Capping local increases not as simple as it sounds

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.