<a>2023 Senate Scene Week 1 and 2</a>

As we get settled into the first and second week of the 2023 legislative session, most of our work is concentrated in committees where bills are being prioritized and vetted. The Senate has 19 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. At the end of the 2nd&nbsp;week, over 170 bills have been introduced.&nbsp; 

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>.&nbsp; A daily calendar is available as well as directions on how to view committee work live-time and view archive past committee and floor action.&nbsp;

My committees remain the same as last year - the Ethics, Elections and Local Government committee is 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 Utilities committees and remain on the Historical Preservation Committee, the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight, and most recently selected to serve on&nbsp;the Kansas Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial committee established last year with HB2712.

<a>SWEARING IN CEREMONIES – SESSION OPENING</a>

On Monday, January 9th, Governor Laura Kelly was sworn into office for her second term.&nbsp; Her speech reflected on the past four years, the impact of COVID-19 on the state of Kansas, and the plan for her final term.&nbsp; In addition, the new Attorney General Kris Kobach and State Treasurer Steven Johnson, as well as re-elected Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and the Secretary of State Scott Schwab were sworn in.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a></a>The 2023&nbsp;Senate legislative session began on Monday, January 9thth, at 2:00 p.m. with the swearing in of Senator Ron Ryckman, Sr. and new Senator Chase Blasi.&nbsp; Senator Blasi is familiar with the Senate, having served on staff for both Presidents Wagle and Masterson the past few sessions.&nbsp;On Tuesday, Senator Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan) gave his retirement speech and his replacement, Senator Usha Reddi, was sworn into office on Wednesday.&nbsp;

On Wednesday afternoon, Chief Justice Marla Luckert delivered the state of the Judiciary address in a joint session of the legislature.&nbsp; Luckert highlighted the specialty courts across the state, raising judicial pay, and the need for attorneys in rural Kansas.&nbsp; Near the end of 2022, Chief Justice Luckert signed an order to create the Kansas Rural Justice Initiative.&nbsp; The goal of the committee is to examine the legal needs of rural Kansans related to a lower ratio of attorneys to population in contrast to urban areas.&nbsp; According to statistics given in their news release, 43% of Kansans live in rural areas, but only 20% of Kansas attorneys live in rural communities.&nbsp; This leaves an attorneys to population ratio of one active attorney for every 808 residents.&nbsp; In contrast, Kansans in urban areas have two active attorneys for every 535 residents.&nbsp; This is a select committee I was assigned to.&nbsp; I am looking forward to working with the Judicial branch and others in our 18-month time frame to offer solutions for this problem which exists in other states across the nation as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;&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.

Judge Rachel Pickering had her confirmation hearing in the Judiciary Committee and was confirmed in the Senate on Thursday to the Kansas Court of Appeals.&nbsp; In addition to Judge Pickering, fifteen additional appointments to boards and commissions were also confirmed by the Senate on Thursday, January 19th.&nbsp; Among these confirmations,&nbsp;Ray C. Walling was confirmed as the 18th&nbsp;Kansas State Librarian since 1870.&nbsp;

SB3 –&nbsp;AN ACT designating Silvisaurus condrayi as the official state land fossil

Senate District #36 – Ottawa County

In 1955, Warren Condray, a farmer and rancher in Ottawa County, discovered this fossil in his pasture.&nbsp; His son, Jettie Condray who was the Ottawa County Historical Museum director, and his son Joel now a teacher in Goddard School district, promoted this fossil to be named a state fossil.&nbsp; Joel’s 6th&nbsp;grade class worked on this bill as a project to learn about the process of a bill (an idea) turning into a Kansas statute.&nbsp; The fossil was&nbsp;a one-ton armored ankylosaur approximately 13-feet long that walked across Kansas during the late cretaceous period of the mesozoic era.&nbsp; SB3 was heard in Senate Federal and State affairs on Wednesday, January 18th, and will be on the Senate Calendar next week.&nbsp; It will pass over to the House of Representatives, the students again will testify in committee (41 students and a few administrators attended the hearing), then a full House vote, and to Governor for her signature.&nbsp; With an early start on their project, there is a very good chance it will be signed in law before session and school ends.&nbsp;&nbsp; The fossil is currently on display in Lawrence at the KU Natural History Museum.&nbsp;

Kansas Insurance Department

Having problems with your insurance company?&nbsp; Contact the Kansas Insurance Department for assistance with your claim.&nbsp; File a complaint online at&nbsp;<a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/" target="_blank">insurance.ks.gov</a>, by phone at 785-296-3071, or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kid.webcomplaints@ks.gov" target="_blank">KID.webcomplaints.ks.gov</a>.

During the 2022 session, there were several changes to tax law.&nbsp; One change is a first step in a property tax freeze for low-income seniors and disabled veterans via a rebate program administered by the KS Department of Revenue.&nbsp;&nbsp; Applications for property tax relief must be submitted by April 18, 2023 and can be found here:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf/" target="_blank">https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf/</a> **Please note that to qualify for the “freeze” a household annual income must be $50,000 or below, a homeowner must be 65 years or older, and the value of the home cannot be above $350,000.&nbsp; A disabled veteran must be at least 50% disabled.&nbsp; Property taxes are still paid to the county and then a homeowner may apply to KDOR for a refund on their increase, resulting in a freeze.&nbsp;

Storefront business – property tax relief

To help small storefront businesses shutdown or negatively impacted by the shutdown during COVID, the legislature established a program to provide some property tax relief.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Details can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxnotices/notice22-04.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxnotices/notice22-04.pdf</a> Applications can be found at:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront" target="_blank">https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront</a>

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. 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>

Each year we are assigned dates for students to page for the Senate.&nbsp; The students should be twelve and over and will spend the full day with us including running errands for all Senators and a tour and trip to the Capitol Dome top.&nbsp; I was a page myself for Representative Bill Fuller from Miltonvale in 1981!&nbsp; Our dates this year are -&nbsp;Wednesday, February 8; Wednesday, February 15; Wednesday, February 22; Wednesday, March 1; and Wednesday, March 15th.&nbsp;

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 20 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-E 300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 <a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a> 785-296-7389 <a href="https://elainebowers.com/" target="_blank">https://elainebowers.com/</a> <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is senator of the 36th District in Kansas which includes:

* Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties * Marshall County: Cities: Blue Rapids, Marysville, Oketo and Waterville; Townships: Blue Rapids, Blue Rapids City, Cottage Hill, Elm Creek, Herkimer and Logan * Phillips County: Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and Phillipsburg; Townships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal Deer Creek, Freedom, Glenwood, Greenwood, Plum, Rushville, Solomon (part), Sumner, Valley and Walnut

