Governor Colyer Signs Anti-Swatting Bill and Serveral Others into Law

Press Release

---

TOPEKA –  Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signed in to law on Friday, HB2581 that increases penalties for “swatting” or other false alarms if a third party is injured as a result of the hoax. Swatting is the action of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about an armed police response to a particular address. This harassment tactic resulted in the loss of the life of Andrew Finch of Wichita in December 2017 after police were called to his home following a prank call allegedly placed by an individual in California.     “We need to send a clear message that this behavior is unacceptable in our society,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, “It isn’t a prank, it isn’t a joke, it is a deadly serious crime and this law makes it clear that we will treat it as such.  What happened to Mr. Finch was unspeakably tragic, and we hope that this law will prevent any other innocent people from losing their lives as a result of this horrific behavior.”     

“I am very pleased to think this legislation could possibly save lives,”

said Lisa Finch, mother of Andrew.

 Other bills Governor Colyer signed into law on Friday included the following:

 

• Senate Bill 185: Expedites redevelopment projects by revising the powers of Johnson and Labette Counties in regard to certain redevelopment districts and authorities. (Signed 04/11/18)
• Senate Bill 324: Amends the vehicle dealers and manufacturers licensing act to prohibit certain actions by manufacturers which place unnecessary costs and burdens on vehicle dealers.
• Senate Bill 410: Updates insurance statutes to allow certain captive insurance companies in the State of Kansas.
• Substitute for House Bill 2147: Refunds improperly collected income taxes to certain Native American veterans.  
• Senate Substitute for House Bill 2184: Amends workers compensation death benefits.
• House Bill 2580: Prevents consumer reporting agencies from charging certain fees relating to consumer report security freezes.
• House Bill 2581: Increases penalties for “swatting” and other false alarms if a third party is injured or killed as a result of the hoax. (Announced in the previous release)
• House Bill 2639: Allows KDHE to collect a fee for fingerprinting individuals maintaining, residing, working, or volunteering at a child care facility. 

 

The Governor has now signed 50 bills into law this session. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign bills into law, veto bills or allow bills to become law without his signature.

Area Happenings - Week of April 15

Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  April 14, 2017.  To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

---

April 16, 2018 
Jail Expansion Discussion - Baldwin City

---

 April 17, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
7 P.M.

---

April 19, 20 and 21, 2018

The Christians
7:30 P.M.

April 22

2:00 P.M.

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

April 26, 2018

Jaw Bats 
Open House

Check out Baldwin City's own baseball bat manufacturing facility. Come expecting a super fun baseball-themed open house, with ballpark food and appearances by Baldwin City Blues and  Keepers of the Legends.

Time: 5-6:30 p.m.

Location: JAW BATS LLC
606 High Street Suite B
Baldwin City, Kansas

---

April 26, 2018

---

Eggs & Issues: A Conversation with Dr. Lynne Murray

April 27, 2018

Time: 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Location: Kansas State Bank
602 Ames St
Baldwin City, Kansas 66006

 *formerly known as Coffee & Conversation*

Eggs & Issues is a civic engagement program brought to you by the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas State Bank and the City of Baldwin City, Kansas.  At the April 27th event Dr. Lynne Murray, president of Baker University (Official), will host a conversation about Baker University and Baldwin City.

New Location: Kansas State Bank Breakfast chef: George McCrary, Business Development Officer of Kansas State Bank.

---

April 27, 2018
Spring Choral Concert

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

May 1, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
7 P.M.

---

May 3, 2018 

Chris Grubb Jazz Ensemble Concert

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

May 8, 2018
Spring Orchestra Concert

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

May 9, 2018
Chris Grubb Jazz Guest Concert

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

May 15, 2018
Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
7 P.M.

---

 May2018

Graduations
Location:

Baldwin City, KS
Time:

---

June 15, 2018
Wine Fest
Lotatorium
4-9 P.M.

