Rooker Review: Cutting Through The Noise

We are one week away from the 2018 General Election, an election cycle filled with many highlights, as well as several low points. Most notably, the upside has been wonderful opportunities to interact with the people in the 25th House district during door-to-door canvassing and the many community events I continued to attend across the […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on November 2nd, 2018

Rooker Review: 15 Days

Over the past several weeks I had the pleasure of participating in five public candidate forums. These were all great opportunities to answer formal questions and mingle with attendees to answer questions after the panels concluded. Several panels included audience participation questions as well.

Posted by Melissa Rooker on October 22nd, 2018

Rooker Review: Fact vs. Fiction

In my last two newsletters, I warned you of attempts to distort my record. Over the weekend, one of my former opponents (an ally of my current opponent) posted a misleading Facebook post and email about my record on gun safety. These are partisan lies meant to shake your confidence in me.

Posted by Melissa Rooker on October 1st, 2018

Rooker Review: The work continues…

With campaign season in high gear, the schedule has been busier than usual. I have been keeping up with normal legislative activities while also going door to door to visit with you individually. The conversations have been very positive. Your encouragement and support are deeply appreciated.

Posted by Melissa Rooker on September 26th, 2018

Rooker Review: Common Ground

Elections matter. I get that this time of year is frustrating for most voters – and for me, too. There are a lot of things to dislike about the election process, especially in a time when the narrative surrounding so many issues is being driven by extremists on both sides. Little room is left for […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on August 30th, 2018

Rooker Review: Gannon VI & other issues

After weeks of uncertainty with little news to report, we finally have a series of court decisions that will shape our financial future as a state: Back in October, the Kansas Supreme Court committed to rule on the Gannon v. Kansas school funding case before the end of this fiscal year (June 30). The new […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on June 29th, 2018

Rooker Review: Summer Update

Election season starting to heat up. I am hosting an official campaign kick-off next week. Please stop by for a few minutes – I would love to see you! Tuesday, June 26, 2018 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Sylvester Powell Community Center 6200 Martway Mission KS. 66202 RSVP appreciated but not required melissa@melissarooker.com

Posted by Melissa Rooker on June 22nd, 2018

Rooker Review: Education Part 5, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Truth

As predicted, the end of session proved to be a wild ride. We created a self-inflicted wound by passing House Sub SB 423 on the last day of regular session without knowing there was an error embedded in the language of the bill. We returned on April 26th knowing we needed to fix the “$80 […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on May 8th, 2018

Rooker Review: Education Part 4, Finding Solutions

If you have followed the local news or social media in the last week, you have likely heard about a substantial drafting error in the school finance plan passed at the end of the legislative session. Substantial to the tune of $80 million for 88 districts statewide, including Shawnee Mission. Unfortunately, SMSD also stands to […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on April 18th, 2018

Rooker Review: Education Part 3, #HouseProud

Before we jump in, I want to express my gratitude to every Kansas teacher – retired, current, and future. Your words of encouragement, and the presence of over 600 of you in the Capitol late into the night on Saturday made the difference for your students. You arrived at just the right time that night […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on April 9th, 2018

Rooker Review: Education Part 2, House Takes Action

Thanks to KCUR for covering my work on K-12 funding:KCUR: Kansas School Funding Report In Hand, Lawmakers Confront Its Tough, Pricey Suggestions Up-To-Date, Tuesday, April 3: Segment 1, Kansas lawmakers on school funding After months of delay, the House finally debated and passed a comprehensive K-12 education bill. HB 2445 contains both appropriations and policy […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on April 3rd, 2018

Rooker Review: Education Part 1, Cost Studies

As the 2018 session approaches critical deadlines, my primary responsibilities as a state legislator sharpen in focus. Can we put together a measured response to the court regarding K-12 funding without overlooking other budget priorities? Can we be responsible, thoughtful and serious in how we approach our constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget? I […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on March 30th, 2018

Rooker Review: Chickens!

I am often asked if I focus on policy other than education. The answer is yes; it is impossible to serve in the legislature without being exposed to a wide variety of policy areas. I work hard to understand the issues we vote on because in most cases, the questions are not black and white. […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on March 12th, 2018

Rooker Review: This Week in Topeka

It was a pleasure to see local PTA members for the Kansas PTA’s annual legislative day. Thanks to Devin Wilson and Brian Hogsett for grabbing this shot, I’m so bad at remembering to take pictures! K-12 Budget – Live Stream Our K-12 Budget Committee chairman, Larry Campbell of Olathe, was appointed to serve as the […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on February 10th, 2018

Rooker Review: The Rest of the Story

Successful school days begin with a good breakfast and a safe ride to school. Or so they should. So why are certain legislative leaders trying to claw back funding that ensures Kansas kids have that safe ride to school? Distract and Discredit The organized campaign against the Kansas Department of Education, our Deputy Commissioner of […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on February 5th, 2018

Rooker Review: 2018 Legislative Session Has Begun!

