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
Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case

A court case has been filed in the 6th Judicial District in Linn County by Parker resident Jan Longenecker and 26 other plaintiffs against the Board of Zoning Appeals of Linn County to revoke building permits issued by the acting Zoning Administrator Ben Souza. Souza... [More]
Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair

The Pleasanton City Council and street crew had the opportunity to watch a live demonstration of an asphalt zipper last Wednesday on 8th Street between Cedar and Sycamore – a street with heavily damaged asphalt. Dave Fokken, Asphalt Zipper Government Sales rep, said many... [More]
La Cygne awards lift station bid

Generator emphasis is the final step in the $6.261 million wastewater project La Cygne leaders awarded a bid to replace every diesel-powered generator at the city’s three sewer lift stations to a Kansas City, Mo., firm. At last Wednesday’s regular meeting,... [More]
More News
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
- SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation
- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
- County logo sees little change
- Linn County P&Z Appeals Board denies subdivision appeal
- Commissioners discuss suggestion to leave EDA position vacant
SPORTS
Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown

The Pleasanton volleyball team had a busy week. First the team hosted a Three Rivers League triangular on Sept. 30 against Jayhawk Linn and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 4 the team traveled to Uniontown for the Uniontown Volleyball Invitational. To see the full article, check... [More]
Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week

The Jayhawk volleyball team was busy this past week as they had games on Sept. 30, Oct. 2, and Oct. 4. They traveled to Pleasanton on Sept. 30 to play a TRL triangular against Pleasanton and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 2 they hosted TRL foes Chetopa and Oswego. Then on Oct.... [More]
Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming

The Jayhawk Linn football team had a big game this past Friday on Oct. 3. Not only was it their Homecoming game but it was also a TRL/District game against their in-county rival the Pleasanton Blu-Jays. Both teams played hard and one could tell that both teams really wanted... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
- Jayhawk volleyball has a solid week going 3-0
- Seasoned Olpe powers over young 'Hawks
- Wade and Schneider start impressive girls’ golf season for the Buffalos and Hawks
COMMUNITY
Mound City Community Garden

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

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]
A few things to know about football

What do rugby and soccer have in common? They are the two sports that American Football originated from. The first football game was played between Rutgers and Princeton Universities in New Brunswick, New Jersey on Nov. 6, 1869. But the game looked much different than the football... [More]
More Community
- First Aid: your safety toolkit
- Hydroponic towers provide fresh produce for lunches at JES
- General Pleasonton Days set for Oct 4-5
- Mine Creek Heritage Day this Saturday
- Blood Drive: The Battle of the Badges
- Parker Days set for Sept. 20
- Pleasanton Chamber Business Expo Thursday, Sept. 4
- MCHP seeks quilts for Fall Festival and Quilt Show