By DYLAN LYSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-03/kansas-is-becoming-more-divided-democrats-win-suburban-areas-and-the-gop-holds-rural-communities">Kansas News Service</a>

OVERLAND PARK — Republican Ed Roitz lives in central Overland Park, right in the middle of that state’s most populous, suburban county.

He
 ran to represent his affluent Johnson County neighbors in the Kansas 
House this fall, focusing on the tried-and-true conservative policy of 
cutting taxes.

But when he met voters on their doorsteps, he came 
face-to-face with a changing electorate. One voter, for instance, told 
him she likes paying taxes.

“She was convinced,” Roitz said, “that
 the only reason that we have it ‘so good here in Johnson County and 
Overland Park’ is because the taxes are so high.”

Meanwhile in the
 western Kansas town of Hays, Democrat Edward Hammond found himself 
similarly out of step with his neighbors. His campaign in the rural part
 of the state focused on expanding Medicaid and increasing funding for 
special education.

“I went to 7,000-plus doors,” Hammond said. “What I found is they don’t have the foggiest idea of what’s going on in Topeka.”

Both
 the Roitz and Hammond campaigns ran into a starkly divided Kansas. 
While urban and suburban areas turn to Democrats, the state’s rural 
areas remain as Republican as ever.

Democrats made gains in 
Johnson County this fall, giving the party a majority of the county’s 
seats in the Kansas House. But Democrats were unable to put much of a 
dent into the Republican Party’s vice grip on legislative control 
because they made no gains in rural parts of the state.

So even as
 Johnson County sends a voting bloc of Democrats to Topeka, it falls in a
 legislative minority likely to lose more than it wins against 
conservatives from the state’s small towns and countryside.

Overall,
 the make up of the Legislature will effectively remain the same. 
Republicans will continue to dictate policymaking, with Democrats unable
 to stop them. Instead, their hopes will often rely on the veto power of
 Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-11-09/kansas-governor-election-results-2022-laura-kelly-derek-schmidt-election" target="_blank">who won a second term</a> while also outpacing much of the rest of her party at the ballot box.

But
 Kelly won’t be a Democratic fail-safe, because Republicans still hold 
supermajorities in both the House and the Senate. That gives the GOP 
lawmakers the ability to override Kelly’s veto and send state 
constitutional amendments to voters — like the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-11-14/kansas-voters-narrowly-reject-plan-to-shift-power-from-the-governor-to-the-legislature" target="_blank">recently rejected rules and regulations amendment</a> that would have curtailed the governor’s political power.

The Republican dominance also means some popular policy changes —<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-10-26/kansas-voters-say-they-want-to-expand-medicaid-protect-abortion-and-ban-transgender-athletes" target="_blank"> including expanding Medicaid</a> — will likely be pushed to the wayside. Republicans will instead focus on more conservative issues.

Democrats
 flipped three House seats in Johnson County this fall. Of the 27 House 
seats representing the state’s most populated county, Democrats now sit 
in 16 of them. That’s more than a third of the 40 Democrats in the 
Kansas House.

State Rep. Stephanie Clayton of Overland Park is a 
one-politician microcosm of changing Johnson County. She was elected as a
 Republican in 2012. But she <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2018-12-19/more-kansas-legislative-republicans-jump-ship-become-democrats" target="_blank">switched to the Democratic Party</a> in 2018. Democrats have won more seats in the county since.

After the election, Clayton celebrated the county’s voters turning to moderates.

“We’re
 mostly calm, middle-of-the-road, pro-education people who just want to 
make sure women have a right to choose and that our kids don’t get shot 
at school,” Clayton said.

But outside of Johnson County, the 
political makeup looks very different. Democrats lost two seats in 
Wyandotte and Sedgwick counties, for a gain of just one seat overall. 
The party fell short of breaking the Republican Party’s two-thirds 
majority in the House.

Democrats are left with a significant 
uphill battle against Republicans, who almost exclusively control the 
vast rural areas of the state. Outside of the five most populated 
counties, Democrats only hold two seats. The remaining 47 seats are 
controlled by Republicans.

Nathaniel Birkhead, a political 
scientist at Kansas State University, said rural voters may help 
Republicans keep that advantage for the foreseeable future.

“If they’re not going more red,” Birkhead said of rural voters, “then they’re certainly staying very red.”

The result is rural Republican lawmakers having a stronger voice than
 the urban area Democrats. For example, House Republicans created a 
committee just for rural issues, but did not create an urban 
counterpart. Johnson County’s Democratic lawmakers will also have a 
harder time securing state dollars during budget negotiations that 
Republicans lead.

Roitz said he wonders if his district may now lose out.

“The effectiveness of being a minority legislator,” he said, “is very questionable.”

To
 have more of a say, Democrats will have to make a dent in rural areas. 
The party has done well turning the tide for statewide races, like 
reelecting Kelly this fall.

Birkhead said Democrats may do better 
in statewide races because they appear more often in the news, while 
local races get little media coverage. That leads to voters sticking 
with their preferred party further down the ballot.

“That’s where the partisanship really just rules the day,” Birkhead said.

But Kelly is also somewhat of a special case. She’s made more inroads
 in rural areas than the other statewide Democratic candidates. For 
example, <a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/media/Election%20Office/election-results/2022%20General.pdf" target="_blank">in Saline County</a>,
 Kelly got 45% of the vote. Almost all of the other Democrats running 
for statewide office received 30% or less of the county’s vote.

Kelly may have successfully separated herself from the state’s overall view of Democrats and given voters the idea she is a<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-10-26/kansas-gov-kelly-touts-economy-in-reelection-bid-as-republicans-blame-her-for-inflation" target="_blank"> business-friendly political moderate</a>.
 That image was boosted by the state’s all-time low unemployment rate 
and the fact that she just landed a $4 billion manufacturing plant.

Emma
 O’Brien, a spokesperson for the Kansas Democratic Party, said the 
party’s candidates can win rural elections by modeling Kelly.

