Snowy day in Topeka and with the temperature around 12 degrees, wind chill at a minus number, I am happy to have an inside job.
My work on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, has really given me an appreciation for all the good source of water we have in the 75th District. We heard yesterday from a researcher at KU that some areas in and around Garden City may have only 25 years of sub surface water left unless we allow recharge by getting a lot of rain and reduce current usage practices.
We also learned the water coming from Colorado is so salty as to be classified as “saline”. When you mix this water with our current fresh water what you get becomes almost unusable. Legislation is being discussed that will allow the state to purchase “water rights” from landowners essentially converting them from irrigation farming to dry land farming. Thereby extending the useful life of some wells.
Unfortunately, south of the dry creek bed known as the Arkansas River around Dodge City and Garden City the soil is too sandy to produce much without irrigation. The saying “first in time, first in right” has real meaning to those folks when you start prioritizing the use of the remaining water.
The concealed carry issue was brought to the public attention last week when an attempted convenience store robbery in Topeka was stopped by an individual who had a CC license from Oklahoma. The would be robber was given the chance to drop his gun and when he failed to comply and became aggressive, he was shot. His present condition is unknown, but as Senator Phil Journey said, “ maybe this will send the message to other thugs and would be law breakers, that Kansas is not the same place it was 20 days ago.
I had a constituent ask about the privacy of the concealed carry licensee. According to a trailer bill HB 2381, the holders of a concealed carry permit are protected from the open records act. Their privacy is secure as long as they remain law abiding citizens, their permit can be revoked for cause, such as conviction of any unlawful act. At that time their identity can be revealed.
Of course the records are available to any law enforcement agency.
I have had several visitors from El Dorado this week and it is always good to see them. Gerald Owens and Ron Roberts were here on the voter ID issue, Grant Helferich was here for EMS day, Susan Eaton, Jean Plummer, David Ellis, and Linda Baines from the Main Street group were here for training and meetings.
Several teachers and KNEA representatives from the Andover area came with Susan Reusser a Special Education Teacher that works in Andover. I am always glad to see folks from home and discuss issues one on one.
I thought you might like to have the contact information that will help everyone know how to track a piece of legislation. If you have access to a computer, http://www.kslegislature.org, will get you to the official State of Kansas website. You can then connect to links, that can help you track any legislation, find a specific statute, read about State agencies, and yes, track my voting record.
If you have any problem with navigating this site, call me, write me, or come and see me, and I will be glad to help. My office is State Capitol, Room 411-S, Topeka, Ks. 66612. Phone is 785-296-7655. Email is grange@house.state.ks.us, My home is 1115 Rim Rock Road El Dorado, 67042. I am home each weekend and will make myself available to talk with you.
As a citizen legislator, I am here to serve you and I consider it an honor to do so. As always; let me know what you think. Thanks, Rep. John C. Grange.
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