Learning to identify poison ivy is vital if you wish to avoid the rash that accompanies exposure. &nbsp;Unfortunately, poison ivy can make identification difficult because it occurs in three forms: an erect woody shrub, a groundcover that creeps along the ground, and a woody vine that will climb trees.

When poison ivy climbs, it forms numerous aerial roots that give the vine the appearance of a fuzzy rope. The leaves of poison ivy also vary. Though the compound leaf always has three leaflets, the leaf margins may be toothed, incised, lobed, or smooth. The size of the leaves also can vary, although usually, the middle leaflet is larger than the other two. Also, the middle leaflet is the only one with a long stalk; the other two are closely attached to the petiole (leaf stem). The number of leaves gives rise to the saying: "Leaves of three, let it be!" Poison ivy is often confused with Virginia creeper or Woodbine. Each of these vines, however, has five leaflets rather than three. There are three methods commonly used to eradicate poison ivy. These include pulling or grubbing out the plants by hand, cutting off the vine, and then treating the cut stump or the regrowth, and spraying the plants directly. The method used depends somewhat on the plant's growth form. If the plant is growing as a groundcover, direct spray or grubbing the plant out is often used. If grubbing, wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. The soil must be moist for grubbing to work well. Wash the clothes and yourself immediately after you finish. It might also be a good idea to rinse the washing machine. If the plant is in the shrub form, the direct spray is the most common control method. If the plant is a woody vine that has climbed a tree, the preferred method is to cut the plant off at the base and treat the sprouts after they emerge. Some triclopyr herbicides also have instructions on treating a freshly cut stump directly. Triclopyr (Brush-B-Gon Poison Ivy Killer, Brush Killer Stump Killer) is most often used for poison ivy control. Other Herbicides that can be used include glyphosate (Roundup, Killzall Weed and Grass Killer, Nutgrass, Poison Ivy, and VineKiller) or dicamba. Poison ivy is tough. Repeat applications may be necessary. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Learning to identify poison ivy is vital if you wish to avoid the rash that accompanies exposure. &nbsp;Unfortunately, poison ivy can make identification difficult because it occurs in three forms: an erect woody shrub, a groundcover that creeps along the ground, and a woody vine that will climb trees.When poison ivy climbs, it forms numerous aerial roots that give the vine the appearance of a fuzzy rope. The leaves of poison ivy also vary. Though the compound leaf always has three leaflets, the leaf margins may be toothed, incised, lobed, or smooth. The size of the leaves also can vary, although usually, the middle leaflet is larger than the other two. Also, the middle leaflet is the only one with a long stalk; the other two are closely attached to the petiole (leaf stem). The number of leaves gives rise to the saying: "Leaves of three, let it be!" Poison ivy is often confused with Virginia creeper or Woodbine. Each of these vines, however, has five leaflets rather than three. There are three methods commonly used to eradicate poison ivy. These include pulling or grubbing out the plants by hand, cutting off the vine, and then treating the cut stump or the regrowth, and spraying the plants directly. The method used depends somewhat on the plant's growth form. If the plant is growing as a groundcover, direct spray or grubbing the plant out is often used. If grubbing, wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. The soil must be moist for grubbing to work well. Wash the clothes and yourself immediately after you finish. It might also be a good idea to rinse the washing machine. If the plant is in the shrub form, the direct spray is the most common control method. If the plant is a woody vine that has climbed a tree, the preferred method is to cut the plant off at the base and treat the sprouts after they emerge. Some triclopyr herbicides also have instructions on treating a freshly cut stump directly. Triclopyr (Brush-B-Gon Poison Ivy Killer, Brush Killer Stump Killer) is most often used for poison ivy control. Other Herbicides that can be used include glyphosate (Roundup, Killzall Weed and Grass Killer, Nutgrass, Poison Ivy, and VineKiller) or dicamba. Poison ivy is tough. Repeat applications may be necessary. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

​FICK: Poison ivy identification and control

The legislature wrapped up its work for the regular session on April 9. Lawmakers will return to Topeka on May 3 for the veto session, at which time they will finalize the budget and consider any legislation vetoed by the governor during the April break. I hope to see many of you over the next couple of weeks in person on virtually.

Some 2021 Legislative Accomplishments:

The Value Them Both constitutional amendments will allow Kansas voters to determine whether Kansas will continue to be a pro-life state. This measure will be on the ballot in August 2022.

1) Mask mandates issued by the governor revoked, and authority given to local governments. 2) Property tax transparency; requires local governments to hold public hearings on tax increases and notify taxpayers of what taxes they will actually pay from various taxing entities. 3) Kansas Promise Scholarship Act - helps prepare Kansans for today’s workforce needs through targeted scholarships. &nbsp;4) Low-interest loan assistance for communities affected by the surge in natural gas prices during the winter cold snap. &nbsp;5) Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program – a new resource for small businesses and ag producers that may have been financially impacted by the pandemic. 6) Business and healthcare COVID-related liability protections set in place.

1) Overhaul the administration’s unemployment system; set modernization requirements and oversight to ensure that hardworking Kansans can receive the assistance they need. &nbsp;2) Tax cuts for families and small businesses, including increasing the standard deduction for all Kansans. 3) Harsher penalties for criminals who stalk minors.

Unemployment Overhaul Legislation Sent to the Governor

As a reminder, the House previously passed HB 2196, which urge Governor Kelly to overhaul the Kansas Department of Labor’s (KDOL) unemployment system. It is widely known that KDOL has experienced ongoing issues in assisting Kansans who need immediate assistance. 

The goal of this bill is to remedy that, to make sure that the administration addresses the current problems and to guarantee the long-term stability of the state’s unemployment system. The main components of the bill include: A) Oversight and IT modernization B) Fraud immunity for Kansas businesses C) Rate table adjustments for employers.

This past week, House and Senate negotiators further amended the bill to increase the criminal punishment for fraudsters and prohibit unemployment modernization contracts from being entered into prior to review by the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council and the Legislative Coordinating Council. HB 2196 passed the House and Senate and is on its way to the governor’s desk for her consideration.

Budget Headed to the Governor, Consensus Revenue Estimates Later&nbsp;This Month

&nbsp;Last Friday, the House and Senate approved the conference committee report for House Bill 2007, which contains the budget for all state agencies minus K-12 education. K-12 funding will be determined when legislators return for the veto session.

Following Senate approval of the measure, the House voted 71-52 to send the bill to the governor for her consideration. It is likely there will be line-item vetoes for the House to consider overriding when the legislature returns on May 3.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, we will meet April 27 to begin work on the omnibus appropriations bill. 

The bill may contain positions from budget negotiations and earlier committee discussions, which deferred items to omnibus for consideration. 

The committee will be provided an update on the Consensus Revenue Estimates (CRE) and any possible Governor’s Budget Amendments (GBA). The estimates, a projection of SGF revenues, will be released on April 20 and will be a revision of the Fall 2020 estimates. A new SGF profile will be created, reflecting the new revenue estimates, along with approved expenditures from HB 2007. This profile is critical in balancing the state’s budget, protecting taxpayers, and planning for future needs.

If you would like to contact me: email is: ken.rahje@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at 785-302-8416. It is my honor to be your representative.

Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the Kansas state representative of the 110th Dist. House District 110 includes:&nbsp; Norton and Phillips Counties Ellis County: Cities: Catharine, Ellis and Schoenchen;&nbsp;Townships: Big Creek(part), Buckeye, Catherine, Ellis, Herzog(part),&nbsp;Lookout(part) and Wheatland(part) Graham County: City: Hill City;&nbsp;Townships: Hill City(part) and Nicodemus(part) Rooks County: Cities: Damar, Palco, Plainville,&nbsp;Stockton, Woodston and Zurich

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581437228209.jpeg" alt="Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>04-13-21Hello from Agra. The legislature wrapped up its work for the regular session on April 9. Lawmakers will return to Topeka on May 3 for the veto session, at which time they will finalize the budget and consider any legislation vetoed by the governor during the April break. I hope to see many of you over the next couple of weeks in person on virtually.Some 2021 Legislative Accomplishments: The Value Them Both constitutional amendments will allow Kansas voters to determine whether Kansas will continue to be a pro-life state. This measure will be on the ballot in August 2022.Bills passed and signed into law: 1) Mask mandates issued by the governor revoked, and authority given to local governments. 2) Property tax transparency; requires local governments to hold public hearings on tax increases and notify taxpayers of what taxes they will actually pay from various taxing entities. 3) Kansas Promise Scholarship Act - helps prepare Kansans for today’s workforce needs through targeted scholarships. &nbsp;4) Low-interest loan assistance for communities affected by the surge in natural gas prices during the winter cold snap. &nbsp;5) Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program – a new resource for small businesses and ag producers that may have been financially impacted by the pandemic. 6) Business and healthcare COVID-related liability protections set in place.Bills awaiting action from the Governor: 1) Overhaul the administration’s unemployment system; set modernization requirements and oversight to ensure that hardworking Kansans can receive the assistance they need. &nbsp;2) Tax cuts for families and small businesses, including increasing the standard deduction for all Kansans. 3) Harsher penalties for criminals who stalk minors.Unemployment Overhaul Legislation Sent to the GovernorAs a reminder, the House previously passed HB 2196, which urge Governor Kelly to overhaul the Kansas Department of Labor’s (KDOL) unemployment system. It is widely known that KDOL has experienced ongoing issues in assisting Kansans who need immediate assistance. The goal of this bill is to remedy that, to make sure that the administration addresses the current problems and to guarantee the long-term stability of the state’s unemployment system. The main components of the bill include: A) Oversight and IT modernization B) Fraud immunity for Kansas businesses C) Rate table adjustments for employers.This past week, House and Senate negotiators further amended the bill to increase the criminal punishment for fraudsters and prohibit unemployment modernization contracts from being entered into prior to review by the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council and the Legislative Coordinating Council. HB 2196 passed the House and Senate and is on its way to the governor’s desk for her consideration.Budget Headed to the Governor, Consensus Revenue Estimates Later&nbsp;This Month&nbsp;Last Friday, the House and Senate approved the conference committee report for House Bill 2007, which contains the budget for all state agencies minus K-12 education. K-12 funding will be determined when legislators return for the veto session.Following Senate approval of the measure, the House voted 71-52 to send the bill to the governor for her consideration. It is likely there will be line-item vetoes for the House to consider overriding when the legislature returns on May 3.As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, we will meet April 27 to begin work on the omnibus appropriations bill. The bill may contain positions from budget negotiations and earlier committee discussions, which deferred items to omnibus for consideration. The committee will be provided an update on the Consensus Revenue Estimates (CRE) and any possible Governor’s Budget Amendments (GBA). The estimates, a projection of SGF revenues, will be released on April 20 and will be a revision of the Fall 2020 estimates. A new SGF profile will be created, reflecting the new revenue estimates, along with approved expenditures from HB 2007. This profile is critical in balancing the state’s budget, protecting taxpayers, and planning for future needs.If you would like to contact me: email is: ken.rahje@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at 785-302-8416. It is my honor to be your representative.Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the Kansas state representative of the 110th Dist. House District 110 includes:&nbsp; Norton and Phillips Counties Ellis County: Cities: Catharine, Ellis and Schoenchen;&nbsp;Townships: Big Creek(part), Buckeye, Catherine, Ellis, Herzog(part),&nbsp;Lookout(part) and Wheatland(part) Graham County: City: Hill City;&nbsp;Townships: Hill City(part) and Nicodemus(part) Rooks County: Cities: Damar, Palco, Plainville,&nbsp;Stockton, Woodston and Zurich

