Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Interim Guidance for Kansas Child Care Facilities

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Interim Guidance for Child Care Facilities Licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment(KDHE)April 3, 2020
This guidance is based on what is currently known about the spread and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The purpose of the guidance is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among child care facilities, families, and communities. KDHE will provide updated guidance as necessary based on the changing situation.
Please check the CDC website and the KDHE website(COVID-19 Resource Center) periodically for updated information and guidance for a variety of settings as well as public health and health care professionals.
Visit the KDHE Child Care Licensing website for more information about facilities and regulations.
KDHE’S POSITION ON CONTINUING OPERATIONS FOR CHILD CARE
At this time, KDHE supports continuity of operations for child care. KDHE will communicate updates should our recommendations change.
Child care facilities (family child care and center-based care) that are willing and able to continue to operate are providing an important service for parents who must continue to work, particularly those whose jobs are considered essential for the well-being of the community.
Licensed child care, with its emphasis on healthy and safe daily routines, provides a stabilizing and often familiar setting for children while parents are away at work.
Although child care has been identified as an essential business and may operate in all counties, child care licensees may independently decide to temporarily close based on their own situation.
Governor Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order effective March 28, 2020,(Executive Order/EO 20-16https://governor.kansas.gov/executive-order-no-20-16/) in response to the rapidly increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and to increase uniformity in requirements across the state.
The Kansas public health system supports state and local shared responsibility and decision making in response to a public health emergency.
Local health officers have the statutory authority(K.S.A. 65-119, K.S.A. 65-129b, K.S.A. 65-202) to make decisions independently from the state public health officer. Prior to the issuance of EO 20-16, several local health officers exercised this authority and issued local county stay-at-home orders.
However, pursuant to Section 5 of the EO, the order supersedes previously issued local/county orders through April 19, 2020, or until the statewide order is rescinded. Local officials retain the right to issue isolation and quarantine orders. Any local order extending beyond the effective date of the statewide order will go back into effect upon expiration of the statewide order.
KDHE encourages providers to remain in close communication with their local public health department as situations regarding COVID-19 are changing frequently. Local health officials are able to provide community level guidance and recommendations that support the efforts of child careproviders to maintain healthy and safe environments.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

•KDHE Child Care Licensing will not issue blanket exceptions to increase capacity or eliminate other health and safety requirements as part of the COVID-19 response. This includes issuing temporary licenses for an existing facility to operate in an alternate location. We await federal guidance on any waivers for requirements related to background checks and initial health and safety training.

•Existing child care facilities are required to continue to operate within the terms of their licenses and to comply with licensing laws and regulations.

•If a facility’s license is issued for a location that is closed (e.g. school, church, community center), the licensee cannot legally operate at an alternate location because the authorization to care for children only applies to location/address printed on the license

•In the absence of more restrictive guidance from either state or local health officials, new enrollment is permitted in accordance to the terms of the current license (ages of children, group sizes, total capacity, etc.). When enrolling new children, it is critical that health screening happens prior to entry and ongoing for all new and existing children.

NOTE: Screening and monitoring for signs and symptoms of illness have always been a part of maintaining a healthy and safe environment.

Screening should happen prior to entry and on an ongoing basis for all children and staff. Strong exclusion policies and increased sanitation is essential. These provisions are in place in order to prevent the spread of infectious disease.

•Consider prioritizing care to children of health care workers and first responders. If your facility has multiple classrooms/units consider creating a separate classrooms/units just for the children of health care workers and first responders. No additional screening or exclusion policies apply to health care workers’ children or to children living in counties with confirmed cases.•Let your local resource and referral know when you have vacancies and are able to care for children of health care workers and first responders.

•Facilities closing temporarily must submit a timely renewal application to ensure there is no gap in licensure and that the license remains in effect and valid.

•Specific licensing questions should be referred to your local licensing surveyor.For more information about local licensing contacts, visit our website at http://www.kdheks.gov/kidsnetand click on Local County Contacts (http://www.kdheks.gov/bcclr/download/county_contacts.pdf). Planning and Preparedness Recommendations for Licensed Child Care Facilities The most important thing that child care facilities can do now is to prepare for the possibility of community-level outbreaks.Licensees should take the followingsteps to help stop or slow the spread of respiratory diseases, including COVID-19:

•Stay informed and know where to go forthe most current information. Sources of accurate information include the CDC, KDHE,and your local county health department.

