On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Teacher, coach and author Rick Keltner.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rr0JlNypUF0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Teacher, coach and author Rick Keltner.</p>

🎤 Forward Ever: Teacher, coach and author Rick Keltner

<i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Boot Hill Distillery owner Hayes Kelman.</i>

<p><i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Boot Hill Distillery owner Hayes Kelman.</i></p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5dXj8UcwAc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎤 Forward Ever: Boot Hill Distillery owner Hayes Kelman

<i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab about the upcoming November 2022 election.</i>

<p><i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab about the upcoming November 2022 election.</i></p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4CT12zEhq6M" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎤 Forward Ever: Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab

<i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with American Cancer Society chief patient officer Arif Kamal.</i><br>

<p><i>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with American Cancer Society chief patient officer Arif Kamal.</i><br></p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IeNjfIjMO0M" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎤 Forward Ever: American Cancer Society chief patient officer Arif Kamal

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney speaks with U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) about a variety of situations facing Kansas and the nation.</i>

With the US Senate on break this week Senator Jerry Moran is
back in the area. He stops by to speak with his Post reporter Cristina Janney
to share some updates on this episode of the Post Podcast.

Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; 

What is brought you back home to the northwest part of the
state. 

This week well, it is great to be back home. Senate is out
of session this week, we worked through Martin Luther King, what was traditionally
a recess a time away from Washington DC because of the holiday. And instead
because of work that took place last week, we're away from Washington, DC this
week, gives me the opportunity to be out and about among Kansans. In western
Kansas, certainly paying attention to what's going on here. And one of the ways
I do that is today, yesterday was a visit with the with the Ness City Rotary
Club, getting their perspective on what's going on in NES County, a visit to
lacrosse High School to visit with a young student who's been chosen to be the
Senate youth program opportunity to go to Washington D.C. Oh, I think he has
the misfortune of it being a zoom program this year, and see what's going on in
lacrosse and rush county as well. And mostly just trying to make certain that
Kansans have the opportunity to tell me what's on their mind.

I know you also mentioned you're trying to put out a plea
for blood donation that that was a personal request from your own doctor there
in Plainville to, to put in people's minds that the Red Cross really needs
blood right now.

Earlier this week, I had a conversation with Dr. Sanchez,
one of the physicians in my hometown of Plainville. And the request was, could
I do anything to help encourage people to donate blood and I'm intending to do
so myself today. And just the the point he was making is that surgeries are
being denied because of lack of blood, and just again, encourage Kansans to be
the kind of people that we always are, and rise to the occasion when there's a
need in our community. I know that there's opportunities to do the blood drives
are taking place on certain days across western Kansas. But in Hayes, I think
it's an arc and it occurs most weekdays here in this community. So on behalf of
Dr. Sanchez, and, and his patients, and really all all of us here encouraged
people to donate blood.

Yes, that's so important. I'm planning on doing that myself.
I won't be eligible here for another week. But I do plan on doing that myself.
Let's turn a little bit to the job back in Washington. There's a lot of
interest going around on what is happening in the Ukraine right now. What is
your perspective on that?

You know, we have no choice me as a senator and all of us
really, as citizens of this country wish we could just deal with the local
issues to deal with the things that affect Kansans directly. But we have no
choice but to deal with the huge national international issues. And we are in a
significant circumstance with, with Putin and his desire to retake at least
portions of the Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union, but became an
independent state when the Soviet Union fell apart. And this is a test of
American resolve. And I certainly not interested to be discouraged if we had to
put American troops into another battle. But how we handle this is important.
And this really is a mission for NATO. And the challenges that it seems that
particularly Germany is not aligned with other NATO countries in the response.
And over time, I think European countries have become dependent upon Russian
energy, oil and natural gas, and it changes the way that they are willing to
take on Putin and Russia. My view is that we've got to make certain
particularly in light, I'm still angry about the way we came out of
Afghanistan. We were we were poorly prepared, we left people behind, we send a
message to the world that we're not reliable. And it's important for us to work
with our NATO allies to demonstrate to the world not only to protect the
freedoms and liberties as as they are, as we hope they become in Ukraine. But
to make certain that the rest of the world knows that the United States is a
reliable partner.

