The Hays USD 489 school board will review work the board has done thus far on a potential bond election at its meeting at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administrative Center.
The district has had two failed bond elections in the last three years. A $78.5 million bond failed in November 2017, and a $94 million bond vote failed in June 2016.
The school board discussed moving forward with a third bond issue in 2018, but on a split vote in June decided to delay any more discussion on the bond until January.
Board member Greg Schwartz has advocated for hiring a firm to help the district develop a long-range plan for capital improvements.
Prior to bond discussions being suspended in June, the board had focused on the need for improvements at the elementary schools. They had discussed the possibility of eliminating at least one elementary school through new construction or renovation.
HaysMed donation
The school district recently purchased the former Oak Park Medical Complex, which it plans to renovate for use by Early Childhood Connections.
HaysMed had a majority interest in the complex and will be donating $500,000 of the $2 million purchase price back to the school district to be used for renovations. That check will be presented by HaysMed at the school board meeting tonight.
The district has also received a $1.47 million federal grant for renovations.
Superintendent search
Gary Sechrist, field specialist for the Kansas Association of School Boards, will provide the superintendent applicant information to the board during an executive session. Current Superintendent John Thissen has resigned. He will serve out his contract, which ends June 30.
The board also will review the administrative contracts for Shanna Dinkel, assistant superintendent, and Chris Hipp, director of special education, for the 2019-2020 school year.
Board appreciation
There will be a Board Member Appreciation Social at 5:30 p.m. in the Toepfer Board Room to celebrate School Board Member Appreciation Month. Food and refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend.
Republican lawmakers are hurrying to pass state tax relief before filing season. Democrats say, hold your horses.
Republicans and Democrats are braced for a fight over whether state government in Kansas should cash in on the ramifications of the 2017 federal tax cut. The sides are staking out their positions and could come to loggerheads sooner rather than later.
Republican legislative leaders want to push the tempo and pass legislation in time for the upcoming filing season to return what they call a “windfall” to Kansas taxpayers. Democrats want to hold off and say lawmakers need to wait and see if there even is a windfall.
When Congress, at the behest of President Donald Trump, overhauled the federal tax code in late 2017, that meant a minority of Kansans who itemized on their state tax returns could no longer do so. Some Kansans will end up paying more to the state without the option to itemize.
At stake are millions of dollars. Estimates vary, but the boon to the state from the federal overhaul may be upwards of $100 million. Legislation could give all of that back to Kansas taxpayers by letting them itemize again and tweaking business tax rules. The cost to the state could be bigger if lawmakers include other tax relief.
Republican Senate President Susan Wagle has created a special committee to swiftly tackle the issue.
“Provide relief to Kansas families and businesses, allowing them to fully benefit from the Trump tax cuts,” Wagle urged in a statement.
The committee could debate and even vote on a bill as soon as next week.
Wagle has reportedly called for them to come up with a clean bill, one that would return the windfall and not get bogged down by delving into other areas of tax policy.
An effort to address the windfall last year narrowly failed with Democrats and some Republicans concerned that the legislation had ballooned with unrelated tax cuts that prompted unanswered questions about the financial impact to the state budget.
Sen. Caryn Tyson, chairwoman of the standing tax committee, was the Senate’s top negotiator in that failed effort. She is conspicuously absent from Wagle’s new special committee.
Still, Tyson would support legislation that comes out of the special committee.
“This money was intended for the Kansas taxpayer,” she said in an interview. “It was not intended to grow Kansas government.”
Tyson wants a fix in place before most Kansans file their 2018 taxes. Democrats say it would be more prudent to wait until the state has a better handle on collections.
The top Democrat in the Kansas House, Rep. Tom Sawyer, points out that the federal tax cut came with a lot of changes to the tax code — some with positive effects on the state coffers and others with negative effects.
Sawyer said the updated state revenue forecast in May will reveal the true impact of the federal overhaul.
“I think it’s really way too soon to work on this issue,” he said.
Kansas has been riding a tax rollercoaster over the last eight years. The 2012 tax cuts were followed by budget deficits and then tax increases. In 2017, lawmakers pulled the plug on the 2012 tax cuts by reversing nearly all of them.
