Copy
To learn more, visit www.MelissaRooker.com!
View this email in your browser

RESOURCES

Kansas Legislature
Johnson County Election Office
Register to Vote

Communities of the
25th District

Fairway
Mission
Mission Hills
Mission Woods
Prairie Village
Roeland Park
Westwood
Westwood Hills

CONTACT MELISSA

In Topeka: 
State Capitol Room 352-A
Topeka, KS 66612
melissa.rooker@house.ks.gov
785-296-7686

At home in Fairway
4124 Brookridge Drive
Fairway, KS 66205
melissa@melissarooker.com
913-961-1555

Dear Friend:

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. 
 
You are invited:
Over the next few weeks, I will be participating in a series of candidate forums designed to help you compare the candidates on the issues most important to you. Please join me at any or all of the following events:
Legislative Update
Over the past month, legislative work continues throughout the community and the state. 
  • SMSD delegation met with Dr. Mike Fulton to discuss legislative priorities.
  • Kansas Geological Survey Tour: North Central Kansas was featured this year. As a member of the Kansas Forest Service Advisory Council, I prioritize this opportunity every year to learn first-hand about issues pertaining to water, environment, energy, transportation, and manufacturing.
All lawmakers and candidates are invited to attend the Johnson County Farm Bureau's annual picnic. There's an eclectic mix of lawmakers gathered to learn more about the agricultural issues that impact our county and our state.
Participated on a Mainstream Coalition panel during Women’s Equality Week on the topic of women’s reproductive health. 
 
  • Meeting with Gina Meier-Hummel, Secretary of Department of Children & Families to discuss progress on updates to policies pertaining to foster care placements. 
  • Kansas Forest Service Advisory Council meeting to discuss the Legislative Post Audit report I co-sponsored. The audit recommends new funding for emergency firefighting. I will join Sen. Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan) to provide joint testimony to the Legislative Budget Committee on behalf of the Advisory Council on Oct. 3.
It was a pleasure to meet Alex Goodwin, an inspiring cancer survivor and this year's Mission Sunflower Parade's Grand Marshal. You can find his book at Rainy Day Books in Fairway or online through their portal!
Once a Lancer, always a Lancer! It was great to see so many old friends and celebrate a new school year at Shawnee Mission East Lancer Day.
As always, the Blue Valley Education Foundation does a great job showcasing their students' achievements at their annual breakfast. The Shawnee Mission and Olathe annual breakfasts are coming up soon. Pictured here with Rep. Jan Kessinger and Sen. John Skubal.
Attended a talk given by KU Prof. Melinda Lewis on her research on expanding opportunities for higher education.
  • Attended the Fallen Officer Memorial dedication at the Johnson County Sheriffs Office to mark the anniversary of 9/11.
  • Attended the annual Johnson County Commission on Aging breakfast for legislators and candidates.
  • Attended a reception at K-State Olathe to highlight their programs.
I met with staff at the Kansas Board of Regents and was provided the following chart. It's a reality check, especially for those of us paying tuition - and for the thousands of Kansas parents saving for it.
Explanation: If the state had done nothing more than adjust higher education funding at the rate inflation annually and had tuition also tracked the rate of inflation since 2009, college would be more affordable today for many Kansas families. We began work in 2017 to address more than a decade of neglect.

I am committed to continue the work to make higher education more accessible for hard-working Kansas families. 
Get Involved
Campaign season is well underway and I would appreciate your support. Please contact me if you are willing to contribute to my campaign in any of the following ways.
  • Host a yard sign in your yard. Simply email me and we will deliver a sign to your house and pick it up once the election is over.   
  • Join me knocking doors. This is the single most effective way to connect with voters.
  • Host a neighborhood coffee. Please email me so we can set a date. These are a terrific way to meet people in small groups for good conversation.   
Please consider a donation to my campaign. To make an online donation, visit melissarooker.com or you are welcome to send checks to:
 
Melissa Rooker for State Representative
4124 Brookridge Drive 
Fairway, KS 66205

 
Call me!
With all the negativity surrounding elections today, beware of attempts to twist my record of service in Topeka to suit a particular narrative. Don’t fall for it! I have always put people and policy over politics and will continue to do so. 

If you see anything that raises questions, please contact me. I have worked very hard to earn your trust and respond to your concerns during my service. Nothing about that will change. 
 
As I have stated before, materials distributed by my campaign will be clearly marked:
“Paid for by Melissa Rooker for State Representative, Sheila Davis treasurer.” If you receive other materials, I would love to hear from you. 

In case you missed it, 
the Kansas City Star ran an op-ed I wrote on the importance of voting: A solid Kansas future depends on voters participating in the system.
 
Thank you for the honor and privilege of representing you. I ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 6th!

PS: The Johnson County Election Office still needs about 1,000 people to work the polls on Election Day. Training is provided and you are compensated for your time (many charities volunteer their time and donate their paycheck to the charity). Please consider this public service to make our elections efficient and accessible. Apply here.
Sincerely,

Rep. Melissa Rooker
Kansas State Representative, District 25
Serving Northeast Johnson County
Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved.
Melissa Rooker,