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Senator Vicki Schmidt's NewsletterMarch 3, 2012

Friends:

 

The legislature was not in session on Monday and Tuesday.  We resumed our work on Wednesday.   

 

Thank you to Paige Cunningham and Laura Dicus for serving as pages this week!  These young ladies had a great day and learned a lot about the function of state government.  Please see their picture on the right.  

 

Welcome to Kyleigh Gould!  She is in her last few months of Pharmacy School at the University of Kansas.  As part of her rotations, she will be spending the month of March with me.  Please see her picture on the right.

 

I was honored to attend the ceremonial signing of Sub for HB 2178 on Thursday.  This law requires a state licensing agency to issue a license to a nonresident military spouse in order for the spouse to lawfully practice a regulated profession in Kansas.  At the same time the Governor signed a proclamation declaring Thursday "Armed Forces Appreciation Day" at the Statehouse as well as a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve.  Thank you to all of the men and women in uniform who serve our country!  

 

Military Appreciation    



Education and Personal Activities

CALLING ALL KANSAS REPUBLICANS!
The Kansas Caucus is Saturday, March 10th, 10am - 2pm.  Please visit The Kansas Republican Party Website to find the location in your county.  All registered Republican voters should participate in the caucus.  The voter walks in, checks in with a government issued photo ID, listens to some short candidate presentations, casts a secret balance and is done.  The SHAWNEE COUNTY caucus will be held at the Downtown Ramada Inn located at 420 SE 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS.  Check-in will begin at 8:30 am and the candidate presentations will start at 10:00 am.  The Kansas Caucus process is simple, free and fun!
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Meals on Wheels Dining Centers are sites where people can socialize and receive nutrition education as well as a healthy meal for a confidential donation.  Eligible individuals are 60 years of age or older and can include their spouses and disabled individuals living and attending the dining center with them. 

 

Meals on Wheels operates 7 Friendship Dining Centers in Topeka.   

  • Papan's Landing, 619 Paramore (785-232-1968)
  • LULAC Multipurpose Center, 1502 N Seward (785-234-5809)
  • East Topeka Senior Center, 432 SE Norwood (785-232-7765)
  • Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 SE Michigan
  • Tyler Towers, 600 SW 14th Street
  • First Apartments, 3805 SW 18th Street
  • Santa Fe Apartments, 600 SE Madison

Home Delivered Meals are also an option.  If you are unsure whether or not you may qualify for home delivered meals, please call 785-670-2434 and they will gladly visit further with you about your possible eligibility.   


Floor Activities
Floor Activities
I sponsored SR 1806 which is a resolution encouraging the creation of a Kansas plan for comprehensive treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The major risk factor for COPD is smoking.  Other risk factors included environmental exposure to air pollution and industrial irritants.  Increased public awareness, early detection and treatment are crucial in the prevention or slowing the progression of lung disease and can lead to reduced costs and better quality of life for Kansans. 


Committee Activities

Transportation:
This committee did not meet this week.

Ethics and Elections:  
This committee did not meet this week.

Ways and Means:  
SB 436 received a hearing.  Kansas currently screens for 29 metabolic and health disorders.  This bill will create a dedicated newborn screening fund which receives revenues from the health maintenance organization privilege fee.  The bill was voted out of Committee and is now available for the full Senate.

HB 2429 would remove the expiration date on the State Educational Institution Project Delivery Construction Procurement Act.  This Act applies only to construction projects and services funded totally with non-state money, such as tuition, fees or federal funds.  The bill was passed out of Committee and placed on the Consent Calendar as it is perceived as non-controversial in nature.

The committee received subcommittee reports on the following:
  • Natural Resources

  • Kansas Department of Health and Environment - Environment

  • Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

  • Department of Education (K - 12)

  • School for the Blind

  • School for the Deaf
  • Historical Society
  • State Library
  • Water Office 

Public Health and Welfare:

The committee held confirmation hearings on the following:

  • Dr. Alex Ammar
  • Greg Graves
  • Sharon Lindenbaum

All were passed to the full Senate for confirmation to the Kansas Hospital Authority Board. 

   
GPSchmidt
  • Met with Cathy Kruger - University of Kansas student
  • Met with Blaire Landon - Teen Pact
  • Met with Mitzi McFatrick and Barbara Conant (KS Advocates for Better Care) and Ernest Kutzley (AARP)
  •  Met with Shannon Jones - Executive Director of Statewide Independent Living Council 
  • Presented comments at the Oral Health Kansas Board Meeting  

Miss Topeka/Capital City 

 

Here is the picture from the Miss Topeka and Miss Capital City Scholarship Pageant!  Congratulations to ALL of the participants and THANK YOU Ms. Evelyn Rivera for your organizational skills!  

Please do not hesitate to contact me about issues of interest to you. I appreciate the opportunity to represent you at the Capitol.

 Sincerely, 

Vicki Schmidt
Assistant Majority Leader
20th District, Kansas Senate
vicki@vickischmidt.com
785-296-7374 (Senate Office)

Paid for by Schmidt for Senate, Brad Koehn, CPA, Treasurer
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PAGES
Pages 3-1-2012
Paige Cunningham, Sen. Vicki Schmidt, Gov. Sam Brownback and Laura Dicus 
KYLEIGH GOULD
Kyleigh
Pharmacy Student - University of Kansas