Also, you said that you were concerned about some legislation
that was being considered in terms of fossil fuel funding?

Absolutely. This is a this is not a piece of legislation.
It's the Biden administration and their policies. And here in oil producing
country. I'm not sure this has become a topic but it is an important one,
because there are not the votes in Congress to to outlaw energy companies to do
away with fossil fuels. This administration, the Biden administration is
looking for every opportunity to undermine the ability of an energy company to
exist. And one of the ways they're doing that is appointing people to the
regulatory organizations, the Federal Reserve Board the Office of Comptroller
of currency, the FDIC, the entities that regulate our banks and credit unions
and financial institutions. And the goal was to put people in place that will
insist that no, no loans would be against their regulations for loans to be
made to energy companies. It's a roundabout way of trying to diminish or
eliminate the role of that kind of energy in our country's economy. And while
we ought to do everything we can to make sure we have the cleanest environment
possible, how we do that, how practical we are, when we do it, and what the
economic consequences are. Look we're facing I would say that Americans,
perhaps greatest domestic concern, is inflation. And here we have an
administration that is doing things to reduce the availability of oil and
natural gas, increasing the price, as we've seen, at the pump, and natural gas,
ask a farmer about the cost of fertilizer, which is components of making
fertilizer or natural gas, these expensive increases are going to be very
damaging to the economy. And it's also so so hypocritical, so odd for President
Biden to call on Russia to increase its oil production, while he and his administration
do everything they can to reduce hours.

Yes, that could be very devastating to our local economy, if
oil companies were not able to take out loans. Do you have any comments about
the election legislation that has been considered in Congress?

Absolutely. That was why the Senate was in session last week
is because of that issue that legislation. First of all, I would say that the
there were not sufficient votes, it takes 60 votes to pass a piece of
legislation, including this election, this voting bill that was crafted solely
by Democrats. And in my view, the rules of the Senate which require 60 votes,
protect us protect, particularly as rural people, but protect the minority, not
necessarily Republicans or Democrats, but people who have different points of
view. And generally, that's those of us who come from rural places like Kansas.
And so the Democrats because they couldn't get 60 votes attempted to change the
rules. Unfortunately, two Democratic senators, Senator Manchin and Senator
cinema refused to go along. And so the Senate rules stay in place. And that is
a good thing for protecting us from a heavy handed urban and suburban Congress.
And really just protecting people who have ideas that are different than
perhaps the majority. So that was part of the debate last week. But the
underlying bill wants to nationalize the process by which people the rules
about how you vote become a national thing. The Constitution says the manner of
voting will be determined for congressional elections will be determined by
states. So constitutionally, this is a Kansas issue, not a Washington issue.
And when people can't get their way in Washington, DC, because states may be
doing something different. They want to change the law, change the rules,
ignore the Constitution and take over this this role. Every almost in every
circumstance, when Washington DC tries to solve a problem. It does so in a
heavy handed, broad based way that is often damaging to Kansas, we know how to
run our elections in Kansas, and we don't need some election board and in the
nation's capital determining how we do that.

Do you think that there's any concern nationwide about voter
suppression, though, coming from it and from individual states here,

Here's what I would say, is that I would never want to
support would never support the very much more straightforward would would
never support or would not encourage, in fact, would discourage any state from
trying to figure out ways to keep people from voting. If they're legally
entitled to vote, whatever their views are, whatever their political party is,
we want people to vote. And so we need to make certain that mean, people need
to make certain that in their own states, there's nothing going on that's designed
to discourage discriminate against people who may have a different idea may
belong to a different political party. We ought to be encouraging people to
vote as long as they're legally entitled to vote.