Kansas is now projected to have around $900 million in reserves, and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly doesn’t want to disturb the state’s newfound financial stability.
When asked if she’d support simply fixing the itemizing change, the governor reiterated her opposition to tinkering with taxes.
“We have no idea if there’s a windfall,” Kelly said Thursday. “Let the dust settle on everything.”
If there is a windfall but Republicans in the Senate push a broader bill, Sawyer and other Democrats are ready with legislation in the House that only fixes the itemizing issue for taxpayers. But the timing is critical.
“I think it has broad support in our caucus,” Sawyer said. “I think it’d be better if we did it later in the session when we know hard numbers.”
This past week saw mostly bill introductions and the beginning of committee work. The Higher Education Budget committee met for the first time and received an overview of education in Kansas and setting the course for the session work. It will be another couple of weeks before we are presented with the baseline numbers and begin hearing from our higher education institutions.
In this report I wanted to share some of the things going on in other committees:
Mental Health Issues in Schools – On Thursday, the Kansas State Board of Education Report on Mental Health Issues in Schools and similar information on children’s mental health were presented to the House Education Committee. The board’s report identifies that 20% of children and youth have an identified need for mental health services, but only one-third of those children have received services. In addition, for those children who did receive services, more than 70% received services from their school. The presentation also stressed the need to prevent suicide, and the board’s prime recommendation included suicide awareness and prevention training. Specifically, the board recommended required staff training on signs of abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse, and would also like to see school districts revisit or revise policies related to mandating reporting of signs of abuse.
Essential Federal Employees in Kansas – On Friday, Representative Adam Smith from Weskan introduced a bill in the Rural Revitalization Committee to address concerns of Federal employees furloughed in Kansas due to the government shutdown. Some employees are working without pay and are not allowed to collect unemployment. Friday marked the second pay period these employees have been going to work without a paycheck. Under Representative Smith’s proposal, these employees would be able to collect unemployment and then be required to pay it back once an employee receives backpay from the Federal government. While this problem stems from D.C., we believe it is important for Kansans to take care of our own in the meantime.
Itemized Deduction Briefing – Also on Thursday, the tax committee heard from The Department of Revenue, the Kansas Society of CPAs, and the Kansas Realtors Association. Due to recent changes in federal law, Kansas taxpayers must take the standard deduction on their state income tax return if they take the standard deduction on federal return. In the same token, Kansans cannot itemize on their state returns if they do not itemize on their federal return. The federal standard deduction was nearly doubled, increasing from: 1) Federal Standard Deduction 2) Tax Year 2017: $6,350 for single filers, $12,700 married filing jointly 3) Tax Year 2018: $12,000 for single filers, $24,000 married filing jointly. 4) Kansas Standard Deduction and 5) $3,000 for single filers, $7,500 or married filing jointly. This eliminates the opportunity for Kansans with itemized deductions below the federal standard deduction, to itemize on their state return. Amending the state tax code, or decoupling from the federal tax code, will allow taxpayers the freedom to itemize or take the standard deduction on their state returns regardless of which route they take when filing their federal return.
Tax Foundation Testifies about Kansas Tax Climate – Nicole Keading, Director of Federal and Special Projects for the Tax Foundation, presented to the House Taxation Committee. She gave an overview of Kansas tax rates, state business tax climate index, the Wayfair decision, and conformity. She noted that literature shows that some taxes burden economic growth more than others. Those are gross receipts taxes, corporate income taxes, and individual income taxes. In speaking about state tax policy, she divided her discussion into four large categories: tax rates; tax collections; tax burdens; and tax structure.
In looking at tax rates, Kansas is in the middle of rankings on individual income tax rate for 2018 with a 5.7% rate. Individual income tax rates for neighboring states are: Colorado (4.63%), Nebraska (6.84%), Missouri (5.9%), and Oklahoma (5.0%). Kansas ranks higher than other states on the corporate tax rate at 7.0%. Neighboring states: CO (4.63%), NE (7.81%), MO (6.25%), and OK (6.0%). On sales tax, Kansas has the 8th highest combined sales tax rate (state/local), with 8.68%. Neighboring state rates are: CO (7.52%), NE (6.89%, no tax on food), MO (8.08%), and OK (8.93%). The Tax Foundation also calculates the tax burden for states. Tax burden reflects the portion of income that goes to taxes. The Tax Foundation found that Kansas’ burden is 9.5, which is the 23rd highest tax burden in the nation.
