Newsletter Archive
April Roberts Report
Apr 22 2008
Olathe Transportation Funding - Railroad Elevation Project
In Olathe last week, Senator Roberts was on hand for the historic opening ceremony of the city’s new elevated train tracks. The project was a $41 million investment to the downtown area. Working with Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Senator Roberts personally secured $2 million in federal funding for this project. Before the state’s busiest at-grade rail crossing was eliminated, approximately 7,000 cars waited for 40 trains a day across four streets throughout the heart of the city equaling about two frustrating hours a day that drivers and passengers spent waiting for trains to pass. This innovative infrastructure project will dramatically improve the quality of life in terms of driver and pedestrian safety, a more efficient transportation system and a cleaner environment for those who live in and around Olathe, the state’s fastest growing city.
Kids and Cars Award
Senator Pat Roberts was honored for his efforts to better protect children from tragic car accidents that can occur even when a vehicle is not in traffic. The Kansas-based Zoie Foundation presented Roberts with the Kids and Cars Congressional award for his support of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act, which helps prevent nontraffic deaths among America’s children. Senator Roberts was an original cosponsor of the legislation in the Senate.
Senator Roberts said, “Unfortunately, we’ve heard the stories all too often. Accidents happen in driveways and garages despite the best efforts of parents and other family members to keep their children out of harm’s way. I have been working with Kids and Cars and the Zoie Foundation, two Kansas organizations providing real grassroots leadership on the issue of safety in passenger vehicles. I am pleased the Congress passed and the president signed this legislation into law.”
Congratulating the Kansas Jayhawks
To honor the 2008 NCAA National Champions, The University of Kansas Jayhawks, Senator Roberts introduced Senate Resolution, S.RES. 505, to commend the University of Kansas Jayhawks’ 2008 NCAA Championship team after winning its third NCAA Division I Basketball Championship and fifth national championship after its 75-68 win over the University of Memphis.
On the Senate floor, Senator Roberts said, “The families of the players, students, alumni, and faculty of the University of Kansas, and all the supporters of the University of Kansas, are to be congratulated for their commitment to, and pride in, the basketball program at the University. This is great for KU and the state of Kansas, Rock Chalk Jayhawk.” To view Senator Roberts floor speech, please visit https://www.roberts.senate.gov .
Calling for Stricter Immigration Enforcement
Senator Roberts urged Congress to pass three bills to give law enforcement officers more tools to enforce the nation’s immigration laws. Roberts recently co-sponsored three pieces of legislation that would better enable state and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, require the secure fence to be completed, and increase criminal penalties for illegal immigration. Senator Roberts opposes amnesty for illegal aliens and is an outspoken advocate for securing the nation’s borders before further immigration reform.
“These three bills are common sense proposals to strengthen enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws. I have heard from many, many Kansans and local law enforcement officers who are frustrated with illegal immigrants detained time and again, openly violating our laws,” Senator Roberts said.
Tax Day
A member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Roberts has long supported tax relief for individuals and small businesses. As taxes were due this month, Senator Roberts called on Congress to make critical tax relief permanent, benefitting nearly one million hard working Kansas families trying to stretch the budget in a struggling economy. If this tax relief expires, hard-working American families will see their tax bill go up by an average of $2,300 per year.
For $2,300, families could buy eight months of groceries, pay home energy bills for a whole year, or buy gas for two cars over the course of a year.
Senator Roberts said, “We are working to preserve the current tax relief, however, some in Congress want to allow this relief to expire in 2010. As American families filed tax returns to Uncle Sam this month, we see that preserving tax relief is vital to shoring up a troubled economy. I will fight to renew this tax relief so families are not faced with an even higher tax burden.”
Pushing for a Farm Bill
To benefit Kansas farmers and ranchers, Senator Roberts continues to push for a Farm Bill. As a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee with negotiations ongoing, Roberts is working with Congressman Jerry Moran on a conference report that reflects the best interests of Kansas and the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Roberts is working to protect direct payments, which provides direct assistance to producers when they have no crop to harvest. Roberts is also fighting to ensure that the crop insurance program remains as a solid program that Kansas producers and their leaders can count on.