---

Third Friday Art Walk and Farmers Market

Downtown Baldwin City

---

Every 4th Thursday of the Month
10 A.M. - 11 A.M.
Mobile Food Bank
Baldwin City New Life Assembly of God
118 5th St  Baldwin City, KS
Stay in your car, line up and drive through

---

Every Tuesday through October  
Eudora Local Gardening Farmer’s Market
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Tuesdays
through October 2016
1402 Church Street
Eudora, KS.
In the parking lot of Gene’s Hartland Foods.
Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

---

Every Wednesday through October
De Soto Farmer’s Market (Fresh Promise’s Market)
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Wednesdays through October 2016
at The Barn at Kill Creek Farm
9200 Kill Creek Road
De Soto, KS
Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

---

Every Thursday through October 
Cottin's Hardware Farmer's Market on Thursdays from
4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
through September
at Cottin's Hardware & Rental back parking lot
1832 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS
Local vendors offer a variety of goods including produce, baked items, hot foods, meats, eggs, soaps, jams, jellies, herbs, fudge and much more!;

---

Every Friday through October
Perry Lecompton Farmers' Market
Fridays from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
at Bernie's parking lot
24 Hwy and Ferguson Road
Perry, KS
Visit the market to find fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, honey, fresh cut flowers, farm fresh eggs, handmade crafts and more!

Kobach and Selzer Take Jabs at Colyer in GOP Debate

Kevin Surbaugh

---

Atchison, KS - Three of the eight remaining gubernatorial candidates on the GOP ticket, debated in the second debate. All three of the candidates on stage already hold a statewide office. Those candidates were Governor Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Insurance Ken Selzer. The stated topic for the debate on this night was education. Governor Jeff at one point said that there has been ten Governors, five Democrats and five Republicans that has been under the gun of appropriations litigation. Saying it has to end, he announced, that he was going to sign
a bill the week of April 16 that will begin that process.

Three of the eight Republican candidates for Governor
debated in Atchison on Friday night as severe storms loomed
over Douglas County.
photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Kobach in a remark aimed at the Governor said,

“If you pay a king’s ransom, which over $500 million bucks is a king’s ransom, you are not going to solve the problem,” Kobach said. “The next day another lawsuit will be filed demanding another ransom. You can’t live in a fantasy world where if we just keep paying, we just keep coughing up the money. The plaintiffs will never say there’s enough.”  

Kobach said he would stop spending money on what he referred to as "Taj Mahal size buildings" and administration. Citing that for every $200,000 we give a school district, $50,000 goes to teacher salaries, $50,000 towards books and supplies while $100,000 goes to fund oversized, elaborate buildings and administrative salaries. Something he says must end.
Responding to reporter questions after the debate, regarding the attacks on him, Colyer said that he doesn't scream shout, instead, he gets results. He further told reporters,

“I’m governor and if people want to attack, that’s fine. It’s an honor to serve the great state of Kansas." 

As the debate proceeded Selzer said, that kids are coming to school more often, not ready. They haven't learned to read, add or write. "We have to have a government that champions accomplishments. We have to get more value for our dollars," he told the packed room at the Atchison Event Center.
He also said that fifty-five (55) percent of college graduates in Kansas are gone after five-years. That translates into less revenue for the state.
Kobach elicited the biggest round of applause for the night, when he said, Of

Another Candidate Jim Barnett, was present in the room, but was not on the stage,  “citing that the GOP debate agreement  limits who can ask questions and what kind of questions can be asked, Barnett told the Gazette in a phone interview in the week leading up to the debate, he said that the press should be asking the questions. Another issue, the agreement blocks candidates from participating in the debate if they did not for in the last gubernatorial (2014) election, Barnett said.


The complete list of Current GOP Candidates for Governor
(Names in bold did not participate in this or the previous debate)

1.  Jeff Colyer, incumbent Governor    Running mate: Tracey Mann, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
2.  Kris Kobach, Secretary of State of Kansas  Running mate: Wink Hartman, businessman     
3. Ken Selzer, Kansas Insurance Commissioner
4. Joseph Tutera Jr., (Mission Hills) high school student
5. Jim Barnett, former State Senator, nominee for Governor in 2006 and candidate for KS-01 in 2010
6. Andy Maskin, New York resident and emerging technology specialist  Running Mate: Scott Goodwin     
7. Tyler Ruzich, (Shawnee Mission) high school student     
8. Dominic Scavuzzo, (Leawood) high school student 

At the Rail - Week of April 9, 2018

By Martin Hawver 

---

Just imagine that three months after being sworn in as governor, the Kansas Legislature decided to make Jeff Colyer essentially the king of Kansas—for nine days.

