed to check out man-made castor mound sets that they make naturally in the wild to attract females. A pile of mud and leaves pulled up onto the edge of the bank and sweetened with a dab of beaver castor-based lure will usually do the job.Wild turkeys will soon be leaving the large flocks where they accumulate, sometimes by the hundreds, for safety and security during the winter. The toms will start putting together their smaller harems of hens, and heading to where they will breed, nest and raise their broods. The 2025 spring turkey season for youth and disabled hunters starts April 1, archery season begins April 7 and regular firearms season starts April 16.We all watch to see the first robins, wrens and other songbirds arrive back in Kansas each spring, but another less popular and often maligned, or at least ignored species will begin arriving back in our state in the month of March. Turkey Vultures that have wintered in South America will begin gracing our skies again in mid to late March. Vultures are God’s clean-up crew and have a face only a&nbsp;mother could love, but watching them soar effortlessly on huge outstretched wings for hours at a time is mesmerizing to me.&nbsp;One spring years ago, Joyce and I were told of an old tumbled-down building not far away that had been a vulture nesting site for years, and that year we were privileged to watch a pair of Turkey Vulture chicks grow-up and fledge from that nest. Talk about humble beginnings; that so called “nest” was nothing more than a flat spot on the floor, amidst filth and excrement, in a concealed corner of that old ramshackle building. But from there grew two more amazing birds to float on the Kansas winds and to help clean up dead critters from along our highways. Yet another example of how God can use the meekest among us for His service.Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Spring is about to spring

&nbsp;By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Most gardeners think soil testing only determines nutrient deficiencies, but the tests also help gardeners understand whether the soil contains adequate nutrients. Basic tests check the soil’s pH, as well as the phosphorus and potassium levels.

“Most of the lawn and garden soil tests that come out of our soil-testing lab (at Kansas State University) show more than adequate levels of both phosphorus and potassium,” K-State horticultural expert Cynthia Domenghini said. “If those nutrients are not needed, applying them is a waste of money and can be a source of pollution.”

Domenghini urges gardeners to test their garden’s soil before beginning spring gardening, particularly if the soil hasn’t been tested in several years.

To do so, she says, take a sample from multiple locations in the garden and lawn. Samples should be taken at a depth between the surface and eight inches, depending on the area being sampled. Next, mix the samples together to total one pint of soil.

More information on taking an accurate soil test is available online from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/outreach-and-services/soil-testing-lab/soil-analysis/producers-and-homeowners.html">K-State Agronomy Soil Analysis lab.</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/outreach-and-services/soil-testing-lab/soil-analysis/producers-and-homeowners.html"></a>According to Domenghini, the soil sample can then be submitted to your&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>&nbsp;to have tests done at the K-State soil testing laboratory for a fee.

“A soil test determines fertility problems, not other conditions that may exist, such as poor drainage, poor soil structure, soil borne diseases or insects, chemical contaminants or damage,” Domenghini said. “All of these conditions may reduce plant performance but cannot be evaluated by a soil test.”Domenghini recommends submitting dry soil samples, as wet soil has different precautions.

“Wet soil samples should be air-dried before being submitted for testing,” Domenghini said. “Do not use artificial means of drying such as an oven or microwave as such treatment may result in inaccurate readings of nutrient levels.”

Soil tests should be used as a tool to identify nutrient deficiencies, Domenghini said, but often they do not tell the whole story of other factors affecting plant growth.

