Opinion

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

In today’s divided world, politics can feel like a minefield. But as Christians, we can navigate elections, debates, and divisions with a worldview that seeks to uplift God and bring reconciliation. Politics have to do with persuasion, and through politics, citizens gain what government offers. Divisiveness may seem severe in this century, but in teaching US history, the country has always dealt with animosity; for example, between the supporters of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s.

GUEST COLUMN, Nate Roy, Small business owner in Northeast Kansas

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) has ignited a strong debate about its merits, but there is one provision that is a definite good for the American economy: the state and local tax (SALT) deduction for pass-through businesses — such as family farms, independent retailers, contractors, and service providers. While it hasn’t received as much attention — especially in rural states like Kansas, where many farms are pass-throughs — it is essential for the flourishing of small businesses across the country.

GUEST COLUMN, J. Basil Dannebohm

On Aug. 16, a special op/ed I penned for the Topeka Capitol-Journal was published across several of Gannett’s Kansas newspapers. The subject matter was something I’ve championed since my brief stint in the Kansas Legislature: medical marijuana.

As I outlined in the op/ed (which can also be read at www.dannebohm.com), in 2015 I took a LOT of heat as the sole GOP legislator standing in support of HB2011, a bill in the Kansas House that would have made medical THC products more accessible. As the piece mentions, I supported the legislation because a constituent in a neighboring district came to me with a heartfelt plea for her son suffering from Dravet syndrome. My endorsement of a cause that went against the platform led to attacks, hit pieces, and ultimately the end of my political career. To this day, I have no regrets. I only wish I could have done more.

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

A solid group of concerned citizens attended the Seward County town hall meeting Thursday, and they were reacting to their recent tax RNR statements that listed the potential of a 29 mill tax increase for Seward County. I’ll explain the 29 mills later.

The mill increase would result in a 71 percent increase in property taxes levied by Seward County alone.

The City of Liberal has a zero percent change in mill levy proposed, Seward County Community College is proposing a 0.7 percent, less than 1 percent, increase, and USD No. 480 is proposing a mill levy increase of 3.9 percent.