As king, of course, you can sign bills into law, veto bills, scratch out any of the hundreds of line items for spending in the upcoming budget bill.

Martin Hawver,
Syndicated Columnist

In the past, lawmakers have always made sure that once they have completed their entire session and sent bills to the governor, they later have a day—called sine die adjournment--in which they can consider gubernatorial vetoes and override them if they believe the governor has made a bad decision. 

That’s the Legislature’s final check on the governor if an overwhelming majority—two-thirds of the members of the House and Senate—agree that the governor has made the wrong decision by vetoing bills that a super-majority of legislators believe is good public policy or has cut funding for programs that they believe are important to the state and its people.

But now Colyer—who has 10 days to act on bills after they have passed the Legislature or they become law without his signature—can merely sign bills that he considers a good photo-op or hang onto them until lawmakers leave town.

The measure that creates the brief—April 26 to May 4—period of unbridled gubernatorial power was the adjournment resolution that lawmakers had to pass before midnight Saturday. Without that adjournment resolution passage by midnight Saturday, this year’s Legislature would have ended. No wrapup-session, no more meetings…just ended and the lawmakers go home.

That absolute adjournment, which would have occurred at midnight, was avoided by last-minute, yes, literally last-minute depending on your view of the clock in the House—either 11:58 p.m. or 11:59 p.m.—passage by the House of the Senate-written resolution which allows lawmakers to return April 26 to complete their work.

With the Senate across the hall debating a school finance bill in what was clearly a filibuster to chew up time, the House was literally forced into agreeing to the Senate’s earlier-passed adjournment resolution. It was a deadline like few have seen in the past; the House either OK’d the Senate’s resolution or the Legislature ended at midnight, without a budget and spending authority for the upcoming fiscal year.

Yes, that’s how close it was. Just seconds before the Legislature would have gone out of business for the year with no money appropriated for schools, highways, law enforcement, prisons, health-care programs, and welfare. Imagine the entire state with its agencies, employees and state services not funded.

The tradeoff for the session ending at midnight was abandoning that legislative oversight of the governor’s actions on all bills passed during the wrap-up session.

Is it just insider stuff? Under-the-dome politicking? Partly. Colyer undoubtedly would have called a special session, forcing lawmakers to return to finish their work. The state wouldn’t have turned out the lights at the end of this fiscal year.

But…this is a year in which the entire House seeks reelection, and in which Colyer is hip deep in the campaign for the Republican nomination for the governorship.

A well-aimed veto pen can be a political tool. Colyer can cut specific appropriations with much political fanfare: He’s saved money, cut what he can label wasteful spending. …and just a little clip here or there can be portrayed to show that he’s not a big-spender like the Legislature, that he is looking out for those potential GOP primary voters…

Any chance the GOP-controlled Legislature might near-anonymously put something in the budget bill that is a good political pick-off for the governor?

Hmmm…

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com

State Department Announces Gilman Top Producing Institutions

United States Department of State Press Release

---

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the inaugural list of U.S. higher education institutions that sent the most students overseas on the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program in the academic year 2016-2017. The list recognizes the institutions that made international study and internships more accessible and inclusive for the highest number of American students of all backgrounds through the Gilman Program.
The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education, compiles the list, organized by institution size and type.
Topping this year’s list of four-year institutions sending the highest number of Gilman Scholars abroad are Spelman College (GA), Georgetown University (DC), and University of California, Berkeley (CA). Portland Community College (OR) topped the list of associate’s colleges.
Top producing institutions are highlighted for their success in sending the most first-generation college students, racial or ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, and students studying in STEM fields. Institutions that sent the most Gilman Scholars to the largest number of different overseas destinations also receive recognition for their role in broadening geographical diversity in study abroad.
For a full list of the institutions by category, please visit the Gilman Scholarship website at www.GilmanScholarship.org.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, with the support of the U.S. Congress, is reshaping study abroad to make it more accessible and inclusive for American students. The Gilman Program broadens the U.S. student population studying and interning abroad by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduates who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise participate. Since the program’s establishment in 2001, over 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent more than 25,000 Gilman scholars to 145 countries around the globe.

