SENATE HIGHLIGHTS - WEEKLY OVERVIEW

TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature wrapped up the regular portion of the 2025 session on Thursday, advancing a comprehensive budget and passing a range of impactful legislation. Key measures included tax reductions, safeguards for Kansas' water future, tougher crime enforcement, and protections to prevent foreign adversaries from owning land in the state. Lawmakers will reconvene on April 10 for a three-day “veto session.”

By a vote of 40-0, the Senate confirmed Lori Bolton Fleming to the Kansas Court of Appeals who also passed unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary committee last week.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb125_01_0000.pdf">SB 125</a> is this session’s budget bill. The State General Fund (SGF) budget lowered spending by $210 million from 2025 and cut 1.5% across the board. It fully funds K-12 education including more money for special education, and provides a salary increase to state employees, all while including a reduction in the State General Fund from the prior fiscal year. SB 125 passed the Senate 24-16. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it now heads to the governor – who can sign or veto the whole budget or sign the budget while using her line-item veto power on provisions she doesn’t approve.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb35_01_0325251130am.pdf">SB 35 </a>provides property tax relief and removes the state of Kansas from the property tax business by eliminating the statewide mill levies of 1.0 mills for state educational buildings and 0.5 mills for state institution buildings. SB 35 passed the Senate 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it heads to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/supp_note_hcr5004_01_0000.pdf">HCR 5004</a>, which if approved by voters, would amend Section 1 of Article 5 of the Kansas Constitution to clarify that no person shall be deemed a qualified elector unless such person is a citizen of the United States, has attained the age of 18, resides in the voting area in which such person seeks to vote. HCR 5004 passed 37-3; having already passed the House it will now be on the ballot in November of 2026. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb269_02_0324259pm.pdf">SB 269</a>, would provide for reduction in state income and privilege tax rates contingent upon the balance of the Budget Stabilization Fund and growth in the State General Fund (SGF) receipts from income and privilege taxes in excess of the FY 2024 amount, adjusted for inflation. SB 269 passed 30-10. I voted yes. Having already passed the House, it now heads to the governor.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2164/">HB 2164</a>, which would create and amend law in the Kansas Offender Registration Act to make it unlawful for certain sex offenders to enter onto school property or attend a school activity. HB 2164 passed 36-4. I voted yes.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hcr5011/">HCR 5011</a>, which, if adopted by a two-thirds majority of each chamber of the Kansas Legislature and approved by voters, would amend the Kansas Constitution to generally limit, for property tax purposes, the growth of taxable value of any real property to 3 percent per year. The re-passage of this amendment sends it to a conference committee, so the Senate can work out differences between approaches to property tax relief with the House. The amendment passed 30-10. I voted yes. Later in the day, this HCR 5011 failed to pass in the House.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2240_02_3252025.pdf">HB 2240</a>, which would prohibit state agencies from seeking or implementing any public assistance program waiver or other authorization from the federal government that would expand eligibility for any public assistance program or would increase any cost to the State. The bill would also prohibit making certain changes to services for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) without the express consent or approval of either the Legislature or the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC). HB 2240 passed 31-9; having also passed the House, it now heads to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2382_02_3262025.pdf">HB 2382</a>, which would require any school district that offers courses or other instruction regarding human growth, human development, or human sexuality to include, as part of the course or instruction, a human fetal development presentation. The bill would also allow the State Board of Education to establish the rates of compensation that board members receive for regularly scheduled meetings of the State Board and any other in-state meeting for participation in matters of educational interest to the State of Kansas. HB 2382 passed 31-9. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2022_01_1115.pdf">HB 2022</a> would amend the definition of “special election” in election law to mean any election held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in March of any year or on the same day as a general or primary election. The bill would also make conforming amendments to other provisions of election law concerning special elections. HB 2022 passed 29-11; having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2062_02_0000.pdf">HB 2062</a>&nbsp;would amend law regarding child support to require such support be calculated from the date of conception, to require the court to consider the value of a qualified retirement account in determination of child support orders, and to eliminate the exemption of such accounts from claims to collect child support. The bill would also allow a personal exemption for any unborn child for the purposes of income taxation. HB 2062 passed the Senate 31-9; having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb9/">SB 9</a>&nbsp;creates the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, which prevents foreign adversaries from owning land within 100 miles of a military installation in Kansas. The legislation was designed to cover most of Kansas. It also prohibits government agencies from purchasing or acquiring drones whose critical components were produced in a country of concern, or whose critical components were produced or owned by a foreign principal. SB 9 passed the Senate 38-1; having also passed the House, it now heads to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb250_01_032520250930am.pdf">SB 250</a> would authorize a manufacturer operating in an eligible facility to make available individualized investigative treatments and allow individuals with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to request an individualized investigational drug, biologic product, or device from such manufacturers. SB 250 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb44_01_3252025.pdf">SB 44</a> would declare that antisemitism and antisemitic acts are against the public policy of the state, including, but not limited to, the purposes of public educational institutions and law enforcement agencies. SB 44 passed 39-1; having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2263_00_0000.pdf">HB 2263</a> would make four commemorative designations of highways and bridges in Kansas. This bill includes the POW MIA Memorial Bridge in Clay County in Senate District #36. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2030_01_03242025.pdf">HB 2030</a> exempt dealers and manufacturers of trailers from specified provisions of the Vehicle Dealers and Manufacturers Licensing Act. The exemptions would not apply to dealers and manufacturers of semitrailers or travel trailers or to a dealer in the sale or exchange of any type of vehicle other than trailers. HB 2030 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb193/">SB 193</a> would amend the Statewide Opioid Antagonist Protocol by exempting law enforcement agencies from the Protocol’s requirement to utilize a physician medical director or licensed pharmacist unless the agency was electing to use an emergency opioid antagonist dispensed or furnished pursuant to the Protocol. SB 193 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2168_01_03242025landsurveyreports.pdf">HB 2168</a> would extend the time for land surveyors to file certain public land survey reports with the Secretary of the State Historical Society from 30 days to 90 days. HB 2168 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, the bill is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2201_00_0000.pdf">HB 2201</a> would authorize issuance of three new license plates on and after January 1, 2026, including the National FFA tag, the Route 66 Association of Kansas tag and a new black-out tag. It would also amend certain requirements for the issuance of certain specialized plates to military veterans; and amend law regarding personalized license plates and decals on license plates. HB 2201 passed 39-1; having also passed the House, it headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb18/">SB 18 </a>would authorize issuance of the Hunter Nation distinctive license plate on and after January 1, 2026. SB 18 passed 28-10. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb241/">SB 241</a> Providing that restrictive covenants in certain contracts are enforceable and not considered a restraint of trade in certain circumstances. SB 241 passed 38-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2075_01_0000.pdf">HB 2075</a> would amend law concerning when law enforcement may take a child under 18 into custody for suspected abuse or neglect; add a procedure for law enforcement to report suspected abuse or neglect to the Secretary for Children and Families for the purposes of initiating an investigation. HB 2075 passed 38-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2228_01_0000.pdf">HB 2228</a> requires any political subdivision to hold an open meeting before approving a contingent fee contract for legal services and require such contract to be approved by the Attorney General before becoming effective. HB 2228 passed 28-12. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb227/">SB 227</a> would increase tax credit amounts allowed for preservation of historic structures and make changes to the conditions under which different credit amounts are allowed. SB 227 passed 31-9. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2016_01_03242025.pdf">HB 2016</a> would amend various provisions of election law concerning the maintenance of voter registration rolls, qualifications for poll workers and election board judges or clerks, and the solicitation of advance voting ballot applications. HB 2016 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb139/">SB 139</a> amends State Banking Code in a number of respects. SB 139 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2069/">HB 2069</a> would enact four multistate licensure compacts: the School Psychologist Compact, the Dietitian Compact, the Cosmetologist Licensure Compact, and the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. HB 2069 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2069/">HB 2160</a> would establish the Kansas Municipal Employee Whistleblower Act to provide legal protections for municipal employees who report conduct that is dangerous or unlawful and would define terms for purposes of that act. HB 2160 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it now heads to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb54/">SB 54 </a>would amend the Kansas Code of Civil Procedure to require the disclosure of third-party litigation funding agreements. SB 54 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb135/">SB 135</a> would make technical amendments to law concerning orders issued under the Protection from Abuse Act by reorganizing certain sections to clarify how a protection order may be affected when a child-related order is issued pursuant to another legal action. SB 135 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it’s headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2050/">HB 2050</a> would amend the Insurance Code of the State of Kansas relating to the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Commissioner of Insurance. HB 2050 passed the Senate 40-0; having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2056_02_03262025.pdf">HB 2056</a> amend various provisions of election law concerning the crime of false representation of an election official, nominations by political parties, and the testing of certain voting equipment before an election. It clarifies the law regarding impersonation of an election official; prohibits candidates from making a mockery of the election process by allowing candidates only to seek the nomination of one party and requiring candidates to accept the nomination of any party and requiring voting equipment to be tested 30 days before an election. HB 2056 passed the Senate 34-6; having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2134_01_20250324pm.pdf">HB 2134</a> would limit the fees that could be charged by a public agency in response to Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) requests and allow a requester to appeal a fee’s reasonableness to the Secretary of Administration if the responding public agency is within the Executive Branch. The bill would also exempt disclosure of certain closed investigations, change the date for counties or district attorneys to report complaints regarding KORA and the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA), and amend provisions concerning public meetings in KOMA. HB 2134 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2249_01_0000.pdf">HB 2249 </a>would add provisions that would become part of and supplemental to the Rural Emergency Hospital Act. The bill would authorize the Secretary for Aging and Disability Services, upon application by a rural emergency hospital to grant a physical environment waiver for existing nursing facilities to a REH to provide skilled nursing facility care. The bill would also establish the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital, create a fee fund, update the catchment areas for the state hospitals, rename “Parsons State Hospital and Training Center” to “Parsons State Hospital,” and make technical and conforming amendments. HB 2249 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2028_03_032525.pdf">HB 2028</a> would amend law concerning the resident senior combination hunting and fishing pass and the Kansas kids combination lifetime hunting and fishing license. The bill would also prohibit non-residents from hunting migratory waterfowl during certain times and in certain places, require the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to present certain data in a report to the Legislature, and change the fees for migratory waterfowl habitat stamps. HB 2028 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2255/">HB 2255</a> would make changes to two programs in the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA): the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the Weights and Measures Program. HB 2255 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb114/">SB 114 </a>would authorize non-public school students and virtual school students participating in a school activity governed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) to also participate in certain ancillary school district activities. The bill would amend this law to require participating students to also be permitted to participate in any district-sponsored events, ceremonies, programs, or other functions directly related to the activity. SB 114 passed 32-8; having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb199/">SB 199</a> would permit year-round fireworks sales under certain conditions and make additional changes (year round sales) to law related to the sale of fireworks. The bill would also designate the existing Fallen Firefighters Memorial adjacent to the Kansas Firefighters Museum in Wichita as the official Fallen Firefighters Memorial of the State of Kansas and would replace the Kansas Firefighters Memorial Advisory Committee with the Kansas Firefighter Memorial Council. SB 199 passed 28-12; having also passed the House, it’s headed to the governor. I voted no – wildfires are a real concern in rural Kansas.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2039/">HB 2039 </a>would amend statutes relating to home health agencies to clarify the definition of “home health agency” for the purposes of credentialing; amend law regarding emergency medical services and EMS providers to clarify authorized activities of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians (advanced EMTs), emergency medical technician, and emergency medical responders. HB 2039 passed 40-0; having also passe the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2172_00_03252025.pdf">HB 2172</a> would create a 16-member Water Program Task Force and a 5-member Water Planning Work Group to study and make recommendations to the Legislature on water policy and funding. HB 2172 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it’s now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb45_01_032525.pdf">SB 45</a> would establish a statutory calculation, for purposes of accreditation, of the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate for each school district and any schools within the district, including virtual. SB 45 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2054_01_3262025.pdf">HB 2054</a> would modernize our campaign finance statutes by increasing contribution limits to candidates and political parties. HB 2054 addresses adjusts limits to limits to inflation with House limits to go from $500 to $1000; State Senate limits from $1000 to $2000; and limits for statewide candidates from $2000 to $4000. HB 2054 passed 26-14; having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor. I voted no.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb50_01_0325251pm.pdf">SB 50</a> would establish uniform interest rates, repayment schedules, and fees for all scholarships, grants, or other student financial aid program established in law (KSA Chapter 74, Article 32) under the authority of the State Board of Regents. SB 50 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor. SB 64 would amend Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) statutes. The bill would extend the timeline for a KPERS member to request an administrative hearing to appeal a decision made by the KPERS Board of Trustees without a hearing. The bill would also update KPERS statutes to align with federal Internal Revenue Code (IRC) regulations. SB 64 passed 39-1. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2122_00_0000.pdf">HB 2122</a> would amend law regarding registration fees of trucks, truck tractors, and electric and hybrid vehicles. HB 2122 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb126_01_032620250830am.pdf">SB 126</a> would update the current newborn screening program to establish the Advance Universal Newborn Screening Program, increase the minimum statutory state financial assistance to local health department, and increase the hospital provider annual assessment on services rate. SB 126 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2334_01_3252025.pdf">HB 2334</a> contains a number of provisions: It would amend the Insurance Holding Company Act, Uniform Insurance Agents Licensing Act, Public Adjusters Licensing Act, Captive Insurance Act, and current law to allow travel insurance to be filed under either an accident and health or inland marine line of insurance. HB 2334 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2183_01_0326.pdf">HB 2183</a> would prohibit a state court or an administrative hearing officer hearing an administrative action from deferring to an Executive Branch agency’s interpretation of certain statutes, rules and regulations, and documents that have the force and effect of law. The bill would allow for the court or officer to consider the agency’s interpretation, but they would be required to interpret the meaning and effect of such statute, rules and regulation, or document as if it were new. The bill would require courts to exercise any remaining doubt regarding matters defined above, in a way that is consistent with an individual’s fundamental constitutional rights. HB 2183 passed 30-10. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2342_01_0000.pdf">HB 2342 </a>would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to request the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) conduct a state and national criminal history record check on any final&nbsp;applicant or an employee in a sensitive position within the Department of Commerce and would require the Secretary of Labor to conduct state and national criminal history record checks on. HB 2342 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2347_01_0325.pdf">HB 2347 </a>would amend and create laws related to the crimes of theft, buying sexual relations, criminal use of a financial card, and unlawful use of a laser pointer. HB 2347 passed 40-0. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2371/">HB 2371</a> would make amendments to the Revised Limited Liability Company Act to specify document forms and signature and delivery options and clarify filing fee limits and amend the Business Entity Transactions Act. HB 2371 passed 40-0. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb21_01_032625.pdf">SB 21</a> would amend the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act to change certain licensing requirements regarding live horse racing and to alter the distribution of moneys from certain funds. SB 21 passed 37-3. I voted yes. Having already passed the House, it is now headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_sb42_01_0000.pdf">SB 42</a> would, among its provisions, enact the Kansas Real Time Motor Vehicle Insurance Verification Act to require the Commissioner of Insurance to establish a web-based system for online verification of motor vehicle insurance and require motor vehicle insurers to cooperate with the Commissioner to establish and maintain the system as specified in the Act. SB 42 passed 39-1; having also passed the House, it is now headed to the governor. I voted yes.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2169/">HB 2169</a> would provide for an exemption from remediation costs or other liability from prior commercial pesticide application by the United States army for owners of certain nonresidential property located in Johnson County. HB 2169 passed 30-10. I voted yes. Having also passed the House, it is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2280_00_032625.pdf">HB 2280</a> would amend several laws applicable to veterans and military spouses. It would amend the definition of “complete application” in law governing occupational licensing and waiver of licensing fees by including military spouses even if the spouse’s service member is not considered to be on active duty and change the Kansas Office of Veterans Services (KOVS) to the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office. HB 2280 passed 40-0; having also passed the House, it’s headed to the governor. I voted yes.