“You know, leave no stone unturned, talk to every single voter, and continue to grow and expand on that,” O’Brien said.

In
 the meantime, Kelly and Democrat lawmakers will continue to face a 
Republican-dominated Legislature mostly unafraid of political opposition
 to their plans.

It will be very similar to the last two years. 
During that time, the Legislature pushed several amendments to the state
 constitution — including the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-08-02/kansas-voters-rejected-an-amendment-that-would-have-stripped-away-abortion-rights" target="_blank">overwhelmingly rejected</a>
 change that would have removed the right to abortion — focused on 
socially conservative changes in schools and ignored calls for expanding
 Medicaid.

Michael Smith, a political scientist at Emporia State 
University, said the new make up of the Legislature means Republicans 
will likely continue on that path.

“In terms of the big picture,” Smith said, “it’s not that different.”

While major policy changes are unlikely, Republicans could still push conservative changes. They may again try to pass <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-04-28/kansas-lawmakers-fall-a-few-votes-short-of-banning-transgender-athletes-from-womens-sports" target="_blank">the ban on transgender girls playing in girls sports</a> — a bill that Kelly vetoed twice.

They may also <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-08-24/most-kansas-voters-want-abortion-access-but-their-legislators-may-further-restrict-it-anyway" target="_blank">test just how strong the right to abortion</a>
 is protected by the Kansas Constitution. The rejection of the state 
constitutional amendment rules out a total ban that neighboring states 
have enacted. But lawmakers could try to pass a moderately more 
restrictive ban — like dropping the current 22-week ban to 15 weeks — to
 see if the Kansas Supreme Court would allow it.

Additionally, 
lawmakers could again try to change how the court’s justices are 
selected. That proposed constitutional amendment was considered last 
spring, but did not get the two-third majority required to send it to 
voters.

But given how voters have mostly rejected the changes to 
the state constitution this year, Smith said it may be a bad idea for 
Republicans to continue trying for amendments that could be seen as a 
power grab.

