Kansas Common Sense
Visiting all 105 Kansas Counties in 2024
Dec 02 2024
Visiting all 105 Kansas Counties in 2024
This week I visited a high school in Osage County, completing my visits to all 105 Kansas counties in 2024. Traveling to every Kansas county gives me the opportunity to connect with thousands of Kansans and see first-hand the communities – large and small – that are thriving and those that are working hard to survive. Washington, D.C. is a long way from Kansas, but visiting with Kansans from every corner of the state helps me better understand Kansas priorities and guides my work in the nation’s capital.
I have experienced Kansas kindness from folks of all backgrounds and political parties. Thank you to the civic clubs, high schools, colleges, local businesses, hospitals, American Legion Posts and so many more who have hosted me for town halls and other opportunities to hear and learn from Kansans across the state.
A Season for Thankfulness
Happy Thanksgiving! Robba and I hope you and your loved ones have a great holiday. We are grateful for the blessings we share in this great nation: from the freedoms we cherish to the communities we build, there is much to be grateful for.
We are grateful to our law enforcement and first responders who keep our communities, families and friends safe over Thanksgiving. We are also grateful to our servicemembers who protect and defend our freedoms abroad. We are blessed to live in the greatest country in the world.
Welcoming the HADES Program to Wichita
This week, I was in Wichita for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bombardier Headquarters for the U.S. Army's new High-Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) aircraft. The HADES program will provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), providing combatant commanders with timely and relevant information. With the HADES fleet, commanders will be equipped with greater range, speed and options in a contested environment.
The HADES program is an example of how the aviation industry and Army collaboration can lead to the rapid and efficient development of a sophisticated technology. This program transitioned from a concept to an operational aircraft in just over five years. This achievement would not have been possible without the highly skilled Wichita workforce and ingenuity.
I will continue to use my position as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to make certain the Army builds a fleet within a relevant timeline to meet its operational requirements. Thank you to Steve Patrick with Bombardier Defense, Army Lieutenant General Tony Hale and Andrew Evans, Director of the HQDA G-2 ISR Task Force for joining me in Wichita for this ceremony.
Speaking at Annual Conservation Convention
It was great to be with members of the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) in Wichita for their 80th annual convention. This group is committed to conserving our natural resources—efforts that are critical to preserving Kansas for the next generation. Water conservation and natural resource management is particularly important to our economy and quality of life. Water is the lifeblood of our municipalities, the foundation for statewide recreation and will direct the future of manufacturing and agriculture production. During my remarks I discussed Farm Bill reauthorization, drought, disaster aid efforts and conservation issues across the state. Passing a new Farm Bill will strengthen conservation and supports our farmers and ranchers who need valuable resources like water.
I also spoke about Ag Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins of Texas. I look forward to her congressional hearing and confirmation process. Thank you to KACD Executive Director Dan Meyerhoff and the board for inviting me to speak as well as the many members of KACD I was able to visit with.
Protecting Volunteer Fire Services
This week, I again urged the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to carefully consider the feedback of Kansas firefighters and to refrain from finalizing a proposed rule that would jeopardize fire services for hundreds of thousands of Kansans and millions of Americans.
In February, OSHA proposed a new rule that would overhaul health and safety requirements for fire departments in the U.S., including by imposing new equipment, training, reporting and health services requirements. In August, after hearing from numerous Kansas volunteer firefighters, I led my colleagues in the Senate in calling on DOL Acting Secretary Julie Su to exempt volunteers from parts of the proposed rule. In September, following thousands of stakeholder comments and pushback from public officials, OSHA expressed its willingness to consider exemptions for volunteers in the final version of the rule.
OSHA is in the middle of a multi-week informal public hearing during which many firefighters have submitted feedback on the proposed rule and have had the opportunity to testify, including several Kansas firefighters, such as Steve Hirsch of Hoxie, who also serves as Chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). I encouraged OSHA to withdraw the rule and refrain from any additional rulemaking on this issue.