Several legislative town halls have already taken place across the 36th Kansas Senate District, with more scheduled in the coming weeks.

· April 8 at 9:00 a.m. – Representative Troy Waymaster and I will be in Sylvan Grove at the Feedlot Bar and Grill. Next at 11:00, we will be in Russell at the Southwind Bank.

· April 29 at 10:00 a.m. – Representative Troy Waymaster and I will be in Smith County for the VA Town Hall &amp; Health Fair at the American Legion Hall in Kensington.

Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>. You are&nbsp;also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website.

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

BOWERS: Senate Scene Week 11, 1st adjournment

TOPEKA&nbsp;— Kansas Legislature completed the regular portion of the 2025 session on Thursday, March 27, 2025, passing the budget and many bills. The legislature will return on April 10 for a three-day “veto session.”

The House and Senate both adopted the budget when it passed SB125. SB125 is a fiscally responsible budget that fully funds K-12 education including more money for special education, and provides a salary increase for state employees, including a reduction in the State General Fund from the prior fiscal year.

The budget now heads to the Governor who can sign or veto the whole budget or sign the budget while using her line-item veto power on provisions she doesn’t approve.

SB35 passed the House and the Senate and has been passed to the Governor. SB35 provides property tax relief and removes the state of Kansas from the property tax business by eliminating the statewide mill levies of 1.0 mills for state educational buildings and 0.5 mills for state institution buildings.

Those buildings would be funded via demand transfers from the State General Fund to the Kansas Educational Fund and to the State Institutions Building Fund. The transfer to the EBF would be $56.0 million in FY 2027 and would be adjusted in future years to reflect the average percentage change in taxable value of all property in the state of the preceding 10 years. The transfer to the SIBF would be $25.0 million in FY 2027 and would increase by 2 percent of $25.0 million in each future year.

