Kansas Common Sense
Happy Easter!
Apr 01 2024
New Major Investments for Kansas
K-State University, Salina
On Tuesday, I joined Kansas State University President Dr. Richard Linton, Senior Vice-President Dr. Marshall Stewart, CEO and Dean of K-State Salina Campus Dr. Alysia Starkey, Executive Director of the Salina Airport Authority Tim Rogers and many other K-State and Salina community leaders to announce that K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus will be receiving $33.5 million in federal funds. These funds will be used to construct the Aerospace Innovation Training Hub, which will house many different aerospace opportunities.
Technology is moving forward quickly, and these resources will help K-State advance its research and development. Thank you to the leaders at K-State and those in the community for joining me.
You can read more about the event in the Salina Journal, here.
Marysville Police Department
On Monday, I visited Marysville to announce new federal resources for the police department and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. The Marysville Police Department will be receiving in-car camera systems and a TruNarc drug-detecting analyzer. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office will also be receiving funds to purchase technology upgrades.
Thank you to Marysville Police Chief Matt Simpson and Marshall County Sheriff Timothy Ackerman for hosting me and to Marysville Mayor Todd Frye, Don Landoll, Paula Landoll-Smith, Candace Wright, Frank Popejoy and many others for attending the announcement.
Baxter Springs Police Department
I was in southeast Kansas on Thursday morning to announce federal investments for the Baxter Springs Police Department. They were awarded funds to acquire camera systems for their patrol vehicles as well as new body cameras and tasers. The new cameras will allow footage in the field to be uploaded in real time and the Taser-7 technology provides a non-lethal alternative for apprehending suspects.
Thank you to Chief Brian Henderson for joining me for this announcement as well as Mayor Kelly Abbott, Kansas State Senator Tim Shallenburger and Cherokee County Sheriff Dave Groves.
You can read more about the announcement in KOAM, here.
Visits Across Kansas
Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka. I appreciated learning about the creative and educational work that the KCDC museum is undertaking to share exciting developments in the arts and sciences with Kansas’ young people. KCDC’s nonprofit work is an inspiring testament to the value of education and offers children in the region a fun and impactful resource to discover, explore and grow. Congratulations to KCDC on their outstanding work and thank you to the staff that steward KCDC’s mission, especially KCDC President and CEO Dené Mosier, for their time.
EaglePicher Technologies
On Thursday morning, I visited EaglePicher Technologies to learn more about the largest manufacturer of thermal battery systems in the United States. Thermal batteries are non-rechargeable electric batteries that are valuable in military applications to support our national defense. Companies like EaglePicher provide highly skilled technical jobs for Kansans and help encourage young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
Thank you to CEO Steve Westfall, Senior Vice President Ron Nowlin, Vice President of Engineering Greg Miller and their staff for sharing their expertise and providing me with a tour of their facility. I appreciate Chamber President Blake Benson, City Manager Daron Hall, Deputy City Manager Jay Byers, Housing and Community Development Director Kim Froman and Specialist Sarah Runyon for joining me as well.
Baxter Springs High School
This week, I made a visit to Baxter Springs High School. It was great to visit with students and hear about their goals for the future. I also visited with faculty and staff to learn about unique opportunities at their school that challenge students both academically and socially.
Thank you for the tour.
Coffeyville Levee
On Thursday afternoon, I visited the Coffeyville levee to see how it is preventing severe flooding in southeast Kansas. In past years, Coffeyville has been greatly impacted by flooding and the community is working with the Tulsa Corp of Engineers to find a solution to mitigate future flooding. Thanks to Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson and his staff for the invitation to tour the levee and to Tony Clyde with the Tulsa Corp of Engineers, Coffeyville Interim City Manager Tim Wilson, Mayor Alec Hendryx and Montgomery County Action Council Director Melissa Johnson for joining me.
Rick Wilborn’s Retirement Reception
This week, I stopped by Kansas State Senator Rick Wilborn’s retirement reception. Rick is the Vice President of the Kansas Senate and has worked in the Kansas Legislature representing District 35 since 2015. Thanks to Rick for all the hard work you do for the state of Kansas.
Frank Popejoy
It was great to run into Frank Popejoy at the Marysville Police Department. Frank is the Chair of Community Memorial Healthcare in Blue Rapids – a non-profit organization governed by a 12-person board of directors who are community leaders elected to represent four districts in the area. Thank you, Frank, for all the work you do.
Improving American Livestock Practices
I introduced the EMIT LESS Act, which would increase research capacity at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), on livestock feed additives that promote the reduction of enteric methane in livestock production. The legislation would also utilize current USDA voluntary conservation programs with incentives for livestock producers who utilize these new tools to manage emissions. This bipartisan legislation will pay dividends for producers and further enhance on-farm conservation and stewardship practices.
You can read more about the EMIT Less Act here.
Expanding Access to Exams for Disability Claims
I introduced legislation with Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) to permanently expand veterans’ access to exams that are required for the disability claims process. This bill would make permanent a pilot program that was created in 2020 to expand license portability requirements, which allows licensed medical professionals to provide medical disability examinations across state lines for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA is currently facing an increasing backlog of benefit claims, and this legislation will help alleviate the exam backlog by creating a solution that allows more veterans to receive the care and benefits they earned in a timely manner. I thank my colleague Sen. King for joining me in introducing this legislation, and I look forward to its passage.
You can read the full text of the legislation here.
Introducing the STAND Act
I introduced legislation with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to require VA to offer annual health evaluations to veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders while increasing assistive technologies to best serve veterans. The Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices (STAND) Act would create a preventative health program to allow any veteran who has been referred or treated by VA for a spinal cord injury to receive treatments for the different issues they may face or are currently facing. This legislation also would require VA to report to Congress the number of veterans receiving care through assistive technologies to determine how many veterans are being evaluated for spinal cord injuries on a yearly basis.
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating, but by providing veterans with the right tools and treatments, we can help them regain mobility and hope through treatment and innovative technology. The STAND Act makes certain that veterans who suffer from a spinal cord injury or disorder will be able to receive the care they deserve while maximizing their independence and mobility.
Almost 80 Years Later, Sergeant John Herrick is Returning Home
U.S. Army Sergeant John O. Herrick was aboard the Landing Craft Infantry (Large) 92 which was routed to Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Assigned to Company B, 149th Engineer Combat Battalion, he never set foot on the sandy beaches of Normandy. At just 19 years old John died for his country, defending the liberties and freedom we enjoy today. After paying the ultimate sacrifice. Sgt. Herrick's remains have been identified, and he is finally returning home to Emporia. I am grateful for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the work they do to bring solace to families like Sergeant Herrick’s.
You can read more about Sergeant Herrick here.
Capitol Tours
John Howard of Hiawatha
Rebecca Howard of Hiawatha
Scott Dixson of Wichita
Sheree Nikkel-Dixson of Wichita
Terry Johnson of Olsburg
Jeannie Johnson of Olsburg
Luke Johnson of Randolph
Hunter Briggs of Wichita
Victoria Briggs of Wichita
Julie Dinh of Wichita
Loc Dinh of Wichita
Tuan Nguyen of Wichita
Kimberly Claflin of Topeka
Diane Stancliffe of Lawrence
Bryan Stancliffe of Lawrence
Andrew Solcher of Lawrence
Jay Grassinger of Kansas City
Betsey Grassinger of Kansas City
Keith Thurlo of Kansas City
Landon Thurlo of Kansas City
Olivia Thurlo of Kansas City
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Cheryl Giefer of Girard
Ken Giefer of Girard
KU Bioengineering Program
Ken Fischer of McLouth
CEVA
Jody Donohue of Lenexa
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