During one of our training zooms we were asked “What do our young people need from adults?” The list to choose from included: structure, empathy, rules and consequences, curiosity/learning, someone to listen and a couple of other answers? The presenter reminded us there was no incorrect answer. The majority of the participants on the zoom responded that young people need curiosity/learning and someone to listen. Over the last ten months I have heard many discussions of what is needed to help our kids build resiliency skills and it is difficult to pinpoint just one thing.

One source that I encourage parents to search for is “Family Engagement 4H1749F” a publication from Michigan State University. The first activity in the booklet is “Building Encouragement”. The author shares “Social emotional health is a critical component of health development for young children. Social emotional development includes the ability to identify and label or name emotions, and find appropriate ways to express or manage those emotions.”

There are many things that your child does well each day. Recognize the good things that they do and point out what exactly they did right. For example: “I noticed that you hung up your coat and put your boots away!” Look the child in the eye and talk to them on their level. Compliment them often and encourage them often. Be careful about trying to teach them a lesson. “I noticed you helped your brother but you did not put your shoes away like I asked”. Avoid the “but”! The author of “Building Encouragement” suggests, “You helped your brother find his shoes. Let’s see if we can find yours together.”&nbsp;

Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs I ever got myself into! I feel like I am still learning and my youngest is now 25 years old. I know that our children still need encouragement. Start when they are young and build a relationship with them so they know they can come to you no matter what the situation is. Every child has their strengths. Work to build on those strengths and over time they will build the resilience to face what the world throws at them.&nbsp;

This sounds easy and I realize it is not so simple. Parents need support, so find a group of strong parents who will support you in this very important job. Encourage each other and build each other up so you are prepared for your parenting challenges.&nbsp;

Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>During one of our training zooms we were asked “What do our young people need from adults?” The list to choose from included: structure, empathy, rules and consequences, curiosity/learning, someone to listen and a couple of other answers? The presenter reminded us there was no incorrect answer. The majority of the participants on the zoom responded that young people need curiosity/learning and someone to listen. Over the last ten months I have heard many discussions of what is needed to help our kids build resiliency skills and it is difficult to pinpoint just one thing.One source that I encourage parents to search for is “Family Engagement 4H1749F” a publication from Michigan State University. The first activity in the booklet is “Building Encouragement”. The author shares “Social emotional health is a critical component of health development for young children. Social emotional development includes the ability to identify and label or name emotions, and find appropriate ways to express or manage those emotions.”There are many things that your child does well each day. Recognize the good things that they do and point out what exactly they did right. For example: “I noticed that you hung up your coat and put your boots away!” Look the child in the eye and talk to them on their level. Compliment them often and encourage them often. Be careful about trying to teach them a lesson. “I noticed you helped your brother but you did not put your shoes away like I asked”. Avoid the “but”! The author of “Building Encouragement” suggests, “You helped your brother find his shoes. Let’s see if we can find yours together.”&nbsp;Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs I ever got myself into! I feel like I am still learning and my youngest is now 25 years old. I know that our children still need encouragement. Start when they are young and build a relationship with them so they know they can come to you no matter what the situation is. Every child has their strengths. Work to build on those strengths and over time they will build the resilience to face what the world throws at them.&nbsp;This sounds easy and I realize it is not so simple. Parents need support, so find a group of strong parents who will support you in this very important job. Encourage each other and build each other up so you are prepared for your parenting challenges.&nbsp;	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Be an encourager

Wednesday morning, the House Appropriations Committee held a briefing from the Department of Labor regarding current unemployment and fraud issues. After this committee meeting and the discussion, Governor Kelly admitted that the unemployment program has been overrun by fraud and that is currently distracting the department to process legitimate unemployment claims. Currently, Kansas is experiencing the second most fraudulent unemployment claims in the nation, only behind the state of Illinois.

When the COVID-19 pandemic started last year, the unemployment trust fund for the state of Kansas had a balance in excess of $1 billion. Now that same trust fund has an approximate balance between $300 million, with some stating that anywhere from $300 to $400 million may have been paid out in fraudulent claims.

There are two types of employers in Kansas; reimbursement employers and trust fund employers. Schools, public universities and not for profits are reimbursement employers. The state pays their claims and then sends them a statement to get paid back. The first quarterly statements have begun going out and in one Topeka school district there were $775,000 in fraudulent claims that the state had paid out. With federal reimbursement applied, that school district will still owe the state nearly $400,000 for claims that never should have been paid and that the school district never authorized to be paid.

A bill was introduced on Wednesday to further investigate the fraud within the Department of Labor. The Appropriations Committee will have a hearing (this) week.

(Last) week we had an informational update in the Appropriations Committee by the Kansas Lottery and the Kansas Gaming and Racing Commission. They had indicated to the committee that revenues for both the lottery and the state-owned casinos were lower in 2020 from the revenues received in 2019. The difference for the lottery was almost $21 million and for the casinos, they experienced a difference of nearly $77 million, or an 18.7% difference. Both had stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was a root cause for the reduced revenues. The Kansas Lottery did mention that in 2021, they will be placing more vending lottery machines in businesses to generate more revenue. The lottery currently has 200 vending machines in businesses across the state and is anticipating placing 70 more.

Bills Passed the House; Kansas Day

On Thursday, January 28, the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on three bills, all of which were issues that were addressed last session, however, were never debated due to COVID-19.

The first bill was House Bill 2022, which I introduced in the Appropriations Committee. This bill combines the two funds regarding oil and gas well plugging into only one fund. It also clarifies for the Kansas Corporation Commission on who is a responsible party if an oil or gas well needs to be plugged.

The second bill was House Bill 2026 and this bill creates a drug abuse treatment program for people on diversion and allows county attorneys to enter into agreements with court services and community corrections for supervision.

The final bill was House Bill 2008 which, when implemented by the Kansas Attorney General, would coordinate training for law enforcement agencies regarding missing and murdered indigenous people. Those in favor of the bill are hoping that this will address the high rates of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls across America. All of these bills passed out of the House, 123-0.

On this day (Jan. 29) in 1861, the state of Kansas became the 34th state in the union. Although this year is different, we all need to celebrate the birthhood of our great state.

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

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

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

Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the 109th Kansas House District state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577788173848.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>January 29, 2021Department of Labor FraudWednesday morning, the House Appropriations Committee held a briefing from the Department of Labor regarding current unemployment and fraud issues. After this committee meeting and the discussion, Governor Kelly admitted that the unemployment program has been overrun by fraud and that is currently distracting the department to process legitimate unemployment claims. Currently, Kansas is experiencing the second most fraudulent unemployment claims in the nation, only behind the state of Illinois.When the COVID-19 pandemic started last year, the unemployment trust fund for the state of Kansas had a balance in excess of $1 billion. Now that same trust fund has an approximate balance between $300 million, with some stating that anywhere from $300 to $400 million may have been paid out in fraudulent claims.There are two types of employers in Kansas; reimbursement employers and trust fund employers. Schools, public universities and not for profits are reimbursement employers. The state pays their claims and then sends them a statement to get paid back. The first quarterly statements have begun going out and in one Topeka school district there were $775,000 in fraudulent claims that the state had paid out. With federal reimbursement applied, that school district will still owe the state nearly $400,000 for claims that never should have been paid and that the school district never authorized to be paid.A bill was introduced on Wednesday to further investigate the fraud within the Department of Labor. The Appropriations Committee will have a hearing (this) week.Kansas Lottery and Gaming(Last) week we had an informational update in the Appropriations Committee by the Kansas Lottery and the Kansas Gaming and Racing Commission. They had indicated to the committee that revenues for both the lottery and the state-owned casinos were lower in 2020 from the revenues received in 2019. The difference for the lottery was almost $21 million and for the casinos, they experienced a difference of nearly $77 million, or an 18.7% difference. Both had stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was a root cause for the reduced revenues. The Kansas Lottery did mention that in 2021, they will be placing more vending lottery machines in businesses to generate more revenue. The lottery currently has 200 vending machines in businesses across the state and is anticipating placing 70 more.Bills Passed the House; Kansas DayOn Thursday, January 28, the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on three bills, all of which were issues that were addressed last session, however, were never debated due to COVID-19.The first bill was House Bill 2022, which I introduced in the Appropriations Committee. This bill combines the two funds regarding oil and gas well plugging into only one fund. It also clarifies for the Kansas Corporation Commission on who is a responsible party if an oil or gas well needs to be plugged.The second bill was House Bill 2026 and this bill creates a drug abuse treatment program for people on diversion and allows county attorneys to enter into agreements with court services and community corrections for supervision.The final bill was House Bill 2008 which, when implemented by the Kansas Attorney General, would coordinate training for law enforcement agencies regarding missing and murdered indigenous people. Those in favor of the bill are hoping that this will address the high rates of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls across America. All of these bills passed out of the House, 123-0.On this day (Jan. 29) in 1861, the state of Kansas became the 34th state in the union. Although this year is different, we all need to celebrate the birthhood of our great state.Contact InformationAnytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov. Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the 109th Kansas House District state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, Jan. 29

This week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Ways and Means Committee is starting to work the budget bill with subcommittee meetings to report to the full committee in a few weeks. The Senate will be returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate.

With a vote of 28-11, the Kansas Senate passed the Value Them Both Amendment to reverse the Supreme Court ruling (6-1) from Hodes &amp; Nauser v Schmidt. 

HCR 5003 would amend the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the State of Kansas by adding a new section regarding the regulation of abortion. It states that nothing in the state constitution requires the government to fund abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. 

HCR 5003 does not ban abortion as it is federal law. It also provides that the people of Kansas through their elected state legislators may pass law regarding abortion and these laws would remain subject to the United States Constitution protection of an individual’s right to abortion. 

A “yes” vote on the ballot for the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment keeps regulations and laws already in place and approved by voters on the books basically returning us to 1972 after the Roe v. Wade ruling. Four key regulations that have received bipartisan support throughout the legislature since 1972 – Women’s Right to Know &amp; 24 hours waiting periods (1997), parental notification (2011), clinic licensing laws (clinic inspections-2011) and no taxpayer funding of abortions (2013). 

I voted yes. I believe it is important that women are given the most basic information about their doctor; that minor children are not left to make important decisions on their own; that women can know that they will enter a clean, safe facility; that Kansas will not be forced to pay for abortions and people have the right to regulate the abortion industry through the legislative process. 

Kansas is not alone in amending their Constitution - six other states have already passed similar amendments and other states are considering amendments this session. 

Last week, the House of Representatives adopted the amendment by a vote of 86-38. As HCR 5003 was adopted in both chambers, then it will now appear on the primary election ballot held in August 2022.

On Monday, Governor Kelly signed SB 14 into law, which continued the protections within the Kansas Emergency Management Act (KEMA) as adopted in the Special Session in June of 2020, which were set to expire on January 26th. It extends the limitations on the governor’s executive powers until March 31st, thus maintaining and strengthening the protections for Kansas families and businesses. 

As a result of the bill being signed into law, Kansas businesses now have the assurance of knowing they will remain open. In addition, critical provisions ensuring local control over decision-making remain on the books. 

The quick work on the legislation will now allow the Kansas Legislature the time necessary to take a deeper dive into the many statutes surrounding the Kansas Emergency Management Act (KEMA) and craft legislation that will address the myriad of issues within it on a long-term basis. While KEMA was largely designed to deal with localized disasters such as floods and tornadoes, this time will allow the legislature to ensure our laws envision similar statewide situations, such as pandemics, in the future.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab updated the committee on the 2020 elections and results across the state. The November 3rd general election saw historic turnout, despite the Coronavirus pandemic. In the 2020 general election, 1,375,125 votes were cast, meaning 70.9% of Kansas voters participated. There were 1,938,560 registered voters prior to the 2020 general election. For reference, roughly 1,225,667 registered voters or 67.4% participated in the 2016 general election. There were 459,229 advance mail ballots, 371,854 advance in-person ballots and 544,042 in-person ballots cast on election day November 3rd, 2020.