Okay. We've seen searches in COVID. Do you think that the
federal government is doing enough to address the latest surges in COVID, in
terms of testing and vaccination?

I am certainly encouraged people to be vaccinated and to and
I guess maybe I say this is talk to their physician, talk to the person who
took out their appendix deliver their baby and find out if vaccination is good
for them. Make that decision. I'm opposed to the mandate that comes from
Washington DC telling us we have to be vaccinated, but people ought to take responsibility.
If it's an appropriate opportunity for them then then personally, the federal
government has been provided Congress's provided millions and billions of
dollars to respond to COVID. And my view is that we are still woefully short of
meeting the things that need to happen in this country. Particular The
manufacturing and supply of pharmaceuticals and gas, gas masks gowns and
gloves, the things back at the beginning of the COVID of COVID, in which we
said, we're going to bring this stuff home, we're not going to wait on China,
their suppliers, and they're not dependable and they're our adversary. So my
view is that there's a lot of money that's out there to be spent. And we still
don't have the necessary domestic supply to fight COVID or any other pandemic
and is certainly there's a shortage and a long waiting line for people to be
tested which there many people are now interested in doing.

Do you think that the rollout of the new home tests that you
think that's going to be?

Christina I'm anxious to see what we’re gonna wait to have
to wait and see. I mean, it. It sounds good that you go to your computer and
you can get a test, but we've not seen it work yet.

