RYCKMAN RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

Week 8 of the 2026 Legislature was all about the budget, with the Senate passing its version by the narrowest of margins and setting up negotiations with the House. By “narrowest,” I mean by the minimum required 21 votes, with 19 opposed.

That’s not at all unusual, of course, since no elected official wants to go on record as supporting spending more of the taxpayers’ money, in this case right at $27.8 billion statewide for FY 2026, especially with tax collections currently 10 percent below estimates. It would go down ever so slightly for next year, but still, to most of us ordinary citizens (and senators), that kind of number for our state is incomprehensible. Even our Majority Leader registered a reluctant “No,” saying that despite things like increased support for our I/DD population, enablement of critical highway projects, and full funding for schools, SB 315 fell short on exercising fiscal restraint. Nine other Republicans joined him with similar rationale.

It’s not like we didn’t spend enough time in trying to get the numbers down, for the package took up nearly six hours of floor debate and included consideration of right at 25 amendments, with probably another 25 waiting but never brought.

Most were pretty one-sided, though one was narrowly approved 21-18 and another rejected 18-22. The one adopted (on which I was a “no”) took on a little controversy even after-the-fact, as it provided fines for school districts experiencing student walk-outs not backed by parental consent. My reaction was “C’mon, really, after all we’ve been through on First Amendment issues?” I suspect it will be revisited in conference.

The close-vote amendment rejection had to do with concerns over funding for out-of-state contractors hired to do what Kansas firms could accomplish, but at some point the lowest and best bid submissions have to prevail regardless of corporate origins.

Prior to action on the budget, the Senate took up a very important validation of the Wildfire Disaster Emergency Executive Order by unanimously approving HCR 5033, thereby allowing assistance to go forward in pretty much our entire area. Unfortunately, that aid would not help bring much-needed relief to the downtown Jetmore business community, but I am working with the State Fire Marshal’s office and Department of Commerce to see what can be done.

Moving to post-budget action, the Senate boosted election integrity by strengthening signature verification requirements on mail-in ballots (SB 394); clarified authority to assist federal law enforcement in the discharge of their duties (SB 452); and voted to approve a Convention of States for the limited purpose of considering term-limits (HCR 5022). I’m not sure it was an improvement or even necessary, but we also passed a revised school cell phone ban, S Sub Sub HB 2299.

By far the two most email and phone-call-generating pieces of legislation, HB 2433 and HB 2476, are moving through the process. The first of those — having to do with water rights and home rule — was “worked” in my Local Government Committee this week, and — following a most useful and thorough discussion — reported out favorably for consideration by the full Senate.

The second, “Help the farmers by voting against it” pesticide labeling measure, will be heard in my Agriculture Committee next Tuesday. Though a little puzzled — given the heavily organized opposition — that only five witnesses or “conferees” have signed-up to testify, it still promises to be one of the more interesting and animated meetings of the year. It cleared the House rather easily 81-36, but has since become the focus of “Support President Trump by voting for it” TV commercials, something I don’t think I’ve seen on a piece of state legislation since the proposed “Value Them Both” constitutional amendment four years ago.

My “after hours” highlight of the week was definitely the perennial favorite “Dodge City Night” right next to the Capitol. Besides enjoying a fabulous steak and getting to see a lot of familiar faces, it was a welcome break from floor debate on the budget that went until 9 p.m. Saturday morning’s “coffee and doughnuts” meeting of the Republican Party in Dodge provided a similar opportunity. No one said anything about the resurfacing project along U.S. 360 from the 283 Junction east to the Clark/Comanche line or the Highway 83 tech upgrades from Rexford to Liberal, so I’ll take that as meaning there have been no significant traffic interruptions just yet. Maybe that extra hour of sunshine we’ll get from “springing forward” to Central Daylight Time will help.

As always, I thank you for the entrusted responsibility, honor, and privilege of bringing whatever “sunshine” I can to you as your “voice” in Topeka.