RYCKMAN RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

It took until Week 10 of the Legislature to do it, but if we ever had a session goal of taking more than 100 votes in a 4-day period, that has been met and exceeded. Actually, our 107 doesn’t quite match the 115 we had a year ago this time, but the 88 in a single day may have set some sort of record.

Only one was particularly controversial, which certainly helps in the decision-making, but still, that’s a LOT to discuss and ponder in a short period of time. Now, if you’re wondering, “How is it possible to make informed judgments on that many bills, amendments, resolutions, confirmations, and reports so quickly?” the answer is, “It is definitely a challenge, but thanks to the hearing process, advance notice, staff summaries and briefings, a lot of reading, caucuses, constituent and interest group input, good leadership, and actual debate, we somehow make it happen.” Then, too, as we used to tell our kids, “Anything is possible if you put your minds to it.”

GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

Next week is conference committee week, where members of the House and Senate meet in small groups to work through the differences between bills that have passed each chamber. These are three on three negotiations where we focus on resolving disagreements, finding workable compromises, and finalizing legislation that both bodies can ultimately vote on.

This is where much of the detailed work happens. It is a deliberate process aimed at making sure the final version of each bill is thoughtful, balanced, and ready for final passage.

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

As the legislative session begins to wind down, this could possibly be one of the most consequential sessions in recent memory or be the biggest letdown in the past 25 years.

There are some victories so far, and most recently it has to be noted that the bipartisan passage of removing cell phones form classrooms was a monumental success.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Reita Isaacs, Liberal

Just sitting here at the Senior Citizens Center staring at our designated puzzle table, which is now empty except for the 1,000- piece multiple-bird one Gerald sneaked in and finished this morning. Beautiful thing to admire until we either move it aside or box it back up.

I still think my 1,000-piece octopus puzzle is the most vibrant and beautiful of all; not bragging, of course.

Things are just not as active as they’ve been over years, such as: road trips out of town, dinner-movies here, early morning exercises with video, a place where you could come early in the morning (8 a.m.) and find something to do if you choose to stay until closing, knowing you were comfortable and safe. Just having another human around to visit and interact with accomplished more than a case full of medications.