You can read the letter here.
Wichita State Receives National Recognition for Being Top Engineering Research School
Congratulations to Wichita State University for being recognized as one of the top engineering research institutions in the country. Kansas is the ‘Air Capital of the World’ not only because we build airplanes and rockets, but because we have leaders and students driving the industry forward with innovation, ingenuity and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Announcing Federal Resources for Kansas
Cowley County Community College
On Monday, I traveled to Arkansas City to announce federal resources for Cowley County Community College and to tour the new Tyler Technical Education Building. These new resources will help Cowley College expand its welding program and train instructors for the trade programs. The driving force behind our rural communities is a strong workforce, and I am grateful to Cowley County Community College for investing in Kansans. I want to thank the college president, Dr. Michelle Schoon, for all her work and for inviting me to announce these federal resources.
You can read more about the announcement in the Courier Traveler, here.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Tuesday morning, I joined Franklin County Sherrif Jeff Richards and County Commissioner Ianne Dickinson in Ottawa to announce federal resources for the sheriff’s department. Through my role as the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, I helped secure $225,000 for body scanners for the county jail, baggage scanners for court security and metal detectors for the courthouse and the county detention center.
These funds will improve security capabilities for the sheriff’s department and help keep the courthouse secure, as well as increasing safety capabilities within the corrections facility. I appreciate working with Sheriff Richards and law enforcement leaders across the state to make certain that our departments are well equipped to maintain safety in our communities across Kansas. Thank you again to Sherrif Richards and Commissioner Dickinson for the invitation to share the good news.
Rush County Sheriff’s Office
On Wednesday, I visited La Crosse to announce federal resources for the Rush County Sheriff’s Office to purchase equipment upgrades. As the lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice, it is a continued priority of mine to assist law enforcement in obtaining the resources they need to continue to keep their communities safe.
Thank you to Rush County Sheriff Mark Knowles for your continued service to your community and for the invitation to speak.
Visits Across Kansas
Butler Community College
This week, I toured Butler Community College (BCC) and met with their talented faculty, students and staff. BCC offers competitive education programs that attract students from across Kansas. From its Nursing program to its Welding Technology, Automotive Technology and Creative Video/Television programs, BCC is educating young professionals to meet the workface demands our state and nation are facing. I appreciate President Kimberly Krull along with her faculty, staff and Trustees for providing an informative tour and for all they do to offer education and career opportunities for students. Special thanks to President Krull who will retire in January after more than a decade of distinguished service to BCC and to Matt Galbraith who will retire in May after serving as BCC’s lead Welding Technology instructor.
Santa Fe Trail High School
Osage county was my final county to visit in Kansas this year, and I took the opportunity to meet with students at Santa Fe Trail High School while I was in Carbondale. The students gave me a tour of their school and shared with me their aspirations and plans after graduation.
Harveyville
After visiting Osage County I stopped in the neighboring county, Wabaunsee County, to visit with folks in Harveyville. I visited the First National Bank, the library, Harveyville Seed Company and Quaney Farms. While in town I met with Gene Quaney, a local farmer, and Dustin Kuntz, the Mayor of Harveyville, and we discussed this year’s crops and the need for a new Farm Bill. Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with me.
Salina Family Healthcare Center & Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit Salina Family Healthcare Center and the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program. As a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC), Salina Family is providing essential services to its community and training residents to better understand rural health care through the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program. Kansans’ access to quality health care services often determines whether they can remain in the communities they call home. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, it is useful for me to visit these facilities and others across Kansas to learn more about how providers utilize resources to care for patients, many of whom are spread across large areas of our state.
Thank you to Ann Fell, Salina Family’s Chief Operating Officer and the staff of Salina Family Healthcare Center and Smoky Hill for the tour and for their dedication to ensuring Kansans have access to high-quality care.
