Kansas Common Sense

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, hosted Sunflower Electric Power Corporation President and CEO Stuart Lowry of Hays, Kan., and Wilson Communications CEO and General Manager Brian Boisvert of Wilson, Kan., at his subcommittee hearing on rural development in the 21st century.

“One of my top priorities is making certain our policies maintain and improve the quality of life in rural areas, in turn making rural America an attractive place for young people to return to live, work and raise a family,” Sen. Moran said. “USDA Rural Development’s overarching mission is to provide the opportunity and environment necessary for rural communities to remain strong. It’s important for people in Washington to hear directly from Kansans as the subcommittee examines the agency’s efforts in meeting that goal.”

Sen. Moran invited Lowry and Boisvert to testify because of their experience and knowledge in making certain USDA Rural Development programs are working for rural Kansas, including providing access to the latest in telecommunications and keeping utility rates affordable. The witness panel also highlighted the impact overregulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal government agencies is having on the ability of borrowers participating in USDA Rural Development programs to pay back their loans. 

The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee oversees the budget and operations within the USDA and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Earlier this year, Sen. Moran held a hearing in the subcommittee with FDA Acting Commissioner Stephen Ostroff to look into the agency’s implementation of updated food safety systems. Sen. Moran also hosted FDA Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor in Kansas last week to visit Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and tour a cattle feedlot in Great Bend, Kan., as part of his ongoing efforts to oversee the USDA and FDA and educate people in Washington about issues important to Kansas.  

Click here to view the hearing.

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