Opinion column
by Rep. Pam Curtis, D-32nd Dist.
We had a very busy week in the Kansas House last week with the introduction of new legislation, committee hearings, and working bills as they advance through the process. I’ve posted a complete update on my website.
We are still adjusting to a new way of working this session with technology enhancements and extra precautions as well as limitations due to the pandemic.
Thursday was a special day – I had the honor of carrying House Bill 2008, which will allow the Attorney General, in consultation with the Native American Indian tribes, to coordinate training regarding missing and murdered indigenous persons (MMIP) throughout Kansas. This legislation was brought forward by Representative Dr. Ponka-We Victors during the 2020 Legislative Session, however, it died in the Senate due to the short session. Representative Victors and Representative Haswood sponsored the bill this year, and I am very grateful that it once again passed the House unanimously.
The civil discourse group had its first meeting of the year this week with Keith Allred, executive director of the National Institute of Civil Discourse, as the keynote speaker. The civil discourse group formed last year to support a culture where engaging differences constructively leads to better public policy. I have enjoyed participating in the civil discourse group. The discussions have been robust and open and help as we get to know each other a little better and share our different perspectives in hopes of finding some common ground.
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and appreciate your input on issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions.
My office address is Room 452-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at 785-296-7430 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me.
Resources
My Legislative Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PamCurtisKCK
My Twitter account, https://twitter.com/pcurtiskck
Kansas Legislature website, http://www.kslegislature.org/