•Developor update emergency preparednessplans to address possible disruptions in learning and program operations. Your local licensing surveyor is available to provide technical assistance.

Determine how to deal with high absentee rates among children and staff.identify critical functions and positions and plan for alternative coverage in the event of staff absences or closure.identify methods to communicate with staff and parents in the event of closure

.•Review your policies for the exclusion of sick children and staff. Caring for Our Children, National Health and Safety Performance Standards (https://nrckids.org/CFOC) has information related to managing illnesses, including inclusion/exclusion guidelines. Established exclusion guidelines may need to be updated based on what is known about the symptoms and spread of COVID-19.oMake sure that parents of children in care and staff are aware and follow the policies.

Encourage parents to plan now in the event their child becomes sick. Sick children should not be taken to another child care program or another group setting, even temporarily.

oDevelop flexible sick leave policies that encourage staff to stay home when sick or when caring for sick family members.•Review children’s files and update health assessments and contact information.

•Develop a communication plan with parents and staff in the event of a COVID-19 case occurs in a staff or child.

•Make plans for the isolation and supervision of sick children until their parents can pick them up.

•Implement monitoring systems to track children and staff absences.oUnderstand the usual absenteeism patterns for your facility.oAlert your local health department about large increases in absenteeism due to respiratory illnesses.Recommendations for Preventingthe Introduction of COVID-19 INTO the FacilityPlease review the CDC’s Supplemental Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Openhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html.

•Plan ahead to ensure adequate supplies to support hand hygiene behaviors and routine cleaning of objects and surfaces. If you have difficulty obtaining thesesupplies contact your local licensing surveyor and/or your local resource and referral agency.

•Post signs outside the entrance restricting entry to anyone with symptoms of illness/respiratory infection.

•Limit outside visitors. NOTE: This does not include the local licensing surveyor or necessary maintenance/repair worker. For those individuals, keep a log including date/time, name, and contact information (phone or email).

•Set up hand hygiene stations at the entrance so that individuals can clean their hands before entering. Keep hand sanitizer out of children’s reach and supervise use.

•Limit parents/guardians to one per child during drop-off and pick-up. Ideally, this should be the same individual each day.

•Work with parents/guardians to stagger drop-off and pick-up times to avoid overcrowding of children and parents/guardians in a confined spaces. If possible,greet parents at the door or outside.

•Screen children and staff daily before admittance for signs and symptoms of illness. Ask questions, observe for signs of illness,and check for fever. When checking temperatures, to the extent that you are able,do the following:oPerform hand hygiene.oWear personal protective equipment (mask, eye protection, gown/coveralls and a single pair of disposable gloves).oBe sure to use a fresh pair of gloves for each individual and that the thermometer is thoroughly cleaned in between each check. If disposable or non-contact thermometers are used and the screener did not have physical contact with an individual, gloves donot need to be changed before each check. In non-contact thermometers are used, they should be cleaned routinely as recommended by the CDC for infection control.

•Individuals who have a fever or other signs of illness should not be admitted.

•Exclude individuals with history of COVID-19 exposure, including travel within the last 14 days in a state, county or country identified as a hot spot for COVID-19,and those showing signs of illness.oChildren who are sick, with the typical reasons kids get sick (vomiting, rash, diarrhea, pink eye etc.) should be excluded in accordance with yourpolicies.oCurrent information about when individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should stay home is available on the COVID-19 Resource Center http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/COVID-19_Isolation_and_Quarantine_Guidance_and_FAQ.pdfand on the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html.

•Ensure frequent handwashing (https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html) and cough etiquette(coughing and sneezing into elbow).

•Meticulously follow diaper changing procedures. •Care for children in small stable groups. Children should be kept in the same group with the same provider/staff every day. Ideally, this means groups of the same 10or fewer children/staff, if/when possible.

•Facilities enrolling more than one group/unit are advised to maintain separate rooms for each group/unit. Adults, children, and staff assigned should try to remain in their designated rooms/units(avoid co-mingling or sharing space), including during drop-off/pick-up, indoor/outdoor activities, and mealtimes.

