Category Archives: Elections

Bo Co Dems Meet Nov. 21

The Bourbon County Democrats will be holding their monthly meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 21.
They will be meeting in Gunn Park Shelter House #5 which has heating and a bathroom there.
Guest speaker will be Patrick Schmidt, who is running to represent Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District.
Submitted by:
Carol MacArthur, Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats.
620 215 1505
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Bourbon County Election Results November 2, 2021

These results are unofficial until canvassed by the Bourbon County Commission.

The results are provided by the Bourbon County Clerks Office.

SUMMARY REPORT- of the 2021 CITY SCHOOL GENERAL-ELECTION UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

11/02/21 08:28 PM REPORT

TOTAL VOTES

CITY COUNCIL BRONSON
(Vote for 2
Clearsia Botts. . . . . . . . . 29
Kayla Greenway. . . . . . . . . 22
Kelly Perry. . . . . . . . . . 23
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 2.

CITY COUNCIL MAPLETON
(Vote for 2
Mike Blevins . . . . . . . . . 6
Homer Wisdom . . . . . . . . . 5
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

CITY COUNCIL REDFIELD
(Vote for 2
Michael Beerbower. . . . . . . . 19
Kirby Martin . . . . . . . . . 20
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 3 7

CITY COUNCIL UNIONTOWN
(Vote for 2
Jess Ervin . . . . . . . . . . 41
Amber Kelly. . . . . . . . . . 34
Kyle Knight. . . . . . . . . . 19
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 3 3

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 4 USD 234
(Vote for 1
David Stewart . . . . . . . . . 1,111
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 75

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 4 USD 235
(Vote for 1
Brian Ray Stewart. . . . . . . . 176
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 9 4

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 5 USD 234
(Vote for 1
Garold (Gary) Billionis. . . . . . 566
Casey Bolden . . . . . . . . . 374
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 408

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 5 USD 235
(Vote for 1
Mike Mason . . . . . . . . . . 200
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 7 3

CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT
(Vote for 3
Michael Hoyt . . . . . . . . . 220
Josh Jones . . . . . . . . . . 635
Ann Rawlins. . . . . . . . . . 137
Tim Van Hoecke. . . . . . . . . 668
Judy Warren. . . . . . . . . . 232
Matthew Wells . . . . . . . . . 454
Willa Wilson . . . . . . . . . 94
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 42

MAYOR BRONSON
(Vote for 1
Joshua Marlow . . . . . . . . . 30
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 4

MAYOR FULTON
(Vote for 1
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 14

MAYOR MAPLETON
(Vote for 1
Ronald B Burton Jr . . . . . . . 6
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

MAYOR REDFIELD
(Vote for 1
Wilma K. Graham . . . . . . . . 8
Clarence Ed Guss . . . . . . . . 16
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

MAYOR UNIONTOWN
(Vote for 1
Larry Jurgensen . . . . . . . . 43
Bill Marlow. . . . . . . . . . 11
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

CITY COUNCIL FULTON
(Vote for 5
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 44

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 6 USD 234
(Vote for 1
Brian L. Allen. . . . . . . . . 848
Tracy King . . . . . . . . . . 286
Joshua Query . . . . . . . . . 217
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 18

USD 235
(Vote for 1
Tyler J. Martin . . . . . . . . 209
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 6 USD 248
(Vote for 1
Kelly Peak . . . . . . . . . . 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0

SOUTHWIND EXTENSION DISTRICT
(Vote for 2
Ethan A Holly . . . . . . . . . 711
Gary Palmer. . . . . . . . . . 1,328
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 15

Fort Scott Community College BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(Vote for 3
John Bartelsmeyer. . . . . . . . 988
James L. Fewins . . . . . . . . 633
Bryan Holt . . . . . . . . . . 1,103
Bill Meyer . . . . . . . . . . 525
Kevin D Wagner. . . . . . . . . 570
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 28

Vote Today

Voting sign at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 2021

Today, November 2, is a day to vote your conscience in the contests for all the cities in Bourbon County, plus the school districts, including Fort Scott Community College. The polls will be open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

If there are any questions, contact the Bourbon County Clerk at 620.223.3800, ext. 802.

The following is where each precinct resident votes on election day, along with a sample ballot for that precinct.

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1st Ward Community Christian Church

1ST WARD  

2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church

2ND WARD

3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church

3RD WARD

4th Ward Community Christian Church

4TH WARD

5th Ward Community Christian Church

5TH WARD

6th Ward Community Christian Church

6TH WARD

7th Ward Grace Baptist Church

7TH WARD

 

Residents living  in the county vote at the following locations:

DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church

DRYWOOD

FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building

FRANKLIN USD 235

FRANKLIN USD 346

FREEDOM Fulton Community Building

FREEDOM CITY OF FULTON

EAST MARION Uniontown City Hall

E. MARION CITY OF UNIONTOWN

E. MARION TWP

WEST MARION Bronson Community Building

W. MARION CITY OF BRONSON

W. MARION TWP

MARMATON Redfield City Hall

MARMATON USD 235

MARMATON USD 234

MARMATON CITY OF REDFIELD

MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall

MILLCREEK USD 234

MILLCREEK USD 235

OSAGE Fulton Community Building

OSAGE

PAWNEE Redfield City Hall

PAWNEE USD 234

MARMATON USD 235

NORTH SCOTT Community Christian Church

N. SCOTT(1)

N. SCOTT

SOUTH SCOTT Grace Baptist Church

S. SCOTT

TIMBERHILL Mapleton Community Building

TIMBERHILL CITY OF MAPLETON

TIMBERHILL USD 234

TIMBERHILL USD 235

TIMBERHILL USD 346

WALNUT Uniontown City Hall

WALNUT USD 248

WALNUT USD 235

 

CANDIDATES THAT HAVE FILED FOR THE 2021 CITY/SCHOOL ELECTION, from information provided by the county:
Bronson City Council
Clearsia Botts, 912 Linn St, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-939-4557
Kayla Greenway, 904 Clay St., Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-0195
Kelly Perry, 611 Orange St., Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-4842
Bronson Mayor
Joshua Marlow, 212 S. Clay, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-2769
Fort Scott City Commission
Michael Hoyt, 1315 Beech Ave., Ft Scott, KS 66701, 602-405-5202
Josh Jones, 617 Fairway, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-3680
Ann Rawlins, 1017 E Wall St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 541-801-9179
Tim Van Hoecke, 802 S Hill Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 913-240-6348
Judy Warren, 1706 S. Eddy St., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 913-488-1889
Matthew Wells, 1201 South National Ave, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 417-684-1714
Willa Wilson, 304 Ivy, Ft Scott, KS 66701, 913-285-0496
Fulton Mayor
No Candidates Filed
Fulton City Council
No Candidates Filed
Mapleton City Council
Mike Blevins, 1251 N. Main St, Mapleton, KS 66754, 620-743-3070
Homer Wisdom, 507 N Bourbon, Mapleton, KS 66754, 913-795-7381
Mapleton Mayor
Ronald B Burton Jr, 127 E 6th, Mapleton, KS 66754, 620-768-9399
Redfield City Council
Michael Beerbower, 402 W 3rd Street, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4175
Kirby Martin, 403 W. 2nd, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4718
Redfield Mayor
Wilma K. Graham, 102 W 4th, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4436
Clarence Ed Guss, 301 N Pine, Redfield, KS 66769, 417-339-1530
Uniontown City Council
Jess Ervin, 401 Clay St., Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-756-4825
Amber Kelly, 408 Fulton St., Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-228-0130
Kyle Knight, 606 Sherman, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-6053
Uniontown Mayor
Larry Jurgensen, 113 S. Hill, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-9810
Bill Marlow, 403 Sherman St, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-7209
USD 234 – Position #4
David Stewart, 772 190th, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-1179
USD 234 – Position #5
Garold (Gary) Billionis, 719 S National, Ft. Scott, KS 66701, 620-223-6733
Casey Bolden, 2015 E 1st, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-1961
USD 234 – Position #6
Brian L. Allen, 1809 Richards Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-6679
Tracy King, 2386 Jayhawk Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-412-8500
Joshua Query, 721 S Margrave St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-719-6828
USD 235 – Position #4
Brian Ray Stewart, 179 Soldier Rd, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-215-6394
USD 235 – Position #5
Mike Mason, 978 60th Street, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-756-4561
USD 235 – Position #6
Tyler J. Martin, 1058 Hackberry Rd., Redfield, KS 66769, 620-547-2519
FSCC – Board of Trustees
John Bartelsmeyer, 22 ½ N Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-9547
James L. Fewins, 1200 Maple Rd., Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4749
Bryan Holt, 2095 Kansas Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-2832
Bill Meyer, 14 Golfview Drive, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-4299
Kevin D Wagner, 390 130th St., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-547-2233
Southwind Extension District
Ethan A. Holly, 1606 Maple Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-228-7258
Gary Palmer, 1863 Eagle Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-1001