RAHJES REPORT: April 13

Crude futures prices settled below $60 per barrel for five consecutive trading sessions last week. Friday's settlement price was $59.32 per barrel. Prices on the Nymex briefly topped $60 Monday, but by lunchtime the benchmark contract was going for $59.67 per barrel. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $49.50 per barrel after dropping a quarter per barrel on Friday. Current Kansas prices are about a dollar lower than at the first of the month, but are nearly $11 higher than at the beginning of the year. Triple-A says a jump in demand and tightening supplies prompted major fluctuations in gasoline prices. The national average on Thursday was down slightly to $2.87 per gallon. That's down slightly from last week, but up a dime from a month ago, and nearly a dollar more than a year ago. Changes in weekly statewide average prices ranged from an increase of 15 cents to a decrease of three cents. The average in Kansas jumped three cents to $2.68 per gallon Thursday. Your 15-gallon fill-up will cost you nearly $19 more than last year at this time, but only a dime more than last week. Oilfield services employment has a long way to go to return to pre-pandemic levels, but last month's numbers are a good start. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and analysis by the Energy Workforce and Technology Council, that sector notched upwards of 102,000 pandemic-related job losses. World Oil dot com reports improvements in the fourth quarter of last year were followed by cuts in December, January and February. But the government says the sector added more than 23,000 jobs in March. Baker Hughes reported 432 active drilling rigs across the country last week, an increase of two gas rigs. The count in Oklahoma was up one for the week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports seven active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up two for the week, and 12 west of Wichita, which is down one. The inactive count across Kansas reached 145, adding ten more cold-stacked rigs to that list. Since last year, 45 rigs have gone out of state or "gone to rust." The total number of rigs in Kansas, both available and inactive, dropped from 238 a year ago to 193 last week. Of 17 new drilling permits in Kansas last week, 12 are west of Wichita and five are in the eastern half of the state. Our cumulative tally shows 212 new drilling permits so far this year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports nine newly completed wells across the state last week, two of them east of Wichita and seven in Western Kansas. That's 187 completions so far this year. Domestic crude inventories dropped last week by 3.5 million barrels. The US Energy Information Administration said stockpiles are just over 498 million barrels, or about 3% over the five-year seasonal average. Crude production in the US increased last week by more than 100,000 barrels per day. EIA says output for the week ending April 2 averaged nearly 10.9 million barrels per day. That's down from 12.4 million barrels per day a year ago. The government reported U.S. crude imports increased more than 100,000 barrels per day to 6.3 million. EIA said the four-week average is down about five percent from a year ago. Weekly oil-by-rail traffic declined last week by 291 carloads from the week before, to 10,403 tanker cars. The Association of America Railroads reports the year-over-year decline dropped to one tenth of one percent, the smallest such comparison in recent memory. The AAR reports a 14 percent increase in total monthly rail traffic in the U.S. in March compared to a year ago. But the trade group cautions that for some cargo categories, the changes from last year are inflated because of the widespread shutdowns last year at this time. In March 2021, oil-by-rail deliveries were down 5,073 carloads, or 8.5 percent. One of the biggest players in the Bakken is selling a big piece of the play. Hess Corporation will unload more than 78,000 acres in North Dakota to Enerplus Corporation in a deal worth $312 million, which they expect to close next month. The property is in the southernmost part of the Hess portfolio and is not connected to the pipeline and processing infrastructure of Hess Midstream. CEO John Hess says they were not planning any more drilling in the parcel for at least five years. Net production from this acreage averaged 4,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the first quarter of 2021.&nbsp; Several large oil-patch companies are going Green, even as economists warn of the impact. North America's biggest oil pipeline company is now seeking Canadian tax incentives similar to those available in the US, in an effort to become competitive in hydrogen production and renewable electricity. Enbridge last year became the first North American industry player to set a goal of eliminating all net emissions from its operations by the year 2050. Two of Canada's biggest producers are hyping their new emissions goals. But, Canadian Natural Resources and Cenovus Energy both said Tuesday they will not pivot away from their core businesses.&nbsp; A new report suggests Canada's pursuit of aggressive climate targets could cost three out of every four Canadian oil-and-gas workers their jobs. The report by TD Economics estimates that in less than thirty years, up to 450,000 of Canada’s current 600,000 direct and indirect oil and gas jobs could become casualties of falling demand, without some kind of worker-transition plan in place.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY JOHN P. TRETBARCrude futures prices settled below $60 per barrel for five consecutive trading sessions last week. Friday's settlement price was $59.32 per barrel. Prices on the Nymex briefly topped $60 Monday, but by lunchtime the benchmark contract was going for $59.67 per barrel. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $49.50 per barrel after dropping a quarter per barrel on Friday. Current Kansas prices are about a dollar lower than at the first of the month, but are nearly $11 higher than at the beginning of the year. Triple-A says a jump in demand and tightening supplies prompted major fluctuations in gasoline prices. The national average on Thursday was down slightly to $2.87 per gallon. That's down slightly from last week, but up a dime from a month ago, and nearly a dollar more than a year ago. Changes in weekly statewide average prices ranged from an increase of 15 cents to a decrease of three cents. The average in Kansas jumped three cents to $2.68 per gallon Thursday. Your 15-gallon fill-up will cost you nearly $19 more than last year at this time, but only a dime more than last week. Oilfield services employment has a long way to go to return to pre-pandemic levels, but last month's numbers are a good start. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and analysis by the Energy Workforce and Technology Council, that sector notched upwards of 102,000 pandemic-related job losses. World Oil dot com reports improvements in the fourth quarter of last year were followed by cuts in December, January and February. But the government says the sector added more than 23,000 jobs in March. Baker Hughes reported 432 active drilling rigs across the country last week, an increase of two gas rigs. The count in Oklahoma was up one for the week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports seven active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up two for the week, and 12 west of Wichita, which is down one. The inactive count across Kansas reached 145, adding ten more cold-stacked rigs to that list. Since last year, 45 rigs have gone out of state or "gone to rust." The total number of rigs in Kansas, both available and inactive, dropped from 238 a year ago to 193 last week. Of 17 new drilling permits in Kansas last week, 12 are west of Wichita and five are in the eastern half of the state. Our cumulative tally shows 212 new drilling permits so far this year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports nine newly completed wells across the state last week, two of them east of Wichita and seven in Western Kansas. That's 187 completions so far this year. Domestic crude inventories dropped last week by 3.5 million barrels. The US Energy Information Administration said stockpiles are just over 498 million barrels, or about 3% over the five-year seasonal average. Crude production in the US increased last week by more than 100,000 barrels per day. EIA says output for the week ending April 2 averaged nearly 10.9 million barrels per day. That's down from 12.4 million barrels per day a year ago. The government reported U.S. crude imports increased more than 100,000 barrels per day to 6.3 million. EIA said the four-week average is down about five percent from a year ago. Weekly oil-by-rail traffic declined last week by 291 carloads from the week before, to 10,403 tanker cars. The Association of America Railroads reports the year-over-year decline dropped to one tenth of one percent, the smallest such comparison in recent memory. The AAR reports a 14 percent increase in total monthly rail traffic in the U.S. in March compared to a year ago. But the trade group cautions that for some cargo categories, the changes from last year are inflated because of the widespread shutdowns last year at this time. In March 2021, oil-by-rail deliveries were down 5,073 carloads, or 8.5 percent. One of the biggest players in the Bakken is selling a big piece of the play. Hess Corporation will unload more than 78,000 acres in North Dakota to Enerplus Corporation in a deal worth $312 million, which they expect to close next month. The property is in the southernmost part of the Hess portfolio and is not connected to the pipeline and processing infrastructure of Hess Midstream. CEO John Hess says they were not planning any more drilling in the parcel for at least five years. Net production from this acreage averaged 4,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the first quarter of 2021.&nbsp; Several large oil-patch companies are going Green, even as economists warn of the impact. North America's biggest oil pipeline company is now seeking Canadian tax incentives similar to those available in the US, in an effort to become competitive in hydrogen production and renewable electricity. Enbridge last year became the first North American industry player to set a goal of eliminating all net emissions from its operations by the year 2050. Two of Canada's biggest producers are hyping their new emissions goals. But, Canadian Natural Resources and Cenovus Energy both said Tuesday they will not pivot away from their core businesses.&nbsp; A new report suggests Canada's pursuit of aggressive climate targets could cost three out of every four Canadian oil-and-gas workers their jobs. The report by TD Economics estimates that in less than thirty years, up to 450,000 of Canada’s current 600,000 direct and indirect oil and gas jobs could become casualties of falling demand, without some kind of worker-transition plan in place.

News From the Oil Patch: Government reports uptick in oilfield service jobs

SENATE HIGHLIGHTS -&nbsp;WEEKLY OVERVIEWS

This week was the last week of legislative activity before VETO session.&nbsp; Late Friday afternoon, the Senate gaveled out for adjournment and will reconvene on May 3 for VETO Session.&nbsp; The Senate voted on numerous conference committee reports and also debated bills on the Senate Floor the last few short weeks.&nbsp; A conference committee is a small, bipartisan, and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences between the House and Senate’s version of a similar bill.&nbsp; Once the conference committee reaches a compromise, the negotiated bill is sent to both the House and Senate for a final vote before advancing to the governor’s desk.&nbsp;

The Senate voted to confirm ten appointments: Daniel Klucas to the Office of the State Securities Commissioner; Amber Shultz, new Secretary of Labor; Steven Anderson, Office of Inspector General; Rebecca Dickinson, Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board; Sheryl Gilchrist and Tom Phillips to the State Civil Service Board; Brandon Jones, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission; Suchitra Padmanabhan, Kansas Development Finance Authority; Mark Uhlig, University of Kansas Hospital Authority; and Kristen Wheeler to the State Board of Tax Appeals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SB 50&nbsp;- Marketplace Facilitators and Income Tax Deductions and Exemptions.&nbsp; It would&nbsp; require the collection and remittance of taxes by marketplace facilitators.&nbsp; The bill also amends income tax law regarding fraudulent unemployment benefits, itemized and standard deductions, business income related to 2017 federal legislation, corporation return filing, net operating losses, and the business expensing deduction.

HB 2332 &amp; S Sub for HB 2183 –&nbsp;would require any third-party who sends out advance voting applications to identify who they are, who the head of their organization is, and a clear statement indicating it is not mailed from the government.&nbsp; It would also prevent the Governor, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch from altering election laws, as occurred last year.&nbsp; It also broadened the definition of election tampering.

HB 2039&nbsp;- Civics Education bill - would require, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, students enrolled in an accredited public, private, or parochial high school to pass a civics test, or series of tests, as part of the Kansas required courses of instruction for graduation.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2074/" target="_blank">S Sub for HB 2074</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) - Fiduciary Financial Institutions Act (Act), Kansas trusts will be established by investors across the United States to hold their alternative asset investments with the goal to provide cash flow to Kansas “economic growth zones,” which largely overlap Rural Opportunity Zones.