•Avoid over-crowded conditions. Encourage children to spread out during story and circle times.

•Allow as much room as possible between cribs, cots, and sleep mats. At least six feet is recommended. Place cribs, cots, and sleep mats so that children rest “head to toe” rather than “face to face”.

•Get plenty of fresh air. Children of all ages should have an opportunity for daily outdoor play, weather permitting. Indoor rooms should be well ventilated. To promote air circulation, open windows whenever weather permits or when children are out of the area.

•It is important to comfort crying, sad and/or anxious young children and they often need to be held. To protect themselves providers should consider

oWearing an oversized, button-down, long-sleeved shirt. Keep long hair up off the collar in a ponytail.oWashing their hands, neck and anywhere touched by a child’s secretions.oChanging the child’s clothing if secretions are on the child’s clothing. The provider should then change their button-down shirt, if there are secretions on it, and wash their hands again.

oPlacing contaminated clothes a plastic bag until washing it ina washing machine. Providers, like children in care, should have multiple changes of clothing on hand.

•Intensify cleaning and disinfection routines. Caring for Our Children, National Health and Safety Performance Standards(https://nrckids.org/CFOC) has nationally recognized standards for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection.

Routinely clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, especially toys and games. This may also include cleaning objects/surfaces not ordinarily cleaned daily such as doorknobs, light switches, classroom sink handles, countertops, nap pads, desks, chairs, cubbies, and playground structures.

oUse the cleaners typically used at your facility. The CDC has detailed information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-building-facility.html. A list of EPA products is available at https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2b. When choosing products be sure to read the label and carefully follow directions

.oPay special attention to cleaning and sanitizing toys.

▪Toys that can’t be cleaned and sanitized should not be used.

▪Set aside toys children have placed in their mouths or otherwise contaminated with bodily fluids until they have been cleaned and sanitized.

▪Machine washable toys should be used by one child at a time or should not be used at all. These toys should be laundered before being used by another child.

•Stock sinks and restrooms with soap and paper towels.

•Place boxes of facial tissues and waste containers for used tissues throughout the child care area and in places readily accessible to children and staff.

Recommendations for Child Care Facilities in Communities with Laboratory-Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Infection

The guidance provided in this section is based on current knowledge of COVID-19. This guidance may be updated as additional information becomes available about the virus, how it spreads, and how severe it is.

If public health officials report that there are cases of COVID-19 in the community, child care facilities may need to take additional steps in response to prevent the spread in the facility. The first step is to talk to local public health officials. Determine if, when, and for how long child care facilities may need to be closed.

•Licensees should work in close collaboration and coordination with local public health officials and the local licensing surveyor to make closure decisions. Facility closures may be recommended for 14 days or longer. The nature of these actions (geographic scope, facility type, and duration) may change as a local outbreak situation evolves.immediately notify the local health department and your local licensing surveyor if someone who is infected (child, staff or resident of family child care home) has been in the facility. The local health department will help determine a course of action for the facility.

oFollowthe instructions of local public health officials to determine when children and staff who are well but are sharing a home with someone with a case of COVID-19, should return to the facility. oWork with local public health officials to communicate about a possible COVID-19 exposure. Communication to parents of children in care and to staff members should align with the facility’s emergency preparedness plan. When communicating information,it is critical to maintain the confidentiality of any ill child orstaff member.

•When child care facilities are temporarily closed, children and staff should stay home—away from gatherings, crowds,andother social settings.

•Identify strategies to support families in continuing their child’s learning in the event of facility closure.

•Understand that the length (duration), criteria, and public health objective of child care facility closures may be re-assessed and changed as the situation evolves. Licensees should follow the advice of KDHE and local public health officials. MoreInformationKDHE Resources

•COVID-19 Resource Center•Information Line1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) Monday –Friday 8 am to 5pmCDC Resources•Coronavirus Disease 2019 website

Government, Kansas

Lansing Has Five Positive COVID 19 Cases

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Modified Operations Implemented at
Lansing Correctional Facility Due to Additional COVID-19 Cases

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced today that a modified operational schedule has been implemented at the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) after a fourth staff member, and the first resident,  tested positive for COVID-19 virus. This schedule began with the 2 to 10 p.m. shift on Saturday April 4, 2020.