 

 

Voting Has Begun In Bourbon County: Make Your Opinion Count

An advance voter in the Bourbon County Courthouse.

November 2, 2021, is the day voting will cease for the upcoming Kansas election. On that day the polls will be open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

In the meantime, there is advance voting going on at the courthouse.

“As of 11:20 a.m. (yesterday) we have had 138 early advanced votes placed here at the courthouse,” Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk, said. “This does not include advanced mail ballots.”

The ballot drop outside the Bourbon County Clerks’ office.

There are 11,933 registered voters in the county, according to Doretta Neville, of the Bourbon County Election Office.

Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk. Submitted photo.

Early voting is happening at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue,  this week from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. until Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-noon.

If there are any questions, contact the clerk at 620.223.3800, ext. 802.

The following is where each precinct resident votes on election day, along with a sample ballot for that precinct.

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1st Ward Community Christian Church

1ST WARD  

2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church

2ND WARD

3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church

3RD WARD

4th Ward Community Christian Church

4TH WARD

5th Ward Community Christian Church

5TH WARD

6th Ward Community Christian Church

6TH WARD

7th Ward Grace Baptist Church

7TH WARD

 

Residents living  in the county vote at the following locations:

DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church

DRYWOOD

FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building

FRANKLIN USD 235

FRANKLIN USD 346

FREEDOM Fulton Community Building

FREEDOM CITY OF FULTON

EAST MARION Uniontown City Hall

E. MARION CITY OF UNIONTOWN

E. MARION TWP

WEST MARION Bronson Community Building

W. MARION CITY OF BRONSON

W. MARION TWP

MARMATON Redfield City Hall

MARMATON USD 235

MARMATON USD 234

MARMATON CITY OF REDFIELD

MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall

MILLCREEK USD 234

MILLCREEK USD 235

OSAGE Fulton Community Building

OSAGE

PAWNEE Redfield City Hall

PAWNEE USD 234

MARMATON USD 235

NORTH SCOTT Community Christian Church

N. SCOTT(1)

N. SCOTT

SOUTH SCOTT Grace Baptist Church

S. SCOTT

TIMBERHILL Mapleton Community Building

TIMBERHILL CITY OF MAPLETON

TIMBERHILL USD 234

TIMBERHILL USD 235

TIMBERHILL USD 346

WALNUT Uniontown City Hall

WALNUT USD 248

WALNUT USD 235

 

