Lesser Prairie Chicken Decision - A Win for Agriculture

I’m pleased the Obama administration decided to abandon its latest attempt to list the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species. This is a win for agriculture and for jobs – preserving 67,000 jobs in Kansas’ independent oil and gas industry alone. I have said all along that with a little rain, we will see the lesser prairie chicken population bounce back. As we have come to expect with the Obama administration, they never let common sense get in the way of a costly regulation.

Investigating the EPA’s use of taxpayer dollars for political purposes

The EPA’s inspector general has announced he will begin an investigation, as Senator Jim Inhofe and I requested, looking into the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission’s campaign using millions in taxpayer funded grants to unfairly target and demonize farmers and ranchers. This disturbing billboard is a bold example of exactly what America’s farmers and ranchers complain about all the time: the EPA has an agenda antagonistic to producers. We need to know what role the EPA had in it and whether they are properly monitoring the lawful use of federal funds.

Around Kansas

I’ve had some great visits around Kansas this month, hearing from you about what is on your mind, and sharing what we are working on in the Senate Agriculture Committee and in Congress. I was glad to join the Goodland Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs and the Osborne Rotary Club, and tour the BTI John Deere Dealership in Hoxie and the Valley Hope Association treatment center in Norton, and many other stops.

Town Hall Meetings around Kansas

I had great town hall meetings across eight northwest Kansas counties and made several stops along the way. Here a few photos from these meetings.

I had a great “town hall” at Rawlins County High School. The enthusiastic students asked terrific questions. Go Buffaloes!

I also got to meet with another lively group of students from Cheylin High School at our Cheyenne County town hall meeting in St. Francis.

Packing Beans at 21st Century Bean Processing

I had the opportunity to box beans at 21st Century Bean Processing in Ruleton. This impressive operation processes 250,000 pounds of beans every day, providing 85% of all beans sent to food banks in 48 states. There are 5,000 acres of pinto beans within 50 miles of the plant.

Touring the Ellis County Emergency Management Center and First Responders Unit

It was great to see our brave first responders at the Ellis County Emergency Management Center in Hays. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe.

I enjoyed visiting the Osborne County Farmer with Editor Stephanie Baxa and her trusty assistant, Typo. Newspapers like hers function not only as the eyes and ears but also the heart and soul of their community.

Kansas sure has some beautiful sunrises, such as this one in Colby earlier this month.

Check Senator Roberts’ Website, YouTube and Facebook Sites for Updates

You can visit my website for more information on what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and Kansas. You can also stay updated on all these happenings on my Facebook and Twitter sites.