Most Americans believe that only citizens should vote in our elections. However, progressive jurisdictions around the country have discussed allowing non-citizens to vote. 

To ensure this doesn’t happen in Kansas, the legislature adopted HCR5004, which if approved by voters, on the ballot in November of 2026, would amend Section 1 of Article 5 of the Kansas Constitution to clarify that no person shall be deemed a qualified elector unless such person is a citizen of the United States, has attained the age of 18, and, unless a residency exception applies to such person, resides in the voting area in which such person seeks to vote.

The Senate re-adopted HCR5011 which, if adopted by a two-thirds majority of each chamber of the Kansas Legislature and approved by voters, would amend the Kansas Constitution to generally limit, for property tax purposes, the growth of taxable value of any real property or residential mobile home personal property to 3 percent per year.

The Senate reaffirmed its support of the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act by passing SB250. The bill would authorize a manufacturer operating in an eligible facility to make available individualized investigative treatments and allow individuals with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to request an individualized investigational&nbsp;drug, biologic product, or device from such manufacturers. This bill is now on the Governor’s desk.

I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your concerns. My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell number is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka stop by my office, room 545-S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644852447177.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;— Kansas Legislature completed the regular portion of the 2025 session on Thursday, March 27, 2025, passing the budget and many bills. The legislature will return on April 10 for a three-day “veto session.”The House and Senate both adopted the budget when it passed SB125. SB125 is a fiscally responsible budget that fully funds K-12 education including more money for special education, and provides a salary increase for state employees, including a reduction in the State General Fund from the prior fiscal year. The budget now heads to the Governor who can sign or veto the whole budget or sign the budget while using her line-item veto power on provisions she doesn’t approve.SB35 passed the House and the Senate and has been passed to the Governor. SB35 provides property tax relief and removes the state of Kansas from the property tax business by eliminating the statewide mill levies of 1.0 mills for state educational buildings and 0.5 mills for state institution buildings. Those buildings would be funded via demand transfers from the State General Fund to the Kansas Educational Fund and to the State Institutions Building Fund. The transfer to the EBF would be $56.0 million in FY 2027 and would be adjusted in future years to reflect the average percentage change in taxable value of all property in the state of the preceding 10 years. The transfer to the SIBF would be $25.0 million in FY 2027 and would increase by 2 percent of $25.0 million in each future year.Most Americans believe that only citizens should vote in our elections. However, progressive jurisdictions around the country have discussed allowing non-citizens to vote. To ensure this doesn’t happen in Kansas, the legislature adopted HCR5004, which if approved by voters, on the ballot in November of 2026, would amend Section 1 of Article 5 of the Kansas Constitution to clarify that no person shall be deemed a qualified elector unless such person is a citizen of the United States, has attained the age of 18, and, unless a residency exception applies to such person, resides in the voting area in which such person seeks to vote.The Senate re-adopted HCR5011 which, if adopted by a two-thirds majority of each chamber of the Kansas Legislature and approved by voters, would amend the Kansas Constitution to generally limit, for property tax purposes, the growth of taxable value of any real property or residential mobile home personal property to 3 percent per year.The Senate reaffirmed its support of the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act by passing SB250. The bill would authorize a manufacturer operating in an eligible facility to make available individualized investigative treatments and allow individuals with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to request an individualized investigational&nbsp;drug, biologic product, or device from such manufacturers. This bill is now on the Governor’s desk.I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your concerns. My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell number is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka stop by my office, room 545-S.

BILLINGER: Senate Update April 4, 2025

The affiliation agreement between Fort Hays State University and the technical colleges in Hays, Beloit and Goodland is up and running.

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Joey Linn, Fort Hays State University vice-president for student affairs and Corey Isbell, Fort Hays Tech|North Central-Beloit's vice-president of student and instructional services with an update of the strategic process.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Update on FHSU strategic affiliation with technical colleges in Hays, Beloit, Goodland" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=faw99-186e1de-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The affiliation agreement between Fort Hays State University and the technical colleges in Hays, Beloit and Goodland is up and running.On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Joey Linn, Fort Hays State University vice-president for student affairs and Corey Isbell, Fort Hays Tech|North Central-Beloit's vice-president of student and instructional services with an update of the strategic process.

🎙Post Podcast: Update on FHSU strategic affiliation with technical colleges in Hays, Beloit, Goodland

The Community Baby Shower will held on Saturday, April 5 at St. Nicholas Church, 2901 E. 13th, Hays, as part of the Week of the Young Child.

News reporter Becky Kiser talks with Monique Koerner, Cottonwood Extension Family &amp; Community Wellness Agent and Susan Bowles, Kid-Link&nbsp;speech pathologist on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast about the event for expectant and new parents.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Community Baby Shower" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=ycm4r-186c8fd-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The Community Baby Shower will held on Saturday, April 5 at St. Nicholas Church, 2901 E. 13th, Hays, as part of the Week of the Young Child.News reporter Becky Kiser talks with Monique Koerner, Cottonwood Extension Family &amp; Community Wellness Agent and Susan Bowles, Kid-Link&nbsp;speech pathologist on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast about the event for expectant and new parents.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743609508823.png" alt="K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District" />
 <figcaption>K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Post Podcast: Community Baby Shower for new parents Saturday in Hays

I attended your so-called “Town Hall” in Oakley on March 1, and I had every reason to believe it would be a genuine meeting—a discussion with Kansans, with open questions and follow-ups. Instead, your insistence on pre-written, selectively chosen questions made it clear that you were steering the conversation to avoid real accountability.

Your misquotation of President Eisenhower was particularly insulting. Not only was it fabricated, but it also served as an attempt to silence us under the guise of his authority. Your dismissive suggestion that this event was only for “Oakley folk” was yet another slap in the face. My wife’s family—11 kids—were raised at 512 Freeman in Oakley. 

I was raised in Hays, regularly practice law in Logan County, and have lifelong ties to the region. I sat with my wife, her brother, and a cousin, all from the area at the event. The crowd was full of Western Kansans, as well as others who cared enough to drive from across the state and stay overnight in local motels.

Your treatment of your own constituents was nothing short of rude and condescending. Your refusal to answer real questions, particularly about your unwavering loyalty to Donald Trump, made it clear that this was never intended to be a true town hall. It was a staged media opportunity for you. When it backfired, and Mr. Dunn gently called you out for supporting the unnecessary firing of thousands of veterans, you cut and ran.

Now, to the purpose of this letter: I demand an apology for the slander and libel you committed after the event. You falsely accused us of being “paid troublemakers” and “not real Kansans.” You ratified Trump’s smear of us, slandering me, my wife, our family, and every other person in that room—about 150 Kansans who showed up in good faith.

While Trump may be immune from accountability for his wrongful actions, you are not. I expect you to issue an apology with at least as much visibility as your original defamatory statements.

Since March 1, I have been looking for an opportunity to deliver this letter in person, but you have been avoiding public appearances. Your phones are set to screen out real Kansans, and you lack a&nbsp;residence in the state where this letter could be delivered. You fled Oakley that morning at 9:37 a.m., and you’ve been dodging accountability ever since.

I will keep trying to reach you. In the meantime, I have pledged to raise at least $100,000 in modest donations from real Kansans to support a candidate who actually represents us and will replace you in the U.S. Senate.

Sincerely, John T. Bird Attorney at Law Hays

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Senator Marshall,I attended your so-called “Town Hall” in Oakley on March 1, and I had every reason to believe it would be a genuine meeting—a discussion with Kansans, with open questions and follow-ups. Instead, your insistence on pre-written, selectively chosen questions made it clear that you were steering the conversation to avoid real accountability.Your misquotation of President Eisenhower was particularly insulting. Not only was it fabricated, but it also served as an attempt to silence us under the guise of his authority. Your dismissive suggestion that this event was only for “Oakley folk” was yet another slap in the face. My wife’s family—11 kids—were raised at 512 Freeman in Oakley. I was raised in Hays, regularly practice law in Logan County, and have lifelong ties to the region. I sat with my wife, her brother, and a cousin, all from the area at the event. The crowd was full of Western Kansans, as well as others who cared enough to drive from across the state and stay overnight in local motels.Your treatment of your own constituents was nothing short of rude and condescending. Your refusal to answer real questions, particularly about your unwavering loyalty to Donald Trump, made it clear that this was never intended to be a true town hall. It was a staged media opportunity for you. When it backfired, and Mr. Dunn gently called you out for supporting the unnecessary firing of thousands of veterans, you cut and ran.Now, to the purpose of this letter: I demand an apology for the slander and libel you committed after the event. You falsely accused us of being “paid troublemakers” and “not real Kansans.” You ratified Trump’s smear of us, slandering me, my wife, our family, and every other person in that room—about 150 Kansans who showed up in good faith.While Trump may be immune from accountability for his wrongful actions, you are not. I expect you to issue an apology with at least as much visibility as your original defamatory statements.Since March 1, I have been looking for an opportunity to deliver this letter in person, but you have been avoiding public appearances. Your phones are set to screen out real Kansans, and you lack a&nbsp;residence in the state where this letter could be delivered. You fled Oakley that morning at 9:37 a.m., and you’ve been dodging accountability ever since.I will keep trying to reach you. In the meantime, I have pledged to raise at least $100,000 in modest donations from real Kansans to support a candidate who actually represents us and will replace you in the U.S. Senate.Govern your actions accordingly.Sincerely, John T. Bird Attorney at Law Hays

LETTER: Sen. Marshall's conduct at Oakley, post-event slander

It was Conference Committee Week, as it was the last week before First Adjournment. During this week the House of Representatives and Senate vote on bills that have passed out of both chambers. Said bills usually have been amended by at least one of the two chambers and so requires negotiation, but not always, through conference committee to reconcile the resulting different versions of the bill. 