Last year (2020) was the first year for post-election audits occurring in major, statewide election. In presidential election years, state law (KS 25-309) requires counties to audit one federal race, one state legislative race and one county race. The Secretary of State office selects races to be audited by Kansas counties following each candidate election. The office must transmit audit orders to each county no later than 24 hours after the close of polls on election day. The audit process went well across the state. Each county audited at least 1% of precincts within their county and three races. All 105 counties matched exactly to the unofficial election night returns or were able to explain discrepancies of one or two votes. Discrepancies center around manual review determining voter intent was different than the machine count due to odd marking of the ballot or the voter marking the oval too lightly for the machine to read. The Secretary reported all 105 counties in Kansas successfully completed their post-election audits from the November general election. All votes were accounted for and foul play, of any kind was not found.

The Secretary also stated unlike many other states which struggled to implement mail balloting for the first time, Kansas’ election system has 25 years of experience with mail ballots and has developed the institutional knowledge, procedures, and infrastructure to securely process the anticipated increase in mail ballot use at the general election. The Kansas election system’s ability to handle the surge in mail ballots in the 2020 election demonstrated the election system’s capabilities.

The Department of Labor testified along others in the Senate Commerce Committee specifically on the problem with fraudulent claims in the state. Kansas is not alone - in fact all 50 states are affected however Governor Kelly called for the shutdown of the department’s processing system January 30th through February 2nd to allow for a new verification process and for the staff to catch up on claims waiting for processing.

Many people are unaware a claim has been made on their behalf until they receive a notice from KDOL in the mail or their employer does. If this happens - immediately go to https://www.fraudreport.ks.gov and report the fraudulent claim. You will receive a confirmation email with a police report case number. This number is an official law enforcement case number. You will NOT have to alert another law enforcement agency. Additional steps to take:

· Contact the Federal Trade Commission at <a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/">www.identitytheft.gov</a>

· Place a fraud alert on your credit record with one of the three credit bureaus:

· Contact your financial providers (banks, credit card companies, etc.) to flag irregular transactions.

· Check your Social Security earnings statements online to make sure your reported wages are correct at <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount</a>.

If you need additional help, please email my office or call and I will contact the Department of Labor to help with your case.

January 29 of 2021 marked the 160th anniversary of President James Buchanan signing a bill to make Kansas the 34th state of the United States of America. Kansas is full of rich history, beautiful scenes of nature, and notable landmarks. 

In Kansas Senate District 36, we have remarkable landmarks such as the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, Rock City outside of Minneapolis, and the “Home on the Range Cabin” in Smith County, birthplace of our state song. 

“Home on the Range” was adopted by the Kansas State Legislature as the official state song on June 30, 1947. Along with our state song, Kansas has not one, but TWO official state marches, “The Kansas March” and “Here’s Kansas.”

 But while the marches are grand, nothing brings as much pride into the hearts of the residents of the Sunflower State as that of seeing our great flag dancing in the breeze. The flag was designed by Hazel Avery of Lincoln County in 1925. Directly in the center on the field of blue is the Great Seal of the State of Kansas with our motto arching near the top: “Ad Astra Per Aspera” to the stars through difficulties. The flag was modified in 1961 by a bill introduced by Senator Ross Doyen of Concordia to add the word “KANSAS”.

Kansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8AM-5PM. Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents. Questions can also be left at infodesk@ks.gov on weekends and evenings. 

Kansans can now chat with a librarian in real-time through the library’s Ask A Librarian service found at: kslib.info/ask. You will have the option of installing a mobile app connecting users to all the State Library’s services, including chat, texting and email. Text questions to 785 256-0733. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol. Currently, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is temporarily closed to walk-in service.

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 Kansas Senate District" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Kansas Senate District</figcaption>
 </figure>February 1, 2021SENATE HAPPENINGSThis week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Ways and Means Committee is starting to work the budget bill with subcommittee meetings to report to the full committee in a few weeks. The Senate will be returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate.SENATE FLOOR ACTION – HCR 5003With a vote of 28-11, the Kansas Senate passed the Value Them Both Amendment to reverse the Supreme Court ruling (6-1) from Hodes &amp; Nauser v Schmidt. HCR 5003 would amend the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the State of Kansas by adding a new section regarding the regulation of abortion. It states that nothing in the state constitution requires the government to fund abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. HCR 5003 does not ban abortion as it is federal law. It also provides that the people of Kansas through their elected state legislators may pass law regarding abortion and these laws would remain subject to the United States Constitution protection of an individual’s right to abortion. A “yes” vote on the ballot for the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment keeps regulations and laws already in place and approved by voters on the books basically returning us to 1972 after the Roe v. Wade ruling. Four key regulations that have received bipartisan support throughout the legislature since 1972 – Women’s Right to Know &amp; 24 hours waiting periods (1997), parental notification (2011), clinic licensing laws (clinic inspections-2011) and no taxpayer funding of abortions (2013). I voted yes. I believe it is important that women are given the most basic information about their doctor; that minor children are not left to make important decisions on their own; that women can know that they will enter a clean, safe facility; that Kansas will not be forced to pay for abortions and people have the right to regulate the abortion industry through the legislative process. Kansas is not alone in amending their Constitution - six other states have already passed similar amendments and other states are considering amendments this session. Last week, the House of Representatives adopted the amendment by a vote of 86-38. As HCR 5003 was adopted in both chambers, then it will now appear on the primary election ballot held in August 2022.GOVERNOR SIGNS SB 14 INTO LAW On Monday, Governor Kelly signed SB 14 into law, which continued the protections within the Kansas Emergency Management Act (KEMA) as adopted in the Special Session in June of 2020, which were set to expire on January 26th. It extends the limitations on the governor’s executive powers until March 31st, thus maintaining and strengthening the protections for Kansas families and businesses. As a result of the bill being signed into law, Kansas businesses now have the assurance of knowing they will remain open. In addition, critical provisions ensuring local control over decision-making remain on the books. The quick work on the legislation will now allow the Kansas Legislature the time necessary to take a deeper dive into the many statutes surrounding the Kansas Emergency Management Act (KEMA) and craft legislation that will address the myriad of issues within it on a long-term basis. While KEMA was largely designed to deal with localized disasters such as floods and tornadoes, this time will allow the legislature to ensure our laws envision similar statewide situations, such as pandemics, in the future.COMMITTEE WORKTRANSPARENCY AND ETHICSSecretary of State Scott Schwab updated the committee on the 2020 elections and results across the state. The November 3rd general election saw historic turnout, despite the Coronavirus pandemic. In the 2020 general election, 1,375,125 votes were cast, meaning 70.9% of Kansas voters participated. There were 1,938,560 registered voters prior to the 2020 general election. For reference, roughly 1,225,667 registered voters or 67.4% participated in the 2016 general election. There were 459,229 advance mail ballots, 371,854 advance in-person ballots and 544,042 in-person ballots cast on election day November 3rd, 2020.Last year (2020) was the first year for post-election audits occurring in major, statewide election. In presidential election years, state law (KS 25-309) requires counties to audit one federal race, one state legislative race and one county race. The Secretary of State office selects races to be audited by Kansas counties following each candidate election. The office must transmit audit orders to each county no later than 24 hours after the close of polls on election day. The audit process went well across the state. Each county audited at least 1% of precincts within their county and three races. All 105 counties matched exactly to the unofficial election night returns or were able to explain discrepancies of one or two votes. Discrepancies center around manual review determining voter intent was different than the machine count due to odd marking of the ballot or the voter marking the oval too lightly for the machine to read. The Secretary reported all 105 counties in Kansas successfully completed their post-election audits from the November general election. All votes were accounted for and foul play, of any kind was not found.The Secretary also stated unlike many other states which struggled to implement mail balloting for the first time, Kansas’ election system has 25 years of experience with mail ballots and has developed the institutional knowledge, procedures, and infrastructure to securely process the anticipated increase in mail ballot use at the general election. The Kansas election system’s ability to handle the surge in mail ballots in the 2020 election demonstrated the election system’s capabilities.UNEMPLOYMENT AND FRAUD IN KANSASThe Department of Labor testified along others in the Senate Commerce Committee specifically on the problem with fraudulent claims in the state. Kansas is not alone - in fact all 50 states are affected however Governor Kelly called for the shutdown of the department’s processing system January 30th through February 2nd to allow for a new verification process and for the staff to catch up on claims waiting for processing.Many people are unaware a claim has been made on their behalf until they receive a notice from KDOL in the mail or their employer does. If this happens - immediately go to https://www.fraudreport.ks.gov and report the fraudulent claim. You will receive a confirmation email with a police report case number. This number is an official law enforcement case number. You will NOT have to alert another law enforcement agency. Additional steps to take:· Contact the Federal Trade Commission at <a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/">www.identitytheft.gov</a>· Place a fraud alert on your credit record with one of the three credit bureaus:Equifax 1 (866) 349-5191Experian 1 (888) 397-3742TransUnion 1 (800) 680-7289· Contact your financial providers (banks, credit card companies, etc.) to flag irregular transactions.· Check your Social Security earnings statements online to make sure your reported wages are correct at <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount</a>.If you need additional help, please email my office or call and I will contact the Department of Labor to help with your case.KANSAS DAYJanuary 29 of 2021 marked the 160th anniversary of President James Buchanan signing a bill to make Kansas the 34th state of the United States of America. Kansas is full of rich history, beautiful scenes of nature, and notable landmarks. In Kansas Senate District 36, we have remarkable landmarks such as the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, Rock City outside of Minneapolis, and the “Home on the Range Cabin” in Smith County, birthplace of our state song. “Home on the Range” was adopted by the Kansas State Legislature as the official state song on June 30, 1947. Along with our state song, Kansas has not one, but TWO official state marches, “The Kansas March” and “Here’s Kansas.” But while the marches are grand, nothing brings as much pride into the hearts of the residents of the Sunflower State as that of seeing our great flag dancing in the breeze. The flag was designed by Hazel Avery of Lincoln County in 1925. Directly in the center on the field of blue is the Great Seal of the State of Kansas with our motto arching near the top: “Ad Astra Per Aspera” to the stars through difficulties. The flag was modified in 1961 by a bill introduced by Senator Ross Doyen of Concordia to add the word “KANSAS”.TOLL-FREE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINEKansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8AM-5PM. Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents. Questions can also be left at infodesk@ks.gov on weekends and evenings. Kansans can now chat with a librarian in real-time through the library’s Ask A Librarian service found at: kslib.info/ask. You will have the option of installing a mobile app connecting users to all the State Library’s services, including chat, texting and email. Text questions to 785 256-0733. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol. Currently, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is temporarily closed to walk-in service.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 3

Hello from Topeka!&nbsp;We are already into week four of the Kansas Legislative session.

&nbsp;This past week, it surfaced that the state’s unemployment program has paid out an estimated $300 to $400 million in fraudulent claims. In fact, despite being a smaller population state, Kansas now ranks third in the nation for new unemployment claims, behind California and Illinois. Experts believe the spike in claims in Kansas is due to the fraudulent activity. As these fraudulent claims soared, Kansas families - some of whom applied for benefits months ago - have still been unable to receive their benefits.

Once pressed, Governor Kelly admitted that her administration’s program had been overrun with fraud. Unfortunately, they’ve allowed the problem to balloon to the point that they are shutting down the unemployment system to implement additional security measures. The system will be down, during which time Kansans will be unable to apply for benefits, from January 30 through 7 a.m. February 2.

One of the most frustrating aspects of this costly mistake is that the Legislature has been pushing the Kelly administration to take action for months. However, her administration has either been unable or unwilling to answer basic questions, such as how many fraudulent claims have been paid, how many dollars have been drained from the unemployment trust fund, or what steps will be taken to ensure that Kansas funds are not disbursed to criminal organizations running unemployment scams.

In addition to the urging of Legislature, the U.S. Department of Labor warned the Governor’s office months ago of the potential for fraudulent claims. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the Kelly administration took the preventive steps to counteract the threat.

What will this mean for Kansas businesses and our schools? Previously, the state’s unemployment trust fund had nearly $1 billion in reserves. The administration’s payout of fraudulent claims has more quickly spent down the trust fund. When the trust fund reserves are low, Kansas business owners are on the hook to refill it, meaning businesses are expected to see their premiums skyrocket to cover the fraudulent claims.

