Happy New Year to you all, my wish to you is for a very prosperous, productive and rewarding 2008.
The 2008 legislative session begins January 14th and we are looking forward to addressing some very important issues mostly dealing with social programs, adding or reducing funding to existing programs, and my all time favorite, trying to prevent duplication of services and identify and halt wasteful spending.
We could throw in a little personal responsibility for our own actions, look at what we can do individually and collectively to make this a better state and improve our own lot in life.
Speaking of self-help go to www.networkkansas.com, and you will find a website that is full of information that provides services and contacts for companies and individuals wishing to start or improve your business. This group “NetWork Kansas” is made of experts that can help you market products or ideas, find partners, identify sources of funding, and generally work with you to bring your ideas to life.
In November six communities were selected to become “E-Communities” that will partner with NetWork Kansas to achieve the following: 1) Establish a fund for entrepreneurs and small business owners that is administered by each community: 2) Map all local, regional and state assets available to assist entrepreneurs in each E-Community; 3) Develop a long-term tracking and accountability system to measure business and economic growth; and 4) Form long-term partnerships with more than 400 NetWork Kansas partners statewide that assist entrepreneurs and small businesses in order to provide a positive impact on the Kansas economy.
The six communities selected are: Cowley County, Garnett (Anderson County), Great Bend (Barton County), Rawlins County, Sterling/Alden (Rice County), and Thomas County.
Here is a profile of one of the selected communities; Thomas County: Three defining factors have had the greatest impact on the development of Thomas County: Interstate 70; rich agricultural assets; and Colby Community College. The efforts of Colby Banker and State of Kansas Legislator, August Lauterbach influenced the northwest “jog” if I-70 that is still sometimes referred as the “Lauterbach Curve”.
With an abundance of high quality farmland, Thomas County ranks high in the production of wheat and feed grains. In 1970, a new campus was opened for Colby Community College, which has continued to grow to serve the educational needs of western Kansas’s residents. Additional information can be acquired at NetWork Kansas, 1845 Fairmont, Box 202, Wichita Kansas 67260, or call 1-877-521-8600.
I am receiving replies from a survey I sent to participating voters in our 75th district and am quite pleased at the number of responses and wide diversity of issues presented. For example: when asked who should decide on allowing smoking in public places, 76% said the business owner, 7% State of Kansas, 15% local government.
On the issue of building coal fired electric generating plants in western Kansas; 70% said yes, 24% said no, and 6% said they would if proper emission standards were enforced. 20% of the respondents asked if nuclear generation was an option.
ON the limiting the amount of annual increase on your home, 96% favored a cap of 3% to 8%, unless extenuating circumstances were presented. Most complain it is not the valuation increase; it’s the additional tax it cost because our taxing entities will not reduce the mill levy to keep income levels the same. Instead our friends at the schools, college, county, and city, and state, find ways to spend the windfall.
My full survey report will soon be available on my website; www.johngrange.net, or call me and I will mail or email you the report. I intend to send a copy to all who responded and provided a legible return address.
More than 5,400 students at the University of Kansas will receive about $26 million in privately funded scholarship support during the 07-08 academic year. This is a 10.6 percent increase from the previous year. This year’s recipients represent 101 of the 105 counties in Kansas, 44 other states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 50 other countries.
The National Math and Science Initiative awarded KU a $2.4 million grant aimed at doubling the number of math and science teachers graduating annually to about 50.
Heading the list of legislative priorities for KU this session is a proposal to expand the School of Pharmacy. Working with policymakers and leaders in the pharmacy profession, a plan has been developed to nearly double the number of pharmacists graduating from KU.
The shortage of pharmacists is a problem that touches all areas of Kansas, although in many regions of the state it is much more acute than in others. There is a graduate of KU’s School of Pharmacy in 95 of the 105 Kansas counties, but even that isn’t enough to stem a growing shortage of pharmacists in the state.
I want to thank those that have called requesting information or assistance, and offering comments. I hope I have been helpful to many of you and continue to solicit your requests. I consider it an honor and privilege to be your representative in Topeka and I want to know what you think.
Contact me at grange@house.state.ks.us, or johng@carlisleinc.net, my home 316-321-2087 or 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado, 67042, or State Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave, Room 411-S, Topeka, Kansas, 66612, 785-296-7655.
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