“Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power, have, in time and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny” Thomas Jefferson
As the summer passes away, fall catalogs arrive, school starts and football, cross-country season begin so do the interim committees at the state capitol gear up for hearings.
This year my appointments include: The joint Committee on Juvenile Justice and Corrections Oversight, Legislative Post Audit Budget, and Judicial Council. All total these committees will take up 2-3 days a month until mid December.
Other legislative committees will look into: Natural Gas Storage (2 days), Administrative Rules and Regulations (5 days) Arts and Culture Resources (1 day), Children’s Issues (2 days), Economic Development (2 days), Energy and Environment Policy (4 days).
The Health Policy Oversight (4 days), Home and Community Based Services Oversight (3 days), Information Technology (2 days), Kansas Security (1 day), Legislative Education Planning Commission (2 days), Legislative Budget (6 days), Pensions, Investments and Benefits (3 days), Special Claims Against the State (6 days), State Building Construction (6 days), State Employee Pay Plan Oversight (1 day). DUI Commission (4 days).
These meetings are designed to continue dialog between the legislators, proponents, and opponents on issues that may have passed into law last year or that are topics that were passed over last session or have just surfaced as something that needs attention next session.
As you can see there are a number of committee meetings that continue to discuss those important issues that do affect your everyday life. These are all public meetings, you are free to attend and hear the debate that might directly affect you and your loved ones. Contact Legislative Admin Services for times and room numbers; 1-785-296-2391, or the Speakers Office 1-785-296-2302.
If you need special attention or handicap provisions or just want to come up when I am in town please call me directly and we can make arrangements for you. I enjoy having you come to see your Capitol and visit with me, I can arrange a tour if you like.
I continue to work on constitutent issues and this is the part of th job you elected me to that I enjoy the most. Recent activities include SRS custody, Workman Compensation, State Insurance Commissioner questions, Department of Corrections, and Wildlife and Parks.
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the Kansas WildLifer Challenge Program which encourages parents and children of all ages to become involved in the outdoors through the use of interactive, web-based program that challenges children to accomplish 15 “WildLifer” challenges. This is done to PROVE that they’re not th etypes of kids who lounge around the house all day.
I hope you parents, grand-parents, Big Brother or Big Sisters are looking into this as a way of becoming involved with a great activity. See www.knsaswildscape.org.
Another Program that I think the local school districts might find of interest is the “Archery In the Classroom”.
The Kansas Archery in the Schools Program promotes student education and participation in the shooting sports. The focus of the program is to provide international style target archery training in 4th-12th grade physical education classes. The Kansas Archery in the Schools Program operates under the umbrella of the National Archery in th schools Program (NASP).
This program can:
Improve School attendance, Increase self-esteem, Increase physical activity; Translate into subject matter; Appeal to all students; Get kids out-of-doors; Become an after-school activity; Truly change lives.
Archery is a sport nearly everyone can be successful at regardless of age, size or physical ability. Statistics show that school archery programs engage more students in the educational process, improve classroom performance and reduce drop-out rates.
The Archery in the Schools Program is designed to introduce target archery in 4th-12th grade physical education classes during the school day. How many times can you run around the middle school before you are bored?
Kansas adopted the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and over 300 teachers representing 130 schools have completed the Basic Archery Instructor training. Teachers must attend a one-day training session conducted by a KDWP certified instructor. Once a teacher has completed the training, their school is eligible to purchase an equipment kit.
Yea right, what’s a kit? 11 universal length bows, 5 dozen arrows, 5 targets, 1 30’ backstop safety net, 11 arm guards, 1 repair kit, 1 floor rack for hanging bows.
Thanks to the support of the archery industry, the $5,000 equipment kit can be purchased by schools for about $3,000. Any teacher who completes a training session will receive $500.00 per building towards the purchase of a kit. If your school will host a basic Instructor Training, that school will earn $1,300!! Get more than one school in our area to participate and you can combine your incentives to purchase a shared kit!
Why do educators like the program: Adds diversity and interest to the classroom, teaches a life skill to PE students, complies with state and national PE standards, accessible to all students.
The program introduces archery as a fun, lifelong activity to young people. In addition to gaining a healthy pastime, future archers and bow hunter will provide needed funding and general support for hunter education and for wildlife conservation efforts.
Lets put together a school group that represents the 3 school districts, El Dorado, Circle, Remington in the 75th District and I will pay for the shared kit. This kit can be moved between the districts for use in their PE programs. You have nothing to lose and it could lead to a more flexible PE program. Maybe the local bow hunters could get involved. What do you think?
Contact www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news, or call Mike Radar at the Pratt Office 620-672-5911.
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