Opinion

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

As crowds gathered along the Jordan River to hear John the Baptist, they whispered and debated. Luke 3:15 captures the moment. “Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were reasoning in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ....”

But John, far from claiming the title of Messiah, immediately set the record straight and proclaimed the superiority of Jesus. "'One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals'” (Luke 3:16). He humbly confessed his unworthiness and equated himself with a slave in relation to the coming One. The contrast in their roles was clear. "'As for me, I baptize you with water [Matthew adds "unto repentance" in 3:11], but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'"

GUEST COLUMN, J. Basil Dannebohm

On June 20, 2018, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, who performs under the stage name “Nicki Minaj” tweeted:

“I came to this country as an illegal immigrant @ 5 years old. I can’t imagine the horror of being in a strange place & having my parents stripped away from me at the age of 5. This is so scary to me. Please stop this. Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now?”

Born in Trinidad, Minaj is not an American citizen. She resides in the United States illegally. Her husband, Kenneth Petty, is a registered sex offender. Her brother, Jelani Maraj, is currently in jail for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. Minaj was in danger of losing her house to pay off a bodyguard who her husband allegedly assaulted.

By White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller’s standards, the rapper should be deported.

RYCKMAN RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

Although the pace of things in Topeka would normally be expected to pick up during Week 4 of the Legislature, that was true only at the committee level, as we had no roll-call Floor votes from Monday through Wednesday and only five on Thursday before a pro forma Friday. Not only that, but all five — one a confirmation — were totally non-controversial 38-0 tallies.

Things were a bit different on the House side, however, where a big item banning public benefits to non-citizens cleared that body 86-36 with the exception amendment I had supported continuing in-state tuition eligibility for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students. The underlying measure, SB 254, now goes to conference, so we’ll see what happens. That is the case as well with a Judiciary budget recommendation I got approved increasing law school loan repayment funds to attract much-needed attorneys to rural areas, since it has to get past the Ways and Means Committee vetting process.

GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

Thanks to everyone that came out to Saturday’s legislative update sponsored by the Liberal Area Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Kansas Board of Realtors. Senator Ryckman joined me, and we had a lot of good questions and a good turnout. Our next forum will be Saturday, March 14. I hope to see you there.

Local realtors Tanya Colvin and Corey Barnett, were in Topeka this week and stopped by the office. They talked with me about the need for legislation regarding squatters. It’s becoming a big problem throughout Kansas. They also talked about concerns with the proposed assessment cap Constitutional amendment. Among their concerns were — it does not really solve the problem, it discourages new construction and home improvements, it creates unequal taxation of comparable properties and unfairly transfers the property taxes from highly desirable residential properties onto commercial buildings, agricultural land and lower cost housing.