This week I visited a high school in Osage County, completing my visits to all 105 Kansas counties in 2024. Traveling to every Kansas county gives me the opportunity to connect with thousands of Kansans and see first-hand the communities – large and small – that are thriving and those that are working hard to survive. Washington, D.C. is a long way from Kansas, but visiting with Kansans from every corner of the state helps me better understand Kansas priorities and guides my work in the nation’s capital.
I have experienced Kansas kindness from folks of all backgrounds and political parties. Thank you to the civic clubs, high schools, colleges, local businesses, hospitals, American Legion Posts and so many more who have hosted me for town halls and other opportunities to hear and learn from Kansans across the state.
A Season for Thankfulness
Happy Thanksgiving! Robba and I hope you and your loved ones have a great holiday. We are grateful for the blessings we share in this great nation: from the freedoms we cherish to the communities we build, there is much to be grateful for.
We are grateful to our law enforcement and first responders who keep our communities, families and friends safe over Thanksgiving. We are also grateful to our servicemembers who protect and defend our freedoms abroad. We are blessed to live in the greatest country in the world.
Welcoming the HADES Program to Wichita
This week, I was in Wichita for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bombardier Headquarters for the U.S. Army's new High-Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) aircraft. The HADES program will provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), providing combatant commanders with timely and relevant information. With the HADES fleet, commanders will be equipped with greater range, speed and options in a contested environment.
The HADES program is an example of how the aviation industry and Army collaboration can lead to the rapid and efficient development of a sophisticated technology. This program transitioned from a concept to an operational aircraft in just over five years. This achievement would not have been possible without the highly skilled Wichita workforce and ingenuity.
I will continue to use my position as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to make certain the Army builds a fleet within a relevant timeline to meet its operational requirements. Thank you to Steve Patrick with Bombardier Defense, Army Lieutenant General Tony Hale and Andrew Evans, Director of the HQDA G-2 ISR Task Force for joining me in Wichita for this ceremony.
Speaking at Annual Conservation Convention
It was great to be with members of the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) in Wichita for their 80th annual convention. This group is committed to conserving our natural resources—efforts that are critical to preserving Kansas for the next generation. Water conservation and natural resource management is particularly important to our economy and quality of life. Water is the lifeblood of our municipalities, the foundation for statewide recreation and will direct the future of manufacturing and agriculture production. During my remarks I discussed Farm Bill reauthorization, drought, disaster aid efforts and conservation issues across the state. Passing a new Farm Bill will strengthen conservation and supports our farmers and ranchers who need valuable resources like water.
I also spoke about Ag Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins of Texas. I look forward to her congressional hearing and confirmation process. Thank you to KACD Executive Director Dan Meyerhoff and the board for inviting me to speak as well as the many members of KACD I was able to visit with.
Protecting Volunteer Fire Services
This week, I again urged the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to carefully consider the feedback of Kansas firefighters and to refrain from finalizing a proposed rule that would jeopardize fire services for hundreds of thousands of Kansans and millions of Americans.
In February, OSHA proposed a new rule that would overhaul health and safety requirements for fire departments in the U.S., including by imposing new equipment, training, reporting and health services requirements. In August, after hearing from numerous Kansas volunteer firefighters, I led my colleagues in the Senate in calling on DOL Acting Secretary Julie Su to exempt volunteers from parts of the proposed rule. In September, following thousands of stakeholder comments and pushback from public officials, OSHA expressed its willingness to consider exemptions for volunteers in the final version of the rule.
OSHA is in the middle of a multi-week informal public hearing during which many firefighters have submitted feedback on the proposed rule and have had the opportunity to testify, including several Kansas firefighters, such as Steve Hirsch of Hoxie, who also serves as Chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). I encouraged OSHA to withdraw the rule and refrain from any additional rulemaking on this issue.
You can read the letter here.
