Commentary

Rep. Steven Johnson
Capitol View

The third week of the Kansas Legislative session saw most work continuing to advance in committees. We were able to work a couple of bills in the tax committee that are now ready for action before the full house. Those bills include one for Thomas County and another that clarifies the definition of special fuels relating to road fuel tax.

Other topics were reviewed in various committees and caucuses. The history of article 6 of the Kansas constitution was reviewed, specifically the 15 words at the start of section 6b. That is the statute at the heart of the school funding lawsuit. It reads: “The legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.”

By "The Cowboy" Jim Gray
THE WAY WEST

In 1863 the Kansas- Missouri border had become a no-man’s land of burned-out farms leaving devastated families in the wake. Less than 50 miles east of the Kansas border William Y. West raised his family on a farm east of Greenfield, Mo.

Perry Kincheon West was the eighth child born to “Billy” and Willey (Perry) West in 1842. A sketch from the History of Dade County and Its People noted that the boy, known as “Kinch” enjoyed growing up “in the environment of forest, field and woodland, living very close to nature and enjoying a freedom which comes only from the hills”.

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Rob Fillion
Others Say

Broadband access is a necessity for businesses of all sizes. Beyond the ease of accessing important industry information, reliable high speed Internet helps business in running payroll, answering customer inquiries, and updating companies’ social media. Broadband also allows businesses to market themselves and reach out to new customers in all parts of the globe. This is particularly true for small businesses in rural areas that do not often attract new “walk-in” customers.

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By "The Cowboy" Jim Gray
THE WAY WEST

By the early 1880’s the good folks of Kansas were experiencing a transition that created degrees of consent and conflict that converged on one another as the emerging culture refined its evolution. In other words, the Kansas state motto, “To the Stars with Difficulty” was an active accomplice in the realization of a modern society.

The frontier towns of Kansas had all passed through the fire of progress; each finding its own way to a semblance of order. Finding the right balance of community leaders was crucial. A common element that led each town to a more perfect social order was recognizing and employing the right man to fill the position of city marshal.

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Rep. Steven Johnson
Capitol View

The first week of the 2018 legislative session opened with much discussion of the budget. The appropriations (budget) committee is one of the few with a full schedule. We have been receiving updates from agencies and overviews of budgets and revenues.

The governor’s state of the state address also addressed the budget at a high level. His budget director went over the proposal with us during the appropriations committee the following morning. He was met with several questions and challenges in presenting that budget. Most notably, how do we pay for the $600 million school increase over time without an increase in revenue?

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John Schlageck
Others Say

People in Kansas, and across this country, depend on strong community journalism to keep them informed and connected to one another. In spite of all the inroads with social media, many of the folks who live in rural communities across Kansas still rely on home-town newspapers like the Hoxie Sentinel where I grew up.

Just like the local grocery, school or courthouse, inhabitants of rural Kansas consider their community newspaper vital. Some even believe if they lose their paper, they could lose their entire town.

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Rep. Steven Johnson
Capitol View

This week we begin the 2018 legislative session. Budget issues dominate many discussions. Revenues through December continue to come in above estimates which will help us address some key issues. However, we remain well short of what is requested by the plaintiffs in the school funding case.

There have been a handful of interim committee meetings to monitor issues. I served on the joint budget committee and the special committee on education funding. Two additional committees, taxation and pensions, were the ones where I also served as chair.

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Clara Ann Demel

Skye and Anthony Demel, Wilson, announce the birth Nov. 18, 2017, of their daughter, Clara Ann Demel, at Hays Medical Center.

She weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces, and was 20 inches long. She is welcomed home by big brother, Erich.

Maternal grandparents are Dale and Carmen Homeier of Wilson.

Paternal grandparents are Dale Demel of Odin and Shelley Yahne of Great Bend.

Maternal great-grandparents are Leroy and Glennys Bruning, Ellsworth, Zona Homeier, Wilson, and the late Fred Homeier.

Paternal great-grandparents are the late August and Katherine Demel, who lived at Odin.

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By "The Cowboy" Jim Gray
THE WAY WEST

Perry Kincheon West led a harrowing life at the head of a band of Missouri Bushwhackers during the Civil War. In the end his struggle to hold onto a doomed way of life left him virtually homeless.

Like so many of his comrades “Kinch” West drifted into Arkansas before moving on to Texas to begin again. Too many years of living from the spoils of war had molded the man into a desperate character. Civilization had passed him by.

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Jerry Marsh
Political Bites

The year began with the inauspicious inauguration of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States. Americans wanted a non-traditional president and they succeeded beyond their wildest dreams with a man all but void of any knowledge of or consideration for the history, traditions, and responsibilities of the office.

•••

The year began auspiciously for Kansas government with the swearing in of a group of legislators willing to roll back the failed fiscal policies of Gov. Brownback. While they did a good job, much work remains. Six years of misguided fiscal policy cannot be repaired in a single legislative session. Voters will need to keep that reality firmly in mind with the upcoming Kansas gubernatorial election.