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644853578448.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure><a>2023 Senate Scene Week 1 and 2</a>SENATE HIGHLIGHTSAs we get settled into the first and second week of the 2023 legislative session, most of our work is concentrated in committees where bills are being prioritized and vetted. The Senate has 19 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. At the end of the 2nd&nbsp;week, over 170 bills have been introduced.&nbsp; 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>.&nbsp; A daily calendar is available as well as directions on how to view committee work live-time and view archive past committee and floor action.&nbsp;COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTSMy committees remain the same as last year - the Ethics, Elections and Local Government committee is 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 Utilities committees and remain on the Historical Preservation Committee, the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight, and most recently selected to serve on&nbsp;the Kansas Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial committee established last year with HB2712.<a>SWEARING IN CEREMONIES – SESSION OPENING</a>On Monday, January 9th, Governor Laura Kelly was sworn into office for her second term.&nbsp; Her speech reflected on the past four years, the impact of COVID-19 on the state of Kansas, and the plan for her final term.&nbsp; In addition, the new Attorney General Kris Kobach and State Treasurer Steven Johnson, as well as re-elected Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and the Secretary of State Scott Schwab were sworn in.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a></a>The 2023&nbsp;Senate legislative session began on Monday, January 9thth, at 2:00 p.m. with the swearing in of Senator Ron Ryckman, Sr. and new Senator Chase Blasi.&nbsp; Senator Blasi is familiar with the Senate, having served on staff for both Presidents Wagle and Masterson the past few sessions.&nbsp;On Tuesday, Senator Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan) gave his retirement speech and his replacement, Senator Usha Reddi, was sworn into office on Wednesday.&nbsp;STATE OF THE JUDICIARYOn Wednesday afternoon, Chief Justice Marla Luckert delivered the state of the Judiciary address in a joint session of the legislature.&nbsp; Luckert highlighted the specialty courts across the state, raising judicial pay, and the need for attorneys in rural Kansas.&nbsp; Near the end of 2022, Chief Justice Luckert signed an order to create the Kansas Rural Justice Initiative.&nbsp; The goal of the committee is to examine the legal needs of rural Kansans related to a lower ratio of attorneys to population in contrast to urban areas.&nbsp; According to statistics given in their news release, 43% of Kansans live in rural areas, but only 20% of Kansas attorneys live in rural communities.&nbsp; This leaves an attorneys to population ratio of one active attorney for every 808 residents.&nbsp; In contrast, Kansans in urban areas have two active attorneys for every 535 residents.&nbsp; This is a select committee I was assigned to.&nbsp; I am looking forward to working with the Judicial branch and others in our 18-month time frame to offer solutions for this problem which exists in other states across the nation as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a>CONFIRMATIONS</a>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.Judge Rachel Pickering had her confirmation hearing in the Judiciary Committee and was confirmed in the Senate on Thursday to the Kansas Court of Appeals.&nbsp; In addition to Judge Pickering, fifteen additional appointments to boards and commissions were also confirmed by the Senate on Thursday, January 19th.&nbsp; Among these confirmations,&nbsp;Ray C. Walling was confirmed as the 18th&nbsp;Kansas State Librarian since 1870.&nbsp;SB3 –&nbsp;AN ACT designating Silvisaurus condrayi as the official state land fossilSenate District #36 – Ottawa CountyIn 1955, Warren Condray, a farmer and rancher in Ottawa County, discovered this fossil in his pasture.&nbsp; His son, Jettie Condray who was the Ottawa County Historical Museum director, and his son Joel now a teacher in Goddard School district, promoted this fossil to be named a state fossil.&nbsp; Joel’s 6th&nbsp;grade class worked on this bill as a project to learn about the process of a bill (an idea) turning into a Kansas statute.&nbsp; The fossil was&nbsp;a one-ton armored ankylosaur approximately 13-feet long that walked across Kansas during the late cretaceous period of the mesozoic era.&nbsp; SB3 was heard in Senate Federal and State affairs on Wednesday, January 18th, and will be on the Senate Calendar next week.&nbsp; It will pass over to the House of Representatives, the students again will testify in committee (41 students and a few administrators attended the hearing), then a full House vote, and to Governor for her signature.&nbsp; With an early start on their project, there is a very good chance it will be signed in law before session and school ends.&nbsp;&nbsp; The fossil is currently on display in Lawrence at the KU Natural History Museum.&nbsp;HELPFUL KANSAS INFORMATONKansas Insurance DepartmentHaving problems with your insurance company?&nbsp; Contact the Kansas Insurance Department for assistance with your claim.&nbsp; File a complaint online at&nbsp;<a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/" target="_blank">insurance.ks.gov</a>, by phone at 785-296-3071, or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kid.webcomplaints@ks.gov" target="_blank">KID.webcomplaints.ks.gov</a>.Property Tax ReliefDuring the 2022 session, there were several changes to tax law.&nbsp; One change is a first step in a property tax freeze for low-income seniors and disabled veterans via a rebate program administered by the KS Department of Revenue.&nbsp;&nbsp; Applications for property tax relief must be submitted by April 18, 2023 and can be found here:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf/" target="_blank">https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf/</a> **Please note that to qualify for the “freeze” a household annual income must be $50,000 or below, a homeowner must be 65 years or older, and the value of the home cannot be above $350,000.&nbsp; A disabled veteran must be at least 50% disabled.&nbsp; Property taxes are still paid to the county and then a homeowner may apply to KDOR for a refund on their increase, resulting in a freeze.&nbsp;Storefront business – property tax reliefTo help small storefront businesses shutdown or negatively impacted by the shutdown during COVID, the legislature established a program to provide some property tax relief.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Details can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxnotices/notice22-04.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxnotices/notice22-04.pdf</a> Applications can be found at:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront" target="_blank">https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront</a>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><a>Page Dates</a>Each year we are assigned dates for students to page for the Senate.&nbsp; The students should be twelve and over and will spend the full day with us including running errands for all Senators and a tour and trip to the Capitol Dome top.&nbsp; I was a page myself for Representative Bill Fuller from Miltonvale in 1981!&nbsp; Our dates this year are -&nbsp;Wednesday, February 8; Wednesday, February 15; Wednesday, February 22; Wednesday, March 1; and Wednesday, March 15th.&nbsp;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 20 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-E 300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 <a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a> 785-296-7389 <a href="https://elainebowers.com/" target="_blank">https://elainebowers.com/</a> <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is senator of the 36th District in Kansas which includes: * Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties * Marshall County: Cities: Blue Rapids, Marysville, Oketo and Waterville; Townships: Blue Rapids, Blue Rapids City, Cottage Hill, Elm Creek, Herkimer and Logan * Phillips County: Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and Phillipsburg; Townships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal Deer Creek, Freedom, Glenwood, Greenwood, Plum, Rushville, Solomon (part), Sumner, Valley and Walnut

BOWERS: 2023 Senate Scene Weeks 1 and 2

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Family members have established an <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragedy-strikes-family-that-needs-help?qid=c95fbfdf038303f79dfa0f20979a986f">online fundraiser</a> to assist with the final expenses of a Kansas woman and her two children who died in a house fire January 20, in Topeka.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragedy-strikes-family-that-needs-help?qid=c95fbfdf038303f79dfa0f20979a986f">Click here to respond</a>&nbsp;to the GoFundMe page

&nbsp;Thirty-year-old Genny L. Fitzpatrick, 9-year-old  Peyton L. Tyler and 1-year-old Kourtney K. Tyler, all of Topeka died in the fire that investigators believe was intentionally set.

Just 5:00 a.m. Friday, crews responded to the report of house fire at 916 SW Warren Avenue in Topeka, according to fire department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house. Crews entered, searched the home and found four individuals.&nbsp;An adult and child were pronounced deceased on the scene.

Fire crews rescued an adult and a juvenile from the home and firefighters began immediate life-saving treatment.&nbsp; American Medical Response (AMR) transported both including 32-year-old Kyle Tyler to a local hospital. The child later died at the hospital, according to Nichols.

The cause of the fire has been determined by Topeka Fire investigators as intentionally set. The incident is being investigated by police as a homicide. The incident is domestic in nature, according to Nichols.

&nbsp;Kyle J. Tyler, 32, of Holton, was released from the hospital Saturday, and transported to the Law Enforcement Center to be interviewed. Police arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony, Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Child Endangerment.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragedy-strikes-family-that-needs-help?qid=c95fbfdf038303f79dfa0f20979a986f">Click here to respond</a> to the GoFundMe page

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674225989378.png" alt="First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house.-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house.-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Family members have established an <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragedy-strikes-family-that-needs-help?qid=c95fbfdf038303f79dfa0f20979a986f">online fundraiser</a> to assist with the final expenses of a Kansas woman and her two children who died in a house fire January 20, in Topeka.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragedy-strikes-family-that-needs-help?qid=c95fbfdf038303f79dfa0f20979a986f">Click here to respond</a>&nbsp;to the GoFundMe page&nbsp;Thirty-year-old Genny L. Fitzpatrick, 9-year-old Peyton L. Tyler and 1-year-old Kourtney K. Tyler, all of Topeka died in the fire that investigators believe was intentionally set.Just 5:00 a.m. Friday, crews responded to the report of house fire at 916 SW Warren Avenue in Topeka, according to fire department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house. Crews entered, searched the home and found four individuals.&nbsp;An adult and child were pronounced deceased on the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674361780426.png" alt="Tyler-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Tyler-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Fire crews rescued an adult and a juvenile from the home and firefighters began immediate life-saving treatment.&nbsp; American Medical Response (AMR) transported both including 32-year-old Kyle Tyler to a local hospital. The child later died at the hospital, according to Nichols.The cause of the fire has been determined by Topeka Fire investigators as intentionally set. The incident is being investigated by police as a homicide. The incident is domestic in nature, according to Nichols.&nbsp;Kyle J. Tyler, 32, of Holton, was released from the hospital Saturday, and transported to the Law Enforcement Center to be interviewed. Police arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony, Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Child Endangerment.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragedy-strikes-family-that-needs-help?qid=c95fbfdf038303f79dfa0f20979a986f">Click here to respond</a> to the GoFundMe page

Online fundraiser after Kan. woman, daughters die in arson fire

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/23/proposed-kansas-abortion-bill-would-ban-condoms-iuds-at-the-county-and-city-level/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — A recently introduced bill would bring the abortion fight to the 
county and city level, allowing local government to limit access to 
reproductive health care.

The latest in a series of attempts to restrict abortion, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb65_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 65</a>
 would give cities and counties the right to enact stricter laws on 
abortion than current state law. Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita, introduced
 the bill without putting his name on it as a sponsor.

Under current state law, use of drugs
 or devices that inhibit ovulation, fertilization or implantation of the
 embryo — meaning birth control, such as IUDS, pills and condoms, are 
deemed legal, as is disposing of 
the products of in-vitro fertilization before implantation, such as 
fertilized eggs. The state, along with any political subdivision of the 
state, doesn’t have the right to prohibit these practices and devices.

SB65 seeks to undo this, repealing 
the statewide protections of these drugs and devices. The legislation 
stipulates that as long as the abortion regulations are as strict or 
stricter than state law, cities and counties have the right of 
regulation within the boundaries of the area. The bill would overrule 
statewide protections, upholding the “more stringent local regulation.” 
If passed, SB65 would take effect immediately.

During a Thursday meeting of the 
Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, lawmakers chuckled as Blasi 
introduced the bill to limit reproductive rights for Kansas women.