Wichita State Receives National Recognition for Being Top Engineering Research School
Congratulations to Wichita State University for being recognized as one of the top engineering research institutions in the country. Kansas is the ‘Air Capital of the World’ not only because we build airplanes and rockets, but because we have leaders and students driving the industry forward with innovation, ingenuity and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Announcing Federal Resources for Kansas
Cowley County Community College
On Monday, I traveled to Arkansas City to announce federal resources for Cowley County Community College and to tour the new Tyler Technical Education Building. These new resources will help Cowley College expand its welding program and train instructors for the trade programs. The driving force behind our rural communities is a strong workforce, and I am grateful to Cowley County Community College for investing in Kansans. I want to thank the college president, Dr. Michelle Schoon, for all her work and for inviting me to announce these federal resources.
You can read more about the announcement in the Courier Traveler, here.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Tuesday morning, I joined Franklin County Sherrif Jeff Richards and County Commissioner Ianne Dickinson in Ottawa to announce federal resources for the sheriff’s department. Through my role as the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, I helped secure $225,000 for body scanners for the county jail, baggage scanners for court security and metal detectors for the courthouse and the county detention center.
These funds will improve security capabilities for the sheriff’s department and help keep the courthouse secure, as well as increasing safety capabilities within the corrections facility. I appreciate working with Sheriff Richards and law enforcement leaders across the state to make certain that our departments are well equipped to maintain safety in our communities across Kansas. Thank you again to Sherrif Richards and Commissioner Dickinson for the invitation to share the good news.
Rush County Sheriff’s Office
On Wednesday, I visited La Crosse to announce federal resources for the Rush County Sheriff’s Office to purchase equipment upgrades. As the lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice, it is a continued priority of mine to assist law enforcement in obtaining the resources they need to continue to keep their communities safe.
Thank you to Rush County Sheriff Mark Knowles for your continued service to your community and for the invitation to speak.
Visits Across Kansas
Butler Community College
This week, I toured Butler Community College (BCC) and met with their talented faculty, students and staff. BCC offers competitive education programs that attract students from across Kansas. From its Nursing program to its Welding Technology, Automotive Technology and Creative Video/Television programs, BCC is educating young professionals to meet the workface demands our state and nation are facing. I appreciate President Kimberly Krull along with her faculty, staff and Trustees for providing an informative tour and for all they do to offer education and career opportunities for students. Special thanks to President Krull who will retire in January after more than a decade of distinguished service to BCC and to Matt Galbraith who will retire in May after serving as BCC’s lead Welding Technology instructor.
Santa Fe Trail High School
Osage county was my final county to visit in Kansas this year, and I took the opportunity to meet with students at Santa Fe Trail High School while I was in Carbondale. The students gave me a tour of their school and shared with me their aspirations and plans after graduation.
Harveyville
After visiting Osage County I stopped in the neighboring county, Wabaunsee County, to visit with folks in Harveyville. I visited the First National Bank, the library, Harveyville Seed Company and Quaney Farms. While in town I met with Gene Quaney, a local farmer, and Dustin Kuntz, the Mayor of Harveyville, and we discussed this year’s crops and the need for a new Farm Bill. Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with me.
Salina Family Healthcare Center & Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit Salina Family Healthcare Center and the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program. As a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC), Salina Family is providing essential services to its community and training residents to better understand rural health care through the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program. Kansans’ access to quality health care services often determines whether they can remain in the communities they call home. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, it is useful for me to visit these facilities and others across Kansas to learn more about how providers utilize resources to care for patients, many of whom are spread across large areas of our state.
Thank you to Ann Fell, Salina Family’s Chief Operating Officer and the staff of Salina Family Healthcare Center and Smoky Hill for the tour and for their dedication to ensuring Kansans have access to high-quality care.
Capitol Tour
Janice Kirkhart of Lawrence
Tyler Kirkhart of Lawrence
Danqin Li of Manhattan
Jonathan McEathron of Lawrence
Adelaide Olinek of Wichita
Marilyn Palmer of Derby
Shannon Palmer of Wichita
Terence Palmer of Derby
Taylor Sharp of Lawrence
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