Good morning from Topeka. Our session began at 2pm last Monday when we officially gaveled in for the 2018 session. There is always an air of excitement on our first day back, and it was great to reconnect with colleagues after the long break. Committees held organizational meetings and have begun to hear status reports […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on January 16th, 2018

Rooker Review: Join us Saturday!

Please join Sen. Barbara Bollier and me for a Town Hall Meeting this Saturday, January 6th at 9 am at Village Church, Room 232, (6641 Mission Road) in Prairie Village. You can use the South parking lot and enter from that side. Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas for the upcoming year. I look forward […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on January 2nd, 2018

Rooker Review: Dark Money

Lately, more than a year away from our next Kansas House elections, a special interest group based in Virginia known as “Americans for Prosperity,” has been buying Facebook ads and sending postcards across the state against those of us who had the courage to vote to override the Governor’s veto of the tax reform package […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on November 28th, 2017

Rooker Review: Gannon #5

After months of anticipation, legislators were put on notice of an impending decision last Monday afternoon in the Gannon school finance case. At stake was the constitutionality of the plan passed by the legislature earlier this year. Last week, the Shawnee Mission Post published responses from northeast Johnson County legislators. My response will sound familiar […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on October 9th, 2017

Rooker Review: My thoughts on Gannon

As I was finalizing this update last night, it was announced that Governor Brownback has been nominated for Ambassador at-large for International Religious Freedom. The position appears to be something that suits the governor’s background and interests and I wish him well. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to make progress on the […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on October 4th, 2017

Rooker Review: And so it begins…

Last week, I attended the Kansas Geological Survey tour – this year focused on the Northeast Kansas region. Each year, a different region is chosen with tour sites focused on water, energy, transportation, and the environment. If you wish to learn more about the tour, the field guide is available here. While my fellow legislators […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on September 21st, 2017

Rooker Review: Adjournment

After a four-day break designed to temporarily stop legislative pay and allow time to regroup ahead of the final push, we returned to Topeka after Memorial Day to continue work on several key issues. I spoke with many of you about the issues facing Kansas during last fall’s campaign, during the legislative session, and most […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on June 14th, 2017

Rooker Review: K-12 Perspective

The K-12 Budget Committee voted the school finance bill, House sub HB 2410, out of committee last Monday following three intense weeks of work since returning for the Veto Session. The bill is not perfect, but Chairman Campbell deserves a great deal of credit for his inclusiveness, commitment to fully vetting all ideas brought to […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on May 22nd, 2017

Rooker Review: School Finance Update

The past few weeks following the Gannon school finance decision have been incredibly busy. The workload in my committees has made corresponding with you more difficult than usual, but I know many of you are Shawnee Mission Post readers and you likely saw my Capitol Update article. I’ve been inundated by calls and emails, and […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on March 31st, 2017

Rooker Review: Governor Brownback’s Veto

In my newsletter last week, I shared the details of HB 2178 which the House passed 76-48 last Thursday. The Senate debated and passed the bill Friday (22-18), sending it to the governor’s desk. On Tuesday night, using the backdrop of the annual Kansas Chamber of Commerce dinner, Governor Brownback announced his plan to veto […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on March 3rd, 2017

Rooker Review: Education & Tax Update

First of all, I wish to acknowledge that I have been hearing from you in unprecedented numbers. It makes for a heavier workload overall, but I appreciate all of the input. Most of the contact cannot be returned – certain petitions do not include a return email to the sender for example, but it is […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on March 3rd, 2017

Rooker Review: 2017 Session Commences

The 2017 legislative session is underway and it has been a very busy week. We were sworn in Monday by Chief Justice Lawton Nuss in a very simple ceremony in which we swear a solemn oath to uphold both the Kansas and US Constitutions – a responsibility I take seriously.

Posted by Melissa Rooker on January 20th, 2017

Rooker Review: 2017 Preview

As 2016 comes to a close and attention turns to the challenges ahead in the 2017 legislative session, this seems an appropriate time to pause and reflect. Thank you so much for your support. I am honored to have earned a third term to represent you in the Kansas House. My opponent and I chose […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on December 28th, 2016

Rooker Review: The case for moderation…

The campaign season is reaching a fever pitch as we finally draw near the end of the 2016 election cycle. Rhetoric being employed by both sides is intended to gaslight you into believing the opposing candidate is the worst of the worst. What is gaslighting?

Posted by Melissa Rooker on November 1st, 2016

Rooker Review: August Update

The past month has been a mixed bag of emotions and hard work. My 80-year old father was hospitalized a few weeks ago for injuries suffered in a serious fall he took while exercising outside. Thanks to a passing good Samaritan who called 9-1-1, he received the help he needed and is recuperating nicely at […]

Posted by Melissa Rooker on August 16th, 2016

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