Below I have detailed a sample of five bills from the 65 that were considered.

· First is House Bill (HB) 2040. This bill, which I have described before in this newsletter, extends the deadline for the Kansas Corporation Commission to make decisions on applications by electric utilities for line siting from 120 to 180 days. Only one amendment from the Senate was made, to change the date of effect for the law from publication of the Statute Book to publication of the Kansas Register—which is published earlier than the Statute Book.

· Second is HB 2107. This legislation would establish a two-year statute of limitations for wildfire-related claims against electric public utilities, authorize the recovery of certain damages, limit the recovery of punitive damages from said claims at $5 million, require the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to convene a workshop on wildfire risks and utility mitigation efforts by July 1, 2026, and authorize the KCC to open a general investigation or convene additional workshops to further assess wildfire risk and mitigation in the future. The Senate only made one amendment, extending the statute of limitations for some damages to 10 years.

· Third is HB 2031, which like HB 2040 has already been covered in a previous newsletter. This bill would amend law by making valid driver licenses issued in other states sufficient for acquiring a driving instructor license in Kansas. The Senate only made one amendment to the bill, to change the date of effect from publication of the Statute Book to that of the Kansas Register.

· Fourth is House Bill 2311. This legislation would alter state law regarding the Department for Children and Families in two different ways. First it would prohibit the agency from requiring potential adoptive parents and potential custodians from affirming government policy regarding sexual gender and identity, if it conflicted with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs. Second it would prohibit the selection, licensure, or appointment of individuals based upon their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual gender and identity. The only amendment made by the Senate was to adjust the date of effect, from publication of the Statute Book to publication of the Kansas Register.

· Last is Senate Bill 42. This bill would establish a web-based system for online verification of motor vehicle insurance, which would serve as the only electronic system used for verifying motor vehicle liability insurance in the state. The bill would also task the Commissioner of Insurance with creating this system and coordinating with motor vehicle insurers to maintain the registry of said&nbsp;insurance files, with some exceptions for insurers with less than 1,000 vehicles covered. The House only amended the bill, as you might guess, on its date of effect, from publication of the Statute Book to the Kansas Register.

Each of these listed bills passed their concurrence votes in the House, and I voted yes on each of them.

One of the 65 bills from the first page that I did not mention was Senate Bill (SB) 125. Originally intended as the trailer budget bill for this session it became the sole budget bill after the contents of House Bill 2007 were added to it. Detailed below is an update on some of the budget items from the bill that were negotiated in conference committee a brief overview of its effect on the state’s finances.

First would be the Economic Development Initiatives Fund (EDIF) line items. The House’s version funded the vast majority, 33, of the usual items in EDIF, from the Mainstreet Program to the Summer Sunflower Program, but the Senate’s did not, which only funded five. During the conference committee the House succeeded in persuading the Senate to accept its positions and save these programs, many of which impact the 109th District.

Second was the State Water Plan Fund (SWPF), which allocates funds to state agencies for the purpose of coordinating efforts at conserving and improving water in Kansas. Here the House and Senate were able to compromise and increase funding to the SWPF by $15 million, and by using maturing treasury bills save State General Fund (SGF) dollars.

 Third was $10 million SGF for special education in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which through maintenance-of-effort requirements will continue indefinitely. Here again the Senate had allocated no funds, but the House was able to persuade the Senate into adding these dollars, thus helping school districts across the state.

Through several rounds of negotiations, the House and Senate were able to produce a state budget to fund the rest of FY 2025, at $10.846 billion SGF, and upcoming FY 2026, at $10.635 billion, while spending $65.5 million SGF less than the Governor’s proposed budget; just as important, the legislature’s budget funds the vital services of the state, from our state hospitals to improving our highways. The budget passed the concurrence vote by 89 in favor to 35 against, with bipartisan support. 

As the carrier of the bill and one of the conferees that drafted it, I voted in favor.

Given this is the last week of session before First Adjournment I figured this is a good time to announce my schedule for coffees during the interim period between now and Veto Session. 

On April 2, a Wednesday, at 9:00 a.m. Senator Tori Arnberger-Blew and I will host a coffee for Ellsworth County at Hattie Jo’s. On April 3, a Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. Senator Elaine Bowers and I will host a coffee at the Cross-Eyed Cricket for Smith County. Later that same day at 2:00 p.m., Senator Bowers and I will host a coffee at the Hideout for Osborne County. 

The week after that on April 8, a Tuesday, at 9 a.m. Senator Bowers and I will host a coffee for Lincoln County at the Feedlot Bar &amp; Grill. The fifth and last coffee will be held later that same day at 11 a.m., again between Senator Bowers and I, at the Southwind Bank for Russell County. I look forward to attending these coffees and answering any questions you may have regarding the 2025 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.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633970422056.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSE DELIBERATIONSIt was Conference Committee Week, as it was the last week before First Adjournment. During this week the House of Representatives and Senate vote on bills that have passed out of both chambers. Said bills usually have been amended by at least one of the two chambers and so requires negotiation, but not always, through conference committee to reconcile the resulting different versions of the bill. Below I have detailed a sample of five bills from the 65 that were considered.· First is House Bill (HB) 2040. This bill, which I have described before in this newsletter, extends the deadline for the Kansas Corporation Commission to make decisions on applications by electric utilities for line siting from 120 to 180 days. Only one amendment from the Senate was made, to change the date of effect for the law from publication of the Statute Book to publication of the Kansas Register—which is published earlier than the Statute Book.· Second is HB 2107. This legislation would establish a two-year statute of limitations for wildfire-related claims against electric public utilities, authorize the recovery of certain damages, limit the recovery of punitive damages from said claims at $5 million, require the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to convene a workshop on wildfire risks and utility mitigation efforts by July 1, 2026, and authorize the KCC to open a general investigation or convene additional workshops to further assess wildfire risk and mitigation in the future. The Senate only made one amendment, extending the statute of limitations for some damages to 10 years.· Third is HB 2031, which like HB 2040 has already been covered in a previous newsletter. This bill would amend law by making valid driver licenses issued in other states sufficient for acquiring a driving instructor license in Kansas. The Senate only made one amendment to the bill, to change the date of effect from publication of the Statute Book to that of the Kansas Register.· Fourth is House Bill 2311. This legislation would alter state law regarding the Department for Children and Families in two different ways. First it would prohibit the agency from requiring potential adoptive parents and potential custodians from affirming government policy regarding sexual gender and identity, if it conflicted with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs. Second it would prohibit the selection, licensure, or appointment of individuals based upon their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual gender and identity. The only amendment made by the Senate was to adjust the date of effect, from publication of the Statute Book to publication of the Kansas Register.· Last is Senate Bill 42. This bill would establish a web-based system for online verification of motor vehicle insurance, which would serve as the only electronic system used for verifying motor vehicle liability insurance in the state. The bill would also task the Commissioner of Insurance with creating this system and coordinating with motor vehicle insurers to maintain the registry of said&nbsp;insurance files, with some exceptions for insurers with less than 1,000 vehicles covered. The House only amended the bill, as you might guess, on its date of effect, from publication of the Statute Book to the Kansas Register.Each of these listed bills passed their concurrence votes in the House, and I voted yes on each of them.SENATE BILL 125 UPDATEOne of the 65 bills from the first page that I did not mention was Senate Bill (SB) 125. Originally intended as the trailer budget bill for this session it became the sole budget bill after the contents of House Bill 2007 were added to it. Detailed below is an update on some of the budget items from the bill that were negotiated in conference committee a brief overview of its effect on the state’s finances.First would be the Economic Development Initiatives Fund (EDIF) line items. The House’s version funded the vast majority, 33, of the usual items in EDIF, from the Mainstreet Program to the Summer Sunflower Program, but the Senate’s did not, which only funded five. During the conference committee the House succeeded in persuading the Senate to accept its positions and save these programs, many of which impact the 109th District.Second was the State Water Plan Fund (SWPF), which allocates funds to state agencies for the purpose of coordinating efforts at conserving and improving water in Kansas. Here the House and Senate were able to compromise and increase funding to the SWPF by $15 million, and by using maturing treasury bills save State General Fund (SGF) dollars. Third was $10 million SGF for special education in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which through maintenance-of-effort requirements will continue indefinitely. Here again the Senate had allocated no funds, but the House was able to persuade the Senate into adding these dollars, thus helping school districts across the state.Through several rounds of negotiations, the House and Senate were able to produce a state budget to fund the rest of FY 2025, at $10.846 billion SGF, and upcoming FY 2026, at $10.635 billion, while spending $65.5 million SGF less than the Governor’s proposed budget; just as important, the legislature’s budget funds the vital services of the state, from our state hospitals to improving our highways. The budget passed the concurrence vote by 89 in favor to 35 against, with bipartisan support. As the carrier of the bill and one of the conferees that drafted it, I voted in favor. COFFEES CALENDAR Given this is the last week of session before First Adjournment I figured this is a good time to announce my schedule for coffees during the interim period between now and Veto Session. On April 2, a Wednesday, at 9:00 a.m. Senator Tori Arnberger-Blew and I will host a coffee for Ellsworth County at Hattie Jo’s. On April 3, a Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. Senator Elaine Bowers and I will host a coffee at the Cross-Eyed Cricket for Smith County. Later that same day at 2:00 p.m., Senator Bowers and I will host a coffee at the Hideout for Osborne County. The week after that on April 8, a Tuesday, at 9 a.m. Senator Bowers and I will host a coffee for Lincoln County at the Feedlot Bar &amp; Grill. The fifth and last coffee will be held later that same day at 11 a.m., again between Senator Bowers and I, at the Southwind Bank for Russell County. I look forward to attending these coffees and answering any questions you may have regarding the 2025 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.Contact My Office Representative Troy L. Waymaster 300 SW 10th&nbsp;Street Topeka,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;66612 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> www.troywaymaster.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, April 1, 2025