This past week there were several folks from the district in Topeka: Phillips County Commissioner Max Dibble; Phillipsburg City Council Chair Mike James; Norton County Commissioner Bud Posson; Stockton Mayor Kim Thomas; Ellis Mayor Dave McDaniel; Phillips County Register of Deeds Robert Keessee and several folks from our community hospitals, but due to the weather we were not able to catch up. I had a great time Sunday night at the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Diana Crouch and crew always put on a great event. Congratulations to the award winners.
If you come to Topeka during the session, my office is in Room: 149-S. My phone number is 785-296-7463 and email is: [email protected] and you can always try my cell number is 785-302-8416.
I look forward to seeing you around the 110th District. It is my honor to by your representative.
Rep. Ken Rahjes (R-Agra), is the 110th state representative and chairman of the Higher Education Budget Committee. House District 110
includes Norton and Phillips counties as well as portions of Ellis, Graham, and Rooks counties.
SEWARD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man and woman on drug charges after a weekend arrest.
On Saturday, police responded to a 911 hang up call at a home in the 200 block of W. Pancake in Liberal, according to police captain Robert Rogers.
Upon their arrival, they learned that a 27-year-old woman had been involved in a verbal argument with her 34-year-old husband. He left the scene prior to officers’ arrival.
While talking to her, the officers noticed that she appeared to under the influence of methamphetamine, according to Rogers. The room was in complete disarray. There were three children, ages 5, 3, and 1, in the room with her. The children appeared to be uncared for. A search of the room revealed syringes containing suspected methamphetamine within easy reach of the children. It was also determined that the only food available for the children was a box of club crackers and dry cereal.
Police took all three children into protective custody and to Southwest Medical Center for treatment. It was determined that one of the children tested positive for methamphetamines.
Police arrested the mother for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated endangering a child and child abuse. Police later located the man and arrested him on similar requested charges. Police have not released the names of the parents.
ELLIS – It’s never too soon to start thinking about summer and swimming.
The Ellis City Council voted last week to pursue a grant for swimming pools from special round of Community Development Block Grant funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce. Justine Benoit, grant administrator with Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, told the council grant funds may be used for construction of a new pool, diving boards, equipment, lifeguard stands, and concession areas. There is a required 60/40 match with the local body providing 40% of the cost.
A swimming pool committee will be developed to facilitate the project.
In other business, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the 2019 Street Seal project for consideration. The streets included in the project were last sealed in 2013. A $11,925 bid from the Crafco state contract for street seal material was unanimously approved.
Bids for 750 ton of rock, seal oil, and 750 ton of ½” chips from other vendors were also approved.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
January 21, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Justine Benoit, Verda Flinn, Glen Keller, Barbara Perkins, Heather French, and Nickole Byers (arrived at 8:37 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 7, 2019, Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 14, 2019, and Bills Ordinance #2061. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Report
Fire Chief Dustin Vine presented his monthly report. The Department recently trained on ice rescues on Big Creek. Chief Vine stressed that residents and animals should stay off of Big Creek as the ice is unstable and not safe.
