Newsletter April 2026
Friends:
I hope you find this newsletter helpful and informative. We've reached our April break in the legislature, and we've been busy voting on important legislation over the past week. When we return from our April break, we will continue voting on important legislation. I will evaluate each bill and any veto on its own merits, always prioritizing conservative principles, fiscal responsibility, and the best interests of our district and rural way of life. In the legislature, I've always taken the approach that I represent every person in our district, not simply those who voted for me or who agree with me politically. I strive to reply to every email, text message, and Facebook message from people in District 113. Therefore, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions and concerns.
In the state legislature, I've fought to defend conservative values and to uphold our rural way of life. I read every bill that I vote on, and I've never missed a vote during my six years in the Kansas legislature. I will continue to work hard to serve the people of our district.
DEFENDING THE LIVES OF UNBORN CHILDREN
This year, I introduced HCR 5026, the Kansas Equal Rights Amendment. This is a Constitutional amendment that would affirm that men and women are possessed of equal and inalienable rights from conception. This Constitutional amendment would add four words to Section 1 of the Kansas Bill of Rights, making it read as follows: "All men and women are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life from conception, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This amendment is simple. It makes it clear that all human beings are created equal and are entitled to equal and inalienable rights from conception. I believe that human life is valuable and must be protected, beginning at the moment of conception. I believe that the primary purpose of government is to defend life, liberty, and property, with the most important of those being life.
In addition, I voted in favor of HB 2635, the Pregnancy Center Autonomy and Rights of Expression Act. This bill was vetoed by Governor Kelly, and the Kansas legislature voted to override her veto. The main goal of the bill is to protect private pregnancy centers from government rules that would force them to get involved with abortions or abortion-related activities. The bill prevents state agencies, cities, counties, or other local governments from forcing pregnancy centers to perform abortions, provide abortion pills, refer patients for abortions, counsel in favor of abortion, or post ads/promotions about getting an abortion. I believe that crisis pregnancy centers do great work in promoting alternatives to abortion, and I strongly supported this legislation to prevent government entities from forcing crisis pregnancy centers to promote abortion.
SUPPORTING ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
This year, I introduced HB 2429, legislation to allow ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to be sold over the counter. I'm a big proponent of allowing people to have access to alternative medical treatments. I've heard many stories from people who were helped by ivermectin during Covid, and ivermectin can also help treat cancer as well. I believe strongly in health freedom and individual liberty, and I believe that individuals are capable of making their own health choices.
PROMOTING ELECTION INTEGRITY
I believe strongly in election security. This year I voted in favor of HB 2587, which would require one's citizenship status to be listed on their driver's license. This bill wouldn't require everyone to go out and get a new driver's license right away. It would simply require citizenship status to be listed on the license whenever someone gets it renewed. I believe that this is an important step in ensuring that non-citizens aren't voting in our elections.
SUPPORTING FREE SPEECH ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
I'm also a big believer in protecting free speech on college campuses, and this year I voted in favor of HB 2333, the Kansas Intellectual Rights and Knowledge Act (KIRK Act). The main goal of the bill is to protect free speech and expressive activities on university campuses in Kansas. Under the bill, anyone can engage in non-commercial expressive activities on campus (like speeches, protests, holding signs, and peaceful assemblies). These activities are allowed as they don't materially disrupt the normal operations of the school. Outdoor areas on campus are treated as public forums, open for free expression. Under the bill, schools can't create "free speech zones" that limit expression to only certain small areas. Any rules about when, where, and how expression happens must be reasonable for a legitimate reason, clear and published ahead of time, neutral, and must leave room for people to speak spontaneously. The bill also included legislative findings honoring the life and work of Charlie Kirk and emphasizing the importance of free speech on campuses. This legislation is very similar to a bill that I introduced in the Higher Education Budget Committee.
ENDING TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
I support ending all taxpayer funding of illegal immigration, believing that subsidizing it creates more illegal immigration and is unfair to taxpayers. This year, I voted in favor of SB 254, which would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving any state or local public benefit and would also prohibit those who are here illegally from receiving in-state tuition rates at public universities, unless those universities choose to also provide in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students. This bill is consistent with federal law, as federal law states that those here illegally can't receive in-state tuition at public universities if out-of-state students have to pay a higher tuition rate than those here illegally. I believe in upholding the rule of law, and I believe that reserving public benefits for American citizens is one way we can effectively combat illegal immigration.
SUPPORTING HEALTH CARE SHARING MINISTRIES
This year, I voted in favor of SB 368, the Health Care Sharing Ministries Tax Deduction Act. Both the Kansas House and Kansas Senate overrode Governor Kelly's veto of this bill. These ministries are nonprofit, faith-based organizations where members voluntarily share each other's medical expenses according to shared beliefs. The bill includes a detailed definition requiring quarterly reporting, annual independent audits, public disclaimers, and other safeguards to distinguish them from insurance plans.
Kansas residents who qualify can subtract the amount of "qualified health care sharing expenses" they paid during the year. This includes membership fees, contributions toward others' medical needs, and administrative fees for the individual, their spouse, or dependents. There is a cap of $5,000 per individual or $10,000 for a married couple filing jointly per year. To qualify, an individual must be a Kansas resident and must have been a member of a qualifying health care sharing ministry for at least one month in the tax year.
I support promoting free market alternatives to health insurance to help people pay their medical bills and to promote competition, and I believe this bill will help promote free market competition in the health care industry.
REMINDER:
UPCOMING VOTE ON ELECTING KANSAS SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
Just a reminder that August 4th, Kansans will vote on an amendment to our state constitution regarding the way our supreme court justices are chosen. Since the 1960s, a panel dominated by unelected lawyers has chosen three candidates for open positions from which the Governor must choose. Currently, when there is a vacancy on the court, this panel reviews applications and conducts interviews of potential nominees. The Commission then narrows the candidate field to three names, which are then sent to the Governor, from which he or she must choose. That nominee isn't even subject to Senate confirmation. Because of this lop-sided process, the Kansas Supreme Court has become one of the most liberal state supreme courts in the nation, resulting in its decisions being regularly overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. I encourage you to plan to participate in this important vote on the amendment, providing for the direct election of Kansas Supreme Court justices.