By ROBERT BICKEL Stetson University College of Law and GENE POLICINSKI Freedom Forum Institute

When the Supreme Court declared in 
Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 that the segregationist doctrine of 
“separate but equal” was unconstitutional, our government, our society 
and our very selves were redefined.

With that decision, the court 
achieved equal status with the other two branches of government — 
legislative and executive — fulfilling the aspirations for our nation’s 
democracy.&nbsp;

In that watershed moment, a young Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a fresh advocate and leader for a movement many hoped would use the high court’s decision to make democracy “real.”

King understood the power of the 
First Amendment and its guaranteed freedoms, especially the right to 
protest peacefully. He brought that power alive and helped realize the 
promise of Brown the following year when he spoke the words that gave 
the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott its foundation:

“The only weapon that we have in our hands tonight is the weapon of protest.&nbsp;That’s all.”

With King’s words energizing a 
peaceful mass protest against racial injustice, the leaders and legions 
who were prompted to action in Montgomery after Rosa Parks
 was arrested for refusing to move to the back of a city bus set out to 
change the nation. They sparked social change and examination that 
continues today.&nbsp;

For those who want to better 
understand this and other touchstone events in the fight for civil 
rights, we have created a free online course, “<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/course-the-first-amendment-and-the-civil-rights-movement/" target="_blank">The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement</a>.”
 The lessons address important civil rights cases, with video interviews
 of leading figures and historical front pages of newspapers from the 
Newseum collection to set the scenes.

The course’s interdisciplinary, 
multimedia design makes it an excellent resource for teachers, public 
officials, social leaders and others who want to learn about the First 
Amendment’s roots in the nation’s search for racial justice over more 
than two centuries to “form a more perfect union.”&nbsp;

Because of the First Amendment, that mid-20th
 century movement of peaceful mass protest grew throughout the South and
 continued for a decade. The South’s resistance to Brown elevated the 
issue of racial segregation to a violation of the civil rights 
amendments. In turn, that propelled the federal courts at every level to
 reaffirm Brown in its most expansive terms — with a free press and free
 speakers tracking every move.&nbsp;

These cases challenged the courts 
from within to oppose those Southern district and appellate judges who 
openly espoused resistance to Brown. The Doctrine of Interposition — 
which allowed states to stand between the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of
 Rights and federal law — had to be overturned once and for all as an 
unconstitutional view of states’ rights.

The protests and petitions of the 
1950s and 1960s led the White House and Congress to live up to their 
duty to enforce the human rights at stake in Brown, which required 
bipartisan political commitment and action. The result was the passage 
of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, crowning 
moments in congressional history.&nbsp;

The Black Lives Matter movement is 
today’s version of Selma, Ala., where nonviolent marchers in support of 
voting rights for Black Americans were met on the Edmund Pettus Bridge 
with billy clubs and tear gas.&nbsp;As David Halberstam 
wrote in his book “The Fifties,” the earlier movement educated the news 
media, and the media educated America. The First Amendment freedoms 
powered that education, then and now, by providing a free press and 
protecting the rights of those who marched as they sought to touch the 
conscience of the nation.

The First Amendment is a primary tool for those who seek to revitalize in the 21st
 century the efforts made in the last century to finally fulfill the 
promises of freedom and equality in the Constitution and the Bill of 
Rights.

Robert Bickel, professor emeritus 
of law at Stetson University College of Law, and Gene Policinski, senior
 fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, are authors of “<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/course-the-first-amendment-and-the-civil-rights-movement/" target="_blank">The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement</a>,” created with the support of Stetson University and the Freedom Forum. The online course is available to all at no charge.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575569932510.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ROBERT BICKEL Stetson University College of Law and GENE POLICINSKI Freedom Forum InstituteWhen the Supreme Court declared in 
Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 that the segregationist doctrine of 
“separate but equal” was unconstitutional, our government, our society 
and our very selves were redefined.With that decision, the court 
achieved equal status with the other two branches of government — 
legislative and executive — fulfilling the aspirations for our nation’s 
democracy.&nbsp;In that watershed moment, a young Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a fresh advocate and leader for a movement many hoped would use the high court’s decision to make democracy “real.”King understood the power of the 
First Amendment and its guaranteed freedoms, especially the right to 
protest peacefully. He brought that power alive and helped realize the 
promise of Brown the following year when he spoke the words that gave 
the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott its foundation:“The only weapon that we have in our hands tonight is the weapon of protest.&nbsp;That’s all.”With King’s words energizing a 
peaceful mass protest against racial injustice, the leaders and legions 
who were prompted to action in Montgomery after Rosa Parks
 was arrested for refusing to move to the back of a city bus set out to 
change the nation. They sparked social change and examination that 
continues today.&nbsp;For those who want to better 
understand this and other touchstone events in the fight for civil 
rights, we have created a free online course, “<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/course-the-first-amendment-and-the-civil-rights-movement/" target="_blank">The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement</a>.”
 The lessons address important civil rights cases, with video interviews
 of leading figures and historical front pages of newspapers from the 
Newseum collection to set the scenes.The course’s interdisciplinary, 
multimedia design makes it an excellent resource for teachers, public 
officials, social leaders and others who want to learn about the First 
Amendment’s roots in the nation’s search for racial justice over more 
than two centuries to “form a more perfect union.”&nbsp;Because of the First Amendment, that mid-20th
 century movement of peaceful mass protest grew throughout the South and
 continued for a decade. The South’s resistance to Brown elevated the 
issue of racial segregation to a violation of the civil rights 
amendments. In turn, that propelled the federal courts at every level to
 reaffirm Brown in its most expansive terms — with a free press and free
 speakers tracking every move.&nbsp;These cases challenged the courts 
from within to oppose those Southern district and appellate judges who 
openly espoused resistance to Brown. The Doctrine of Interposition — 
which allowed states to stand between the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of
 Rights and federal law — had to be overturned once and for all as an 
unconstitutional view of states’ rights.The protests and petitions of the 
1950s and 1960s led the White House and Congress to live up to their 
duty to enforce the human rights at stake in Brown, which required 
bipartisan political commitment and action. The result was the passage 
of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, crowning 
moments in congressional history.&nbsp;The Black Lives Matter movement is 
today’s version of Selma, Ala., where nonviolent marchers in support of 
voting rights for Black Americans were met on the Edmund Pettus Bridge 
with billy clubs and tear gas.&nbsp;As David Halberstam 
wrote in his book “The Fifties,” the earlier movement educated the news 
media, and the media educated America. The First Amendment freedoms 
powered that education, then and now, by providing a free press and 
protecting the rights of those who marched as they sought to touch the 
conscience of the nation.The First Amendment is a primary tool for those who seek to revitalize in the 21st
 century the efforts made in the last century to finally fulfill the 
promises of freedom and equality in the Constitution and the Bill of 
Rights.Robert Bickel, professor emeritus 
of law at Stetson University College of Law, and Gene Policinski, senior
 fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, are authors of “<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/course-the-first-amendment-and-the-civil-rights-movement/" target="_blank">The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement</a>,” created with the support of Stetson University and the Freedom Forum. The online course is available to all at no charge.

Free online course: The Civil Rights Movement and the First Amendment

Conspiracy theories have taken root in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Reporter Jim McLean discovered this while visiting the town of Protection, Kansas, recently for a story.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1957, this Comanche County community became the first town in the U.S. to be fully vaccinated against polio.&nbsp;&nbsp;Back then, vaccinations were a community event with widespread public support.&nbsp;According to McLean, “it’s a different story today.”

McLean found today’s Protection deeply divided over the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;&nbsp;Refusers and skeptics gave many reasons, including a vague sense of distrust.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, some people he interviewed expressed a more-specific belief, that the government puts a tracking microchip in each dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;This particular belief is not only baseless, it is also a component of a larger conspiracy theory called QAnon.&nbsp;&nbsp;When citizens and public officials tacitly endorse components of larger conspiracy theory narratives, they put public health in danger by raising the percentage of those not vaccinated.&nbsp;&nbsp;They also make it more difficult to properly allocate supplies so that doses do not get wasted.&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, they help spread the conspiracy theory itself.

Conspiracy theories also endanger our democracy, and Kansas’ elected officials are the culprits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Led by Trump appointee Christopher Krebs, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported that the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was “the most secure in U.S. history.”&nbsp;&nbsp;So, why did&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas Reps. Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner, Ron Estes, and Senator Roger Marshall refuse to certify the results?&nbsp;&nbsp;Each was vague, but one of the most popular narratives defending this decision was the belief that Dominion Voting Systems machines were “rigged” to change votes from Trump to Biden.&nbsp;&nbsp;This too is linked closely to QAnon, and it too is false.

What follows is an actual description of what these deniers are helping to spread.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is a brief primer on QAnon, which is taken seriously by an estimated one million Americans.

QAnon backers were heavily involved in the U.S. Capitol rioting on January 6th.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon believer Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by capitol police while leading a mob.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shirtless rioters wearing horned headdresses were also QAnon followers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other QAnon symbols spotted that day include logos incorporating the capital letter “Q,” references to John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the hashtags #WWG1WGA (Where We Go One We Go All) and #Savethechildren.&nbsp;&nbsp;

QAnon followers believe that leading members of the Democratic Party worship Satan and operate a child trafficking ring because they want to get high from a chemical in the childrens’ blood.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon draws heavily upon an anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish), Medieval European conspiracy theory called&nbsp;blood libel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Openly endorsed by two U.S. Representatives, QAnon anticipates&nbsp;the storm, when former President Trump will incarcerate or execute the alleged cabal.&nbsp;

QAnon followers also believe that John F. Kennedy, Jr. is still alive and that home goods retailer&nbsp;<a href="http://wayfair.com/">Wayfair.com</a>&nbsp;is a front for the child trafficking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Followers are linked to stalking, kidnapping, an attack on the Canadian Prime Minister’s home, at least two murders, a blockade of the Hoover Dam, and a train derailment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Last year, heavily armed QAnon believers were arrested on their way to the Philadelphia Convention Center while ballots were being counted.&nbsp;&nbsp;I recently wrote up my more-detailed deep dive into QAnon on the Midwest Political Science Association’s blog site, available at&nbsp;<a href="http://mpsanet.org/mpsa-blog">mpsanet.org/mpsa-blog</a>

When&nbsp;Kansas politicians and citizens endorse&nbsp;factually baseless&nbsp;components of conspiracy theories, they encourage&nbsp;the whole toxic narrative.&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;disrupt public health, endanger democracy, and even&nbsp;threaten&nbsp;to undermine our understanding of reality itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;It needs to stop, right now.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576785940426.png" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>Conspiracy theories have taken root in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Reporter Jim McLean discovered this while visiting the town of Protection, Kansas, recently for a story.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1957, this Comanche County community became the first town in the U.S. to be fully vaccinated against polio.&nbsp;&nbsp;Back then, vaccinations were a community event with widespread public support.&nbsp;According to McLean, “it’s a different story today.”McLean found today’s Protection deeply divided over the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;&nbsp;Refusers and skeptics gave many reasons, including a vague sense of distrust.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, some people he interviewed expressed a more-specific belief, that the government puts a tracking microchip in each dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;This particular belief is not only baseless, it is also a component of a larger conspiracy theory called QAnon.&nbsp;&nbsp;When citizens and public officials tacitly endorse components of larger conspiracy theory narratives, they put public health in danger by raising the percentage of those not vaccinated.&nbsp;&nbsp;They also make it more difficult to properly allocate supplies so that doses do not get wasted.&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, they help spread the conspiracy theory itself.Conspiracy theories also endanger our democracy, and Kansas’ elected officials are the culprits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Led by Trump appointee Christopher Krebs, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported that the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was “the most secure in U.S. history.”&nbsp;&nbsp;So, why did&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas Reps. Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner, Ron Estes, and Senator Roger Marshall refuse to certify the results?&nbsp;&nbsp;Each was vague, but one of the most popular narratives defending this decision was the belief that Dominion Voting Systems machines were “rigged” to change votes from Trump to Biden.&nbsp;&nbsp;This too is linked closely to QAnon, and it too is false.What follows is an actual description of what these deniers are helping to spread.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is a brief primer on QAnon, which is taken seriously by an estimated one million Americans.QAnon backers were heavily involved in the U.S. Capitol rioting on January 6th.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon believer Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by capitol police while leading a mob.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shirtless rioters wearing horned headdresses were also QAnon followers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other QAnon symbols spotted that day include logos incorporating the capital letter “Q,” references to John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the hashtags #WWG1WGA (Where We Go One We Go All) and #Savethechildren.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon followers believe that leading members of the Democratic Party worship Satan and operate a child trafficking ring because they want to get high from a chemical in the childrens’ blood.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon draws heavily upon an anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish), Medieval European conspiracy theory called&nbsp;blood libel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Openly endorsed by two U.S. Representatives, QAnon anticipates&nbsp;the storm, when former President Trump will incarcerate or execute the alleged cabal.&nbsp;QAnon followers also believe that John F. Kennedy, Jr. is still alive and that home goods retailer&nbsp;<a href="http://wayfair.com/">Wayfair.com</a>&nbsp;is a front for the child trafficking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Followers are linked to stalking, kidnapping, an attack on the Canadian Prime Minister’s home, at least two murders, a blockade of the Hoover Dam, and a train derailment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Last year, heavily armed QAnon believers were arrested on their way to the Philadelphia Convention Center while ballots were being counted.&nbsp;&nbsp;I recently wrote up my more-detailed deep dive into QAnon on the Midwest Political Science Association’s blog site, available at&nbsp;<a href="http://mpsanet.org/mpsa-blog">mpsanet.org/mpsa-blog</a>When&nbsp;Kansas politicians and citizens endorse&nbsp;factually baseless&nbsp;components of conspiracy theories, they encourage&nbsp;the whole toxic narrative.&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;disrupt public health, endanger democracy, and even&nbsp;threaten&nbsp;to undermine our understanding of reality itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;It needs to stop, right now.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Conspiracy theories attack lives, democracy in Kan.