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

If you have called or stopped by our Cottonwood Extension offices in Hays or Great Bend, you have spoken to some of the most valuable members of our team!

The agents across the Cottonwood Extension District are blessed to have incredible staff to support and assist in so many ways.

Brenda and Theresa are our office professionals and they manage a multitude of tasks, well beyond answering the phone and greeting those who step through our doors. They help to keep us organized, manage the district finances and website, and occasionally “mom” us when schedules and tasks get overwhelming. In addition, they manage so many tasks for events such as the fairs, Walk Kansas, and much more. We couldn’t function without them!

Jacy is the district-wide program assistant and provides wonderful support from scheduling social media to assisting with programs to general coordination of supplies for those programs. If you happened to see our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ksrecottonwood">National Ag Week videos</a>, (Rowdy Ringo on 3.18.2025 and&nbsp;Crosby the Farm Dog on 3.21.2025), Jacy took my crazy idea and made it happen to share two books from local authors with 4-H youth reading. Her fun and “can do” attitude make her a joy with whom to work!

We are also fortunate to have a couple of student assistants from time to time in our offices. Kiera is a Barton Community College student and a Midway-Russell 4-H member and brings a willingness to work and help wherever needed. 

This summer we will have a student summer assistant in each office who assist with copies, fair input, answering the phones, and whatever else is needed. One of our goals is always to expose these students to the larger world of Extension work!

Keep learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran&nbsp;is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District, Great Bend and Hays. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran&nbsp;is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District, Great Bend and Hays. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension DistrictIf you have called or stopped by our Cottonwood Extension offices in Hays or Great Bend, you have spoken to some of the most valuable members of our team!The agents across the Cottonwood Extension District are blessed to have incredible staff to support and assist in so many ways.Brenda and Theresa are our office professionals and they manage a multitude of tasks, well beyond answering the phone and greeting those who step through our doors. They help to keep us organized, manage the district finances and website, and occasionally “mom” us when schedules and tasks get overwhelming. In addition, they manage so many tasks for events such as the fairs, Walk Kansas, and much more. We couldn’t function without them!Jacy is the district-wide program assistant and provides wonderful support from scheduling social media to assisting with programs to general coordination of supplies for those programs. If you happened to see our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ksrecottonwood">National Ag Week videos</a>, (Rowdy Ringo on 3.18.2025 and&nbsp;Crosby the Farm Dog on 3.21.2025), Jacy took my crazy idea and made it happen to share two books from local authors with 4-H youth reading. Her fun and “can do” attitude make her a joy with whom to work!We are also fortunate to have a couple of student assistants from time to time in our offices. Kiera is a Barton Community College student and a Midway-Russell 4-H member and brings a willingness to work and help wherever needed. This summer we will have a student summer assistant in each office who assist with copies, fair input, answering the phones, and whatever else is needed. One of our goals is always to expose these students to the larger world of Extension work!Keep learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District, Great Bend and Hays. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: It takes a team 

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

Well, March is about to show us whether she will go out like a lion or a lamb, which means the 2025 Kansas spring wild turkey season is in the “wings” (you see what I did there?)

 If you haven’t already, now is the time to begin preparations. Check out your camo, which seems to shrink each year as you get older. Camouflage is important in hunting most everything, but is probably most important when hunting wild turkeys, as they have eyesight like no other, and can spot suspicious movement from an unbelievable distance.

I’ve never been much of a “purist” in anything I do, but especially not when hunting wild turkeys. The guys that make the videos and sell the calls and other turkey hunting gear often park themselves against a tree next to a clearing. They put their decoy directly in front of them in the clearing and attempt to call the birds into the decoy in the clearing. That makes for really good videos, but doesn’t work for me, as I can’t hold still enough or be quiet enough, long enough to make it work. It was either adapt to my weaknesses or go “turkeyless.” 

So, I have learned to set myself in some cover along the route I hope the turkeys will travel and put the decoy in front of me but well off to one side or the other, which draws the gobbler’s attention away from me as they hone in on the decoy. This amounts to more of an ambush, but has harvested me more turkeys that trying to be something I’m just not. Also, if morning hunting, be careful NOT to set up too close to their roost, and choose a spot where you can come-and-go without being seen.

Also take your shotgun out and shoot a few shells through it so you know just where it is shooting. That sounds funny, since after all, you are using a shotgun, but trust me when I say, turkeys can be missed. 

Shells recommended for turkey hunting contain big BB’s so there are way fewer of them in a shell, and they can only wound a turkey or miss altogether because you are shooting at the neck and head, which are relatively small targets. The rule of thumb I have read, is to aim at the point on a turkey’s neck where the feathers begin, that should put BB’s in its head as well as its neck and kill the bird cleanly.

Turkey calling is another contentious subject, especially to the more purist hunters. 

In my opinion, its good and helpful to study and learn basic turkey calling techniques, but don’t let fear of making the wrong sounds keep you from hunting. While its good to know enough so you are not screaming out bad things about a gobbler’s mother, I feel its much more important to be camouflaged correctly at the right location, be quiet, be still and have confidence in your shooting than it is to be a champion turkey caller.

There you have it as Kansas spring turkey season is almost here. Turkey numbers in some parts of the state have been on the decline the last few years, but good turkey hunting can still be found. So, get your permit and take a friend or a kid turkey hunting this year. It’s a great way to introduce someone to hunting and to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

Steve can be emailed at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors Well, March is about to show us whether she will go out like a lion or a lamb, which means the 2025 Kansas spring wild turkey season is in the “wings” (you see what I did there?) If you haven’t already, now is the time to begin preparations. Check out your camo, which seems to shrink each year as you get older. Camouflage is important in hunting most everything, but is probably most important when hunting wild turkeys, as they have eyesight like no other, and can spot suspicious movement from an unbelievable distance.I’ve never been much of a “purist” in anything I do, but especially not when hunting wild turkeys. The guys that make the videos and sell the calls and other turkey hunting gear often park themselves against a tree next to a clearing. They put their decoy directly in front of them in the clearing and attempt to call the birds into the decoy in the clearing. That makes for really good videos, but doesn’t work for me, as I can’t hold still enough or be quiet enough, long enough to make it work. It was either adapt to my weaknesses or go “turkeyless.” So, I have learned to set myself in some cover along the route I hope the turkeys will travel and put the decoy in front of me but well off to one side or the other, which draws the gobbler’s attention away from me as they hone in on the decoy. This amounts to more of an ambush, but has harvested me more turkeys that trying to be something I’m just not. Also, if morning hunting, be careful NOT to set up too close to their roost, and choose a spot where you can come-and-go without being seen.Also take your shotgun out and shoot a few shells through it so you know just where it is shooting. That sounds funny, since after all, you are using a shotgun, but trust me when I say, turkeys can be missed. Shells recommended for turkey hunting contain big BB’s so there are way fewer of them in a shell, and they can only wound a turkey or miss altogether because you are shooting at the neck and head, which are relatively small targets. The rule of thumb I have read, is to aim at the point on a turkey’s neck where the feathers begin, that should put BB’s in its head as well as its neck and kill the bird cleanly.Turkey calling is another contentious subject, especially to the more purist hunters. In my opinion, its good and helpful to study and learn basic turkey calling techniques, but don’t let fear of making the wrong sounds keep you from hunting. While its good to know enough so you are not screaming out bad things about a gobbler’s mother, I feel its much more important to be camouflaged correctly at the right location, be quiet, be still and have confidence in your shooting than it is to be a champion turkey caller.There you have it as Kansas spring turkey season is almost here. Turkey numbers in some parts of the state have been on the decline the last few years, but good turkey hunting can still be found. So, get your permit and take a friend or a kid turkey hunting this year. It’s a great way to introduce someone to hunting and to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be emailed at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Preparation for 2025 Kansas spring turkey season