“Any objections? Seeing none, that 
bill is introduced,” said committee chairman Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, 
as he leaned back in his chair and laughed with Sen. Rick Kloos, 
R-Topeka, and other legislators on the committee.

In Kansas, abortions<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/15/amid-amendment-rhetoric-heres-what-abortion-actually-looks-like-in-kansas/"> are illegal after 22 weeks of gestation</a>,
 except in cases where the mother’s health is in jeopardy. There have 
been no abortions performed outside of this 22-week window in recent 
years, according to state records.

In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court determined the state constitution’s right to bodily autonomy includes the right to terminate a pregnancy. Republicans have repeatedly stated their intentions <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/05/ahead-of-the-kansas-legislative-session-abortion-rights-once-again-under-discussion/">to restrict abortion access in the state</a>,
 even though Kansans in August voted down a proposed constitutional 
amendment that would have given lawmakers the authority to ban abortion 
without exceptions.

In the Kansas GOP legislative agenda, abortion limitations are mentioned as a high priority. Republican lawmakers want to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/10/kansas-gop-rails-against-woke-agenda-will-work-toward-stricter-abortion-rules/">implement stricter abortion laws</a> and fund more crisis pregnancy centers in the state.

Republican Sens. Molly Baumgardner, of Louisburg, and Rob Olson, of 
Olathe, said Monday they haven’t had a chance to review the legislation 
yet but that they oppose abortion.

“I’m not going to comment on the bill, but I’m 100% pro-life and I don’t support abortion,” Olson said.

Other abortion-related legislation introduced includes <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb5_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 5</a>,
 sponsored by Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson. The bill would prohibit 
the prescription of abortion drugs by telemedicine and take away the 
governor’s ability to alter the prohibitions during a state of 
emergency.

House Minority Leader Vic Miller, 
D-Topeka, said he remained committed to defending women’s reproductive 
rights. Miller referenced the November retention of Kansas Supreme Court
 justices who upheld the right to abortion, saying it showed widespread 
support for these rights.

“These facts are why it is so 
profoundly insulting to the vast majority of Kansans who voted ‘NO’ that
 Republicans in the Kansas Senate have introduced multiple pieces of 
legislation to ban abortion,” Miller said in a statement. “We have a 
simple job in the Legislature — represent
 our constituents. With nearly 600,000 Kansans choosing to protect the 
right to reproductive health care, there is no excuse for this 
negligent, harmful, and misogynistic legislation.”

Sunday marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that declared a constitutional right to abortion.

Emily Wales, president and CEO of 
Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said the organization would honor the 
anniversary by fighting to protect abortion and contraception access in 
Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

 “We
 may assume the long arc of history bends towards justice, but we have a
 duty to grab hold of it and pull it in that direction,” Wales said in a statement. “We
 have worked to do that at Planned Parenthood Great Plains for the past 
year, by serving as many patients as possible seeking abortion care, 
fighting intensely to protect access in Kansas and working to reassure 
and support all patients in our four states that we are here, and our 
doors remain open.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674497544666.png" alt="Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita, introduced new abortion legislation that would allow cities and counties to implement their own abortion regulations, as long as they are stricter than state abortion law. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita, introduced new abortion legislation that would allow cities and counties to implement their own abortion regulations, as long as they are stricter than state abortion law. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/23/proposed-kansas-abortion-bill-would-ban-condoms-iuds-at-the-county-and-city-level/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — A recently introduced bill would bring the abortion fight to the 
county and city level, allowing local government to limit access to 
reproductive health care.The latest in a series of attempts to restrict abortion, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb65_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 65</a>
 would give cities and counties the right to enact stricter laws on 
abortion than current state law. Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita, introduced
 the bill without putting his name on it as a sponsor.Under current state law, use of drugs
 or devices that inhibit ovulation, fertilization or implantation of the
 embryo — meaning birth control, such as IUDS, pills and condoms, are 
deemed legal, as is disposing of 
the products of in-vitro fertilization before implantation, such as 
fertilized eggs. The state, along with any political subdivision of the 
state, doesn’t have the right to prohibit these practices and devices.SB65 seeks to undo this, repealing 
the statewide protections of these drugs and devices. The legislation 
stipulates that as long as the abortion regulations are as strict or 
stricter than state law, cities and counties have the right of 
regulation within the boundaries of the area. The bill would overrule 
statewide protections, upholding the “more stringent local regulation.” 
If passed, SB65 would take effect immediately.During a Thursday meeting of the 
Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, lawmakers chuckled as Blasi 
introduced the bill to limit reproductive rights for Kansas women.“Any objections? Seeing none, that 
bill is introduced,” said committee chairman Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, 
as he leaned back in his chair and laughed with Sen. Rick Kloos, 
R-Topeka, and other legislators on the committee.In Kansas, abortions<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/15/amid-amendment-rhetoric-heres-what-abortion-actually-looks-like-in-kansas/"> are illegal after 22 weeks of gestation</a>,
 except in cases where the mother’s health is in jeopardy. There have 
been no abortions performed outside of this 22-week window in recent 
years, according to state records.In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court determined the state constitution’s right to bodily autonomy includes the right to terminate a pregnancy. Republicans have repeatedly stated their intentions <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/05/ahead-of-the-kansas-legislative-session-abortion-rights-once-again-under-discussion/">to restrict abortion access in the state</a>,
 even though Kansans in August voted down a proposed constitutional 
amendment that would have given lawmakers the authority to ban abortion 
without exceptions.In the Kansas GOP legislative agenda, abortion limitations are mentioned as a high priority. Republican lawmakers want to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/10/kansas-gop-rails-against-woke-agenda-will-work-toward-stricter-abortion-rules/">implement stricter abortion laws</a> and fund more crisis pregnancy centers in the state.Republican Sens. Molly Baumgardner, of Louisburg, and Rob Olson, of 
Olathe, said Monday they haven’t had a chance to review the legislation 
yet but that they oppose abortion.“I’m not going to comment on the bill, but I’m 100% pro-life and I don’t support abortion,” Olson said.Other abortion-related legislation introduced includes <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb5_00_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 5</a>,
 sponsored by Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson. The bill would prohibit 
the prescription of abortion drugs by telemedicine and take away the 
governor’s ability to alter the prohibitions during a state of 
emergency.House Minority Leader Vic Miller, 
D-Topeka, said he remained committed to defending women’s reproductive 
rights. Miller referenced the November retention of Kansas Supreme Court
 justices who upheld the right to abortion, saying it showed widespread 
support for these rights.“These facts are why it is so 
profoundly insulting to the vast majority of Kansans who voted ‘NO’ that
 Republicans in the Kansas Senate have introduced multiple pieces of 
legislation to ban abortion,” Miller said in a statement. “We have a 
simple job in the Legislature — represent
 our constituents. With nearly 600,000 Kansans choosing to protect the 
right to reproductive health care, there is no excuse for this 
negligent, harmful, and misogynistic legislation.”Sunday marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that declared a constitutional right to abortion.Emily Wales, president and CEO of 
Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said the organization would honor the 
anniversary by fighting to protect abortion and contraception access in 
Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. “We
 may assume the long arc of history bends towards justice, but we have a
 duty to grab hold of it and pull it in that direction,” Wales said in a statement. “We
 have worked to do that at Planned Parenthood Great Plains for the past 
year, by serving as many patients as possible seeking abortion care, 
fighting intensely to protect access in Kansas and working to reassure 
and support all patients in our four states that we are here, and our 
doors remain open.”

Proposed Kansas abortion bill seeks to undo state protections

NEW YORK (AP) — Documents with classified markings were discovered in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">former Vice President Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;'s Indiana residence last week, his lawyer says, the latest in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-federal-bureau-of-investigation-donald-trump-ba4bfb9855f01ca2a66e732025b34973">a string of recoveries</a>&nbsp;of papers meant to be treated with utmost sensitivity from the homes of current and former top U.S. officials.

“A small number of documents,” taken into FBI custody last Thursday, “were inadvertently boxed and transported" to the former vice president's home at the end of the last administration, Pence's lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in a letter to the National Archives shared with The Associated Press.

He said that Pence had been “unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence” until a search last week and that he “understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information” and stands ready to cooperate with "any appropriate inquiry.”

The revelation came as the Department of Justice was already investigating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-delaware-0827b59ee141b33af95023377713e075">discovery of documents with classification markings</a>&nbsp;in President Joe Biden's home in Delaware and his former Washington office, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-9e8d683afe87389407950af7ccfdbdd6">former President Donald Trump's Florida estate</a>. Democrat Biden has indicated he will seek reelection, Republican Trump is already a declared candidate, and Pence has been exploring a possible 2024 campaign that would put him in direct competition against Trump, his former boss.

The newest discovery thrusts Pence, who had previously insisted that he followed stringent protocols regarding classified documents, into the debate over the handling of secret materials by officials who have served in the highest ranks of government.

Trump is currently under criminal investigation after roughly 300 documents with classified markings, including at the top secret level, were discovered at his Mar-a-Lago. Officials are trying to determine whether Trump or anyone else should be charged with illegal possession of those records or with trying to obstruct the months-long criminal investigation. Biden is also subject to a special counsel investigation after classified documents from his time as a senator and in the Obama administration were found at his properties.