BY RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Those who own skid-steer loaders point out that these industrial machines can have many uses. Perhaps their only limitation is the type of equipment that can be attached to those skid steers. These attachments can pull posts, wind wire, cut trees, dig trenches, mix concrete and more.&nbsp;

Today we’ll learn about an innovative rural Kansas business which specializes in designing attachments for those skid steer loaders, while offering all the capabilities of a complete machine shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

LeeRoy Douglas is the owner and founder of Douglas Welding and Machine at Kipp, Kansas. LeeRoy and his wife Mary live in Kipp, near Salina. LeeRoy was working in a metal fabrication shop in Salina when he decided to start his own business in 1989.&nbsp;

Regan West is director of purchasing, sales and marketing for Douglas Machine and Welding today. “LeeRoy started working in his garage,” Regan said. “When he outgrew that, he built a shop and it’s grown from there.”&nbsp;

When LeeRoy and Mary’s son Colby joined the company, they had the idea to build attachments to go on skid steers. Their first product was an attachment that enabled the skid steer to pull up a post or small tree. It worked so well that it has become Douglas Welding’s best-selling product. “Other people may sell a post puller that works like scissors, but ours works like hands to grasp the post,” Regan said. “It works so much better, you can’t compare.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Douglas Welding and Machine, also known as DWM Attachments, continued to expand the type of skid steer attachments that it has developed. “We offer more than 40 different attachments,” Regan said. These include wire winders, various saws, stump grinders, mowers, trenchers, post-hole augers, corner-post setters, concrete mixers, buckets, backhoes, harrows, telebooms, bale spears, pallet forks, and more. New items include a tiller, tube grinder, and tree shovel.&nbsp;

Today, Douglas Welding and Machine specializes in fabrication of carbon steel products, including skid steer attachments and custom items. The machine shop offers CNC (computer numerically controlled), plasma-cutting, shearing, breaking, and full range fabrication capabilities.&nbsp;

In addition to attachments, Douglas Welding and Machine also produces products such as park benches, heavy-duty work benches, signs and other yard art, much of which is custom made. “We are able to create our own designs, and we do everything from start to finish,” Regan said. Other than the hydraulic motors, tubing, cylinders or bearings which they have to purchase, the fabricators can build most anything else themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We even make our own hoses,” Regan said. She is involved in many of the artistic products and is self-taught on the CNC equipment.&nbsp;

“Our software allows us to draw unique designs,” Regan said. “I do a lot of benches and custom signs for customers.” Items can also be custom-made as gifts. Regan hopes to enhance the company website to enable e-commerce and encourage online purchases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One regular customer is a contractor in North Carolina who uses the attachments to install playground equipment. Another interesting customer is in South Carolina. When a hurricane hit that state a couple of years ago, the business ordered a custom-made auger bucket that would fill sandbags to protect from hurricane damage.&nbsp;

The versatility of the uses for skid-steer attachments has created a major market opportunity for Douglas Welding and Machine. “It’s incredible how we’ve grown,” Regan said. “Last year we had orders from Washington to Pennsylvania. December was our busiest month, and sales have tripled.”&nbsp;

It’s a remarkable record for a business based in a rural community such as Kipp, an unincorporated town with an unofficial population of perhaps 50 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.douglasweldingmachine.com/">www.douglasweldingmachine.com</a>.&nbsp;

Skid steers have many uses, limited only by the type of attachments such as those developed by Douglas Welding and Machine. We commend LeeRoy, Mary, and Colby Douglas, Regan West and all those involved with Douglas Welding and Machine who are making a difference with entrepreneurship and creativity. These are the types of rural businesses to which I feel quite an attachment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612965932440.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentThose who own skid-steer loaders point out that these industrial machines can have many uses. Perhaps their only limitation is the type of equipment that can be attached to those skid steers. These attachments can pull posts, wind wire, cut trees, dig trenches, mix concrete and more.&nbsp;Today we’ll learn about an innovative rural Kansas business which specializes in designing attachments for those skid steer loaders, while offering all the capabilities of a complete machine shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LeeRoy Douglas is the owner and founder of Douglas Welding and Machine at Kipp, Kansas. LeeRoy and his wife Mary live in Kipp, near Salina. LeeRoy was working in a metal fabrication shop in Salina when he decided to start his own business in 1989.&nbsp;Regan West is director of purchasing, sales and marketing for Douglas Machine and Welding today. “LeeRoy started working in his garage,” Regan said. “When he outgrew that, he built a shop and it’s grown from there.”&nbsp;When LeeRoy and Mary’s son Colby joined the company, they had the idea to build attachments to go on skid steers. Their first product was an attachment that enabled the skid steer to pull up a post or small tree. It worked so well that it has become Douglas Welding’s best-selling product. “Other people may sell a post puller that works like scissors, but ours works like hands to grasp the post,” Regan said. “It works so much better, you can’t compare.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Douglas Welding and Machine, also known as DWM Attachments, continued to expand the type of skid steer attachments that it has developed. “We offer more than 40 different attachments,” Regan said. These include wire winders, various saws, stump grinders, mowers, trenchers, post-hole augers, corner-post setters, concrete mixers, buckets, backhoes, harrows, telebooms, bale spears, pallet forks, and more. New items include a tiller, tube grinder, and tree shovel.&nbsp;Today, Douglas Welding and Machine specializes in fabrication of carbon steel products, including skid steer attachments and custom items. The machine shop offers CNC (computer numerically controlled), plasma-cutting, shearing, breaking, and full range fabrication capabilities.&nbsp;In addition to attachments, Douglas Welding and Machine also produces products such as park benches, heavy-duty work benches, signs and other yard art, much of which is custom made. “We are able to create our own designs, and we do everything from start to finish,” Regan said. Other than the hydraulic motors, tubing, cylinders or bearings which they have to purchase, the fabricators can build most anything else themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We even make our own hoses,” Regan said. She is involved in many of the artistic products and is self-taught on the CNC equipment.&nbsp;“Our software allows us to draw unique designs,” Regan said. “I do a lot of benches and custom signs for customers.” Items can also be custom-made as gifts. Regan hopes to enhance the company website to enable e-commerce and encourage online purchases.&nbsp;&nbsp;One regular customer is a contractor in North Carolina who uses the attachments to install playground equipment. Another interesting customer is in South Carolina. When a hurricane hit that state a couple of years ago, the business ordered a custom-made auger bucket that would fill sandbags to protect from hurricane damage.&nbsp;The versatility of the uses for skid-steer attachments has created a major market opportunity for Douglas Welding and Machine. “It’s incredible how we’ve grown,” Regan said. “Last year we had orders from Washington to Pennsylvania. December was our busiest month, and sales have tripled.”&nbsp;It’s a remarkable record for a business based in a rural community such as Kipp, an unincorporated town with an unofficial population of perhaps 50 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.douglasweldingmachine.com/">www.douglasweldingmachine.com</a>.&nbsp;Skid steers have many uses, limited only by the type of attachments such as those developed by Douglas Welding and Machine. We commend LeeRoy, Mary, and Colby Douglas, Regan West and all those involved with Douglas Welding and Machine who are making a difference with entrepreneurship and creativity. These are the types of rural businesses to which I feel quite an attachment.

Now That’s Rural: LeeRoy Douglas, Douglas Welding 

Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund

On Wednesday, February 10, the House Appropriations Committee conducted a hearing on House Bill 2174 which would establish the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Program with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).&nbsp; All counties would be able to participate in this particular grant program with the exception of Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte county.&nbsp;

The bill creates the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund with KDHE and, if passed, effective July 1, 2021 there will be a transfer from the state general fund to the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund.&nbsp; This particular fund would be in place and would expire on June 30, 2025 and any monies in the fund at that time would transfer back to the state general fund.

The balance of the fund would be generated from every $1 of state funds that could be awarded, a $2 match must be provided from private stakeholders.&nbsp; The private stakeholders may specify a certain county to receive a grant using the private stakeholder’s contribution.

Assuming sufficient private stakeholder funds are raised under this contribution model, a maximum of $30 million would be available under this bill for the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund, $10 million from the state of Kansas and $20 million from private contributions.

We have not scheduled a time to work this bill at this time, although this would greatly benefit our rural hospitals throughout the state of Kansas.

This week the House Appropriations Committee continued the discussion for the state budget for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023.&nbsp; We continued the discussion with over twenty budget recommendations to be included in the state of Kansas budget.&nbsp; The budget outlook is much better than what we had anticipated when the revenue estimates were revised in November.&nbsp; This will allow us to formulate a balanced budget and will not have to rely on the creative accounting methods that the Governor had proposed in her budget.&nbsp; We also had an update on the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Plan (IKE) that passed last legislative session. The Secretary of Transportation noted in her remarks that IKE is identifying new transportation projects throughout the state and completing the delayed projects for the last ten-year transportation program; TWORKS.

<a></a><a>On Wednesday, February 10, the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on eleven bills, passing all of those bills to the Kansas State Senate.</a>

One of those bills that we debated and voted on is House Bill 2030, which extends the terminal medical release to inmates in custody of the Department of Corrections with a health condition likely to cause death within 120 days.&nbsp; This bill passed the House with a vote of 94-29 and I voted, “no.”

Another bill is House Bill 2081.&nbsp; It would allow a court to direct a person convicted of a crime committed while on release for a felony to serve the sentence concurrently or consecutively.&nbsp; Under current law, the sentence is served consecutively.&nbsp; This bill passed the House, 69-56, and, again, I voted “no.”&nbsp;

On Thursday, we held debate on nine additional bills.&nbsp; The first bill was Senate Bill 15 and it would establish the Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program.&nbsp; The bill also amends requirements on state-chartered credit unions to increase the geographic area for a credit union’s membership.&nbsp; The bill also allows national banking associations, state banks, trust companies, and savings and loan associations to deduct from the net interest income received from qualified agricultural real estate and single-family residence loans to the extent that the interest is included in the Kansas taxable income of the corporation.&nbsp; The bill passed and I voted, “yes.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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