“Kansans just don’t love it when one of the branches goes messing with the separation of powers,” Smith said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672755835323.png" alt="Johnson County voters are turning to Democratic candidates, while the Republican Party dominates rural parts of Kansas. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Johnson County voters are turning to Democratic candidates, while the Republican Party dominates rural parts of Kansas. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By DYLAN LYSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-03/kansas-is-becoming-more-divided-democrats-win-suburban-areas-and-the-gop-holds-rural-communities">Kansas News Service</a>OVERLAND PARK — Republican Ed Roitz lives in central Overland Park, right in the middle of that state’s most populous, suburban county.He
 ran to represent his affluent Johnson County neighbors in the Kansas 
House this fall, focusing on the tried-and-true conservative policy of 
cutting taxes.But when he met voters on their doorsteps, he came 
face-to-face with a changing electorate. One voter, for instance, told 
him she likes paying taxes.“She was convinced,” Roitz said, “that
 the only reason that we have it ‘so good here in Johnson County and 
Overland Park’ is because the taxes are so high.”Meanwhile in the
 western Kansas town of Hays, Democrat Edward Hammond found himself 
similarly out of step with his neighbors. His campaign in the rural part
 of the state focused on expanding Medicaid and increasing funding for 
special education.“I went to 7,000-plus doors,” Hammond said. “What I found is they don’t have the foggiest idea of what’s going on in Topeka.”Both
 the Roitz and Hammond campaigns ran into a starkly divided Kansas. 
While urban and suburban areas turn to Democrats, the state’s rural 
areas remain as Republican as ever.Democrats made gains in 
Johnson County this fall, giving the party a majority of the county’s 
seats in the Kansas House. But Democrats were unable to put much of a 
dent into the Republican Party’s vice grip on legislative control 
because they made no gains in rural parts of the state.So even as
 Johnson County sends a voting bloc of Democrats to Topeka, it falls in a
 legislative minority likely to lose more than it wins against 
conservatives from the state’s small towns and countryside.Overall,
 the make up of the Legislature will effectively remain the same. 
Republicans will continue to dictate policymaking, with Democrats unable
 to stop them. Instead, their hopes will often rely on the veto power of
 Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-11-09/kansas-governor-election-results-2022-laura-kelly-derek-schmidt-election" target="_blank">who won a second term</a> while also outpacing much of the rest of her party at the ballot box.But
 Kelly won’t be a Democratic fail-safe, because Republicans still hold 
supermajorities in both the House and the Senate. That gives the GOP 
lawmakers the ability to override Kelly’s veto and send state 
constitutional amendments to voters — like the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-11-14/kansas-voters-narrowly-reject-plan-to-shift-power-from-the-governor-to-the-legislature" target="_blank">recently rejected rules and regulations amendment</a> that would have curtailed the governor’s political power.The Republican dominance also means some popular policy changes —<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-10-26/kansas-voters-say-they-want-to-expand-medicaid-protect-abortion-and-ban-transgender-athletes" target="_blank"> including expanding Medicaid</a> — will likely be pushed to the wayside. Republicans will instead focus on more conservative issues.<h2>Divided Kansas</h2>Democrats
 flipped three House seats in Johnson County this fall. Of the 27 House 
seats representing the state’s most populated county, Democrats now sit 
in 16 of them. That’s more than a third of the 40 Democrats in the 
Kansas House.State Rep. Stephanie Clayton of Overland Park is a 
one-politician microcosm of changing Johnson County. She was elected as a
 Republican in 2012. But she <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2018-12-19/more-kansas-legislative-republicans-jump-ship-become-democrats" target="_blank">switched to the Democratic Party</a> in 2018. Democrats have won more seats in the county since.After the election, Clayton celebrated the county’s voters turning to moderates.“We’re
 mostly calm, middle-of-the-road, pro-education people who just want to 
make sure women have a right to choose and that our kids don’t get shot 
at school,” Clayton said.But outside of Johnson County, the 
political makeup looks very different. Democrats lost two seats in 
Wyandotte and Sedgwick counties, for a gain of just one seat overall. 
The party fell short of breaking the Republican Party’s two-thirds 
majority in the House.Democrats are left with a significant 
uphill battle against Republicans, who almost exclusively control the 
vast rural areas of the state. Outside of the five most populated 
counties, Democrats only hold two seats. The remaining 47 seats are 
controlled by Republicans.Nathaniel Birkhead, a political 
scientist at Kansas State University, said rural voters may help 
Republicans keep that advantage for the foreseeable future.“If they’re not going more red,” Birkhead said of rural voters, “then they’re certainly staying very red.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672755927910.png" alt=" Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>The result is rural Republican lawmakers having a stronger voice than
 the urban area Democrats. For example, House Republicans created a 
committee just for rural issues, but did not create an urban 
counterpart. Johnson County’s Democratic lawmakers will also have a 
harder time securing state dollars during budget negotiations that 
Republicans lead.Roitz said he wonders if his district may now lose out.“The effectiveness of being a minority legislator,” he said, “is very questionable.”<h2>Moderation is key</h2>To
 have more of a say, Democrats will have to make a dent in rural areas. 
The party has done well turning the tide for statewide races, like 
reelecting Kelly this fall.Birkhead said Democrats may do better 
in statewide races because they appear more often in the news, while 
local races get little media coverage. That leads to voters sticking 
with their preferred party further down the ballot.“That’s where the partisanship really just rules the day,” Birkhead said.But Kelly is also somewhat of a special case. She’s made more inroads
 in rural areas than the other statewide Democratic candidates. For 
example, <a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/media/Election%20Office/election-results/2022%20General.pdf" target="_blank">in Saline County</a>,
 Kelly got 45% of the vote. Almost all of the other Democrats running 
for statewide office received 30% or less of the county’s vote.Kelly may have successfully separated herself from the state’s overall view of Democrats and given voters the idea she is a<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-10-26/kansas-gov-kelly-touts-economy-in-reelection-bid-as-republicans-blame-her-for-inflation" target="_blank"> business-friendly political moderate</a>.
 That image was boosted by the state’s all-time low unemployment rate 
and the fact that she just landed a $4 billion manufacturing plant.Emma
 O’Brien, a spokesperson for the Kansas Democratic Party, said the 
party’s candidates can win rural elections by modeling Kelly.“You know, leave no stone unturned, talk to every single voter, and continue to grow and expand on that,” O’Brien said.<h2>Conservative Legislature</h2>In
 the meantime, Kelly and Democrat lawmakers will continue to face a 
Republican-dominated Legislature mostly unafraid of political opposition
 to their plans.It will be very similar to the last two years. 
During that time, the Legislature pushed several amendments to the state
 constitution — including the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-08-02/kansas-voters-rejected-an-amendment-that-would-have-stripped-away-abortion-rights" target="_blank">overwhelmingly rejected</a>
 change that would have removed the right to abortion — focused on 
socially conservative changes in schools and ignored calls for expanding
 Medicaid.Michael Smith, a political scientist at Emporia State 
University, said the new make up of the Legislature means Republicans 
will likely continue on that path.“In terms of the big picture,” Smith said, “it’s not that different.”While major policy changes are unlikely, Republicans could still push conservative changes. They may again try to pass <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-04-28/kansas-lawmakers-fall-a-few-votes-short-of-banning-transgender-athletes-from-womens-sports" target="_blank">the ban on transgender girls playing in girls sports</a> — a bill that Kelly vetoed twice.They may also <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-08-24/most-kansas-voters-want-abortion-access-but-their-legislators-may-further-restrict-it-anyway" target="_blank">test just how strong the right to abortion</a>
 is protected by the Kansas Constitution. The rejection of the state 
constitutional amendment rules out a total ban that neighboring states 
have enacted. But lawmakers could try to pass a moderately more 
restrictive ban — like dropping the current 22-week ban to 15 weeks — to
 see if the Kansas Supreme Court would allow it.Additionally, 
lawmakers could again try to change how the court’s justices are 
selected. That proposed constitutional amendment was considered last 
spring, but did not get the two-third majority required to send it to 
voters.But given how voters have mostly rejected the changes to 
the state constitution this year, Smith said it may be a bad idea for 
Republicans to continue trying for amendments that could be seen as a 
power grab.“Kansans just don’t love it when one of the branches goes messing with the separation of powers,” Smith said.

Kansas facing increasing urban-rural legislative divide

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan, who emphasized victims' rights and consumer protection during four terms in office, has died at the age of 89.

Stephan died overnight, his brother, Don Stephan, told Kansas media Tuesday. No cause of death was released.

Stephan, a Republican, served as attorney general from 1979 to 1995, the longest tenure in that office in Kansas history. He first won the office after surviving cancer, an experience that later prompted him to support legalizing marijuana for medical use.

Stephan, a native of Wichita, helped develop a victims’ right amendment to the Kansas Constitution and emphasized consumer protection. His tenure also included legal battles involving Gov. Joan Finney’s role in negotiating with American Indian tribes on casino gaming and challenging the Posse Comitatus militia movement in western Kansas.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a statement Tuesday that Stephan left a lasting mark on the office during his tenure, particularly in the areas of crime victim rights and consumer protection.

Stephan's political career stalled after two lawsuits filed by a former clerk who accused him of sexually harassing her and of breach of contract when he revealed the amount of the settlement in the first lawsuit.

A grand jury alleged Stephan lied when he testified in the second lawsuit. He was acquitted in 1995.