Additional factors that can affect plant growth include: · Not enough sun. · Poor soil physical characteristics. · Walnut trees (walnuts give off a natural herbicide that interferes with the growth of some plants, such as tomatoes). · Tree roots. · Shallow soils. · Improper watering.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You may contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739899719761.png" alt="Soil sampling. Photo courtesy K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Soil sampling. Photo courtesy K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictMost gardeners think soil testing only determines nutrient deficiencies, but the tests also help gardeners understand whether the soil contains adequate nutrients. Basic tests check the soil’s pH, as well as the phosphorus and potassium levels.“Most of the lawn and garden soil tests that come out of our soil-testing lab (at Kansas State University) show more than adequate levels of both phosphorus and potassium,” K-State horticultural expert Cynthia Domenghini said. “If those nutrients are not needed, applying them is a waste of money and can be a source of pollution.”Domenghini urges gardeners to test their garden’s soil before beginning spring gardening, particularly if the soil hasn’t been tested in several years.To do so, she says, take a sample from multiple locations in the garden and lawn. Samples should be taken at a depth between the surface and eight inches, depending on the area being sampled. Next, mix the samples together to total one pint of soil.More information on taking an accurate soil test is available online from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/outreach-and-services/soil-testing-lab/soil-analysis/producers-and-homeowners.html">K-State Agronomy Soil Analysis lab.</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/outreach-and-services/soil-testing-lab/soil-analysis/producers-and-homeowners.html"></a>According to Domenghini, the soil sample can then be submitted to your&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>&nbsp;to have tests done at the K-State soil testing laboratory for a fee.“A soil test determines fertility problems, not other conditions that may exist, such as poor drainage, poor soil structure, soil borne diseases or insects, chemical contaminants or damage,” Domenghini said. “All of these conditions may reduce plant performance but cannot be evaluated by a soil test.”Domenghini recommends submitting dry soil samples, as wet soil has different precautions.“Wet soil samples should be air-dried before being submitted for testing,” Domenghini said. “Do not use artificial means of drying such as an oven or microwave as such treatment may result in inaccurate readings of nutrient levels.”Soil tests should be used as a tool to identify nutrient deficiencies, Domenghini said, but often they do not tell the whole story of other factors affecting plant growth.Additional factors that can affect plant growth include: · Not enough sun. · Poor soil physical characteristics. · Walnut trees (walnuts give off a natural herbicide that interferes with the growth of some plants, such as tomatoes). · Tree roots. · Shallow soils. · Improper watering.Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You may contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Column soil testing

By&nbsp;RUSSSELL ARBEN FOX Insight Kansas

This week, Kansas Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed kicked off KDOT’s annual Transportation Safety Conference in Wichita by emphasizing the key components of decreasing fatalities on Kansas’s streets and highways: safer drivers, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and safer roads.

 He was immediately followed by the conference’s keynote speaker, Charles Marohn, the founder of Strong Towns, an organization dedicated to helping America’s cities manage their finances and built environments better. Chuck made the case that, practically speaking, Kansas’s cities should just ignore the first three factors and focus on the last. He’s right.

Kansas’s traffic statistics aren’t terrible, but they aren’t good. Like the rest of the country, Kansas mostly saw fatalities from road accidents increase throughout the 2010s and the first part of this decade. 

There have been some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/07/10/kansas-traffic-fatalities-trend-downward-after-seven-years-averaging-more-than-420-deaths/">dramatic improvements over the past two years</a>; 2024 saw the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kake.com/home/kansas-sees-record-low-traffic-fatalities-in-2024-but-2025-trends-spark-concern/article_5bbfab2c-dd11-11ef-baf2-13b1610ed7bf.html">lowest number of Kansans killed in car crashes</a>—344—in nearly 80 years.

Still<a target="_blank" href="https://tripnet.org/reports/addressing-americas-traffic-safety-crisis-kansas-news-release-07-02-2024/">, Kansas remains above the national average of fatal accidents per population</a>, and so it’s reasonable that KDOT has made reducing traffic deaths—through their “Drive to Zero” initiative—a key priority.

For a variety of reasons, though, most of the actual work that’s been done in support of that initiative has been focused on educating (or shaming) drivers—for speeding, or being distracted, or failing to follow every traffic rule—and on inducing (or requiring) municipalities to lower the speeds on their arterial roads and streets. 

When asked after his presentation about the Drive to Zero plan, Marohn applauded it—but also argued that 98% of the problem here is road design, with driver responsibility, vehicle quality, and speed calculations taking up the tiny remainder.

Marohn’s argument builds upon the basic idea the human beings, being human, will always make mistakes, always be distracted, etc., and thus one ought to focus on fixing the conditions humans operate in, rather than fixing humans themselves. 

In the design of highways, this principle took the form of “forgiving design”—these roads needed to be wide, and the drivers speeding on them needed to be channeled in the same direction, all to minimize the deadly costs of mistakes.

But over the decades these lessons were taken from high-speed, cross-country roads and imposed on city streets. 

Thus we have what Marohn calls “stroads”: neighborhood streets lined with sidewalks and schools and businesses and houses, but designed in ways that assume everyone will drive fast and poorly, requiring them to be huge and thus pedestrian-unfriendly. 

This, obviously, discourages pedestrian use, which not only has negative economic, civic, and public health consequences, but also implicitly encourages drivers to drive even faster and more poorly.

The characteristics of such design assumptions are dangerous one-way streets, drivers gunning at intersections, near-unusable cross-walks, and more. 

Marohn wants to see cities focus on changing these design assumptions, rather than chastising drivers for acting in exactly the way the conditions they encounter on the road encourage them to do. Makes sense to me.