By BILL FIANDER Insight Kansas

It’s not often the people of Kansas get to hold a “referendum” on state legislation. In fact, they can’t. At least not on their own.&nbsp;

Under our state’s constitution, we operate a representative democracy electing legislators to make decisions on our behalf and ultimately hold them accountable every 2-4 years. This&nbsp;indirect&nbsp;democracy can be viewed as a paternalistic relationship between electeds and electorate. A reassuring pat on the head from politicians that lawmaking is their province, and they will call us when needed.

So anytime our legislature agrees to offer us a chance at direct power on one issue, we should stand up and take note.

And anytime our legislature agrees to offer us a chance at direct power forever, we should stand up, take note, and run as fast as we can to our polling place before they change their minds.

Which is why we should really take notice of what the conservative-controlled legislature did last week when the required two-thirds majority passed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1611/">SCR 1611</a>, a proposed constitutional amendment asking&nbsp;voters on August 4, 2026, if we should elect (not just retain) our seven Supreme Court justices. Not only do we get invited to dinner, but it’s a permanent invite and we get to buy the groceries!

That is not to say electing the Supreme Court is totally advisable.

On its face, SCR 1611 is a de facto “referendum” on the current&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kscourts.gov/Judges/Become-a-Judge/Supreme-Court-Nominating-Commission">merit-based selection process</a>&nbsp;controlled by bar-appointed lawyers and governor-appointed citizens. Passed by 70% of the electorate in 1958 after Gov. Fred Hall’s infamous&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.humanitieskansas.org/get-involved/kansas-stories/people/tv-the-triple-play-and-the-man-from-dodge">triple-play scandal</a>, the system was enacted to keep Supreme Court selections free of corruption, moneyed interests, and political bosses.&nbsp;

But if you use your sunflower-colored glasses and squint through the Oz dust of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/19/kansas-house-endorses-plan-to-elect-supreme-court-justices-placing-question-on-august-2026-ballot/">debate</a>, you might also see a glimmer of hope…direct&nbsp;democracy!&nbsp;

Today,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Initiative_and_referendum">26 states</a>&nbsp;provide for some form of direct, or pure, democracy that bypass legislatures with citizen-initiated ballot measures for new laws (initiatives) and/or vetoes (referendums) through collection of signatures (petitions). Laws without lawmakers.

Sadly, Kansas does not; Gov. Joan Finney was the last to earnestly push the issue in the early 1990s. Technically, SCR 1611 is not direct democracy either, but it’s close. It has no citizen-initiated lawmaking. But citizens gain a direct line to pick justices who enforce the biggest law (Kansas constitution) and the weightiest legal question of our time (women’s right to an abortion).&nbsp;

So why stop there?&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch25/025_036_0001.html">Kansas Constitution</a>&nbsp;already allows citizen-initiated ballot measures for cities, counties, and school districts.&nbsp;All adjoining states - Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma - allow it; and all but five states west of the Mississippi.

Sixty-four percent states with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncsl.org/about-state-legislatures/full-and-part-time-legislatures">part-time "citizen" legislatures</a>, like Kansas, allow it.

Most of all, big issues&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2024-kansas-speaks-report-final.10.28.24.v3-corrected-final-bullet-in-exec-sum-to-now-compare-2024-and-2023-results2.pdf">supported</a>&nbsp;by a majority of Kansans but ignored by legislative leadership - Medicaid expansion (72%), recreational marijuana (65%), a women’s right to choose (65%), assault weapon bans (55%) – could be put to a vote of the people once and for all.&nbsp;

Even Senate President, Ty Masterson (R-Andover), and expected 2026 gubernatorial candidate who led the charge for SCR 1611&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_s_fed_st_1/documents/testimony/20250225_01.pdf">believes</a>&nbsp;“it’s time to give the people the opportunity to assume that power and tear down firewalls and shine the light of democracy we all claim to support.”

I couldn’t agree more. If legislative leaders are truly ingenuous about tearing down judiciary firewalls for the people, their own firewalls should be next.

Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708024541249.jpeg" alt="Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BILL FIANDER Insight KansasIt’s not often the people of Kansas get to hold a “referendum” on state legislation. In fact, they can’t. At least not on their own.&nbsp;Under our state’s constitution, we operate a representative democracy electing legislators to make decisions on our behalf and ultimately hold them accountable every 2-4 years. This&nbsp;indirect&nbsp;democracy can be viewed as a paternalistic relationship between electeds and electorate. A reassuring pat on the head from politicians that lawmaking is their province, and they will call us when needed.So anytime our legislature agrees to offer us a chance at direct power on one issue, we should stand up and take note.And anytime our legislature agrees to offer us a chance at direct power forever, we should stand up, take note, and run as fast as we can to our polling place before they change their minds.Which is why we should really take notice of what the conservative-controlled legislature did last week when the required two-thirds majority passed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1611/">SCR 1611</a>, a proposed constitutional amendment asking&nbsp;voters on August 4, 2026, if we should elect (not just retain) our seven Supreme Court justices. Not only do we get invited to dinner, but it’s a permanent invite and we get to buy the groceries!That is not to say electing the Supreme Court is totally advisable.On its face, SCR 1611 is a de facto “referendum” on the current&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kscourts.gov/Judges/Become-a-Judge/Supreme-Court-Nominating-Commission">merit-based selection process</a>&nbsp;controlled by bar-appointed lawyers and governor-appointed citizens. Passed by 70% of the electorate in 1958 after Gov. Fred Hall’s infamous&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.humanitieskansas.org/get-involved/kansas-stories/people/tv-the-triple-play-and-the-man-from-dodge">triple-play scandal</a>, the system was enacted to keep Supreme Court selections free of corruption, moneyed interests, and political bosses.&nbsp;But if you use your sunflower-colored glasses and squint through the Oz dust of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/19/kansas-house-endorses-plan-to-elect-supreme-court-justices-placing-question-on-august-2026-ballot/">debate</a>, you might also see a glimmer of hope…direct&nbsp;democracy!&nbsp;Today,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Initiative_and_referendum">26 states</a>&nbsp;provide for some form of direct, or pure, democracy that bypass legislatures with citizen-initiated ballot measures for new laws (initiatives) and/or vetoes (referendums) through collection of signatures (petitions). Laws without lawmakers.Sadly, Kansas does not; Gov. Joan Finney was the last to earnestly push the issue in the early 1990s. Technically, SCR 1611 is not direct democracy either, but it’s close. It has no citizen-initiated lawmaking. But citizens gain a direct line to pick justices who enforce the biggest law (Kansas constitution) and the weightiest legal question of our time (women’s right to an abortion).&nbsp;So why stop there?&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch25/025_036_0001.html">Kansas Constitution</a>&nbsp;already allows citizen-initiated ballot measures for cities, counties, and school districts.&nbsp;All adjoining states - Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma - allow it; and all but five states west of the Mississippi.Sixty-four percent states with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncsl.org/about-state-legislatures/full-and-part-time-legislatures">part-time "citizen" legislatures</a>, like Kansas, allow it.Most of all, big issues&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2024-kansas-speaks-report-final.10.28.24.v3-corrected-final-bullet-in-exec-sum-to-now-compare-2024-and-2023-results2.pdf">supported</a>&nbsp;by a majority of Kansans but ignored by legislative leadership - Medicaid expansion (72%), recreational marijuana (65%), a women’s right to choose (65%), assault weapon bans (55%) – could be put to a vote of the people once and for all.&nbsp;Even Senate President, Ty Masterson (R-Andover), and expected 2026 gubernatorial candidate who led the charge for SCR 1611&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_s_fed_st_1/documents/testimony/20250225_01.pdf">believes</a>&nbsp;“it’s time to give the people the opportunity to assume that power and tear down firewalls and shine the light of democracy we all claim to support.”I couldn’t agree more. If legislative leaders are truly ingenuous about tearing down judiciary firewalls for the people, their own firewalls should be next.Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka.

Insight Kansas: Electing the Supreme Court? Why stop there?