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In Olathe last week, Senator Roberts was on hand for the historic opening ceremony of the city’s new elevated train tracks. The project was a $41 million investment to the downtown area. Working with Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Senator Roberts personally secured $2 million in federal funding for this project. Before the state’s busiest at-grade rail crossing was eliminated, approximately 7,000 cars waited for 40 trains a day across four streets throughout the heart of the city equaling about two frustrating hours a day that drivers and passengers spent waiting for trains to pass. This innovative infrastructure project will dramatically improve the quality of life in terms of driver and pedestrian safety, a more efficient transportation system and a cleaner environment for those who live in and around Olathe, the state’s fastest growing city.
Kids and Cars Award
Senator Pat Roberts was honored for his efforts to better protect children from tragic car accidents that can occur even when a vehicle is not in traffic. The Kansas-based Zoie Foundation presented Roberts with the Kids and Cars Congressional award for his support of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act, which helps prevent nontraffic deaths among America’s children. Senator Roberts was an original cosponsor of the legislation in the Senate.
Senator Roberts said, “Unfortunately, we’ve heard the stories all too often. Accidents happen in driveways and garages despite the best efforts of parents and other family members to keep their children out of harm’s way. I have been working with Kids and Cars and the Zoie Foundation, two Kansas organizations providing real grassroots leadership on the issue of safety in passenger vehicles. I am pleased the Congress passed and the president signed this legislation into law.”
Congratulating the Kansas Jayhawks
To honor the 2008 NCAA National Champions, The University of Kansas Jayhawks, Senator Roberts introduced Senate Resolution, S.RES. 505, to commend the University of Kansas Jayhawks’ 2008 NCAA Championship team after winning its third NCAA Division I Basketball Championship and fifth national championship after its 75-68 win over the University of Memphis.
On the Senate floor, Senator Roberts said, “The families of the players, students, alumni, and faculty of the University of Kansas, and all the supporters of the University of Kansas, are to be congratulated for their commitment to, and pride in, the basketball program at the University. This is great for KU and the state of Kansas, Rock Chalk Jayhawk.” To view Senator Roberts floor speech, please visit https://www.roberts.senate.gov .
Calling for Stricter Immigration Enforcement
Senator Roberts urged Congress to pass three bills to give law enforcement officers more tools to enforce the nation’s immigration laws. Roberts recently co-sponsored three pieces of legislation that would better enable state and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, require the secure fence to be completed, and increase criminal penalties for illegal immigration. Senator Roberts opposes amnesty for illegal aliens and is an outspoken advocate for securing the nation’s borders before further immigration reform.
“These three bills are common sense proposals to strengthen enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws. I have heard from many, many Kansans and local law enforcement officers who are frustrated with illegal immigrants detained time and again, openly violating our laws,” Senator Roberts said.
Tax Day
A member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Roberts has long supported tax relief for individuals and small businesses. As taxes were due this month, Senator Roberts called on Congress to make critical tax relief permanent, benefitting nearly one million hard working Kansas families trying to stretch the budget in a struggling economy. If this tax relief expires, hard-working American families will see their tax bill go up by an average of $2,300 per year.
For $2,300, families could buy eight months of groceries, pay home energy bills for a whole year, or buy gas for two cars over the course of a year.
Senator Roberts said, “We are working to preserve the current tax relief, however, some in Congress want to allow this relief to expire in 2010. As American families filed tax returns to Uncle Sam this month, we see that preserving tax relief is vital to shoring up a troubled economy. I will fight to renew this tax relief so families are not faced with an even higher tax burden.”
Pushing for a Farm Bill
To benefit Kansas farmers and ranchers, Senator Roberts continues to push for a Farm Bill. As a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee with negotiations ongoing, Roberts is working with Congressman Jerry Moran on a conference report that reflects the best interests of Kansas and the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Roberts is working to protect direct payments, which provides direct assistance to producers when they have no crop to harvest. Roberts is also fighting to ensure that the crop insurance program remains as a solid program that Kansas producers and their leaders can count on.
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