<div><iframe title="Sen. Moran says situation in Ukraine ’a test of American resolve’" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=d2v3r-118d06f-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney speaks with U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) about a variety of situations facing Kansas and the nation.</i></p><h2>Transcript</h2><p>James Bell&nbsp; </p><p>With the US Senate on break this week Senator Jerry Moran is
back in the area. He stops by to speak with his Post reporter Cristina Janney
to share some updates on this episode of the Post Podcast.</p><p>Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; </p><p>What is brought you back home to the northwest part of the
state. </p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)</p><p>This week well, it is great to be back home. Senate is out
of session this week, we worked through Martin Luther King, what was traditionally
a recess a time away from Washington DC because of the holiday. And instead
because of work that took place last week, we're away from Washington, DC this
week, gives me the opportunity to be out and about among Kansans. In western
Kansas, certainly paying attention to what's going on here. And one of the ways
I do that is today, yesterday was a visit with the with the Ness City Rotary
Club, getting their perspective on what's going on in NES County, a visit to
lacrosse High School to visit with a young student who's been chosen to be the
Senate youth program opportunity to go to Washington D.C. Oh, I think he has
the misfortune of it being a zoom program this year, and see what's going on in
lacrosse and rush county as well. And mostly just trying to make certain that
Kansans have the opportunity to tell me what's on their mind.</p><p>Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; </p><p>I know you also mentioned you're trying to put out a plea
for blood donation that that was a personal request from your own doctor there
in Plainville to, to put in people's minds that the Red Cross really needs
blood right now.</p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)</p><p>Earlier this week, I had a conversation with Dr. Sanchez,
one of the physicians in my hometown of Plainville. And the request was, could
I do anything to help encourage people to donate blood and I'm intending to do
so myself today. And just the the point he was making is that surgeries are
being denied because of lack of blood, and just again, encourage Kansans to be
the kind of people that we always are, and rise to the occasion when there's a
need in our community. I know that there's opportunities to do the blood drives
are taking place on certain days across western Kansas. But in Hayes, I think
it's an arc and it occurs most weekdays here in this community. So on behalf of
Dr. Sanchez, and, and his patients, and really all all of us here encouraged
people to donate blood.</p><p>Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; </p><p>Yes, that's so important. I'm planning on doing that myself.
I won't be eligible here for another week. But I do plan on doing that myself.
Let's turn a little bit to the job back in Washington. There's a lot of
interest going around on what is happening in the Ukraine right now. What is
your perspective on that?</p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)</p><p>You know, we have no choice me as a senator and all of us
really, as citizens of this country wish we could just deal with the local
issues to deal with the things that affect Kansans directly. But we have no
choice but to deal with the huge national international issues. And we are in a
significant circumstance with, with Putin and his desire to retake at least
portions of the Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union, but became an
independent state when the Soviet Union fell apart. And this is a test of
American resolve. And I certainly not interested to be discouraged if we had to
put American troops into another battle. But how we handle this is important.
And this really is a mission for NATO. And the challenges that it seems that
particularly Germany is not aligned with other NATO countries in the response.
And over time, I think European countries have become dependent upon Russian
energy, oil and natural gas, and it changes the way that they are willing to
take on Putin and Russia. My view is that we've got to make certain
particularly in light, I'm still angry about the way we came out of
Afghanistan. We were we were poorly prepared, we left people behind, we send a
message to the world that we're not reliable. And it's important for us to work
with our NATO allies to demonstrate to the world not only to protect the
freedoms and liberties as as they are, as we hope they become in Ukraine. But
to make certain that the rest of the world knows that the United States is a
reliable partner.</p><p>Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; </p><p>Also, you said that you were concerned about some legislation
that was being considered in terms of fossil fuel funding?</p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)</p><p>Absolutely. This is a this is not a piece of legislation.
It's the Biden administration and their policies. And here in oil producing
country. I'm not sure this has become a topic but it is an important one,
because there are not the votes in Congress to to outlaw energy companies to do
away with fossil fuels. This administration, the Biden administration is
looking for every opportunity to undermine the ability of an energy company to
exist. And one of the ways they're doing that is appointing people to the
regulatory organizations, the Federal Reserve Board the Office of Comptroller
of currency, the FDIC, the entities that regulate our banks and credit unions
and financial institutions. And the goal was to put people in place that will
insist that no, no loans would be against their regulations for loans to be
made to energy companies. It's a roundabout way of trying to diminish or
eliminate the role of that kind of energy in our country's economy. And while
we ought to do everything we can to make sure we have the cleanest environment
possible, how we do that, how practical we are, when we do it, and what the
economic consequences are. Look we're facing I would say that Americans,
perhaps greatest domestic concern, is inflation. And here we have an
administration that is doing things to reduce the availability of oil and
natural gas, increasing the price, as we've seen, at the pump, and natural gas,
ask a farmer about the cost of fertilizer, which is components of making
fertilizer or natural gas, these expensive increases are going to be very
damaging to the economy. And it's also so so hypocritical, so odd for President
Biden to call on Russia to increase its oil production, while he and his administration
do everything they can to reduce hours.</p><p>Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; </p><p>Yes, that could be very devastating to our local economy, if
oil companies were not able to take out loans. Do you have any comments about
the election legislation that has been considered in Congress?</p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)</p><p>Absolutely. That was why the Senate was in session last week
is because of that issue that legislation. First of all, I would say that the
there were not sufficient votes, it takes 60 votes to pass a piece of
legislation, including this election, this voting bill that was crafted solely
by Democrats. And in my view, the rules of the Senate which require 60 votes,
protect us protect, particularly as rural people, but protect the minority, not
necessarily Republicans or Democrats, but people who have different points of
view. And generally, that's those of us who come from rural places like Kansas.
And so the Democrats because they couldn't get 60 votes attempted to change the
rules. Unfortunately, two Democratic senators, Senator Manchin and Senator
cinema refused to go along. And so the Senate rules stay in place. And that is
a good thing for protecting us from a heavy handed urban and suburban Congress.
And really just protecting people who have ideas that are different than
perhaps the majority. So that was part of the debate last week. But the
underlying bill wants to nationalize the process by which people the rules
about how you vote become a national thing. The Constitution says the manner of
voting will be determined for congressional elections will be determined by
states. So constitutionally, this is a Kansas issue, not a Washington issue.
And when people can't get their way in Washington, DC, because states may be
doing something different. They want to change the law, change the rules,
ignore the Constitution and take over this this role. Every almost in every
circumstance, when Washington DC tries to solve a problem. It does so in a
heavy handed, broad based way that is often damaging to Kansas, we know how to
run our elections in Kansas, and we don't need some election board and in the
nation's capital determining how we do that.</p><p>Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; </p><p>Do you think that there's any concern nationwide about voter
suppression, though, coming from it and from individual states here,</p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)</p><p>Here's what I would say, is that I would never want to
support would never support the very much more straightforward would would
never support or would not encourage, in fact, would discourage any state from
trying to figure out ways to keep people from voting. If they're legally
entitled to vote, whatever their views are, whatever their political party is,
we want people to vote. And so we need to make certain that mean, people need
to make certain that in their own states, there's nothing going on that's designed
to discourage discriminate against people who may have a different idea may
belong to a different political party. We ought to be encouraging people to
vote as long as they're legally entitled to vote.</p><p>Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; </p><p>Okay. We've seen searches in COVID. Do you think that the
federal government is doing enough to address the latest surges in COVID, in
terms of testing and vaccination?</p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)</p><p>I am certainly encouraged people to be vaccinated and to and
I guess maybe I say this is talk to their physician, talk to the person who
took out their appendix deliver their baby and find out if vaccination is good
for them. Make that decision. I'm opposed to the mandate that comes from
Washington DC telling us we have to be vaccinated, but people ought to take responsibility.
If it's an appropriate opportunity for them then then personally, the federal
government has been provided Congress's provided millions and billions of
dollars to respond to COVID. And my view is that we are still woefully short of
meeting the things that need to happen in this country. Particular The
manufacturing and supply of pharmaceuticals and gas, gas masks gowns and
gloves, the things back at the beginning of the COVID of COVID, in which we
said, we're going to bring this stuff home, we're not going to wait on China,
their suppliers, and they're not dependable and they're our adversary. So my
view is that there's a lot of money that's out there to be spent. And we still
don't have the necessary domestic supply to fight COVID or any other pandemic
and is certainly there's a shortage and a long waiting line for people to be
tested which there many people are now interested in doing.</p><p>Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; </p><p>Do you think that the rollout of the new home tests that you
think that's going to be?</p><p>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)</p><p>Christina I'm anxious to see what we’re gonna wait to have
to wait and see. I mean, it. It sounds good that you go to your computer and
you can get a test, but we've not seen it work yet.</p>

