RYCKMAN RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator
Welcome to the 2026 session of the Kansas Legislature — and thank you for the honor and privilege of representing you at our Capital. As I start my 12th year in elective office and sixth as your 38th District Senator, I will be sharing leadership of the Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics as its Vice-Chair, along with membership on three other committees — Agriculture and Natural Resources, Commerce, and Judiciary. I am here to help you interact with your state government on any issue, however, so please stop by my Capitol Office in Room 236-E right off the Rotunda; send me an email at
Chances are — if you call — the phone will be answered by my Staff Assistant, Ken Benjamin, who is a veteran of 13 years with the Legislature and can either schedule a meeting, take a message for me to call back, or directly refer your problem or question to the appropriate department or agency. Right now, in particular, I am hoping to generate interest in student constituents devoting a day of their time to being Senate Pages, so Ken is the one with whom to get in touch on that. We have secured initial openings for Thursday, Jan. 29 (Kansas Day); Wednesday, Feb. 18; and Thursday, Feb. 26, so if you have a son or daughter or grandchild or close acquaintance you would like to see experience this special opportunity, let us know. Although the minimum age requirement is 12, the older kids seem to get a little more out of it, simply because they have taken classes on how our government works – or is supposed to. The day typically ends around 3:30 p.m., leaving just enough time to get back home to Dodge or Meade or Liberal to put a post on Facebook telling about their “Day in the Life of a Legislator!”
My own “Days as a Legislator” have been relatively quiet this first week, especially with our having no (what are called) “General Orders” bill considerations and taking no roll-call votes. We gathered jointly in the House Chamber Tuesday to hear, first, the “State of the Judiciary” presentation by new Chief Justice Eric Rosen, then later that evening her final “State of the State Address” from Governor Kelly. There was a special Topeka tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., at the Statehouse Thursday, but other local observances will follow “back home” on the official holiday this Monday as well. I hope you can find your own time during this first three-day weekend of 2026 to reflect on his great legacy, especially the emphasis on “civility” in our public discourse, which was at the core of all for which he stood. While we hear a lot about that and “unity” and “common ground” quite regularly, there just aren’t many leaders like him anymore. Pretty safe to say he wouldn’t be very pleased with the level of combativeness being advocated by protest groups nowadays.
Coincidentally, without making mention of Dr. King himself, the Governor used the word “civility” probably a dozen or more times during her speech. We’re likely to see a lot of that anyway during an election year when no one — as a political reality — wants to do anything controversial or confrontational that might alienate voters to begin with, but which is even more applicable when both our Senate President and House Speaker are running for statewide offices (Governor and Insurance Commissioner). She also got a nod of agreement from me when touting the benefits of being a good listener, a practice of which I am a steadfast believer and follower. For students who are about to have their cell phones banned during classroom time, that will likely mean paying more attention to teachers. Imagine! While certainly supportive of the concept, I tend to agree with most of my superintendents that it is better (and is being) handled at the local level rather than by imposing a State mandate.
Some things that are appropriate for us, on the other hand, are bringing our beloved Chiefs over to the Kansas side. There is plenty of credit to go around on that major accomplishment, but pardon me for bragging a bit that that former House Speaker “Ryckman” fellow (whose father happens to be a State Senator) had a lot to do with it.
Although the beginning of the year is typically devoted to receiving generalized updates and reports from our various State agencies — along with developing committee agendas and hearing schedules, we also get from time-to-time “notices” that are quite important to specific localities. One “good news” item in particular this week was a five-year EPA review that the Groundwater Contamination Site Remedy at Wright is working such that human health and the environment are being protected. On the same theme of “protection,” our Attorney General just announced his “Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Program” for all Kansas public schools, inviting eligible institutions to apply for a portion of the $10 million in grant money appropriated by the Legislature. And staying with the subject of “schools,” I am looking for recommendations from principals, counselors, advisors and teachers for high school juniors and seniors who would be good candidates for participation in the Dodge City/ Holcomb/Manhattan “NextGen Ogalla Scholars Program” focusing on future water policy. Got anyone in mind?
One of the benefits of being a Legislator — as our two new senators from Wichita (Silas Miller) and Abilene (Scott Hill) are finding out — is getting to meet a lot of interesting, distinguished people at the Statehouse. This week was no exception, as on Tuesday I was part of a Chaplain’s Breakfast that featured Dayton Moore, General Manager of the Kansas City Royals when they won the World Series in 2015 and now with the Texas Rangers. Two days later, I spoke on the Floor with a most dynamic individual, Dr. K.A. Paul, who delivered our Invocation and whom many say may be the next Prime Minister of India. A lot of folks think that being a senator is a “heady” experience, but to the extent that is true it is not because of the office itself but rather those with whom we come in contact. That includes all of you, both at home and the Capitol, who bless me every day with your caring and conversation. I look forward to and appreciate the responsibility and trust of continuing to serve as your “voice” in Topeka.