Trump, who denies any wrongdoing, reacted to the new development on his social media site: “Mike Pence is an innocent man. He never did anything knowingly dishonest in his life. Leave him alone!!!” Trump and Pence have clashed over Pence's refusal to go along with Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

While a very different case, the Pence development could bolster the arguments of Trump and Biden, who have sought to downplay the significance of the discoveries at their homes. The presence of secret documents at all three men's residences further underscores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-us-national-security-council-donald-trump-united-states-government-e8c56297702daf253b9e0fcb45e17b6c">the federal government’s unwieldy system</a>&nbsp;for storing and protecting the millions of classified documents it produces every year.

Pence’s lawyer, Jacob, said in his letter that the former vice president had “engaged outside counsel, with experience in handling classified documents" to review records stored at his home on Jan. 16 “out of an abundance of caution” amid the uproar over the discovery of documents at Biden's home.

Jacob said the Pence documents with classification markings were immediately secured in a locked safe. FBI agents visited the residence the night of Jan. 19 at 9:30 p.m. to collect the documents that had been secured, according to a follow-up letter from the lawyer dated Jan. 22. Pence was in Washington for an event at the time.

A total of four boxes containing copies of administration papers —- two in which “a small number” of papers bearing classified markings were found, and two containing “courtesy copies of vice presidential papers” — were discovered, according to the letter. Arrangements were made to deliver those boxes to the National Archives Monday.

Congressional leaders were notified of the discovery by Pence's team on Tuesday.

The boxes, according to a Pence aide, were not kept in a secure location, but were taped shut and were not believed to have been opened since they were packed. The former vice president's staff also searched the Washington office of his advocacy group last week and did not discover additional documents, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the search.

Material found in the boxes came mostly from Pence's Naval Observatory vice presidential residence, the packing of which would not have been handled by the vice president's office or its lawyers. Other material came from a West Wing office drawer, the person said.

The National Archives declined to comment on the discovery. A Justice Department spokesman also declined to comment, and a lawyer for Pence did not immediately respond to an email seeking elaboration.

Pence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-iowa-classified-information-merrick-garland-94814cb950a2a9f89dc0c54aec46ce7c">told the Associated Press in August</a>&nbsp;that he did not take any classified information with him when he left office.

Asked directly if he had retained any such information, he said, “No, not to my knowledge.”

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/mike-pence-troubled-reports-bidens-alleged-mishandling-of-classified-docs-known-before-election">interview this month with Fox Business</a>, Pence described a “very formal process” used by his office to handle classified information as well as the steps taken by his lawyers to ensure none was taken with him.

“Before we left the White House, the attorneys on my staff went through all the documents at both the White House and our offices there and at the vice president’s residence to ensure that any documents that needed to be turned over to the National Archives, including classified documents, were turned over. So we went through a very careful process in that regard," Pence said.

On Capitol Hill, members of the Senate intelligence committee expressed incredulity over the mishandling of documents by top U.S. officials.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas noted that classified documents are only moved out of the committee’s offices in locked bags.

“In my book, it’s never permissible to take classified documents outside of a secure facility" except by a secure means of transport between such facilities, he said.

House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner, a Republican, said he planned to request a formal intelligence review and damage assessment.

And Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, another potential 2024 candidate, said, “I don’t know how anybody ends up with classified documents. ... I mean, every classified document I’ve ever seen has a big ‘Classified’ on it."

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, pointed to broader concerns with the classification system, complaining that it “is at the point where there is so much out there it is hard to determine what ought to be classified, and then it is hard to determine what should be declassified.”

Meanwhile, some Republicans pressed for a search of former President Barack Obama's personal records.

An Obama spokesperson referred to a 2022 statement from the National Archives that said the agency took control of all of his records after he left office and “is not aware of any missing boxes of presidential records from the Obama administration."

Representatives of former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former Vice President Dick Cheney said all of their classified records had been turned over to NARA upon leaving the White House.

Mike Pompeo, who served as Trump's secretary of state and is mulling his own 2024 GOP presidential bid, told the AP in August that he had not taken any any classified material with him after leaving the administration.

But he told Fox News channel Tuesday, “When you’re in the executive branch, you have these documents in your home. One can imagine a note getting someplace, getting stuck. I suspect that may be what happened."

NEW YORK (AP) — Documents with classified markings were discovered in former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home last week, his lawyer told the National Archives in a letter — the latest in a string of discoveries of confidential information in private residences.

The records "appear to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to the personal home of the former vice president at the end of the last administration," Pence's lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in the letter shared with The Associated Press.

He said that Pence “engaged outside counsel, with experience in handling classified documents, to review records stored in his personal home after it became public that documents with classified markings were found in President Joe Biden's Wilmington residence.

The Justice Department already is using special counsels to investigate the presence of documents with classification markings taken from the Florida estate of former President Donald Trump and from Biden’s home and former Washington office. The department says roughly 300 documents marked classified, including at the top-secret level, were taken from Mar-a-Lago, and officials are trying to determine whether Trump or anyone else should be charged with illegal possession of those records or with trying to obstruct the months-long criminal investigation.

Pence's lawyer said in his letter that the former vice president “was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence” and "understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information and stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry.”

