MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall is on the road this month as part of his 100-stop tour across Kansas, meeting with residents, farmers, and business leaders to discuss key issues facing the state.
Marshall said one of the highlights of the tour so far has been visiting with agricultural producers, including a stop at the Reno County Farm Bureau. He noted that while many grain farmers are struggling with low commodity prices and high interest rates, there are bright spots in the beef and dairy industries.
“We finished up last night in Reno County with a big, optimistic crowd,” Marshall said. “Farmers are under pressure with rising loan costs and poor wheat and corn prices, but there’s hope with new trade deals and support programs like updated Title I reference prices.”
A key theme of Marshall’s stops is mental health, particularly in rural areas. He cited alarming statistics, including that more farmers today die by suicide than from farm accidents.
“Mental illness and addiction are in the same bucket of issues,” Marshall said. “We’re seeing an epidemic of mental health challenges in youth, in mothers after childbirth, and in farming families. Community health centers, like Prairie View, are doing a great job responding to people in crisis.”
Marshall also highlighted Kansas’ manufacturing strength, pointing to demand for American-made products and challenges finding enough workers to meet it. He said provisions in what he calls the “big, beautiful bill” – such as removing taxes on overtime pay – are helping ease the strain.
The senator spent part of Friday visiting Hutchinson Community College, where he touted new flexibility in federal Pell Grants that allow short-term training programs to qualify for assistance.
“Not everyone wants a four-year degree,” Marshall said. “Kansas community and technical colleges are training welders, electricians, and health care workers who can start jobs earning $60,000 to $80,000 a year with little to no debt.”
Marshall said the tour will continue through Labor Day weekend before he returns to Washington, where Congress faces a September 30 deadline to fund the federal government.