After leaving office, Stephan lived in Lenexa, where he was a corporate legal consultant.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan, who emphasized victims' rights and consumer protection during four terms in office, has died at the age of 89.Stephan died overnight, his brother, Don Stephan, told Kansas media Tuesday. No cause of death was released.Stephan, a Republican, served as attorney general from 1979 to 1995, the longest tenure in that office in Kansas history. He first won the office after surviving cancer, an experience that later prompted him to support legalizing marijuana for medical use.Stephan, a native of Wichita, helped develop a victims’ right amendment to the Kansas Constitution and emphasized consumer protection. His tenure also included legal battles involving Gov. Joan Finney’s role in negotiating with American Indian tribes on casino gaming and challenging the Posse Comitatus militia movement in western Kansas.Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a statement Tuesday that Stephan left a lasting mark on the office during his tenure, particularly in the areas of crime victim rights and consumer protection.Stephan's political career stalled after two lawsuits filed by a former clerk who accused him of sexually harassing her and of breach of contract when he revealed the amount of the settlement in the first lawsuit.A grand jury alleged Stephan lied when he testified in the second lawsuit. He was acquitted in 1995.After leaving office, Stephan lived in Lenexa, where he was a corporate legal consultant.

Former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan dies at 89

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/03/crews-will-reroute-mill-creek-after-massive-keystone-pipeline-spill-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Crews will reroute Mill Creek to avoid the site of the Keystone Pipeline’s largest-ever oil spill, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tcenergy.com/incident/milepost-14-incident/">oil pipeline’s parent company announced Tuesday</a>.

The Keystone pipeline, which runs from Canada to Texas and Illinois, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/09/regulators-order-keystone-pipeline-to-investigate-after-14000-barrels-spill-in-kansas/">spilled 14,000 barrels of oil near the Kansas-Nebraska border</a> in early December. The spill —&nbsp;the latest in <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/13/keystone-pipeline-has-history-of-spills-warnings-and-fines-kansas-spill-is-largest-yet/">a number of spills and deficiencies along the pipeline</a> —&nbsp;turned Mill Creek black and deposited oil on farmland near Washington, Kansas.

Within two weeks after the spill, 
more than 400 people were onsite cleaning up the oil, including 
personnel from the pipeline’s owner, TC Energy, the Environmental 
Protection Agency and state and local officials. Crews built dams to 
contain the spill and began vacuuming oil from the creek and surrounding
 areas.

Now, those responders are working to 
“temporarily divert (Mill) Creek from a location upstream of the 
pipeline spill to downstream of the containment dams,” TC Energy said in
 a statement.

“The diversion will assist in the cleanup and reclamation of the creek,” the statement said.

TC Energy did not say in its news release how diverting the creek would assist in cleanup.

The company also has not announced an
 update on how much oil it has removed from the creek. As of Dec. 21, it
 had removed 7,599 barrels of oil from the creek, a little more than 
half of the estimated amount spilled.

TC Energy said it would give $7,500 
to purchase new mobile and radio equipment for the Washington County 
Emergency Management Office. It also pledged to <a target="_blank" href="https://tcenergy.benevity.org/community/fundraiser/56121">match donations to the Washington County Hospital</a>.

The site of the spill on Tuesday was still subject to a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/20/drone-no-fly-zone-issued-over-keystone-oil-spill-site-in-kansas/">no-fly zone for drones requested by TC Energy</a>.

Following the spill, the federal 
government ordered TC Energy to investigate the cause of the pipeline’s 
spill. It also required the company to submit a plan before resuming 
operations. The Cushing Extension — the part of the pipeline where the 
spill occurred —&nbsp;started operating again on Dec. 29.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672769192181.png" alt="Efforts are underway to clean up the largest spill in the Keystone pipeline’s history, which happened near Washington, Kansas. The pipeline’s owner announced Mill Creek will be temporarily rerouted to help with cleanup. (TC Energy)" />
 <figcaption>Efforts are underway to clean up the largest spill in the Keystone pipeline’s history, which happened near Washington, Kansas. The pipeline’s owner announced Mill Creek will be temporarily rerouted to help with cleanup. (TC Energy)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/03/crews-will-reroute-mill-creek-after-massive-keystone-pipeline-spill-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Crews will reroute Mill Creek to avoid the site of the Keystone Pipeline’s largest-ever oil spill, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tcenergy.com/incident/milepost-14-incident/">oil pipeline’s parent company announced Tuesday</a>.The Keystone pipeline, which runs from Canada to Texas and Illinois, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/09/regulators-order-keystone-pipeline-to-investigate-after-14000-barrels-spill-in-kansas/">spilled 14,000 barrels of oil near the Kansas-Nebraska border</a> in early December. The spill —&nbsp;the latest in <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/13/keystone-pipeline-has-history-of-spills-warnings-and-fines-kansas-spill-is-largest-yet/">a number of spills and deficiencies along the pipeline</a> —&nbsp;turned Mill Creek black and deposited oil on farmland near Washington, Kansas.Within two weeks after the spill, 
more than 400 people were onsite cleaning up the oil, including 
personnel from the pipeline’s owner, TC Energy, the Environmental 
Protection Agency and state and local officials. Crews built dams to 
contain the spill and began vacuuming oil from the creek and surrounding
 areas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672769258266.jpeg" alt="The map shows the planned diversion of Mill Creek as crews work to clean up the site of the Keystone oil pipeline spill. (TC Energy)" />
 <figcaption>The map shows the planned diversion of Mill Creek as crews work to clean up the site of the Keystone oil pipeline spill. (TC Energy)</figcaption>
 </figure>Now, those responders are working to 
“temporarily divert (Mill) Creek from a location upstream of the 
pipeline spill to downstream of the containment dams,” TC Energy said in
 a statement.“The diversion will assist in the cleanup and reclamation of the creek,” the statement said.TC Energy did not say in its news release how diverting the creek would assist in cleanup.The company also has not announced an
 update on how much oil it has removed from the creek. As of Dec. 21, it
 had removed 7,599 barrels of oil from the creek, a little more than 
half of the estimated amount spilled.TC Energy said it would give $7,500 
to purchase new mobile and radio equipment for the Washington County 
Emergency Management Office. It also pledged to <a target="_blank" href="https://tcenergy.benevity.org/community/fundraiser/56121">match donations to the Washington County Hospital</a>.The site of the spill on Tuesday was still subject to a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/20/drone-no-fly-zone-issued-over-keystone-oil-spill-site-in-kansas/">no-fly zone for drones requested by TC Energy</a>.Following the spill, the federal 
government ordered TC Energy to investigate the cause of the pipeline’s 
spill. It also required the company to submit a plan before resuming 
operations. The Cushing Extension — the part of the pipeline where the 
spill occurred —&nbsp;started operating again on Dec. 29.