Kansas schools are also among those impacted by the Kelly administration’s payout of fraudulent claims. Our K-12 schools, state universities, and not-for-profit organizations handle their unemployment fund participation through reimbursement. This means the state pays their claims and then sends them a statement to reimburse the state. The Kelly administration has begun sending out first quarterly statements to reimbursement employers. One Topeka school district learned the state had paid out $775,000 in fraudulent claims under their name. With federal reimbursements applied, that school district will owe the state nearly $400,000 for claims that never should have been paid and that the school district never authorized to be paid.

What happens next? In response, House Republicans introduced legislation this past week to hold our schools, nonprofits and businesses harmless. They should not have to pay the price for these mistakes. The Legislature will also continue to press the administration for answers and for a plan of action to remedy fraud in the system.

The other big issue is vaccine distribution. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Kansas is again lagging behind in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Tuesday, the CDC COVID Data Tracker ranked Kansas 47th in the nation, ahead of only Alabama, Idaho and Nevada.

Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment (KDHE), provided an update to legislative committees last week on the “find my vaccine” portion of the <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/">kansasvaccine.gov website</a>. He advised Kansans in Phase 2 who are interested in being vaccinated to start by checking with their local county health departments. Many county health departments have sign-up programs. He indicated the number of vaccine providers is growing and will include doctor’s offices, pharmacies and Methodist churches through United Methodist Health Ministry.

Dr. Norman also gave an update on allocation of the vaccine. Kansas is estimated to continue to receive approximately 45,000 doses each week, and there are 800,000 Kansans that fall into Phase 2. At a State Finance Council meeting on Wednesday, the Governor indicated Kansas’ allocated doses will be increasing by 16 percent for the next three weeks, which would increase the 45,000 doses figure. .

I have failed to mention my committee assignments this year: Chairperson of Committee on Agriculture, Member of Higher Education Budget and Member Committee on Appropriations. I am proud to lend my voice to the important issues that are being raised.

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 110th District state representative.

<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>Feb. 1, 2021Hello from Topeka!&nbsp;We are already into week four of the Kansas Legislative session. &nbsp;This past week, it surfaced that the state’s unemployment program has paid out an estimated $300 to $400 million in fraudulent claims. In fact, despite being a smaller population state, Kansas now ranks third in the nation for new unemployment claims, behind California and Illinois. Experts believe the spike in claims in Kansas is due to the fraudulent activity. As these fraudulent claims soared, Kansas families - some of whom applied for benefits months ago - have still been unable to receive their benefits.Once pressed, Governor Kelly admitted that her administration’s program had been overrun with fraud. Unfortunately, they’ve allowed the problem to balloon to the point that they are shutting down the unemployment system to implement additional security measures. The system will be down, during which time Kansans will be unable to apply for benefits, from January 30 through 7 a.m. February 2.One of the most frustrating aspects of this costly mistake is that the Legislature has been pushing the Kelly administration to take action for months. However, her administration has either been unable or unwilling to answer basic questions, such as how many fraudulent claims have been paid, how many dollars have been drained from the unemployment trust fund, or what steps will be taken to ensure that Kansas funds are not disbursed to criminal organizations running unemployment scams.In addition to the urging of Legislature, the U.S. Department of Labor warned the Governor’s office months ago of the potential for fraudulent claims. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the Kelly administration took the preventive steps to counteract the threat.What will this mean for Kansas businesses and our schools? Previously, the state’s unemployment trust fund had nearly $1 billion in reserves. The administration’s payout of fraudulent claims has more quickly spent down the trust fund. When the trust fund reserves are low, Kansas business owners are on the hook to refill it, meaning businesses are expected to see their premiums skyrocket to cover the fraudulent claims.Kansas schools are also among those impacted by the Kelly administration’s payout of fraudulent claims. Our K-12 schools, state universities, and not-for-profit organizations handle their unemployment fund participation through reimbursement. This means the state pays their claims and then sends them a statement to reimburse the state. The Kelly administration has begun sending out first quarterly statements to reimbursement employers. One Topeka school district learned the state had paid out $775,000 in fraudulent claims under their name. With federal reimbursements applied, that school district will owe the state nearly $400,000 for claims that never should have been paid and that the school district never authorized to be paid.What happens next? In response, House Republicans introduced legislation this past week to hold our schools, nonprofits and businesses harmless. They should not have to pay the price for these mistakes. The Legislature will also continue to press the administration for answers and for a plan of action to remedy fraud in the system.The other big issue is vaccine distribution. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Kansas is again lagging behind in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Tuesday, the CDC COVID Data Tracker ranked Kansas 47th in the nation, ahead of only Alabama, Idaho and Nevada.Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment (KDHE), provided an update to legislative committees last week on the “find my vaccine” portion of the <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/">kansasvaccine.gov website</a>. He advised Kansans in Phase 2 who are interested in being vaccinated to start by checking with their local county health departments. Many county health departments have sign-up programs. He indicated the number of vaccine providers is growing and will include doctor’s offices, pharmacies and Methodist churches through United Methodist Health Ministry.Dr. Norman also gave an update on allocation of the vaccine. Kansas is estimated to continue to receive approximately 45,000 doses each week, and there are 800,000 Kansans that fall into Phase 2. At a State Finance Council meeting on Wednesday, the Governor indicated Kansas’ allocated doses will be increasing by 16 percent for the next three weeks, which would increase the 45,000 doses figure. .I have failed to mention my committee assignments this year: Chairperson of Committee on Agriculture, Member of Higher Education Budget and Member Committee on Appropriations. I am proud to lend my voice to the important issues that are being raised.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 110th District state representative.

RAHJES REPORT: Feb. 1

Governor Kelly announced last Wednesday it will be necessary to shut down the processing system over the weekend for unemployment claims because of the thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims. This will mean some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections. 

The Governor said the unemployment system will go down at 2vp.m. Saturday and will go back up a 7 a.m. Tuesday. During this time the state will not pay benefits and will work to catch up on claims when the system is back up. 

It has been reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, as of January 6 Kansas received approximately 63,500 claims for unemployment benefits. This is the third highest number of any state, behind California and Illinois and ahead of Florida, New York, and Texas.&nbsp;

These numbers are a signal that Kansas is possibly seeing thousands more fraudulent claims a week than the roughly 2,300 a day that the state Department of Labor says it is stopping. 

The Governor’s announcement came shortly after GOP lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being forced to cover the cost of fraudulent claims in ex-employees' names. They said the state Department of Labor does not have a handle on the problem and that they have not received enough data or answers.

Here is the link that individuals who receive a 1099 due to a fraudulent claim can go to and protest the 1099. If someone gets a 1099 for a fraudulent payment, they should protest it. They can do that&nbsp;starting Monday&nbsp;online at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7CWill.Lawrence%40ks.gov%7C0152567acdb84968761508d8c4a23b02%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637475548335546646%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=ThR8ukHuYCVst%2FHXWC13EpoohwN%2FA9fvNOw0Q%2FYy8hs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://uiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov/</a>, or by calling the dedicated line at&nbsp;

<a href="tel:785-575-1461" target="_blank">785-575-1461</a>. Once we receive the protest, a corrected 1099-G will be sent to the claimant and the IRS.&nbsp;

This past week the Senate passed the Value Them Both Amendment 28-11 and this amendment was passed out of the House last week. Voters will have the right to vote on this amendment to the Kansas constitution on the August 2022 ballot. 

The adoption of the Value Them Both Amendment was made possible by a wide coalition of groups and individuals, including Kansans for Life, the Kansas Catholic Conference, and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, among others. 

The Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution reads as follows: “All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Value Them Both Amendment is necessary due to the April 26, 2019 decision by the Kansas Supreme Court which created an unlimited right to abortion in the 1859 Kansas Constitution, using the Kansas Bill of Rights as justification for their decision. 

Because of the Kansas Supreme Court’s ruling, existing bans on late-term and taxpayer-funded abortions are now in danger of being rendered unenforceable due to the strict scrutiny standard the court used. Furthermore, the ruling allows violent live dismemberment abortions to continue and threatens these lifesaving limits: Parental consent for minors seeking an abortion, Informed consent, alerting women to potential health risks, 24-hour waiting period, Abortion clinic sanitation and safety standards.

It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th&nbsp;Senate District of Kansas. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov</a>. You may also call me with you questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700.

Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is the 40th District senator.

<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>Feb. 1, 2021Governor Kelly announced last Wednesday it will be necessary to shut down the processing system over the weekend for unemployment claims because of the thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims. This will mean some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections. The Governor said the unemployment system will go down at 2vp.m. Saturday and will go back up a 7 a.m. Tuesday. During this time the state will not pay benefits and will work to catch up on claims when the system is back up. It has been reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, as of January 6 Kansas received approximately 63,500 claims for unemployment benefits. This is the third highest number of any state, behind California and Illinois and ahead of Florida, New York, and Texas.&nbsp;These numbers are a signal that Kansas is possibly seeing thousands more fraudulent claims a week than the roughly 2,300 a day that the state Department of Labor says it is stopping. The Governor’s announcement came shortly after GOP lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being forced to cover the cost of fraudulent claims in ex-employees' names. They said the state Department of Labor does not have a handle on the problem and that they have not received enough data or answers.Here is the link that individuals who receive a 1099 due to a fraudulent claim can go to and protest the 1099. If someone gets a 1099 for a fraudulent payment, they should protest it. They can do that&nbsp;starting Monday&nbsp;online at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7CWill.Lawrence%40ks.gov%7C0152567acdb84968761508d8c4a23b02%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637475548335546646%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=ThR8ukHuYCVst%2FHXWC13EpoohwN%2FA9fvNOw0Q%2FYy8hs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://uiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov/</a>, or by calling the dedicated line at&nbsp;<a href="tel:785-575-1461" target="_blank">785-575-1461</a>. Once we receive the protest, a corrected 1099-G will be sent to the claimant and the IRS.&nbsp;This past week the Senate passed the Value Them Both Amendment 28-11 and this amendment was passed out of the House last week. Voters will have the right to vote on this amendment to the Kansas constitution on the August 2022 ballot. The adoption of the Value Them Both Amendment was made possible by a wide coalition of groups and individuals, including Kansans for Life, the Kansas Catholic Conference, and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, among others. The Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution reads as follows: “All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Value Them Both Amendment is necessary due to the April 26, 2019 decision by the Kansas Supreme Court which created an unlimited right to abortion in the 1859 Kansas Constitution, using the Kansas Bill of Rights as justification for their decision. Because of the Kansas Supreme Court’s ruling, existing bans on late-term and taxpayer-funded abortions are now in danger of being rendered unenforceable due to the strict scrutiny standard the court used. Furthermore, the ruling allows violent live dismemberment abortions to continue and threatens these lifesaving limits: Parental consent for minors seeking an abortion, Informed consent, alerting women to potential health risks, 24-hour waiting period, Abortion clinic sanitation and safety standards.It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th&nbsp;Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov</a>. You may also call me with you questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700.Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is the 40th District senator.

BILLINGER: Senate Update, Feb. 1

The events of 2020 make it clear that violence, racism, vocal extremism and political polarization have risen to a breaking point.&nbsp; There are multiple currents of people moving within the American public who simply don’t understand the basics of civil society and democratic government.

Decades-long de-emphasis of civics instruction in schools across the nation and in Kansas isn’t by any stretch of the imagination a major cause of the summer riots or Capitol insurrection.&nbsp; But the current situation is a wake-up call bringing us back to the fundamental reason for public education.

The founding fathers supported public schools to develop an informed electorate whose votes would guarantee stability for the nation.&nbsp; Across many years, the centerpiece of teaching was preparation for citizenship.&nbsp; As public education evolved, civics classes, usually taught in middle school, were standard across the nation well past mid-20th&nbsp;Century.&nbsp;&nbsp;

These classes concentrated on three areas:&nbsp; 1) Fact-based knowledge of national and state history and government, 2) civic values such as voicing opinion while respecting different perspectives and 3) civic participation skills like voting, jury duty or peaceful demonstration for a cause.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What happened?&nbsp; Civics classes began to disappear, gradually pushed out by decisions to emphasize U. S. history and government in high school--courses that centered on facts and processes rather than citizenship as practice.&nbsp; Civics instruction was repurposed as part of social studies and taught across-the-curriculum.&nbsp; All teachers in all areas have guidelines from the Kansas State Department of Education for incorporating civics in their classes and many do so, for example the Wichita high school special education teacher who combines math with civics.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In Kansas, two recently introduced across-the-curriculum emphases--social-emotional learning (getting along with others) and service learning (participation in community organizations) contain elements of, but do not focus on, citizenship skills.

