Our legislative calendar was cut short last week due to the statewide snow. I know we got some much-needed moisture, but I hope you, your family and, in some cases, livestock were able to stay safe.

On Feb. 17 and 18, at least 200 4-H members and their sponsors were in the Capitol for their annual Citizenship In Action project. They have an opportunity to work on their own legislation in committees and then vote on it on the floor of the House and Senate.

I was blessed to meet in our office conference room between meetings with the following from Walnut Creek Extension (Lane, Ness and Rush counties): Nashon Copeland and Emily O'Toole, Ness City; Katie Jo Payne and Marta Payne, Ransom; Alexis Peck, Dighton; Jackson Dinsmore, La Crosse; and Extension agent Robyn Deines. Edwards County was also a part of the 4-H activity.

Their group at the state Capitol included: Matthew Werth, Kinsley; Laurin Wagner and Alex Gleason, Offerle; and Edwards County Extension agent Marty Gleason.

I know it takes funds to make this very valuable educational trip happen. I hope with your support it can continue to grow.

Feb. 18 was a busy day with committee meetings, and I also had an opportunity to visit with Kyle Fulton of Ford County, representing the Ford County Extension Board and the KSU Extension family.

I continue to stay very busy on my assigned committees of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education, and Federal and State. We're scheduled to wrap up most of our committee meetings by Wednesday and will then be on the House floor -- debating House and Senate bills.

In Federal and State, we are working on important legislation to protect our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

In our Education committee, I continue to speak up for the work our small schools do in educating our young people. I also support career-ready legislation.

In Agriculture and Natural Resources, we continue to work on water concerns, doing everything we can to help keep agriculture moving forward in the drought, whether it be emergency hay hauling or CDL license concerns.

Rep. John Ewy, R-Jetmore, represents the 117th District in the Kansas House. john.ewy@house.ks.gov