Crews will reroute creek after massive Kansas pipeline spill 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is falling far short in voting to become House speaker. House Republicans fell into a tangle on the opening day of the new Congress, refusing to elect McCarthy by more than a dozen votes in two rounds.&nbsp;

Needing 218 votes in the full House, McCarthy got just 203 in both rounds — less even than Democrat Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP-controlled chamber.

Three members of the Kansas delegation, Tracy Mann, Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner all voted for McCarthy.  Kansas Democrat Rep. Sharice Davids voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Members of the Missouri delegation also voted along party lines for McCarthy and Jeffries.

McCarthy had pledged a “battle on the floor” for as long as it took to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kentucky-kevin-mccarthy-e177c4405ef9b8a7b38641a15855764c">first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail</a>&nbsp;to win the gavel from his fellow party members on the initial vote.

Before the second vote, rival-turned-McCarthy ally, conservative Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who got six votes in the first round, rose to urge his colleagues, even those who backed him as an alternative, to drop their opposition.

“We have to rally around him, come together” Jordan said of McCarthy.

But Rep Matt Gaetz of Florida followed with a vigorous re-endorsement of Jordan. underscoring the chaos within the party.

“I rise to nominate the most talented, hardest working member of the Republican conference, who just gave a speech with more vision that we have ever heard from the alternative,” Gaetz said.

Smiling through it all, McCarthy huddled briefly with aides then appeared intent on simply trying to wear down his colleagues. Earlier, he strode into the chamber, posed for photos, and received a standing ovation from many on his side of the aisle after being nominated by the third-ranking Republican, Rep. Elise Stefanik, who said the Californian from gritty Bakersfield “has what it takes” to lead House Republicans.

“No one has worked harder for this majority than Kevin McCarthy,” said Stefanik, R-N.Y.

But on that first vote a challenge was quickly raised by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a conservative former leader of the Freedom Caucus, who was nominated by a fellow conservative as speaker. In all, 19 Republicans peeled away, denying McCarthy the majority he needs as they cast votes for Biggs, Jordan or others in protest.

The mood was tense, at least on the Republican side, as lawmakers rose from their seats, in a lengthy first round of in-person voting. Democrats were joyous as they cast their own historic votes for their leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

In the final first-round tally, McCarthy won 203 votes, with 10 for Biggs and nine for other Republicans. Jeffries, the Democratic leader, won the most, 212 votes. But no nominee won a majority.

After a raucous private GOP meeting, a core group of conservatives led by the Freedom Caucus and aligned with Donald Trump's MAGA agenda were furious, calling the meeting a “beat down” by McCarthy allies and remaining steadfast in their opposition to the GOP leader.

“There’s one person who could have changed all this,” said Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., the chairman of the Freedom Caucus and a leader of Trump's effort to challenge the 2020 presidential election.

The group said McCarthy refused the group's last-ditch offer for rules changes in a meeting late Monday at the Capitol.

“If you want to drain the swamp you can't put the biggest alligator in control of the exercise,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

“He eagerly dismissed us,” said Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.

Lawmakers convened in a new era of divided government as Democrats relinquish control of the House after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm election</a>&nbsp;losses. While the Senate remains in Democratic hands, barely, House Republicans are eager to confront&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden’s agenda</a>&nbsp;after two years of a Democratic Party control of both houses of Congress.

Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gaveled closed the last session, moving aside for new House leadership in her Democratic Party, to a standing ovation from colleagues on her side of the aisle.

The chaplain opened with a prayer seeking to bring the 118th Congress to life.

But first, House Republicans had to elect a speaker, second in succession to the presidency.

Even with an endorsement from former President Trump, McCarthy fell short.

Democrats enthusiastically nominated Jeffries, D-.N.Y., who is taking over as party leader, as their choice for speaker — a typically symbolic gesture in the minority but one that took on new importance as Republicans were in disarray.

“A Latino is nominating in this chamber a Black man for our leader for the the first time in American history,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, the third-ranking Democrat, in nominating his colleague.

A new generation of Trump-aligned Republicans led the opposition to McCarthy. They don't think he is conservative enough or tough enough to battle Democrats. It's reminiscent of the last time Republicans took back the House majority, after the 2010 midterms, when the tea-party class ushered in a new era of hardball politics, eventually sending Speaker John Boehner to an early retirement.

“Nothing’s changed,” said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va. “The problem is Kevin McCarthy.”

With just 222 GOP seats, McCarthy could afford to lose only a handful of their votes. A speaker can win with fewer than 218 votes, as Pelosi and Boehner did, if some lawmakers are absent or simply vote present.

But McCarthy has failed to win over a core — and potentially growing — group of right-flank Republicans led by the conservative Freedom Caucus, despite weeks of closed-door meetings and promised changes to the House rules.

Some of the staunch Republican conservatives challenged McCarthy in the private session. He pushed back, according to a Republican in the room and granted anonymity to discuss the closed-door session.

A sizable but less vocal group of McCarthy supporters started theirs own campaign, “Only Kevin,” as a way to shut down the opposition and pledge their support only to him.

Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., a leader of a more pragmatic conservative group, said “frustration was rising” with the minority faction.

A viable challenger to McCarthy had yet to emerge.

The second-ranking House Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, could be a next choice, a conservative widely liked by his colleagues and seen by some as a hero after surviving a gunshot wound suffered during a congressional baseball game practice in 2017.

Once rivals, McCarthy and Scalise have become a team. Scalise’s office rejected as “false” a suggestion Monday by another Republican that Scalise was making calls about the speaker’s race.

A speaker's contest last went multiple rounds in 1923.

“This is a lot more important than about one person,” said Doug Heye, a former Republican leadership senior aide. “It’s about whether Republicans will be able to govern.”