Area Happenings - Week of April 8

Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  April 7, 2017.  To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

---

 April 8-14, 2018

---

 April 12, 2018

One Anniversary Celebration: Baldwin City Fitness

Time: Thursday, April 12 at 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location:  Baldwin City Fitness LLC
814 High Street
Baldwin City, Kansas 66006

---

April 14, 2018 

Time: 8 p.m.-5 p.m.

Professional Leadership Development
*8 Modules*
One Day Training
Help you become a better leader and prepare you for the business world.
For adult & high school age
Maximum Enrollment - 20 people
Registration Fee: $15 BPW Members
                              $25 Non-BPW Members (includes handbook, lunch & snacks)
                              Due by April 6th
Contact Donna Gratts for more information: 785-594-6782
Email: onnaday1950@yahoo.com

Location:  Baldwin City Public Library
800 7th St
Baldwin City, Kansas 66006

---

April 16, 2018 

---

 April 17, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
7 P.M.

---

April 19, 20 and 21, 2018

The Christians
7:30 P.M.

April 22

2:00 P.M.

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

April 26, 2018

Jaw Bats 
Open House

Check out Baldwin City's own baseball bat manufacturing facility. Come expecting a super fun baseball-themed open house, with ballpark food and appearances by Baldwin City Blues and  Keepers of the Legends.

Time: 5-6:30 p.m.

Location: JAW BATS LLC
606 High Street Suite B
Baldwin City, Kansas

---

April 26, 2018

---

Eggs & Issues: A Conversation with Dr. Lynne Murray

April 27, 2018

Time: 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Location: Kansas State Bank
602 Ames St
Baldwin City, Kansas 66006

 *formerly known as Coffee & Conversation*

Eggs & Issues is a civic engagement program brought to you by the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas State Bank and the City of Baldwin City, Kansas.  At the April 27th event Dr. Lynne Murray, president of Baker University (Official), will host a conversation about Baker University and Baldwin City.

New Location: Kansas State Bank Breakfast chef: George McCrary, Business Development Officer of Kansas State Bank.

---

April 27, 2018
Spring Choral Concert

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

May 1, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
7 P.M.

---

May 3, 2018 

Chris Grubb Jazz Ensemble Concert

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

May 8, 2018
Spring Orchestra Concert

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

May 9, 2018
Chris Grubb Jazz Guest Concert

Location:
Baker University
Rice Auditorium

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 P.M.

---

May 15, 2018
Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
7 P.M.

---

 May2018

Graduations
Location:

Baldwin City, KS
Time:

---

Third Friday Art Walk and Farmers Market

Downtown Baldwin City

---

Every 4th Thursday of the Month
10 A.M. - 11 A.M.
Mobile Food Bank
Baldwin City New Life Assembly of God
118 5th St  Baldwin City, KS
Stay in your car, line up and drive through

---

Every Tuesday through October  
Eudora Local Gardening Farmer’s Market
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Tuesdays
through October 2016
1402 Church Street
Eudora, KS.
In the parking lot of Gene’s Hartland Foods.
Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

---

Every Wednesday through October
De Soto Farmer’s Market (Fresh Promise’s Market)
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Wednesdays through October 2016
at The Barn at Kill Creek Farm
9200 Kill Creek Road
De Soto, KS
Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

---

Every Thursday through October 
Cottin's Hardware Farmer's Market on Thursdays from
4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
through September
at Cottin's Hardware & Rental back parking lot
1832 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS
Local vendors offer a variety of goods including produce, baked items, hot foods, meats, eggs, soaps, jams, jellies, herbs, fudge and much more!;

---

Every Friday through October
Perry Lecompton Farmers' Market
Fridays from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
at Bernie's parking lot
24 Hwy and Ferguson Road
Perry, KS
Visit the market to find fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, honey, fresh cut flowers, farm fresh eggs, handmade crafts and more!

