Committee Work
Committee work quickly organized and began informational hearings and bill introductions. My committee assignments for the year are: Federal and State Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Ag and Natural Resources. The Ag Committee is a new assignment for me this year, and I am very excited for this new challenge.
This committee deals with most of the social issues facing our state. This week we will host guest speakers on a variety of social issues:
- Dean Reynoldson, Director, Alcoholic Beverage Control
- Patsy Congrove, Administrator, Charitable Gaming
- Terry Presta, Executive Director, Kansas Lottery
- Rick Peterson-Klein, Director, Kansas Racing and Gaming
- Mark Dodd, Director, State Gaming
As Vice-Chair for a second year, I am looking forward to getting back to this committee as the health of our state continues to provide challenges for the medical and non-profit communities and the legislature. This week we will hear agency updates from:
- Kansas Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Susan Mosier and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Kari Bruffett on KanCare
- Bradly Raymond with the Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program
- Kevin Robertson, Kansas Dental Association
Last week we received an update on the governor’s water plan and I look for this committee to continue work and research on that issue. This week, we will hear an update from Robin Jennison, former Speaker of the House and now Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, and Jackie McClaskey, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture.