The Airport Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at the City Commission meeting room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public.
Monthly Archives: February 2019
Governor Kelly: Focus on Ending Finance Litigation
Governor calls on legislature to exercise fiscal restraint, focus on ending school finance litigation
On a day when the Kansas Senate is debating a tax cut bill reminiscent of the Brownback tax experiment, Governor Laura Kelly encouraged the legislature to remember the priorities of working families and focus on funding education and ending the school finance litigation once and for all.
“I was elected to rebuild this state, and I take that responsibility very seriously,” said Kelly. “It is time to put the priorities of Kansas families first and fund our schools. With a Supreme Court deadline fast approaching, the legislature should be focusing on education, not another irresponsible tax plan.”
Since the session began, the governor has introduced a bill to address the Kansas Supreme Court ruling and fix inflation in the school funding formula. Kelly also proposed a structurally balanced budget that begins to repair the mismanagement of state agencies and the severe damage done to the state’s finances by the failed tax experiment.
“In the last month, my administration has offered clear direction and priorities for the future of Kansas,” said Kelly. “We are listening to the people of Kansas and focusing on the priorities critical to improving the lives of Kansas families and children. I encourage the legislature to do the same.”
Trimbur Updates Iron Star
New flooring and a new ceiling exposing the original tin tiles of the building await those who enter the Iron Star Antiques and Such, 3 N. Main.
A recent renovation makes the shop appear more spacious.
“It looks huge now,” said ownerBarbara Trimbur. “We took out the acoustical ceiling, a dropped ceiling with fluorescent lights. (And)The flooring was coming apart.”
“I’ ve taken out two partitions, I’m using doors now for walls,” she said.” “It’s opened it up more.”
Ron Query was the contractor for the update.
Trimbur waited until the update was finished, last Friday, and is in the process of filling it back up again.
“I’ve just been to market in Dallas,” she said. “Mostly spring stuff and ordered Christmas things for the following Christmas.”
Most of the furnishings in the shop are repurposed, or renovated, she said.
She purchased the business 14 years ago from Yvonne Beck, and eight years ago purchased the building with the two storefronts from Steve McGinnis.
Trimbur has five merchandise consignees, with three of them: Yvonne, Karen and Kathy, working with her in the store.
“The three of them work to offset their rent and commission,” she said.
The store is open seven days a week, barring heavy snow or icy weather events. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
LaTurner Seeks to Recover U.S. Savings Bonds
State Treasurer Jake LaTurner Continues Fight in Washington, D.C. to Recover United States Savings Bonds
Washington, D.C. — Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and attorneys representing his office will appear before the U.S. Court of Federal Appeals located at 717 Madison Place NW in Washington, D.C. at 10:00 a.m. (EST) Thursday, February 7th to continue his fight to recover the proceeds of lost, abandoned, unclaimed, and/or stolen United States Savings Bonds for Kansas citizens.
“The men and women of the Greatest Generation purchased these bonds during a time when people put trust in their government’s pursuit of the greater good. Their sacrifices helped finance the war against Hitler, build the interstate highway system, and put a man on the moon,” said LaTurner. “Now it is time for that same government to honor its commitments and repay its debt to those who built it.”
The Court of Federal Claims, in a strongly worded opinion, ruled on August 8, 2017 that Kansas was entitled to the information from the United States Treasury on the bonds sold in Kansas. This information would give the State Treasurer’s Office the tools they need for researching the rightful owners of these bonds and connecting them with their unclaimed money. The United States Treasury has appealed that ruling. The ruling was a first of its kind with respect to U.S. savings bonds and a positive first step in the fight to return the bonds proceeds to Kansas and other states as well.
It is estimated that there are $26-billion in matured but unclaimed bonds nation-wide with more than $200-million belonging to Kansans. In many cases, bonds remain unclaimed because the rightful owners or heirs are unaware they exist. J. Brett Milbourn, lead attorney on the Kansas State Treasurer’s appeal of this case believes the best vehicle for returning this money exists at the state, rather than the federal level.
“State Treasurers around the country already have a number of resources at their disposal to reunite citizens with their missing or unclaimed property,” said Milbourn. “Although the U.S. Department of the Treasury has a responsibility to notify and pay these mature bonds, the government has no plan – nor any real incentive — for keeping the promises it made when these patriots loaned it the money.”
In addition to Kansas, South Dakota, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Indiana, Arkansas and Florida have cases pending in the Court of Federal Claims seeking the same relief. A total of 20 states have followed Kansas’ lead and passed laws to allow the Unclaimed Property Administrator of the state to seek recovery of lost, stolen, or abandoned bonds.