Jacob said that Pence immediately secured the documents that were discovered in a locked safe. And according to a follow-up letter from the lawyer dated Jan. 22, FBI agents visited Pence's residence to collect the documents.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment Tuesday, and a lawyer for Pence did not immediately respond to an email seeking elaboration.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/mike-pence-troubled-reports-bidens-alleged-mishandling-of-classified-docs-known-before-election">January interview with Fox Business</a>, Pence described a “very formal process” used by his office to handle classified information as well as the steps taken by his lawyers to ensure none was taken with him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668696327219.png" alt="In October, former Vice President Mike Pence made a campaign appearance in Wichita for Derek Schmidt." />
 <figcaption>In October, former Vice President Mike Pence made a campaign appearance in Wichita for Derek Schmidt.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Documents with classified markings were discovered in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">former Vice President Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;'s Indiana residence last week, his lawyer says, the latest in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-federal-bureau-of-investigation-donald-trump-ba4bfb9855f01ca2a66e732025b34973">a string of recoveries</a>&nbsp;of papers meant to be treated with utmost sensitivity from the homes of current and former top U.S. officials.“A small number of documents,” taken into FBI custody last Thursday, “were inadvertently boxed and transported" to the former vice president's home at the end of the last administration, Pence's lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in a letter to the National Archives shared with The Associated Press.He said that Pence had been “unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence” until a search last week and that he “understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information” and stands ready to cooperate with "any appropriate inquiry.”The revelation came as the Department of Justice was already investigating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-delaware-0827b59ee141b33af95023377713e075">discovery of documents with classification markings</a>&nbsp;in President Joe Biden's home in Delaware and his former Washington office, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-9e8d683afe87389407950af7ccfdbdd6">former President Donald Trump's Florida estate</a>. Democrat Biden has indicated he will seek reelection, Republican Trump is already a declared candidate, and Pence has been exploring a possible 2024 campaign that would put him in direct competition against Trump, his former boss.The newest discovery thrusts Pence, who had previously insisted that he followed stringent protocols regarding classified documents, into the debate over the handling of secret materials by officials who have served in the highest ranks of government.Trump is currently under criminal investigation after roughly 300 documents with classified markings, including at the top secret level, were discovered at his Mar-a-Lago. Officials are trying to determine whether Trump or anyone else should be charged with illegal possession of those records or with trying to obstruct the months-long criminal investigation. Biden is also subject to a special counsel investigation after classified documents from his time as a senator and in the Obama administration were found at his properties.Trump, who denies any wrongdoing, reacted to the new development on his social media site: “Mike Pence is an innocent man. He never did anything knowingly dishonest in his life. Leave him alone!!!” Trump and Pence have clashed over Pence's refusal to go along with Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.While a very different case, the Pence development could bolster the arguments of Trump and Biden, who have sought to downplay the significance of the discoveries at their homes. The presence of secret documents at all three men's residences further underscores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-us-national-security-council-donald-trump-united-states-government-e8c56297702daf253b9e0fcb45e17b6c">the federal government’s unwieldy system</a>&nbsp;for storing and protecting the millions of classified documents it produces every year.Pence’s lawyer, Jacob, said in his letter that the former vice president had “engaged outside counsel, with experience in handling classified documents" to review records stored at his home on Jan. 16 “out of an abundance of caution” amid the uproar over the discovery of documents at Biden's home.Jacob said the Pence documents with classification markings were immediately secured in a locked safe. FBI agents visited the residence the night of Jan. 19 at 9:30 p.m. to collect the documents that had been secured, according to a follow-up letter from the lawyer dated Jan. 22. Pence was in Washington for an event at the time.A total of four boxes containing copies of administration papers —- two in which “a small number” of papers bearing classified markings were found, and two containing “courtesy copies of vice presidential papers” — were discovered, according to the letter. Arrangements were made to deliver those boxes to the National Archives Monday.Congressional leaders were notified of the discovery by Pence's team on Tuesday.The boxes, according to a Pence aide, were not kept in a secure location, but were taped shut and were not believed to have been opened since they were packed. The former vice president's staff also searched the Washington office of his advocacy group last week and did not discover additional documents, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the search.Material found in the boxes came mostly from Pence's Naval Observatory vice presidential residence, the packing of which would not have been handled by the vice president's office or its lawyers. Other material came from a West Wing office drawer, the person said.The National Archives declined to comment on the discovery. A Justice Department spokesman also declined to comment, and a lawyer for Pence did not immediately respond to an email seeking elaboration.Pence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-iowa-classified-information-merrick-garland-94814cb950a2a9f89dc0c54aec46ce7c">told the Associated Press in August</a>&nbsp;that he did not take any classified information with him when he left office.Asked directly if he had retained any such information, he said, “No, not to my knowledge.”In an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/mike-pence-troubled-reports-bidens-alleged-mishandling-of-classified-docs-known-before-election">interview this month with Fox Business</a>, Pence described a “very formal process” used by his office to handle classified information as well as the steps taken by his lawyers to ensure none was taken with him.“Before we left the White House, the attorneys on my staff went through all the documents at both the White House and our offices there and at the vice president’s residence to ensure that any documents that needed to be turned over to the National Archives, including classified documents, were turned over. So we went through a very careful process in that regard," Pence said.On Capitol Hill, members of the Senate intelligence committee expressed incredulity over the mishandling of documents by top U.S. officials.Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas noted that classified documents are only moved out of the committee’s offices in locked bags.“In my book, it’s never permissible to take classified documents outside of a secure facility" except by a secure means of transport between such facilities, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668434923044.png" alt="In November, the former Vice President released his autobiography" />
 <figcaption>In November, the former Vice President released his autobiography</figcaption>
 </figure>House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner, a Republican, said he planned to request a formal intelligence review and damage assessment.And Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, another potential 2024 candidate, said, “I don’t know how anybody ends up with classified documents. ... I mean, every classified document I’ve ever seen has a big ‘Classified’ on it."Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, pointed to broader concerns with the classification system, complaining that it “is at the point where there is so much out there it is hard to determine what ought to be classified, and then it is hard to determine what should be declassified.”Meanwhile, some Republicans pressed for a search of former President Barack Obama's personal records.An Obama spokesperson referred to a 2022 statement from the National Archives that said the agency took control of all of his records after he left office and “is not aware of any missing boxes of presidential records from the Obama administration."Representatives of former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former Vice President Dick Cheney said all of their classified records had been turned over to NARA upon leaving the White House.Mike Pompeo, who served as Trump's secretary of state and is mulling his own 2024 GOP presidential bid, told the AP in August that he had not taken any any classified material with him after leaving the administration.But he told Fox News channel Tuesday, “When you’re in the executive branch, you have these documents in your home. One can imagine a note getting someplace, getting stuck. I suspect that may be what happened."___NEW YORK (AP) — Documents with classified markings were discovered in former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home last week, his lawyer told the National Archives in a letter — the latest in a string of discoveries of confidential information in private residences.The records "appear to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to the personal home of the former vice president at the end of the last administration," Pence's lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in the letter shared with The Associated Press.He said that Pence “engaged outside counsel, with experience in handling classified documents, to review records stored in his personal home after it became public that documents with classified markings were found in President Joe Biden's Wilmington residence.The Justice Department already is using special counsels to investigate the presence of documents with classification markings taken from the Florida estate of former President Donald Trump and from Biden’s home and former Washington office. The department says roughly 300 documents marked classified, including at the top-secret level, were taken from Mar-a-Lago, and officials are trying to determine whether Trump or anyone else should be charged with illegal possession of those records or with trying to obstruct the months-long criminal investigation.Pence's lawyer said in his letter that the former vice president “was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence” and "understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information and stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry.”Jacob said that Pence immediately secured the documents that were discovered in a locked safe. And according to a follow-up letter from the lawyer dated Jan. 22, FBI agents visited Pence's residence to collect the documents.A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment Tuesday, and a lawyer for Pence did not immediately respond to an email seeking elaboration.Pence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-iowa-classified-information-merrick-garland-94814cb950a2a9f89dc0c54aec46ce7c">told the Associated Press in August</a>&nbsp;that he did not take any classified information with him when he left office.Asked directly if he had retained any such information, he said, “No, not to my knowledge.”In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/mike-pence-troubled-reports-bidens-alleged-mishandling-of-classified-docs-known-before-election">January interview with Fox Business</a>, Pence described a “very formal process” used by his office to handle classified information as well as the steps taken by his lawyers to ensure none was taken with him.“Before we left the White House, the attorneys on my staff went through all the documents at both the White House and our offices there and at the vice president’s residence to ensure that any documents that needed to be turned over to the National Archives, including classified documents, were turned over. So we went through a very careful process in that regard," Pence said.

Lawyer: Classified documents found at Mike Pence's home

MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. —&nbsp; The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Canton Police Department are conducting a homicide investigation after a woman was found dead outside her home in Canton, Kansas.

Just after 3:30p.m. Monday, the Canton Police Department received a 911 call indicating a woman was unresponsive at 110 W. Allen Street in Canton, according to a media release from the KBI.

 When officers arrived they located 52-year-old Briana L. Lance deceased in the back yard. They observed signs of injury and trauma to her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The McPherson County Sheriff’s Office and the McPherson Police Department joined the homicide investigation. The investigation led to a suspect being identified and located.

At 5:40 p.m., officer arrested 18-year-old Hayden C. Lance of Canton on a requested charge of second-degree murder connected to the death of his mother, Briana Lance. He was booked into the McPherson County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674578053875.png" alt="Lance-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Lance-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. —&nbsp; The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Canton Police Department are conducting a homicide investigation after a woman was found dead outside her home in Canton, Kansas.Just after 3:30p.m. Monday, the Canton Police Department received a 911 call indicating a woman was unresponsive at 110 W. Allen Street in Canton, according to a media release from the KBI. When officers arrived they located 52-year-old Briana L. Lance deceased in the back yard. They observed signs of injury and trauma to her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.The McPherson County Sheriff’s Office and the McPherson Police Department joined the homicide investigation. The investigation led to a suspect being identified and located.At 5:40 p.m., officer arrested 18-year-old Hayden C. Lance of Canton on a requested charge of second-degree murder connected to the death of his mother, Briana Lance. He was booked into the McPherson County Jail.

KBI: Kansas teen accused of his mother's murder

WASHINGTON (AP) —Senators grilled Ticketmaster Tuesday, questioning whether the company’s dominance in the ticketing industry led to its&nbsp;<a>spectacular breakdown</a>&nbsp;last year during a sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?525428-1/hearing-ticketmaster-sale-taylor-swift-concert&amp;live">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the hearing&nbsp;

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, recalled piling into a friend's car in high school to go to concerts by Led Zeppelin, The Cars and Aerosmith. These days, she said, ticket prices and fees have gotten so high that shows are too expensive for many fans. Klobuchar said ticket fees now average 27% of the ticket cost, and can climb as high as 75%.

Klobuchar said Ticketmaster's market dominance means it faces little pressure to innovate and improve.

“To have a strong capitalist system, you have to have competition," Klobuchar said in a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committe.

Ticketmaster is the world’s largest ticket seller, processing 500 million tickets each year in more than 30 countries. Around 70% of tickets for major concert venues in the U.S. are sold through Ticketmaster, according to data in a federal lawsuit filed by consumers last year.

In mid-November, Ticketmaster’s site crashed during a presale event for Swift’s upcoming stadium tour. The company said its site was overwhelmed by both fans and bot attacks. Many people lost tickets after waiting for hours in an online queue.

Ticketmaster required fans to register for the presale, and more than 3.5 million people did, a record for the company. Ticketmaster eventually canceled a planned ticket sale to the general public because it didn’t have enough inventory.

In 2010, Ticketmaster merged with Live Nation, a Beverly Hills, California-based entertainment company that produces live shows, festivals and concert tours.

Live Nation’s President and Chief Financial Officer Joe Berchtold apologized to fans and to Swift on Tuesday, and said the company knows it must do better.

But Berchtold insisted that Ticketmaster doesn't set prices or service fees for tickets or decide how many tickets will go on sale. Service fees are set by venues, he said; Live Nation only owns around 5% of U.S. venues, he said. He also said Ticketmaster has lost — not gained — market share since its merger with Live Nation.

Berchtold said the ticketing industry would like lawmakers to focus on the growing problem of ticket scalping and prohibit fraudulent practices, such as resellers offering tickets that haven't officially gone on sale yet. He also said the industry should be more transparent about pricing and fees.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Senators are expected to grill Ticketmaster Tuesday, questioning whether the company’s dominance in the ticketing industry led to its&nbsp;<a>spectacular breakdown</a>&nbsp;last year during a sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing will focus on consolidation in the live entertainment and ticketing industries and how it harms customers.

“For too long, consumers have faced high fees, long waits and website failures, and Ticketmaster’s dominant market position means the company faces inadequate pressure to innovate and improve,” Klobuchar said in a statement ahead of the hearing.