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

It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions.&nbsp; I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the 1<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/s/pdf/district_maps/district_map_h_109.pdf">09th Kansas House District</a> state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577788173848.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th District" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th District</figcaption>
 </figure>February 12, 2021Rural Hospital Innovation Grant FundOn Wednesday, February 10, the House Appropriations Committee conducted a hearing on House Bill 2174 which would establish the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Program with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).&nbsp; All counties would be able to participate in this particular grant program with the exception of Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte county.&nbsp;The bill creates the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund with KDHE and, if passed, effective July 1, 2021 there will be a transfer from the state general fund to the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund.&nbsp; This particular fund would be in place and would expire on June 30, 2025 and any monies in the fund at that time would transfer back to the state general fund.The balance of the fund would be generated from every $1 of state funds that could be awarded, a $2 match must be provided from private stakeholders.&nbsp; The private stakeholders may specify a certain county to receive a grant using the private stakeholder’s contribution.Assuming sufficient private stakeholder funds are raised under this contribution model, a maximum of $30 million would be available under this bill for the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund, $10 million from the state of Kansas and $20 million from private contributions.We have not scheduled a time to work this bill at this time, although this would greatly benefit our rural hospitals throughout the state of Kansas.Appropriations CommitteeThis week the House Appropriations Committee continued the discussion for the state budget for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023.&nbsp; We continued the discussion with over twenty budget recommendations to be included in the state of Kansas budget.&nbsp; The budget outlook is much better than what we had anticipated when the revenue estimates were revised in November.&nbsp; This will allow us to formulate a balanced budget and will not have to rely on the creative accounting methods that the Governor had proposed in her budget.&nbsp; We also had an update on the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Plan (IKE) that passed last legislative session. The Secretary of Transportation noted in her remarks that IKE is identifying new transportation projects throughout the state and completing the delayed projects for the last ten-year transportation program; TWORKS.Bills Passed the House<a></a><a>On Wednesday, February 10, the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on eleven bills, passing all of those bills to the Kansas State Senate.</a>One of those bills that we debated and voted on is House Bill 2030, which extends the terminal medical release to inmates in custody of the Department of Corrections with a health condition likely to cause death within 120 days.&nbsp; This bill passed the House with a vote of 94-29 and I voted, “no.”Another bill is House Bill 2081.&nbsp; It would allow a court to direct a person convicted of a crime committed while on release for a felony to serve the sentence concurrently or consecutively.&nbsp; Under current law, the sentence is served consecutively.&nbsp; This bill passed the House, 69-56, and, again, I voted “no.”&nbsp;On Thursday, we held debate on nine additional bills.&nbsp; The first bill was Senate Bill 15 and it would establish the Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program.&nbsp; The bill also amends requirements on state-chartered credit unions to increase the geographic area for a credit union’s membership.&nbsp; The bill also allows national banking associations, state banks, trust companies, and savings and loan associations to deduct from the net interest income received from qualified agricultural real estate and single-family residence loans to the extent that the interest is included in the Kansas taxable income of the corporation.&nbsp; The bill passed and I voted, “yes.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Contact InformationAnytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov" target="_blank">troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions.&nbsp; I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the 1<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/s/pdf/district_maps/district_map_h_109.pdf">09th Kansas House District</a> state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, Feb. 12

Last week, I shared the importance of putting more plants on your plate as you work toward improving heart health. Hopefully my advice to eat more nutrient dense food that has not been highly processed with added sugar or fat has encouraged you to pay attention to what you eat. Today I want to focus on another component of heart health; exercise. A benefit of an active life is a healthier heart. Your heart is a muscle and it gets stronger with exercise, just like any other muscle. It is never too late to start exercising and reaping the benefits.

An article from a past Walk Kansas newsletter titled, “Sitting is the New Smoking” really makes you stop and think. Most of us live and work in a sedentary culture and studies show that sitting too much is taking a toll on our health. A study by Dr. James Levine, director of the May Clinic – Arizona State University, has been studying the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle for years. and sums up his findings in this way. “Sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting. We are sitting ourselves to death.”

Many other researchers agree with Dr. Levine, and continue to find the evidence that prolonged sitting increases the risk of developing serious illnesses that include heart disease, various types of cancer, and Type 2 diabetes.

It appears that the impact of movement, even leisurely movement, is profound. In addition to burning more calories when you move, the muscle activity needed for standing and other movement seems to trigger the process where the body breaks down fats and sugars. When you sit, these processes stall and your health risks increase.

Take a moment to analyze your typical day. How much time do you spend sitting? Think about time spent at the computer, watching TV, and driving or riding in a vehicle. Also consider time you sit enjoying hobbies, such as sewing, knitting, crafting, watching a ballgame or reading. So, how can we sit less and move more? Here are some tips:

Hopefully you are finding an indoor place to exercise during this extremely cold weather. Be safe and get moving. And have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent for K-State Research &amp; Extension, Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent for K-State Research &amp; Extension, Cottonwood District. " />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent for K-State Research &amp; Extension, Cottonwood District. </figcaption>
 </figure>Last week, I shared the importance of putting more plants on your plate as you work toward improving heart health. Hopefully my advice to eat more nutrient dense food that has not been highly processed with added sugar or fat has encouraged you to pay attention to what you eat. Today I want to focus on another component of heart health; exercise. A benefit of an active life is a healthier heart. Your heart is a muscle and it gets stronger with exercise, just like any other muscle. It is never too late to start exercising and reaping the benefits.An article from a past Walk Kansas newsletter titled, “Sitting is the New Smoking” really makes you stop and think. Most of us live and work in a sedentary culture and studies show that sitting too much is taking a toll on our health. A study by Dr. James Levine, director of the May Clinic – Arizona State University, has been studying the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle for years. and sums up his findings in this way. “Sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting. We are sitting ourselves to death.”Many other researchers agree with Dr. Levine, and continue to find the evidence that prolonged sitting increases the risk of developing serious illnesses that include heart disease, various types of cancer, and Type 2 diabetes.It appears that the impact of movement, even leisurely movement, is profound. In addition to burning more calories when you move, the muscle activity needed for standing and other movement seems to trigger the process where the body breaks down fats and sugars. When you sit, these processes stall and your health risks increase.Take a moment to analyze your typical day. How much time do you spend sitting? Think about time spent at the computer, watching TV, and driving or riding in a vehicle. Also consider time you sit enjoying hobbies, such as sewing, knitting, crafting, watching a ballgame or reading. So, how can we sit less and move more? Here are some tips:<ul>
 <li>Stand while you talk on the phone and when reading the mail.&nbsp;</li><li>Stand during webinars and Zoom meetings.</li><li>Use a standing desk for office work and other desk activities.</li><li>Put the remote control next to the TV instead of next to you and stand up during commercial breaks.</li><li>Walk to visit a neighbor instead of calling them.</li><li>Take meetings out of the conference room – talk while you walk.</li><li>Move the printer away from your desk so you need to stand and walk to retrieve copies.</li><li>For every 30 minutes you sit, stand for 5 minutes. Set an alarm to remind you, or at the very minimum move every 60 minutes.</li><li>Stand often while you watch a live sports event – get up and cheer for your team!</li>
 </ul>Hopefully you are finding an indoor place to exercise during this extremely cold weather. Be safe and get moving. And have a Happy Valentine’s Day!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent for K-State Research &amp; Extension, Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Heart health advice continued

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau

I recently cleaned out my sock drawer, an overdue task that I hadn’t reached the appropriate level of boredom to tackle in a number of years. It also served as a reminder that I’m absolutely terrible at estimating just how useful a range of items will be in the future.

The top drawer of the walnut chest where my socks reside also has a habit of collecting an assortment of other items — loose change, notes on scraps of paper, cable clamps, buttons, stray ammunition — that either fell from the flat surface above or were “temporarily” stored for later.

There’s also a closet, basement, garage, shed and the center console of my truck holding valuable artifacts of various usefulness. I know I’m not alone in this affliction because the desire to stow away has a cherished history in my family. The paternal side at least.

If we had a family crest, “I’m going to use that someday,” would be the motto imprinted on it. I should note it’s entirely possible there is a crest stuffed in the bottom of a box somewhere just waiting to be rediscovered.

At the ranch, there were two very useful storage areas. The first was a set of cubbies inside that held maybe a ton of washers, nuts, bolts and other odds and ends. The lack of organization didn’t make it efficient, but if you needed a connecter, you’d find a suitable one eventually. Out back was the scrap pile of old oil pipe and steel plate that came in handy for all sorts of building and repair projects.

Upstairs was another story, however. The loft was stuffed with the “maybe someday” stuff stockpiled with leaner times in mind. Tires that had long since dry rotted, rusted rims, a crosscut saw with broken handles and other outdated tools.

I know those items were squirreled away with the best of intentions. On farms and ranches, it makes a good deal of sense to have a stockpile when the nearest hardware store is an hour roundtrip. The number of things that can go wrong is nearly limitless.

My hoarding habits are more about learned behavior than utility. Living in a 50-year-old home means I frequent the two nearby hardware stores enough to have memorized their layouts. It’s usually faster to find a given item at the store than it is to search my basement, garage or shed.

There’s a different satisfaction that comes from completing a project with that one item you saved long ago for the right occasion. It’s proof you were right. For me, though, that’s become an infrequent occurrence.

I don’t know precisely when something in storage loses its intended purpose and becomes junk, but I know it happens without warning. The rational part of me understands I should save far less stuff and significantly reduce the time I spend cleaning up clutter in the future.

After discarding a significant amount of junk from my sock drawer, including several actual pairs of socks, I still slid two aging cellphones into my dresser drawer. Everything of value on them has been transferred to my current phone, but each one would work if I really needed a replacement.

Will I ever use them again? Not likely. But they’re there if I want to use them someday.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm BureauI recently cleaned out my sock drawer, an overdue task that I hadn’t reached the appropriate level of boredom to tackle in a number of years. It also served as a reminder that I’m absolutely terrible at estimating just how useful a range of items will be in the future.The top drawer of the walnut chest where my socks reside also has a habit of collecting an assortment of other items — loose change, notes on scraps of paper, cable clamps, buttons, stray ammunition — that either fell from the flat surface above or were “temporarily” stored for later.There’s also a closet, basement, garage, shed and the center console of my truck holding valuable artifacts of various usefulness. I know I’m not alone in this affliction because the desire to stow away has a cherished history in my family. The paternal side at least.If we had a family crest, “I’m going to use that someday,” would be the motto imprinted on it. I should note it’s entirely possible there is a crest stuffed in the bottom of a box somewhere just waiting to be rediscovered.At the ranch, there were two very useful storage areas. The first was a set of cubbies inside that held maybe a ton of washers, nuts, bolts and other odds and ends. The lack of organization didn’t make it efficient, but if you needed a connecter, you’d find a suitable one eventually. Out back was the scrap pile of old oil pipe and steel plate that came in handy for all sorts of building and repair projects.Upstairs was another story, however. The loft was stuffed with the “maybe someday” stuff stockpiled with leaner times in mind. Tires that had long since dry rotted, rusted rims, a crosscut saw with broken handles and other outdated tools.I know those items were squirreled away with the best of intentions. On farms and ranches, it makes a good deal of sense to have a stockpile when the nearest hardware store is an hour roundtrip. The number of things that can go wrong is nearly limitless.My hoarding habits are more about learned behavior than utility. Living in a 50-year-old home means I frequent the two nearby hardware stores enough to have memorized their layouts. It’s usually faster to find a given item at the store than it is to search my basement, garage or shed.There’s a different satisfaction that comes from completing a project with that one item you saved long ago for the right occasion. It’s proof you were right. For me, though, that’s become an infrequent occurrence.I don’t know precisely when something in storage loses its intended purpose and becomes junk, but I know it happens without warning. The rational part of me understands I should save far less stuff and significantly reduce the time I spend cleaning up clutter in the future.After discarding a significant amount of junk from my sock drawer, including several actual pairs of socks, I still slid two aging cellphones into my dresser drawer. Everything of value on them has been transferred to my current phone, but each one would work if I really needed a replacement.Will I ever use them again? Not likely. But they’re there if I want to use them someday."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Waiting for someday

I love the month of February! February brings us the optimism and fun of Groundhog Day. I get to celebrate my birthday and bask in the many blessings of my life. Valentine’s Day provides moments to be thankful for those special someone’s in our lives. And our university family at Fort Hays State University comes together to generously invest in our community through the United Way campus drive. This year, our goal is $30,000, and I know we can get there.

Did you know that there are nearly 1,800 local United Ways around the world, located in 40 countries and territories, fueled by the work of 2.6 million volunteers working to improve lives? Collectively, the United Way raises $5 billion dollars every year – all through the big-heartedness of people and companies who care. Fantastic!

The United Way was founded more than 125 years ago in Denver by a small group that included a woman, a priest, two ministers and a rabbi. Quoting from the website, “It sounds like the&nbsp;beginning of a bad joke, but they didn't walk into a bar; what they did do was&nbsp;recognize&nbsp;the need to work together in new ways to make Denver a better place.”&nbsp;I always love a good story about people who come together to make our communities better.

The mission of the United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. The reason I look forward to partnering with the United Way is that its mission is so congruent with our mission. We strive to develop engaged global citizen-leaders. The work of the United Way also aligns with our institutional commitment to unlocking human potential. And the work of the United Way and its legion of volunteers serves the democratic, economic and social needs of our communities. The creation and application of new knowledge leads to social and economic advancements, innovation that solves problems, and global engagement that calls us to build partnerships that connects our students to the world. To me, the annual February campus drive is our opportunity to demonstrate locally how we walk our talk – with heart.

The United Way of Ellis County supports 23 programs provided by 18 agencies in Ellis County:&nbsp; American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Cancer Council, Catholic Charities, Center for Life Experiences, Cerebral Research Foundation, City of Ellis, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Early Childhood Connections, First Call for Help, Hays Area Children’s Center, Hays Senior Center, KVC Wheatland Hospital, Options, Parents and Children Together, Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled, and Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center.

As I review this list, my mind is flooded with thoughts of how our university supplements the campus drive throughout the year. For example, the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity has a long-standing tradition of organizing a campus blood drive for the Red Cross. Many of our student organizations have adopted philanthropies and even have a student organization called Tigers for Service.

