President’s Perspective

President’s Perspective

February 2025

This new year brought a record snowfall – the likes of which we’ve not seen in years.  And due to the snowfall, Tuesday Topics was cancelled.  Our scheduled speakers were The Kansas Reflector reporters and many of you were looking forward to their presentation.

Please mark your calendar for the May 6^th Tuesday Topics program as the League was able to reschedule Kansas Reflector reporters for this date.  They will give us insight to the 2025 legislative session and update us on current happenings in Kansas.

Join us on February 4^th for an informative historical Tuesday Topic presentation on the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.).  This patriotic organization’s members were Union veterans with local community posts throughout our state.  One of their focuses was veteran pensions. What we often refer to as the Memorial Building at 10^th and Jackson is actually the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall.  The cornerstone of the building was laid by President Taft in 1911.  In 1975 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.  Learn about this organization – a precursor to the American Legion.

As you know, the 2025 legislative session has begun. I encourage you to contact members of the Shawnee County legislative delegation, by phone or email, regarding proposed legislation. Included below is their Statehouse contact information.

• Sen. Brenda Dietrich  Room #223-E  785.296.7648 Brenda.Dietrich@senate.ks.gov
• Sen. Rick Kloos  Room # 418-E  785.296.7645 Rick.Kloos@senate.ks.gov
• Sen. Patrick Schmidt Room #135-E  785.296-7372 Patrick.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov
• Sen. Kenny Titus Room #124-E  785.296.7656 Kenny.Titus@senate.ks.gov
• Rep. John Alcala Room #173-W  785.296-7371 John.Alcala@house.ks.gov
• Rep. Jesse Borjon Room #512-N  785.296.7374 Jesse.borjon@house.ks.gov
• Rep. Ken Corbett Room #187-N  785.296-7679 ken.corbet@house.ks.gov
• Rep. Kirk Haskins Room #43-S  785.296.7673 Kirk.Haskins@house.ks.gov
• Rep. Kyle McNorton Room #561-W  785.296.7460 Kyle.McNorton@house.ks.gov
• Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen    785.296.7669 Room #174-W    Tobias.Schlingensiepen@house.ks.gov
• Rep. Alexis Simmons Room #43-S  785.296.7632 Alexis.Simmons@house.ks.gov
• Rep. Virgil Weigel Room #451-S  785.296.7104 virgil.weigel@house.ks.gov

Furthermore, you may access the Kansas Legislative website at http://kslegislature.gov to review bill status and content, house and senate calendars and committee schedules.  Through this website you may listen to or via video streaming follow committee hearings and General Session proceedings. 

An additional resource is the State Library.  You may access their services in the following ways:

• Phone:800-432-3919 or 785-296-2149
• Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924
• Email: infodesk@ks.gov
• Download the Ask a Librarian app to your mobile device.