REP. MAST ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID
Topeka - Representative Peggy Mast (R-Emporia) announced today she is running for re-election for the Kansas House of Representatives’ 76th District.

It has been my privilege to serve the 76th District," Rep. Mast said. "I love working for the people of my district. It is a great opportunity to become informed about the crucial issues facing our communities and state and then try to make a difference. It is my hope 76th District voters will once again give me the honor of representing them so we can continue to improve our communities and state."

Read the full release here.

Why Condemn Rap Music?
Rep. Peggy Mast has released a response to an editorial against her resolution against rap music. Please read her response here.

Rep. Mast named to Interim Committee
Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) announced today he has named Rep. Peggy Mast (R-Emporia) to the 2007 Financial Institutions and Insurance Interim Committee. You can see the full release by clicking here.

Rep. Mast Attends Medicare/Medicaid Briefing
Representative Peggy Mast was one of two Kansas legislators that attended a day long constituent services briefing on June 28 in Topeka that was offered by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The morning was full of information on the basics of Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). The afternoon session was full of information on current issues related to Medicare Part D, local and national Medicaid Issues and information about special initiatives that are now being reviewed.

“There is nothing easy about understanding Medicare and Medicaid” stated Mast. “It seems that it is in constant transition and there are many changes that are crucial for us to keep up with”. HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt has stated “Every American should have access to a full range of information about the quality and cost of their health care options.”

Those that have access to computer technology can easily access their personal medicare information by going online and visiting MyMedicare.gov

Chamber Names Peggy Mast Pro-Jobs Legislator
The Kansas Chamber of Commerce has named Peggy Mast a pro-jobs legislator for 2007. You can see the full release by clicking here.

Mast Statement on Gaming -- SB 66
I feel that it is time for me to communicate with my people at home. The last couple of days have been rough ones and as I write to you, my heart is heavy with the attempt that is being made to cram state owned casinos down the throat of our Legislative leadership and the people in the state of Kansas. The frustration has really increased as the individuals who have worked with the many gambling lobbyists up here to prevent words that will go on the ballot that will identify the vote for what it is - a vote on State owned casinos. We will be the first in the nation to have state owned casinos and the big dollars that have paid for the lobbyists who are pushing it are coming from Phill Ruffin a big Las Vegas casino owner. I carried an amendment that would require that the casinos and tracks report to the Legislature each year on the income that they make at their businesses. That was even voted down. They have voted against every attempt to regulate it or make it accountable. It has been a sad and a long day for me today March 23, 2007.

MAST RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS
I wanted to respond to an accusation that was made at Eggs and Issues on Saturday March 24th. There was a great deal of discussion about Senate Bill 66 and gambling amendments that were offered through the day; on into the evening, and into the early morning hours on Saturday. The first amendment was a 98 page document that did not come before any member of the House until it was carried to the floor by Representative Aurand. Read the remainder of Peggy's response by clicking here.

TASK FORCE UNVEILS KanCare Plan
Topeka – Members of the Kansas House Republican Task Force on Health Care today unveiled their plan to help more Kansans get the medical coverage needed. Read the full release here.

Post Audit Questions Spending Of Tax Dollars By State Agency
Rep. Peggy Mast, along with Reps. John Grange and Sharon Schwartz, issued a media release dealing with continued questioning of spending by the Kansas Department of Labor, as detailed by the Post Audit. Please read the full release here.

Rep. Mast Concerned about Failures of Labor Department
The Legislative Division of Post Audit presented its findings today to the Joint Legislative Post Audit Committee regarding the Kansas Department of Labor's administration of the state's unemployment insurance program. Peggy Mast is concerned with the findings. Please read her full release here.

Rep. Mast Defends Record in Letter to Voters
Peggy Mast has issued a response to attacks upon her in the recent Coffey County Republican. Read it by clicking here.

Head of Kansas Taxpayers Network Defends Mast in Letter to Editor
Karl Peterjohn, head of the Kansas Taxpayers Network, has written a response to an article that came out in the Coffey County Republican. Read it by clicking here.

Peggy Mast Wins Decisive Victory
Peggy Mast won re-election by a decisive margin on November 7, and is looking forward to returning to Topeka. Here are the results:

Peggy Mast -- 64%
Susan Fowler -- 34%

Please check back soon for more updates as we approach the legislative session!

Rep. Mast Named Pro-Jobs Legislator

General News
Below are items of note recently featured in the news. Included are items of importance to Peggy's district, as well as news items impacting the various legislative issues Peggy deals with in Topeka.

Education/KS Supreme Court News...
With the 2005 Kansas Supreme Court rulings, legislative action, and surrounding press, the relatively basic issue of education funding has entered the national debate of not only education, but judicial activism and separation of powers as well. Here are some recommended links to learn more about everything surrounding this issue:

"But, many would argue, neither the court nor the governor would ever resort to such tactics." - Rep. Mike O'Neal. Read his speech here.