In 2010, Ticketmaster merged with Live Nation, a Beverly Hills, California-based entertainment company that produces live shows, festivals and concert tours. Live Nation’s President and Chief Financial Officer Joe Berchtold is among those scheduled to testify Tuesday.

In mid-November, Ticketmaster’s site crashed during a presale event for Swift’s upcoming stadium tour. The company said its site was overwhelmed by both fans and bot attacks. Many people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-concert-tickets-parents-34399cca6403c97f0983a5c69c7edec0">lost tickets</a>&nbsp;after they had waited for hours in an online queue.

Ticketmaster required fans to register for the presale, and more than 3.5 million people did. The company said it was the largest registration in history.

Ticketmaster eventually canceled a planned ticket sales to the general public because it didn’t have enough inventory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674576089924.png" alt="Joe Berchtold, who serves as&nbsp;Live Nation Entertainment's President and CFO, listens to opening statements in the Senate Judiciary committee on Tuesday-image courtesy&nbsp;CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Joe Berchtold, who serves as&nbsp;Live Nation Entertainment's President and CFO, listens to opening statements in the Senate Judiciary committee on Tuesday-image courtesy&nbsp;CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Senators grilled Ticketmaster Tuesday, questioning whether the company’s dominance in the ticketing industry led to its&nbsp;<a>spectacular breakdown</a>&nbsp;last year during a sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?525428-1/hearing-ticketmaster-sale-taylor-swift-concert&amp;live">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the hearing&nbsp;U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, recalled piling into a friend's car in high school to go to concerts by Led Zeppelin, The Cars and Aerosmith. These days, she said, ticket prices and fees have gotten so high that shows are too expensive for many fans. Klobuchar said ticket fees now average 27% of the ticket cost, and can climb as high as 75%.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674582918043.png" alt="Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Ticketmaster's market dominance means it faces little pressure to innovate and improve.CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Ticketmaster's market dominance means it faces little pressure to innovate and improve.CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Klobuchar said Ticketmaster's market dominance means it faces little pressure to innovate and improve.“To have a strong capitalist system, you have to have competition," Klobuchar said in a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committe.Ticketmaster is the world’s largest ticket seller, processing 500 million tickets each year in more than 30 countries. Around 70% of tickets for major concert venues in the U.S. are sold through Ticketmaster, according to data in a federal lawsuit filed by consumers last year.In mid-November, Ticketmaster’s site crashed during a presale event for Swift’s upcoming stadium tour. The company said its site was overwhelmed by both fans and bot attacks. Many people lost tickets after waiting for hours in an online queue.Ticketmaster required fans to register for the presale, and more than 3.5 million people did, a record for the company. Ticketmaster eventually canceled a planned ticket sale to the general public because it didn’t have enough inventory.In 2010, Ticketmaster merged with Live Nation, a Beverly Hills, California-based entertainment company that produces live shows, festivals and concert tours.Live Nation’s President and Chief Financial Officer Joe Berchtold apologized to fans and to Swift on Tuesday, and said the company knows it must do better.But Berchtold insisted that Ticketmaster doesn't set prices or service fees for tickets or decide how many tickets will go on sale. Service fees are set by venues, he said; Live Nation only owns around 5% of U.S. venues, he said. He also said Ticketmaster has lost — not gained — market share since its merger with Live Nation.Berchtold said the ticketing industry would like lawmakers to focus on the growing problem of ticket scalping and prohibit fraudulent practices, such as resellers offering tickets that haven't officially gone on sale yet. He also said the industry should be more transparent about pricing and fees.-----------WASHINGTON (AP) —Senators are expected to grill Ticketmaster Tuesday, questioning whether the company’s dominance in the ticketing industry led to its&nbsp;<a>spectacular breakdown</a>&nbsp;last year during a sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets.U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing will focus on consolidation in the live entertainment and ticketing industries and how it harms customers.“For too long, consumers have faced high fees, long waits and website failures, and Ticketmaster’s dominant market position means the company faces inadequate pressure to innovate and improve,” Klobuchar said in a statement ahead of the hearing.Ticketmaster is the world’s largest ticket seller, processing 500 million tickets each year in more than 30 countries. Around 70% of tickets for major concert venues in the U.S. are sold through Ticketmaster, according to data in a federal lawsuit filed by consumers last year.In 2010, Ticketmaster merged with Live Nation, a Beverly Hills, California-based entertainment company that produces live shows, festivals and concert tours. Live Nation’s President and Chief Financial Officer Joe Berchtold is among those scheduled to testify Tuesday.In mid-November, Ticketmaster’s site crashed during a presale event for Swift’s upcoming stadium tour. The company said its site was overwhelmed by both fans and bot attacks. Many people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-concert-tickets-parents-34399cca6403c97f0983a5c69c7edec0">lost tickets</a>&nbsp;after they had waited for hours in an online queue.Ticketmaster required fans to register for the presale, and more than 3.5 million people did. The company said it was the largest registration in history.Ticketmaster eventually canceled a planned ticket sales to the general public because it didn’t have enough inventory.

🎥Senators grilled Ticketmaster after Taylor Swift fiasco

LENEXA, KAN. — Landowner Stan Jost of Newton will pay a $50,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act, according to a media release from the&nbsp; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency said Jost placed felled trees and other debris in approximately 4,155 feet of Mud Creek and approximately 1,800 feet of Sand Creek in 2021 without obtaining a Clean Water Act permit.

“The unauthorized placement of fill material into streams and other water bodies degrades watershed health, increases downstream erosion, and creates loss of wildlife habitat,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “These acts also deprive downstream landowners and the public from the use and enjoyment of public waters.”

In response to EPA’s findings, Jost removed the materials from the stream.

Under the Clean Water Act, parties are prohibited from discharging fill material into federally protected streams and other water bodies unless they first obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). If parties place fill material into water bodies without a permit, the USACE may elect to refer an enforcement case to EPA. The USACE’s Kansas City District referred this case to EPA in January 2022.

LENEXA, KAN. — Landowner Stan Jost of Newton will pay a $50,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act, according to a media release from the&nbsp; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.The agency said Jost placed felled trees and other debris in approximately 4,155 feet of Mud Creek and approximately 1,800 feet of Sand Creek in 2021 without obtaining a Clean Water Act permit.“The unauthorized placement of fill material into streams and other water bodies degrades watershed health, increases downstream erosion, and creates loss of wildlife habitat,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “These acts also deprive downstream landowners and the public from the use and enjoyment of public waters.”In response to EPA’s findings, Jost removed the materials from the stream.Under the Clean Water Act, parties are prohibited from discharging fill material into federally protected streams and other water bodies unless they first obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). If parties place fill material into water bodies without a permit, the USACE may elect to refer an enforcement case to EPA. The USACE’s Kansas City District referred this case to EPA in January 2022.

EPA fines Kan. landowner $50K for illegal dumping in streams

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is preparing to outline what she is likely to call a middle-of-the-road agenda for a Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature that already expects to ditch much of what she'll propose in favor of more conservative ideas on taxes and education.

Kelly was scheduled to give the annual State of the State address Tuesday evening to a joint session of the state House and Senate. She previously outlined several proposals for cutting taxes that include eliminating the state's 4% sales tax on groceries by April 1.

Other proposals, including expansion of the state's Medicaid coverage for the needy and elderly, previously have been blocked by GOP lawmakers.

Top Republican legislators have outlined their own agenda with ideas in vogue in other GOP-led states. They include allowing parents to claim tax dollars previously earmarked for public schools to cover private or home schooling costs and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-city-state-government-gender-7f11f63aaf26e193aa9d30d935747002">restricting how public schools discuss gender and sexuality,</a>&nbsp;like what critics call Florida's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-dont-say-gay-law-signed-56aee61f075a12663f25990c7b31624d">“Don't Say Gay”</a>&nbsp;law. Kelly and GOP leaders also differ strongly on tax cuts.

Kelly had been scheduled to give the State of the State on Jan. 11 but tested positive for COVID-19 the day before, only to learn later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-kansas-state-government-covid-5b3711d2f19bc08e0dde29297bf3f41b">it was a false positive.</a>&nbsp;Her office went ahead with releasing her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-leavenworth-topeka-d0401d9088c104143632e4bbb97ca3a1">proposed $24.1 billion state budget</a>&nbsp;for the 2024 fiscal year beginning July 1.

Kelly narrowly won reelection in November and opened her second term earlier this month by saying in her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-kris-kobach-10c88b6f25b565b962fb75947ff9e4fb">inaugural address</a>&nbsp;that it's best to govern Kansas from “where the left and right come together.” She has repeatedly touched on that theme in major speeches.

But the Democratic governor also has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-legislature-libraries-9ffb07cf3b25faf848dda6d78bff8856">previously vetoed GOP proposals</a>&nbsp;on education and banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's K-12, club and college sports. Earlier this month, she dismissed the idea of restricting what schools teach about gender and sexuality.

Asked Monday about the possibility she'll embrace an aggressive conservative school choice or “voucher” program, she said, “That's not going to happen.”