 

The staff member is a male over the age of 20 and the resident is a male over age 50. In order to protect the identity of each, no other information will be released.

 

As with the cases on March 31, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. Additional steps taken today include:

 

  • Reduced movement of residents so that they will remain in their units, but are not locked down in cells
  • Necessary movement to recreation or jobs will occur primarily in groups, or cohorts, from the same unit
  • Staffing has been modified due to increased absences

 

“The additional steps today illustrate our continued effort to follow all guidelines issued by public health officials,” Zmuda said. “We appreciate the continued support and guidance of KDHE and Governor Laura Kelly, as we conduct our work in these challenging times.”

 

The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867 during the presidency of Andrew Johnson and is the oldest and largest state correctional facility in Kansas. Serving only males, the facility capacity is 1,906 offenders.

 

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus

Government, Kansas

Governor signs bipartisan transportation plan into law

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Fulfilling promise to rebuild Kansas, signs two additional bills

 

Governor Laura Kelly today signed the bipartisan Senate Bill 173 creating the new 10-year Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program.

 

“This fiscally responsible program provides a visionary approach so that Kansas has the flexibility to address immediate needs and secure more opportunities for our future,” Kelly said. “Investing in Kansas’ infrastructure means putting people to work. It means fixing our roads and bridges. It means safer transportation for our most precious cargo — our children.

 

“I commend the bipartisan work of our legislators for the overwhelming support and approval of this legislation. Its swift passage is important to help the Kansas economy recover when this public health pandemic passes,” the Governor said.

 

Key elements of the program include:

 

o   Promises kept.  All remaining T-WORKS projects will be let to construction by July 1, 2023.

 

o   Highway preservation is prioritized. The legislation requires KDOT to establish metrics making sure highway preservation needs are fully funded before adding onto the highway system.

 

o   Rolling program ensures emerging needs can be met. Instead of a once-a-decade, 10-year set list of projects, new modernization and expansion projects will be selected for the development pipeline every two years.

 

o   Every region of the state will see modernization and expansion work sooner rather than later. The bill requires KDOT to develop minimum spending ranges for KDOT districts using a metric-driven process, and 40 percent of the minimum investments must occur within the first five years of the program.  T-WORKS projects must be delivered and are not included in the minimums.

 

o   Every Kansas county will receive at least $8 million in transportation improvements.

 

o   Broadband and new technology investments are included to facilitate internet expansion and prepare Kansas infrastructure for improved safety and communication.

 

“Sincere thanks to legislators and Governor Kelly for quickly approving this legislation,” KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz said. “We have a lot of work to do. Beyond identifying projects for the development pipeline to garner potential federal stimulus funds, we need to deliver projects faster and at the highest value for Kansas taxpayer dollars.”

 

Work began on this program in 2018 with the creation of the Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force.

 

“Including the Task Force and KDOT’s local consult discussions, 27 meetings were held across Kansas to gather input,” Sen. Carolyn McGinn, co-chair of the Task Force, said. “I want to thank the more than 2,000 Kansans whose input shaped a program that will create jobs, improve safety and protect our investments.”

 

KDOT is analyzing the bill, working on T-WORKS projects and will announce the addition of highway projects to the development pipeline soon.

 

In addition to Senate Bill 173, Kelly also signed House Bill 2595 and House Bill 2168 on Thursday.

 

HB 2595 removes the 30-day waiting period before offering surplus property for sale to the general public. Current law allows the Secretary of Administration, through the Kansas Surplus Property Program, to sell state surplus property to the general public only after the property has been offered to qualified individuals and entities for at least 30 days.

 

HB 2168 establishes a sunset date of July 1, 2030, for the Nursing Facility Quality Care Assessment and amends law concerning the hospital provider assessment known as the Healthcare Access Improvement Program (HCAIP).

 

Under the bill, the annual hospital provider assessment rate increases from 1.83 percent to 3 percent; taxable revenue expands to include outpatient net operating revenue; the hospital provider assessment is based on the net operating revenue for the hospital’s fiscal year three fiscal years prior to the assessment year; and distributions of hospital provider assessment revenues generated from health maintenance organizations are no longer include in the assessment law.