SB 199&nbsp;would amend law in the Insurance Code governing specially designed policies and short-term policies to update references to short-term limited duration up to a maximum policy period of 36 months total in duration.&nbsp; <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb100/" target="_blank">SB 100</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;would amend a statute requiring suspension of a driver’s license for driving when the person’s driving privileges are canceled, suspended, or revoked, a provision requiring the Division of Vehicles to extend a period of suspension or revocation an additional 90 days.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb265/" target="_blank">SB 265</a>&nbsp;would authorize the Governor’s allotment for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) Death and Disability Program and institute a moratorium on all payments made by KPERS employers for Fiscal Year 2021.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb304/" target="_blank">SB 304</a>&nbsp;would remove the expiration date of May 1, 2021, contained in the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Privacy Act.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2064/" target="_blank">HB 2064</a>&nbsp;would amend provisions in the Kansas Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) Act relating to participating members’ election and extension of their DROP periods.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2077/" target="_blank">HB 2077</a>&nbsp;would amend law related to the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission and the Kansas Closed Case Task Force.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2079/" target="_blank">HB 2079</a>&nbsp;would transfer certain duties from the Secretary of State to the Attorney General. It would also amend statutes to transfer responsibility for administering the Safe at Home program from the Secretary of State to the Attorney General.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2085/" target="_blank">HB 2085</a>&nbsp;would create the Students’ Right to Know Act. It would require the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to ensure the distribution, electronic or otherwise, of certain information to all students in grades 7 through 12.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2101/" target="_blank">HB 2101</a>&nbsp;extend the current transfer of the first $10.5 million credited to the Expanded Lottery Act Revenues Fund (ELARF) from ELARF to the Kangrow engineering fund - KU, the Kan-grow engineering fund - KSU, and the Kan-grow engineering fund - WSU with each such engineering fund.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2106/" target="_blank">HB 2106</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;expends the dates when corporate tax returns are required to be filed.&nbsp; It would clarify that victims of identity theft would not owe Kansas individual income tax on any compensation that was fraudulently obtained by another.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2114/" target="_blank">HB 2114</a>&nbsp;would establish the Kansas Senior Care Task Force.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2121/" target="_blank">HB 2121</a>&nbsp;would amend the penalties for the crime of mistreatment of a dependent adult or elder person, define the term “absconds from supervision,” and amend law regarding sureties and delivery of a person arrested.&nbsp; The bill would amend the crime of mistreatment of a dependent adult or elder person to raise the penalty.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2136/" target="_blank">HB 2136</a>&nbsp;would amend several provisions in the Insurance Code pertaining to service contracts, surplus lines insurance, the Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Individual Deferred Annuities, the Utilization Review Organization Act and oversight of utilization review organizations, and risk retention groups.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2158/" target="_blank">&nbsp;2158</a>&nbsp;would amend provisions in the statute governing the State Child Death Review Board regarding confidentiality of information acquired by and records of the Board.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2196/" target="_blank">S Sub HB 2196</a>&nbsp;would create the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and&nbsp;Improvement Council; require the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) to modernize its information technology (IT) infrastructure.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2201/" target="_blank">S Sub HB 2201</a>&nbsp;would authorize the Secretary of Transportation to let construction any modernization or expansion project under the Eisenhower Program that would utilize federal stimulus funds.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2208/" target="_blank">S Sub HB 2208</a>&nbsp;would enact the Rural Emergency Hospital Act and create a category of licensure to enable certain Kansas hospitals to receive federal health care reimbursement as rural emergency hospitals.&nbsp; The bill would require benefits coverage for services provided by rural emergency hospitals if covered when performed by a general hospital or critical access hospital. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2244/" target="_blank">HB 2244</a>&nbsp;would amend the Commercial Industrial Hemp Act to transfer registration and regulation of industrial hemp processors currently regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to the State Fire Marshal.&nbsp; It would also amend law regarding the disposal of industrial hemp; unlawful marketing, selling, or distributing hemp products without registration or license; and create an exception for transportation of industrial hemp between producers and processors.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2247/" target="_blank">HB 2247</a>&nbsp;designates several highways and bridges across Kansas as memorial highways and bridges, naming them after certain individuals who served Kansas in distinguished ways, including veterans and former elected officials.&nbsp; This bill includes Marshall County US Hwy&nbsp;77 as the CPL Allen E. Oatney and SP4 Gene A. Myers memorial highway.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2379/" target="_blank">HB 2379</a>&nbsp;would enact the Peer-to-Peer (or P2P) Vehicle Sharing Program Act, which would allow the authorized use of a shared vehicle by an individual other than the shared vehicle’s owner through a P2P program.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2390/" target="_blank">HB 2390</a>&nbsp;would amend the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) to make certain temporary exceptions in current law permanent.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2391/" target="_blank">HB 2391</a>&nbsp;would revise and update certain provisions pertaining to business and other related filings and repeal obsolete laws, related to the Secretary of State. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb283/" target="_blank">SB 283</a>&nbsp;extends several provisions of law related to COVID-19, extending provisions regarding Telemedicine, Temporary Licensure, and Immunity.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2021/" target="_blank">HB 2021</a>&nbsp;would authorize the Kansas Development Finance Authority (KDFA), on and after July 1, 2021, to issue bonds, not to exceed $10.5 million, for the purpose of financing the construction of a state veterans home facility located in northeast Kansas.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2143/" target="_blank">HB 2143</a>&nbsp;would extend the sunset on an exclusion of motor vehicle manufacturer rebates from the selling price for sales tax purposes to June 30, 2024.&nbsp; It would also exempt the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas and Multi Community Diversified Services from paying sales tax on purchases related to the building, maintenance, and enlargement of facilities.&nbsp; Also, the bill would increase, as of January 1, 2022, the threshold filing amounts for retailers to submit sales taxes to the Department of Revenue - from $400 to $15,000 for annual filings and $4,000 to $25,000 for quarterly filings.&nbsp; Retailers with annual liability in excess of $25,000 would be required to file and remit sales tax on a monthly basis.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2245/" target="_blank">HB 2245</a>&nbsp;authorizes the Division of Vehicles of the Department of Revenue to collect emergency contact information and would provide for the use of such information by law enforcement agencies. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2104/" target="_blank">S Sub SB 2104</a>&nbsp;would amend law related to the list of eligible county appraisers, the qualifications of county and district appraisers, appraisal standards, Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) administration and membership, property valuation appeals, judicial review of property tax disputes, BOTA membership and school district budget certification. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb124/" target="_blank">SB 124</a>&nbsp;reauthorizes and amends several provisions related to the STAR Bonds program.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2238/" target="_blank">HB 2238</a>&nbsp;would remove a $500,000 limit on gifts school districts, governing bodies of cities, or both jointly are able to accept for the express purpose of the construction or furnishing of a library.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2295/" target="_blank">HB 2295</a>&nbsp;would exempt municipal motor grader vehicles from requirements of the Kansas Uniform Commercial Drivers’ License Act. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb181/" target="_blank">SB 181</a>&nbsp;would create the Elevator Safety Act. It would establish requirements for licensure of elevator contractors, mechanics, and inspectors; require elevators to be certified as having been annually inspected; establish the Elevator Safety Advisory Board.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb290/" target="_blank">SB 290</a>&nbsp;would amend coverage requirements specified in the Health Care Provider Insurance Availability Act (HCPIAA) for all new and renewal professional liability insurance policies for defined health care providers.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2134/" target="_blank">HB 2134</a>&nbsp;would codify the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Credit for Reinsurance Model Regulation into statute and amend the Kansas credit for reinsurance statute.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2165/" target="_blank">HB 2165</a>&nbsp;would define all vehicles more than 35 years old as an antique vehicle.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2167/" target="_blank">HB 2167</a>&nbsp;would add two exceptions to law requiring a license plate to be attached to the rear of a motor vehicle. The bill would allow concrete mixer trucks the option to display a license plate on the front of the vehicle rather than on the rear of the vehicle and would require a dump truck with a gross weight of 26,000 pounds or more to display a license plate on the front of the vehicle.&nbsp; The requirement for a dump truck to display a license plate on the front of the vehicle would not apply to a vehicle registered as a farm truck.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2203/" target="_blank">HB 2203</a>&nbsp;would establish the Asbestos Remediation Fund.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2218/" target="_blank">HB 2218</a>&nbsp;would amend law governing the implementation and administration of the State Health Care Benefits Program.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb172/" target="_blank">SB 172</a>&nbsp;would protect critical infrastructure in Kansas. It would amend the Kansas Criminal Code regarding crimes involving property by establishing four new crimes: trespassing on a critical infrastructure facility, aggravated trespassing and criminal damage to a CIF. The bill would also allow a judge to order restitution for property damage.

HCR 5015 -&nbsp;- A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the United States Congress to reject legislation to federalize elections in the United States of America.

HB 2224&nbsp;would expand the definition of "infectious disease" in certain statutes related to crimes in which bodily fluids may have been transmitted from one person to another.

S Sub HB2138&nbsp;would make changes to the Kansas Liquor Control Act and Club and Drinking Establishment Act concerning suspending, canceling, or revoking certain liquor licenses; days and times of sale of liquor and cereal malt beverage (CMB); and refillable and sealable containers of liquor and CMB.

Sub HB 2089&nbsp;would create law related to firearm safety education programs conducted in public school districts.

HB 2408&nbsp;would authorize and direct the Kansas Historical Society (KSHS) to convey by quitclaim deed, a parcel of land in Doniphan County to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.

HB 2405&nbsp;would authorize the Kansas Development Finance Authority (KDFA) to issue bonds, in one or more series, in an amount not to exceed $500 million, plus all amounts required to pay the costs of issuance. Proceeds from those bonds must be applied to the unfunded actuarial pension liability of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS).

HB 2401&nbsp;would authorize the Secretary of Corrections to enter into agreements for public-private partnerships for projects for new or renovated buildings at correctional institutions.

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

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTION BY THE GOVERNOR&nbsp;

Numerous conference committee reports – the blended House and Senate versions of bills – from the last week are being processed and sent to the governor’s office.&nbsp; Within ten days after passage, a bill must be signed by the presiding officers of each chamber, the chief clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate, and be presented to the governor for approval.&nbsp; The governor has ten days after receipt of the bill to act on it.&nbsp; If the governor does not act on it during the ten-day period, the bill automatically becomes law without the governor’s signature.&nbsp; Most bills passed by the Legislature are approved by the governor.&nbsp; However, the governor may veto a bill by refusing to sign it and returning it to the chamber in which the bill originated, together with a statement of the reasons for the veto.&nbsp; In appropriation bills only, the governor may veto some items (line-item) and approve the others by signing the bill.&nbsp; However, should the governor veto a bill, the Legislature, by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, may override (overturn) the governor's veto and the bill will be enacted into law without the governor’s signature.&nbsp; Once the bill becomes a law, whether by the governor’s approval or a legislative override, it is filed with the secretary of state.

Please email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785 243-3325x2 at my office in Concordia with questions or concerns during the break.

Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 <a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov 785-296-7389</a> <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th Kansas District senator.&nbsp;The 36th District includes&nbsp;Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties.

BOWERS: Senate Scene, Weeks 12 & 13

Last week was primarily spent with the House and Senate committee leadership meeting to negotiate on the differences from the bills that passed each chamber.&nbsp; Once the conference committee report is agreed upon, the report then goes for a vote from the House and Senate, and, if passed by both chambers, the report then goes to the Governor for her signature or veto.&nbsp; There were many items that these conference committees discussed, including the budget for the state of Kansas.&nbsp;

In April, the Consensus Revenue Group will meet to adjust the projected revenues for the state of Kansas for the current and next fiscal year.&nbsp; There will be a reanalysis of these projections in November 2021.

The state of Kansas has experienced a rebounding economy even through the COVID-19 pandemic, with the state exceeding the revenue expectations each month, with the exception of May 2020, during the pandemic.&nbsp; The revenues for March 2021 were actually $52 million above the stated projections.

It is imperative that we pass much of the legislation that is still pending before we break for our first adjournment. This allows for Governor Kelly to consider each piece of legislation that has passed the Legislature.&nbsp; She will then decide to sign the legislation, let it become law without her signature, or veto it.

The Legislature will reconvene on May 3, which is commonly referred to as Veto-Session.&nbsp; This is when we will consider legislation that was vetoed by the Governor and, also, legislation that we still need to consider before we adjourn for Sine Die, the official end of the legislative session.

The House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means met to discuss and deliberate on the state budget for fiscal years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.&nbsp; The negotiators for each chamber are the chairmen, vice-chairs and ranking minority member.&nbsp; We did decide that there were some items that we need to discuss later, which is referred to as omnibus.&nbsp; One of those items were pay increases for state employees, including the Judicial Branch.&nbsp;

We did agree on increases to our nursing care facilities because of the pandemic, increase for the provider reimbursement rates for the Community Based Services Intellectual Developmental Disability waiver, reinstated the funding for the Excel in Career Technical Education Tuition Fund, and provided funding for our local health departments and for community-based primary care grants.&nbsp; The conference committee report passed both chambers on Friday.