CANDIDATES THAT HAVE FILED FOR THE 2021 CITY/SCHOOL ELECTION, from information provided by the county:
Bronson City Council
Clearsia Botts, 912 Linn St, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-939-4557
Kayla Greenway, 904 Clay St., Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-0195
Kelly Perry, 611 Orange St., Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-4842
Bronson Mayor
Joshua Marlow, 212 S. Clay, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-363-2769
Fort Scott City Commission
Michael Hoyt, 1315 Beech Ave., Ft Scott, KS 66701, 602-405-5202
Josh Jones, 617 Fairway, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-3680
Ann Rawlins, 1017 E Wall St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 541-801-9179
Tim Van Hoecke, 802 S Hill Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 913-240-6348
Judy Warren, 1706 S. Eddy St., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 913-488-1889
Matthew Wells, 1201 South National Ave, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 417-684-1714
Willa Wilson, 304 Ivy, Ft Scott, KS 66701, 913-285-0496
Fulton Mayor
No Candidates Filed
Fulton City Council
No Candidates Filed
Mapleton City Council
Mike Blevins, 1251 N. Main St, Mapleton, KS 66754, 620-743-3070
Homer Wisdom, 507 N Bourbon, Mapleton, KS 66754, 913-795-7381
Mapleton Mayor
Ronald B Burton Jr, 127 E 6th, Mapleton, KS 66754, 620-768-9399
Redfield City Council
Michael Beerbower, 402 W 3rd Street, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4175
Kirby Martin, 403 W. 2nd, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4718
Redfield Mayor
Wilma K. Graham, 102 W 4th, Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4436
Clarence Ed Guss, 301 N Pine, Redfield, KS 66769, 417-339-1530
Uniontown City Council
Jess Ervin, 401 Clay St., Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-756-4825
Amber Kelly, 408 Fulton St., Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-228-0130
Kyle Knight, 606 Sherman, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-6053
Uniontown Mayor
Larry Jurgensen, 113 S. Hill, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-9810
Bill Marlow, 403 Sherman St, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-224-7209
USD 234 – Position #4
David Stewart, 772 190th, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-1179
USD 234 – Position #5
Garold (Gary) Billionis, 719 S National, Ft. Scott, KS 66701, 620-223-6733
Casey Bolden, 2015 E 1st, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-1961
USD 234 – Position #6
Brian L. Allen, 1809 Richards Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-6679
Tracy King, 2386 Jayhawk Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-412-8500
Joshua Query, 721 S Margrave St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-719-6828
USD 235 – Position #4
Brian Ray Stewart, 179 Soldier Rd, Bronson, KS 66716, 620-215-6394
USD 235 – Position #5
Mike Mason, 978 60th Street, Uniontown, KS 66779, 620-756-4561
USD 235 – Position #6
Tyler J. Martin, 1058 Hackberry Rd., Redfield, KS 66769, 620-547-2519
FSCC – Board of Trustees
John Bartelsmeyer, 22 ½ N Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-9547
James L. Fewins, 1200 Maple Rd., Redfield, KS 66769, 620-756-4749
Bryan Holt, 2095 Kansas Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-215-2832
Bill Meyer, 14 Golfview Drive, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-4299
Kevin D Wagner, 390 130th St., Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-547-2233
Southwind Extension District
Ethan A. Holly, 1606 Maple Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-228-7258
Gary Palmer, 1863 Eagle Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701, 620-224-1001

The General Election will be on November 2, 2021.

 

Election Candidate Forum Oct. 20

Memorial Hall at Third and National Avenue.
JOIN US THIS WEDNESDAY!
Wednesday, October 20th, 2021
Election Candidate Forum
USD-234 School Board
Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees
City of Fort Scott Commission
Community members are invited to an
Election Candidate Forum
hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The event will take place
Wednesday, October 20th
Memorial Hall Auditorium, 1 E. 3rd St.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet & greet with the candidates and the forum will begin at 6 p.m.
The following races/candidates have been invited to the forum:
~ USD-234 School Board, candidates include Position 4: David Stewart; Position 5: Garold Billionis, Casey Bolden, and Mike Miles (write-in); Position 6: Tracy King, Brian Allen, and Joshua Query.
~ Fort Scott City Commission, candidates include Michael Hoyt, Josh Jones, Ann Rawlins, Tim Van Hoecke, Judy Warren, Matthew Wells, and Willa Wilson.
~ FSCC Board of Trustees, candidates include John Bartelsmeyer, James Fewins, Bryan Holt, Bill Meyer, and Kevin Wagner
The general public is invited and encouraged to attend this Election Candidate Forum on Wednesday, October 20th.
Candidates should RSVP to the Chamber prior to the forum by e-mailing [email protected]
or by calling 620-223-3566

Kansas Expands Voter Registration

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Expanded Voter Registration Opportunities for Kansans

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that, through an agreement between a coalition of civil rights agencies and the State of Kansas, Kansans statewide will now have expanded opportunities to register to vote or update voter registration.