 

 

Government, Kansas

U.S. 69 pavement rehabilitation project to begin at Pittsburg next week

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) expects to begin a concrete pavement rehabilitation project at the intersection of U.S. 69 and 20th Street in Pittsburg the week of April 6, weather permitting.

 

U.S. 69 traffic will be maintained through the work zone. 20th Street will be closed to traffic at the intersection, with a posted detour on local streets.

 

KDOT awarded the $1.3 million construction contract to Koss Construction of Topeka. The project should be completed by late summer, weather permitting.

 

Drivers are reminded to slow down and proceed with caution through the work zone. Persons with questions may contact Bob Gudgen, (620) 308-7621, or Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.

 

Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly announces resumption of State of Kansas operations

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Governor Laura Kelly today announced that public access to state office buildings will remain closed until April 19, 2020. This restriction matches the stay-home order that Governor Kelly signed on March 28.

 

Following the two-week suspension of state government operations on March 23, state government operations and the delivery of services will resume on Monday, April 6. However, Governor Kelly made it clear that to reduce the risk of infection to state employees, all employees who are able will begin working remotely.

 

“Our public employees perform critical functions that the people of Kansas depend on,” Kelly said. “Their work must continue despite this ongoing crisis.

 

“This crisis has been unprecedented, but the state will deliver critical state services, even though the delivery of those services may look different than they have in the past.”

 

Public facing offices, such as the Division of Motor Vehicles or the Office of Vital Statistics, will remain closed to the public until April 19 to limit the number of individuals gathering in small spaces.

 

Government, Kansas

Senior Scholarship Giveaway Nets 1000 Entries

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State Treasurer Jake LaTurner receives 1000 entries in the first day of $50,000 Surprise a Senior Scholarships Giveaway

Topeka— Over 1000 nominations for the Surprise a Senior scholarship giveaway have flooded in following Wednesday morning’s announcement that Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner will be awarding 20 scholarships of $2500 each to Kansas high school seniors from across the state.

“We are thrilled at the response we are seeing as teachers, parents, grandparents, and friends have been filling our inboxes with nominations to surprise their favorite high school senior with one these scholarships,” said  Treasurer LaTurner. “It is heartwarming to know that even though the senior class of 2020 won’t be finishing up the school year the way they had hoped, there is no question that the people of Kansas care about their success after graduation.”

Contest entries will continue to be accepted through midnight April 30, 2020. The student must be nominated by someone who is 18 years or older. A student can receive multiple nominations; however, they will only be entered into the contest one time for the drawing.

Twenty scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded to high school seniors obtaining their diploma in the 2019-2020 school year. Five scholarships will be given out in each of the four Kansas congressional districts. The winner will be selected via random drawing and the $2500 will be deposited into a new or existing LearningQuest® 529 Education Savings account for the student to use for qualified educational expenses. Entry rules can be found on the Kansas State Treasurer’s website at www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/sas.html. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.

All completed entries will be considered and winners will be notified by May 6, 2020.

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Department of Commerce launches COVID jobs website

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Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce today launched a new jobs website, connecting job seekers with Kansas businesses hiring to fill urgent needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 jobs site, kansasworks.com/coronavirus, allows employers from essential industries to quickly and easily post critical positions that need to be filled to support activities related to helping individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. The site, which is available at no cost to employers or job seekers, will be updated continuously as businesses add new jobs to the system.

Job seekers can visit the site to find companies hiring for COVID-19-related positions and quickly access company hiring portals.

“While the COVID-19 crisis has led to many Kansans losing their jobs, it’s also driven demand and opportunity for some functions in critical industries such as food and grocery, shipping and logistics and healthcare,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The COVID-19 jobs website allows us to quickly connect individuals looking for work with companies that have urgent hiring needs, particularly those related to support needed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.”

To access the COVID jobs website, visit kansasworks.com/coronavirus.

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus. To access resources available to businesses, please visit kansascommerce.gov/covid-19-response.

 

Government, Kansas

April 1, 2020 Public Update COVID-19

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For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 4/1/20 at 10 a.m.