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

A Kansas Forest Service official is urging Kansans to be on the lookout for a pair of invasive species that threaten the state’s forests and ecosystems by pushing out native vegetation.

Ryan Rastok, the forest health coordinator with KFS, said Callery pear and bush honeysuckle are especially meddlesome this time of year.

“I was flying back from Georgia into Kansas City recently and as we were flying into the airport, I could see an abundance of Callery pear, even from the plane,” Rastok said.

For a brief time – often in early April – the Callery pear puts on a stunning display of white flowers. But behind the beauty belies a menace.

Native to China, the Callery pear includes 26 cultivars that present significant ecological concerns in Kansas and Missouri. Among them:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It displaces native trees and plants in the wild, which lowers ecologocial biodiversity. The tree does not host native pollinators. · It leafs out before woodland wildflowers emerge from dormancy, robbing them of critical sunlight and preventing their growth. · Its’ egg-shaped structure – at heights of 30-40 feet – and brittle wood make it prone to falling limbs that can damage people and property.

“Yeah, there’s been a myriad of descriptions for the smell, most of them vile and maybe some not appropriate to say out loud,” he said.

Bush Honeysuckle is another invasive that Rastok urges homeowners to identify and remove. The shrub spreads up to 15-20 feet in height with flowers that change from white to yellow; juicy red berries; and opposite, simple leaves that green up much earlier than surrounding native vegetation.

The shrub typically flowers in May or June, and unlike the Callery pear, is more fragrant.

Rastok said not counting such human activities as &nbsp;urban sprawl and others, bush honeysuckle “is the biggest threat to our native forests and ecosystems in Kansas, and it’s continuing to spread so we need to keep the pressure on that one, as well. The biggest issue right now is that it’s starting to establish in the state’s woodlands where it will eventually push out our native vegetation…it simplifies the ecosystem by lowering its overall floral and faunal diversity.”

Neither the Callery pear nor the bush honeysuckle are easily managed by prescribed burning, Rastok said. 

More information on controls, and options for replenishing areas where trees have been removed, is available from the Kansas Forest Service at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kansasforests.org/">www.kansasforests.org</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698682262753.jpeg" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictA Kansas Forest Service official is urging Kansans to be on the lookout for a pair of invasive species that threaten the state’s forests and ecosystems by pushing out native vegetation.Ryan Rastok, the forest health coordinator with KFS, said Callery pear and bush honeysuckle are especially meddlesome this time of year.“I was flying back from Georgia into Kansas City recently and as we were flying into the airport, I could see an abundance of Callery pear, even from the plane,” Rastok said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742917001894.png" alt="Callery or Bradford pear tree. Photo by Kelly Oten/North Carolina State Extension" />
 <figcaption>Callery or Bradford pear tree. Photo by Kelly Oten/North Carolina State Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>For a brief time – often in early April – the Callery pear puts on a stunning display of white flowers. But behind the beauty belies a menace.Native to China, the Callery pear includes 26 cultivars that present significant ecological concerns in Kansas and Missouri. Among them:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It displaces native trees and plants in the wild, which lowers ecologocial biodiversity. The tree does not host native pollinators. · It leafs out before woodland wildflowers emerge from dormancy, robbing them of critical sunlight and preventing their growth. · Its’ egg-shaped structure – at heights of 30-40 feet – and brittle wood make it prone to falling limbs that can damage people and property.And, Rastok says, it smells.“Yeah, there’s been a myriad of descriptions for the smell, most of them vile and maybe some not appropriate to say out loud,” he said.Bush Honeysuckle is another invasive that Rastok urges homeowners to identify and remove. The shrub spreads up to 15-20 feet in height with flowers that change from white to yellow; juicy red berries; and opposite, simple leaves that green up much earlier than surrounding native vegetation.The shrub typically flowers in May or June, and unlike the Callery pear, is more fragrant.Rastok said not counting such human activities as &nbsp;urban sprawl and others, bush honeysuckle “is the biggest threat to our native forests and ecosystems in Kansas, and it’s continuing to spread so we need to keep the pressure on that one, as well. The biggest issue right now is that it’s starting to establish in the state’s woodlands where it will eventually push out our native vegetation…it simplifies the ecosystem by lowering its overall floral and faunal diversity.”Neither the Callery pear nor the bush honeysuckle are easily managed by prescribed burning, Rastok said. More information on controls, and options for replenishing areas where trees have been removed, is available from the Kansas Forest Service at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kansasforests.org/">www.kansasforests.org</a>.Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Invasive Callery pear trees

By STACEY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Last year’s growing season brought to Kansas a new disease to corn,&nbsp;corn stunt spiroplasma and its associated vector the corn leafhopper insect. 

It was confirmed in 26 counties in 2024. Active field scouting last year confirmed active leaf hoppers in many additional counties. Although the majority of the positive reports are from field corn, also confirmed corn stunt spiroplasma in sweet corn as well. 

High levels of disease were found in late-planted and double-cropped corn, leading to potential yield reduction. So be aware that late-planted and double-cropped corn is more at risk of contracting corn stunt disease. Early planting of corn is advised as leafhopper infestations, and corn stunt disease will increase as the season progresses. Removal of volunteer corn plants following the growing season is also advised to reduce overwintering sites for adult corn leafhoppers.

Symptoms of the disease may include shortened internodes, which can result in a stunted stature of the corn plant as well as leaves with red discoloration. Because other factors in the environment can cause red or purple discoloration in corn, laboratory testing is important to diagnose corn stunt disease and distinguish it from other stressors. Corn stunt disease can result in yield loss due to severe plant stunting, smaller ear size and loose/lost kernels.

In the past, corn stunt disease has been limited in distribution to southern Texas, Florida, and California in the United States. 

Corn stunt is caused by a wall-less bacterial pathogen called corn stunt spiroplasma. The corn leafhopper can also transmit additional pathogens, either singly or in combination with the corn stunt spiroplasma. 

To date, only corn stunt spiroplasma has been detected in Kansas. Additional research is needed to determine the presence of other pathogens vectored by corn leafhopper in Kansas.

This disease is spread only by the corn leafhopper. Corn leafhopper acquires pathogens within minutes of feeding on infected corn plants but it can take up to 30 days for the leafhopper to be able to infect healthy corn plants during feeding events.

Although the infestation by the corn leafhoppers usually begins at the early crop stages, and the transmission of the pathogens occurs in the vegetative growth stages, symptoms of corn stunt disease only appear later in the season, generally 30 days after leafhopper feeding, when corn has already reached the reproductive stages.

Corn stunt disease incidence will not be reduced by insecticide control. If you see disease symptoms in the field, the plants have already been infected. Infected plants will not show symptoms for one month. If the corn is mature enough, then infection may not impact corn kernels. 

According to Corteva Agriscience, insecticidal seed treatments consisting of imidacloprid and clothianidin can provide control of corn leafhoppers up to the V3 growth stage. After that, plants are susceptible to acquiring the corn stunt pathogens through leafhopper feeding.

The corn leafhopper is relatively simple to identify under magnification. These leafhoppers are light tan to yellowish-white in color and approximately 1/8” long. Two distinct dark spots between the antennae and eyes are very characteristic of this species. Nymphs lack wings and can vary in color. Like most leafhoppers, all stages move quickly when disturbed and hide in shaded areas of corn plants. 

All stages can be sampled using a sweep net; a video showing how to sample for corn leafhoppers in mature corn canopies can be found here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgLuWWSwHWU">https://youtu.be/QgLuWWSwHWU</a>.