Our students in Leadership 310 classes work together each spring to support community organizations in responding to community needs. Past endeavors include gathering supplies and donations for child victims of sexual abuse, filling a disaster response trailer to aid victims of natural disasters, organizing campaigns for Options to support survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, and working with Breathe Coffee House to create a support system for people with mental health issues . Another project focused on reducing stress and conflict between landlords and tenants by informing tenants of their rights and responsibilities. Yet another featured our students uniting dancers and the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) individuals to produce a show that inspired the community.&nbsp;

The Dancing Together for DSNWK event is a powerful memory for me. I will never forget watching Natalie McCullough dance. Natalie is the daughter of Jason McCullough, the Tigers’ head cross country and track coach, and Karen McCullough, FHSU director of Career Services.&nbsp; It was a remarkable moment, given Natalie’s disabilities, and I still smile and tear up every time I recall that emotional memory.

The list of how our faculty, staff, and students make our community better is endless. I am so proud of the generosity of this community and how we put our mission, vision and values into action.

Of course, as we approached the start of our campus United Way campaign, we had to get imaginative – while doing the pandemic dance of social distancing, wearing masks, etc.– as we worked to create engaging opportunities to inform folks about the important mission of the United Way and the many ways they can to contribute to the campaign. &nbsp;

So, what will our campus and community have to look forward to as we celebrate the United Way? For starters, we decided to host two Food Truck Fridays with Smokin Co. BBQ. The local BBQ business on wheels was on campus last Friday and will return again on Feb. 19. Special thanks to our United Way campus campaign coordinator, Janette Meis. I believe in the power of philanthropy to bring people together in support of the greater good, so I plan to share more information about the United Way campaign in my next column. Stay tuned!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>I love the month of February! February brings us the optimism and fun of Groundhog Day. I get to celebrate my birthday and bask in the many blessings of my life. Valentine’s Day provides moments to be thankful for those special someone’s in our lives. And our university family at Fort Hays State University comes together to generously invest in our community through the United Way campus drive. This year, our goal is $30,000, and I know we can get there.Did you know that there are nearly 1,800 local United Ways around the world, located in 40 countries and territories, fueled by the work of 2.6 million volunteers working to improve lives? Collectively, the United Way raises $5 billion dollars every year – all through the big-heartedness of people and companies who care. Fantastic!The United Way was founded more than 125 years ago in Denver by a small group that included a woman, a priest, two ministers and a rabbi. Quoting from the website, “It sounds like the&nbsp;beginning of a bad joke, but they didn't walk into a bar; what they did do was&nbsp;recognize&nbsp;the need to work together in new ways to make Denver a better place.”&nbsp;I always love a good story about people who come together to make our communities better.The mission of the United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. The reason I look forward to partnering with the United Way is that its mission is so congruent with our mission. We strive to develop engaged global citizen-leaders. The work of the United Way also aligns with our institutional commitment to unlocking human potential. And the work of the United Way and its legion of volunteers serves the democratic, economic and social needs of our communities. The creation and application of new knowledge leads to social and economic advancements, innovation that solves problems, and global engagement that calls us to build partnerships that connects our students to the world. To me, the annual February campus drive is our opportunity to demonstrate locally how we walk our talk – with heart.The United Way of Ellis County supports 23 programs provided by 18 agencies in Ellis County:&nbsp; American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Cancer Council, Catholic Charities, Center for Life Experiences, Cerebral Research Foundation, City of Ellis, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Early Childhood Connections, First Call for Help, Hays Area Children’s Center, Hays Senior Center, KVC Wheatland Hospital, Options, Parents and Children Together, Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled, and Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center.As I review this list, my mind is flooded with thoughts of how our university supplements the campus drive throughout the year. For example, the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity has a long-standing tradition of organizing a campus blood drive for the Red Cross. Many of our student organizations have adopted philanthropies and even have a student organization called Tigers for Service.Our students in Leadership 310 classes work together each spring to support community organizations in responding to community needs. Past endeavors include gathering supplies and donations for child victims of sexual abuse, filling a disaster response trailer to aid victims of natural disasters, organizing campaigns for Options to support survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, and working with Breathe Coffee House to create a support system for people with mental health issues . Another project focused on reducing stress and conflict between landlords and tenants by informing tenants of their rights and responsibilities. Yet another featured our students uniting dancers and the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) individuals to produce a show that inspired the community.&nbsp;The Dancing Together for DSNWK event is a powerful memory for me. I will never forget watching Natalie McCullough dance. Natalie is the daughter of Jason McCullough, the Tigers’ head cross country and track coach, and Karen McCullough, FHSU director of Career Services.&nbsp; It was a remarkable moment, given Natalie’s disabilities, and I still smile and tear up every time I recall that emotional memory.The list of how our faculty, staff, and students make our community better is endless. I am so proud of the generosity of this community and how we put our mission, vision and values into action.Of course, as we approached the start of our campus United Way campaign, we had to get imaginative – while doing the pandemic dance of social distancing, wearing masks, etc.– as we worked to create engaging opportunities to inform folks about the important mission of the United Way and the many ways they can to contribute to the campaign. &nbsp;So, what will our campus and community have to look forward to as we celebrate the United Way? For starters, we decided to host two Food Truck Fridays with Smokin Co. BBQ. The local BBQ business on wheels was on campus last Friday and will return again on Feb. 19. Special thanks to our United Way campus campaign coordinator, Janette Meis. I believe in the power of philanthropy to bring people together in support of the greater good, so I plan to share more information about the United Way campaign in my next column. Stay tuned!

MASON: FHSU stands united in giving love this February

The Kansas Senate finished a busy fourth week of session with committee meetings and bills coming forward. The Senate held floor debate on Monday and Thursday passing out 14 pieces of legislation.&nbsp;

SNAPSHOT OF THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE 2021

The Kansas Senate consists of forty Senators – twenty-nine Republicans, eleven Democrats with sixteen women and twenty-four men.&nbsp; Eleven Senators live in cities of 100,000+ population, eleven with 20,000 to 100,000, six with 5,000-20,000 and six with 2,000-5,000 and six with 0-2,000.&nbsp; The Kansas House of Representatives consists of one-hundred twenty-five members with eighty-six Republicans and thirty-nine Democrats with thirty-three women and ninety-two men.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Senate worked bills as the Committee of the Whole on February 1st and 4th&nbsp;debating bills and voting to move bills across the capitol to the House of Representatives for their consideration.&nbsp; Thirteen bills including noncontroversial bills called Consent Calendar items and two Senate Resolutions passing the Chamber.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb21/" target="_blank">SB 21</a>&nbsp;would retroactively ratify the results of a November 2020 election in Cherokee County imposing a 0.5 percent retail sales tax within the county approved by the governing body of Cherokee County.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb33/" target="_blank">SB 33</a>&nbsp;would authorize the Director of Vehicles at the Kansas Department of Revenue to issue a temporary display show license to a sponsor of a motor vehicle display show.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb47/" target="_blank">SB 47</a>&nbsp;would enact the Kansas Taxpayer Protection Act (Act) requiring on and after January 1, 2022, paid tax return preparers to sign any income tax return prepared and include the preparer’s federal preparer tax identification number on any return.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb27/" target="_blank">SB 27</a>&nbsp;would extend the sunset dates for certain funds, an advisory board, and operators’ ability to apply for funds relating to underground storage tanks (UST) by KDHE.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb28/" target="_blank">SB 28</a>&nbsp;would codify the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Credit for Reinsurance Model Regulation

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb29/" target="_blank">SB 29</a>&nbsp;would amend the effective date specified in the Insurance Code for the risk-based capital (RBC) instructions promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for property and casualty companies and for life insurance companies.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb1/" target="_blank">SB 1</a>&nbsp;would allow the State Fair Board to expend or transfer moneys from its State Fair Capital Improvements Fund in the same manner as moneys from its State Fair Fee Fund for fiscal year (FY) 2021 and FY 2022.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb16/" target="_blank">SB 16</a>&nbsp;would amend statutes to remove requirements that several reports and certifications be provided to the Legislative Division of Post Audit (LPA), the Post Auditor, or the Legislative Post Audit Committee. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb39/" target="_blank">SB 39</a>&nbsp;would change several license, bond, and permit renewal fee deadlines related to livestock and domestic animals from June 30 to September 30 of each year.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb53/" target="_blank">SB 53</a>&nbsp;establishes the membership of the Sedgwick county charter commission which, if created, will review and recommend changes regarding the structure of county government. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb38/" target="_blank">SB 38</a>&nbsp;would establish the Kansas Pesticide Waste Disposal Program (Program) that would be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture for the collection and disposal of pesticide waste.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bill would also create in the State Treasury the Kansas Pesticide Waste Disposal Fund (Disposal Fund) with the purpose of funding the Program.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb40/" target="_blank">SB 40</a>&nbsp;would add and amend law regarding the roles of the Division of Conservation within the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the State Conservation Commission.

SR 1701&nbsp;- A RESOLUTION recognizing the need for the Governor of Kansas to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to law-abiding Kansans before administering the vaccine to healthy incarcerated individuals

SB24&nbsp;would create the Energy Choice Act, which preserves the right to use natural gas throughout Kansas.

To review each bill in full including the easy-to-read supplemental note – go to&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>&nbsp;then Bills and Laws – you will be able to see each bill beginning from the first bill introduced to the last. &nbsp;You also will be able to search (the box to the right of the bill listing) by entering the bill number, choose the originating chamber (Senate or House) and click submit.&nbsp;&nbsp; The history of the bill, committee action and final action votes on the measure will be displayed.&nbsp;

February 5th&nbsp;recognized as National Wear Red Day

SR 1708 recognized Friday, February 5th, as National Wear Red Day to signify the importance of the ongoing fight against heart diseases and stroke among women.&nbsp; The Resolution carried by Senator Carolyn McGinn recognizes and informs the public that Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women in the United States with one death every 80 seconds.&nbsp; Heart attacks are on the rise among women across all ages with younger women less likely than older women to be aware of the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes.&nbsp;&nbsp; Cardiovascular diseases kills 1 in 3 women, despite the fact that about 80% of cardiac events can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes.&nbsp; The Resolution encourages women to move more, eat smart and manage their blood pressure to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases.&nbsp; The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement strives to motivate women to learn about their family history and to meet with a&nbsp;healthcare provider to determine their risk for cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Many emails and calls from home are regarding Kansas unemployment.&nbsp;&nbsp; Over 700,000 fraudulent attempts were made on the Department of Labor’s new updated process of verification to the website on February 1st.&nbsp; For fraudulent 1099s received in the mail - go to the new self-service portal&nbsp;<a href="https://uiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov/" target="_blank">https://uiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov/</a>&nbsp;to complete a dispute due to fraudulent activity in your name.&nbsp; A police report with a number will be produced - save this number for future use if necessary.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is a simple form and takes less than a couple minutes to complete. The agency also has a specific phone line for claimants to call with questions concerning 1099s.&nbsp;The number is 785-575-1461.&nbsp;

The department also suggests using&nbsp;Safari, Internet Explorer or Firefox. Some users have experienced errors when using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. They are also recommending accessing the site on a desktop and when using a mobile device to use Safari or Firefox. Multiple claimants cannot register with the same email address so you will need to use an email unique to only you. Once you have received the verification email, do not click the button more than once and do not forward the email. Either of these actions will deem that link void. Feel free to call me in Topeka and as I have legislative liaisons in the Department of Labor to help as well.&nbsp;

