I just returned from a vacation where I picked up some very interesting information as related to life in Canada. It seems there is an election coming up real soon at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) in Northern Manitoba Canada.
The issues that are being addressed include, taxes, use of excessive force by the police, drugs, gang activity, care of the elderly, education, teen pregnancy, health care, insurance, domestic violence, need for quality education, teacher shortage and tax issues. Sounds familiar doesn’t it?
In Kansas for August the tax-only revenues were up $12.7 million, but the state is up just $5.8 million for the fiscal year which started July 1, and for the first two months took in less money than the same two months last year as was reported by the Department of Revenue.
For August, it was personal income tax receipts and corporate tax receipts, which exceeded projections. But sales taxes—back-to-school buying-- were off slightly from projections. Fiscal year to date, the state is above the projections but more importantly revenues are below last year. What does that mean? Revenues appear to be slowing down and that cannot be good.
Interim committees continue to meet weekly and based on your interest you can probably find something to check out. A short list of joint committees include, Kansas Insurance Department Fee Modernization and Rating Task Force, Special Claims Against the State, Disaster Relief and Recovery Special Committee, Pensions, Investments, and Benefits, Federal and State Affairs, and the State Employee Compensation and Oversight Commission.
Dr. Vernon Mills a Pediatrician, and Board member of the Kansas Health Policy Authority Board recently reported: “ regular contact between children and their primary health care provider is an integral part of child development and can greatly improve children’s chances of reaching their full potential in health and well-being”.
According to the Center for Disease control and Prevention, over 22% of American adults, ages 18-44, had no usual source of health care. Compare this to children 0-17, of which less than 6% had no usual source of health care during this same period. Adults face multiple barriers to accessing preventive services. In Kansas, only 53% of adults 18-44 had received cholesterol screening in the past five years and less than half had received a screening for colon cancer.
In 2006, more than 34% of all Kansas adults reported that more than a year has passed since their last recommended check-up. When was your last trip to the doctor for a routine physical?
Recent talk about universal health care has raise the level of interest that we (all us Taxpayers) provide health care for everyone, and even talk of making health insurance mandatory. We have a reported over 16,000 uninsured motorists in the state how are we suppose to mandate health insurance? There will be a drive to pass something at the Federal level for sure, but you had better be careful of what you ask for.
There will certainly be unexpected consequences of providing coverage for everyone. Such as required life-style changes like dieting, no smoking, no drinking, required exercise, nutrition plans, and generally making better choices on how we treat our own bodies. Have a major medical condition turn up and you will know exactly what I am talking about.
There are two upcoming Agri-tourism conferences coming up that you may be interested in. Colorado will be hosting a mini agritourism and culinary experience in conjunction with their state agritourism conference. It will be held October 10-11 in Grand Junction. www.colorado.gov/cs/satellite.
Oklahoma will be holding a 2-day agritourism conference in Ardmore on November 6-7. The first day will be farm tours and the second will be speakers. www.oklahomaagritourism.com. Recent interest in developing additional income for farm families has led to an increase in unique offerings for a “rural experience”. For further information contact: Sara A. Larison, Ks. Dept of Commerce 785-296-8132
Last week, Becky Walters from “The Pumpkin Patch” was interviewed on TV about her operation and tourist attraction just north of El Dorado. The station reporter said the operation is one of the best examples of starting small and growing your business. I hope Carroll and Becky continue to dream big!
The interim committee on education 2010 commission has heard testimony on standardized school district budget and accounting. There are about as many ways to prepare budgets, as there are districts in the state. Each district has its own sometimes-peculiar way to present the income and expenses. The legislature is trying to get a handle on the real costs as they relate between districts and are trying to get the districts to come up with a standardized plan, we do not want a state mandate here.
I hear we have a couple of new business’s coming to the El Dorado Industrial Park. Taradign Machine Inc. owned by Ryan Hollingsworth, is a full service machine shop with strong ties to the aviation market and will be taking over the former John Deere Dealership building at the “Y” west of town.
Brian Riley owns a computer recycle business that has occupied the Kanal Manufacturing facility. Both of these companies are established businesses that are relocating for the east Wichita area. With this activity perhaps our county and city leadership will see the need to improve the washboards we currently identify as Industrial Road and Parallel Road.
I continue to stay busy on the breakfast, lunch, and supper speaking tours. I have met with various clubs and organizations and would like to meet with yours. I can provide topic specific discussion or will go with your questions and try to answer your concerns. Just contact me for a schedule.
I consider it an honor and privilege to be your representative in Topeka and I want to know what you think.
johng@carlisleinc.net, www.johngrange.net, 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado 67042, 316-321-6230 home. Thanks again, Rep. Grange.
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