Neighbor News Update
I had the privilege and honor of having a gifted student, Steven Nord, shadow me for a day this past week. It is always exciting having students learn about the political process and share in the day-to-day activities at the Capitol.
KANSAS DISASTER PROGRAM RECOGNIZED
The Kansas Public Assistance (PA) Program has ranked second in the nation for two consecutive FEMA customer satisfaction survey rating periods. These rating periods covered state disasters during FY 2004. The PA program provides assistance to state/local government and certain non-profit organizations after a disaster, and is operated in the Kansas Adjutant General’s Department Division of Emergency Management.
The Adjutant General’s Department was recently notified the Kansas PA program received a 97.8% performance satisfaction rating for its responsiveness and assistance following federal declarations of disaster for damages from severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in July 2004. That’s when a 12-county area in South Central and Northeast Kansas was hit by five tornadoes and straight line winds averaging 65-75 miles per hour. Downed power lines resulted in power shortages to more than 48,000 residents in the affected counties.
Currently, the Kansas PA program is working with FEMA to assist local government and non-profit organizations in 44 western Kansas counties following the December 2006 winter storm. The staff is helping eligible applicants apply for reimbursements for damages to local government and non-profit organizations affected by the recent ice and snow storm in western Kansas.
ENHANCED 911
In an effort to assist cell phone users dialing 911 in emergency situations, Governor Sebelius and the Kansas Wireless Enhanced Advisory Board (KWEAB) announced $4,915,782 in funding for 37 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) from the E911 state grant. These are primarily rural areas but, if you are driving in that area, your safety could be enhanced.
This is a bill that I worked on during my previous time in office which would provide much needed coverage if you had car problems, health problems, etc. in rural areas where service was not previously available. Equipment and accessibility are now becoming a reality in these rural areas.
BIO AND AGRO DEFENSE ARE ON THE MOVE
The House passed three key issues to put Kansas into the hunt for a national bio and agro defense facility, one establishing the working group, another a resolution saying Kansas wants the $450 million Homeland Defense facility, and providing 58 acres of land near Kansas State University for the project.
These bills were on the fast track and could put Kansas in the leadership role for this defense facility.
COMMITTEE HEARS BOTH SIDES ON HPV VACCINE
Cancer survivors testified Wednesday on the importance of legislation that would require sixth-grade girls to receive a vaccine against cervical cancer. The message was that this is an opportunity to protect young women from the virus that causes cervical cancer. One of the proponents testified that this was not about having relations before marriage, as she had been abstinent prior to marriage. This was about the ravages of the disease.
This legislation would require an opt-out provision that allows for religious and heath concerns. Recipients would have the ability to discuss the issues with the family physician, along with the family concerns. This medication has been in test trials for the last eight years and has a $360 cost for a total of three vaccinations. Most insurance companies cover the cost.
As the session continues, I invite you to e-mail or call me with any concerns. You are the people I represent and I look forward to hearing from you!