And fortunately, it makes sense to many city leaders and planners across Kansas as well (Marohn likely wouldn’t have been KDOT’s guest of honor otherwise). 

In Wichita, Kansas City, Salina, and elsewhere, Kansas municipalities are slowly but surely making changes. 

One-way streets are being converted to two-way; unnecessary lanes are being shrunk and made safer; designers are thinking more about traffic calming (putting in meridians, for example) and less about draconian speed reductions. 

Zero traffic fatalities may be a distant goal, but we’ll get closer to it by fixing the streets that carry traffic, rather than the drivers negotiating it.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586443443315.jpeg" alt="Russell Arben Fox&nbsp;teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Russell Arben Fox&nbsp;teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;RUSSSELL ARBEN FOX Insight KansasThis week, Kansas Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed kicked off KDOT’s annual Transportation Safety Conference in Wichita by emphasizing the key components of decreasing fatalities on Kansas’s streets and highways: safer drivers, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and safer roads. He was immediately followed by the conference’s keynote speaker, Charles Marohn, the founder of Strong Towns, an organization dedicated to helping America’s cities manage their finances and built environments better. Chuck made the case that, practically speaking, Kansas’s cities should just ignore the first three factors and focus on the last. He’s right.Kansas’s traffic statistics aren’t terrible, but they aren’t good. Like the rest of the country, Kansas mostly saw fatalities from road accidents increase throughout the 2010s and the first part of this decade. There have been some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/07/10/kansas-traffic-fatalities-trend-downward-after-seven-years-averaging-more-than-420-deaths/">dramatic improvements over the past two years</a>; 2024 saw the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kake.com/home/kansas-sees-record-low-traffic-fatalities-in-2024-but-2025-trends-spark-concern/article_5bbfab2c-dd11-11ef-baf2-13b1610ed7bf.html">lowest number of Kansans killed in car crashes</a>—344—in nearly 80 years. Still<a target="_blank" href="https://tripnet.org/reports/addressing-americas-traffic-safety-crisis-kansas-news-release-07-02-2024/">, Kansas remains above the national average of fatal accidents per population</a>, and so it’s reasonable that KDOT has made reducing traffic deaths—through their “Drive to Zero” initiative—a key priority.For a variety of reasons, though, most of the actual work that’s been done in support of that initiative has been focused on educating (or shaming) drivers—for speeding, or being distracted, or failing to follow every traffic rule—and on inducing (or requiring) municipalities to lower the speeds on their arterial roads and streets. When asked after his presentation about the Drive to Zero plan, Marohn applauded it—but also argued that 98% of the problem here is road design, with driver responsibility, vehicle quality, and speed calculations taking up the tiny remainder.Marohn’s argument builds upon the basic idea the human beings, being human, will always make mistakes, always be distracted, etc., and thus one ought to focus on fixing the conditions humans operate in, rather than fixing humans themselves. In the design of highways, this principle took the form of “forgiving design”—these roads needed to be wide, and the drivers speeding on them needed to be channeled in the same direction, all to minimize the deadly costs of mistakes.But over the decades these lessons were taken from high-speed, cross-country roads and imposed on city streets. Thus we have what Marohn calls “stroads”: neighborhood streets lined with sidewalks and schools and businesses and houses, but designed in ways that assume everyone will drive fast and poorly, requiring them to be huge and thus pedestrian-unfriendly. This, obviously, discourages pedestrian use, which not only has negative economic, civic, and public health consequences, but also implicitly encourages drivers to drive even faster and more poorly.The characteristics of such design assumptions are dangerous one-way streets, drivers gunning at intersections, near-unusable cross-walks, and more. Marohn wants to see cities focus on changing these design assumptions, rather than chastising drivers for acting in exactly the way the conditions they encounter on the road encourage them to do. Makes sense to me.And fortunately, it makes sense to many city leaders and planners across Kansas as well (Marohn likely wouldn’t have been KDOT’s guest of honor otherwise). In Wichita, Kansas City, Salina, and elsewhere, Kansas municipalities are slowly but surely making changes. One-way streets are being converted to two-way; unnecessary lanes are being shrunk and made safer; designers are thinking more about traffic calming (putting in meridians, for example) and less about draconian speed reductions. Zero traffic fatalities may be a distant goal, but we’ll get closer to it by fixing the streets that carry traffic, rather than the drivers negotiating it.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

INSIGHT KANSAS: The drive to zero begins with streets, not drivers themselves

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Since I have had some questions recently on soil sampling, I thought it might be worth re-visiting. Not always a fun activity but the return on investment (ROI) is guaranteed!