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Justine Benoit, Grant Administrator with Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, presented information regarding a special round of Community Development Block Grant funding for swimming pools from the Kansas Department of Commerce. The application deadline is May 15th with grant awards announced July 1st. The maximum grant request is $1,000,000 and the required match is 60/40 (60% grant funds and 40% local funds). Grant funds may be used for construction of a new pool, diving boards, equipment, lifeguard stands, and concession areas, but funds could not be used for “extras” such as a lazy river, splash pad, or slides. It was the consensus of Council to move forward with the grant application. Council developed a swimming pool committee to help facilitate the project.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Policy
Council reviewed the current document providing for aesthetic standards for small cells and proposed several revisions to simplify the standards. City Attorney Olavee Raub will present a revised draft at the next Council meeting for consideration.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the 2019 Street Seal project for consideration. The streets included in the project were last sealed in 2013. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to accept the bid from the Crafco State Contract for street seal material in the amount of $11,925, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Streets fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Martin LaBarge seconded a motion to approve the bid from Flatlander Dirt Works to haul 750 ton of rock to Ellis in the amount of $11,250, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Street fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the bid from Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. for seal oil for the project in the amount of $48,000 with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Streets fund. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Bret Andries then moved to approve the purchase of 750 ton of ½” chips from APAC-Kansas in the amount of $22,162.50 with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Streets fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Steve Ferland abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
NEW BUSINESS
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman would like to replace the single phase pump at the Cedar Lane lift station with a three-phase pump. The City already has a Loveless pump which would need to be rebuilt, and Midwest Energy would need to add a pole and transformer to accommodate the three-phase electricity. Right-of-ways would need to be acquired from the two residences where the lift station is located. Council requested that Mr. Scheuerman provide quotes for the project at the next meeting. Council member Bret Andries moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to investigate the easement rights for the properties affected. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Tourism: Committee
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the appointment of Joleen Fisher to the Tourism Committee. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Committee
Mayor David McDaniel requested affirmation of the City’s support of the Kansas PRIDE program by adopting a resolution. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 553 pledging support of the City’s participation in the Kansas PRIDE Program. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested approval to contract out the replacement of the roof at the swimming pool. The Department is unable to perform the work due to time constraints and other projects. The City has already purchased the materials. Council instructed Mr. Scheuerman to solicit bids for the project.
Water: Acquisition
Mr. Scheuerman requested the purchase of 65 electronic-read meters. The City has already installed close to 50 of the meters and they have been helpful in pinpointing residential water leaks faster. The meters are also used in locations the meter readers aren’t able to access easily due to location of the meter or pets in the area. Eventually, the City would like to convert all 950 traditional meters to the electronic-read meters. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the purchase of 65 electronic-read meters from Metron-Farnier, LLC in the amount of $24,068 with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Reserve fund. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, City Clerk Amy Burton noted there were funds still available from 2018 earmarked for the purchase of electronic-read meters, if Council chose to increase the purchase. Upon a call for the vote, the motion failed 1-5, with Council member Martin LaBarge voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger voting opposed. Mr. Scheuerman will bring a revised quote to the next Council meeting.
General Government: Policy
Council reviewed updates to the City’s Safety Guideline Manual. The last revision was done in October 2013. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Safety Guideline Manual as revised. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period November 10th – December 10th. The percentage of water accounted for remains slightly lower than the industry average.
Mr. Scheuerman stated the new 2015 Ford F-250 will become the Water Department truck and the bed from the old truck will be installed on the new truck. The second pickup to be purchased will replace the current Parks truck.
Concrete work needs to be performed at the intersection of 10th Street and Monroe Street. Traffic will need to be re-routed for the project. Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to contact the County since portions of that area would be under their direction.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported Officer Kolas began employment January 7th. There has not been a date set for him to attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Officer Kolas has qualified on the Department’s firearms and the Taser.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton discussed possible dates to hold Council orientation. The training session reviews the Governing Body’s role in local government and the City’s policies and procedures. The orientation session will be held January 31st at 6:00 p.m.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the real estate closing on the water exploration sites will be next week.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel reminded Council of the Town Hall meeting to discuss the Ellis County Comprehensive Plan on January 31st at 8:00 a.m.
Mayor McDaniel and Nickole Byers announced that Monica Befort, local artist, is interested in working with the City to re-paint the mural on the south side of City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Steve Ferland moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
SALINE COUNTY — One person died in a motorcycle accident just after 4p.m. Sunday in Salina.
A 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Blaine K. Smith, 26, Salina, was westbound on Franklin Street at a high rate of speed, according to police Sergeant Brent Rupert.
The driver was unable to stop at the intersection of Custer Street. The driver laid the motorcycle down. It flipped over the curb and came to rest in a yard in the 800 Block of Custer.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Rupert.
