Over the Cattle Guard: My First Week as Your Representative

This week marked the beginning of my journey as your Kansas State Representative, and what a week it has been! From the swearing-in ceremony to laying the groundwork for important legislative priorities, I am both honored and energized to serve you.

A Moment of Honor and Leadership

On Tuesday afternoon, I was officially sworn into office, surrounded by my family and fellow legislators. It was a proud and humbling moment, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent District 1 in Topeka.

Our first task as a body was electing Dan Hawkins as Speaker of the House. His opening remarks set a tone of faith and unity for this session:

“I’m reminded of our foundational values that must guide that work: faith, family, friends, unity, and civility…. As a body, let us lead with our faith.”

Shortly after, we elected Blake Carpenter as Speaker Pro Tem. He concluded his acceptance speech with words that resonated deeply with me:

“May God bless our work.”

As I reflect on these first steps, I am encouraged by the strong conservative foundation being laid. With a Republican supermajority in both the House and the Senate, this year has the potential to bring meaningful, conservative reforms to Kansas.

Diving Into Committee Work

As your Representative, I am serving on four key committees: Legislative Modernization, Water, Elections, and Welfare Reform. Each one plays an important role in improving the lives of Kansans.

Welfare Reform

I am particularly excited about the work ahead in the Welfare Reform Committee. Our focus is to bring accountability to the system by offering families a hand up, not a handout. There should be clear expectations for those collecting benefits, while still providing a safety net for those in need.

Elections

Election integrity is a top priority for me, and I’m pleased to report that the Elections Committee is off to a diligent start. We’re working to understand the processes of the Secretary of State and the Ethics Commission while identifying ways to improve voter confidence in Kansas.

Water

Water is a critical issue for every Kansan, and our state faces many challenges in this area. Last year, $35 million was added to the State Water Fund, and we’ll be monitoring how those funds are utilized. I’m committed to ensuring this money is used effectively to secure safe, sustainable water supplies across the state.

Legislative Modernization

Although this committee only had time for brief introductions this week, I look forward to diving into efforts to bring greater efficiency and accountability to our legislative processes in the coming weeks.

Governor’s Proposals: A Closer Look

Governor Kelly’s State of the State address highlighted tax cuts and programs that were passed last year. While some of her proposals sound promising on the surface, I have concerns about the practicality and long-term impact of certain initiatives:

• Creating the Office of Department of Early Childhood: With three agencies already focused on childcare, adding another layer of bureaucracy doesn’t seem like the path to efficiency.

• Tackling Child Hunger: The governor proposes increasing free lunches, but this only addresses hunger during school hours. A better solution would empower families to achieve financial independence.

• Investing $30 Million in Water: While I support efforts to ensure safe, sustainable water for all Kansans, we must first assess how the $35 million allocated last year is being used.

• Medicaid Expansion: This proposal could come at a significant long-term cost to taxpayers. Addressing reimbursement rates might be a more thoughtful and effective approach.

As these discussions progress, I’ll remain focused on ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently.

Celebrating Leadership in Our Community

I’d like to take a moment to recognize an outstanding District 1 resident, Chad Epler, who was recently appointed to the Kansas State Board of Agriculture. This is a tremendous honor for Chad and a testament to his dedication to Kansas agriculture. I look forward to working with him and am confident he’ll serve our state well. Congratulations, Chad!

Thank You for Allowing Me to Serve

It has been an exciting first week, and I’m grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me. If you’d like to share your thoughts or have any questions, I encourage you to reach out at [email protected]. Please state in the subject line that you are from District 1. Thank you for allowing me to represent you.

Together, we’ll make a difference for Kansas.