Epic Vision

Kevin Surbaugh

---

It has been two years (come June) since Epic Vision opened their Badwin City office.  They have nine locations accross Kansas, with Dodge City be the furtherest west and three others in Missouri. Other locations include Bonner Springs, Clay Center, Manhatten, Mission, North KC, Parkville, Smithville, Washington, Wichita East and Wichita West.  Doctor Tad Baker is the eye doctor who is in the Baldwin City office.

Refreshments served at the Epic Vision open house.
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Sugar cookies served at the Epic Vision open house.
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

USDA Ignored Public Support of Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule

By Anna Johnson, annaj@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

---

The Center for Rural Affairs stands for rural communities, and we, too, believe that an essential foundation for vital rural communities consists of a healthy economy and diverse farming models.

Many of the policies we support – organic agriculture, Value-Added Producer Grants, rural microloans – we chose to fight for because they make space for farmers and ranchers to access new or alternative income streams.

We are concerned that some of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent actions directly undermine this vision, by the removal of several rules.

Last month, USDA decided to roll back the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule. This rule was meant to strengthen animal welfare standards for the organic program and had the overwhelming support of organic farmers and ranchers and other stakeholders in the organic industry. Along with 72 other organizations, we signed a letter to USDA stating our support for the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices. Although a final rule was issued in 2017, USDA has reversed its decision, ignored public support, and withdraw the rule, effective May 13, 2018.

We see an unfortunate similarity with USDA’s decision last year to delay, and finally, cancel, the Farmer Fair Practices Rules, also known as GIPSA rules. These would have brought greater fairness to contract poultry and livestock production and would have helped level the playing field for these producers nationwide.

Both of these rules would have made more space in agriculture for farmers and ranchers to pursue diverse livestock and poultry production practices. Unfortunately, USDA does not share this vision and chose to roll back these provisions.

While such losses can be discouraging, we refuse to give up the fight for strong, rural communities. Visit cfra.org to learn how you can help.

Dog Park and Senior Housing Discussed at Council Meeting

Kevin Surbaugh

---

The Baldwin City Council held their regular meeting this past week.  During this council, meeting members gave final approval of the easement agreement between Midland Railway and the city of Baldwin City. There was a brief discussion regarding the wording in particular to the clause of a $1 lease for the depot at 1515 High Street.

for the sum of $1 shall lease the property located at 1515 High St, Baldwin City, KS 66006  to Santa Fe  Historical Society  for the term of  the easement (see 3.01 for easement term) . Lessee may change if  agreed upon in writing by the parties.

With council-member A. J. Stephens having recused himself, the council vote was 2-2, Mayor Casey Simoneau casting the deciding vote.  Council-members Tony Brown and Brian Cramer cast the dissenting votes.
Evan Picody, came before the council to present his plan for an Eagle Scout Project. In which he will construct two metal collection boxes to collect old flags.  One to be placed at the American Legion and the other at the Scout Cabin. By having a place for area residents to place their old flags, the flags can be properly disposed of instead of just being thrown away.
In other business the council:

  Unanimously approved the travel expenses, to be paid for by the Corning Corporation, for Mayor Simoneau to speak at their conference. 

Discussed extending the days of firework sales beginning July 1 to June 29. The ordinance was tabled to make adjustments to the wording and be presented for a vote at the next regular meeting. 

Discussed the idea of a dog park, which will be further discussed in committee and presented to the council in May. 

Discussed the idea of Senior Housing in Baldwin City.  A public meeting has been scheduled at the American Legion building on Thursday, April 12 at 5 p.m.    

Please be Aware: Loud Booms on April 20th

Liz Mather contacted the Gazette so that the public, in general, would be aware, that Friday, April 20th is History Day at the Baldwin Elementary complex.There will be Civil War re-enactors present as there has been for the past several years. Sometime between 8 and 12 noon, they will shoot off their cannon.

Photo via/courtesy of Wikipedia

The cannon causes a loud boom that can be heard for a few miles around the area and always causes calls to the police department and city hall. Please consider this as a heads up and don't panic/ The loud noise is part of the children's education.

Baldwinites you have been given a heads up as to what is to come please don't panic over a loud boom the morning of the 20th. It's all for the sake of your child's education.- Liz Mather, former Baldwin area resident and friend of the enactors