There were numerous bills, now in the form of conference committee reports that were negotiated between the House and the Senate.&nbsp; We also debated two bills on the House floor and here are the details of those bills.

House Substitute for Senate Bill 91 will exempt any business that accepts a student in a work-based learning program from certain claims arising from a student’s negligence as a result of participating in the program at the business or work site.&nbsp; Also, except for incidents arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct, a student’s school district would be solely responsible for civil liberty for these claims.&nbsp; This bill passed the House, 123-0.

The other bill that we debated on Thursday was House Bill 2366.&nbsp; This bill would require prosecutors to disclose their intent to introduce testimony from a jailhouse witness and to forward related information to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp; This bill also passed the House, 123-0.

The Legislature will be on break for approximately three weeks.&nbsp;

On April 20, we will be receiving revised estimates for our revenue projections.&nbsp; On April 27, the House Appropriations committee will address budgetary items that we have decided to discuss prior to Veto-Session.&nbsp; The Veto-Session begins when we return on May 3.

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

As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov" target="_blank">troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.

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.&nbsp; I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/s/pdf/district_maps/district_map_h_109.pdf">109th Kansas House District</a>&nbsp;state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;

The 109th District includes&nbsp;Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties, and portions of Barton, Jewell, Lincoln and Rush counties.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577788173848.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>April 12, 2021First AdjournmentLast week was primarily spent with the House and Senate committee leadership meeting to negotiate on the differences from the bills that passed each chamber.&nbsp; Once the conference committee report is agreed upon, the report then goes for a vote from the House and Senate, and, if passed by both chambers, the report then goes to the Governor for her signature or veto.&nbsp; There were many items that these conference committees discussed, including the budget for the state of Kansas.&nbsp;In April, the Consensus Revenue Group will meet to adjust the projected revenues for the state of Kansas for the current and next fiscal year.&nbsp; There will be a reanalysis of these projections in November 2021.The state of Kansas has experienced a rebounding economy even through the COVID-19 pandemic, with the state exceeding the revenue expectations each month, with the exception of May 2020, during the pandemic.&nbsp; The revenues for March 2021 were actually $52 million above the stated projections.It is imperative that we pass much of the legislation that is still pending before we break for our first adjournment. This allows for Governor Kelly to consider each piece of legislation that has passed the Legislature.&nbsp; She will then decide to sign the legislation, let it become law without her signature, or veto it.The Legislature will reconvene on May 3, which is commonly referred to as Veto-Session.&nbsp; This is when we will consider legislation that was vetoed by the Governor and, also, legislation that we still need to consider before we adjourn for Sine Die, the official end of the legislative session.Budget Bill Reaches CompromiseThe House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means met to discuss and deliberate on the state budget for fiscal years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.&nbsp; The negotiators for each chamber are the chairmen, vice-chairs and ranking minority member.&nbsp; We did decide that there were some items that we need to discuss later, which is referred to as omnibus.&nbsp; One of those items were pay increases for state employees, including the Judicial Branch.&nbsp;We did agree on increases to our nursing care facilities because of the pandemic, increase for the provider reimbursement rates for the Community Based Services Intellectual Developmental Disability waiver, reinstated the funding for the Excel in Career Technical Education Tuition Fund, and provided funding for our local health departments and for community-based primary care grants.&nbsp; The conference committee report passed both chambers on Friday.<a>Bills Passed the House</a>There were numerous bills, now in the form of conference committee reports that were negotiated between the House and the Senate.&nbsp; We also debated two bills on the House floor and here are the details of those bills.House Substitute for Senate Bill 91 will exempt any business that accepts a student in a work-based learning program from certain claims arising from a student’s negligence as a result of participating in the program at the business or work site.&nbsp; Also, except for incidents arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct, a student’s school district would be solely responsible for civil liberty for these claims.&nbsp; This bill passed the House, 123-0.The other bill that we debated on Thursday was House Bill 2366.&nbsp; This bill would require prosecutors to disclose their intent to introduce testimony from a jailhouse witness and to forward related information to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp; This bill also passed the House, 123-0.The Legislature will be on break for approximately three weeks.&nbsp;On April 20, we will be receiving revised estimates for our revenue projections.&nbsp; On April 27, the House Appropriations committee will address budgetary items that we have decided to discuss prior to Veto-Session.&nbsp; The Veto-Session begins when we return on May 3.Contact InformationAnytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov" target="_blank">troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.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.&nbsp; I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/s/pdf/district_maps/district_map_h_109.pdf">109th Kansas House District</a>&nbsp;state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;The 109th District includes&nbsp;Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties, and portions of Barton, Jewell, Lincoln and Rush counties.&nbsp;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, April 12

Hazardous Occupations Safety Training in Agriculture

K-State Research &amp; Extension will be offering a Hazardous Occupation Safety Training for Agriculture or Tractor and Farm Safety Course for youth on Saturday, April 24, in two locations — WaKeeney and Norton. At both locations it will be held at the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local K-State Research &amp; Extension Agents will teach this basic course covering farm and machinery safety, including proper tractor operation and maintenance, grain safety, implement use safety, livestock safety and more.&nbsp; The United States Department of Labor requires youth 14 – 15 years of age attend this safety training in order to work on a farm for someone other than their parents.&nbsp;

The course is free to attend, thanks to our sponsor People’s State Bank. RSVP is requested by April 21. Contact one of the following Extension Offices in Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Phillips, Rooks, Sheridan, or Trego County by Tuesday, April 21, to register for the Hazardous Occupations Safety Training in Agriculture course on April 24th.&nbsp;

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578070283981.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hazardous Occupations Safety Training in AgricultureK-State Research &amp; Extension will be offering a Hazardous Occupation Safety Training for Agriculture or Tractor and Farm Safety Course for youth on Saturday, April 24, in two locations — WaKeeney and Norton. At both locations it will be held at the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Local K-State Research &amp; Extension Agents will teach this basic course covering farm and machinery safety, including proper tractor operation and maintenance, grain safety, implement use safety, livestock safety and more.&nbsp; The United States Department of Labor requires youth 14 – 15 years of age attend this safety training in order to work on a farm for someone other than their parents.&nbsp;The course is free to attend, thanks to our sponsor People’s State Bank. RSVP is requested by April 21. Contact one of the following Extension Offices in Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Phillips, Rooks, Sheridan, or Trego County by Tuesday, April 21, to register for the Hazardous Occupations Safety Training in Agriculture course on April 24th.&nbsp;Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;

CAMPBELL: Youth farm safety course upcoming

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;

Point, counterpoint. That sounds like a debate, but in this case, it uses a term that describes a project that is bringing multiple perspectives together to honor the Flint Hills of Kansas.&nbsp;

Renowned musician Dr. Susan Mayo and multiple county partners have launched a project called Flint Hills Counterpoint.&nbsp;

Susan is originally from Arizona. After studying music in college in California and while performing professionally, she went to Wichita State University to participate in the special music-education program. She later earned a doctorate in cello performance at the University of Kansas and plays cello in the Wichita Symphony.&nbsp;

“We were looking for a place in the country,” Susan said. She and her husband bought 14 acres north of Peabody that serve as home base for her music and composing career. In addition to classical music, she is part of alternative music ensembles that have performed around the world – in places such as Scotland, France and Croatia.&nbsp;

Susan is chair of the Historic Sunflower Theatre Foundation that is working to restore a historic theater in downtown Peabody. She is also a faculty member at Friends University in Wichita and is music director for both the Symphony in the Flint Hills fall event called Woodfest as well as Prairie Muses, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the arts to rural audiences. While serving as a Tallgrass Artist-in-Residence in 2018, Susan met renowned filmmaker Cyan Meeks and they embarked on several collaborations.&nbsp;

“I’d been running around the country, but I wanted to do something more locally,” Susan said. She has helped launch a new initiative called Flint Hills Counterpoint. “This is a place-making project involving arts and ecology.” The goal is to “celebrate and explore the unique ecosystem of Marion County through the arts.”&nbsp;

Susan’s 14 acres have become what she terms Counterpoint Home Base. She is working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Kansas Forest Service on a conservation and restoration plan for her 14 acres, but that is just the beginning.&nbsp;

The project is described on Facebook as a “collaboration with the communities of rural Marion County, Kansas, to investigate and engage the last remaining vestiges of the Tallgrass Prairie in North America – through art, creative documentary methods and conservation.”&nbsp;For example, filmmaker Cyan Meeks is working on a documentary about the land reclamation project. It is called Reclamation Meridian.&nbsp;

In mid-April, the group is conducting a Musical Bike Adventure Ride in Marion County.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bicyclists can follow a cross-county route that will include stops where musicians will be performing. Musicians include singer/songwriter Aaron Waddle and Pretend Friend, a bluegrass roots band from Wichita. Bike riders have the choice of a 15- or 30-mile route. Surfaces include gravel, dirt and some pavement. This will be a chance to get good exercise and see some beautiful countryside, along with enjoying excellent music.&nbsp;

Flint Hills Counterpoint is sponsored by the&nbsp;National Endowment for the Arts, the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, Prairie Muses, Chamber Music at the Barn, the Kansas Forest Service, and the NRCS. It is supported locally by the county commissioners, the K-State Research and Extension Chisholm Trail District serving Marion County, and other partners.&nbsp;

“This is such a great county, and Peabody is such a great little town,” Susan said.&nbsp;

You can learn more about Dr. Mayo on&nbsp;<a href="https://susanmayo.squarespace.com/">her website</a>&nbsp;and find out more about Flint Hills Counterpoint on&nbsp;<a href="https://flinthillscounterpoint.org/">its website</a>. For more details about the bike ride, go to Facebook and search for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/159208099308733">Flint Hills Counterpoint Musical Adventure Bike Ride</a>.&nbsp;

This is a remarkable project to be found near a rural community like Peabody, population 1,083 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

Point, counterpoint. Dr. Susan Mayo points out that the definition of counterpoint is “the art or technique of setting, writing, or playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules.” In this case, her Flint Hills Counterpoint is making a difference by combining melodies of music with the art of nature, all while promoting her home county. I think she makes a great point.&nbsp;