Under the agreement, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department for Children and Families will expand opportunities for voter registration, in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Statewide, the agencies have committed to providing additional resources to help people receiving public benefits who want to register to vote.

“Every lawfully eligible Kansans deserves an equal opportunity to cast his or her ballot in every election,” Governor Kelly said. “By sharing resources and expanding opportunities to get registered to vote, we will encourage more voices to be heard at the polls and more Kansans to exercise this important right.”

Governor Kelly’s office worked closely with Kansas voting rights advocacy non-profit Loud Light, who was represented by think tank Demos, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas, and the ACLU’s national Voting Rights Project.

“The most important takeaway is that we’re opening up opportunities to register to vote. Voter participation is always our biggest priority,” said Davis Hammet, Executive Director of Loud Light.

In November 2019 the parties met to discuss deficiencies in state agencies’ compliance under the NVRA. The NRVA, passed in 1993, set certain requirements for state agencies providing public assistance benefits regarding voter registration assistance. Although KDHE and KDCF may have been in compliance previously, previous administrations allowed the agencies to abandon the obligations under this law, according to the coalition.

The written agreements between the State and the advocacy groups successfully allowed the parties to avoid litigation. The agreements establish milestones to get the state back in compliance.

Requirements include:

  • Updating the agencies’ policies,
  • Incorporating voter registration information into benefits material,
  • And providing registration information and applications at agency offices and on the agencies’ websites and online application portals.

The effects of this agreement have already started, with KDCF and KDHE sending over 277,000 voter registrations through remedial mailings prior to the November 2020 general election.

“It’s unfortunate and, frankly, unacceptable that Kansas fell out of compliance previously, but we appreciate the current leadership’s cooperation to remedy our concerns and take concrete steps towards fulfilling their obligations to help Kansans register to vote,” says Sharon Brett, Legal Director for the ACLU of Kansas.

The agreement’s provisions will be in effect until June 30, 2025, although the state will still be expected to comply with NVRA regulations afterwards.

“This agreement to bring the state of Kansas back into compliance with the National Voter Registration Act is a win for the residents of Kansas, who will now have more access to voter registration and greater opportunity to vote and enjoy full participation in the democratic process,” said Brenda Wright, Interim Director of Legal Strategies at Demos. “We will continue to work with the state to maintain a seamless registration process for its residents.”

Chamber to host Election Candidate Forum

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces an Election Candidate Forum will be held on Wednesday, October 20th at Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St. in Fort Scott. The forum will feature candidates for the races of USD 234 School Board, Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees, and Fort Scott City Commission. Doors will open for a Meet & Greet with the candidates at 5:30 p.m. and the forum will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Residents of the community are encouraged to submit questions for the candidates to the Chamber by Monday, October 18th at 1:00 p.m. Questions may be emailed to [email protected], mailed to 231 E. Wall St., or dropped off in person. The forum will also be broadcast live on the Facebook page Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Candidates in these races are asked to RSVP to the Chamber by October 13th to confirm attendance.

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.

***

Constitutional Safeguard by Caryn Tyson

 

 

State Treasurer must be the constitutional safeguard when the governor refuses to follow rule of law.

Caryn Tyson, conservative candidate for State Treasurer announces she would not authorize payments demanded by the governor that do not comply with the rule of law.

“Whether it is federal funds or state funds, government funds come from the taxes paid by hard working Kansans. By breaking the rule of law, Governor Kelly is doing nothing short of forcing taxation without representation’” stated Tyson.