As always, I’ll keep you updated on the activities of the Senate while we continue through the last few weeks before turn-around. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website.&nbsp; Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580853658061.jpeg" alt="Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>February 8, 2021Senate HighlightsThe Kansas Senate finished a busy fourth week of session with committee meetings and bills coming forward. The Senate held floor debate on Monday and Thursday passing out 14 pieces of legislation.&nbsp;SNAPSHOT OF THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE 2021The Kansas Senate consists of forty Senators – twenty-nine Republicans, eleven Democrats with sixteen women and twenty-four men.&nbsp; Eleven Senators live in cities of 100,000+ population, eleven with 20,000 to 100,000, six with 5,000-20,000 and six with 2,000-5,000 and six with 0-2,000.&nbsp; The Kansas House of Representatives consists of one-hundred twenty-five members with eighty-six Republicans and thirty-nine Democrats with thirty-three women and ninety-two men.&nbsp;&nbsp;SENATE FLOOR ACTIONThe Senate worked bills as the Committee of the Whole on February 1st and 4th&nbsp;debating bills and voting to move bills across the capitol to the House of Representatives for their consideration.&nbsp; Thirteen bills including noncontroversial bills called Consent Calendar items and two Senate Resolutions passing the Chamber.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb21/" target="_blank">SB 21</a>&nbsp;would retroactively ratify the results of a November 2020 election in Cherokee County imposing a 0.5 percent retail sales tax within the county approved by the governing body of Cherokee County.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb33/" target="_blank">SB 33</a>&nbsp;would authorize the Director of Vehicles at the Kansas Department of Revenue to issue a temporary display show license to a sponsor of a motor vehicle display show. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb47/" target="_blank">SB 47</a>&nbsp;would enact the Kansas Taxpayer Protection Act (Act) requiring on and after January 1, 2022, paid tax return preparers to sign any income tax return prepared and include the preparer’s federal preparer tax identification number on any return. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb27/" target="_blank">SB 27</a>&nbsp;would extend the sunset dates for certain funds, an advisory board, and operators’ ability to apply for funds relating to underground storage tanks (UST) by KDHE.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb28/" target="_blank">SB 28</a>&nbsp;would codify the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Credit for Reinsurance Model Regulation<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb29/" target="_blank">SB 29</a>&nbsp;would amend the effective date specified in the Insurance Code for the risk-based capital (RBC) instructions promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for property and casualty companies and for life insurance companies. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb1/" target="_blank">SB 1</a>&nbsp;would allow the State Fair Board to expend or transfer moneys from its State Fair Capital Improvements Fund in the same manner as moneys from its State Fair Fee Fund for fiscal year (FY) 2021 and FY 2022.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb16/" target="_blank">SB 16</a>&nbsp;would amend statutes to remove requirements that several reports and certifications be provided to the Legislative Division of Post Audit (LPA), the Post Auditor, or the Legislative Post Audit Committee. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb39/" target="_blank">SB 39</a>&nbsp;would change several license, bond, and permit renewal fee deadlines related to livestock and domestic animals from June 30 to September 30 of each year. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb53/" target="_blank">SB 53</a>&nbsp;establishes the membership of the Sedgwick county charter commission which, if created, will review and recommend changes regarding the structure of county government. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb38/" target="_blank">SB 38</a>&nbsp;would establish the Kansas Pesticide Waste Disposal Program (Program) that would be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture for the collection and disposal of pesticide waste.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bill would also create in the State Treasury the Kansas Pesticide Waste Disposal Fund (Disposal Fund) with the purpose of funding the Program. <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb40/" target="_blank">SB 40</a>&nbsp;would add and amend law regarding the roles of the Division of Conservation within the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the State Conservation Commission.SR 1701&nbsp;- A RESOLUTION recognizing the need for the Governor of Kansas to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to law-abiding Kansans before administering the vaccine to healthy incarcerated individuals SB24&nbsp;would create the Energy Choice Act, which preserves the right to use natural gas throughout Kansas.To review each bill in full including the easy-to-read supplemental note – go to&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>&nbsp;then Bills and Laws – you will be able to see each bill beginning from the first bill introduced to the last. &nbsp;You also will be able to search (the box to the right of the bill listing) by entering the bill number, choose the originating chamber (Senate or House) and click submit.&nbsp;&nbsp; The history of the bill, committee action and final action votes on the measure will be displayed.&nbsp;February 5th&nbsp;recognized as National Wear Red DaySR 1708 recognized Friday, February 5th, as National Wear Red Day to signify the importance of the ongoing fight against heart diseases and stroke among women.&nbsp; The Resolution carried by Senator Carolyn McGinn recognizes and informs the public that Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women in the United States with one death every 80 seconds.&nbsp; Heart attacks are on the rise among women across all ages with younger women less likely than older women to be aware of the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes.&nbsp;&nbsp; Cardiovascular diseases kills 1 in 3 women, despite the fact that about 80% of cardiac events can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes.&nbsp; The Resolution encourages women to move more, eat smart and manage their blood pressure to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases.&nbsp; The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement strives to motivate women to learn about their family history and to meet with a&nbsp;healthcare provider to determine their risk for cardiovascular diseases and stroke.Unemployment problemsMany emails and calls from home are regarding Kansas unemployment.&nbsp;&nbsp; Over 700,000 fraudulent attempts were made on the Department of Labor’s new updated process of verification to the website on February 1st.&nbsp; For fraudulent 1099s received in the mail - go to the new self-service portal&nbsp;<a href="https://uiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov/" target="_blank">https://uiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov/</a>&nbsp;to complete a dispute due to fraudulent activity in your name.&nbsp; A police report with a number will be produced - save this number for future use if necessary.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is a simple form and takes less than a couple minutes to complete. The agency also has a specific phone line for claimants to call with questions concerning 1099s.&nbsp;The number is 785-575-1461.&nbsp;The department also suggests using&nbsp;Safari, Internet Explorer or Firefox. Some users have experienced errors when using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. They are also recommending accessing the site on a desktop and when using a mobile device to use Safari or Firefox. Multiple claimants cannot register with the same email address so you will need to use an email unique to only you. Once you have received the verification email, do not click the button more than once and do not forward the email. Either of these actions will deem that link void. Feel free to call me in Topeka and as I have legislative liaisons in the Department of Labor to help as well.&nbsp;As always, I’ll keep you updated on the activities of the Senate while we continue through the last few weeks before turn-around. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website.&nbsp; Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.Thank you for the honor of serving you!Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 <a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov 785 296-7389</a> <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th Kansas District senator.&nbsp;The 36th District includes&nbsp;Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties.

BOWERS: Senate Scene, Week 4

Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $47 per barrel after gaining another half dollar on Friday. That's up more than three dollars a barrel on the week and the best price in McPherson since January 22 of last year. U.S. crude futures prices topped $57 a barrel, while the international benchmark London Brent rose above $60 per barrel. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline had been cheaper year-over-year for more than 340 consecutive days. But AAA says that trend is likely to end soon. The auto club said regular gas is going for $2.27 a gallon in Great Bend. We spotted it as low as $2.24 a gallon at several locations in Hays. Your 15-gallon fill-up will cost you three dollars more than a month ago, but about three dollars less than last year at this time. Mississippi boasts the cheapest gasoline in the country, with an average price of just over $2.12 per gallon. California and Hawaii were the most expensive at $3.34 per gallon. The average across Kansas was just over $2.21. &nbsp; Operators in Kansas filed 79 intent-to-drill notices across the state last month. The Kansas Corporation Commission reported one each in Barton, Ellis, Russell and Stafford counties. Operators last year filed just 560, continuing a four-year stretch of declining intent notices. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service says the rig count in eastern Kansas was down one at seven active rigs, while the count west of Wichita was unchanged at eight. They're about to spud one new well in Stafford County. Baker Hughes says the national Rotary Rig Count through Friday was 392 active rigs, an increase of four oil and four gas rigs. The count in Texas was up seven rigs.&nbsp; Canada was down three at 171 active rigs. Regulators okayed 13 new drilling permits in Kansas last week, 13 of them east of Wichita and six in Western Kansas, including one new permit in Ellis County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports eight newly-completed wells across the state, all of them in eastern Kansas. The Energy Information Administration reported U.S. crude-oil inventories dropped by one million barrels to just under 476 million barrels last week, but remain about four percent above the five-year average for this time of year. The government says U.S. crude-oil production dropped by a thousand barrels a day and remained below 11 million barrels per day for the second straight week. EIA said imports increased by nearly one and a half million barrels last week, to 6.5 million barrels per day. Four-week average average imports are down 9.2% from the same period last year. The Association of American Railroads reports rail shipments of petroleum &amp; petroleum products in January were down 6,529 carloads or 12.1 percent from the year before. Total rail traffic last month was up more than five percent. Oil-by-rail totals for the week ending January 30 were down more than 14% year over year. There were 11,291 tanker cars rolling the rails last week hauling petroleum products, down more than 12-hundred cars from the week before. Royal Dutch Shell Plc snapped up its biggest purchases of North Sea oil in over a decade, underpinning signs of sharply tightening supplies. Europe’s biggest oil company bought five cargoes last Monday (2/1) and made a further seven bids that didn’t find sellers, according to reporting by Bloomberg. American oil exports from Louisiana’s offshore supertanker port jumped to a record in January as Asian buyers are stocking up on U.S. crude for what they see as a post-pandemic rebound in fuel consumption. Eight vessels set sail last month from the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, the nation’s only facility that can fully load supertankers. Bloomberg reports they're carrying nearly 15 million barrels of crude to South Korea, China and India. That’s double the previous month’s volume and an all-time high for LOOP, as the terminal is known. The Biden Administration went to court last week in an attempt to seize two million barrels of oil that it claims came from Iran. Court filings accuse the Islamic republic of using ship-to-ship transfers to disguise the origin of the oil on board a Greek-owned tanker, and provided a false bill of lading to deceive the owners of the tanker. The owner alerted U.S. authorities to the possibility that it had unknowingly taken on Iranian crude, after initially thinking it came from Iraq, according to reporting by Bloomberg last month. Washington ordered the ship to sail to the U.S. Canceling the Keystone Pipeline expansion could also wind up costing us money. The Premier of Alberta Province in Canada believes he has a good claim for damages under provisions still in place under the NAFTA treaty. The province spent $1.2 BILLION to help jump start construction, and Premier Jason Kenney says President Biden removed the regulatory approvals that were the basis of that investment. Kenney says his claim for damages is, in his words, a slam dunk.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARKansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $47 per barrel after gaining another half dollar on Friday. That's up more than three dollars a barrel on the week and the best price in McPherson since January 22 of last year. U.S. crude futures prices topped $57 a barrel, while the international benchmark London Brent rose above $60 per barrel. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline had been cheaper year-over-year for more than 340 consecutive days. But AAA says that trend is likely to end soon. The auto club said regular gas is going for $2.27 a gallon in Great Bend. We spotted it as low as $2.24 a gallon at several locations in Hays. Your 15-gallon fill-up will cost you three dollars more than a month ago, but about three dollars less than last year at this time. Mississippi boasts the cheapest gasoline in the country, with an average price of just over $2.12 per gallon. California and Hawaii were the most expensive at $3.34 per gallon. The average across Kansas was just over $2.21. &nbsp; Operators in Kansas filed 79 intent-to-drill notices across the state last month. The Kansas Corporation Commission reported one each in Barton, Ellis, Russell and Stafford counties. Operators last year filed just 560, continuing a four-year stretch of declining intent notices. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service says the rig count in eastern Kansas was down one at seven active rigs, while the count west of Wichita was unchanged at eight. They're about to spud one new well in Stafford County. Baker Hughes says the national Rotary Rig Count through Friday was 392 active rigs, an increase of four oil and four gas rigs. The count in Texas was up seven rigs.&nbsp; Canada was down three at 171 active rigs. Regulators okayed 13 new drilling permits in Kansas last week, 13 of them east of Wichita and six in Western Kansas, including one new permit in Ellis County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports eight newly-completed wells across the state, all of them in eastern Kansas. The Energy Information Administration reported U.S. crude-oil inventories dropped by one million barrels to just under 476 million barrels last week, but remain about four percent above the five-year average for this time of year. The government says U.S. crude-oil production dropped by a thousand barrels a day and remained below 11 million barrels per day for the second straight week. EIA said imports increased by nearly one and a half million barrels last week, to 6.5 million barrels per day. Four-week average average imports are down 9.2% from the same period last year. The Association of American Railroads reports rail shipments of petroleum &amp; petroleum products in January were down 6,529 carloads or 12.1 percent from the year before. Total rail traffic last month was up more than five percent. Oil-by-rail totals for the week ending January 30 were down more than 14% year over year. There were 11,291 tanker cars rolling the rails last week hauling petroleum products, down more than 12-hundred cars from the week before. Royal Dutch Shell Plc snapped up its biggest purchases of North Sea oil in over a decade, underpinning signs of sharply tightening supplies. Europe’s biggest oil company bought five cargoes last Monday (2/1) and made a further seven bids that didn’t find sellers, according to reporting by Bloomberg. American oil exports from Louisiana’s offshore supertanker port jumped to a record in January as Asian buyers are stocking up on U.S. crude for what they see as a post-pandemic rebound in fuel consumption. Eight vessels set sail last month from the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, the nation’s only facility that can fully load supertankers. Bloomberg reports they're carrying nearly 15 million barrels of crude to South Korea, China and India. That’s double the previous month’s volume and an all-time high for LOOP, as the terminal is known. The Biden Administration went to court last week in an attempt to seize two million barrels of oil that it claims came from Iran. Court filings accuse the Islamic republic of using ship-to-ship transfers to disguise the origin of the oil on board a Greek-owned tanker, and provided a false bill of lading to deceive the owners of the tanker. The owner alerted U.S. authorities to the possibility that it had unknowingly taken on Iranian crude, after initially thinking it came from Iraq, according to reporting by Bloomberg last month. Washington ordered the ship to sail to the U.S. Canceling the Keystone Pipeline expansion could also wind up costing us money. The Premier of Alberta Province in Canada believes he has a good claim for damages under provisions still in place under the NAFTA treaty. The province spent $1.2 BILLION to help jump start construction, and Premier Jason Kenney says President Biden removed the regulatory approvals that were the basis of that investment. Kenney says his claim for damages is, in his words, a slam dunk.