First and foremost what are you sampling for? This will determine how deep of a sample you will need to get. For instance, if you are sampling for phosphorus, potassium, soil pH and even micronutrients such as zinc, and iron, then a 0 to 6 inch sample is necessary; a piece of cake.

However, if you also need to sample for nitrogen (N), and possibly even chloride and sulfur then it gets tougher. Nitrogen, sulfur (S), and chloride (Cl) easily move with water and therefore considered mobile in the soil, as opposed to phosphorus that only moves a little in the soil. To sample properly for N, S, and Cl, K-State recommendations are to sample to a depth of 24 inches.

I will be the first to admit that sampling to a depth of two feet can be a bit tiring with a hand probe, even when soil moisture is good. But if you really want a more accurate N, S &amp; Cl soil test, you should sample to 24 inches. If the soil is dry, sample as deep as you can and record what the average sampling depth was on the form that goes to the lab.

For example if you probe to an average depth of 16 inches, make sure it is recorded on the form. Be sure you completely fill out the entire form. It will ask what the intended yield goal is and crop to be grown, what the previous crop was, dryland or irrigated, and if any manure has been applied; make note of that too. The more information the lab has the better the recommendations will be.

Some folks are using cordless drills and an auger type of bit to pull the 24 inch samples. We have the auger bit and bucket for check-out, as well as hand probes for check-out at our offices.

If you are using a hand probe take along a can of WD-40 and oil up the probe tube before using it. The soil cores come out so much easier, and, no, the WD-40 will not affect the soil in any way to foul up the results. 

Other items needed are two clean plastic buckets to put the 0 to 6 and 0 to 24 inch samples in, the soil sample form from the lab you use, and bags to put the soil into to mail to the lab—about a pint of soil is needed.

K-State recommends taking at least 20 to 30 cores per field, which is a bitter pill to swallow that most don’t. The more cores you take the better representation of the field you will get—to a point. I would recommend taking at least 12 to 15 cores per field, mix thoroughly in a clean bucket, and then fill your soil container from this mixture.&nbsp;

It is actually recommended to divide your fields into uniform areas. For example, if the field has differences in topography--bottom ground, hill sides or sloping, soil texture, etc.

On fields that have been reduced-tilled or no-tilled for several years, a split sample from the top 6 inches (i.e. 0 to 3 inches and 3 to 6 inches) is encouraged to assess pH to determine if there is any nutrient stratification—decrease in soil pH near the surface.

Avoid sampling in old fence rows, dead furrows, low spots, feeding areas, and other areas that might give unusual results. If information is desired on these unusual areas, obtain a separate sample from that area.

County extension offices have the soil sample forms and bags, and most if not all will have a soil probe you can check out and use.

I better quit while I still might be ahead. If I keep pointing out all of the fine details that land grant universities and soil scientists recommend in order to take soil samples, I will probably scare off all that read this. 

The key is to just get started and at least try sampling a few fields, and with time and some experience it will get easier and you will probably learn some tricks to make the experience less time consuming and labor intensive.

 The other alternative is to have someone who does this service come out and pull the samples. 

Either way it will still pay dividends and you will know how much fertilizer to apply, rather than guessing.

