Opinion

GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

This week in Topeka I met with Sandy Koehn with Southwest Medical Center who was in Topeka for the Kansas Hospital Association’s Advocacy Day. We talked about the need for a Health Stabilization Plan for nurse practitioners, a 340B billing issue at SWMC clinics, and state funding for stabilization and transportation of individuals suffering from serious critical mental health issues in our emergency rooms. It’s always great to visit with Sandy. She has a true servant’s heart.

C.J. and Linda Wettstein, representing Seward County Farm Bureau, were at the Capitol this week as well. We talked about issues in our agricultural sector, the county, and our nation.

The flu is running rampant throughout the Capitol right now. I’ve been struggling with some kind of bug all week. So, I really wanted to get home and beg my wife, Carol, to take care of me but then this winter storm came through and so I’m stuck in Topeka for the weekend. Home is where the heart is and Carol is my heart.

RYCKMAN’S RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

Unsurprisingly, Week 2 of the 2026 Legislature turned out to be one of continued information-gathering, as we completed listening to reports from multiple State agencies and spent considerable time at the committee level putting together budget recommendations.

In my Ag Committee alone, we had to meet twice on two consecutive days (even giving up a lunch hour) just to get through all the number-crunching, especially on Water Office issues. That emphasis and shifting of priorities was offset by lighter-than-normal Floor activity, however, as we took only 21 roll-call votes — all of them unanimous (40-0) confirmations of appointments to positions like the Board of Regents; Hospital and Finance Authorities; Gaming Commission; and KPERS Board. An example of the required “schedule juggling” with which we often have to deal was my changing an appointment with the Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society three times — then still having to make her wait! That was followed by needing to choose from among four dinner invitations the same night — sort of like your high school son or daughter making decisions about going to the Prom!

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

Senator Ron Ryckman, you do a good job representing the variety of views in the 38th District which includes both Liberal and Dodge City plus the many other communities in between.

Your district includes a number of school districts, cities and counties who have taxing authority over those who call this part of the state home.

In your recent report from Topeka, Sen. Ryckman, you shared the importance of being a good listener.

Sen. Ryckman, please listen to the voices coming from your district on placing valuation increase caps and spending caps on local government.

I am sure the “leaders” who work for local units of government may be lobbying you to allow them to make the best choices for local communities, and in many cases local units of government have done a good job of practicing fiscal responsibility.

THE POSTSCRIPT, Carrie Classon

It takes a long time to write a book.

Actually, writing a book does not take that long. Getting a book sold and edited and published takes far more time than I imagined. But my waiting is finally over as this book, “Loon Point,” that I started writing two and a half years ago, will be released at the end of the month.

I was sure I would be completely terrified on the eve of my first novel’s release. I was sure that there would be a million things I still had to do, and a thousand regrets for things I should have done sooner, and at least a hundred things on my to-do list every single day. This has not proven to be the case.