And there’s more. What is the historic Sunflower Theatre? We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617802310872.png" alt="Dr. Susan Mayo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Susan Mayo</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;Point, counterpoint. That sounds like a debate, but in this case, it uses a term that describes a project that is bringing multiple perspectives together to honor the Flint Hills of Kansas.&nbsp;Renowned musician Dr. Susan Mayo and multiple county partners have launched a project called Flint Hills Counterpoint.&nbsp;Susan is originally from Arizona. After studying music in college in California and while performing professionally, she went to Wichita State University to participate in the special music-education program. She later earned a doctorate in cello performance at the University of Kansas and plays cello in the Wichita Symphony.&nbsp;“We were looking for a place in the country,” Susan said. She and her husband bought 14 acres north of Peabody that serve as home base for her music and composing career. In addition to classical music, she is part of alternative music ensembles that have performed around the world – in places such as Scotland, France and Croatia.&nbsp;Susan is chair of the Historic Sunflower Theatre Foundation that is working to restore a historic theater in downtown Peabody. She is also a faculty member at Friends University in Wichita and is music director for both the Symphony in the Flint Hills fall event called Woodfest as well as Prairie Muses, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the arts to rural audiences. While serving as a Tallgrass Artist-in-Residence in 2018, Susan met renowned filmmaker Cyan Meeks and they embarked on several collaborations.&nbsp;“I’d been running around the country, but I wanted to do something more locally,” Susan said. She has helped launch a new initiative called Flint Hills Counterpoint. “This is a place-making project involving arts and ecology.” The goal is to “celebrate and explore the unique ecosystem of Marion County through the arts.”&nbsp;Susan’s 14 acres have become what she terms Counterpoint Home Base. She is working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Kansas Forest Service on a conservation and restoration plan for her 14 acres, but that is just the beginning.&nbsp;The project is described on Facebook as a “collaboration with the communities of rural Marion County, Kansas, to investigate and engage the last remaining vestiges of the Tallgrass Prairie in North America – through art, creative documentary methods and conservation.”&nbsp;For example, filmmaker Cyan Meeks is working on a documentary about the land reclamation project. It is called Reclamation Meridian.&nbsp;In mid-April, the group is conducting a Musical Bike Adventure Ride in Marion County.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bicyclists can follow a cross-county route that will include stops where musicians will be performing. Musicians include singer/songwriter Aaron Waddle and Pretend Friend, a bluegrass roots band from Wichita. Bike riders have the choice of a 15- or 30-mile route. Surfaces include gravel, dirt and some pavement. This will be a chance to get good exercise and see some beautiful countryside, along with enjoying excellent music.&nbsp;Flint Hills Counterpoint is sponsored by the&nbsp;National Endowment for the Arts, the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, Prairie Muses, Chamber Music at the Barn, the Kansas Forest Service, and the NRCS. It is supported locally by the county commissioners, the K-State Research and Extension Chisholm Trail District serving Marion County, and other partners.&nbsp;“This is such a great county, and Peabody is such a great little town,” Susan said.&nbsp;You can learn more about Dr. Mayo on&nbsp;<a href="https://susanmayo.squarespace.com/">her website</a>&nbsp;and find out more about Flint Hills Counterpoint on&nbsp;<a href="https://flinthillscounterpoint.org/">its website</a>. For more details about the bike ride, go to Facebook and search for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/159208099308733">Flint Hills Counterpoint Musical Adventure Bike Ride</a>.&nbsp;This is a remarkable project to be found near a rural community like Peabody, population 1,083 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;Point, counterpoint. Dr. Susan Mayo points out that the definition of counterpoint is “the art or technique of setting, writing, or playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules.” In this case, her Flint Hills Counterpoint is making a difference by combining melodies of music with the art of nature, all while promoting her home county. I think she makes a great point.&nbsp;And there’s more. What is the historic Sunflower Theatre? We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Susan Mayo, Flint Hills Counterpoint 

You might have heard about “ballot harvesting” recently. Kansas politicians are trying to restrict the practice, and some have linked it to baseless suggestions of election fraud in our state.&nbsp;

Ballot harvesting is a political spin term that some consultant probably made loads of money to invent because it sounds suspicious and scary. It refers to when a voter completes their absentee ballot and gives it to another person to return on their behalf. You might more accurately call it “ballot collection” or even “help turning in your ballot.”&nbsp;

The sick, elderly, or disabled are more likely to rely on others to return their ballot. Imagine you are the caregiver for an elderly parent who uses a walker. Your parent requests and completes a mail ballot. You take that ballot to the mailbox, post office, or ballot drop box for them. You are a ballot “harvester.”&nbsp;

Ballot collection is more common in rural areas, like western Kansas, where mailboxes are often centrally located away from homes. On some large Native American reservations, voters may need to travel hours on unpaved roads to access mail services, causing accusations of discrimination given the unequal impact of ballot collection restrictions on rural minority communities.&nbsp;

Nationwide, campaigns and both parties have long engaged in ballot collection, sometimes sending staffers door-to-door to collect absentee ballots from known supporters who have not yet returned them. Interest groups, civic groups, and churches, especially White Evangelical churches, do it in voter mobilization drives.&nbsp;

Most states regulate ballot collection. Some only allow certain types of people to return ballots for others. Alabama totally bans the practice. Kansas voters may designate someone in writing to return their ballot. That designee must also sign a statement that they did not exercise undue influence on the voter they are helping.&nbsp;

Kansas conservatives want to modify those rules. One bill proposed earlier this year made it a felony for anyone but family or caretakers to deliver another person’s ballot. So, if your friend breaks their leg and you sympathetically offer to take their mail — including their ballot — to the mailbox for them, that bill could arguably have made you a felon.&nbsp;

Another conservative-backed proposal would limit to five the number of ballots that one person can deliver. By capping ballots, this bill targets groups — campaigns, churches, civic organizations — engaged in turnout efforts, potentially criminalizing their activities. Still, groups could simply recruit more volunteers to skirt the cap.&nbsp;

Let’s be clear about a few things. First, voters should only give their ballots to people they trust. Second, opponents of increased regulation on ballot collection are not saying that there should be no regulation. Third, some voters genuinely need help returning their ballots, and ballot collection done by individuals or groups can be a lifeline for them.&nbsp;

Lawmakers should walk the line between reality and the allure of strategically exaggerated victimhood fantasies. Overwhelmingly, ballot collection is not linked to fraud. Though isolated cases always exist, like the Republican operative in North Carolina whose large-scale ballot fraud operation forced a redo in a congressional race.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If lawmakers restrict ballot collection on the false pretense of cleaner elections, they should at least weigh the costs to voters and avoid turning Kansas into Alabama, where innocently helping neighbors can make you a criminal.&nbsp;

Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575644168170.png" alt="Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas." />
 <figcaption>Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>You might have heard about “ballot harvesting” recently. Kansas politicians are trying to restrict the practice, and some have linked it to baseless suggestions of election fraud in our state.&nbsp;What is ballot harvesting anyway?&nbsp;Ballot harvesting is a political spin term that some consultant probably made loads of money to invent because it sounds suspicious and scary. It refers to when a voter completes their absentee ballot and gives it to another person to return on their behalf. You might more accurately call it “ballot collection” or even “help turning in your ballot.”&nbsp;Who does this?&nbsp;The sick, elderly, or disabled are more likely to rely on others to return their ballot. Imagine you are the caregiver for an elderly parent who uses a walker. Your parent requests and completes a mail ballot. You take that ballot to the mailbox, post office, or ballot drop box for them. You are a ballot “harvester.”&nbsp;Ballot collection is more common in rural areas, like western Kansas, where mailboxes are often centrally located away from homes. On some large Native American reservations, voters may need to travel hours on unpaved roads to access mail services, causing accusations of discrimination given the unequal impact of ballot collection restrictions on rural minority communities.&nbsp;Nationwide, campaigns and both parties have long engaged in ballot collection, sometimes sending staffers door-to-door to collect absentee ballots from known supporters who have not yet returned them. Interest groups, civic groups, and churches, especially White Evangelical churches, do it in voter mobilization drives.&nbsp;Most states regulate ballot collection. Some only allow certain types of people to return ballots for others. Alabama totally bans the practice. Kansas voters may designate someone in writing to return their ballot. That designee must also sign a statement that they did not exercise undue influence on the voter they are helping.&nbsp;Kansas conservatives want to modify those rules. One bill proposed earlier this year made it a felony for anyone but family or caretakers to deliver another person’s ballot. So, if your friend breaks their leg and you sympathetically offer to take their mail — including their ballot — to the mailbox for them, that bill could arguably have made you a felon.&nbsp;Another conservative-backed proposal would limit to five the number of ballots that one person can deliver. By capping ballots, this bill targets groups — campaigns, churches, civic organizations — engaged in turnout efforts, potentially criminalizing their activities. Still, groups could simply recruit more volunteers to skirt the cap.&nbsp;Let’s be clear about a few things. First, voters should only give their ballots to people they trust. Second, opponents of increased regulation on ballot collection are not saying that there should be no regulation. Third, some voters genuinely need help returning their ballots, and ballot collection done by individuals or groups can be a lifeline for them.&nbsp;Lawmakers should walk the line between reality and the allure of strategically exaggerated victimhood fantasies. Overwhelmingly, ballot collection is not linked to fraud. Though isolated cases always exist, like the Republican operative in North Carolina whose large-scale ballot fraud operation forced a redo in a congressional race.&nbsp;&nbsp;If lawmakers restrict ballot collection on the false pretense of cleaner elections, they should at least weigh the costs to voters and avoid turning Kansas into Alabama, where innocently helping neighbors can make you a criminal.&nbsp;Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.

INSIGHT KANSAS: When should helping others vote be a crime? 

Visit the pages for Research and Scholarly Activities on our Fort Hays State University website, and you will find numerous opportunities to learn about scholarly research and creative work. At Fort Hays State, even undergrad students can participate in groundbreaking research activities. Research opportunities like the ones our students have are often reserved for upperclassmen and sometimes not accessible until grad school.

One of my favorite events for all students, faculty, and staff each year is the John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activities Day, and the 2021 SACAD is quickly approaching.

This annual celebration of scholarly research and creative activities showcases on-campus and virtual undergraduate, graduate, Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, faculty, and staff research and creative works. This year’s virtual program will be held on April 12-16, 2021. We will showcase student and faculty research, scholarship, and creative works at <a href="http://symposium.foragerone.com/fhsuscad">symposium.foragerone.com/fhsuscad</a> – so please join us!

While our faculty and graduate research are always impressive, near and dear to my heart is undergraduate research, something I really value. There are several things I value about undergraduate research.

First, it is an excellent example of how we embrace our mission as a learning organization. A learning organization, according to Peter Senge, centers around people working together to enhance their capabilities to create results they deeply care about.

“People working together” on research and creative activity at FHSU is the second thing I value about SACAD. For our purposes, people working together means that faculty and students join forces around shared interests and curiosity. Faculty mentor our students through a process of learning and creativity that awakens confidence and new skills in our students. Faculty are very engaged in this process that fuels their passion for both their teaching and for scholarly and creative inquiry.&nbsp;

“I am always amazed at the high quality and creativity that is showcased at this event,” said Leslie Paige, director of the Office of Scholarships and Sponsored Projects at FHSU. “This is an opportunity for our students to present work that they are passionate about without worrying about the expenses associated with travel.”

Intellectual curiosity: check. Genuine relationships formed around common interests: check. Students feeling they matter, and they are learning: check!&nbsp;

Another thing I love about this program is that it builds off of the latter part of the definition: to enhance their capabilities to create results they care about. That is what makes these student-faculty relationships so powerful. Both the mentor and mentee care about the research they are generating, and both are learning about content and process. Our students build confidence in their research as well as their presentation skills by participating in scholarly and creative research. They are in a personal transformation process – like a cocoon becoming a butterfly. New doors will be opened to them and they will leave this university a much different person than the one who arrived.

“I think educating the general public about the criminal justice system is important, especially in today's climate, and my poster is specific to the juvenile justice system, which is something the general public is not super familiar with,” said Beatrice Walsh, a senior from Thornton, Colo., who is majoring in criminal justice.&nbsp;

Walsh stated that creating a poster helped her learn more about why she chose her career field. “Laying out the problems within the juvenile justice system, as well as understanding what some of these kids go through in and out of the court system, allows us to understand how we can try to help them, and that is what I want to do, help,” she said.

I appreciate the fact that there are opportunities for our students to participate in undergraduate research or creative activity in virtually every department. This highly enriching activity is inclusive of all academic areas and all students. I am amazed each year when I visit the presentations and see such a diverse set of activities – from art to science to business. This just reinforces our laser-focused identity as an incubator of academic and artistic discovery. &nbsp;

Finally, I must mention how much I appreciate that the Scholarship Environment Committee, which sponsors SACAD, named this program after professor of geosciences, Dr. John Heinrichs (1957-2014). I had the opportunity to work closely with John when I served as Vice President for Student Affairs. I know first-hand how passionate he was about teaching and research. Indeed, that passion was contagious. John saw hope and dignity in every student who walked through our door, regardless of ACT score or other “standard indicators” of a student’s propensity to succeed. He believed. He mentored. He inspired. He was a living testament to our ethic of care and resilience. Dr. John Heinrichs was a popular teacher, an internationally renowned scientist, and an esteemed colleague who had a tremendous impact on Fort Hays State University – and I believe he still does.