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="Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension Agent in the Cottonwood District. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension Agent in the Cottonwood District. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District Since I have had some questions recently on soil sampling, I thought it might be worth re-visiting. Not always a fun activity but the return on investment (ROI) is guaranteed!First and foremost what are you sampling for? This will determine how deep of a sample you will need to get. For instance, if you are sampling for phosphorus, potassium, soil pH and even micronutrients such as zinc, and iron, then a 0 to 6 inch sample is necessary; a piece of cake.However, if you also need to sample for nitrogen (N), and possibly even chloride and sulfur then it gets tougher. Nitrogen, sulfur (S), and chloride (Cl) easily move with water and therefore considered mobile in the soil, as opposed to phosphorus that only moves a little in the soil. To sample properly for N, S, and Cl, K-State recommendations are to sample to a depth of 24 inches.I will be the first to admit that sampling to a depth of two feet can be a bit tiring with a hand probe, even when soil moisture is good. But if you really want a more accurate N, S &amp; Cl soil test, you should sample to 24 inches. If the soil is dry, sample as deep as you can and record what the average sampling depth was on the form that goes to the lab.For example if you probe to an average depth of 16 inches, make sure it is recorded on the form. Be sure you completely fill out the entire form. It will ask what the intended yield goal is and crop to be grown, what the previous crop was, dryland or irrigated, and if any manure has been applied; make note of that too. The more information the lab has the better the recommendations will be.Some folks are using cordless drills and an auger type of bit to pull the 24 inch samples. We have the auger bit and bucket for check-out, as well as hand probes for check-out at our offices.If you are using a hand probe take along a can of WD-40 and oil up the probe tube before using it. The soil cores come out so much easier, and, no, the WD-40 will not affect the soil in any way to foul up the results. Other items needed are two clean plastic buckets to put the 0 to 6 and 0 to 24 inch samples in, the soil sample form from the lab you use, and bags to put the soil into to mail to the lab—about a pint of soil is needed.K-State recommends taking at least 20 to 30 cores per field, which is a bitter pill to swallow that most don’t. The more cores you take the better representation of the field you will get—to a point. I would recommend taking at least 12 to 15 cores per field, mix thoroughly in a clean bucket, and then fill your soil container from this mixture.&nbsp;It is actually recommended to divide your fields into uniform areas. For example, if the field has differences in topography--bottom ground, hill sides or sloping, soil texture, etc.On fields that have been reduced-tilled or no-tilled for several years, a split sample from the top 6 inches (i.e. 0 to 3 inches and 3 to 6 inches) is encouraged to assess pH to determine if there is any nutrient stratification—decrease in soil pH near the surface.Avoid sampling in old fence rows, dead furrows, low spots, feeding areas, and other areas that might give unusual results. If information is desired on these unusual areas, obtain a separate sample from that area.County extension offices have the soil sample forms and bags, and most if not all will have a soil probe you can check out and use.I better quit while I still might be ahead. If I keep pointing out all of the fine details that land grant universities and soil scientists recommend in order to take soil samples, I will probably scare off all that read this. The key is to just get started and at least try sampling a few fields, and with time and some experience it will get easier and you will probably learn some tricks to make the experience less time consuming and labor intensive. The other alternative is to have someone who does this service come out and pull the samples. Either way it will still pay dividends and you will know how much fertilizer to apply, rather than guessing.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: Soil sampling pays big dividends

SENATE HIGHLIGHTS March 4, 2025

Senate Committees continued to review bills which have been sent over from the House, and we had one day of General Orders this week in the Senate.&nbsp; As we work though committee bills on the floor, we will also begin to have&nbsp;Conference Committee reports to vote on as well.&nbsp; 

A Conference Committee is a small, bipartisan and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences between the House’s and Senate’s version of a similar bill.&nbsp; Once the Conference Committee comes to a compromise, the committee’s version of the bill will be sent to both the House and the Senate for a final vote, before advancing the bill to the Governor’s desk.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1604/">SCR 1604</a>, a resolution calling for the Convention of States.&nbsp; Under Article V of the United States Constitution, a convention of states may be called to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.&nbsp; It takes 34 states ratifying identical resolutions to call for such a convention, and then 38 states to ratify any amendments emerging from that convention. So far, 19 states have adopted a version of SCR 1604, which calls for a convention “limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress."&nbsp;&nbsp;SCR1604 passed 29-11.&nbsp; I voted yes.

<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb33/">SB 33</a>&nbsp;would authorize the sales tax exemption provided for in continuing law for sales of the services of slaughtering, butchering, custom cutting, dressing, processing, or packaging of an animal for the customer’s own use or consumption to be claimed without a requirement that exemption certificates or forms be provided by the purchaser or collected or maintained by the seller.&nbsp; This a follow-up bill from 2024 which removed sales tax on the processing of meat but customers were required to fill out extra Department of Revenue paperwork each time and keep on file for future review of the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 33 passed 40-0.&nbsp; I voted yes.

<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb137/">SB 137</a>&nbsp;would amend the Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act to permit firearms forfeited under the Act to be sold or transferred to a properly licensed federal firearms dealer.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB&nbsp;137 passed 39-1.&nbsp; I voted yes.

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

WATCH AND LISTEN TO THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0NO-Pb96CFABvxDwXAq8A?view_as=subscriber">Kansas Legislature YouTube</a>&nbsp;– Here you can follow the legislature live as it happens, or access archives of past sessions and committee meetings.

<a target="_blank" href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/">Kansas Legislature Audio</a>&nbsp;– Here you can listen in on session or committees when they are in session, or access prior committee meetings, as well.

Kansas Legislature website –&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/">www.kslegislature.org</a>&nbsp;- has extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, and past sessions.