In 2018 according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 22 percent of American eighth grade students had a teacher whose primary responsibility was teaching civics and only about 25 percent of students scored at the “proficient” level for civics.&nbsp; Kansas scores basically followed the national norm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Among those calling for more emphasis on civics is chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee Steve Huebert who wants to require high school students to pass a citizenship test to graduate.&nbsp; The test would be similar to that given to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.&nbsp; It’s easy to understand Huebert’s motivation, but such a test can only measure content knowledge not important civic values and participation skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Why instruction in citizenship does not always find a place in our schools could be due to another challenge—public resistance to teaching anything connected to partisan politics.&nbsp; Researchers at Tufts University surveyed 700 teachers and found that more than 25 percent would expect criticism from parents or other adults if they taught about the election that took place that fall.&nbsp; This was in 2012.&nbsp; The partisan divide has widened since.

Are Kansans so fractured by politics that public schools can’t teach citizenship?&nbsp;&nbsp;

What’s important may not be a new test or course but simply giving wide public support to teachers for teaching citizenship.

The words of President Kennedy implored, “Ask not what your country can do for you.&nbsp; Ask what you can do for your country.”&nbsp; Kansas students need to learn more about what they can do for their country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>The events of 2020 make it clear that violence, racism, vocal extremism and political polarization have risen to a breaking point.&nbsp; There are multiple currents of people moving within the American public who simply don’t understand the basics of civil society and democratic government.Decades-long de-emphasis of civics instruction in schools across the nation and in Kansas isn’t by any stretch of the imagination a major cause of the summer riots or Capitol insurrection.&nbsp; But the current situation is a wake-up call bringing us back to the fundamental reason for public education.The founding fathers supported public schools to develop an informed electorate whose votes would guarantee stability for the nation.&nbsp; Across many years, the centerpiece of teaching was preparation for citizenship.&nbsp; As public education evolved, civics classes, usually taught in middle school, were standard across the nation well past mid-20th&nbsp;Century.&nbsp;&nbsp;These classes concentrated on three areas:&nbsp; 1) Fact-based knowledge of national and state history and government, 2) civic values such as voicing opinion while respecting different perspectives and 3) civic participation skills like voting, jury duty or peaceful demonstration for a cause.&nbsp;&nbsp;What happened?&nbsp; Civics classes began to disappear, gradually pushed out by decisions to emphasize U. S. history and government in high school--courses that centered on facts and processes rather than citizenship as practice.&nbsp; Civics instruction was repurposed as part of social studies and taught across-the-curriculum.&nbsp; All teachers in all areas have guidelines from the Kansas State Department of Education for incorporating civics in their classes and many do so, for example the Wichita high school special education teacher who combines math with civics.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In Kansas, two recently introduced across-the-curriculum emphases--social-emotional learning (getting along with others) and service learning (participation in community organizations) contain elements of, but do not focus on, citizenship skills.In 2018 according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 22 percent of American eighth grade students had a teacher whose primary responsibility was teaching civics and only about 25 percent of students scored at the “proficient” level for civics.&nbsp; Kansas scores basically followed the national norm.&nbsp;&nbsp;Among those calling for more emphasis on civics is chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee Steve Huebert who wants to require high school students to pass a citizenship test to graduate.&nbsp; The test would be similar to that given to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.&nbsp; It’s easy to understand Huebert’s motivation, but such a test can only measure content knowledge not important civic values and participation skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;Why instruction in citizenship does not always find a place in our schools could be due to another challenge—public resistance to teaching anything connected to partisan politics.&nbsp; Researchers at Tufts University surveyed 700 teachers and found that more than 25 percent would expect criticism from parents or other adults if they taught about the election that took place that fall.&nbsp; This was in 2012.&nbsp; The partisan divide has widened since.Are Kansans so fractured by politics that public schools can’t teach citizenship?&nbsp;&nbsp;What’s important may not be a new test or course but simply giving wide public support to teachers for teaching citizenship.The words of President Kennedy implored, “Ask not what your country can do for you.&nbsp; Ask what you can do for your country.”&nbsp; Kansas students need to learn more about what they can do for their country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Can civics education be revived?

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

What was in your school classroom? I remember desks in straight rows, colorful posters on the wall, and a big blackboard up front. Today we’ll meet a school that has such classrooms, but also non-traditional places of learning such as a working barn and a downtown business. These innovative projects are being implemented by a school district in rural Kansas.&nbsp;

Joel Lovesee is superintendent of USD 205, which includes the Bluestem schools in Leon, Kansas. Joel grew up in Kinsley and went to Fort Hays State University where he met his wife Sonya. He became a teacher and later a school administrator. In 2008, he and his family moved to Leon where he became school principal. He was promoted to superintendent in 2013.&nbsp;

He takes an innovative approach to school leadership.&nbsp;

“My dad owned some pizza restaurants in Kinsley and nearby towns,” Joel said. “I saw how small business worked and thought our school should have an entrepreneurship program.”&nbsp;

One year he got the school to give a grant to the business class for a project. The students bought a couple of candy machines and, in four months, repaid their loan and made a profit.&nbsp;

A couple of elementary school teachers in the district took an interest in the Ag in the Classroom program, which helps teachers integrate information about agriculture into their educational programming. Fourth grade teachers Barb McCaffree and Angie Greene took this on as a project at Bluestem Elementary School and got a positive response to their efforts to improve ag literacy.&nbsp;

“My philosophy is, ‘surround yourself with good people and get out of the way,’” Joel said. When these teachers came to him and reported their success with the ag literacy program, they asked for a barn as a facility to do more hands-on experiential education.&nbsp;

“We brought in a 3D model to show the school board and explained the need,” Joel said.&nbsp;

The board and the community voted to pay for the building, which is a 30 x 40 foot climate-controlled structure with working space, livestock stalls and a fully equipped classroom. Today, every elementary school student in the school district goes through an agricultural education unit. “This has grown like gangbusters,” said school board member Becky Wolfe.&nbsp;

At Bluestem High School, an agricultural education class was started four years ago and has grown quickly. “FFA is now our largest club,” Joel said.&nbsp;

Joel continued to pursue an entrepreneurship-oriented initiative as well. After the town’s only grocery store closed, food access was identified as a critical need. Joel proposed the innovative idea of a school-operated retail store that could provide groceries and other products for the community. The district was able to acquire a storefront building downtown in 2019. K-State’s Rural Grocery Initiative helped support the effort.&nbsp;

In early 2020, the Bluestem Mercantile store opened in downtown Leon. “We want to provide a service and achieve the educational needs of our students,” Joel said. The shop class built tables for the store. Art club members made items to sell. The store is operated by the high school business class under adult supervision. Student workers must apply and go through a job interview process. “We’re teaching financial literacy,” Joel said. Business quadrupled shortly after the store first opened. “It’s not costing the school district anything,” Joel said.&nbsp;

Bluestem Mercantile offers school gear, items handmade by students, and grocery products. “The store is downtown across from the senior center and the café,” Joel said. “We have all these people from the community involved with us. It’s been the greatest deal.”&nbsp;

Are these innovations more practical to implement in a small school? “I don’t like the bureaucracy in the large schools,” Joel said. “I love small-town America.” Leon itself is a rural community of 704 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

Bluestem schools have plenty of classrooms, but they are also educating their students in innovative places such as an ag barn and a business downtown. We salute Joel Lovesee and the people of Bluestem School for making a difference with these new ways of education. They are doing so in innovative rooms and with a lot of class.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611757569088.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;What was in your school classroom? I remember desks in straight rows, colorful posters on the wall, and a big blackboard up front. Today we’ll meet a school that has such classrooms, but also non-traditional places of learning such as a working barn and a downtown business. These innovative projects are being implemented by a school district in rural Kansas.&nbsp;Joel Lovesee is superintendent of USD 205, which includes the Bluestem schools in Leon, Kansas. Joel grew up in Kinsley and went to Fort Hays State University where he met his wife Sonya. He became a teacher and later a school administrator. In 2008, he and his family moved to Leon where he became school principal. He was promoted to superintendent in 2013.&nbsp;He takes an innovative approach to school leadership.&nbsp;“My dad owned some pizza restaurants in Kinsley and nearby towns,” Joel said. “I saw how small business worked and thought our school should have an entrepreneurship program.”&nbsp;One year he got the school to give a grant to the business class for a project. The students bought a couple of candy machines and, in four months, repaid their loan and made a profit.&nbsp;A couple of elementary school teachers in the district took an interest in the Ag in the Classroom program, which helps teachers integrate information about agriculture into their educational programming. Fourth grade teachers Barb McCaffree and Angie Greene took this on as a project at Bluestem Elementary School and got a positive response to their efforts to improve ag literacy.&nbsp;“My philosophy is, ‘surround yourself with good people and get out of the way,’” Joel said. When these teachers came to him and reported their success with the ag literacy program, they asked for a barn as a facility to do more hands-on experiential education.&nbsp;“We brought in a 3D model to show the school board and explained the need,” Joel said.&nbsp;The board and the community voted to pay for the building, which is a 30 x 40 foot climate-controlled structure with working space, livestock stalls and a fully equipped classroom. Today, every elementary school student in the school district goes through an agricultural education unit. “This has grown like gangbusters,” said school board member Becky Wolfe.&nbsp;At Bluestem High School, an agricultural education class was started four years ago and has grown quickly. “FFA is now our largest club,” Joel said.&nbsp;Joel continued to pursue an entrepreneurship-oriented initiative as well. After the town’s only grocery store closed, food access was identified as a critical need. Joel proposed the innovative idea of a school-operated retail store that could provide groceries and other products for the community. The district was able to acquire a storefront building downtown in 2019. K-State’s Rural Grocery Initiative helped support the effort.&nbsp;In early 2020, the Bluestem Mercantile store opened in downtown Leon. “We want to provide a service and achieve the educational needs of our students,” Joel said. The shop class built tables for the store. Art club members made items to sell. The store is operated by the high school business class under adult supervision. Student workers must apply and go through a job interview process. “We’re teaching financial literacy,” Joel said. Business quadrupled shortly after the store first opened. “It’s not costing the school district anything,” Joel said.&nbsp;Bluestem Mercantile offers school gear, items handmade by students, and grocery products. “The store is downtown across from the senior center and the café,” Joel said. “We have all these people from the community involved with us. It’s been the greatest deal.”&nbsp;Are these innovations more practical to implement in a small school? “I don’t like the bureaucracy in the large schools,” Joel said. “I love small-town America.” Leon itself is a rural community of 704 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;Bluestem schools have plenty of classrooms, but they are also educating their students in innovative places such as an ag barn and a business downtown. We salute Joel Lovesee and the people of Bluestem School for making a difference with these new ways of education. They are doing so in innovative rooms and with a lot of class.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Joel Lovesee, Bluestem school 

Filled with anticipation for the new semester and re-energized after taking advantage of the privilege to rest and enjoy a long winter break, I find myself thinking about some of the people I admire and/or have gotten to know better this past year because of the pandemic. Here are just a few: our Hays city commissioners, our county health administrator and a group I refer to as our city rallying team.

Our city commissioners – Michael Berges, Sandy Jacobs, Ron Mellick, Shaun Musil and Mason Ruder – have always had important, and sometimes controversial, decisions to make, but who could have prepared for 2020? Just when the emotionally-charged debates over the roundabouts began to settle, along came the pandemic, and among the many critical decisions that had to be made was the mask ordinance.&nbsp;

Although I have attended city commission meetings in the past and interacted with commissioners at meetings and events, the pandemic provided me a different look at them as a leadership team. Here is what I learned. First and foremost, they are committed, hard-working people who have the courage to serve, listen and make tough decisions. Second, they are open-minded and willing to listen thoughtfully to a variety of perspectives. Several commissioners reached out to local and state leaders prior to the mask ordinance meeting to solicit different perspectives and to better understand emerging knowledge about the pandemic. Third, citizens were given the opportunity to speak at meetings and every voice was heard and respected. Fourth, when each commissioner voted, they stated their “whys.” The “whys” for each commissioner was different. Commissioners demonstrated the strength of their commitment to the people they serve by candidly disclosing their thoughts, each in their own style, with great passion. And finally, they did not vote the same. Watching our commissioners in action made me admire and respect them even more.