Corrected 1 p.m. April 26 to correct the title of Dr. John Heinrichs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="FHSU President Tisa Mason" />
 <figcaption>FHSU President Tisa Mason</figcaption>
 </figure>Visit the pages for Research and Scholarly Activities on our Fort Hays State University website, and you will find numerous opportunities to learn about scholarly research and creative work. At Fort Hays State, even undergrad students can participate in groundbreaking research activities. Research opportunities like the ones our students have are often reserved for upperclassmen and sometimes not accessible until grad school.One of my favorite events for all students, faculty, and staff each year is the John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activities Day, and the 2021 SACAD is quickly approaching.This annual celebration of scholarly research and creative activities showcases on-campus and virtual undergraduate, graduate, Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, faculty, and staff research and creative works. This year’s virtual program will be held on April 12-16, 2021. We will showcase student and faculty research, scholarship, and creative works at <a href="http://symposium.foragerone.com/fhsuscad">symposium.foragerone.com/fhsuscad</a> – so please join us!While our faculty and graduate research are always impressive, near and dear to my heart is undergraduate research, something I really value. There are several things I value about undergraduate research.First, it is an excellent example of how we embrace our mission as a learning organization. A learning organization, according to Peter Senge, centers around people working together to enhance their capabilities to create results they deeply care about.“People working together” on research and creative activity at FHSU is the second thing I value about SACAD. For our purposes, people working together means that faculty and students join forces around shared interests and curiosity. Faculty mentor our students through a process of learning and creativity that awakens confidence and new skills in our students. Faculty are very engaged in this process that fuels their passion for both their teaching and for scholarly and creative inquiry.&nbsp;“I am always amazed at the high quality and creativity that is showcased at this event,” said Leslie Paige, director of the Office of Scholarships and Sponsored Projects at FHSU. “This is an opportunity for our students to present work that they are passionate about without worrying about the expenses associated with travel.”Intellectual curiosity: check. Genuine relationships formed around common interests: check. Students feeling they matter, and they are learning: check!&nbsp;Another thing I love about this program is that it builds off of the latter part of the definition: to enhance their capabilities to create results they care about. That is what makes these student-faculty relationships so powerful. Both the mentor and mentee care about the research they are generating, and both are learning about content and process. Our students build confidence in their research as well as their presentation skills by participating in scholarly and creative research. They are in a personal transformation process – like a cocoon becoming a butterfly. New doors will be opened to them and they will leave this university a much different person than the one who arrived.“I think educating the general public about the criminal justice system is important, especially in today's climate, and my poster is specific to the juvenile justice system, which is something the general public is not super familiar with,” said Beatrice Walsh, a senior from Thornton, Colo., who is majoring in criminal justice.&nbsp;Walsh stated that creating a poster helped her learn more about why she chose her career field. “Laying out the problems within the juvenile justice system, as well as understanding what some of these kids go through in and out of the court system, allows us to understand how we can try to help them, and that is what I want to do, help,” she said.I appreciate the fact that there are opportunities for our students to participate in undergraduate research or creative activity in virtually every department. This highly enriching activity is inclusive of all academic areas and all students. I am amazed each year when I visit the presentations and see such a diverse set of activities – from art to science to business. This just reinforces our laser-focused identity as an incubator of academic and artistic discovery. &nbsp;Finally, I must mention how much I appreciate that the Scholarship Environment Committee, which sponsors SACAD, named this program after professor of geosciences, Dr. John Heinrichs (1957-2014). I had the opportunity to work closely with John when I served as Vice President for Student Affairs. I know first-hand how passionate he was about teaching and research. Indeed, that passion was contagious. John saw hope and dignity in every student who walked through our door, regardless of ACT score or other “standard indicators” of a student’s propensity to succeed. He believed. He mentored. He inspired. He was a living testament to our ethic of care and resilience. Dr. John Heinrichs was a popular teacher, an internationally renowned scientist, and an esteemed colleague who had a tremendous impact on Fort Hays State University – and I believe he still does.Corrected 1 p.m. April 26 to correct the title of Dr. John Heinrichs.

MASON: Celebrate scholarly research and creative work with FHSU

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau

A couple years ago I was at an event where a fellow Farm Bureau staffer from another state lamented he spent so much of his time dealing with the legislative process, there wasn’t much of a chance to really fight for agriculture.

I certainly admired his passion, but I believe “fight” was an unfortunate word to use. I’m not suggesting political fights aren’t necessary, rather I think they should be treated like real fights and saved for the rare instances when other options have been exhausted.

Both passion and perspective are required to effectively engage in politics. Far too often we are led to believe passion is equal to rage and rage is evidence of righteousness. The problem is rage overpowers our ability to reason, overwhelms our logical capabilities and overthrows our perspective.

People get so worked up looking for a fight, they begin tilting at windmills and let true threats go by unnoticed. Immediate gratification and instantaneous reaction supersedes information gathering and seeking deeper understanding. Part of this is most of us only have a limited understanding of what’s going on outside of our immediate lives. Sometimes just keeping track of my wallet and keys seems like a full-time job, let alone navigating the daily workings of a county commission, state legislature and the federal government’s vast bureaucracy. Never mind the social media rabbit trail I get lost on for hours at a time.

The problem with only having just the surface-level view of issues is we’re swayed by our previous experiences. As humans we’re hardwired to fill in gaps with our biases and prejudices. That serves you well when you’re walking through the woods and see something slithering along the trail.

Humans use the same fight or flight response when dealing with each other. We see safety in those who think and act in similar ways to ourselves, and we perceive danger in those who don’t. Nowhere is this more true than on social media.

These platforms are great for a variety of things but fostering a deeper understanding of political issues isn’t one of them. People allow their emotions and experiences to drive the discussion once a position is taken. We then ascribe all sorts of ulterior motives to those with different ideas as insular tribes form around issues and devolve into fights because this is the surface level of political discussion we see on TV.

In reality, even the smallest issues are incredibly complex, and solutions are difficult even in areas where there’s broad consensus. Our instinct is to perceive disagreement as a threat, which tricks us into believing we have two options: fight or flight.

There’s actually a third option and that’s to allow for uncertainty. It’s OK to believe those who disagree with you are sincere in their beliefs. Their experiences, biases and prejudices have led them to different policy prescriptions. But they are still human and experience all of the same emotions you do.

Fighting consumes not only time and energy, but also credibility. Brawling over every issue is a good way for others to quickly ignore you. Engagement requires perspective, logic and reason. And perseverance.

The best way to fight for agriculture is to develop a passion for the mundane things like talking to legislators and policy makers about our experiences, taking the time to provide feedback on issues that affect us, becoming educated on the issues before us and, maybe the most difficult of all, keeping our minds open to new ideas. We won’t resolve every issue, but these are the necessary steps before gearing up for a real fight.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm BureauA couple years ago I was at an event where a fellow Farm Bureau staffer from another state lamented he spent so much of his time dealing with the legislative process, there wasn’t much of a chance to really fight for agriculture.I certainly admired his passion, but I believe “fight” was an unfortunate word to use. I’m not suggesting political fights aren’t necessary, rather I think they should be treated like real fights and saved for the rare instances when other options have been exhausted.Both passion and perspective are required to effectively engage in politics. Far too often we are led to believe passion is equal to rage and rage is evidence of righteousness. The problem is rage overpowers our ability to reason, overwhelms our logical capabilities and overthrows our perspective.People get so worked up looking for a fight, they begin tilting at windmills and let true threats go by unnoticed. Immediate gratification and instantaneous reaction supersedes information gathering and seeking deeper understanding. Part of this is most of us only have a limited understanding of what’s going on outside of our immediate lives. Sometimes just keeping track of my wallet and keys seems like a full-time job, let alone navigating the daily workings of a county commission, state legislature and the federal government’s vast bureaucracy. Never mind the social media rabbit trail I get lost on for hours at a time.The problem with only having just the surface-level view of issues is we’re swayed by our previous experiences. As humans we’re hardwired to fill in gaps with our biases and prejudices. That serves you well when you’re walking through the woods and see something slithering along the trail.Humans use the same fight or flight response when dealing with each other. We see safety in those who think and act in similar ways to ourselves, and we perceive danger in those who don’t. Nowhere is this more true than on social media.These platforms are great for a variety of things but fostering a deeper understanding of political issues isn’t one of them. People allow their emotions and experiences to drive the discussion once a position is taken. We then ascribe all sorts of ulterior motives to those with different ideas as insular tribes form around issues and devolve into fights because this is the surface level of political discussion we see on TV.In reality, even the smallest issues are incredibly complex, and solutions are difficult even in areas where there’s broad consensus. Our instinct is to perceive disagreement as a threat, which tricks us into believing we have two options: fight or flight.There’s actually a third option and that’s to allow for uncertainty. It’s OK to believe those who disagree with you are sincere in their beliefs. Their experiences, biases and prejudices have led them to different policy prescriptions. But they are still human and experience all of the same emotions you do.Fighting consumes not only time and energy, but also credibility. Brawling over every issue is a good way for others to quickly ignore you. Engagement requires perspective, logic and reason. And perseverance.The best way to fight for agriculture is to develop a passion for the mundane things like talking to legislators and policy makers about our experiences, taking the time to provide feedback on issues that affect us, becoming educated on the issues before us and, maybe the most difficult of all, keeping our minds open to new ideas. We won’t resolve every issue, but these are the necessary steps before gearing up for a real fight."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Fighting for agriculture

I remember a turkey hunt along the river some years back and the discovery that it led us to.&nbsp; We had hunted along the river west of Inman, and parked near an adjacent alfalfa field. As we crawled into the pickup to leave, my wife pointed toward the treetops along the river and asked “Is there a bird in that nest?” I looked where she pointed, and saw a haphazard collection of twigs or something in the very top of a tall dead Cottonwood. The ensuing conversation went something like this: “No dear that looks like a squirrel’s nest to me.” “I don’t think so,” she replied, “and I’m sure that’s a bird in it.” “Here then,” I said, handing her the binoculars. “See for yourself.” “Just like I thought,” she answered. “That is a bird. It looks like one of those big tall birds we see wading along the river.” “A Blue Heron,” I corrected, “and I don’t think so; not way up there!” I snatched the binoculars from her, and peered at the “squirrels’ nest” high in the tree. Sure enough! Sticking out like a sore thumb in the tallest tree around was a large willy-nilly collection of branches and sticks, and square in the middle of it stood the unmistakable silhouette of a Great Blue Heron, better known as a “crane” to most of us. Now, had “mom heron” not been standing in her nest, the squirrels nest theory would certainly have “flown,” and we’d have never given the spectacle a second glance. When we left, we took the gravel road along the other side of the river, and stopped for another look. We found the nest to be hidden by green trees, but discovered yet a second nest in which we also found an adult heron a few days later. A trip to that spot along the river today revealed 7 heron nests in that tree alone, along with 3 adult herons, and as we drove farther up the road, several more nests could be seen in an adjacent tree.

Great Blue Herons of some subspecies or coloration exist across the entire continental United States and Alaska. For Kansas herons, southern migration to Mexico or South America begins in October where they winter until March. They are very tall, gangly birds with immense wingspans of up to six feet, yet weigh less than ten pounds. Depending upon conditions, a few awkward “steps” may be required to launch them into flight, but once in the air, they move with slow, rhythmic, effortless strokes of those immense wings. Unlike most birds of their stature, they fly with their necks crooked and folded back against their bodies and their heads held upright. They have practically no tail at all, so they also fly with their long legs straight out behind them, acting as rudders to help steer them in flight.&nbsp;

I’m sure we’ve all seen “cranes” fishing in rivers and streams and along the banks of ponds. Although fish, frogs and small snakes make up the vast majority of their diet, they are not above eating insects and small rodents also. Their long, pointed beaks are perfectly designed for stabbing prey, which is always killed and swallowed head first. The enzymes in their digestive system are so strong that most bone matter is completely dissolved.

