Last week the House Appropriations committee heard from several State agencies about the effects of budgets cuts. There were, of course, no surprises. There are a lot of painful cuts that are the result of the global economy.
I met with three directors of Community Mental Health Centers, superintendents from two schools, some school board members, and the Director of Pratt Regional Medical Facility. Since the Legislature will be taking furlough days this session, I intend on visiting people in the district during furlough days.
The House Federal and State committee heard testimony from a coordinator for the U.S. 2010 Census. This spring will be the taking of the census, which will result in the re-forming of political districts at several levels. The year 2011 is when these district lines will be re-drawn.
The House was visited by a number of students who are now attending the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS), located on the campus of Ft. Hays State. At least one of the students in this select group is from the 114th district. I was proud to support the effort to establish this new program, and we should start to see the results over the next few years.
There has not been much legislative action yet, but many bills are being introduced these first few weeks. Of interest will be a bill concerning school consolidations. I have not seen the details of the bill, but will be tracking it closely as it moves through the process. There was also another casino bill introduced that is targetted at Southeast Kansas.
Bills have been introduced in both chambers to prohibit the sale or use of synthetic cannabinoids such as K-2. These products, currently sold at incense shops, are laced with chemicals designed to mimic the affects of marijuana. Because of the synthetic nature, the products are not currently prohibited under any Kansas law banning marijuana. These products, first used by parolees in an attempt to circumvent drug testing, are now showing up in Kansas high schools. A ban on these substances is an important step to ensure the safety of our children
I am also planning on investigating the subject of cougars in Kansas. If you have ever spotted a cougar, or are a farmer who has lost livestock to a cougar, I would appreciate your input. Call my office at 785-296-7667, or email me at mitch.holmes@house.ks.gov
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Last week the House Appropriations committee heard from several State agencies about the effects of budgets cuts. There were, of course, no surprises. There are a lot of painful cuts that are the result of the global economy.
I met with three directors of Community Mental Health Centers, superintendents from two schools, some school board members, and the Director of Pratt Regional Medical Facility. Since the Legislature will be taking furlough days this session, I intend on visiting people in the district during furlough days.
The House Federal and State committee heard testimony from a coordinator for the U.S. 2010 Census. This spring will be the taking of the census, which will result in the re-forming of political districts at several levels. The year 2011 is when these district lines will be re-drawn.
The House was visited by a number of students who are now attending the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS), located on the campus of Ft. Hays State. At least one of the students in this select group is from the 114th district. I was proud to support the effort to establish this new program, and we should start to see the results over the next few years.
There has not been much legislative action yet, but many bills are being introduced these first few weeks. Of interest will be a bill concerning school consolidations. I have not seen the details of the bill, but will be tracking it closely as it moves through the process. There was also another casino bill introduced that is targetted at Southeast Kansas.
Bills have been introduced in both chambers to prohibit the sale or use of synthetic cannabinoids such as K-2. These products, currently sold at incense shops, are laced with chemicals designed to mimic the affects of marijuana. Because of the synthetic nature, the products are not currently prohibited under any Kansas law banning marijuana. These products, first used by parolees in an attempt to circumvent drug testing, are now showing up in Kansas high schools. A ban on these substances is an important step to ensure the safety of our children
I am also planning on investigating the subject of cougars in Kansas. If you have ever spotted a cougar, or are a farmer who has lost livestock to a cougar, I would appreciate your input. Call my office at 785-296-7667, or email me at mitch.holmes@house.ks.gov