I have no evidence to back this up, but I believe among the most challenging jobs of 2020 was that of a county health administrator. I heard of several counties in Kansas that had difficulty hiring or keeping county health administrators during this pandemic. Hats off to Jason Kennedy, who continually showed up to meetings – night and day – presented data, developed protocols and kept our community informed. I imagine being in the public eye so much was indeed a big shift in his daily routine. Honestly, I did not know Jason until the pandemic (thrilled of course to learn he is a Fort Hays State grad), and I really valued his guidance as I made decisions for the university. I also think some of the hidden heroes of our times are the family members of those, like Jason, who serve the citizens of our community as public health administrators. I can only image the impact this pandemic had on the family life of these dedicated professionals.&nbsp;

My final shout out goes to the group I refer to as our city rallying team: Sara Bloom of the Downton Hays Development Corporation (DHDC), Melissa Dixon of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Sarah Wasinger of The Chamber in Hays, Kansas. They all approach each day with a “can-do attitude,” high energy and a remarkable capacity to reinvent, re-imagine and find solutions to complex challenges. Their resiliency throughout the pandemic was remarkable. Whenever something fell apart, they simply found new ways to put it&nbsp; back together again.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The DHDC, for instance, created the “Stronger Than Ever” gift card program that generated almost $50,000 in sales for 40 downtown businesses during the mandatory shutdown. Most of that money was raised in the first 48 hours of the campaign. Similarly, the Chamber sold $92,000 in Chamber Cheques (which support local shopping) in 2020, a six-year high for the program. The DHDC also secured more than $20,000 in donations in five weeks to turn the Downtown Pavilion into an ice-skating rink this winter so the community would have access to a fun and safe outdoor activity during the pandemic. I love how this community steps up. The generosity of the neighbors in our community never ceases to amaze me. &nbsp;

Creative efforts earned the DHDC two first-place Marketing Awards. March to Main went completely virtual but still highlighted the best parts of our community and engaged thousands of students. Dining with Downtown (a new event) created intimate dining experiences inside boutiques, art galleries, furniture stores and more, allowing participants to socially connect while physically distancing. It was so successful, DHDC plans to host two of these events in 2021.

One of the things I found beneficial as I navigated decisions for the university was meeting with my CEO colleagues who freely shared their thoughts, plans and lessons learned on their campuses and communities as they, like me, worked to create safe learning environments. While I engaged with my colleagues, our chamber provided similar opportunities for our community’s leaders and business professionals. Partnering with the FHSU Management Development Center, the chamber offered complimentary virtual lunch and learn sessions. In November, the Chamber acquired a Leadership Transformation Grant for 2021 from the Kansas Leadership Center, which provided 46 spots for participants to attend a workshop titled, “Your Leadership Edge, Lead for Change or Equip to Lead.” &nbsp;

Our Convention and Visitors Bureau has the unenviable task of creating new and compelling ways to bring visitors to our town. In a COVID-19 world, where travel, lodging, commerce and even basic human-to-human contact was so limited, how did the CVB respond to this unprecedented challenge? By adapting and reimagining their role. It pivoted to using the pandemic as an opportunity to focus on taking care of our community. In a normal year, the Welcome Center sells colorful Hays postcards to visitors in its welcome center. This year, the staff of the CVB printed positive messages on these cards and delivered several hundred of them to local assisted living facilities for their residents. They also partnered with FHSU’s College of Art and Design faculty to clean and restore 29 bronze markers on the Downtown Hays Historic Walking Tour. Now these markers are bright and readable. The CVB has plans to create a mobile version of the tour for visitors as well. Residents and visitors alike can also look forward to a CVB-designed driving tour of the iconic Pete Felten sculptures around Hays.

Remarkable leaders. A remarkable community. This is Hays, America.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302014229.png" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>Filled with anticipation for the new semester and re-energized after taking advantage of the privilege to rest and enjoy a long winter break, I find myself thinking about some of the people I admire and/or have gotten to know better this past year because of the pandemic. Here are just a few: our Hays city commissioners, our county health administrator and a group I refer to as our city rallying team.Our city commissioners – Michael Berges, Sandy Jacobs, Ron Mellick, Shaun Musil and Mason Ruder – have always had important, and sometimes controversial, decisions to make, but who could have prepared for 2020? Just when the emotionally-charged debates over the roundabouts began to settle, along came the pandemic, and among the many critical decisions that had to be made was the mask ordinance.&nbsp;Although I have attended city commission meetings in the past and interacted with commissioners at meetings and events, the pandemic provided me a different look at them as a leadership team. Here is what I learned. First and foremost, they are committed, hard-working people who have the courage to serve, listen and make tough decisions. Second, they are open-minded and willing to listen thoughtfully to a variety of perspectives. Several commissioners reached out to local and state leaders prior to the mask ordinance meeting to solicit different perspectives and to better understand emerging knowledge about the pandemic. Third, citizens were given the opportunity to speak at meetings and every voice was heard and respected. Fourth, when each commissioner voted, they stated their “whys.” The “whys” for each commissioner was different. Commissioners demonstrated the strength of their commitment to the people they serve by candidly disclosing their thoughts, each in their own style, with great passion. And finally, they did not vote the same. Watching our commissioners in action made me admire and respect them even more.I have no evidence to back this up, but I believe among the most challenging jobs of 2020 was that of a county health administrator. I heard of several counties in Kansas that had difficulty hiring or keeping county health administrators during this pandemic. Hats off to Jason Kennedy, who continually showed up to meetings – night and day – presented data, developed protocols and kept our community informed. I imagine being in the public eye so much was indeed a big shift in his daily routine. Honestly, I did not know Jason until the pandemic (thrilled of course to learn he is a Fort Hays State grad), and I really valued his guidance as I made decisions for the university. I also think some of the hidden heroes of our times are the family members of those, like Jason, who serve the citizens of our community as public health administrators. I can only image the impact this pandemic had on the family life of these dedicated professionals.&nbsp;My final shout out goes to the group I refer to as our city rallying team: Sara Bloom of the Downton Hays Development Corporation (DHDC), Melissa Dixon of the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Sarah Wasinger of The Chamber in Hays, Kansas. They all approach each day with a “can-do attitude,” high energy and a remarkable capacity to reinvent, re-imagine and find solutions to complex challenges. Their resiliency throughout the pandemic was remarkable. Whenever something fell apart, they simply found new ways to put it&nbsp; back together again.&nbsp; &nbsp;The DHDC, for instance, created the “Stronger Than Ever” gift card program that generated almost $50,000 in sales for 40 downtown businesses during the mandatory shutdown. Most of that money was raised in the first 48 hours of the campaign. Similarly, the Chamber sold $92,000 in Chamber Cheques (which support local shopping) in 2020, a six-year high for the program. The DHDC also secured more than $20,000 in donations in five weeks to turn the Downtown Pavilion into an ice-skating rink this winter so the community would have access to a fun and safe outdoor activity during the pandemic. I love how this community steps up. The generosity of the neighbors in our community never ceases to amaze me. &nbsp;Creative efforts earned the DHDC two first-place Marketing Awards. March to Main went completely virtual but still highlighted the best parts of our community and engaged thousands of students. Dining with Downtown (a new event) created intimate dining experiences inside boutiques, art galleries, furniture stores and more, allowing participants to socially connect while physically distancing. It was so successful, DHDC plans to host two of these events in 2021.One of the things I found beneficial as I navigated decisions for the university was meeting with my CEO colleagues who freely shared their thoughts, plans and lessons learned on their campuses and communities as they, like me, worked to create safe learning environments. While I engaged with my colleagues, our chamber provided similar opportunities for our community’s leaders and business professionals. Partnering with the FHSU Management Development Center, the chamber offered complimentary virtual lunch and learn sessions. In November, the Chamber acquired a Leadership Transformation Grant for 2021 from the Kansas Leadership Center, which provided 46 spots for participants to attend a workshop titled, “Your Leadership Edge, Lead for Change or Equip to Lead.” &nbsp;Our Convention and Visitors Bureau has the unenviable task of creating new and compelling ways to bring visitors to our town. In a COVID-19 world, where travel, lodging, commerce and even basic human-to-human contact was so limited, how did the CVB respond to this unprecedented challenge? By adapting and reimagining their role. It pivoted to using the pandemic as an opportunity to focus on taking care of our community. In a normal year, the Welcome Center sells colorful Hays postcards to visitors in its welcome center. This year, the staff of the CVB printed positive messages on these cards and delivered several hundred of them to local assisted living facilities for their residents. They also partnered with FHSU’s College of Art and Design faculty to clean and restore 29 bronze markers on the Downtown Hays Historic Walking Tour. Now these markers are bright and readable. The CVB has plans to create a mobile version of the tour for visitors as well. Residents and visitors alike can also look forward to a CVB-designed driving tour of the iconic Pete Felten sculptures around Hays.Remarkable leaders. A remarkable community. This is Hays, America.

MASON: Remarkable leaders, a remarkable community

BY JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher

Dreams have been on my mind lately. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of equality; our founding fathers’ dream of a government of, by, and for the people; and the dreams of little girls who want to grow up to be president of the United States of America.

Some dreams have a fairytale like quality where they feel grand, pure and wondrous. I think this comes from our habit of imagining the joy and pleasure that would result from a dream come true. In this euphoric idealization, so many of us forget to think about what it really takes to make dreams a reality.

Dr. King painted an eloquent and noble picture of a society that values equality, be he was not naïve. He fought discrimination, injustice and hatred in every step toward his dream. Our founding fathers built an experimental framework for government that would give the people unprecedented power and freedom, but they were not starry-eyed. They staked their lives and fortunes on this new government with no certainty that it would function. Vice President Kamala Harris was recently inaugurated into the highest office any female has ever held, but she is not without battle scars. She has labored to build a reputation of competence to overcome prejudices that exist around her race and gender.

Dreams are so much more than regular goals or accomplishments; they are built on hope and grow in the heart and mind of the dreamer. In fact, the definition of a dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal.

Earlier this month, I had a dream come true. I received the top recognition in the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers &amp; Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture competition. This is the equivalent of winning a national championship in sports except it was for my work as a Farm Bureau leader and overall advancement of the agriculture industry.

When most people learn of my achievement, they are not very interested in discussing the important impacts I have made in my industry and community or how humbled I am to have been recognized among a field of talented young agriculture leaders doing great things in their communities across the country. People instead want to talk about the new Ford truck I won as a prize because they imagine how great it would be for them to win a truck. I am grateful for the truck, but it was not the real motivation of my efforts.

That cherished nature in our dreams makes us particularly vulnerable to the effects of plagiarism and distortion to those dreams. We can all benefit from recognizing that we should not try to make someone else’s dream our own aspirations, ambitions or ideals.

As you encounter humans around you, keep in mind that their dreams are personal and valuable. Do not claim other’s causes unless you are committed to live for them in your life or assume that all dreams are made in your image. Conversely, you should applaud others who are achieving great things; they have worked hard joy is merited.

As for your own dreams, I urge you to pursue them courageously like the founding fathers, virtuously like Dr. King, tenaciously like Vice President Harris and with the unbridled hope that comes from the passion of our hearts. We all can’t wait to see you succeed.