🎙Post Podcast: Sen. Moran says situation in Ukraine 'a test of American resolve'

<i>On this episode of Forward Ever; Leading in Challenging Times, Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers about the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;</i>

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Lynn Rodgers" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/w8m3u-dbd1de?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><i>On this episode of Forward Ever; Leading in Challenging Times, Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers about the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;</i></p>

🎤Forward Ever: Kansas Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Sen. Moran says relief on the way for ag producers impacted during COVID-19" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/ux8rt-dbb29e?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=3&btn-skin=101&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p>

🎤Post Podcast: Moran says relief on the way for ag producers impacted by COVID-19

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said Thursday COVID-19 economic stimulus checks will be begin going out today, as government officials on the state and national level discuss additional assistance for businesses and individuals.&nbsp;

"The first set of checks will be deposited today," Moran said. "At the base level, Americans who earn less than $75,000 a year will get a $1,200 check."

He said the program is just getting started, and not everyone will receive the money on the first day, but disbursement will begin with people that have completed their 2018 and 2019 tax returns and have direct deposit information on file at the Internal Revenue Service.

"That's a start to help to tide over and help out people," Moran said.

SBA guaranteed loans are also being processed in an effort to assist businesses continue paying staff. Many of those loans he said will be forgiven if certain criteria are met.

"While the legislation we passed includes things I normally wouldn't be for, and this is a lot more government than I am historically willing to vote for and spends a lot more money than I&nbsp; would want us to spend and this is something that we can't continue to do, " Moran said, "these are serious times. Through no fault of their own people are finding themselves in pretty difficult circumstances."