Great Blue Herons demand isolation in their nesting sites, and are very sensitive to human disturbance. Nests are often found in colonies known as “heronries,” and can be anywhere from treetops like the ones we found, to rocky ledges and crevices on the ground. When satisfied with a nesting site, the birds usually return year after year to enlarge and reuse the same structures whenever possible. Three or four bluish-green eggs are laid and incubated for twenty-eight days by both parents. Research shows that heron chicks are extremely unpleasing to look at until fully feathered, and stay in the nest until they are nearly full-grown.

Great Blue Herons are far form rare, and I remember as a kid learning to know them as “cranes” as we watched them hunt around the edges of the farm pond where my dad took me to fish for bass and bullheads. Your grandparents no doubt knew them as “shitepokes.” Writing this piece showed me how little I really knew about these birds, especially about where they built their nests. Yet another reason to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>I remember a turkey hunt along the river some years back and the discovery that it led us to.&nbsp; We had hunted along the river west of Inman, and parked near an adjacent alfalfa field. As we crawled into the pickup to leave, my wife pointed toward the treetops along the river and asked “Is there a bird in that nest?” I looked where she pointed, and saw a haphazard collection of twigs or something in the very top of a tall dead Cottonwood. The ensuing conversation went something like this: “No dear that looks like a squirrel’s nest to me.” “I don’t think so,” she replied, “and I’m sure that’s a bird in it.” “Here then,” I said, handing her the binoculars. “See for yourself.” “Just like I thought,” she answered. “That is a bird. It looks like one of those big tall birds we see wading along the river.” “A Blue Heron,” I corrected, “and I don’t think so; not way up there!” I snatched the binoculars from her, and peered at the “squirrels’ nest” high in the tree. Sure enough! Sticking out like a sore thumb in the tallest tree around was a large willy-nilly collection of branches and sticks, and square in the middle of it stood the unmistakable silhouette of a Great Blue Heron, better known as a “crane” to most of us. Now, had “mom heron” not been standing in her nest, the squirrels nest theory would certainly have “flown,” and we’d have never given the spectacle a second glance. When we left, we took the gravel road along the other side of the river, and stopped for another look. We found the nest to be hidden by green trees, but discovered yet a second nest in which we also found an adult heron a few days later. A trip to that spot along the river today revealed 7 heron nests in that tree alone, along with 3 adult herons, and as we drove farther up the road, several more nests could be seen in an adjacent tree.Great Blue Herons of some subspecies or coloration exist across the entire continental United States and Alaska. For Kansas herons, southern migration to Mexico or South America begins in October where they winter until March. They are very tall, gangly birds with immense wingspans of up to six feet, yet weigh less than ten pounds. Depending upon conditions, a few awkward “steps” may be required to launch them into flight, but once in the air, they move with slow, rhythmic, effortless strokes of those immense wings. Unlike most birds of their stature, they fly with their necks crooked and folded back against their bodies and their heads held upright. They have practically no tail at all, so they also fly with their long legs straight out behind them, acting as rudders to help steer them in flight.&nbsp;I’m sure we’ve all seen “cranes” fishing in rivers and streams and along the banks of ponds. Although fish, frogs and small snakes make up the vast majority of their diet, they are not above eating insects and small rodents also. Their long, pointed beaks are perfectly designed for stabbing prey, which is always killed and swallowed head first. The enzymes in their digestive system are so strong that most bone matter is completely dissolved.Great Blue Herons demand isolation in their nesting sites, and are very sensitive to human disturbance. Nests are often found in colonies known as “heronries,” and can be anywhere from treetops like the ones we found, to rocky ledges and crevices on the ground. When satisfied with a nesting site, the birds usually return year after year to enlarge and reuse the same structures whenever possible. Three or four bluish-green eggs are laid and incubated for twenty-eight days by both parents. Research shows that heron chicks are extremely unpleasing to look at until fully feathered, and stay in the nest until they are nearly full-grown.Great Blue Herons are far form rare, and I remember as a kid learning to know them as “cranes” as we watched them hunt around the edges of the farm pond where my dad took me to fish for bass and bullheads. Your grandparents no doubt knew them as “shitepokes.” Writing this piece showed me how little I really knew about these birds, especially about where they built their nests. Yet another reason to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Have you a heron in your hedgerow?

Nymex settlement prices last week ranged from $59 to $61 per barrel. But light sweet crude ended the week just a dime higher than the week before, settling Thursday at $61.45 per barrel. In lunchtime trading Monday, the benchmark contract was down nearly five percent to $58 56 per barrel. London Brent dropped to $62.15. Some analysts are calling the selloff a delayed reaction to news last week that OPEC Plus will ease its self-imposed production cuts.&nbsp; Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson remains unchanged since Thursday due to the holiday, and started the week Monday at $51.75 per barrel.&nbsp; The average price for the month of March was just short of $52.89 a barrel, marking the best monthly average for Kansas Common in McPherson since April of 2019. U.S. crude production last year dropped by eight percent from the record high set the year before. As we've told you, the decrease last year was the largest annual decline in EIA records. But Kansas output dropped even more, down 17 percent from the previous year. Drilling down into the data offered in a new report from the Kansas Geological Survey, we find the local totals are also significantly lower. Barton County output averaged 3,787 barrels per day (bpd) last year, down from 4,459 bpd the year before. Ellis County pumped 5,990 bpd, down from 6,925 bpd in 2019. Russell County production dropped from 4,107 bpd in 2019 to 3,593 bpd last year. Stafford county dipped below one million barrels total production last year for the first time in decades. Average output fell to 2,488 bpd, from 2,848 bpd the year before. State regulators reported a small spike in drilling notices in March. The Kansas Corporation Commission reported 103 intent-to-drill notices statewide compared to just 31 the month before. That's 213 intents during the first three months of the year, compared to 171 during the first quarter of last year. The KCC notes one new intent in Barton County, three in Russell County and one in Stafford County.&nbsp; Overall drilling activity in Kansas through the first three months of the year is down by about half compared to the first quarter of last year.&nbsp; That's based on new wells spud in the state. During the first quarter of 2021, Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 102 wells drilled to total depth. There are 18 active drilling rigs in Kansas, a 200% increase from a year ago. There are five active rigs in eastern Kansas, up four from the week before, and 13 west of Wichita, up two.&nbsp; Operators say they will soon spud a new well in Barton County. The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes rose to 430 Friday, an increase of 13 oil rigs. That's the largest jump since January 2020. The count in Texas was up four, New Mexico was up three, and Utah was up two. Kansas regulators approved seven new drilling permits last week, three in the eastern half of the state and four in Western Kansas, for a year-to-date total of 195 new permits. Out of 19 newly-completed wells in Kansas last week, Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service says 14 are in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County, two in Ellis county and two in Stafford County. Operators have completed 178 wells across Kansas so far this year. For the first time in over a month, weekly U.S. oil-by-rail traffic declined last week. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,694 tanker cars hauling petroleum during the week ended March 27, down 945 tankers from the week before, and a 4.8% drop from a year earlier. The government says U.S. crude-oil inventories decreased by 900,000 barrels last week. At nearly 502 million barrels, stockpiles are about six percent above the five-year seasonal average. U.S. crude production topped eleven million barrels per day for the first time since late January. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports production of 11.145 million barrels per day for the week ending March 26. That's up 191,000 barrels per day from the week before, but down nearly two million barrels per day from last year at this time. U.S. crude-oil imports increased by half a million barrels per day last week. Over the past four weeks, imports were down more than nine percent from the same four-week period last year. Gasoline stockpiles were up 1.7 million barrels last week, and are about four percent below the five-year seasonal average. Triple-A says growing stockpiles and cheaper crude are putting downward pressure on pump prices, but not enough to report a steady trend just yet. The national average pump price on Monday (3/29) was lower than the average a week earlier for the first time since last November. Ships resumed transit through the Suez Canal last week, as port authorities braced for a flood of traffic that was diverted or delayed by that grounded container vessel. Authorities in the Canal Zone hoped to quickly clear the traffic jam, including a backlog of more than four hundred ships. Energy Giant Pioneer Natural Resources, announced another huge takeover deal. Two deals total $11 BILLION in cash, stock and debt to acquire competitors in the Permian Basin. Pioneer will buy DoublePoint Energy in a deal valued at $6.4 BILLION. The deal increases Pioneer's position to more than 1 million net acres, adding what the company called primarily undrilled new land.&nbsp; The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter. It would be Pioneer’s second big buy in just over six months, after announcing in October it would buy Parsley Energy for $4.5 billion. Tallgrass Pony Express Pipeline announced a binding open season looking for crude-oil shippers. They're offering volume incentive tariff rates to move crude some 830 miles from North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado to Cushing, Oklahoma. Along the way the pipeline connects to refineries in McPherson and El Dorado, Kansas as well as Ponca City, Oklahoma. Tallgrass converted a 430-mile natural gas pipeline, and built another 260 miles of new pipe, to extend Pony Express through southern Kansas into Oklahoma.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARNymex settlement prices last week ranged from $59 to $61 per barrel. But light sweet crude ended the week just a dime higher than the week before, settling Thursday at $61.45 per barrel. In lunchtime trading Monday, the benchmark contract was down nearly five percent to $58 56 per barrel. London Brent dropped to $62.15. Some analysts are calling the selloff a delayed reaction to news last week that OPEC Plus will ease its self-imposed production cuts.&nbsp; Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson remains unchanged since Thursday due to the holiday, and started the week Monday at $51.75 per barrel.&nbsp; The average price for the month of March was just short of $52.89 a barrel, marking the best monthly average for Kansas Common in McPherson since April of 2019. U.S. crude production last year dropped by eight percent from the record high set the year before. As we've told you, the decrease last year was the largest annual decline in EIA records. But Kansas output dropped even more, down 17 percent from the previous year. Drilling down into the data offered in a new report from the Kansas Geological Survey, we find the local totals are also significantly lower. Barton County output averaged 3,787 barrels per day (bpd) last year, down from 4,459 bpd the year before. Ellis County pumped 5,990 bpd, down from 6,925 bpd in 2019. Russell County production dropped from 4,107 bpd in 2019 to 3,593 bpd last year. Stafford county dipped below one million barrels total production last year for the first time in decades. Average output fell to 2,488 bpd, from 2,848 bpd the year before. State regulators reported a small spike in drilling notices in March. The Kansas Corporation Commission reported 103 intent-to-drill notices statewide compared to just 31 the month before. That's 213 intents during the first three months of the year, compared to 171 during the first quarter of last year. The KCC notes one new intent in Barton County, three in Russell County and one in Stafford County.&nbsp; Overall drilling activity in Kansas through the first three months of the year is down by about half compared to the first quarter of last year.&nbsp; That's based on new wells spud in the state. During the first quarter of 2021, Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 102 wells drilled to total depth. There are 18 active drilling rigs in Kansas, a 200% increase from a year ago. There are five active rigs in eastern Kansas, up four from the week before, and 13 west of Wichita, up two.&nbsp; Operators say they will soon spud a new well in Barton County. The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes rose to 430 Friday, an increase of 13 oil rigs. That's the largest jump since January 2020. The count in Texas was up four, New Mexico was up three, and Utah was up two. Kansas regulators approved seven new drilling permits last week, three in the eastern half of the state and four in Western Kansas, for a year-to-date total of 195 new permits. Out of 19 newly-completed wells in Kansas last week, Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service says 14 are in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County, two in Ellis county and two in Stafford County. Operators have completed 178 wells across Kansas so far this year. For the first time in over a month, weekly U.S. oil-by-rail traffic declined last week. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,694 tanker cars hauling petroleum during the week ended March 27, down 945 tankers from the week before, and a 4.8% drop from a year earlier. The government says U.S. crude-oil inventories decreased by 900,000 barrels last week. At nearly 502 million barrels, stockpiles are about six percent above the five-year seasonal average. U.S. crude production topped eleven million barrels per day for the first time since late January. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports production of 11.145 million barrels per day for the week ending March 26. That's up 191,000 barrels per day from the week before, but down nearly two million barrels per day from last year at this time. U.S. crude-oil imports increased by half a million barrels per day last week. Over the past four weeks, imports were down more than nine percent from the same four-week period last year. Gasoline stockpiles were up 1.7 million barrels last week, and are about four percent below the five-year seasonal average. Triple-A says growing stockpiles and cheaper crude are putting downward pressure on pump prices, but not enough to report a steady trend just yet. The national average pump price on Monday (3/29) was lower than the average a week earlier for the first time since last November. Ships resumed transit through the Suez Canal last week, as port authorities braced for a flood of traffic that was diverted or delayed by that grounded container vessel. Authorities in the Canal Zone hoped to quickly clear the traffic jam, including a backlog of more than four hundred ships. Energy Giant Pioneer Natural Resources, announced another huge takeover deal. Two deals total $11 BILLION in cash, stock and debt to acquire competitors in the Permian Basin. Pioneer will buy DoublePoint Energy in a deal valued at $6.4 BILLION. The deal increases Pioneer's position to more than 1 million net acres, adding what the company called primarily undrilled new land.&nbsp; The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter. It would be Pioneer’s second big buy in just over six months, after announcing in October it would buy Parsley Energy for $4.5 billion. Tallgrass Pony Express Pipeline announced a binding open season looking for crude-oil shippers. They're offering volume incentive tariff rates to move crude some 830 miles from North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado to Cushing, Oklahoma. Along the way the pipeline connects to refineries in McPherson and El Dorado, Kansas as well as Ponca City, Oklahoma. Tallgrass converted a 430-mile natural gas pipeline, and built another 260 miles of new pipe, to extend Pony Express through southern Kansas into Oklahoma.

