GUEST COLUMN, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

 

Even though Week 2 of the 2025 Legislature turned out to be one of “information overload,” no one could complain when it started out with a terrific pancake breakfast, courtesy of our kind folks from Liberal.

We did take a vote approving the Senate Rules — as well as 11 appointments by both the Governor and Attorney General, but there were no substantive debates on bills under what is called “General Orders.” Instead, we were inundated (can we use that term when talking about water?) with briefings and updates on everything from, yes, water, to public service to unemployment systems to rural attorney shortages, all in preparation for legislative decision-making ahead. This is fairly typical of the beginning of a Session, where we study and learn in preparation for the “heavy lifting” to follow. Come to think of it, it is not unlike being back in school taking everything in before later being “tested” on the exam-equivalent of votes.

Besides all the “educating” that occurs during the early days of a Legislature, there is true enjoyment in seeing so many folks from “back home” who take the time and effort to come to Topeka to make their views known on pending issues. For Kansas City or Wichita senators, perhaps, it is not such a big deal, but for me there is a definite admiration in knowing those with whom I meet have driven at least five hours to get here. I haven’t kept an exact count with all the large receptions and such, but I must have met and personally spoken with at least 50 constituents this week from Liberal, Meade, Dodge, Jetmore, Satanta, Sublette, and Minneola. That first-hand insight into what those I represent are thinking is absolutely invaluable in making eventual decisions on their behalf. Even if we might disagree, there is something very satisfying about being a good, attentive listener. Who knows? I might just change my mind.

That could very well happen, for instance, on some of the early property tax relief measures starting to make their way through the process. While okay for the most part on SB 35, eliminating 1.5 mills from selective statewide levies, and SB 10, exempting certain items from personal property taxes, the real “crunch” is going to come on any constitutional amendment “capping” valuations at, say, 3 percent per year. While that concept in SCR 1603 may sound good at first blush, we have to bear in mind that any mandated maximum also usually becomes an effective minimum. In other words, 3 + 3 + 3 +3 over a four-year period guarantees an overall total of 12 percent in situations where the cumulative annual adjustments might otherwise have been only 10 percent or less. There is also the concern over “tax-shifting” for particularly local governments, where cuts in one area have to be made up by increases in others in order to maintain essential services. Nothing simple about these “simple” solutions, is there?

The same axiom could well apply to all the challenges facing us on our water supply, as we heard in my Agriculture Committee this week from Julie Lorenz of the Kansas Water Office. There are so many things still being “blamed” on former Governor Sam Brownback that I found it refreshing she actually credited him for the strides he took more than 10 years ago in his long-term visionary approach to water preservation. She emphasized the goal of two generations or 50 years of guaranteed supply while pointing out that businesses won’t even consider locating in areas that don’t have at least a 30-year assurance. Her office received over $220 million in requests for assistance this past year while dealing with a recommended budget of less than 2/3 of that. I was a little taken aback to hear that fully 140 hazardous sites need to be remediated when only 4-6 of those can be addressed by 2027. The best news, however, is that their emphasis is on communities protecting water rights – not the state. For a local guy like me, that’s huge.

Another interesting presentation came in our Government and Ethics Committee from an organization called “Engaged Kansas,” which “engages” in encouraging and supporting citizens to consider public service, e.g., on a School Board or City or County Commission. They tout an 80 percent success rate on candidates they attract and support, so even though the closest seminar offered is in Scott City in April, connect with them if interested at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. While I’m at it in providing “leads,” get in touch with our amazing State Library at https://my.nicheacademy.com/kslib/course/1103 should one of your New Year’s resolutions be to learn a new language. Congratulations to their own display of “learning” to Wichita State’s Elena Neufeld and Tessa Hiatt of Dodge City and Fort Hays State’s Ariana Parrel and Diana Rivera Mogica of Liberal for their recent induction into the oldest and most selective academic honorary, Phi Kappa Phi.

Please remember to let me know what is on your mind by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling my Statehouse office at 785-296-7359. Also, don’t forget to share any recommendations you might have for Senate Paging opportunities on the reserved dates of January 29, February 19, and February 27. As always, I thank you for the high honor and privilege of serving as your “voice” in Topeka. GO CHIEFS.

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