News From the Oil Patch: Crude holds at yearlong highs, other stats lag

One of my favorite 4-H events is scheduled for later this month! 4-H Club Day is a time for 4-H members to share their presentation skills in a variety of methods.

For our littlest 4-H members, we have Show and Share which is the start to communication skills as they talk to the judge for a few minutes about something they have done or made in 4-H.

Project Talks give younger 4-H members the opportunity to research and share about one of the 33 project areas that are available in Kansas 4-H.

Showing how to do something is a Demonstration and the youth provide a finished product as part of the step-by-step process.

An Illustrated Talk uses posters or other visual aids to show how to do something.

Older 4-H members can also compete in Public Speaking or Extemporaneous Speaking. Public Speaking can be based on any topic and needs to include sources for information. Public Speaking can use visual aids and these can be either a poster or a Power Point-type presentation. Extemporaneous Speaking is probably one of the hardest events and I’m always glad to see 4-H members challenge themselves. They draw three topics and decide which they will present on; they have 15 minutes to prepare and then present their speech. Both Public Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking challenge youth to hone their research, organization, and overall communication skills. Talk about lessons for a lifetime!

Talking about your steer would be a project talk.&nbsp; Telling how to select a steer using a chart and identifying the points to consider would be an illustrated talk.&nbsp; Making a show halter would be a demonstration.&nbsp; Talking about the total beef industry would be a public speech.

We also offer opportunities for our 4-H members to showcase their piano, instrumental, vocal, and dramatic/comedic skills during 4-H Club Day. Having the opportunity to speak with and receive feedback from the judge is an important step in the learning process.&nbsp;

Application, Resume, and Interview or ARI is a great opportunity for 4-H youth to practice some very real-world skills! Prior to the contest, they complete an application and provide a resume which are provided to the judge. The judge then interviews them, similar to any job interview, and follows up with feedback based on all three parts of the activity.&nbsp;

Those 4-H members receiving top awards in most categories have the opportunity to compete at a Regional Club Day which will be held in March. Members receiving a Purple in Demonstrations, Illustrated Talks, Project Talks, and Readings are eligible to participate in these categories at the Kansas State Fair in September!

&nbsp;Due to our current circumstances, we’ve had to set aside a few important categories. These are Model Meetings, Gavel Games, and club skits. Model meeting is exactly what it sounds like; the 4-H club works together to show their parliamentary skills for a judge. Gavel Games gives a smaller group of youth an opportunity to show their parliamentary skills through a written test and the business portion of a meeting. Many clubs will work together to present a skit. All of these are great group activities that demonstrate planning, communication skills, and teamwork.&nbsp;

I wish that I could invite all of you to attend but we’ll save that for another year when we can get together in person to celebrate growth and learning by our youth! If you know a 4-H member, ask them how they are participating at 4-H Club Day.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>One of my favorite 4-H events is scheduled for later this month! 4-H Club Day is a time for 4-H members to share their presentation skills in a variety of methods.For our littlest 4-H members, we have Show and Share which is the start to communication skills as they talk to the judge for a few minutes about something they have done or made in 4-H.Project Talks give younger 4-H members the opportunity to research and share about one of the 33 project areas that are available in Kansas 4-H.Showing how to do something is a Demonstration and the youth provide a finished product as part of the step-by-step process.An Illustrated Talk uses posters or other visual aids to show how to do something.Older 4-H members can also compete in Public Speaking or Extemporaneous Speaking. Public Speaking can be based on any topic and needs to include sources for information. Public Speaking can use visual aids and these can be either a poster or a Power Point-type presentation. Extemporaneous Speaking is probably one of the hardest events and I’m always glad to see 4-H members challenge themselves. They draw three topics and decide which they will present on; they have 15 minutes to prepare and then present their speech. Both Public Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking challenge youth to hone their research, organization, and overall communication skills. Talk about lessons for a lifetime!Talking about your steer would be a project talk.&nbsp; Telling how to select a steer using a chart and identifying the points to consider would be an illustrated talk.&nbsp; Making a show halter would be a demonstration.&nbsp; Talking about the total beef industry would be a public speech.We also offer opportunities for our 4-H members to showcase their piano, instrumental, vocal, and dramatic/comedic skills during 4-H Club Day. Having the opportunity to speak with and receive feedback from the judge is an important step in the learning process.&nbsp;Application, Resume, and Interview or ARI is a great opportunity for 4-H youth to practice some very real-world skills! Prior to the contest, they complete an application and provide a resume which are provided to the judge. The judge then interviews them, similar to any job interview, and follows up with feedback based on all three parts of the activity.&nbsp;Those 4-H members receiving top awards in most categories have the opportunity to compete at a Regional Club Day which will be held in March. Members receiving a Purple in Demonstrations, Illustrated Talks, Project Talks, and Readings are eligible to participate in these categories at the Kansas State Fair in September!&nbsp;Due to our current circumstances, we’ve had to set aside a few important categories. These are Model Meetings, Gavel Games, and club skits. Model meeting is exactly what it sounds like; the 4-H club works together to show their parliamentary skills for a judge. Gavel Games gives a smaller group of youth an opportunity to show their parliamentary skills through a written test and the business portion of a meeting. Many clubs will work together to present a skit. All of these are great group activities that demonstrate planning, communication skills, and teamwork.&nbsp;I wish that I could invite all of you to attend but we’ll save that for another year when we can get together in person to celebrate growth and learning by our youth! If you know a 4-H member, ask them how they are participating at 4-H Club Day.Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

BERAN: 4-H Club Day

I am a Democrat. I am a very blue Democrat. I am a very blue Democrat in a very red state, Kansas. I have a hard time making my vote count, but I don’t give up. I have not always been a Democrat. I have only been a registered Democrat since August 2020, but my conversion started before that. My real awakening started long before the first impeachment of Donald John Trump. 
The first election I was eligible to participate in was the August 1972 primary. I registered as a Republican at the same time I registered for my Selective Service card. I have never missed a primary or general election since. I did miss the draft. In all those years, I have only voted Democratic twice, and one of those was this past election. I’ll let you guess the other. 
I watched with rapt attention the Watergate hearings. I also followed closely the allegations surrounding Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s first Vice President. John Dean’s testimony, the Saturday Night Massacre, the secret White House tapes, the missing 13 minutes, all were captivating. The pressure placed on Agnew to resign or be charged with crimes; the members of the White House staff who were charged, tried, and found guilty. Then, the climactic act of members of Congress visiting the Oval Office and convincing Nixon that there was no saving his Presidency; that unless he resigned he would be impeached and he would be found guilty by the Senate. A corrupt administration was brought down.

I was very unhappy with the administration but I never once thought of leaving the party despite the dishonesty of the Nixon administration because I had developed a lot of admiration for the men who sat on the committees; Sam Irwin, Howard Baker, Daniel Inouye, (a WW II Medal of Honor winner of Japanese descent) to name but a few—statesmen from both parties who put country before party—a trait sorely lacking these days. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I believe that the Nixon administration began the denouement of the Republican Party. It wasn’t obvious at first, but slowly, things began to change. I admired Reagan, but the Iran-Contra scandal was a black mark that stained permanently and I believe it went higher than Ollie North.

The real spiral downward began with Newt Gingrich and the Moral Majority. Hardcore opposition became the byword instead of trying to find common cause and compromise. The party had forgotten its founding principles. It began to cater to the special interests and upper classes, yet I still hadn’t had my fill. 
The impeachment of Bill Clinton was another black mark in my book for the Republican Party. I considered it a private matter and nothing that other presidents hadn’t done and more before. In my mind, it did not warrant impeachment—the partisan games had begun in earnest.

I remained a Republican. I voted for W, but was somewhat bothered by the Supreme Court decision to halt the count in Florida before it was completed, thus giving the Presidency to W by a narrow margin. As a matter of “fair play” I felt the vote count should have been completed. I was bothered by the renewed conflict in Iraq. I felt it more to “get” Saddam for Daddy than a hunt for WMD. The hunt for Bin Laden I supported fully; the attack on the twin towers was inexcusable.

This was the genesis of the Tea Party Movement, which was too far right and too fiscally tight for me. I was living in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro area for part of this time. As a healthcare professional, I saw firsthand the need for the ACA and I supported it, but I voted Republican because moderate Republicans were nominated. A few years later, I was very proud of McCain for his “thumbs-down” on repeal of the ACA. It was during this period that to me the meaning of Republican = Obstruction, especially with Mitch McConnell as majority leader of the Senate came to be. Nothing got done that the Obama administration tried to enact. If it didn’t suit Mitch, it didn’t see the light of day, the Grim Reaper ensured it. Merrick Garland’s nomination by Obama was held up for months with the excuse that a new president should have the honor of nomination of a Supreme Court judge for a vacant position. That was not right—Garland should have been given an Up or Down vote with that much time remaining in a presidential term. We would all learn how much that meant to the Republicans Senate in 2020 when RBG passed away just weeks before the general election.

First rumblings from Trump: birtherism; Obama was not qualified to be President, not a natural citizen, show us a birth certificate. It illustrated Trump’s racism; not my cup of tea. 
2015; Trump announces his candidacy. Like many, I wrote his candidacy off as a marketing and branding ploy, thinking it wouldn’t go anywhere. I never cared for the man for what little I knew of him before his candidacy and the more I saw, the less I liked. To see him degrade women and make fun of the handicapped, well, how low can you go. A little man with a huge ego. 
2016-Trump wins the nomination, then the Presidency. I listened to his acceptance speech after winning the election. It’s better than I expected. There was no braggadocio and it was somewhat (for him) humble, so I thought maybe he will be ok, maybe he’s finally realized the import of the responsibility, but then comes the dark and daunting inauguration speech and naming of a bunch of nobodies with little to no government experience to cabinet positions. “Give him a chance,” I told myself. 
The lies, the systematic dismantling of the administrative state, the cozying up to autocrats, no&nbsp; pretense of trying to unify the country upset me tremendously. The meetings with Kim Jong Un of North Korea were absolutely. It gave legitimacy to a rogue government. None of this was Presidential. It was during this time that the Lincoln Project was founded. It is a group of Republicans and former Republicans dedicated to defeating Trump and Trumpism. I joined the group in its early stages and remain a member. Meanwhile, in Congress, the massive tax cuts for the rich that opened the debt by a trillion dollars, tariffs that accomplished nothing, and a Senate that churned out right-wing conservative judges, several who were deemed non-qualified by even the Federalist Society, who vetted them for Trump.

The final straws for me came within a matter of days. The hearings for the phone call with the new president of the Ukraine seeking aid for the 2020 election in exchange for weapons to use against Russia, the firing of the Ambassador to the Ukraine, the Pentagon liaison officer all but finished it for me. The pettiness and the retribution, the denials in the face of hard evidence left no doubt. I would hold out, though to see what happened. Maybe there would be some statesmen to step up like there were in 1974.

