Senator Marshall Visits Six Counties in Southeast Kansas

Pittsburg - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), spent Friday traveling across Southeast Kansas, meeting with manufacturers, educators, healthcare leaders, and small business owners to see firsthand how recent policy wins, from full expensing to expanded childcare tax credits, are already making a difference for Kansas workers and families.

Highlights from the visit include:

Fort Scott Community College - Bourbon County

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Senator Marshall began the day at Fort Scott Community College, meeting with President Jack Welch and college leadership to discuss the institution's recent progress and ongoing workforce initiatives.

Leaders highlighted the restart of CDL training, expansion of credential programs, and partnerships with local school districts to strengthen career and technical education.

Freeman Health System - Bourbon County

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Senator Marshall toured the newly opened Freeman Hospital in Fort Scott, which includes a 6-bed emergency department and 10-bed acute care wing - restoring full-service hospital access to the region for the first time since 2018. Hospital leaders discussed the multi-agency effort required to complete CMS certification and begin serving Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Throughout the process, Senator Marshall's office played a direct role by engaging with CMS, KDHE, and other partners, by elevating concerns and push through delays to help to move the certification forward. That work helped get the final approvals completed so the hospital could open its doors and begin treating patients.

Pittsburg 150^th Birthday Celebration - Crawford County

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Senator Marshall stopped in Pittsburg to celebrate the city's 150th anniversary, recognizing its historic role in Kansas' industrial development and its continued contributions to education and manufacturing.

Local leaders highlighted Pittsburg's evolution from a railroad and mining hub to a modern regional center anchored by education, advanced manufacturing, and public investment. The community is currently marking its sesquicentennial with events and public displays marking its history and its future growth.

Grown at Eden - Labette County

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In Parsons, Senator Marshall toured Grow at Eden Early Learning Center with founder Kandy Rushing to discuss childcare access, workforce participation, and early childhood development. The center serves families across Southeast Kansas and provides care for children from a range of income levels, including those utilizing childcare assistance programs.

The discussion focused on recent expansions to the employer-provided childcare tax credit included in the Working Families Tax Cuts, which allows businesses to receive expanded credits for supporting employee childcare needs or investing in childcare facilities.

Monarch Cement - Allen County

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Next, Senator Marshall toured Monarch Cement Company, one of Kansas' longstanding manufacturing employers, to discuss domestic production, supply chains, and recent tax reforms secured in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

The company expressed their appreciation for the recently secured policy wins, including permanent full expensing for capital investments, restored R&D expensing, and protections for manufacturing competitiveness.

Chanute High School - Neosho County

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At Chanute High School, Senator Marshall toured the new Animal Science Learning Center and met with FFA students and instructors to highlight hands-on agricultural education and career readiness efforts.

School administration showcased expanded CTE programming in agricultural science, including supervised agricultural experiences and industry-aligned coursework designed to prepare students for Kansas's agriculture workforce.

Cobalt Boats - Wilson County

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Senator Marshall concluded the day in Neodesha with a tour of Cobalt Boats, a Kansas-based manufacturer known for high-end recreational boats, where he discussed pro-manufacturing provisions, including permanent 199A small business deductions, full expensing for capital investments, and restored R&D expensing, noting their role in supporting Kansas manufacturers and small businesses.

The company employs approximately 650 workers across Kansas and Tennessee and continues to invest in advanced production techniques and workforce training.

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