<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/kansascoge/">COGE Portal</a>&nbsp;– Committee on Government Efficiency Portal <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/">WhiteHouse.gov</a>&nbsp;–Executive Actions are included here

UPDATE FROM KANSAS INSURANCE COMMISSIONER VICKI SCHMIDT

If you or someone you know has an issue with their insurance, we are happy to help!&nbsp; We may not always like the answers we get, but we will do our best to get you an answer.&nbsp; Please use the contact information below to reach out to us if we can be of assistance.

Main Line: (785) 296-3071 Consumer Assistance Hotline: 1-800-432-2484 Consumer Complaint:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kid.webcomplaints@ks.gov">kid.webcomplaints@ks.gov</a> Producer Licensing:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KID.Licensing@ks.gov">kid.licensing@ks.gov</a> Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KID.Commissioner@ks.gov">KID.Commissioner@ks.gov</a> Website:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SoDYgtD-dFj2steoGgFmoL8pLuf0NSmUSYwQCgp1HsxoadVCfwcm_95Am0jNUs0wFnhLh6WZZDNC0I3bvXKrYLcDAFEsmw8M0DoCWSkqIfiLrZCsRdIrP9T0QLWMfcrFnRn8KKAZuWRvenC77dA6Tw==&amp;c=_XGtk_g_SmaADwMA6e5Ys1lOAPiD2n0Y0WhdVf1Fcsl9xHGubVgxOA==&amp;ch=r3uWbCcKhRBHU_y3dsLIzaxpLTKaKBOHKjED-RjqskJBJwcemc8Blw==">Insurance.kansas.gov</a>

Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature.&nbsp; Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.&nbsp; You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website.&nbsp; Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions.&nbsp; An email is the best at this point in the session.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644853578448.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SENATE HIGHLIGHTS March 4, 2025Senate Committees continued to review bills which have been sent over from the House, and we had one day of General Orders this week in the Senate.&nbsp; As we work though committee bills on the floor, we will also begin to have&nbsp;Conference Committee reports to vote on as well.&nbsp; A Conference Committee is a small, bipartisan and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences between the House’s and Senate’s version of a similar bill.&nbsp; Once the Conference Committee comes to a compromise, the committee’s version of the bill will be sent to both the House and the Senate for a final vote, before advancing the bill to the Governor’s desk.&nbsp;SENATE FLOOR ACTION<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1604/">SCR 1604</a>, a resolution calling for the Convention of States.&nbsp; Under Article V of the United States Constitution, a convention of states may be called to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.&nbsp; It takes 34 states ratifying identical resolutions to call for such a convention, and then 38 states to ratify any amendments emerging from that convention. So far, 19 states have adopted a version of SCR 1604, which calls for a convention “limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress."&nbsp;&nbsp;SCR1604 passed 29-11.&nbsp; I voted yes.<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb33/">SB 33</a>&nbsp;would authorize the sales tax exemption provided for in continuing law for sales of the services of slaughtering, butchering, custom cutting, dressing, processing, or packaging of an animal for the customer’s own use or consumption to be claimed without a requirement that exemption certificates or forms be provided by the purchaser or collected or maintained by the seller.&nbsp; This a follow-up bill from 2024 which removed sales tax on the processing of meat but customers were required to fill out extra Department of Revenue paperwork each time and keep on file for future review of the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 33 passed 40-0.&nbsp; I voted yes.<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb137/">SB 137</a>&nbsp;would amend the Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act to permit firearms forfeited under the Act to be sold or transferred to a properly licensed federal firearms dealer.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB&nbsp;137 passed 39-1.&nbsp; I voted yes.Full texts of the bills and supplemental notes as well as the Final Action vote on these measures can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.&nbsp;WATCH AND LISTEN TO THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0NO-Pb96CFABvxDwXAq8A?view_as=subscriber">Kansas Legislature YouTube</a>&nbsp;– Here you can follow the legislature live as it happens, or access archives of past sessions and committee meetings.<a target="_blank" href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/">Kansas Legislature Audio</a>&nbsp;– Here you can listen in on session or committees when they are in session, or access prior committee meetings, as well.Kansas Legislature website –&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/">www.kslegislature.org</a>&nbsp;- has extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, and past sessions.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/kansascoge/">COGE Portal</a>&nbsp;– Committee on Government Efficiency Portal <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/">WhiteHouse.gov</a>&nbsp;–Executive Actions are included hereUPDATE FROM KANSAS INSURANCE COMMISSIONER VICKI SCHMIDTIf you or someone you know has an issue with their insurance, we are happy to help!&nbsp; We may not always like the answers we get, but we will do our best to get you an answer.&nbsp; Please use the contact information below to reach out to us if we can be of assistance.Main Line: (785) 296-3071 Consumer Assistance Hotline: 1-800-432-2484 Consumer Complaint:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kid.webcomplaints@ks.gov">kid.webcomplaints@ks.gov</a> Producer Licensing:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KID.Licensing@ks.gov">kid.licensing@ks.gov</a> Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KID.Commissioner@ks.gov">KID.Commissioner@ks.gov</a> Website:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SoDYgtD-dFj2steoGgFmoL8pLuf0NSmUSYwQCgp1HsxoadVCfwcm_95Am0jNUs0wFnhLh6WZZDNC0I3bvXKrYLcDAFEsmw8M0DoCWSkqIfiLrZCsRdIrP9T0QLWMfcrFnRn8KKAZuWRvenC77dA6Tw==&amp;c=_XGtk_g_SmaADwMA6e5Ys1lOAPiD2n0Y0WhdVf1Fcsl9xHGubVgxOA==&amp;ch=r3uWbCcKhRBHU_y3dsLIzaxpLTKaKBOHKjED-RjqskJBJwcemc8Blw==">Insurance.kansas.gov</a>THANK YOU FOR ENGAGINGThank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature.&nbsp; Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.&nbsp; You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website.&nbsp; Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions.&nbsp; An email is the best at this point in the session.Thank you for the honor of serving you!Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300SW 10th St. Topeka, KS&nbsp;66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov 785-296-7389 <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a> <a href="http://www.elainebowers.com/" target="_blank">www.elainebowers.com</a>

