Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist.
TOPEKA–Greetings from the State Capitol! As we turn the calendar to February, we pause for a moment to celebrate our great state on its 155th birthday this past week.
The Kansas House of Representatives on Thursday celebrated the birthday of Kansas. Kansas was founded on January 29, 1861 when President Buchannan signed the resolution establishing Kansas as the 34th state to join the Union. This was a critical time in our county’s history as we were about to fall into the deepest and bloodiest war in our nation’s history. The roots of our state were sown in the abolitionist movement, opposed to slavery and its expansion west. This led to many violent protests in the state which were labeled by many newspapers as Bleeding Kansas.
One of the House traditions to celebrate Kansas’ birthday is to sing ‘Home on the Range,’ the state song, this year led by Rep. Barbara Ballard of Lawrence. The song was originally a poem written in the 1870s by Dr. Brewster Higley called ‘My Western Home.’ Dr. Higley resided near Athol in Smith County. The Kansas Legislature adopted his song as the state’s official song on April 8, 1947.
Over 100 bills have been introduced in the first three weeks of the session, with many of the committees busy receiving official reports from agencies and departments which by statute have to be presented to the legislature each year along with the first round of bill hearings. This week we are starting work on the budget revisions for FY 16 and FY 17. Tax revenues are still coming in under projections so that means adjustments to nearly all the many budgets which make up the State General Fund.
My office has received many emails, letters and phone calls on some of the education bills which were introduced, none more than HB 2504.
This is the bill looking at reducing the number of school districts in Kansas from 286 to 132, which would be a 53.8 % reduction. The sponsor of the bill says schools will not close, communities will not lose their identity and no football teams will be lost, however, many of us in rural Kansas know any effort like this would have a huge impact on a way of life we have chosen. I will tell you I am strongly opposed to this measure and if it does make to the floor, I will vote against it. This is just one of several proposals legislators are looking at as Kansas needs to construct a new school finance formula, which many believe will happen in the next legislative session.
Over the weekend, I participated in a Legislative Coffee in Hays with Senator Ralph Ostmeyer and Representative Sue Boldra. There was a nice turnout with folks asking questions about a number of topics including: taxes, education, conceal carry on college campuses and rural health care. I also attended the 11th Annual Banquet of the Route 36 Chapter of Quail Forever in Phillipsburg and the Agra American Legion Groundhog Day Pancake feed. It is always great to see folks supporting their local community organizations.
Folks stopping by my office included: Dr. Pamela Steinle, surgeon at Norton County Hospital; Mindy Alexander with NexTech; Allen Roth, Hays with Kansas Association of Conservation Districts; Dave McDaniel, Mayor of Ellis; Jolene Niernberger, Ellis City Council; Johnathan Walz, Ellis School Board; Max Dibble, Phillips County Commissioner; Wanda Vincent, Norton, Norton County Register of Deeds; Charles Posson, Norton County Commissioner; Dr. Buzz Peterson, Norton County Commissioner; Scott Sproul, Norton County Economic Development; and Deb Miller, Stockton, Farmers Union Coop Manager. I also met with many others with ties to the 110th district that no longer live in our area, but still have an interest in what is going on, so it is always good to catch up.
Please reach out to me if you have concerns, questions or issues that need to be addressed. You can keep up on things by following and liking Ken for Kansas on Facebook.
During the session I can be reached: Ken Rahjes, Kansas State Capitol, 168-W, Topeka, KS 66612; Phone: (785) 296-7676; Email: [email protected]; or 1798 E 900 Rd, Agra, KS 67621; Cell: (785) 302-8416 or [email protected]. You can also track bills and get specific information by going to kslegislature.org.
I look forward to seeing you when you are in Topeka or out and about in the district.