Opinion

RYCKMAN RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

Even though most of the focus on the Senate side during Week 8 of the Legislature was on putting together a budget, the biggest news actually came out of the House’s action on tax cuts. That’s because they’ve been sitting on the constitutional amendment limiting valuation increases passed by the Senate a month ago while working on what they consider more viable alternatives. Two options were approved, one a different constitutional change that would limit appraisals to Fair Market Value (HCR 5011) and the other (HB 2396) a protest petition on local increases if signed by 10 percent of voters, so we’ll see what happens when everything gets put together in a conference committee.

GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

Our state capitol is a beautiful building outside and in. If you are ever in the Topeka area I recommend you stop by and visit it. It’s your building and we can all be proud of it. This week I had a lot of visitors from District 125 advocating their positions on bills important to members of our community. They included requests for the restoration of funding for tourism, maintaining in-state tuition for residents without lawful immigration status, and opposition for sales tax exemptions for the construction and equipping of data centers. Please, let me know of your positions on bills in the legislature. It’s important I know your thoughts. The best way to share your opinion is an email to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

Growing up, the Midway was my favorite part of the Five State Free Fair. The Exhibit building was connected to the Ag Building, and after perusing those earlier in the day, we would go outside to the Midway with all the rides, food and entertainment that made the Fair, well, the Fair.

There was also the three big nights of racing, a demolition derby and a host of other events that brought out crowds in droves.

We remember with rose colored glasses those days, and they truly were core memories of what makes a fair a fair.

But much has changed since then.

THE POSTSCRIPT, Carrie Classon

I had not planned on a party; that was the trouble.

There is something ridiculous about a woman who has collected so many dresses that they barely fit in her adequately sized closet, showing up at her own anniversary party with nothing to wear. But that is the position I was about to find myself in.

Every time I’ve come to Mexico, I’ve brought one especially nice dress. Every time, it has hung in my small closet in Mexico, untouched. The restaurants we go to just don’t require a serious dress. A nice pair of capris or a casual summer dress is much more appropriate for anywhere my husband, Peter, and I go.