"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/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>BY JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancherDreams have been on my mind lately. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of equality; our founding fathers’ dream of a government of, by, and for the people; and the dreams of little girls who want to grow up to be president of the United States of America.Some dreams have a fairytale like quality where they feel grand, pure and wondrous. I think this comes from our habit of imagining the joy and pleasure that would result from a dream come true. In this euphoric idealization, so many of us forget to think about what it really takes to make dreams a reality.Dr. King painted an eloquent and noble picture of a society that values equality, be he was not naïve. He fought discrimination, injustice and hatred in every step toward his dream. Our founding fathers built an experimental framework for government that would give the people unprecedented power and freedom, but they were not starry-eyed. They staked their lives and fortunes on this new government with no certainty that it would function. Vice President Kamala Harris was recently inaugurated into the highest office any female has ever held, but she is not without battle scars. She has labored to build a reputation of competence to overcome prejudices that exist around her race and gender.Dreams are so much more than regular goals or accomplishments; they are built on hope and grow in the heart and mind of the dreamer. In fact, the definition of a dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal.Earlier this month, I had a dream come true. I received the top recognition in the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers &amp; Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture competition. This is the equivalent of winning a national championship in sports except it was for my work as a Farm Bureau leader and overall advancement of the agriculture industry.When most people learn of my achievement, they are not very interested in discussing the important impacts I have made in my industry and community or how humbled I am to have been recognized among a field of talented young agriculture leaders doing great things in their communities across the country. People instead want to talk about the new Ford truck I won as a prize because they imagine how great it would be for them to win a truck. I am grateful for the truck, but it was not the real motivation of my efforts.That cherished nature in our dreams makes us particularly vulnerable to the effects of plagiarism and distortion to those dreams. We can all benefit from recognizing that we should not try to make someone else’s dream our own aspirations, ambitions or ideals.As you encounter humans around you, keep in mind that their dreams are personal and valuable. Do not claim other’s causes unless you are committed to live for them in your life or assume that all dreams are made in your image. Conversely, you should applaud others who are achieving great things; they have worked hard joy is merited.As for your own dreams, I urge you to pursue them courageously like the founding fathers, virtuously like Dr. King, tenaciously like Vice President Harris and with the unbridled hope that comes from the passion of our hearts. We all can’t wait to see you succeed."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: Making dreams true

Severe winter weather is not only hard on people but can be a life and death struggle for birds. Though birds also require water and shelter, food is often the resource most lacking during cold weather. Many different bird food mixes are available because various species often prefer different grains. However, there is one seed that has more universal appeal than any other: black oil sunflower. If you are new to the bird-feeding game, make sure there is a high percentage of this seed in your mix. White proso millet is second in popularity and is the favorite of dark-eyed juncos and other sparrows as well as the red-winged blackbird. As you become more interested in bird feeding, you may want to use more than one feeder to attract specific species of birds. Following is a list of bird species with the grains they prefer.&nbsp;

• Cardinal, evening grosbeak, and most finch species – sunflower seeds, all types. • Rufous-sided towhee – white proso millet. • Dark-eyed junco – white and red proso millet, canary seed, finely cracked corn. • Many sparrow species – white and red proso millet. • Bluejay – peanut kernels and sunflower seeds of all types. • Chickadee and tufted titmouse – peanut kernels, oil (black), and black-striped sunflower seeds. • Red-breasted nuthatch – oil (black) and black-striped sunflower seeds. • Brown thrasher – hulled and black-striped sunflower seeds. • Red-winged blackbird – white and red proso millet plus German (golden) millet. • Mourning dove – oil (black) sunflower seeds, white and red proso plus German (golden)millet.

Extended cold periods can also make water unavailable. A heated birdbath can be a tremendous draw for birds during times when all other water is frozen. Energy use is usually less than what most people expect IF the heater has a built-in thermostat. If you would like more information, Chuck Otte, Agriculture Extension Agent for Geary County has a series of backyard birding guides at<a href="http://gearycountyextension.com/NRMW.htm">http://gearycountyextension.com/NRMW.htm</a>

Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Severe winter weather is not only hard on people but can be a life and death struggle for birds. Though birds also require water and shelter, food is often the resource most lacking during cold weather. Many different bird food mixes are available because various species often prefer different grains. However, there is one seed that has more universal appeal than any other: black oil sunflower. If you are new to the bird-feeding game, make sure there is a high percentage of this seed in your mix. White proso millet is second in popularity and is the favorite of dark-eyed juncos and other sparrows as well as the red-winged blackbird. As you become more interested in bird feeding, you may want to use more than one feeder to attract specific species of birds. Following is a list of bird species with the grains they prefer.&nbsp;• Cardinal, evening grosbeak, and most finch species – sunflower seeds, all types. • Rufous-sided towhee – white proso millet. • Dark-eyed junco – white and red proso millet, canary seed, finely cracked corn. • Many sparrow species – white and red proso millet. • Bluejay – peanut kernels and sunflower seeds of all types. • Chickadee and tufted titmouse – peanut kernels, oil (black), and black-striped sunflower seeds. • Red-breasted nuthatch – oil (black) and black-striped sunflower seeds. • Brown thrasher – hulled and black-striped sunflower seeds. • Red-winged blackbird – white and red proso millet plus German (golden) millet. • Mourning dove – oil (black) sunflower seeds, white and red proso plus German (golden)millet.Extended cold periods can also make water unavailable. A heated birdbath can be a tremendous draw for birds during times when all other water is frozen. Energy use is usually less than what most people expect IF the heater has a built-in thermostat. If you would like more information, Chuck Otte, Agriculture Extension Agent for Geary County has a series of backyard birding guides at<a href="http://gearycountyextension.com/NRMW.htm">http://gearycountyextension.com/NRMW.htm</a> Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Bird feeding

One of the most major pieces of legislation that has passed this legislative session is Senate Bill 13, which is commonly referred to as the Property Tax Transparency bill. This bill passed the Kansas State Senate on Thursday, January 14, with a vote of 34-1.

This bill repeals the property tax lid, effective January 1, 2021, that applies to cities and counties that was put into place a few years ago. It would also establish notices and public hearing requirements for any taxing division that is seeking to raise property taxes.

If a taxing division is considering raising property taxes, under this bill it stipulates that they would be required to publish a notice with their intent of raising the property tax. They would need to notify the public of their intent and the date, time, and location of a public hearing on the resolution or ordinance. They would also be required to have this notificiation on their website ten days before the stated public hearing.

The bill also states that the county clerk would be required to mail a notification of the public hearing at least ten days in advance to all of the property owners that would be affected if the property tax rate is increased.

The bill would also prevent the county appraiser from increasing the property valuation as a result of normal repair, replacement, or maintenance of the existing structures, equipment, and improvements on the property.

Since the passage of this bill from the State Senate, the House Committee on Taxation is scheduled for a hearing on Senate Bill 13 for Tuesday, January 26.

“Value Them Both” Constitutional Amendment

Last year we debated what is known as the “Value Them Both” Amendment which would have placed a change to the Kansas Constitution regarding the regulation of abortions to the voters in the primary election of 2020 to the voters. Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the amendment passed the State Senate, however, it did not pass the Kansas House. The amendment to the Kansas Constitution has been reintroduced in both chambers this legislative session. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee held hearings on the amendment and advanced it to the House floor. The Kansas House debated the measure on Friday, January 22, to have this placed on the ballot for voters to decide on the August 2022 election. The measure passed, 86-38. I voted, “Yes.”

Bill Hearings in Appropriations Committee

On Thursday, January 21, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on a similar bill that was introduced last session regarding the combination of two funds into one for abandoned oil and gas wells for the state of Kansas.

House Bill 2022 states that any well that has been abandoned and not plugged according to current regulations would be plugged by the state of Kansas by utilizing the funds of the Well Plugging Assurance Fund. In the past, the ability to use these funds were in two separate accounts and this legislation would combine the two funds into one.

This bill also designates who the responsible parties are for an abandoned well in the state of Kansas.

We have also scheduled a hearing on House Bill 2021 which would allow for the construction of a veteran’s home facility, which would be located in the eastern quadrant of the state of Kansas. This bill would allow for the issuance of bonds not to exceed $17,500,000 for the construction of the veteran’s home. The maturity date on these bonds for the home shall not exceed twenty years from the date that the bonds were issued.

My intent is to have the Appropriations Committee work both of these bills next week and pass them out of committee so we can then have a debate on the House floor.

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/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rep. Troy Waymaster, 109th Dist., is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577788173848.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>January 25, 2021Property Tax TransparencyOne of the most major pieces of legislation that has passed this legislative session is Senate Bill 13, which is commonly referred to as the Property Tax Transparency bill. This bill passed the Kansas State Senate on Thursday, January 14, with a vote of 34-1.This bill repeals the property tax lid, effective January 1, 2021, that applies to cities and counties that was put into place a few years ago. It would also establish notices and public hearing requirements for any taxing division that is seeking to raise property taxes.If a taxing division is considering raising property taxes, under this bill it stipulates that they would be required to publish a notice with their intent of raising the property tax. They would need to notify the public of their intent and the date, time, and location of a public hearing on the resolution or ordinance. They would also be required to have this notificiation on their website ten days before the stated public hearing.The bill also states that the county clerk would be required to mail a notification of the public hearing at least ten days in advance to all of the property owners that would be affected if the property tax rate is increased.The bill would also prevent the county appraiser from increasing the property valuation as a result of normal repair, replacement, or maintenance of the existing structures, equipment, and improvements on the property.Since the passage of this bill from the State Senate, the House Committee on Taxation is scheduled for a hearing on Senate Bill 13 for Tuesday, January 26.“Value Them Both” Constitutional AmendmentLast year we debated what is known as the “Value Them Both” Amendment which would have placed a change to the Kansas Constitution regarding the regulation of abortions to the voters in the primary election of 2020 to the voters. Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the amendment passed the State Senate, however, it did not pass the Kansas House. The amendment to the Kansas Constitution has been reintroduced in both chambers this legislative session. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee held hearings on the amendment and advanced it to the House floor. The Kansas House debated the measure on Friday, January 22, to have this placed on the ballot for voters to decide on the August 2022 election. The measure passed, 86-38. I voted, “Yes.”Bill Hearings in Appropriations CommitteeOn Thursday, January 21, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on a similar bill that was introduced last session regarding the combination of two funds into one for abandoned oil and gas wells for the state of Kansas.House Bill 2022 states that any well that has been abandoned and not plugged according to current regulations would be plugged by the state of Kansas by utilizing the funds of the Well Plugging Assurance Fund. In the past, the ability to use these funds were in two separate accounts and this legislation would combine the two funds into one.This bill also designates who the responsible parties are for an abandoned well in the state of Kansas.We have also scheduled a hearing on House Bill 2021 which would allow for the construction of a veteran’s home facility, which would be located in the eastern quadrant of the state of Kansas. This bill would allow for the issuance of bonds not to exceed $17,500,000 for the construction of the veteran’s home. The maturity date on these bonds for the home shall not exceed twenty years from the date that the bonds were issued.My intent is to have the Appropriations Committee work both of these bills next week and pass them out of committee so we can then have a debate on the House floor.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/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov. Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.Rep. Troy Waymaster, 109th Dist., is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, Jan. 25

