GUEST COLUMN, Ann Fetters, Leading Kansas
Kansans across Congressional District 1 — from Garden City to Hays to Salina to Manhattan — have questions and concerns about the so-called “big, beautiful bill” and how it could impact their communities.
The response from their U.S. representative, Tracey Mann?
Crickets.
This is why Leading Kansas — a nonpartisan organization working to make our Kansas politicians accountable to the people — just finished an August listening tour throughout Mann’s district to speak with local folks about what’s on their minds. We invited individuals and organizations — both political and nonpartisan—to meet at their local coffee shops not only to hear their concerns, but to help generate ideas about how they can make their voices heard in order to protect their workforces, farmers, hospitals, and schools in order to thrive and continue to provide what their communities need.
This is something Rep. Mann should be doing. It’s in his job description. Yet despite repeated invitations from Leading Kansas to hold a town hall where all are invited— the date, time, and place at his convenience—his response has been silence. The same goes for Sen. Moran, Sen. Marshall, and District 4 Rep. Ron Estes. Okay, Sen. Marshall did respond, but he declined the invitation.
In other words, they were no-shows.
Yes, they’re touring Kansas, but they’re only meeting with their supporters, many of them high-dollar donors. By invitation only. Thus far, they have shown no interest nor willingness to hold events where everyone is encouraged to attend. People are upset about what is happening at the federal level and that it could negatively impact their communities. Our congressmen don’t want to face that reality, so they’re on the run.
Just what are rural Kansans worried about?
• SNAP cuts and their effect on food insecurity, especially in Kansas schools
• Cuts to Medicaid for people who need it and rural hospitals closing as a result
• Phasing out the U.S. Dept of Education and the effect on special education
• Raiding of immigrant workforce and its effect on communities
• Tariffs and the termination of USAID and the impact on farmers
• Threats to voting rights and fair elections
• Frustration with Kansas politicians and their lack of communication
We will be sending a list of these concerns to Rep. Mann. Hopefully he responds.
Meanwhile, our work continues. Upcoming events are listed on our Web site at leadingkansas.org.
And everyone is invited.