Without a speaker, the House cannot fully form — naming its committee chairmen, engaging in floor proceedings and launching investigations of the Biden administration.

It was all in stark contrast to the other side of the Capitol, where Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell will officially become the chamber's longest-serving party leader in history.

Despite being in the minority in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority, McConnell could prove to be a viable partner as Biden seeks bipartisan victories in the new era of divided government. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-new-year-pitch-bipartisanship-fa34cf2386e48332d1e76cf7a170a1bb">two men were expected to appear together</a>&nbsp;later in the week in the GOP leader's home state of Kentucky to celebrate federal infrastructure investment in a vital bridge that connects Kentucky and Ohio.

McCarthy’s candidacy for speaker should have been an almost sure thing. He led his party into the majority, raising millions of campaign dollars and traveling the country to recruit many of the newer lawmakers to run for office.

Yet McCarthy has been here before, abruptly dropping out of the speaker’s race in 2015 when it was clear he did not have support from conservatives to replace Boehner.

One core demand from the holdouts this time is that McCarthy reinstate a rule that allows any single lawmaker to make a “motion to vacate the chair” — in short, to call a vote to remove the speaker from office.

Pelosi eliminated the rule after conservatives used it to threaten Boehner's ouster, but McCarthy agreed to add it back in — but at a higher threshold, requiring at least five lawmakers to sign on to the motion. Conservatives said it was insufficient.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;appeared headed toward a historic defeat in first-round voting Tuesday to become House speaker, sending the new Congress into a tangle as conservative colleagues opposed his leadership

Three members of the Kansas delegation, Tracy Mann, Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner all voted for McCarthy.&nbsp; Kansas Democrat Rep. Sharice Davids voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Members of the Missouri delegation also voted along party lines for McCarthy and Jeffries.

McCarthy had pledged a “battle on the floor” for as long as it takes to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kentucky-kevin-mccarthy-e177c4405ef9b8a7b38641a15855764c">first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail</a>&nbsp;to win the gavel from his fellow party members on the initial vote.

McCarthy strode into the chamber, posed for photos, and received a standing ovation from many on his side of the aisle after being nominated by the third-ranking Republican, Rep. Elise Stefanik, who said he “has what it takes” to lead House Republicans.

But a challenge was quickly raised by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a conservative former leader of the Freedom Caucus, who was nominated by a fellow conservative as speaker. In all, 19 Republicans peeled away, denying McCarthy the majority as they cast votes for Biggs or others in protest.

The mood was tense, at least on the Republican side, as lawmakers rose from their seats, in a lengthy first round of in-person voting. Democrats were joyous as they cast their own historic votes for their leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the first Black person to lead a major American political party.

"We may have a battle on the floor, but the battle is for the conference and the country,” McCarthy said earlier at the Capitol.

McCarthy emerged from a contentious closed-door meeting with fellow House Republicans unable to win over detractors and lacking the support needed to become speaker. He vowed to fight to the finish — even if it takes multiple tries in a public spectacle that would underscore divisions in his party and weaken its leadership in the first days of the new Congress.

A core group of conservatives led by the Freedom Caucus and aligned with Donald Trump's MAGA agenda were furious, calling the private meeting a “beat down” by McCarthy allies and remaining steadfast in their opposition to the GOP leader.

Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had gaveled closed the last session moments earlier, moving aside for new Democratic leadership, to a standing ovation from colleagues on her side of the aisle.

Democrats enthusiastically nominated Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-.N.Y., who is taking over as party leader, as their choice for speaker — a typically symbolic gesture in the minority but one that took on new importance as Republicans were in disarray.

The morning meeting of House Republicans turned raucus ahead what’s traditionally a celebratory day as newly elected members arrive to be sworn into office. Families in tow, the members of the new Congress prepare to be sworn into the House and Senate for the start of the two-year legislative session.

A new generation of Trump-aligned Republicans led the opposition to McCarthy. They don't think McCarthy is conservative enough or tough enough to battle Democrats. It's reminiscent of the last time Republicans took back the House majority, after the 2010 midterms, when the tea-party class ushered in a new era of hardball politics, eventually sending Speaker John Boehner to an early retirement.

Typically it takes a majority of the House's 435 members, 218 votes, to become the speaker. With just 222 GOP seats, McCarthy could afford to lose only a handful of their votes. A speaker can win with fewer than 218 votes, as Pelosi and Boehner did, if some lawmakers are absent or simply vote present.

But McCarthy has failed to win over a core — and potentially growing — group of right-flank Republicans led by the conservative Freedom Caucus, despite weeks of closed-door meetings and promised changes to the House rules. Nearly a dozen Republicans have publicly raised concerns about McCarthy.

A sizable but less vocal group of McCarthy supporters started its own campaign, “Only Kevin,” as a way to shut down the opposition and pledge their support only to him.

“Kevin McCarthy is the right guy to lead this conference, the right guy to be speaker of the House,” Johnson said.

A viable challenger to McCarthy had yet to emerge. Biggs, R-Ariz., was running as a conservative option, but was not expected to pull a majority. McCarthy defeated him in the November nominating contest,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-dc947aadd41de192e4d1f018d0eaf193">188-31</a>.

The second-ranking House Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, would be an obvious next choice, a conservative widely liked by his colleagues and seen by some as a hero after surviving a gunshot wound suffered during a congressional baseball game practice in 2017.

3 Kan. Reps support McCarthy who suffers historic defeat for speaker

MIAMI COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a woman to the hospital.

Just after 7:30p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to the area of 299th Street and Sumerset Road in rural&nbsp; Paola, according to Undersheriff Matthew Kelly.