U.S. crude prices are holding steady at their highest levels in a year. By midday Monday, the benchmark Nymex futures contract was down three pennies to $52.24 per barrel. London Brent was up six cents to $55.47. Kansas crude prices dropped a dollar on Friday but remain above $40 a barrel for a second straight week. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson is fetching $42.50 per barrel, unchanged from a week ago but nearly four dollars higher than at the first of the year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported a slight dip in its Kansas Rig Count last week. There were four active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, down one, and seven west of Wichita, which is also down one. Baker Hughes reported a slight increase in the national rig count. Texas reported an increase of six rigs while New Mexico was down five. Regulators across Kansas approved 12 new drilling permits last week. There were 14 newly-completed wells last week including a development well in Stafford County. U.S. crude inventories increased 4.4 million barrels in the latest weekly government report. The Energy Information Administration says inventories are about nine percent above the five-year average. Crude oil in storage at the Cushing hub dropped two percent. For the week ending January 8th, the latest week available, Cushing was at 73% of capacity. U.S. crude production dropped by about 5,000 barrels per day last week, but for the seventh week in a row remained above eleven million barrels per day. That's down from just below 13 million barrels per day a year ago. EIA said U.S. crude-oil imports averaged six million barrels per day last week, down by 194,000 barrels per day from the previous week. The four week average is 11.8% less than average imports during the same four-week period last year. U.S. oil-by-rail deliveries last week reached their highest level in about a year, at 12,437 tanker cars. That's down about two percent from a year ago, but up more than 1,000 rail cars from the week before. President Joe Biden made good on a campaign promise and revoked the permit granted earlier to the Keystone pipeline expansion. The pipeline operator, TC Energy, said earlier it would eliminate more than 1,000 construction jobs and halt construction work. Coming as it does after more than a decade of legal battles and shifting fortunes, Reuters calls the President's announcement the death knell for the project. Analysis published by Bloomberg suggests the Keystone decision is the clearest sign yet that building a major new oil pipeline in the U.S. has become impossible. The government is predicting a downturn in coming weeks in the nation's shale-oil production, even as it continues to predict near-term increases. In a report Tuesday, EIA estimated January shale production would reach 7.6 million barrels per day, slightly better than previous estimates. But the government still expects output to drop by 89,000 barrels per day from January to February, with all seven major shale plays posting declines. Shale production accounts for roughly two-thirds of U.S. output.&nbsp; The world's largest fracking services provider has deployed the industry's first-ever fracking operation powered directly from the local electrical grid. The process has evolved over the last several years, beginning with pumps powered by diesel engines and more recently using electric motors powered by natural gas. Now Halliburton is plugging those motors directly into the grid, in an operation for Cimarex Energy. According to an announcement from the service company, the operation has completed nearly 340 fracking stages across multiple wells.&nbsp; The world's 5th largest oil company is aggressively moving away from fossil fuels and toward carbon neutrality. Reuters calls the BP's transition under CEO Bernard Looney a "climate revolution." The company is cutting 10,000 jobs, about 15% of its workforce, and plans to cut crude output by one million barrels per day, or 40%, over the next decade. They hope to increase renewable energy output 20-fold. The French oil giant Total has taken a hard-line pro-green stance on climate change, asserting climate change linked to human activity is, in their words, an "established fact." Earlier this month, Total, the seventh-largest oil company in the world, pulled out of the American Petroleum Institute. The oil company says it disagrees with the U.S. trade group on methane emissions, subsidies for electric vehicles, and other environmental issues. The feds are investigating the way Exxon Mobil has valued its assets in the Permian Basin. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into a whistle-blower complaint asserting the West's largest oil company inflated the value of Texas assets, according to reporting in the Wall Street Journal. The probe comes after the commission has been largely silent on rosy industry projections, which left hundreds of billions of dollars in investor losses and write-downs. One analyst pegs the losses at $450 billion of invested capital and more than 190 bankruptcies between 2010 and 2020. The company denies the claims, but its stock fell as much as 6%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARU.S. crude prices are holding steady at their highest levels in a year. By midday Monday, the benchmark Nymex futures contract was down three pennies to $52.24 per barrel. London Brent was up six cents to $55.47. Kansas crude prices dropped a dollar on Friday but remain above $40 a barrel for a second straight week. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson is fetching $42.50 per barrel, unchanged from a week ago but nearly four dollars higher than at the first of the year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported a slight dip in its Kansas Rig Count last week. There were four active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, down one, and seven west of Wichita, which is also down one. Baker Hughes reported a slight increase in the national rig count. Texas reported an increase of six rigs while New Mexico was down five. Regulators across Kansas approved 12 new drilling permits last week. There were 14 newly-completed wells last week including a development well in Stafford County. U.S. crude inventories increased 4.4 million barrels in the latest weekly government report. The Energy Information Administration says inventories are about nine percent above the five-year average. Crude oil in storage at the Cushing hub dropped two percent. For the week ending January 8th, the latest week available, Cushing was at 73% of capacity. U.S. crude production dropped by about 5,000 barrels per day last week, but for the seventh week in a row remained above eleven million barrels per day. That's down from just below 13 million barrels per day a year ago. EIA said U.S. crude-oil imports averaged six million barrels per day last week, down by 194,000 barrels per day from the previous week. The four week average is 11.8% less than average imports during the same four-week period last year. U.S. oil-by-rail deliveries last week reached their highest level in about a year, at 12,437 tanker cars. That's down about two percent from a year ago, but up more than 1,000 rail cars from the week before. President Joe Biden made good on a campaign promise and revoked the permit granted earlier to the Keystone pipeline expansion. The pipeline operator, TC Energy, said earlier it would eliminate more than 1,000 construction jobs and halt construction work. Coming as it does after more than a decade of legal battles and shifting fortunes, Reuters calls the President's announcement the death knell for the project. Analysis published by Bloomberg suggests the Keystone decision is the clearest sign yet that building a major new oil pipeline in the U.S. has become impossible. The government is predicting a downturn in coming weeks in the nation's shale-oil production, even as it continues to predict near-term increases. In a report Tuesday, EIA estimated January shale production would reach 7.6 million barrels per day, slightly better than previous estimates. But the government still expects output to drop by 89,000 barrels per day from January to February, with all seven major shale plays posting declines. Shale production accounts for roughly two-thirds of U.S. output.&nbsp; The world's largest fracking services provider has deployed the industry's first-ever fracking operation powered directly from the local electrical grid. The process has evolved over the last several years, beginning with pumps powered by diesel engines and more recently using electric motors powered by natural gas. Now Halliburton is plugging those motors directly into the grid, in an operation for Cimarex Energy. According to an announcement from the service company, the operation has completed nearly 340 fracking stages across multiple wells.&nbsp; The world's 5th largest oil company is aggressively moving away from fossil fuels and toward carbon neutrality. Reuters calls the BP's transition under CEO Bernard Looney a "climate revolution." The company is cutting 10,000 jobs, about 15% of its workforce, and plans to cut crude output by one million barrels per day, or 40%, over the next decade. They hope to increase renewable energy output 20-fold. The French oil giant Total has taken a hard-line pro-green stance on climate change, asserting climate change linked to human activity is, in their words, an "established fact." Earlier this month, Total, the seventh-largest oil company in the world, pulled out of the American Petroleum Institute. The oil company says it disagrees with the U.S. trade group on methane emissions, subsidies for electric vehicles, and other environmental issues. The feds are investigating the way Exxon Mobil has valued its assets in the Permian Basin. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into a whistle-blower complaint asserting the West's largest oil company inflated the value of Texas assets, according to reporting in the Wall Street Journal. The probe comes after the commission has been largely silent on rosy industry projections, which left hundreds of billions of dollars in investor losses and write-downs. One analyst pegs the losses at $450 billion of invested capital and more than 190 bankruptcies between 2010 and 2020. The company denies the claims, but its stock fell as much as 6%.

News From the Oil Patch: Kansas crude above $40 for second straight week

As we get settled into the first and second week of the 2021 legislative session, most of our work is concentrated in committees where bills are being prioritized and vetted. The Senate has 17 standing committees which cover many different topics, including education, agriculture, judiciary, budget and utilities—to name a few.&nbsp; Once a committee completes hearings and votes on a bill, if passed, it will then make its way to the Senate floor and the full body will begin to debate and vote on the measure. Floor debates and votes will begin in the coming weeks. 

If you’re interested in tracking our work, you can follow us at our website at&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YDBQy8-rsja0IE-azP2XHdnoiX7Ql4nNWrgHxHHtC7o4HeAA-0Aqe73zytd32tHFJOLxmvcn9GmLmACkPZbxMCH8a9zXNkiD1EVgLLAQsAwZitpKf2khnVK0mX6afJLmB2EKV17zX7f7tcasgCeiEQ==&amp;c=i2w4lkseQgtBVS4zSQ_aahnejaFbU1aDQFBhokGNh0NtT6pPxPG4Kg==&amp;ch=zcIfvSl6GRRuKxTv2Gjm07rByrF453B_cAk8d6LJKMN6JaX0CJJ3gA==" target="_blank">http://www.kslegislature.org</a>

My committees this year have changed a bit - the Ethics, Elections and Local Government committee is now two committees renamed Transparency and Ethics and Local Government.&nbsp; I will chair Transparency and Ethics and will serve as the Vice-Chair of Local Government.&nbsp; I continue to serve on the Transportation, Judiciary and Utility committees and remain on the Historical Preservation Committee.&nbsp; I was also assigned to a new committee, the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, January 13, Governor Kelly delivered her State of the State address virtually this year due to limited large group gatherings which has been the tradition in the House Chambers. Her address is the starting point for the budget process in Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations and sets the tone for the upcoming session.&nbsp; Both committees are currently reviewing her budget proposals for 2021.

Senate Bill 14&nbsp;– extending KEMA (Kansas Emergency Management Act) deadlines - many of the provisions in HB 2016 which the Kansas Legislature passed last June will expire on January 26, 2021.&nbsp; The dates were extended in SB 14 to March 31st&nbsp;to allow for additional hearings to look at the sections of the current law from last year.

Senate Bill 13&nbsp;- Truth in Taxation – this bill would repeal the property tax lid, establish notice and public hearing requirements for any taxing subdivision seeking to collect property taxes in excess of the subdivision's revenue-neutral rate, prohibit valuation increases resulting solely from normal maintenance of existing structures, and expand the allowed acceptance of partial payments or payment plans for property taxes.

Both bills were sent to the House for their consideration as a body.&nbsp;

State law in Kansas requires that certain appointments by the Governor or other state officials be confirmed by the Senate prior to the appointee exercising any power, duty, or function of the office. On Thursday, January 21st, the Senate confirmed twenty-nine individuals to boards or agency heads and one Judicial post.&nbsp; Irv Mitchell of Russell County and Leonard Wolfe of Marshall County were both confirmed to serve another term on the State Banking Board.&nbsp;

The Value Them Both Amendment to the Constitution, SCR 1602 &amp; HCR 5003, were introduced in both the House and Senate and have both been passed out of their respective committees.&nbsp; This is the legislative response to the recent ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court in Hodes &amp; Nauser v. Schmidt determining a woman has a constitutional right to an abortion.&nbsp; The proposed constitutional amendment allows elected officials regulation and oversight over abortions which has been the case for years.&nbsp; Some of these bills passed and signed by governors are parental consent for minors, 24 hour waiting period and clinic sanitation and safety standards. 

The amendment does not allow Kansas to over-rule federal law and will reinstate the role of the Legislature to regulate this industry like any other.&nbsp; The amendment will require a 2/3rd&nbsp;majority in each chamber to move forward and then the question will be placed on the ballot for the public to vote on in 2022.&nbsp;

Memorial Highway – Marshall County -SB19

Due to the shortened 2020 session, our Marshall County highway renaming bill failed to pass through the process to the Governor’s desk.&nbsp; I introduced a new bill in Senate Transportation committee – SB19 and a hearing will be scheduled next week.&nbsp; The bill will rename a five-mile portion of US Highway 77 from the western limit of the City of Blue Rapids to the eastern limit of the City of Waterville.&nbsp; This legislation would rename this highway section the “Corporal Allen Oatney and SP4 Gene Myers Memorial Highway.”&nbsp; This bill is in honor of Corporal Allen E. Oatney and Specialist Fourth Class Gene A. Myers, Waterville residents, who both were killed by hostile fire while serving their country during the Vietnam War.&nbsp; The memorial highway is a proposal from the American Legion Posts in Blue Rapids and Waterville.&nbsp; Funding for the project will be provided by Posts 169 &amp; 332 through private donations.&nbsp; After it passes out of the Senate, Representative Lisa Moser (House District will #106) will continue the process through the House of Representatives.&nbsp;

You can view video streaming of both chambers via the Kansas Legislature YouTube page. In addition, many committees are now audio streamed and can also be viewed on the Kansas Legislature YouTube page. The Kansas Legislature website is easy to use with Senate and House calendars and journals as well as the rosters of both chambers. 

Website:&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YDBQy8-rsja0IE-azP2XHdnoiX7Ql4nNWrgHxHHtC7o4HeAA-0Aqe73zytd32tHFJOLxmvcn9GmLmACkPZbxMCH8a9zXNkiD1EVgLLAQsAwZitpKf2khnVK0mX6afJLmB2EKV17zX7f7tcasgCeiEQ==&amp;c=i2w4lkseQgtBVS4zSQ_aahnejaFbU1aDQFBhokGNh0NtT6pPxPG4Kg==&amp;ch=zcIfvSl6GRRuKxTv2Gjm07rByrF453B_cAk8d6LJKMN6JaX0CJJ3gA==" target="_blank">http://www.kslegislature.org</a>

YouTube Streaming:&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YDBQy8-rsja0IE-azP2XHdnoiX7Ql4nNWrgHxHHtC7o4HeAA-0Aqe73zytd32tHF34R6w-q9Yyc4qETkM4i0oK77_HAcUcgnTEzGR0bc3XlkSfwIv7NNomoykZXxAe6JYkaUz8mVZZ4=&amp;c=i2w4lkseQgtBVS4zSQ_aahnejaFbU1aDQFBhokGNh0NtT6pPxPG4Kg==&amp;ch=zcIfvSl6GRRuKxTv2Gjm07rByrF453B_cAk8d6LJKMN6JaX0CJJ3gA==" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0</a>

Committee Hearings:&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YDBQy8-rsja0IE-azP2XHdnoiX7Ql4nNWrgHxHHtC7o4HeAA-0Aqe73zytd32tHFxPF3ofZot5nNQg29dl4IyyVwRxdehplaQI7UbFxYaMuHnBMclSTctfgUBGJFJhfBo5ERAz73sU3LnGPhP0mE6TsXQN3ZnpUtIzuCJEE31Q7s8BoUqzHzoE_0wonREwYfL5UydW56Tj2K886u6fhh9w==&amp;c=i2w4lkseQgtBVS4zSQ_aahnejaFbU1aDQFBhokGNh0NtT6pPxPG4Kg==&amp;ch=zcIfvSl6GRRuKxTv2Gjm07rByrF453B_cAk8d6LJKMN6JaX0CJJ3gA==" target="_blank">http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/</a>

My office remains in the same suite, 223E (East wing second floor) next to the cage elevator.&nbsp; Randi Walters who has worked in the Capitol for 18 years as an assistant and a committee assistant is in our office.

