HAYS, Kan. — “The FY14 $845,188 reduction in the FHSU state appropriations will have a significant negative impact on our institution,” said Fort Hays State University President Edward H. Hammond.

“The university is in the process of making very strategic and difficult decisions regarding allocating and reallocating these scarce resources, delaying well-deserved employee pay increases and significantly delaying the implementation of our new engineering program,” he said.

He said that all these decisions are complicated by the growing student enrollment and the increased demand by Kansas citizens for services at Fort Hays State University.

“In fact,” he said, “the salary cap reduction of $276,176 made by the Legislature represents the amount of money we spent this year hiring additional faculty to serve our increased enrollment. FHSU believes that new students should receive the same high-quality education as existing students. Therefore, our decision to add additional faculty and staff was driven by our desire to maintain quality.”

He said that FHSU will manage the cuts through a “tri-polar strategy”: First, using savings produced by the new wind energy project as well as savings from attrition and retirements; second, implementing one-time bonuses for faculty and staff instead of all base-salary increases; and third, utilizing the funds from the tuition increase proposal. 

For the next academic year, FHSU is proposing an increase in tuition of $3.70 per credit hour, or 3.42 percent, for Kansas residents.

“We are also proposing to increase our required fees by 47 cents per credit hour, or 1.43 percent,” he said. 

“What these increases mean to our students is that their tuition and fee bills will go up 2.96 percent, or just $4.17 per credit hour,” he said. “This will continue Fort Hays State University’s leadership in providing high-quality education at a very reasonable cost. In fact, a Kansas student will be able to pay the tuition and fee bill for 15 credit hours and spend less than $2,200 a semester.”

This session, we have tackled big issues. We were in the middle of tax and budget negotiations that changed the direction of the state for the better. The two-year

budget is the first of its kind in Kansas. Traditionally, the Legislature passes a new budget from year to year, allowing for no certainty or sound financial footing for agencies and organizations to stand when it comes to setting up their own budgets. By giving them a two-year commitment in finances, agencies will be able to better project their spending and find efficiencies to make their money go farther in providing the services many Kansans depend on.

The tax bill included some significant ideological debate. The question that stood out was whether to tax consumption or earnings. I am under the belief taxing earnings will squelch business and hinder economic growth, whereas taxing consumption won’t stand in the way of jobs. The Senate proposed keeping the sales tax at 6.3 percent but lowering tax on groceries to 4.95 percent — all while lowering the income tax during the next five years on the path to 0 percent. I wanted to keep your hard-earned dollars in your pocket.

Three years ago, I supported a 1-cent sales tax with the commitment to sunset 6 cents July 1, 2014. I still support that but also must make sure I support the best long-term plan for my district and also the best for Kansans.

A few of the bills signed into law this year reflect that belief. I was proud to vote for a piece of legislation known as “Paycheck Protection”. The new law ensures union members will not be forced to make payments to their Union PAC that might support candidates they don’t. While every employer has the right to join a union if they wish, many unions use membership fees to support candidates or legislation that not all of their members advocate for. That is wrong, and a worker should not lose part of their paycheck to campaigns they don’t support.

We also passed legislation that allows Kansas veterans to get their Kansas driver’s license with “VETERAN” printed on it. This should be helpful in obtaining discounts offered by various stores — especially for those veterans who did not retire and do not want to carry a copy of their discharge papers with them. It also is an appropriate way for the state of Kansas to recognize their service. I was glad to be able to vote for this bill.

I proudly voted for the passage of a new law protecting the Second Amendment rights of Kansans, which soon will take effect. The provision states no firearm manufactured, sold and owned in the state of Kansas can be confiscated by the federal government. It is an effort by Kansas to defend itself against federal overreach and to ensure its sovereignty as a state.

Finally, many Kansans believe their hard-earned tax dollars should not be used to directly or indirectly fund abortions. That’s why I voted for the passage of HB 2253.

It protects the lives of hundreds of unborn children by stripping away public funding from facilities that provide non-emergency abortions. The legislation prohibits any school district or education service providers from offering abortion services.

The measure also protects schools from abortion providers from sponsoring any course material for classroom use.

The bill affirms what the majority of Kansans believe, that life begins at conception and all state law needs to be interpreted to protect the rights, privileges and immunities of the unborn child.

Thank you so much for allowing me to serve you this session. I look forward to hearing from you with questions or concerns. I will keep you up to date with developments in the tax and budget plans. If there is ever anything I can do to better serve, please feel free to contact me.

Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer

Hays Police are investigating two additional cases of burglary and another of criminal damage to property.

According to Lt. Ron Rounkles, ” We are investigating a delayed report of a theft from a storage unit in the 1100 block of E. 13th Street (Western Investments), a report of theft from 100 block of West 4th Street, (Stonepost Apartments South)

We are also investigating extensive damage at a rental property in the 100 block of East 7th Street that may result in criminal charges.”

We will have details when they are available.

This Saturday From 9am to 11:30, it’s a free shredding day at the Bank of Hays.

Bring up to the three boxes or garbage bags full of personal, financial, or health documents for free on site shredding with no risk of identity theft.

It’s a great spring cleaning idea, the free “shred day” going on Saturday morning 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Bank of Hays 1000 West 27th

Did you notice the lights out at Dillons, 517 West 27th on Wednesday evening? The store is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The store was dark just before 10 p.m. last night and had placed a notice at the entrance to inform customers in advance.

According to Mike Morley, Corporate Communications Manager with Midwest Energy, “The outage was planned — to replace a transformer serving Dillons, along with some underground wiring and tap connections. It was done at night in coordination with the businesses in that complex (includes Gambinos, a Laundromat and an insurance office) to minimize impacts to their operations.”

 

 

 

 

 The Downtown Hays Market, offering farm fresh goodness, hand-crafted products and local eateries, art and entertainment  will open this weekend, Saturday, June 8th, in Downtown Hays.

The market will be open regularly on Wednesday’s from 5-8pm and Saturday’s 7:30-11:00am (vendor and weather permitting). The location of the market is in the 10th Street parking lot between Main and Fort Streets.

We encourage customers to check out the market on a regular basis, since produce and merchandise will change throughout the growing season.

“We are very excited to be bringing this new market to Downtown Hays,” said Executive Director Traci Stanford. “The vendors are excited about the development and they will be offering a wide variety of products to the Hays community and surrounding region.” As of June 5th, there are 11 confirmed vendors offering an array of products, including but not limited to: baked goods, homemade soaps, jewelry, produce, herbs, olive oil, clothing and much more!
Are you an experienced farmer’s market vendor and looking for a fresh start? We would love to have you join our market. First time vendors are also welcome! We are looking for growers, craftsmen, bakers, honey producers, artists and musicians to fill 10th street in Downtown and bring a new experience to the community. Items such as fresh produce, cut flowers, live plants, baked goods, honey, jams and handcrafted items, including jewelry, soaps and more are all encouraged!