First responders found a woman in her 40s in a ditch with an apparent gunshot wound. EMS transported her to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The sheriff's office released no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

MIAMI COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a woman to the hospital.Just after 7:30p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to the area of 299th Street and Sumerset Road in rural&nbsp; Paola, according to Undersheriff Matthew Kelly.First responders found a woman in her 40s in a ditch with an apparent gunshot wound. EMS transported her to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.The sheriff's office released no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Sheriff: Woman found with gunshot wound in rural Kan. ditch

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The past few weeks have been difficult for zoo keepers and staff at the Sedgwick County Zoo.&nbsp; Following the death of 5-week-old chimp&nbsp; Kucheza in late December, the zoo reported this week the passing of 41-year-old Sumatran orangutan, Daisy.

On New Year's morning, Daisy was discovered to be very ill and unresponsive, according to a statement from the zoo.

An emergency exam revealed kidney and heart failure. With a grave prognosis for this combination of organ failure, the medical team performed treatment, but after 24 hours Daisy’s condition hadn’t improved.&nbsp;

On Monday, the very difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her in order to prevent any further suffering. 

Daisy came to Sedgwick County Zoo in 2009 and quickly claimed her place as one of the most popular celebrities of SCZ. Often described as a diva, Daisy did everything on her own terms. She was very smart and enjoyed “training” her people to do things for her. 

Her social nature and inquisitive personality earned her a loyal following of Zoo guests, eager to sit with her at her window with offerings of shiny jewelry, fresh manicures, or animal videos on their phones. Of course, Daisy’s favorite thing to look at was herself, resulting in many selfies being taken with her fans over the years.

 She was a wonderful orangutan, a devoted and tolerant mother, and she loved her people. Daisy is survived by her two children, Kinali (11) and Lily (4), both still living at SCZ. 

Keeper Devin, who cared for Daisy since she arrived at SCZ, says, “Daisy was an amazing individual. It’s hard to describe her because she was so dynamic and engaging. She was much loved and in losing her, I lost a close friend. She will never be forgotten and I will cherish seeing her in her kids each day.”

Heart and Kidney Disease are each among the top three causes of death in the orangutan population. SCZ works with the Great Ape Heart Project, which is a group dedicated to better understanding cardiac disease in hopes of reducing the number of cardiovascular-related deaths and improving the health and welfare of great apes in human care.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672707544050.png" alt="photo courtesy Sedgwick County zoo" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Sedgwick County zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The past few weeks have been difficult for zoo keepers and staff at the Sedgwick County Zoo.&nbsp; Following the death of 5-week-old chimp&nbsp; Kucheza in late December, the zoo reported this week the passing of 41-year-old Sumatran orangutan, Daisy.On New Year's morning, Daisy was discovered to be very ill and unresponsive, according to a statement from the zoo.An emergency exam revealed kidney and heart failure. With a grave prognosis for this combination of organ failure, the medical team performed treatment, but after 24 hours Daisy’s condition hadn’t improved.&nbsp;On Monday, the very difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her in order to prevent any further suffering. Daisy came to Sedgwick County Zoo in 2009 and quickly claimed her place as one of the most popular celebrities of SCZ. Often described as a diva, Daisy did everything on her own terms. She was very smart and enjoyed “training” her people to do things for her. Her social nature and inquisitive personality earned her a loyal following of Zoo guests, eager to sit with her at her window with offerings of shiny jewelry, fresh manicures, or animal videos on their phones. Of course, Daisy’s favorite thing to look at was herself, resulting in many selfies being taken with her fans over the years. She was a wonderful orangutan, a devoted and tolerant mother, and she loved her people. Daisy is survived by her two children, Kinali (11) and Lily (4), both still living at SCZ. Keeper Devin, who cared for Daisy since she arrived at SCZ, says, “Daisy was an amazing individual. It’s hard to describe her because she was so dynamic and engaging. She was much loved and in losing her, I lost a close friend. She will never be forgotten and I will cherish seeing her in her kids each day.”Heart and Kidney Disease are each among the top three causes of death in the orangutan population. SCZ works with the Great Ape Heart Project, which is a group dedicated to better understanding cardiac disease in hopes of reducing the number of cardiovascular-related deaths and improving the health and welfare of great apes in human care.

41-year-old Sumatran orangutan dies at Kansas zoo

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged kidnapping in Manhattan and have three men in custody.

Just before 8:30p.m. Monday, the Riley County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting shots were fired at the Links Apartments in the 500 block of Gatlinburg Way, according to a media release.

A witness reported a shooting followed by a man being forced from an apartment and into a vehicle. officers located Joseph Varvel, 25, of Manhattan in the area and detained him for questioning.

The Communications Center received an additional 911 call shortly before 11:00 p.m. from the victim, a 26-year-old man, who said he needed help and was located in the 1200 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan. 

The man was transported to Via Christi for treatment of stab wounds and facial injuries. A man identified as Zane Thomas, 27, of Junction City was present with the victim when officers arrived and detained for questioning.

After further investigation, Thomas was arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, and possession of marijuana. He remains confined on a total bond of $500,000. 

Varvel was arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, unlawful discharge of a firearm into an occupied dwelling, and possession of cocaine. He also remains confined on a total bond of $500,000. 

A third suspect Cooper Brown, 21, of Manhattan was identified and arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. He remains confined on a total bond of $300,000.

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged kidnapping in Manhattan and have three men in custody.Just before 8:30p.m. Monday, the Riley County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting shots were fired at the Links Apartments in the 500 block of Gatlinburg Way, according to a media release.A witness reported a shooting followed by a man being forced from an apartment and into a vehicle. officers located Joseph Varvel, 25, of Manhattan in the area and detained him for questioning.The Communications Center received an additional 911 call shortly before 11:00 p.m. from the victim, a 26-year-old man, who said he needed help and was located in the 1200 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan. The man was transported to Via Christi for treatment of stab wounds and facial injuries. A man identified as Zane Thomas, 27, of Junction City was present with the victim when officers arrived and detained for questioning.After further investigation, Thomas was arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, and possession of marijuana. He remains confined on a total bond of $500,000. Varvel was arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, unlawful discharge of a firearm into an occupied dwelling, and possession of cocaine. He also remains confined on a total bond of $500,000. A third suspect Cooper Brown, 21, of Manhattan was identified and arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. He remains confined on a total bond of $300,000.