The governor also was cold Monday to a tax-cutting proposal from Republicans and the powerful Kansas Chamber of Commerce. It would switch Kansas to a “flat” income tax with a single rate each for individuals and corporations, rather than three for individuals and two for corporations.

Kelly had a news conference at a central Topeka center for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking to promote her own tax-cutting plans.

“It's got to be responsible,” Kelly said of a tax plan. When a reporter suggested Monday that Kelly sounded open to a flat income tax, she shot back, “I didn’t say that.”

Kelly and lawmakers are eager to cut taxes because the Legislature opened its annual 90-day session earlier this month with projections showing Kansas on track to end June 2024 with $4.2 billion in surplus cash.

That's even after the state last year enacted a law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-topeka-04c238396da6305b90de6b7bb6283876">phasing out the sales tax on groceries</a>&nbsp;over three years. It dropped from 6.5% to 4% on Jan. 1 and is set to go to 2% in 2024 and zero in 2025.

Top Republicans have resisted Kelly's plan to eliminate the entire tax this spring, seeing their “flat” income tax as a higher priority.

“What she’s proposed is probably not what’s going to happen,” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican.

Each year Kelly has been in office, she has called on legislators to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-medical-marijuana-kansas-marijuana-medicaid-a11663e4684db69315b71f1db5353013">expand Medicaid</a>&nbsp;as encouraged by the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act championed by former President Barack Obama. Republicans who strongly oppose the move have held enough key leadership jobs to block expansion, even as voters in other Republican-leaning states have embraced it, including Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Kelly also has pushed legislators to legalize marijuana for medical uses. While the House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-medical-marijuana-marijuana-7f059c07fd72dbec30180f0f50f6dc74">approved a plan in 2021</a>, it never had even a committee vote in the Senate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674560473609.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly during a news conference at the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment Day Center about her proposals for cutting taxes.-courtesy photo " />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly during a news conference at the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment Day Center about her proposals for cutting taxes.-courtesy photo </figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is preparing to outline what she is likely to call a middle-of-the-road agenda for a Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature that already expects to ditch much of what she'll propose in favor of more conservative ideas on taxes and education.Kelly was scheduled to give the annual State of the State address Tuesday evening to a joint session of the state House and Senate. She previously outlined several proposals for cutting taxes that include eliminating the state's 4% sales tax on groceries by April 1.Other proposals, including expansion of the state's Medicaid coverage for the needy and elderly, previously have been blocked by GOP lawmakers.Top Republican legislators have outlined their own agenda with ideas in vogue in other GOP-led states. They include allowing parents to claim tax dollars previously earmarked for public schools to cover private or home schooling costs and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-city-state-government-gender-7f11f63aaf26e193aa9d30d935747002">restricting how public schools discuss gender and sexuality,</a>&nbsp;like what critics call Florida's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-dont-say-gay-law-signed-56aee61f075a12663f25990c7b31624d">“Don't Say Gay”</a>&nbsp;law. Kelly and GOP leaders also differ strongly on tax cuts.Kelly had been scheduled to give the State of the State on Jan. 11 but tested positive for COVID-19 the day before, only to learn later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-kansas-state-government-covid-5b3711d2f19bc08e0dde29297bf3f41b">it was a false positive.</a>&nbsp;Her office went ahead with releasing her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-leavenworth-topeka-d0401d9088c104143632e4bbb97ca3a1">proposed $24.1 billion state budget</a>&nbsp;for the 2024 fiscal year beginning July 1.Kelly narrowly won reelection in November and opened her second term earlier this month by saying in her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-kris-kobach-10c88b6f25b565b962fb75947ff9e4fb">inaugural address</a>&nbsp;that it's best to govern Kansas from “where the left and right come together.” She has repeatedly touched on that theme in major speeches.But the Democratic governor also has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-legislature-libraries-9ffb07cf3b25faf848dda6d78bff8856">previously vetoed GOP proposals</a>&nbsp;on education and banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's K-12, club and college sports. Earlier this month, she dismissed the idea of restricting what schools teach about gender and sexuality.Asked Monday about the possibility she'll embrace an aggressive conservative school choice or “voucher” program, she said, “That's not going to happen.”The governor also was cold Monday to a tax-cutting proposal from Republicans and the powerful Kansas Chamber of Commerce. It would switch Kansas to a “flat” income tax with a single rate each for individuals and corporations, rather than three for individuals and two for corporations.Kelly had a news conference at a central Topeka center for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking to promote her own tax-cutting plans.“It's got to be responsible,” Kelly said of a tax plan. When a reporter suggested Monday that Kelly sounded open to a flat income tax, she shot back, “I didn’t say that.”Kelly and lawmakers are eager to cut taxes because the Legislature opened its annual 90-day session earlier this month with projections showing Kansas on track to end June 2024 with $4.2 billion in surplus cash.That's even after the state last year enacted a law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-topeka-04c238396da6305b90de6b7bb6283876">phasing out the sales tax on groceries</a>&nbsp;over three years. It dropped from 6.5% to 4% on Jan. 1 and is set to go to 2% in 2024 and zero in 2025.Top Republicans have resisted Kelly's plan to eliminate the entire tax this spring, seeing their “flat” income tax as a higher priority.“What she’s proposed is probably not what’s going to happen,” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican.Each year Kelly has been in office, she has called on legislators to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-medical-marijuana-kansas-marijuana-medicaid-a11663e4684db69315b71f1db5353013">expand Medicaid</a>&nbsp;as encouraged by the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act championed by former President Barack Obama. Republicans who strongly oppose the move have held enough key leadership jobs to block expansion, even as voters in other Republican-leaning states have embraced it, including Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.Kelly also has pushed legislators to legalize marijuana for medical uses. While the House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-medical-marijuana-marijuana-7f059c07fd72dbec30180f0f50f6dc74">approved a plan in 2021</a>, it never had even a committee vote in the Senate.

Kansas governor to outline agenda for skeptical lawmakers

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed a simplified approach for future vaccination efforts, allowing most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus.

This means Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots they’ve received or how many months it’s been since their last booster.

The proposal comes as boosters have become a hard sell. While more than 80% of the U.S. population has had at least one vaccine dose, only 16% of those eligible have received the latest boosters authorized in August.

The FDA will ask its panel of outside vaccine experts to weigh in at a meeting Thursday. The agency is expected to take their advice into consideration while deciding future vaccine requirements for manufacturers.

In documents posted online, FDA scientists say many Americans now have “sufficient preexisting immunity” against the coronavirus because of vaccination, infection or a combination of the two. That baseline of protection should be enough to move to an annual booster against the latest strains in circulation and make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the yearly flu shot, according to the agency.

For adults with weakened immune systems and very small children, a two-dose combination may be needed for protection. FDA scientists and vaccine companies would study vaccination, infection rates and other data to decide who should receive a single shot versus a two-dose series.

FDA will also ask its panel to vote on whether all vaccines should target the same strains. That step would be needed to make the shots interchangeable, doing away with the current complicated system of primary vaccinations and boosters.

The initial shots from Pfizer and Moderna — called the primary series — target the strain of the virus that first emerged in 2020 and quickly swept across the world. The updated boosters launched last fall were also tweaked to target omicron relatives that had been dominant.

Under the FDA's proposal, the agency, independent experts and manufacturers would decide annually on which strains to target by the early summer, allowing several months to produce and launch updated shots before the fall. That’s roughly the same approach long used to select the strains for the annual flu shot.

Ultimately, FDA officials say moving to an annual schedule would make it easier to promote future vaccination campaigns, which could ultimately boost vaccination rates nationwide.

The original two-dose COVID shots have offered strong protection against severe disease and death no matter the variant, but protection against mild infection wanes. Experts continue to debate whether the latest round of boosters significantly enhanced protection, particularly for younger, healthy Americans. ___

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638443255492.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot.The Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed a simplified approach for future vaccination efforts, allowing most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus.This means Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots they’ve received or how many months it’s been since their last booster.The proposal comes as boosters have become a hard sell. While more than 80% of the U.S. population has had at least one vaccine dose, only 16% of those eligible have received the latest boosters authorized in August.The FDA will ask its panel of outside vaccine experts to weigh in at a meeting Thursday. The agency is expected to take their advice into consideration while deciding future vaccine requirements for manufacturers.In documents posted online, FDA scientists say many Americans now have “sufficient preexisting immunity” against the coronavirus because of vaccination, infection or a combination of the two. That baseline of protection should be enough to move to an annual booster against the latest strains in circulation and make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the yearly flu shot, according to the agency.For adults with weakened immune systems and very small children, a two-dose combination may be needed for protection. FDA scientists and vaccine companies would study vaccination, infection rates and other data to decide who should receive a single shot versus a two-dose series.FDA will also ask its panel to vote on whether all vaccines should target the same strains. That step would be needed to make the shots interchangeable, doing away with the current complicated system of primary vaccinations and boosters.The initial shots from Pfizer and Moderna — called the primary series — target the strain of the virus that first emerged in 2020 and quickly swept across the world. The updated boosters launched last fall were also tweaked to target omicron relatives that had been dominant.Under the FDA's proposal, the agency, independent experts and manufacturers would decide annually on which strains to target by the early summer, allowing several months to produce and launch updated shots before the fall. That’s roughly the same approach long used to select the strains for the annual flu shot.Ultimately, FDA officials say moving to an annual schedule would make it easier to promote future vaccination campaigns, which could ultimately boost vaccination rates nationwide.The original two-dose COVID shots have offered strong protection against severe disease and death no matter the variant, but protection against mild infection wanes. Experts continue to debate whether the latest round of boosters significantly enhanced protection, particularly for younger, healthy Americans. ___

FDA proposes once-a-year COVID shots for most Americans

CASS COUNTY —After seven weeks, the search for one of two inmates who escaped Dec. 12 from&nbsp;the jail in Cass County, Missouri south of Kansas City continues.