If you ever have any questions or during the growing season need me to look at any of your corn fields, please give me a call at 785-628-9430.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="Stacy Campbell&nbsp;is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell&nbsp;is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACEY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictLast year’s growing season brought to Kansas a new disease to corn,&nbsp;corn stunt spiroplasma and its associated vector the corn leafhopper insect. It was confirmed in 26 counties in 2024. Active field scouting last year confirmed active leaf hoppers in many additional counties. Although the majority of the positive reports are from field corn, also confirmed corn stunt spiroplasma in sweet corn as well. High levels of disease were found in late-planted and double-cropped corn, leading to potential yield reduction. So be aware that late-planted and double-cropped corn is more at risk of contracting corn stunt disease. Early planting of corn is advised as leafhopper infestations, and corn stunt disease will increase as the season progresses. Removal of volunteer corn plants following the growing season is also advised to reduce overwintering sites for adult corn leafhoppers.Symptoms of the disease may include shortened internodes, which can result in a stunted stature of the corn plant as well as leaves with red discoloration. Because other factors in the environment can cause red or purple discoloration in corn, laboratory testing is important to diagnose corn stunt disease and distinguish it from other stressors. Corn stunt disease can result in yield loss due to severe plant stunting, smaller ear size and loose/lost kernels.In the past, corn stunt disease has been limited in distribution to southern Texas, Florida, and California in the United States. Corn stunt is caused by a wall-less bacterial pathogen called corn stunt spiroplasma. The corn leafhopper can also transmit additional pathogens, either singly or in combination with the corn stunt spiroplasma. To date, only corn stunt spiroplasma has been detected in Kansas. Additional research is needed to determine the presence of other pathogens vectored by corn leafhopper in Kansas.This disease is spread only by the corn leafhopper. Corn leafhopper acquires pathogens within minutes of feeding on infected corn plants but it can take up to 30 days for the leafhopper to be able to infect healthy corn plants during feeding events.Although the infestation by the corn leafhoppers usually begins at the early crop stages, and the transmission of the pathogens occurs in the vegetative growth stages, symptoms of corn stunt disease only appear later in the season, generally 30 days after leafhopper feeding, when corn has already reached the reproductive stages.Chemical ControlCorn stunt disease incidence will not be reduced by insecticide control. If you see disease symptoms in the field, the plants have already been infected. Infected plants will not show symptoms for one month. If the corn is mature enough, then infection may not impact corn kernels. According to Corteva Agriscience, insecticidal seed treatments consisting of imidacloprid and clothianidin can provide control of corn leafhoppers up to the V3 growth stage. After that, plants are susceptible to acquiring the corn stunt pathogens through leafhopper feeding.The corn leafhopper is relatively simple to identify under magnification. These leafhoppers are light tan to yellowish-white in color and approximately 1/8” long. Two distinct dark spots between the antennae and eyes are very characteristic of this species. Nymphs lack wings and can vary in color. Like most leafhoppers, all stages move quickly when disturbed and hide in shaded areas of corn plants. All stages can be sampled using a sweep net; a video showing how to sample for corn leafhoppers in mature corn canopies can be found here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgLuWWSwHWU">https://youtu.be/QgLuWWSwHWU</a>.If you ever have any questions or during the growing season need me to look at any of your corn fields, please give me a call at 785-628-9430.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Corn Stunt disease – A new threat to Kansas corn

Editor's note: This letter was sent in response to a letter and comments from Hays USD 489 board member Derek Yarmer. See the related stories.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/52e53c90-5182-42f0-919e-2c7dc145305b">SEE RELATED STORY: Opinion Hays USD 489 board member critical of use of bond, capital funds.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e4ec7011-734d-4c18-ab28-c5b38d236126">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 board votes not to add another manager for bond work</a>

What I have learned during my career as a Superintendent of Schools is that sometimes people get so focused on trying to find problems that they forget to notice all the wonderful things that are happening around them. As we are well over the halfway point of all our bond projects, I celebrate the growth that has already occurred in some of our schools with new bond project additions and updated renovations that have been completed to this point, along with those projects still under construction and those coming soon. &nbsp;I often like to say that change is inevitable for everyone, but growth is optional for some. My hope is those that want to still be critical of our bond can grow in their understanding of how important it is to have great schools in our community and that also means having great facilities.

I realize that “arm chair quarterbacking” of bond projects is par for the course, but what I don’t want us to lose sight of is all the good stuff that we are doing in creating a better future for our students, staff, and community. A prime function of my responsibility as the leader of our school district is giving students, staff, and our community&nbsp;everything they deserve. When I came to this district six years ago as the superintendent, I began saying that we have to stop settling for the schools and facilities that we have, and we need to start building for schools that we deserve. &nbsp;We will continue to do that despite the critics! Building To Great- It’s The Hays 489 Way!

Ron Wilson Hays USD 489 superintendent of schools

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584045030403.png" alt="USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson" />
 <figcaption>USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson</figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: This letter was sent in response to a letter and comments from Hays USD 489 board member Derek Yarmer. See the related stories.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/52e53c90-5182-42f0-919e-2c7dc145305b">SEE RELATED STORY: Opinion Hays USD 489 board member critical of use of bond, capital funds.</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e4ec7011-734d-4c18-ab28-c5b38d236126">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 board votes not to add another manager for bond work</a>What I have learned during my career as a Superintendent of Schools is that sometimes people get so focused on trying to find problems that they forget to notice all the wonderful things that are happening around them. As we are well over the halfway point of all our bond projects, I celebrate the growth that has already occurred in some of our schools with new bond project additions and updated renovations that have been completed to this point, along with those projects still under construction and those coming soon. &nbsp;I often like to say that change is inevitable for everyone, but growth is optional for some. My hope is those that want to still be critical of our bond can grow in their understanding of how important it is to have great schools in our community and that also means having great facilities.I realize that “arm chair quarterbacking” of bond projects is par for the course, but what I don’t want us to lose sight of is all the good stuff that we are doing in creating a better future for our students, staff, and community. A prime function of my responsibility as the leader of our school district is giving students, staff, and our community&nbsp;everything they deserve. When I came to this district six years ago as the superintendent, I began saying that we have to stop settling for the schools and facilities that we have, and we need to start building for schools that we deserve. &nbsp;We will continue to do that despite the critics! Building To Great- It’s The Hays 489 Way!Ron Wilson Hays USD 489 superintendent of schools

Opinion: Hays USD 489 Superintendent: Everything they deserve

Editor's note: After board member Derek Yarmer said he thought the community was not getting everything residents expected out of the bond projects during a school board meeting on Monday, the Hays Post asked him to elaborate with more specifics.

Yarmer responded with the following written statement via email. It is included here in its entirety.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706030081038.jpeg" alt="Board members Derek Yarmer, left, and Jayme Goetz, right, at a past school board meeting. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Board members Derek Yarmer, left, and Jayme Goetz, right, at a past school board meeting. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: After board member Derek Yarmer said he thought the community was not getting everything residents expected out of the bond projects during a school board meeting on Monday, the Hays Post asked him to elaborate with more specifics.Yarmer responded with the following written statement via email. It is included here in its entirety.We are using money out of the capital outlay fund (which is meant to maintain our facilities) for things that should be covered under the bond.Looking at the bond project on the large scale:The bond was passed for $143.5 million with the promise to completely build, equip, and furnish a new high school campus. The bond also promised to renovate, make additions to, equip, and furnish the other buildings in the district (O’Loughlin, Roosevelt, Wilson, the current Hays Middle School and the current Hays High School).The bond money is now projected to be $164.9 million after accruing interest, collecting returns on investments, and the sales of district property. Even after the additional $21.5 million, we are spending millions of dollars out of other funds and will still not address some of the major concerns brought forward by the bond planning committee.1. The current Hays High School is a 124,000-square-foot structure that was found to be in poor condition prior to passing the bond.• Planned renovations through the bond are $7 million.&nbsp; • The current plans don’t address the plumbing, which received a 1/5 score from the Planning Committee • The current 5-year capital outlay plan calls for spending money in addition to the bond of: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;a. $645,000 for roofing &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;b. $710,000 for classroom/bathroom updates &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;c. $500,000 for parking lot (a large new parking lot already exists there, and as a new middle school, the building will not require as many parking spots) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;d. $75,000 for lockers and paint2. The current Hays Middle School is a 102,730-square-foot structure that was found to have multiple deficiencies prior to passing the bond.• Planned renovations through the bond are $3.8 million • The current 5-year capital outlay plan calls for spending money in addition to the bond of: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;a. $175,000 for asbestos removal &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;b. $260,000 for roofing &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;c. $175,000 for furniture &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;d. $660,000 for room renovation &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;e. $150,000 for playground relocation3. Wilson Elementary is a 40,206-square-foot structure found to be in poor condition prior to passing the bond.• The initial bond called for the renovation of Wilson, but currently, there are no funds allocated for the building through the bond. • The current 5-year capital outlay plan calls for spending:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;a. $1.5 million to remodel rooms &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;b. $150,000 for A/V renovations &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;c. $30,000 for tuck point &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;d. $500,000 for warehouse/maintenance shop &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;e. $160,000 for roofingThe 3-year average of expenditures from the capital outlay fund prior to starting the bond was $3.5 million per year.Since passing the bond, we are projected to spend $6.4 million in 2024-25, $5.3 million in 2025-26, and $5.5 million in 2026-27, respectively.It is my opinion that the school’s administration has failed to follow through on its promise to the taxpayers of USD 489 regarding its use of the bond money. I have spoken to members of the bond planning committees, and there was supposed to be an oversight committee to make sure that the funds were being used properly. Ron Wilson lacks the capability to effectively manage the bond project, and I believe he has poor judgment regarding spending priorities for the district. We are spending $753,700 for a concession stand, $777,680 for digital score boards, $687,937 for tennis courts, and $66,364 for a marquee sign this year, while putting off roofing projects and classroom remodeling for years to come. After the taxpayers graciously approved a bond which gave the administration $164.9 million to improve the school district, we are still taxing citizens at the highest rate possible and spending over $2 million more each year from the capital outlay fund than before the bond passed. The school board is also to blame for this reckless spending by failing to provide proper oversight of the school administration, and for this I am sorry.— Derek Yarmer, Hays USD 489 school board member