Kansas Common Sense
Celebrating Growth Across Kansas
Oct 14 2024
Celebrating Growth Across Kansas
Manhattan Levee Project
On Wednesday, I started the day by celebrating the major completion of the Manhattan levee. This project has been decades in the making and protects the Manhattan community by helping prevent unmeasurable heartache and devastation that comes from flooding. The levee also serves as the Linear trail, providing an outdoor recreational space for the community. This was a local, state and federal effort, and I am thankful for the work of those in the community who made this a possibility.
You can read more about the project in the Manhattan Mercury here.
Childcare Business Initiative
On Wednesday afternoon, I also celebrated the groundbreaking of the Childcare Business Initiative in Manhattan. This groundbreaking showcases a unique solution to increasing the number of childcare providers while offering additional childcare spots simultaneously. Thank you to Vern Henricks for his invitation to speak, as well as the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and their childcare task force, Ascension via Christi, private donors and the countless supporting individuals for their help with this project.
You can read more about the Childcare Business Initiative in WIBW here.
Belvue Bridge
Later that afternoon, I traveled to Belvue to announce resources for the Belvue Bridge that crosses the Kansas River to connect Wabaunsee and Pottawatomie counties. Farmers, ranchers, businesses, bus drivers and many others have advocated for the restoration of this bridge for more than a decade. Bridges are critical to our infrastructure, connecting communities across our state, and I am thankful for the work of these two counties, coming together to solve this problem. I look forward to the completion of the bridge late next fall. Thank you to Wabaunsee County Commissioner Nancy Hier, Pottawatomie County Commissioner Greg Riat, Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed and all those in the community who helped make this project possible.
Wabaunsee and Mission Valley Schools
Next, I was in Alma to celebrate with Mission Valley High School and Wabaunsee High School students for their award of a Department of Justice grant to provide school resource officers at each school. The resources will help the schools each hire an officer and is jointly funded by the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s office, USD 330, USD 329 and the federal resources provided by this grant. The receipt of this grant will help keep our schools and students safe. Thank you to Sheriff Robert Hoskins, Superintendent Bill Clark, Superintendent Troy Pitsch and School Resource Officers Steve Bundy and Angie King for letting me join you in celebration.
Wichita’s USPS Processing Center will stay in Wichita
This week, I secured a commitment from U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy that the Wichita U.S. Postal Service (USPS) processing center will not be closed or consolidated. I have heard from Kansans across the state who are concerned about their mail being delayed by proposed changes to the USPS. The Wichita processing center helps move mail across south central Kansas, making certain folks receive their prescriptions, packages, paychecks and more in a timely manner. Mail processing will continue to occur in Wichita, and USPS intends to improve processing capabilities in Wichita in the future to better serve south central Kansas.
You can read more in KSNW here.
General Michael Venerdi
I appreciated the opportunity to speak at the promotion ceremony for the Adjutant General of Kansas, Michael Venerdi, on Friday in Topeka as he rises to the rank of Major General. Since becoming adjutant general nearly 18 months ago, General Venerdi has provided impressive leadership in preparing and training more than 7,700 Kansas Army, Air National Guard Citizen Soldiers and Airmen. He has served as the director of Kansas Division of Emergency Management and the Director of Homeland Security for Kansas where he directed the state’s responses to emergency and natural disasters and worked to keep Kansas secure. This promotion recognizes more than 30 years of distinguished military service which includes graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy and flying combat missions in Afghanistan. Congratulations to General Venerdi on a well-deserved honor.
Thunder Over the Heartland
While in Topeka, I attended the Thunder Over the Heartland Airshow at Forbes Field. Kansas is a leader in aviation, with 75% of all general aviation aircraft being supplied by Kansas aviation workers. The Thunder Over the Heartland Airshow is just one way that Kansas can display its impact on the aviation field and share it with the community. Thank you to the men and women who took part in the air show productions that included the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Thank you also to Mike, Chris and Robert Munson, and Eunice and Ed Rolfs of Central National Bank for inviting me to this event.
Visits Across Kansas
Smith Center and Kensington
I visited Smith Center and Kensington on Thursday morning. During my time there, I went to the County Courthouse, the Peoples Bank, Smith County Pioneer and City Hall. I also stopped by Top Shelf True Value, Strother Insurance and Casey’s General store. On my way out of town, I visited Rahjes & Sons and Kensington Lockers. Thanks to Smith County Treasurer Vernon Reinking, Smith County Office Clerk Shalisha Hutchinson and everyone else who took the time to meet with me.
Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy
Later on Thursday, I traveled to Phillipsburg to tour the Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy ethanol plant. This plant specializes in biofuels and transforms farm crops into healthier and cleaner fuel. As co-chair of the Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus, I introduced legislation the Farm to Fly Act to provide new markets for farmers and bolster our domestic energy production through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Thank you to Kevin Morgan, Mike Scheid and Senior Director of Summit Agricultural Group Kevin Bogenreif for leading me on a tour through the facility.
PureField Ingredients Biofuels Facility
Heading south, I toured the PureField Ingredients Biofuels Facility in Russell. PureField Ingredients is the largest domestic supplier of wheat protein in the U.S. In February 2022, it expanded its facility and increased its annual production by 50%. We discussed the need for a Farm Bill, and they shared the need for more workers. Thank you to new CEO Aaron Buettner and Plant Manager Mike Ernst for meeting with me and giving me a tour. Also, thank you to Mayor Jim Cross and Russell County Economic Development Director Mike Parsons for joining.
Resources for Veterans Affected by Hurricanes
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a new webpage for veterans and caregivers with disaster relief resources. Veterans in states affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton should visit http://va.gov/resources/disaster-help for resources on health care, housing, benefits, insurance and more. As we approach the winter season, this new webpage for disaster relief resources is universal and veterans in Kansas can learn more about resources accessible to them in times of extreme weather.
Kansas Through the Eyes of its Senator
After my visit in Smith Center, I stopped by the Home on the Range Cabin. This famous house is associated with the Kansas state song “Home on the Range.” Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus and his family have worked to preserve and promote the cabin that was built in 1875 and sits on 240 beautiful acres of land. It is one of my favorite spots in Kansas, and I encourage you to stop by.
You can learn more about the house and visiting here.
Capitol Tour
Craig Adams of Lawrence
Dan Binder of Inman
Faye Binder of Inman
John Bode of Derby
Linda Bode of Derby
Becky Burkholder of Inman
Vernon Burkholder of Inman
Rex Bonar of Overland Park
Annique Gras of Lenexa
Camille Gras of Lenexa
Courtney Gras of Lenexa
Daniel Gras of Lenexa
Eric Fry of Gardner
Emma Hardesty of Lawrence
Jo Hardesty of Lawrence
Linda Klaassen of Whitewater
Arnie Klein of Whitewater
Becky Knackstedt of Inman
Kendall Knackstedt of Inman
Linda Mohr of Inman
David Schnose of Spring Hill
Brian Schmidtberger of Hutchinson
Patricia Schmidtberger of Hutchinson
Beverly Wiebe of Durham
Jacob Wiebe of Durham
Nelson Wiebe of Durham
Larry Wittorff of Derby
National Down Syndrome Congress
Adrian Forsythe of Olathe
Jim Hudson of Olathe
Sam Ianonne of Olathe
Jawanda Mast of Olathe
Heather Sachs of Olathe
Newsletter Sign-up Form
Note: Fields marked with an * are required.