Total Positive Cases
482
Private Labs
361
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab (KHEL)
121
Deaths (included in above numbers)
KDHE does not release locations of deaths.

10
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases* (not counted in KS #s)
2

Total Negative Cases for Kansans
Note: Update on 3/29 should have read 4,194 negative
5,411

Positive Case Information
County Number

Atchison
1
Finney
1
Lyon
12
Reno
8
Barton
2
Franklin
7
McPherson
5
Riley
4
Bourbon
3
Gove
1
Mitchell
2
Saline
1
Butler
5
Harvey
2
Montgomery
6
Sedgwick
64
Chautauqua
1
Jackson
1
Morris
2
Shawnee
18
Cherokee
3
Jefferson
1
Neosho
1
Stafford
1
Clay
1
Johnson
143
Osage
3
Stevens
1
Coffey
16
Labette
1
Ottawa
1
Sumner
1
Crawford
5**
Leavenworth
25
Pottawatomie
2
Woodson
3
Doniphan
1
Linn
5
Pratt
1
Wyandotte
93
Douglas
31**
*Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents.
**1 case in Douglas and 2 cases in Crawford are presumptive positive at a reference lab, but were not confirmed through the KDHE lab, so are included in the county numbers, but not in the overall state total or demographics at this time.

Demographics
Gender

Female
242

Male
240

Age Range
Age range on patients is 0 to 95 years of age, with a median age of 55.

Hospitalized
114 hospitalizations to date reported*
* this is a cumulative number, based on 354 cases where information is available.

Government, Kansas

March total tax collections at $523.4 million; 1.6% below the estimate

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TOPEKA – The State of Kansas closed March with total tax collections at $523.4 million; 1.6% or $8.6 million below the estimate. That is 0.3% or $1.4 million more than March of Fiscal Year 2019.

 

Individual income tax collections were $247.3 million; $4.3 million more than the estimate and 7.1% more than last March. Corporate income tax collections were $18.4 million; $8.6 million below estimate and 24.5% below March FY 2019.

 

Retail sales tax collections were $179.4 million; $3.4 million more than the estimate. That’s an increase of $2.9 million compared to the same month last fiscal year. Compensating use tax collections were $34.7 million; 8.5% or $2.7 million more than the estimate and 8.7% more than last March.

 

“We expect the uncertain business and employment landscape to negatively affect withholding and estimated income taxes,” Secretary Mark Burghart said.

 

“As consumer spending patterns change, retail sales tax and compensating use tax collections could experience a major decline in the months to come.”

 

“While seeing a slight increase in total tax collection revenues compared to last fiscal year, we must continue to be cautious as we evaluate the financial impact of COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

 

“Later this month, we should see a clearer picture moving forward as the Consensus Revenue Estimating group evaluates fall projections.”

 

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on April 20.  The group will review the fall estimate and make any revisions it may consider necessary.

 

Government, Kansas

Surprise A Senior Scholarships For 20 Kansas High School Seniors

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State Treasurer Jake LaTurner to Give Away $50,000 in Scholarships to 20 High School Seniors

Topeka—In response to the disappointing loss for Kansas high school seniors of the concluding quarter of their senior year, Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner today announced the Surprise a Senior scholarship contest, which will award scholarships of $2,500 each to 20 lucky high school seniors.

“It’s impossible to look around and find many aspects of life that have not been altered by the disruptions from COVID-19. While we can’t bring back the end of their senior year for our Kansas high schoolers, we wanted to find a way to ease the disappointment a bit and surprise a few of our hard-working seniors with a little extra money to help them get going toward their educational goals after graduation,” said Treasurer LaTurner.

Twenty scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded to high school seniors obtaining their diploma in the 2019-2020 school year. Five scholarships will be given out in each of the four Kansas congressional districts. The winner will be selected via random drawing and the $2500 will be deposited into a new or existing LearningQuest® 529 Education Savings account for the student to use for qualified educational expenses. Entry rules can be found on the Kansas State Treasurer’s website at www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/sas.html. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.

Entries will be accepted online through midnight April 30, 2020. All completed entries will be considered and winners will be notified by May 6, 2020.