April 18, 2025

Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, SB 9, prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing property within 100 miles of a military installation and any foreign adversary ownership of non-residential real property purchased prior to July 1, 2025, will have to register with the Attorney General’s office.  The bill would also require Kansas government agencies to purchase American-made or allied-made drones or drone technology.  The bill didn’t go as far as some of us would like, but it is much better than not doing anything to block China and others from infiltrating Kansas even more.  SB 9 passed the Senate 38 to 1.  I voted Yes.  The Governor signed it into law.

Conservation Districts funding caps will be doubled in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and the States’s matching funding will also double, limited to $50,000 per district because SB 39 became law.  Conservation districts were established in 1937 after the Dust Bowl.  The districts are local units of government within a county for conservation of soil, water, and other natural resources.  County commissioners may levy a property tax to provide additional funding for the operation of a conservation district.  This did not change in SB 39.  The bill passed the Senate unanimously.  

Web-based Insurance Verification will be allowed as CCR 42 will be law.  There were several provisions in CCR 42, but the main provision was establishing the Kansas Real Time Motor Vehicle Insurance Verification Act, putting insurance data in an online centralized system allowing for easy verification of insurance.  I understand the convenience of a web-based centralized system and I also understand the vulnerabilities of this type of system.  Do you remember what happened last year with the Kansas Judicial centralized system?  It was hacked and down for several weeks, so I did not support CCR 42.  However, it passed because convenience was the priority, not data security.  It passed 39 to 1.

Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission name will be changed to the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission.  We need to be strengthening the Commission’s role, not weakening it.  HB 2206 passed the Senate 32 to 8, and the Governor signed it into law.  I voted no.

Special Elections will only be held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March, or on the same day as a general, or primary election (November or August) as HB 2022 is now law.  Currently, special elections and mail ballot elections (such as for school bonds or special sales taxes) can occur at any time, creating waste for the taxpayer and causing confusion for voters.  HB 2022 makes it simple and will save counties hundreds of thousands of dollars in special elections.  During testimony, we heard Sedgewick County spent over $136,000 on one special election.  I supported this legislation.  It passed the Senate 29 to 11 and was signed into law.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

NEWS

Pleasanton Fire Chief speaks on ISO notification

thumb

Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom reported to the Pleasanton City Council on Monday evening that he had received an email last Friday indicating that the city is officially in regression. This means that the city’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) has worsened, leading... [More]

USD 362 board accepts roofing, telephone system bids

thumb

Prairie View Unified School District 362’s board of education awarded unanimously bids both for a roofing and a telephone system upgrade at its Oct. 21 monthly meeting. The roof is the first of a four-phase plan for replacement above the high school, this first one above... [More]

Pleasanton council passes motion, gives hiring power to police chief

thumb

During the Monday night meeting of the Pleasanton City Council, council member Aaron Portmann read a prepared statement regarding recent events and actions at the meetings held previously and then moved to have the city attorney draft an ordinance granting the power of appointment... [More]

More News

SPORTS

Prairie View cross country qualifies two for State

thumb

The Prairie View cross country team traveled to Neodesha on Oct. 25 to compete in a 3A Regional to determine who makes the 3A State cross country meet. The Buffalos did well and the girls, as a team, placed fifth overall with a score of 115. To see the full article, check... [More]

Blu Jays’ Alvarez qualifies for State at Regionals

thumb

The Pleasanton cross country team brought their best runner in Dominic Alvarez to Central Heights on Oct. 25 to compete in a 1A Regional.  The regional determines who makes the 1A State cross country meet and Alvarez qualified for the State meet by placing eighth at Regionals... [More]

Buffs grind on, record setting night sets scene to capture district title at Iola

thumb

Despite recent off-field adversity, Prairie View’s football team continues to grind on, as evidenced by their 52-20 Pioneer League runners-up and Class 3-A, District 2 championship efforts Friday night at Iola. Buffalo generational talent Parker Schwarz had a night for... [More]

More Sports

COMMUNITY

Like father, like sons

thumb

Rodeo family shares the arena at the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo in Mulvane next month   REDFIELD, Kan. – The family that rodeos together, stays together. Or so goes the saying, with a bit of modification. But that’s the case for the Eck family of Redfield,... [More]

Mound City Community Garden

thumb

A new community garden is growing in Mound City. Located directly west of Food Fair on Main Street and christened the Cultivate Kindness Garden, it has taken root thanks to the hard work of several local residents.  Headed by Shayna Lamb with the help of Sue Vicory, along... [More]

Kelley honored - Instructor of the Year

thumb

Shelly Kelley is honored as the ACMHCK Mental Health First Aid Trainer of the Year! This recognition highlights the significant impact that Shelly and the MHFA team are having by equipping our communities with essential tools to support mental health and save lives. “Receiving... [More]

More Community

PLEASANTON WEATHER

Today's e-Edition

View Legals for Free