The following funds appear to have been spent in a manner that does not comply with state law:
1. During FY 2022, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment paid $4.0 million to the Boston Consulting Group in a no-bid contract for COVID-19 consulting services from the Immunization Grant Federal Fund. COVID-19 related spending from this fund has already exceeded the amount reviewed and approved by the Legislature by $1.5 million, only 6 weeks into the fiscal year. Spending amounts for COVID-19 from federal funds will substantially exceed the amount originally budgeted and specifically authorized by the Legislature. These expenditures must be recommended by the SPARK Executive Committee and approved by the SFC pursuant to 2021 Senate Bill No. 159
Section 63.
2. During FY 2021, subsequent to the 2021 Legislative Session, and in FY 2022, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has paid $3.7 million for Public Service Announcements related to COVID-19 from the Disaster Grants and Public Assistance Federal Fund of KDHE. (FY 2021 $1.3 million; FY 2022 $2.3 million) No expenditures were budgeted by the Legislature for FY 2022 from this fund and expenditures should not have occurred without prior approval by the SPARK Executive Committee and the SFC for any COVID-19 related expenditure. While the source of the funding was Federal Emergency Management Authority, the purpose of the funds was COVID-19 response and this program and any expenditures must be recommended by the SPARK Executive Committee and approved by the SFC pursuant to 2021 Senate Bill No. 159 Section 63 prior to implementation and funding.
3. Pursuant to ARPA, the US Department of the Treasury provided $167.4 million from the federal Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Office of Governor for payment to local non- entitlement units (NEUs) of government to address the economic and health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. (NEUs are generally defined as local governments serving populations less than 50,000.) This money was not budgeted and specifically authorized by the Legislature during the 2021 Session for FY 2022. On June 17, 2021, the Office of Recovery hosted a webinar providing NEUs with initial instructions to request funds from the Office of Governor, to be submitted by July 26, 2021. As of August 11, 2021, an amount of $82.7 million was expended in FY 2022 as payment to NEUs without a recommendation from the SPARK Executive Committee.

“As state treasurer, I would not allow the Governor or anyone to spend taxpayer’s money that go against the rule of law,” said Caryn Tyson.

 

Caryn Tyson Launches Campaign For State Treasurer

Caryn Tyson

(Topeka) – As a leading conservative, Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson officially launched her campaign for State Treasurer with supporters from across the state at Ravenwood Lodge, Topeka. Tyson, who currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, told the audience, as State Treasurer she will lead the fight to keep government accountable.

“As a legislator, I work diligently to represent you and my record proves it.  Kansas needs a State Treasurer that will fight for your liberties by providing transparency and a watchdog on state spending and investments; We need a State Treasurer that will put Kansas First – that is exactly what I am going to do. From defending our Constitution, including the First and Second Amendment Rights, I don’t just talk the talk, I have and will continue to walk the walk.  I am the conservative leader who can deliver results as Kansas State Treasurer.  You can count on me to work for you,” stated Tyson.

Tyson works diligently for smaller, smarter government and to stop wasteful spending. Even before her time in the legislator her attention for detail and ability to get the job done in the field of Information Technology earned her awards for achievement and teamwork, including for her work on space shuttle support for NASA.

Representative Highland, inductee to the United States Army Officer Candidate School, said in supporting Tyson for State Treasurer, “I’ve worked with Caryn for going on 10 years.  I both respect and trust Caryn.  She never gives up.  She’ll fight.  One thing I like about Caryn is she respects the people she serves and she works for them, not for herself.”

“Caryn is actually trying to fight for you and put more money in your pocket.  And she truly believes in less government and I do too.  She’s one of those kind of people who doesn’t care who gets the pat on the back, just as long as the truck gets loaded and you save money.  She knows how to fight and true a conservative that will fight for you.” State Representative Ken Corbet.

Caryn Tyson has math and computer science degrees from Kansas State and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from KU. Caryn Tyson has a long career as a manager and lead in high level Information Technology, including financial systems. She is currently serving as a citizen legislator being elected for a third term in the Kansas Senate, after serving a term in the Kansas House.

Caryn and her husband, Tim – both fifth generation Kansans – own and operate Tyson Ranch in Linn County, established in 1871.