He also said he hopes to see continued bipartisan measures to assist Americans, even though the legislation may not be perfect.

Moran also said he understands the push-back from some concerning stay-at-home measures, but said saving lives is paramount.

"I know Kansans. I am one of them. I have the same attitude that I don't want anyone telling me what to do, Moran siad.

"We certainly see the consequences of how our lives have changed by this stay-at-home order, by the social distancing and all of the steps we are trying to take," Moran said, "but I would say it is important to follow that procedure."

The number of people infected, and have died are not just numbers, Moran said, they are people.

He also warned that the peak infections in Kansas are not expected until April.

"I would certainly prefer to overreact, rather than explain to someone who has lost a loved one, why we didn't take the necessary steps," Moran said.

He said he is pushing for a COVID-19&nbsp; vaccine to be developed as quickly as possible and wants expanded testing to get people back to work and living more normal lives faster.

"This has to be something that we have to react to appropriately to get it to come to an end sooner rather than later," Moran said. 

Continuing to flatten the curve, with social distancing will allow the opportunity to help the health care sector get caught up with needed equipment and protective equipment, he said. More testing facilities are coming online more kits are being produced and sent out, he said.

"Our goal is to make sure anybody that wants to be tested can be tested by the end of summer," Moran said.

Expanded testing, he said, will ensure schools can be open next fall.

<div><iframe title="COVID-19 stimulus checks begin going out Thursday" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/st7fi-d8b532?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=3&btn-skin=101&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said Thursday COVID-19 economic stimulus checks will be begin going out today, as government officials on the state and national level discuss additional assistance for businesses and individuals.&nbsp;</p><p>"The first set of checks will be deposited today," Moran said. "At the base level, Americans who earn less than $75,000 a year will get a $1,200 check."</p><p>He said the program is just getting started, and not everyone will receive the money on the first day, but disbursement will begin with people that have completed their 2018 and 2019 tax returns and have direct deposit information on file at the Internal Revenue Service.</p><p>"That's a start to help to tide over and help out people," Moran said.</p><p>SBA guaranteed loans are also being processed in an effort to assist businesses continue paying staff. Many of those loans he said will be forgiven if certain criteria are met.</p><p>"While the legislation we passed includes things I normally wouldn't be for, and this is a lot more government than I am historically willing to vote for and spends a lot more money than I&nbsp; would want us to spend and this is something that we can't continue to do, " Moran said, "these are serious times. Through no fault of their own people are finding themselves in pretty difficult circumstances."</p><p>He also said he hopes to see continued bipartisan measures to assist Americans, even though the legislation may not be perfect.</p><p>Moran also said he understands the push-back from some concerning stay-at-home measures, but said saving lives is paramount.</p><p>"I know Kansans. I am one of them. I have the same attitude that I don't want anyone telling me what to do, Moran siad.</p><p>"We certainly see the consequences of how our lives have changed by this stay-at-home order, by the social distancing and all of the steps we are trying to take," Moran said, "but I would say it is important to follow that procedure."</p><p>The number of people infected, and have died are not just numbers, Moran said, they are people.</p><p>He also warned that the peak infections in Kansas are not expected until April.</p><p>"I would certainly prefer to overreact, rather than explain to someone who has lost a loved one, why we didn't take the necessary steps," Moran said.</p><p>He said he is pushing for a COVID-19&nbsp; vaccine to be developed as quickly as possible and wants expanded testing to get people back to work and living more normal lives faster.</p><p>"This has to be something that we have to react to appropriately to get it to come to an end sooner rather than later," Moran said. </p><p>Continuing to flatten the curve, with social distancing will allow the opportunity to help the health care sector get caught up with needed equipment and protective equipment, he said. More testing facilities are coming online more kits are being produced and sent out, he said.</p><p>"Our goal is to make sure anybody that wants to be tested can be tested by the end of summer," Moran said.</p><p>Expanded testing, he said, will ensure schools can be open next fall.</p>