BOWERS: 2025 Senate Scene, Week 7

Its been a week since Turnaround and the House only introduced eight pieces of legislation. Each bill is detailed in a list below.

First is House Bill (HB) 2389, which would amend criminal law by requiring previous convictions be considered in determining bond for individuals arrested for sex offenses;

Second is HB 2390, this bill seeks to grant Jackson County the authority to raise the retailers’ sale tax for the purpose of supporting hospital services within the county;

Third is HB 2391, this legislation would prohibit carrying concealed handguns in the state capitol, with exceptions for law enforcement and military members performing official duties;

Fourth is HB 2392, which aims to set maximum education requirements, one level above offered courses, for nursing schools within Kansas and adjust licensure requirements for nurses out-of-state;

Fifth is HB 2393, this bill would establish additional charges within court procedure costs to fund non-judicial employee salaries from now till the end of fiscal year 2030;

Sixth is HB 2394, which would establish property tax use valuation for residential real property, real property used for commercial and industrial purposes, and mobile homes used for residential purposes;

Seventh is HB 2395, which creates a new tax credit, worth up to $250 in the first year and then $100 for the next five years—per animal—, for certain expenses on cats and dogs, that reside indoors and are spayed and neutered;

Eighth and last is HB 2396, this legislation would amend tax law in several ways.

 First it would establish a protest petition mechanism to negate property tax increases, within the taxing jurisdiction of the governing body raising said taxes, that exceeded the rate of inflation by the consumer price index and prior year rate increases for construction or renovation of buildings—the state of Kansas and school districts being exempted. Such a protest petition would require 10% of the voting population of the jurisdictions and need to be delivered within 30 days to take effect.

 Second, the bill would create an Acknowledging Stewardship of Tax Revenue and Appropriations (ASTRA) fund, initially funded at $60 million, that would allocate funds to taxing jurisdictions that did not raise their property taxes beyond the aforementioned values.

House Appropriations (HAPP) held hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, across a number of topics.

Wednesday saw the committee hold an informational hearing on higher education, with presentations given by the presidents, and chancellor, of all state funded, or partially so, universities. According to the information provided at the hearings higher education is improving in our state and university enrollment, especially for in-person classes, has increased.

On Thursday HAPP received briefings from MakeMyMove and KC2026 and held hearings on House Bill (HB) 2237 and Senate Bill (SB) 125. The MakeMyMove Corporation was represented by Ben Ledo, their vice president of sales. He contended that the state needed to create new incentives for improving inward migration to Kansas, in particular a grant program. KC2026, the organization that is planning and coordinating World Cup events in the Kansas City area in 2026, was represented by Lindsay Douglas, their director of integrated operations, and she informed the committee on how funds were being allocated and the rate of progress in preparing for the momentous event.

HB 2237, relating to recruitment and retention award programs in state agencies, received proponent testimony from eight agencies and SB 125, claims against the state, received none. Both bills did not receive any opponent or neutral testimony.

 The Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on seven pieces of legislation this week. I have detailed four of those bills below. 