I watched the entire hearing for the impeachment and the sham trial. The evidence presented at trial was overwhelming and, if presented in a court of law, would have been a slam dunk for 
conviction, but not in a partisan Senate where a 2/3 majority is required to convict. I realized the impeachment is a political process, but each Senator swore an oath to impartially evaluate the evidence presented and render a verdict. With one lone exception, none of the Republican senators had the spine to do so, using the excuse, “let the voters decide.” 
It was then I knew I had to change my party affiliation, but I also knew I would hold off until after the August primary so I could vote against our 1st District Representative who was running for the Senate seat Pat Roberts was vacating. As soon as the primary was over, I switched parties and have not looked back. I worked on the campaigns for Barbara Bollier, Kali Barnett and the other “Sunflower Sisters” in their quest for Congressional seats. 
The events leading up to the election, “the only way we lose this election is if it is rigged,” the continued repetition of the BIG LIE, the incitement and “conditioning” of his rabid followers to invade the Capitol have only hardened me to the fact that the GOP I once knew is dead. It has become the party of conspiracy and autocracy. 
I urge all Republicans who feel lost to look within themselves and abandon the party as I did. Don’t take as long as I did. There is not time. The Democratic Party may not be the answer to all your prayers, but I can’t see how good people could support what the Republican Party is today. We almost lost something very precious and dear on January 6th. We may not be so lucky next time. Our democracy must not be taken for granted. We must do our utmost to preserve it for our future generations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>I am a Democrat. I am a very blue Democrat. I am a very blue Democrat in a very red state, Kansas. I have a hard time making my vote count, but I don’t give up. I have not always been a Democrat. I have only been a registered Democrat since August 2020, but my conversion started before that. My real awakening started long before the first impeachment of Donald John Trump. 
The first election I was eligible to participate in was the August 1972 primary. I registered as a Republican at the same time I registered for my Selective Service card. I have never missed a primary or general election since. I did miss the draft. In all those years, I have only voted Democratic twice, and one of those was this past election. I’ll let you guess the other. 
I watched with rapt attention the Watergate hearings. I also followed closely the allegations surrounding Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s first Vice President. John Dean’s testimony, the Saturday Night Massacre, the secret White House tapes, the missing 13 minutes, all were captivating. The pressure placed on Agnew to resign or be charged with crimes; the members of the White House staff who were charged, tried, and found guilty. Then, the climactic act of members of Congress visiting the Oval Office and convincing Nixon that there was no saving his Presidency; that unless he resigned he would be impeached and he would be found guilty by the Senate. A corrupt administration was brought down.I was very unhappy with the administration but I never once thought of leaving the party despite the dishonesty of the Nixon administration because I had developed a lot of admiration for the men who sat on the committees; Sam Irwin, Howard Baker, Daniel Inouye, (a WW II Medal of Honor winner of Japanese descent) to name but a few—statesmen from both parties who put country before party—a trait sorely lacking these days. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I believe that the Nixon administration began the denouement of the Republican Party. It wasn’t obvious at first, but slowly, things began to change. I admired Reagan, but the Iran-Contra scandal was a black mark that stained permanently and I believe it went higher than Ollie North.The real spiral downward began with Newt Gingrich and the Moral Majority. Hardcore opposition became the byword instead of trying to find common cause and compromise. The party had forgotten its founding principles. It began to cater to the special interests and upper classes, yet I still hadn’t had my fill. 
The impeachment of Bill Clinton was another black mark in my book for the Republican Party. I considered it a private matter and nothing that other presidents hadn’t done and more before. In my mind, it did not warrant impeachment—the partisan games had begun in earnest.<h2>The 2000 Election; Bush v Gore – FL</h2>I remained a Republican. I voted for W, but was somewhat bothered by the Supreme Court decision to halt the count in Florida before it was completed, thus giving the Presidency to W by a narrow margin. As a matter of “fair play” I felt the vote count should have been completed. I was bothered by the renewed conflict in Iraq. I felt it more to “get” Saddam for Daddy than a hunt for WMD. The hunt for Bin Laden I supported fully; the attack on the twin towers was inexcusable.<h2>2008-2016</h2>This was the genesis of the Tea Party Movement, which was too far right and too fiscally tight for me. I was living in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro area for part of this time. As a healthcare professional, I saw firsthand the need for the ACA and I supported it, but I voted Republican because moderate Republicans were nominated. A few years later, I was very proud of McCain for his “thumbs-down” on repeal of the ACA. It was during this period that to me the meaning of Republican = Obstruction, especially with Mitch McConnell as majority leader of the Senate came to be. Nothing got done that the Obama administration tried to enact. If it didn’t suit Mitch, it didn’t see the light of day, the Grim Reaper ensured it. Merrick Garland’s nomination by Obama was held up for months with the excuse that a new president should have the honor of nomination of a Supreme Court judge for a vacant position. That was not right—Garland should have been given an Up or Down vote with that much time remaining in a presidential term. We would all learn how much that meant to the Republicans Senate in 2020 when RBG passed away just weeks before the general election.First rumblings from Trump: birtherism; Obama was not qualified to be President, not a natural citizen, show us a birth certificate. It illustrated Trump’s racism; not my cup of tea. 
2015; Trump announces his candidacy. Like many, I wrote his candidacy off as a marketing and branding ploy, thinking it wouldn’t go anywhere. I never cared for the man for what little I knew of him before his candidacy and the more I saw, the less I liked. To see him degrade women and make fun of the handicapped, well, how low can you go. A little man with a huge ego. 
2016-Trump wins the nomination, then the Presidency. I listened to his acceptance speech after winning the election. It’s better than I expected. There was no braggadocio and it was somewhat (for him) humble, so I thought maybe he will be ok, maybe he’s finally realized the import of the responsibility, but then comes the dark and daunting inauguration speech and naming of a bunch of nobodies with little to no government experience to cabinet positions. “Give him a chance,” I told myself. 
The lies, the systematic dismantling of the administrative state, the cozying up to autocrats, no&nbsp; pretense of trying to unify the country upset me tremendously. The meetings with Kim Jong Un of North Korea were absolutely. It gave legitimacy to a rogue government. None of this was Presidential. It was during this time that the Lincoln Project was founded. It is a group of Republicans and former Republicans dedicated to defeating Trump and Trumpism. I joined the group in its early stages and remain a member. Meanwhile, in Congress, the massive tax cuts for the rich that opened the debt by a trillion dollars, tariffs that accomplished nothing, and a Senate that churned out right-wing conservative judges, several who were deemed non-qualified by even the Federalist Society, who vetted them for Trump.<h2>
The Phone Call and the Firings</h2>The final straws for me came within a matter of days. The hearings for the phone call with the new president of the Ukraine seeking aid for the 2020 election in exchange for weapons to use against Russia, the firing of the Ambassador to the Ukraine, the Pentagon liaison officer all but finished it for me. The pettiness and the retribution, the denials in the face of hard evidence left no doubt. I would hold out, though to see what happened. Maybe there would be some statesmen to step up like there were in 1974.<h2>Impeachment and Trial</h2>I watched the entire hearing for the impeachment and the sham trial. The evidence presented at trial was overwhelming and, if presented in a court of law, would have been a slam dunk for 
conviction, but not in a partisan Senate where a 2/3 majority is required to convict. I realized the impeachment is a political process, but each Senator swore an oath to impartially evaluate the evidence presented and render a verdict. With one lone exception, none of the Republican senators had the spine to do so, using the excuse, “let the voters decide.” 
It was then I knew I had to change my party affiliation, but I also knew I would hold off until after the August primary so I could vote against our 1st District Representative who was running for the Senate seat Pat Roberts was vacating. As soon as the primary was over, I switched parties and have not looked back. I worked on the campaigns for Barbara Bollier, Kali Barnett and the other “Sunflower Sisters” in their quest for Congressional seats. 
The events leading up to the election, “the only way we lose this election is if it is rigged,” the continued repetition of the BIG LIE, the incitement and “conditioning” of his rabid followers to invade the Capitol have only hardened me to the fact that the GOP I once knew is dead. It has become the party of conspiracy and autocracy. 
I urge all Republicans who feel lost to look within themselves and abandon the party as I did. Don’t take as long as I did. There is not time. The Democratic Party may not be the answer to all your prayers, but I can’t see how good people could support what the Republican Party is today. We almost lost something very precious and dear on January 6th. We may not be so lucky next time. Our democracy must not be taken for granted. We must do our utmost to preserve it for our future generations.Mike Giess, Hays

LETTER: The move from the GOP to 'very blue'

The situation with Kansas Department of Labor continues to take much of the focus of our time here. 

I have had many conversations, received numerous emails, texts and phone calls from those who have fallen victim to fraud or have been unable to file for unemployment benefits. I have been working with the Department of Labor but it is getting beyond frustrating we must get these issues resolved. 

Once again Kansas made national headlines this past week over failures by the Kelly administration to adequately protect the state’s unemployment system from fraud. 

The latest weekly data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) indicates Kansas had the second highest number of unemployment claims in the nation, despite the fact that Kansas accounts for less than 1% of the nation’s population. For months, the USDOL has warned the Kelly administration about the need to take protective measures in order to prevent widespread fraud. The Legislature and Kansas employers have also been sounding the alarm since last year, urging the Governor’s office to get the state’s unemployment system in check.

It wasn’t until January 28, months after the fact, that Governor Kelly opted to respond. 

Under mounting pressure from the Legislature, the media and the public, the Kelly administration temporarily shut down the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) in effort to boost security measures. After that shutdown, Governor Kelly reported that the new security measures had blocked more than 600,000 fraudulent attempts in just a day and a half - further indication of the fraud that had been allowed to infiltrate the system all this time.

While other states have seen a steady decline in unemployment claims, Kansas claims have continued to spike. This stark contrast to national trends indicates just how serious the fraud problem is for Kansas.

Unfortunately, the Governor’s security upgrade is too little, too late. Due to the ongoing inaction at KDOL, the Kelly administration has paid out an estimated $300 to $400 million in fraudulent unemployment benefits while Kansans who are legitimately out of work have been forced to wait.

The Legislature took action this pastweek to protect Kansans from the long-term impact of this fraud.

First, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on HB 2195. This legislation would hold employers harmless, meaning they would not be on the hook to reimburse the state for fraudulent unemployment benefits paid out without their consent.&nbsp;Additionally, the bill encourages the use of federal pandemic-related funds to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. 

Our businesses, schools and non-profit organizations should not be forced to pay the price for the Kelly administration’s mistakes. 

I serve on this committee and shared my concerns that those affected are not simply numbers, data and spreadsheets but real men and women, citizens of Kansas just like you and me.

Second, the House Commerce Committee was briefed on HB 2196, which would require KDOL to upgrade its IT system and hold the agency accountable for long-term improvements.

Have you received an incorrect 1099 from KDOL? 

Unfortunately, employers aren’t the only ones impacted by this unemployment fraud. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are not liable to pay taxes on income you did not receive from fraudulent unemployment claims. If you received a Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits you never received, you may dispute the 1099 by calling the KDOL Tax Call Center at 785-575-1461 or 1-888-499-0063. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or there are forms on the Kansas Department of Labor website.

Once again this year, the Governor wants to reamortize KPERS. The KPERS Board met Jan. 29 to review the Governor’s funding proposals for KPERS. This year marks the third year the Governor has attempted to reamortize KPERS in order to pull additional funds in the budget. The proposal was voted down by the Legislature in both 2019 and 2020.

Following their meeting, the Board submitted a letter to Governor Kelly indicating: “These changes to the funding plan impede funding progress leaving KPERS in a more vulnerable funding position for years and costing the State an estimated $4.6 billion in additional employer contributions over time.”

A bill has not yet been introduced to adopt the Governor’s KPERS reamortization plan, which is a cornerstone of her budget.

Because of COVID, we are not encouraging visitors to come to Topeka but if you would like to contact me : my office is still located in Room: 149-S. My phone number is (785) 296- 7463 and email is: ken.rahjes@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at (785) 302-8416. When you call or write you might hear from Terry Bernatis, my assistant during the session.

It is my honor to be your representative.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581437228209.jpeg" alt="Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hello from Topeka! The situation with Kansas Department of Labor continues to take much of the focus of our time here. I have had many conversations, received numerous emails, texts and phone calls from those who have fallen victim to fraud or have been unable to file for unemployment benefits. I have been working with the Department of Labor but it is getting beyond frustrating we must get these issues resolved. Once again Kansas made national headlines this past week over failures by the Kelly administration to adequately protect the state’s unemployment system from fraud. The latest weekly data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) indicates Kansas had the second highest number of unemployment claims in the nation, despite the fact that Kansas accounts for less than 1% of the nation’s population. For months, the USDOL has warned the Kelly administration about the need to take protective measures in order to prevent widespread fraud. The Legislature and Kansas employers have also been sounding the alarm since last year, urging the Governor’s office to get the state’s unemployment system in check.It wasn’t until January 28, months after the fact, that Governor Kelly opted to respond. Under mounting pressure from the Legislature, the media and the public, the Kelly administration temporarily shut down the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) in effort to boost security measures. After that shutdown, Governor Kelly reported that the new security measures had blocked more than 600,000 fraudulent attempts in just a day and a half - further indication of the fraud that had been allowed to infiltrate the system all this time.While other states have seen a steady decline in unemployment claims, Kansas claims have continued to spike. This stark contrast to national trends indicates just how serious the fraud problem is for Kansas.Unfortunately, the Governor’s security upgrade is too little, too late. Due to the ongoing inaction at KDOL, the Kelly administration has paid out an estimated $300 to $400 million in fraudulent unemployment benefits while Kansans who are legitimately out of work have been forced to wait.The Legislature took action this pastweek to protect Kansans from the long-term impact of this fraud.First, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on HB 2195. This legislation would hold employers harmless, meaning they would not be on the hook to reimburse the state for fraudulent unemployment benefits paid out without their consent.&nbsp;Additionally, the bill encourages the use of federal pandemic-related funds to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Our businesses, schools and non-profit organizations should not be forced to pay the price for the Kelly administration’s mistakes. I serve on this committee and shared my concerns that those affected are not simply numbers, data and spreadsheets but real men and women, citizens of Kansas just like you and me.Second, the House Commerce Committee was briefed on HB 2196, which would require KDOL to upgrade its IT system and hold the agency accountable for long-term improvements.Have you received an incorrect 1099 from KDOL? Unfortunately, employers aren’t the only ones impacted by this unemployment fraud. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are not liable to pay taxes on income you did not receive from fraudulent unemployment claims. If you received a Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits you never received, you may dispute the 1099 by calling the KDOL Tax Call Center at 785-575-1461 or 1-888-499-0063. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or there are forms on the Kansas Department of Labor website.Once again this year, the Governor wants to reamortize KPERS. The KPERS Board met Jan. 29 to review the Governor’s funding proposals for KPERS. This year marks the third year the Governor has attempted to reamortize KPERS in order to pull additional funds in the budget. The proposal was voted down by the Legislature in both 2019 and 2020.Following their meeting, the Board submitted a letter to Governor Kelly indicating: “These changes to the funding plan impede funding progress leaving KPERS in a more vulnerable funding position for years and costing the State an estimated $4.6 billion in additional employer contributions over time.”A bill has not yet been introduced to adopt the Governor’s KPERS reamortization plan, which is a cornerstone of her budget.Because of COVID, we are not encouraging visitors to come to Topeka but if you would like to contact me : my office is still located in Room: 149-S. My phone number is (785) 296- 7463 and email is: ken.rahjes@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at (785) 302-8416. When you call or write you might hear from Terry Bernatis, my assistant during the session.It is my honor to be your representative.Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the Kansas state representative of the 110th Dist. House District 110 includes:&nbsp; Norton and Phillips Counties Ellis County: Cities: Catharine, Ellis and Schoenchen;&nbsp;Townships: Big Creek(part), Buckeye, Catherine, Ellis, Herzog(part),&nbsp;Lookout(part) and Wheatland(part) Graham County: City: Hill City;&nbsp;Townships: Hill City(part) and Nicodemus(part) Rooks County: Cities: Damar, Palco, Plainville,&nbsp;Stockton, Woodston and Zurich

