The past few weeks have been exciting and yet concerning. There have been regular rallies across the nation as well as locally in support of Democracy. We are seeing significant unfair efforts underway to gain election control via redistricting; a national push to destroy voting rights, and an outright assault on healthcare benefits of the poor, young and elderly.
Suffice it to say that although local and state governments are eliminating DEI initiatives for the sake of federal dollars, I am super appreciative and supportive of the fact that the League of Women Voters is resilient in maintaining and strengthening its DEI policies and practices! If you didn’t get the opportunity to join us for August Tuesday Topics, I am sorry to say, you missed one of the most impactful organizations serving this community. Jonathan Sublet, Founder and Executive Director, provided a holistic approach to serving residents including the homeless, children, youth, young parents, elders and the professional sector in an effort to better our community by providing housing, daycare mentoring, careers, and networking opportunities. SENT is expected to break ground this month in building 176 apartments and 48 homes in East Topeka’s Hi-Crest neighborhood.
Our September Tuesday Topics Speaker will be the long awaited Bob Beatty, Washburn University Political Science Chair.
Our Voter Services team will continue to be at the Farmers Market at the Topeka Library on various dates. Please check them out if you are interested in registering or getting someone else to register to vote, setting up a voting plan, want to volunteer or just want to hang out to see what we do. We would love to have you!
Our Candidate Meet and Greet Forum is scheduled for September 29. We have a host of co-sponsors joining us and we hope you will join us, too. The forum will offer you an intimate opportunity to speak one on one with the candidates to ask questions and get more information to aid you in becoming an informed voter. Vote 411 is an important tool that the League uses to provide candidate and election information.
Our leagues are actively demonstrating how important strengthening our democracy is. We need you, your friends, and your family to be actively involved and committed to our mission. Help the LWV help your families to keep democracy alive. Join us!!
Remember the legislative laws passed during the last session are effective July 1. Please access them at www.kslegislature.org.
Here is a reminder of those board members representing you.
Feel free to reach out to us to let us know how we can help you spread the word and the work of the LWV!
Board Members
Kimberley Brown
Vicki Buening
Glennie Buckley
Mary Lou Davis
Allan Foster
Mary Galligan
Gretchen Gleue
Kristin Hammer
Lissa Staley
Danielle Twemlow
Meredith Williard
Cindy Lash
Paul Post
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Best regards,
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn
President
Legislative Session Resource
I encourage you to contact members of the Shawnee County legislative delegation, by phone or email, regarding proposed or passed legislation. Included below is their Statehouse contact information.
- Sen. Brenda Dietrich Room #223-E 785.296.7648Brenda.Dietrich@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Rick Kloos Room # 418-E 785.296.7645Rick.Kloos@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Patrick Schmidt Room #135-E 785.296-7372 Patrick.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Kenny Titus Room #124-E 785.296.7656Kenny.Titus@senate.ks.gov
- Rep. John Alcala Room #173-W 785.296-7371 John.Alcala@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Jesse Borjon Room #512-N 785.296.7374Jesse.borjon@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Ken Corbett Room #187-N 785.296-7679 ken.corbet@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Kirk Haskins Room #43-S 785.296.7673Kirk.Haskins@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Kyle McNorton Room #561-W 785.296.7460Kyle.McNorton@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen 785.296.7669 Room #174-W Tobias.Schlingensiepen@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Alexis Simmons Room #43-S 785.296.7632Alexis.Simmons@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Virgil Weigel Room #451-S 785.296.7104virgil.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.