First was House Bill (HB) 2096. This bill would alter law regarding housing investor tax credits, enabling credits to be transferred by investors within the same year of their issuance.

Second was HB 2231. This legislation would alter the tax code by creating a new tax exemption of $2,320 for Head of Household tax filers, starting in tax year 2024, and increase the personal exemption to 100 percent for permanently disabled veterans.

Third was HB 2107. This legislation would establish utility civil law liability parameters for damaging fire events and create training courses on wildfire risk and mitigation within the Kansas Corporation Commission, funded through the agency’s fee fund.

Fourth and last was HB 2056. This bill would alter election law by requiring a signed and notarized declaration for recipients of certificates of nomination when running for public office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633970422056.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>TOPEKAIts been a week since Turnaround and the House only introduced eight pieces of legislation. Each bill is detailed in a list below.First is House Bill (HB) 2389, which would amend criminal law by requiring previous convictions be considered in determining bond for individuals arrested for sex offenses;Second is HB 2390, this bill seeks to grant Jackson County the authority to raise the retailers’ sale tax for the purpose of supporting hospital services within the county;Third is HB 2391, this legislation would prohibit carrying concealed handguns in the state capitol, with exceptions for law enforcement and military members performing official duties;Fourth is HB 2392, which aims to set maximum education requirements, one level above offered courses, for nursing schools within Kansas and adjust licensure requirements for nurses out-of-state;Fifth is HB 2393, this bill would establish additional charges within court procedure costs to fund non-judicial employee salaries from now till the end of fiscal year 2030;Sixth is HB 2394, which would establish property tax use valuation for residential real property, real property used for commercial and industrial purposes, and mobile homes used for residential purposes;Seventh is HB 2395, which creates a new tax credit, worth up to $250 in the first year and then $100 for the next five years—per animal—, for certain expenses on cats and dogs, that reside indoors and are spayed and neutered;Eighth and last is HB 2396, this legislation would amend tax law in several ways. First it would establish a protest petition mechanism to negate property tax increases, within the taxing jurisdiction of the governing body raising said taxes, that exceeded the rate of inflation by the consumer price index and prior year rate increases for construction or renovation of buildings—the state of Kansas and school districts being exempted. Such a protest petition would require 10% of the voting population of the jurisdictions and need to be delivered within 30 days to take effect. Second, the bill would create an Acknowledging Stewardship of Tax Revenue and Appropriations (ASTRA) fund, initially funded at $60 million, that would allocate funds to taxing jurisdictions that did not raise their property taxes beyond the aforementioned values.COMMITTEE HAPPENINGSHouse Appropriations (HAPP) held hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, across a number of topics.Wednesday saw the committee hold an informational hearing on higher education, with presentations given by the presidents, and chancellor, of all state funded, or partially so, universities. According to the information provided at the hearings higher education is improving in our state and university enrollment, especially for in-person classes, has increased.On Thursday HAPP received briefings from MakeMyMove and KC2026 and held hearings on House Bill (HB) 2237 and Senate Bill (SB) 125. The MakeMyMove Corporation was represented by Ben Ledo, their vice president of sales. He contended that the state needed to create new incentives for improving inward migration to Kansas, in particular a grant program. KC2026, the organization that is planning and coordinating World Cup events in the Kansas City area in 2026, was represented by Lindsay Douglas, their director of integrated operations, and she informed the committee on how funds were being allocated and the rate of progress in preparing for the momentous event.HB 2237, relating to recruitment and retention award programs in state agencies, received proponent testimony from eight agencies and SB 125, claims against the state, received none. Both bills did not receive any opponent or neutral testimony.HOUSE DELIBERATIONS The Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on seven pieces of legislation this week. I have detailed four of those bills below. First was House Bill (HB) 2096. This bill would alter law regarding housing investor tax credits, enabling credits to be transferred by investors within the same year of their issuance. Second was HB 2231. This legislation would alter the tax code by creating a new tax exemption of $2,320 for Head of Household tax filers, starting in tax year 2024, and increase the personal exemption to 100 percent for permanently disabled veterans. Third was HB 2107. This legislation would establish utility civil law liability parameters for damaging fire events and create training courses on wildfire risk and mitigation within the Kansas Corporation Commission, funded through the agency’s fee fund. Fourth and last was HB 2056. This bill would alter election law by requiring a signed and notarized declaration for recipients of certificates of nomination when running for public office. Each of these bills passed the House and I voted yes on all of them.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.Contact My Office Representative Troy L. Waymaster 300 SW 10th Street Topeka,&nbsp;Kansas 66612&nbsp; troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> www.troywaymaster.com&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Opinion