Authorities took 33-year-0ld Trevor Sparks of Kansas City into custody Dec. 30, in the 400 Block of Olive Street, according to the FBI.

The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads directly to the capture of 43-year-old Sergio Perez- Martinez of Panorama City, Calif.&nbsp; The FBI is also offering $10k for anyone who can provide information leading to his capture.&nbsp;

Perez Mertinez&nbsp; was being held for possession of dangerous drugs. Sparks was jailed on money laundering charges, according to the Cass County sheriff's office.

A third individual, Steven Lydell Williams, Sr., 64, Kansas City, has been charged&nbsp; with aiding or assisting in the escape.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911.&nbsp; Submit a tip to the Marshals<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR2np8V0SoqQyr6Znkz_ykiw2FsK7SY3PkQN_uuUCJz41bCD_XDGusIXZJw"> here</a>&nbsp; or contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670539649262.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY —After seven weeks, the search for one of two inmates who escaped Dec. 12 from&nbsp;the jail in Cass County, Missouri south of Kansas City continues.Authorities took 33-year-0ld Trevor Sparks of Kansas City into custody Dec. 30, in the 400 Block of Olive Street, according to the FBI.The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads directly to the capture of 43-year-old Sergio Perez- Martinez of Panorama City, Calif.&nbsp; The FBI is also offering $10k for anyone who can provide information leading to his capture.&nbsp;Perez Mertinez&nbsp; was being held for possession of dangerous drugs. Sparks was jailed on money laundering charges, according to the Cass County sheriff's office.A third individual, Steven Lydell Williams, Sr., 64, Kansas City, has been charged&nbsp; with aiding or assisting in the escape. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911.&nbsp; Submit a tip to the Marshals<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR2np8V0SoqQyr6Znkz_ykiw2FsK7SY3PkQN_uuUCJz41bCD_XDGusIXZJw"> here</a>&nbsp; or contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After 7-weeks, inmate who escaped KC-area jail is still missing

LABETTE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Monday in Labette County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Buick Park Avenue driven by Valerie M. Montgomery, 30, Parsons, was eastbound on U.S. 400 four miles west of U.S. 59.

The Buick traveled left of center and struck a westbound 2015 Chevy Silverado driven by Brian D. Brooks, 41, Thayer, head-on.

Montgomery and a baby in the car were pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Brooks and a passenger in the pickup identified as&nbsp; Brittany D. L.&nbsp;Abshere, 33, Thayer, to Labette Health. 

Three juveniles were also passengers in the pickup. The KHP released no details on them. The drivers and adult passenger in the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

LABETTE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Monday in Labette County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Buick Park Avenue driven by Valerie M. Montgomery, 30, Parsons, was eastbound on U.S. 400 four miles west of U.S. 59.The Buick traveled left of center and struck a westbound 2015 Chevy Silverado driven by Brian D. Brooks, 41, Thayer, head-on.Montgomery and a baby in the car were pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Brooks and a passenger in the pickup identified as&nbsp; Brittany D. L.&nbsp;Abshere, 33, Thayer, to Labette Health. Three juveniles were also passengers in the pickup. The KHP released no details on them. The drivers and adult passenger in the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman, baby dead after head-on crash

FORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Monday morning in Dodge City, Kansas. Three deputies were shot, and a Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) trooper was injured during the fatal shooting.

Preliminary information indicates that deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office observed a blue Toyota Tundra driving through Minneola, Kansas. 

The Tundra matched the description of a vehicle connected to a double homicide in Phoenix, Arizona. When deputies initiated a traffic stop, the female driver and her male passenger, who was later identified as Leroy D. Malone, 39, of Phoenix, Arizona, fled prompting a vehicle pursuit. 

The vehicles headed north on U.S. Highway 283 into Ford County, where deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office and the KHP joined the pursuit. Deputies and troopers deployed stop sticks to try to slow the truck, and a deputy from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office used a maneuver to force the truck into the ditch.

After the vehicle came to rest east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and 113 Road in Dodge City, gunfire was exchanged. Deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Ford County Sheriff’s Office discharged their firearms. A handgun was recovered from inside the truck.

Leroy Malone was hit multiple times by gunfire, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The female subject received multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where she is in critical condition.&nbsp;

Two deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office were shot. One deputy was transported to a Wichita hospital with serious gunshot wounds. He is currently in the intensive care unit. The second deputy was treated for shrapnel injuries and has been released from an area hospital.

A deputy from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office was shot twice, and was transported to a Wichita hospital. He is currently in serious condition. A KHP trooper was bit by a police K-9 during the shooting incident. He underwent surgery, and is in good condition.

FORD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal&nbsp; officer-involved shooting in Ford County. &nbsp;Just after 9 a.m. Monday, a Clark County sheriff's deputy observed a wanted suspect and&nbsp; attempted to stop the vehicle, according to a statement from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The suspect fled.

Deputies chased the vehicle north toward Dodge City.&nbsp;Ford County sheriff's deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol joined the pursuit. Once the suspect’s vehicle came to a stop, gunfire was exchanged&nbsp; in the 1100 Block of East Wyatt Earp Boulevard or&nbsp;U.S. 50 and 113 Road.

A suspect died in the exchange of gunfire.&nbsp;Two Ford County deputies and a Clark County deputy were shot.&nbsp; EMS transported one of the Ford County deputies, a deputy from Clark County and a woman in the suspect vehicle to a Wichita hospital. She was reported in critical condition.

 A KHP trooper was also bitten by a dog during the incident.&nbsp;

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Dodge City, according to a statement from Ford County.

EMS transported multiple people to the hospital and residents were asked to avoid the 11000 block of East Wyatt Earp Boulevard as first responders work to clear the scene.

Officials have released no additional details. Check the POST for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674524036439.png" alt="Malone was released from prison in June of 2020, according to the Arizona Dept.of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Malone was released from prison in June of 2020, according to the Arizona Dept.of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Monday morning in Dodge City, Kansas. Three deputies were shot, and a Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) trooper was injured during the fatal shooting.Preliminary information indicates that deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office observed a blue Toyota Tundra driving through Minneola, Kansas. The Tundra matched the description of a vehicle connected to a double homicide in Phoenix, Arizona. When deputies initiated a traffic stop, the female driver and her male passenger, who was later identified as Leroy D. Malone, 39, of Phoenix, Arizona, fled prompting a vehicle pursuit. The vehicles headed north on U.S. Highway 283 into Ford County, where deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office and the KHP joined the pursuit. Deputies and troopers deployed stop sticks to try to slow the truck, and a deputy from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office used a maneuver to force the truck into the ditch.After the vehicle came to rest east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and 113 Road in Dodge City, gunfire was exchanged. Deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Ford County Sheriff’s Office discharged their firearms. A handgun was recovered from inside the truck.Leroy Malone was hit multiple times by gunfire, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The female subject received multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where she is in critical condition.&nbsp;Two deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office were shot. One deputy was transported to a Wichita hospital with serious gunshot wounds. He is currently in the intensive care unit. The second deputy was treated for shrapnel injuries and has been released from an area hospital.A deputy from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office was shot twice, and was transported to a Wichita hospital. He is currently in serious condition. A KHP trooper was bit by a police K-9 during the shooting incident. He underwent surgery, and is in good condition.----------FORD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal&nbsp; officer-involved shooting in Ford County. &nbsp;Just after 9 a.m. Monday, a Clark County sheriff's deputy observed a wanted suspect and&nbsp; attempted to stop the vehicle, according to a statement from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The suspect fled.Deputies chased the vehicle north toward Dodge City.&nbsp;Ford County sheriff's deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol joined the pursuit. Once the suspect’s vehicle came to a stop, gunfire was exchanged&nbsp; in the 1100 Block of East Wyatt Earp Boulevard or&nbsp;U.S. 50 and 113 Road.A suspect died in the exchange of gunfire.&nbsp;Two Ford County deputies and a Clark County deputy were shot.&nbsp; EMS transported one of the Ford County deputies, a deputy from Clark County and a woman in the suspect vehicle to a Wichita hospital. She was reported in critical condition. A KHP trooper was also bitten by a dog during the incident.&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.----------FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Dodge City, according to a statement from Ford County.EMS transported multiple people to the hospital and residents were asked to avoid the 11000 block of East Wyatt Earp Boulevard as first responders work to clear the scene.Officials have released no additional details. Check the POST for more information as it becomes available.