The accident is still under investigation. Alcohol is believed to have played a factor in the accident, according to Rupert.
Before this year’s session started I agreed to sponsor a bill, SB 9, which would make a postponed KPERS payment from 2016 that the legislature had promised to pay with interest in 2018. In 2018, the legislature opted to postpone the payment, to see what future revenues produced. Kansas’s revenues ended FY18 with $317 million more than expected. This left the approved ending balance at $905 million. Eighteen Republican senators, including myself, have signed on to sponsor SB 9. Some Democratic senators want to stall this payment. We made a promise to make this payment with interest and believe we should not build our ending balances by breaking promises.
Last Tuesday, the Senate Ways & Means Committee heard testimony on SB 9, which would transfer $115 million from the state general fund to the KPERS system. One hundred percent of the payment would be applied to the public-school group, a group that carries the largest unfunded liability. Ways & Means heard from Executive Director of KPERS, Alan Conroy, who explained to the committee that not making the payment would cause an increase of $630,000 to the unfunded liability/interest expense monthly. Making the payment would result in meeting the actuarial required payment for the first time in 25 years.
Thank you for those hundreds of people who gathered at the Statehouse, Tuesday, January 22, in freezing rain to participate in the annual Kansas March for Life. In particular I would like to thank people from the 40th Senate District who braved bad roads to attend this rally, including people as far away as St. Francis, KS. Many gathered due to the anticipated ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court that would say the constitution provides a right to an abortion. The march and rally took place on the 46th anniversary of the Roe vs Wade decision. In light of the New York Legislature adopting the Reproductive Health Act, allowing abortions up until the point of birth, it is more important than ever that we continue to fight for the unborn.
Hard Facts: Aviation in Kansas has a $20.6 billion economic impact and is responsible for 91,300 jobs. According to the Kansas Department of Labor, Kansas’ December unemployment rate was 3.3% compared to the 3.9% national rate.
Middle School and High School students (12 years of age or older) are invited to come to our Kansas State Capitol, in order to be my sponsored Senate Page for a day. The dates available are February 11th, 18th, 25th and March 11th. Please contact my office, if you know a student who may have an interest in being a Senate Page.
I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact or call me with your questions and concerns, my office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka stop by my office at 236-E.
Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is the Kansas state senator for the 40th District, which includes Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties as well as portions of Phillips county.
LOGAN – The Dane G. Hansen Museum is pleased to offer a Crochet class by instructor April Teves of Logan, Kansas. Two sessions will be held on Thursday, March 7, and Thursday, March 28, 2019, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Classes will be held in the Community Room of the Dane G. Hansen Museum, in Logan, KS. Participants, 13 years and older, will learn basic crochet stitches and pattern-reading in order to complete their own cozy winter hat.
This fun learning opportunity is offered to the public through the Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program. Registration fees are $35.00 and includes all supplies needed to complete a winter hat. Discounts are available to Patron and Sustaining Hansen Museum Members. Registrations are due by Thursday, February 21, 2019. For more information, please call 785-689-4846.
The Dane G. Hansen Museum is open Monday through Friday 9-12 & 1-4; Saturdays 9-12 & 1-5; Sundays & Holidays 1-5. We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The Museum is handicapped accessible and admission is always free thanks to the generous support of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact us at 785-689-4846.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home burglary and asking for help to identify a suspect.
photo courtesy Wichita Police
Just before 9p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a residential burglary in the 500 block of north Stratford in Wichita, according to a media release.
Through the investigation an unknown suspect entered the residence and took items from the home.
On Monday, police released security camera images of the suspect in an attempt to help identify him.
Anyone with information is asked to please call Crime Stoppers at 316 267-2111 or 911
LOGAN – The Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program is proud to have certified Bob Ross instructors, T.R. Mathews and Sandy Seamone of Arriba, Colorado, at the Museum on February 16th and 17th to teach two Joy of Painting classes.
On Saturday, February 16, 2019, the class will paint “Mountain Glory,” and on Sunday, February 17, 2019, “The Old Pump.” Class runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with an hour lunch break each day.
