The 2023 Kansas Legislature Session gaveled in on Jan 9th. After the formalities of the inauguration, State of the State and State of the Judiciary speeches were finished, the legislature begun its challenging task of representing their constituents who elected them. My thanks to the voters in Senate District 26 who have given me this opportunity. As always, I welcome you to share your concerns, questions, and opinions on issues that affect you.

Congratulations to two new Senators who were sworn into the Kansas Senate and are now a part of the Senate Republican Caucus: Senator Blasi and Senator Schellenberger. Senator Ron Ryckman, Sr. also was sworn in to complete his full term after serving two years in the Senate replacing Senator Bud Estes. Congratulations and thank you for your service to our State! 

I am looking forward to a legislative session that will include fiscal responsible governing, prudent tax reductions, and laws that will help Kansas grow and prosper. Forefront as we navigate through the session, is the need to preserve and protect all the freedoms that Kansans desire and deserve.

The Senate Budget Subcommittees began the arduous task of looking at each of State’s individual budgets along with the Governor’s budget recommendations. This is a long process with many committee meetings and discussions. These recommendations are shared and voted on by the whole chamber as the Senate position on the State Budget. I chair and serve on several of these subcommittees. 

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resource committee has had a good start this session with numerous informational briefings and presentations. Among the topics heard in committee were WATER, WATER, and WATER, Kansas Food and Farm Coalition update, the lack of hunting opportunities for Kansas residents, reports on all Kansas commodities, and a general update from the Department of Agriculture. I sponsored a Senate Concurrent Resolution “disapproving the designation of the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species in Kansas by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and supporting efforts to remove such designation”. The Resolution affirmed the rights of ranchers, farmers, and energy producers to control their lands and continue their proactive measures to protect the lesser prairie-chicken. It was voted on and passed out by the full Senate and sent to the House for their passage. 

We have already heard over 29 tax reduction bills in the Senate Assessment and Tax Committee this year. Some of these proposed bills will be targeted and worked extensively in committee. Eliminating the tax on Social Security, holiday gift tax days, and food tax reduction are being considered. I am looking forward to receiving more information and debate on these tax bills.

It was my honor to recognize Mallory Keefe on the Senate floor as a Kansas Reginal Teacher of the Year recipient. Mallory is the head teacher of the 3-year-old preschool program at the Cheney Elementary-Pre school (USD 268) in Cheney, KS. Mallory was instrumental in starting the preschool program in August 2019. She and other staff members worked to develop and make this into an excellent program through innovative hands-on lessons. Cheney Elementary School is fortunate to have such a competent and dedicated professional working in their school. A well-earned and deserving honor. Congratulations, Mallory!

Goddard Challenger Intermediate School 6^th Grade along wih their teacher, Joel Condray, presented testimony in support of making the Silvisaurus condryi the State Land Fossil of Kansas. Mr. Condray’s grandfather, Warren, discovered the dinosaur fossil in Ottawa County in 1955. As a result of this connection, Mr. Condray and his class went to work to make this Only known dinosaur to ever be discovered in Kansas the State fossil. Senator Bowers, Concordia, assisted in the legislative process. I was able to provide testimonial support and congratulations on a job well done! It was an incredible accomplishment by both the students and their teacher. Thanks for coming to the Capitol and sharing this experience with us. The hearing can be viewed below:

Testifying before the Fed and State Committee on the proposed state fossil: Silvisaurus condrayi.

Bank of America Chief Executive Brian Moynihan said that current efforts to produce a set of official global standards on ESG issues were vital to “align capitalism with what society wants from it.” (CNBC – January 18, 2023) This is very disturbing!

Newly sworn-in Kansas State Treasurer Steven C. Johnson is taking a hard look at whether ES policy influences pension fund investment — and who is managing the investments. Johnson said one of his priorities is making sure that state pension funds are focused on the best return on investment — not ESG principles. I am thankful for Treasurer Johnson’s watchful eye on this very concerning national policy. 

Please contact the Kansas Insurance Department for assistance with your claim. File a complaint online at insurance.ks.gov, by phone at 785-296-3071, or by email at KID.webcomplaints.ks.gov.

Applications for property tax relief must be submitted by April 18, 2023 and can be found here: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf/

Details of the program can be found here: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxnotices/notice22-04.pdf

Applications can be found by clicking here: https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront

All are available at no charge through the State Library’s web site https://kslib.info/storytime . If you are asked for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step. Questions: kslc@ks.gov.  

I joined fellow legislators on the South steps of the Capitol in conjunction with the annual Kansas Rally for Life March. All life is blessed from one’s beginning to one’s last breath. 

Sedgwick County EMS joined me in my office today sharing concerns and issues that affect them. Thankful for their service!

Enjoyed visiting with Randy Stookey, Grain and Feed, and members of Mid-Kansas Cooperative.

Thanks to Corri Newman, SLP undergrad at WSU, and Susie Ternes, Executive Director of Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, for sharing information with me during their day at the Capitol. 

I appreciate you taking time to read my Newsletter. Not a lot of “meat” to share on specific legislation but the process has begun. As the session progresses, please reach out to me with a visit, phone call, or email with any concerns or questions. It is my pleasure to represent you and serve you as your State Senator.

Best Regards,

Kansas Legislature YouTube – Here you can follow the legislature live as it happens, or access archives of past sessions and committee meetings.

Kansas Legislature Audio – Here you can listen in on session or committees when they are in session, or access prior committee meetings, as well.

Kansas Legislature website – www.kslegislature.org - has extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, and past sessions.