SE Kansas News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) addressed the Senate Committee on Appropriations to discuss disaster funding needs, emphasizing the severe impact of drought in Kansas. "Drought is a damning circumstance in many places across the country and especially at home in Kansas," Moran stated. He highlighted that 79% of Kansas acres have experienced some form of drought this year, with most being severe.

The senator noted that the state's wheat crop has been reduced by 45%, marking the smallest yield since 1961. "You add that to all the other features of high input costs, low commodity prices and high interest rates, and the damage is real," he said.

Moran also pointed out other disasters affecting Kansas, such as tornadoes, but stressed that drought poses a particularly discouraging challenge for farmers. "This is as dire a circumstance that I can see in my time in trying to address the saving of rural America," he remarked.

He urged Congress to provide specific directions for how agricultural disaster funds should be spent while allowing flexibility for unforeseen needs. Addressing Secretary Small, Moran expressed concern over new OSHA rules impacting volunteer firefighters, who make up over 90% of firefighters in Kansas.

Additionally, Moran discussed issues related to SBA loans from pandemic relief programs like IDEL and paycheck protection. He mentioned cases where individuals are pursued for repayment of loans they never applied for or received due to fraud. He encouraged Administrator Guzman to find solutions for those affected unjustly.