As session progresses, not every bill introduced will make it to the Governor’s desk, but that doesn’t mean opinions, facts and testimony wasn’t heard. Your participation in the state legislature is vital. As we continue to weed through the different bills, I hope to hear from you. I want to know how legislation will impact you and our district, or the ideas you have to improve a bill.&nbsp; A personal email with your thoughts is the best way to reach us as we sit in committees for most of the day and seldom get to stay at our desks for long periods.&nbsp;

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>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th 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.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Senate HighlightsAs we get settled into the first and second week of the 2021 legislative session, most of our work is concentrated in committees where bills are being prioritized and vetted. The Senate has 17 standing committees which cover many different topics, including education, agriculture, judiciary, budget and utilities—to name a few.&nbsp; Once a committee completes hearings and votes on a bill, if passed, it will then make its way to the Senate floor and the full body will begin to debate and vote on the measure. Floor debates and votes will begin in the coming weeks. If you’re interested in tracking our work, you can follow us at our website at&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YDBQy8-rsja0IE-azP2XHdnoiX7Ql4nNWrgHxHHtC7o4HeAA-0Aqe73zytd32tHFJOLxmvcn9GmLmACkPZbxMCH8a9zXNkiD1EVgLLAQsAwZitpKf2khnVK0mX6afJLmB2EKV17zX7f7tcasgCeiEQ==&amp;c=i2w4lkseQgtBVS4zSQ_aahnejaFbU1aDQFBhokGNh0NtT6pPxPG4Kg==&amp;ch=zcIfvSl6GRRuKxTv2Gjm07rByrF453B_cAk8d6LJKMN6JaX0CJJ3gA==" target="_blank">http://www.kslegislature.org</a>Committee AssignmentsMy committees this year have changed a bit - the Ethics, Elections and Local Government committee is now two committees renamed Transparency and Ethics and Local Government.&nbsp; I will chair Transparency and Ethics and will serve as the Vice-Chair of Local Government.&nbsp; I continue to serve on the Transportation, Judiciary and Utility committees and remain on the Historical Preservation Committee.&nbsp; I was also assigned to a new committee, the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight.&nbsp;State of the StateOn Wednesday, January 13, Governor Kelly delivered her State of the State address virtually this year due to limited large group gatherings which has been the tradition in the House Chambers. Her address is the starting point for the budget process in Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations and sets the tone for the upcoming session.&nbsp; Both committees are currently reviewing her budget proposals for 2021.Senate Floor ActionSenate Bill 14&nbsp;– extending KEMA (Kansas Emergency Management Act) deadlines - many of the provisions in HB 2016 which the Kansas Legislature passed last June will expire on January 26, 2021.&nbsp; The dates were extended in SB 14 to March 31st&nbsp;to allow for additional hearings to look at the sections of the current law from last year.Senate Bill 13&nbsp;- Truth in Taxation – this bill would repeal the property tax lid, establish notice and public hearing requirements for any taxing subdivision seeking to collect property taxes in excess of the subdivision's revenue-neutral rate, prohibit valuation increases resulting solely from normal maintenance of existing structures, and expand the allowed acceptance of partial payments or payment plans for property taxes.Both bills were sent to the House for their consideration as a body.&nbsp;Senate ConfirmationState law in Kansas requires that certain appointments by the Governor or other state officials be confirmed by the Senate prior to the appointee exercising any power, duty, or function of the office. On Thursday, January 21st, the Senate confirmed twenty-nine individuals to boards or agency heads and one Judicial post.&nbsp; Irv Mitchell of Russell County and Leonard Wolfe of Marshall County were both confirmed to serve another term on the State Banking Board.&nbsp;Committee ActionJudiciary CommitteeThe Value Them Both Amendment to the Constitution, SCR 1602 &amp; HCR 5003, were introduced in both the House and Senate and have both been passed out of their respective committees.&nbsp; This is the legislative response to the recent ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court in Hodes &amp; Nauser v. Schmidt determining a woman has a constitutional right to an abortion.&nbsp; The proposed constitutional amendment allows elected officials regulation and oversight over abortions which has been the case for years.&nbsp; Some of these bills passed and signed by governors are parental consent for minors, 24 hour waiting period and clinic sanitation and safety standards. The amendment does not allow Kansas to over-rule federal law and will reinstate the role of the Legislature to regulate this industry like any other.&nbsp; The amendment will require a 2/3rd&nbsp;majority in each chamber to move forward and then the question will be placed on the ballot for the public to vote on in 2022.&nbsp;TransportationMemorial Highway – Marshall County -SB19Due to the shortened 2020 session, our Marshall County highway renaming bill failed to pass through the process to the Governor’s desk.&nbsp; I introduced a new bill in Senate Transportation committee – SB19 and a hearing will be scheduled next week.&nbsp; The bill will rename a five-mile portion of US Highway 77 from the western limit of the City of Blue Rapids to the eastern limit of the City of Waterville.&nbsp; This legislation would rename this highway section the “Corporal Allen Oatney and SP4 Gene Myers Memorial Highway.”&nbsp; This bill is in honor of Corporal Allen E. Oatney and Specialist Fourth Class Gene A. Myers, Waterville residents, who both were killed by hostile fire while serving their country during the Vietnam War.&nbsp; The memorial highway is a proposal from the American Legion Posts in Blue Rapids and Waterville.&nbsp; Funding for the project will be provided by Posts 169 &amp; 332 through private donations.&nbsp; After it passes out of the Senate, Representative Lisa Moser (House District will #106) will continue the process through the House of Representatives.&nbsp;Following the Kansas LegislatureYou can view video streaming of both chambers via the Kansas Legislature YouTube page. In addition, many committees are now audio streamed and can also be viewed on the Kansas Legislature YouTube page. The Kansas Legislature website is easy to use with Senate and House calendars and journals as well as the rosters of both chambers. Here are the relevant links:Website:&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YDBQy8-rsja0IE-azP2XHdnoiX7Ql4nNWrgHxHHtC7o4HeAA-0Aqe73zytd32tHFJOLxmvcn9GmLmACkPZbxMCH8a9zXNkiD1EVgLLAQsAwZitpKf2khnVK0mX6afJLmB2EKV17zX7f7tcasgCeiEQ==&amp;c=i2w4lkseQgtBVS4zSQ_aahnejaFbU1aDQFBhokGNh0NtT6pPxPG4Kg==&amp;ch=zcIfvSl6GRRuKxTv2Gjm07rByrF453B_cAk8d6LJKMN6JaX0CJJ3gA==" target="_blank">http://www.kslegislature.org</a>YouTube Streaming:&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YDBQy8-rsja0IE-azP2XHdnoiX7Ql4nNWrgHxHHtC7o4HeAA-0Aqe73zytd32tHF34R6w-q9Yyc4qETkM4i0oK77_HAcUcgnTEzGR0bc3XlkSfwIv7NNomoykZXxAe6JYkaUz8mVZZ4=&amp;c=i2w4lkseQgtBVS4zSQ_aahnejaFbU1aDQFBhokGNh0NtT6pPxPG4Kg==&amp;ch=zcIfvSl6GRRuKxTv2Gjm07rByrF453B_cAk8d6LJKMN6JaX0CJJ3gA==" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0</a>Committee Hearings:&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YDBQy8-rsja0IE-azP2XHdnoiX7Ql4nNWrgHxHHtC7o4HeAA-0Aqe73zytd32tHFxPF3ofZot5nNQg29dl4IyyVwRxdehplaQI7UbFxYaMuHnBMclSTctfgUBGJFJhfBo5ERAz73sU3LnGPhP0mE6TsXQN3ZnpUtIzuCJEE31Q7s8BoUqzHzoE_0wonREwYfL5UydW56Tj2K886u6fhh9w==&amp;c=i2w4lkseQgtBVS4zSQ_aahnejaFbU1aDQFBhokGNh0NtT6pPxPG4Kg==&amp;ch=zcIfvSl6GRRuKxTv2Gjm07rByrF453B_cAk8d6LJKMN6JaX0CJJ3gA==" target="_blank">http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/</a>Office InformationMy office remains in the same suite, 223E (East wing second floor) next to the cage elevator.&nbsp; Randi Walters who has worked in the Capitol for 18 years as an assistant and a committee assistant is in our office.As session progresses, not every bill introduced will make it to the Governor’s desk, but that doesn’t mean opinions, facts and testimony wasn’t heard. Your participation in the state legislature is vital. As we continue to weed through the different bills, I hope to hear from you. I want to know how legislation will impact you and our district, or the ideas you have to improve a bill.&nbsp; A personal email with your thoughts is the best way to reach us as we sit in committees for most of the day and seldom get to stay at our desks for long periods.&nbsp;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>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th District senator.&nbsp; The 36th District includes&nbsp;Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties.

BOWERS: Senate Scene, Weeks 1 and 2

	I am fascinated by how the brain works and I try to read all the latest books on the subject. We are supposed to get wiser with age, but I have learned that is not always the case. However, studies show that there are some things we can do to improve our mental function. One very important component to a healthy brain is better nutrition. In addition, getting enough sleep and exercising will add brain power. &nbsp;

	The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has identified four types of food that specifically help boost our brain power:

Nutrition plays a major role in brain development. Plan your meals carefully and add brain-rich foods to your plate each day. Eatright.org is an excellent website for additional information on health, nutrition and fitness.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>	I am fascinated by how the brain works and I try to read all the latest books on the subject. We are supposed to get wiser with age, but I have learned that is not always the case. However, studies show that there are some things we can do to improve our mental function. One very important component to a healthy brain is better nutrition. In addition, getting enough sleep and exercising will add brain power. &nbsp;	The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has identified four types of food that specifically help boost our brain power:<ul>
 <li>Vegetables 
Getting adequate veggie-intake, especially cruciferous ones including broccoli, cabbage and dark leafy greens, may help improve memory. Include kale in your salad or substitute collard greens for a tortilla in your next sandwich wrap. Broccoli stir-fry also is an excellent option for lunch or dinner.</li><li>Berries 
Dark berries especially, such as blackberries, blueberries and cherries — are a rich source of anthocyanins and other flavonoids that may boost memory function. Enjoy a handful of berries for a snack, mixed into cereal or baked into an antioxidant-rich dessert. You can reap these benefits from fresh, frozen or dried berries and cherries.</li><li>Omega-3 fatty acids 
Essential for good brain health, omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, in particular, may help improve memory in healthy young adults. Seafood, algae and fatty fish — including salmon, bluefin tuna, sardines and herring — are some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Substitute fish for meat a couple times each week to get a healthy dose. Grill, bake or broil fish for ultimate flavor and nutrition. If you don't normally eat fish, discuss other food options and supplementation with your doctor or registered dietitian nutritionist. You can get omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, seaweed or microalgae supplements.</li><li>Walnuts 
Walnuts also may improve cognitive function. Snack on a handful of walnuts to satisfy midday hunger, add them to oatmeal or a salad for crunch or mix them into a vegetable stir-fry for extra protein.</li>
 </ul>Nutrition plays a major role in brain development. Plan your meals carefully and add brain-rich foods to your plate each day. Eatright.org is an excellent website for additional information on health, nutrition and fitness.	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

Opinion