News From the Oil Patch: Kan. March crude prices best in two years

A common disease of roses is blackspot, a fungus disease that can cause defoliation of susceptible plants. Look for dark, circular lesions with feathery edges on the top surface of the leaves and raised purple spots on young canes. Infected leaves will often yellow between spots and eventually drop. The infection usually starts on the lower leaves and works its way up the plant. Blackspot is most severe under conditions of high relative humidity (&gt;85%), warm temperatures (75 to 85 degrees F), and six or more hours of leaf wetness. Newly expanding leaves are most vulnerable to infection. The fungus can survive on fallen leaves or canes and is disseminated primarily by splashing water. &nbsp;Cultural practices are the first line of defense. 1. Don't plant susceptible roses unless you are willing to use fungicide sprays. Purdue University has a list of blackspot-resistant varieties. 2. Keep irrigation water off the foliage. Drip irrigation works well with roses. 3. Plant roses in sun in areas with good air movement to limit the amount of time the foliage is wet. 4. Remove diseased leaves that have fallen and prune out infected rose canes to minimize inoculum. If needed, protect foliage with a regular spray program (10- to 14-day schedule) of effective fungicides. Recommended fungicides include tebuconazole (BioAdvanced Disease Control for Roses, Flowers, and Shrubs, BioAdvanced All-In-One Rose &amp; Flower Care), myclobutanil (Immunox, F-Stop Lawn &amp; Garden Fungicide), and chlorothalonil (Broad Spectrum Lawn &amp; Garden Fungicide, Garden Disease Control, others). Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>A common disease of roses is blackspot, a fungus disease that can cause defoliation of susceptible plants. Look for dark, circular lesions with feathery edges on the top surface of the leaves and raised purple spots on young canes. Infected leaves will often yellow between spots and eventually drop. The infection usually starts on the lower leaves and works its way up the plant. Blackspot is most severe under conditions of high relative humidity (&gt;85%), warm temperatures (75 to 85 degrees F), and six or more hours of leaf wetness. Newly expanding leaves are most vulnerable to infection. The fungus can survive on fallen leaves or canes and is disseminated primarily by splashing water. &nbsp;Cultural practices are the first line of defense. 1. Don't plant susceptible roses unless you are willing to use fungicide sprays. Purdue University has a list of blackspot-resistant varieties. 2. Keep irrigation water off the foliage. Drip irrigation works well with roses. 3. Plant roses in sun in areas with good air movement to limit the amount of time the foliage is wet. 4. Remove diseased leaves that have fallen and prune out infected rose canes to minimize inoculum. If needed, protect foliage with a regular spray program (10- to 14-day schedule) of effective fungicides. Recommended fungicides include tebuconazole (BioAdvanced Disease Control for Roses, Flowers, and Shrubs, BioAdvanced All-In-One Rose &amp; Flower Care), myclobutanil (Immunox, F-Stop Lawn &amp; Garden Fungicide), and chlorothalonil (Broad Spectrum Lawn &amp; Garden Fungicide, Garden Disease Control, others). Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Blackspot of roses

This past Tuesday, the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on Substitute House Bill 2397, which is the state budget for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 and some details for the 2023 and 2024 budgets.

Here are some of the details of the budget bill for fiscal years 2021 and 2022. In fiscal year 2021, there were adjustments made from the budget that was passed during last years legislative session. We also addressed some of the allotments that were made by Governor Kelly when the fiscal year began on July 1, 2020.

We addressed the needs of our nursing care facilities by adding additional funds for these facilities, which was needed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also included an increase in the daily reimbursement rates for the Community Based Services for the Intellectual/Developmental Disability waiver.

Due to the pandemic, our court system saw a reduction in revenue since most court proceedings did not happen, so we backfilled the lost revenue for the courts.

In fiscal year 2022, we had the same additional funding for the nursing care facilities. We also provided additional funding for the Senior Care Act to keep our senior citizens in their homes. We also did not reamortize the unfunded liability for KPERS. We also provided for a statewide program for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

There were two notable amendments during the debate. One, introduced by a Democrat member, was a 2% cut on State General Fund Spending in all areas, which passed and I voted, “yes.” The other was to add Medicaid Expansion in the Budget. This amendment failed because Medicaid Expansion is substantive legislation that should not be added to the budget since it is only valid for the years of the stated budgets and no additional funding in the out years was provided. I voted, “no.”

The budget bill passed, 71-52, and I voted, “yes.”

Since I returned home for the Easter break, I have received many calls, texts, and messages regarding the proposed Kansas Nebraska Heritage Area Partnership and an Executive Order by President Biden that is perceived as a land grab by the Federal Government. This would include twenty-five counties in Kansas, five of those counties are in the 109th House District.

The intended purpose of this order is to protect 30% of the US land and 30% of US oceans by 2030. After receiving these messages from many constituents, I have had discussions with both Governor Laura Kelly and US Senator Moran’s office. I have expressed my concern regarding the potential affects of this Executive Order and it is one I do not support. There was a meeting about a week ago in Mankato regarding this matter and another scheduled for April 11 in Vesper. I will continue to monitor the developments and work with Governor Kelly and Senator Moran.

This past week, the House debated nearly twenty-five bills before the Easter break. Here are some of the bills that we debated:

House Bill 2119, which includes the full funding for K-12 Education. This bill also includes the creation and expansion of school choice options.

Senate Bill 159 which is the standard Claims Against the State Bill, with the addition of a reimbursement to an individual for deer antlers.

House Substitute for Senate Bill 84 would incorporate changes with gaming in Kansas. This bill would allow for sports wagering in Kansas, implements iLottery, and allows for a revote in Sedgwick County for slot machines. This bill failed on the House Floor.

House Bill 2448 permits the Secretary for Children and Families to license certain family foster homes where a former foster care youth with juvenile adjudications resides.

We will be returning to Topeka on Tuesday and will be working with the Senate on bills, which are referred to as conference committees. During these meetings, the House and the Senate negotiate on the differences in the respective bills that passed each chamber. Once an agreement is made, then both chambers vote on the Conference Committee Report, and, if passed in both chambers, it will then go on to Governor Kelly to sign into law or veto. We are planned to adjourn April 9 and then return to what is referred to as veto-session on May 3.

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

As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov. Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.

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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577788173848.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>April 5, 2021Budget Passes the HouseThis past Tuesday, the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on Substitute House Bill 2397, which is the state budget for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 and some details for the 2023 and 2024 budgets.Here are some of the details of the budget bill for fiscal years 2021 and 2022. In fiscal year 2021, there were adjustments made from the budget that was passed during last years legislative session. We also addressed some of the allotments that were made by Governor Kelly when the fiscal year began on July 1, 2020.We addressed the needs of our nursing care facilities by adding additional funds for these facilities, which was needed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also included an increase in the daily reimbursement rates for the Community Based Services for the Intellectual/Developmental Disability waiver.Due to the pandemic, our court system saw a reduction in revenue since most court proceedings did not happen, so we backfilled the lost revenue for the courts.In fiscal year 2022, we had the same additional funding for the nursing care facilities. We also provided additional funding for the Senior Care Act to keep our senior citizens in their homes. We also did not reamortize the unfunded liability for KPERS. We also provided for a statewide program for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.There were two notable amendments during the debate. One, introduced by a Democrat member, was a 2% cut on State General Fund Spending in all areas, which passed and I voted, “yes.” The other was to add Medicaid Expansion in the Budget. This amendment failed because Medicaid Expansion is substantive legislation that should not be added to the budget since it is only valid for the years of the stated budgets and no additional funding in the out years was provided. I voted, “no.”The budget bill passed, 71-52, and I voted, “yes.”30/30 Federal PlanSince I returned home for the Easter break, I have received many calls, texts, and messages regarding the proposed Kansas Nebraska Heritage Area Partnership and an Executive Order by President Biden that is perceived as a land grab by the Federal Government. This would include twenty-five counties in Kansas, five of those counties are in the 109th House District.The intended purpose of this order is to protect 30% of the US land and 30% of US oceans by 2030. After receiving these messages from many constituents, I have had discussions with both Governor Laura Kelly and US Senator Moran’s office. I have expressed my concern regarding the potential affects of this Executive Order and it is one I do not support. There was a meeting about a week ago in Mankato regarding this matter and another scheduled for April 11 in Vesper. I will continue to monitor the developments and work with Governor Kelly and Senator Moran.More Bills In the HouseThis past week, the House debated nearly twenty-five bills before the Easter break. Here are some of the bills that we debated:House Bill 2119, which includes the full funding for K-12 Education. This bill also includes the creation and expansion of school choice options.Senate Bill 159 which is the standard Claims Against the State Bill, with the addition of a reimbursement to an individual for deer antlers.House Substitute for Senate Bill 84 would incorporate changes with gaming in Kansas. This bill would allow for sports wagering in Kansas, implements iLottery, and allows for a revote in Sedgwick County for slot machines. This bill failed on the House Floor.House Bill 2448 permits the Secretary for Children and Families to license certain family foster homes where a former foster care youth with juvenile adjudications resides.We will be returning to Topeka on Tuesday and will be working with the Senate on bills, which are referred to as conference committees. During these meetings, the House and the Senate negotiate on the differences in the respective bills that passed each chamber. Once an agreement is made, then both chambers vote on the Conference Committee Report, and, if passed in both chambers, it will then go on to Governor Kelly to sign into law or veto. We are planned to adjourn April 9 and then return to what is referred to as veto-session on May 3.Contact InformationAnytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov. Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.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.Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/s/pdf/district_maps/district_map_h_109.pdf">109th Kansas House District</a>&nbsp;state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;The 109th District includes&nbsp;Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties, and portions of Barton, Jewell, Lincoln and Rush counties.&nbsp;

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