04 | NEWS
THE HARBINGER | APRIL 26, 2021
NEWS
by kate heitmann
HIGHLIGHTS Catch up on school, local and national news
NEW HOLIDAYS
april
On April 12th, Fairway Mayor Melanie Hepperly declared a proclamation for these dates
17 22 Earth Day 30 Arbor Day
Princess Day in Fairway
Scan here to see the bill’s full information and documents
Local legislature speaks on four bills currently in state House and Senate
About five trans athletes in KS It feels to me that these types of bills are kind of a last gasp of a last cultural war against our LGBTQ community...I think our younger generations are wildly supportive and accepting of LGBTQ rights. And this kind of just seems like the last gasp. I mean, when you’re going after trans teens you’re really reaching to just fight a cultural war.
THIS YEAR’S SHARE Senior Service Day consisted of a vote that ended on April 21 for one of four different charities, with Avenue of Life receiving the most votes and a monetary donation of $4,500, plus donations. In years past, seniors would spend a day volunteering at various non-profit organizations to bond as a class and support the community while the juniors took the ACT. This year, due to COVID-19 protocols and safety measures, the traditional service day is not viable. SHARE considered organizing smaller or outdoor projects, but ultimately decided against
AVENUE OF LIFE Breaking the cycle of poverty through community development
I’M JUST A BILL
SENATE Creating the fairness in women’s sports act to require that female student athletic teams only include members who are biologically female STATUS | presented to Gov. Laura Kelly COMMITTEE | Education
ALTERNATIVE SENIOR SERVICE DAY holding an event. “It’s the best plan because we’re able to make an impact without putting anyone’s health at risk, and the seniors still have a choice of where they want to help, like usual years,” senior and SHARE Exec Ellie Peters said. Despite the revised format of the day, seniors will still receive a T-shirt. “It’s funny because in past years, they say, ‘Senior Service Day,’ but this [year], we’re not even having a day, we’re just having an occasion or an event,” Peters said. “So I’m excited to see the shirts because one of the other execs is designing [them].”
ORGANIZATION OPTIONS
*information from fairwaykansas.org
SB 55
design by caroline wood
SB 291 SENATE Increasing the minimum wage by $1 per year to $15 an hour by 2027 STATUS | introduced COMMITTEE | Ways and Means Minimum wage was last changed in 2008
I think it’s actually quite a big boom to our economy to be able to raise the minimum wage, and then have these people earning more and spending more and stimulating other parts of the economy.
AMETHYST PLACE Substance abuse recovery, support and residence for low income women and children
KC PET PROJECT Places homeless pets for adoption and provides education on caring for pets
MCKINNEYVENTO HOMELESS SERVICE Provides support services for the homeless population
Rui Xu // democrat Kansas House Representative • Representative for the 25th District • House Minority Policy Chair • Elected in 2019
HB 2439
HB 2058
HOUSE Creating the crime of unauthorized disclosure of a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity STATUS | introduced COMMITTEE | Federal and State Affairs
HOUSE Allowing reciprocity to recognize out-of-state licenses to carry a concealed handgun STATUS | presented to Gov. COMMITTEE | Federal and State Affairs
Excludes those of immediate family or those under 18 Results in either a misdemeanor or a felon If you guys are wanting to talk about potentially verifying the gender of somebody who wants to compete in high school sports, then we also need to make it a crime that you can’t out them.
KS Conceal and Carry Age is 21 18 to 20 year olds commit gun homicides at a rate nearly four times higher than adults 21 and older. This bill and especially SB 55, the trans bill, there are certain people that support this idea, but it’s not like it makes their lives a lot better if it passes you know? It makes nobody’s lives better if it passes. I just think the priorities are in the wrong place.
*quotes from rui xu and information from kslegislature.org