GUESTS: Senator Dr. Ed Berger, our guest speaker. Dr. Jack Wortman wanted to hear what Senator Berger had to say. Honorary member Colby Davis and his brother Kayden.
FINES: Troy Thode soloed as our Sergeant. Rod Calhoun paid a Presidential fine. Did Darren Wicks pay for being late the week before? Those who didn’t help cleanup the sweet shop paid $1. Short and Sweet!
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Board Meeting this Friday at 6:15 AM.
PROGRAM: Harley Macklin introduced Senator Dr. Ed Berger. Dr. Berger said one of the major annual agendas each session is the passing of the budget. This year with little changes and no veto. The Governor developes and presents the budget, the Ways & Means Committee fine tunes it and sends it to the House and Senate to be voted on and the Governor signs it. A major accomplishment this session was to begin paying borrowed money back to the KPERS fund. Also, the Department of Transportation received funds this year and a $530 Million 5 year school finance plan was enacted. A future goal is to reduce the tax on food if they can get everything else in line. Keeping the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson was very important to our local economy and also to the Fair with their sales tax receipts going to their capital improvement fund. A bill for the addition of slots at race tracks under the guise of improving horse racing was defeated because it would have harmed existing casinos and cost the state for breaking a contract with those casinos. The passage of a Hemp (not Marijuana) Bill to add more agriculture diversity. Two new state parks Jerusalem and Flint Hills. Improved amusement park ride regulations without harming local park and swimming pool slides. The creation of a new Broadband and Highway task force. A future issue to define “suitable” when it comes to education. Especially when population West of I35 is declining. Schools must be taken care of and watched over in Western Kansas. While the session may be only 90 days long it is much closer to a full time job for most Senators and Representatives. Dr. Berger said that he is doing his best to represent the interests of Reno and Kingman County in the 34th district.
Lucky Ace Drawing: Mr. Lucky alias Fred Conner drew an Ace but it was the Ace of Hearts for $5. The pot continues to grow!
Newsletter drawing: Larry Sloan knew the answer of 4 work slots to win $55.
Newsletter Question: For $5…How may days is the normal legislative session?
Next Meeting: Dr. Jack Wortman
Editor: Steve Conard