Police: 3 accused of aggravated kidnapping in Manhattan

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital.

Just after 9:30a.m. Monday, police responded to a report of a person who was shot in the 400 block of SE Leland Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Matt Danielson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported. to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; Late Monday, officers and detectives determined the man accidentally shot himself, according to Danielson.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police released no additional details including the man's name.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital.Just after 9:30a.m. Monday, police responded to a report of a person who was shot in the 400 block of SE Leland Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Matt Danielson.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported. to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; Late Monday, officers and detectives determined the man accidentally shot himself, according to Danielson.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police released no additional details including the man's name.

Kansas man critically injured in accidental shooting

WASHINGTON —Lawmakers return to work Tuesday to a new era of divided government as Democrats relinquish control of the House after&nbsp;midterm election&nbsp;losses. The Senate remains in Democratic hands, barely.

Late last week, President Biden signed the $1.7 trillion government spending bill that will finance federal agencies through September and provide $45 Billion in additional aid to Ukraine.&nbsp;

The Democratic-controlled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-nancy-pelosi-ed54dbd327c4362ee052f851f497fcd4">House passed the bill</a>&nbsp;225-201, mostly along party lines, just before Christmas. The House vote came a day after the Senate, also led by Democrats voted 68-29 to pass the bill with significantly more Republican support including from Kansas Senator Jerry Moran and Missouri Senator Roy Blunt.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/12/23/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-passage-of-the-bipartisan-year-end-omnibus/">Click here to read</a> President Biden's statement on the bill.

<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Omni%20Dem%20Highlight.pdf">The legislation includes the following,</a> according to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Support for Public Schools: Congress secured historic levels of funding to support public school teachers and students and invest in our children’s future. The bill includes:

• $17.5 billion, the largest increase in more than a decade, for Title I-A grants to local educational agencies to support student achievement, including through preschool programs for eligible children.

• $14.2 billion, a $433 million increase, for special education state grant programs that support services to nearly 9 million students and children with a disability.

• $75 million, double the funding from last year, for Full Community Services Schools, which integrate student supports and family engagement to improved student attendance.

• $1.29 billion, an increase of $30 million, for 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which serves 1.6 million students across the country.

College Access, Affordability, and Completion: Affordable access to higher education is a pillar to achieving the American dream and essential to driving our economy forward in the 21st century. The bill includes:

• $400 increase in the maximum Pell grant award, the largest increase in more than a decade, which will help 7 million students pursue a postsecondary education.

• $1.1 billion, an increase of $40 million, for TRIO, which helps more than 800,000 lowincome individuals, first generation college students, and individuals with disabilities prepare for and get into college and succeed when they’re there.

• $378 million, an increase of $10 million for GEAR UP, which helps almost 600,000 lowincome students beginning in middle school and through high school prepare for a postsecondary education.

$65 million, an increase of $10 million, for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program to increase access to affordable and convenient child care options for student parents.

• $885 million, an increase of $96 million, for a programs to strengthen HBCUs, MSI, and other historically under-resourced institutions of higher education serving a high percentage of low-income students.

Making Housing More Affordable and Safe: Democrats included critical resources to expand opportunities for affordable housing and provide assistance to families struggling to avoid unsafe housing conditions or from falling into homelessness. In addition to providing the resources to preserve rental assistance to the more than 5 million HUD-assisted, low-income households amid significant rent increases, the bill includes:

• $280 million for 32,800 new housing vouchers.

• $3.2 billion, a 16 percent increase, for public housing capital formula funds.

• $350 million, a 75 percent increase, for Choice Neighborhoods.

• $1.5 billion, an 11 percent increase and the highest level of funding provided in the past decade, for new affordable housing production through the HOME program.

• $4.8 billion for community and economic development.

• More than $1 billion, a 21 percent increase, for Housing for the Elderly.

• $352 million, a 55 percent increase, for Housing for Persons Disabilities.

• More than $1 billion, a 24 percent increase, for Native community housing programs.

• $415 million, a 15 percent increase, for the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes to address lead-based paint and other environmental hazards in low-income and HUD-assisted housing.

• $489 million, a $24 million increase, for the Legal Services Corporation, which provides civil legal assistance to low-income persons including those involved in housing and foreclosure cases.

Child Care and Early Child Education: Any young family understands that the cost of child care is far too high and the pandemic forced millions of women to leave the workforce because they could not afford child care. Democrats secured strong support to lower the cost of child care, including:

• $11.036 billion, a $288.7 million increase, for Head Start. This increase will allow a cost-of-living adjustment for Head Start teachers and staff, and includes quality improvement funding to help Head Start programs recruit and retain teachers.

• $6.165 billion, a 4.4 percent increase, for the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Particularly as the pandemic has upended child care for many working parents, the increase will help ensure families have access to high-quality, affordable care for their children.

Preventing Homelessness for Vulnerable Households: More than 580,000 people experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night in 2020. Democrats are committed to helping communities design and implement local solutions to end homelessness and included

$3.213 billion, a 6.6 percent increase, for Homeless Assistance Grants. This includes:

$2.8 billion to fully meet the Continuum of Care program’s renewal need.

• $290 million for Emergency Solutions Grants.

• $107 million for new investments to support homeless youth, including a $25 million increase targeted to improving coordination across local systems serving homeless youth.

• $52 million for new rapid rehousing projects that serve victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Climate Change and the Environment: The climate crisis poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. After four years of denial and inaction by the Trump administration,

Democrats included significant new funding to mitigate and adapt to the threat of climate change. The bill includes:

• $3.2 billion – a historic level of funding and a 12 percent increase – for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to support vehicle technologies, wind power, solar energy, weatherization assistance programs, and renewable grid integration.

• $2.94 billion at the Department of Energy to support research, development, and demonstration of cybersecurity, grid innovation, and carbon-free power sources keeping the United States at the forefront of energy innovation.