Rahjes Report: Feb. 9

The Kansas Senate sent a powerful message to Governor Kelly regarding vaccine prioritization by adopting SR 1707, which calls upon “the Governor of Kansas to revise her Administration's current COVID-19 vaccination plan by removing prisoners from the front of the line in Phase 2 and instead prioritizing the vaccination of the elderly, the teachers and those aged 16 to 64 who have severe medical risks, seniors who live on their own and veterans.” 

Chairman of the Senate Public Health &amp; Welfare Committee carried the resolution on the Senate floor. During his remarks, he pointed out that several vulnerable populations in Phase 3 are behind prisoners in priority, who are currently in Phase 2. He noted that while eventually incarcerated populations should receive the vaccine, the current scarcity of vaccines amplified the importance of prioritizing law-abiding citizens ahead of incarcerated individuals. 

Senator Hilderbrand said “I appreciate the Senate passing this resolution, which should not be controversial. We’re simply sending a strong message to the governor that her administration should re-prioritize the phases and not put incarcerated individuals ahead of law-abiding citizens.”

Several Senators spoke in favor of the resolution, with some sharing powerful, personal testimonials about the problems with certain populations not being able to obtain the vaccine, including those who have been isolated and not able to see their families. They cited the importance of prioritizing these vulnerable Kansans at the front of the line, ahead of those in prison. “SR 1707 represents a moment for the Senate to stand together in support of those in Kansas who are at most risk during this pandemic, many for whom vaccines represent the light at the end of the tunnel and a return to normal living. This resolution sends a clear message to the administration that during this time when the availability of the vaccine is limited, law-abiding citizens should be the priority over prisoners.” 

People should be sure to contact their county health offices to schedule their appointments.

This week the Senate votes to establish a Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program. On Monday, the Kansas Senate adopted SB 15, which would establish the Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program, which updates the field of membership requirements of credit unions and allowing privilege tax deductions on agricultural real estate loans and single-family residence loans. 

The bill is supported by a wide coalition of stakeholders in Kansas, including bankers, the restaurant and hospitality industry, and those in agriculture, all who share a mutual interest in boosting our economy by giving low interest loans to Kansas businesses who have struggled during the pandemic. As NFIB testified, “The proposed program in SB15 will provide small businesses with the critical low-interest capital that they need in these trying times.” The Kansas Bankers Association testified that the bill “will provide low-cost credit to ag producers and rural housing and create an economic recovery linked deposit loan program for small businesses, including farmers and ranchers, financially affected by the pandemic.”

It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov. You may also call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399, or my cell number is 785 899-4700.

Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is state senator of the Kansas 40th Dist.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610490291573.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Senate sent a powerful message to Governor Kelly regarding vaccine prioritization by adopting SR 1707, which calls upon “the Governor of Kansas to revise her Administration's current COVID-19 vaccination plan by removing prisoners from the front of the line in Phase 2 and instead prioritizing the vaccination of the elderly, the teachers and those aged 16 to 64 who have severe medical risks, seniors who live on their own and veterans.” Chairman of the Senate Public Health &amp; Welfare Committee carried the resolution on the Senate floor. During his remarks, he pointed out that several vulnerable populations in Phase 3 are behind prisoners in priority, who are currently in Phase 2. He noted that while eventually incarcerated populations should receive the vaccine, the current scarcity of vaccines amplified the importance of prioritizing law-abiding citizens ahead of incarcerated individuals. Senator Hilderbrand said “I appreciate the Senate passing this resolution, which should not be controversial. We’re simply sending a strong message to the governor that her administration should re-prioritize the phases and not put incarcerated individuals ahead of law-abiding citizens.” Several Senators spoke in favor of the resolution, with some sharing powerful, personal testimonials about the problems with certain populations not being able to obtain the vaccine, including those who have been isolated and not able to see their families. They cited the importance of prioritizing these vulnerable Kansans at the front of the line, ahead of those in prison. “SR 1707 represents a moment for the Senate to stand together in support of those in Kansas who are at most risk during this pandemic, many for whom vaccines represent the light at the end of the tunnel and a return to normal living. This resolution sends a clear message to the administration that during this time when the availability of the vaccine is limited, law-abiding citizens should be the priority over prisoners.” People should be sure to contact their county health offices to schedule their appointments.This week the Senate votes to establish a Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program. On Monday, the Kansas Senate adopted SB 15, which would establish the Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program, which updates the field of membership requirements of credit unions and allowing privilege tax deductions on agricultural real estate loans and single-family residence loans. The bill is supported by a wide coalition of stakeholders in Kansas, including bankers, the restaurant and hospitality industry, and those in agriculture, all who share a mutual interest in boosting our economy by giving low interest loans to Kansas businesses who have struggled during the pandemic. As NFIB testified, “The proposed program in SB15 will provide small businesses with the critical low-interest capital that they need in these trying times.” The Kansas Bankers Association testified that the bill “will provide low-cost credit to ag producers and rural housing and create an economic recovery linked deposit loan program for small businesses, including farmers and ranchers, financially affected by the pandemic.”It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov. You may also call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399, or my cell number is 785 899-4700.Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is state senator of the Kansas 40th Dist.

BILLINGER: Senate Update, Feb. 8

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Can first impressions lead to changes in communities? Yes, based on the experience of one rural community that used the First Impressions program as a springboard for strategic actions to make community improvements.&nbsp;

Gary Olson is an entrepreneur, farmer, and real estate broker in Gypsum, Kansas. He grew up on a nearby farm and now produces seed wheat and has a real estate company. He’s also seen the struggles of rural communities. “Our town had about died,” Gary said.&nbsp;

In January 2019, he bought a building in downtown Gypsum and revitalized the flea market which had been operating there as a place for vendors to sell various products. Some are original custom products, such as from a nearby welding shop. Others are used or repurposed products that can be purchased affordably. People can sell items on consignment or donate them. “Our customers say they find hidden treasures here,” Gary said.&nbsp;

Resa Risinger is now the flea market manager. She noted that the market offered special promotions during the holidays such as a drawing for a free turkey and three hams.&nbsp;

“(The market) has grown exponentially,” Gary said. Promoting it on social media and allowing credit- and debit-card purchases has made a big difference. “Sales went through the roof,” Gary said. “Our guest book says that we’ve had visitors from as far away as California and Michigan and Sydney, Australia.”&nbsp;

Through another Gypsum resident, Leslie Manning, Gary learned about the First Impressions community-betterment program. First Impressions is offered to communities at no cost by K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;

The purpose of the program is to build awareness of a community’s strengths as well as areas of concern, using feedback from outside the community. Once a community chooses to participate, a team of trained volunteers from a similar town will visit the community and record its impressions of various community elements, such as:&nbsp;

The results are presented at a community meeting.&nbsp;

Gary Olson and Leslie Manning were among those who went to a presentation to learn about the First Impressions program. They helped encourage the city of Gypsum to participate in the program. “A team from Glasco came down and gave us feedback,” Gary said.&nbsp;

Such outside perspectives can be useful in seeing one’s community through the eyes of a first-time visitor. In the case of Gypsum, this led to community action. “The next logical step was a program called Strategic Doing,” Gary said. “The extension office helped us organize a brainstorming meeting.” Facilitator Betty Johnson helped the community organize task forces to work on top priority issues, such as youth development, parks and recreation, and senior housing.&nbsp;

One prominent project was a new “Welcome to Gypsum” sign. “That sign was in the works for several years. Sandy Kruse worked on it,” Gary said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612363648389.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentCan first impressions lead to changes in communities? Yes, based on the experience of one rural community that used the First Impressions program as a springboard for strategic actions to make community improvements.&nbsp;Gary Olson is an entrepreneur, farmer, and real estate broker in Gypsum, Kansas. He grew up on a nearby farm and now produces seed wheat and has a real estate company. He’s also seen the struggles of rural communities. “Our town had about died,” Gary said.&nbsp;In January 2019, he bought a building in downtown Gypsum and revitalized the flea market which had been operating there as a place for vendors to sell various products. Some are original custom products, such as from a nearby welding shop. Others are used or repurposed products that can be purchased affordably. People can sell items on consignment or donate them. “Our customers say they find hidden treasures here,” Gary said.&nbsp;Resa Risinger is now the flea market manager. She noted that the market offered special promotions during the holidays such as a drawing for a free turkey and three hams.&nbsp;“(The market) has grown exponentially,” Gary said. Promoting it on social media and allowing credit- and debit-card purchases has made a big difference. “Sales went through the roof,” Gary said. “Our guest book says that we’ve had visitors from as far away as California and Michigan and Sydney, Australia.”&nbsp;Through another Gypsum resident, Leslie Manning, Gary learned about the First Impressions community-betterment program. First Impressions is offered to communities at no cost by K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;The purpose of the program is to build awareness of a community’s strengths as well as areas of concern, using feedback from outside the community. Once a community chooses to participate, a team of trained volunteers from a similar town will visit the community and record its impressions of various community elements, such as:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Residential locations.&nbsp;</li><li>Retail businesses.&nbsp;</li><li>Industrial areas.&nbsp;</li><li>Local government entities.&nbsp;</li><li>Schools.&nbsp;</li><li>Other points of interest.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>The results are presented at a community meeting.&nbsp;Gary Olson and Leslie Manning were among those who went to a presentation to learn about the First Impressions program. They helped encourage the city of Gypsum to participate in the program. “A team from Glasco came down and gave us feedback,” Gary said.&nbsp;Such outside perspectives can be useful in seeing one’s community through the eyes of a first-time visitor. In the case of Gypsum, this led to community action. “The next logical step was a program called Strategic Doing,” Gary said. “The extension office helped us organize a brainstorming meeting.” Facilitator Betty Johnson helped the community organize task forces to work on top priority issues, such as youth development, parks and recreation, and senior housing.&nbsp;One prominent project was a new “Welcome to Gypsum” sign. “That sign was in the works for several years. Sandy Kruse worked on it,” Gary said.&nbsp;New owners have purchased the restaurant, and other new businesses have opened.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’ve opened a business center at the flea market,” Gary said. Strategic Doing has also led to the creation of the Gypsum Valley Community Foundation Fund, which has already raised more than $20,000.&nbsp;“We’ve come a really, really long way,” Gary said. “Without those two programs (First Impressions and Strategic Doing), we wouldn’t have the community we do.”&nbsp;It’s great to see such progress in a rural community such as Gypsum, population 405 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, search for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gypsumfleamarketandthrift">@gypsumfleamarketandthrift</a>&nbsp;on Facebook.&nbsp;Can first impressions lead to community action? In the case of Gypsum, yes. Those first impressions from outside the community helped identify key needs that led to not just community strategic planning, but strategic doing.&nbsp;We commend Gary Olson, Resa Risinger, Leslie Manning, Sandy Kruse, and the many other volunteers who are making a difference by building business and bettering the community. They are making an excellent impression.&nbsp;And there’s more. Remember the welding company that made and sold the custom items? That small-town shop has big capabilities. We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

Opinion