Step-by-step, T.R. and Sandy reveal how fun and simple it is to paint using the Bob Ross method. Their tag-team approach to teaching keeps the classroom atmosphere light and entertaining.
All painting supplies are provided, and no previous experience is necessary. Young and old alike will enjoy the camaraderie of these classes.
Register by February 8th and pay $70.00 per day, after February 8th, pay $75.00 per day. Discounts available for Patron and Sustaining Hansen Museum Members.
This wonderful learning opportunity is brought to you through the Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program. For more information, please call 785-689-4846.
The Dane G. Hansen Museum is open Monday through Friday 9-12 & 1-4; Saturdays 9-12 & 1-5; Sundays & Holidays 1-5. We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The Museum is handicapped accessible and admission is always free thanks to the generous support of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact us at 785-689-4846.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friends,
Friday a short-term funding agreement was made to reopen the government and pay federal employees. The president announced that he would reopen the government for three weeks, with hopes that by February 15th we will pass a border security agreement that includes funding for the wall. I find myself both relieved but also increasingly frustrated with this Congress and its dysfunction. I feel for those who have been struggling during this time, and I worry that once this temporary deal expires in three weeks, they will be faced with the same uncertainty if Democrats are not willing to negotiate.
I remain firm in my belief that we must secure our southern border and put an end to this decades-old crisis once and for all. It is unfathomable that some of my colleagues continue to ignore the reality of the lives lost due to criminals and drugs flowing into the United States.
There is absolutely a solution out there where both parties would receive clear victories. It is time for everyone in Washington – Republican and Democrats alike –to quit with the partisan games, provide the funds needed to secure our southern border adequately.
Continuing My Work On The House Agriculture Committee
I am proud to say that I will be again serving the Big First and our Ag industry on the House Agriculture committee. In the 115th Congress, the House Ag team was able to achieve many monumental accomplishments like passing a five-year Farm Bill, that will provide certainty to so many people across Kansas. I am eager to be back with this great team and represent our farmers and ranchers as well as agribusinesses and so many other vital parts of our Ag industry. We have a great deal of work to do for farm country, including advocating for new trade deals, protecting and implementing the 2018 Farm Bill and expanding rural broadband access and reducing the regulatory burden on our farmers. I will also be staying on the Science Space and Technology committee.
President Trump will Veto Anti-Life Legislation
I will always serve to protect the most vulnerable and guard the innocent, unborn children. Life begins at conception, and as a physician for 25 years that delivered 10,000 babies, I will always choose life.
I signed a letter to the president, with 168 of my colleagues, requesting that he commit to vetoing any legislation that weakens the protections for the unborn. I am proud that he answered our call to action and subsequently sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) promising to veto any legislation that House Democrats might pass that would violate the sanctity of life and change or weaken the protections for human life.
I commend our president for his steadfast position on this critical issue and his quit action to defend of the most vulnerable.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Last week the nation celebrated the life of a Civil Rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We took a moment to reflect on the progress we have made as a country and all the work the Reverend did to unify a nation that was broken.
Lately, I have been thinking about what Dr. King would say if he were alive today to see the diverse partisanship in Congress. His message would be clear – we must unify to make change. We must keep working together on civilly finding common ground. We must look even beyond the rules of civility. We must begin accepting when two or more minds work together with different opinions because there is always a common goal to be found.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A book by the daughter of the BTK serial killer about finding out that her father had killed 10 people in the Wichita area will be released Tuesday.
Image courtesy Thomas Nelson Publisher
Kerri Rawson’s memoir, “A Serial Killer’s Daughter,” details the 40-year-old’s panicked descent into denial and depression after the 2005 arrest of her father, Dennis Rader.
His self-coined moniker was BTK, which stood for “bind, torture, kill.” The book being put out by Thomas Nelson Publishers also includes letters he sent her from jail.
BTK killer Dennis Rader is being held in the El Dorado Correctional facility photo Kansas Dpt. of Corrections
Rawson, who now lives in Michigan, has said that she hopes her story helps others wade through their own emotional turmoil. In the book’s epilogue, Rawson talks about finally finding her own peace. She says she misses her father, “the one I mainly knew.”