On September 7, 2018, 20 senators, including Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging him to work with Kansas and other states to resolve their claims and help the states reunite original bond owners with their proceeds of unclaimed U.S. Savings Bonds.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 6
This Week In the Kansas Legislature
From Senator Richard Hilderbrand’s weekly newsletter, here is what is happening in the Kansas Legislature:
Monday –
- Presentation on: Concurrent Enrollment: Kansas Department of Education, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees – [Senate Education Committee; February 4 at 1:30 pm]
Tuesday –
- Hearing on: SB 27, removing a restriction, for purposes of employment security law, on leasing of certain employees by client lessees of lessor employing units – [Senate Commerce Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
- Hearing on SB 40, removing expired warning provision for approach of an emergency vehicle traffic violation – [Senate Transportation Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
- Hearing on SB 41, clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring seat belt use is a traffic infraction – [Senate Transportation Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
- Presentation by: Roger Werholtz, Kansas Department of Corrections – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 5 at 10:30 am]
Wednesday –
- Hearing on: SB 15, amending the definition of “service-connected” in the Kansas police and firemen’s retirement system – [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee; February 6 at 9:30 am]
- Hearing on: SB 45, enhancing penalties for offenses causing death or serious bodily injury to public sector employees – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 6 at 10:30 am]
- Hearing on: SB 44, appropriations for the department of education for FY 2019, 2020, and 2021; increasing BASE aid for certain school years; continuing 20 mill statewide levy for schools and exempting certain portion of property used for residential purposes from such levy – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance; February 6 at 1:30 pm]
Thursday –
- Briefing on: Property taxes by the Kansas Department of Revenue – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 7 at 9:30 am]
- Hearing on: SB 16, authorizing school districts to expand at-risk education funds on evidence-based learning programs – [Senate Education Committee; February 7 at 1:30 pm]
Student Internships Available At The Fort
Summer Student Intern Positions Available at Fort Scott National Historic Site
Fort Scott KS – Fort Scott National Historic Site begins recruiting for a GS-05 Park Ranger (Student Trainee) temporary position Friday, February 8 for the summer of 2019 as part of the National Park Service’s Pathways Program. Additional positions will be announced later this spring.
Student Trainee (Laborer) interns will perform tasks to assist the Division of Maintenance with cyclic preservation projects to maintain the exterior of historic structures. The interns may also assist with special events and a variety of routine maintenance and resource management projects.
In order to be eligible for an appointment under the NPS Pathways Internship Program you must be a current student who has been accepted for enrollment or is enrolled at least half-time in an accredited high school, college, professional, technical, vocational, or trade school pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate. To maintain eligibility for internships individuals must remain enrolled in a degree or certificate program throughout their appointment. Additional information on the Pathways Internship Program can be found at: www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students
A WG-03 Student Trainee (Laborer) earns an hourly pay rate, generally works a full-time/40-hour week, M-F. Holiday, evening, and weekend work may be required. A valid state driver’s license is required.
Persons selected to these positions are expected to start on May 28, 2019 and end in August. To apply, follow the instructions in the application announcement at: www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/523456800. The advertisement closes after the first 50 applications or on February 15, 2019 (whichever occurs first).
For more information about the park in general, contact Fort Scott NHS at (620) 223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Senator Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter
State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district
communications from the state capitol
February 1, 2019∙ Week One
HARD FACTS:
- Senate Bill 9 would credit $115 million to the public school unit within KPERS, which has an unfunded liability of more than $6 billion and retains the system’s lowest actuarial funded ratio at 61.6% (Topeka Capital-Journal).
- Kansas Sales Tax 8th Highest in Nation. Kansas has the eighth highest state and local average sales tax rate, per a new study from the Tax Foundation. It revealed that Kansans pay an average of 8.67 percent in sales taxes on retail purchases within the state.
- The 1859 Kansas Constitution Makes No Mention of Abortion. A case currently before the Kansas Supreme Court is worrying many pro-life Kansans, because a lower court ruled that there is an independent right to abortion in the Kansas Constitution, which was crafted in 1859. In examining the historic document, we can find no mention of that right. In fact, Article 1 of the Kansas Bill of Rights says, “1. Equal rights. All men are possessed of equal an inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Early Learning Resources from the State Library
BookFlix is an online resource from the State Library of Kansas for children in grades PreK-3 that pairs video storybooks with related nonfiction e-books. Imagine Curious George paired with a nonfiction book about monkeys. The read-along storybook highlights each word as it is read. This option can be turned off. Related games reinforce early learning reading skills. BookFlix requires Flash.
Britannica E-Stax (PreK-6) features nonfiction books that can be read online or downloaded to any Internet enabled device.
Both are available at no charge through the State Library’s web site http://kslib.info/storytime . If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step. Adobe Flash is needed to view the animation and hear the narration. Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
STOP THE TAX INCREASE BILL
The Senate Select Committee on Federal Tax Code Implementation approved Senate Bill 22 on Thursday with a party-line vote of 7-2. The bill which would allow Kansans to deduct interest on their mortgage, property taxes, and health care expenses, was created in response to President Trump’s historical tax cuts of 2017.
The bill is expected to deliver millions from the unexpected tax windfall back to individuals and businesses in Kansas. Numerous proponents of the legislation stressed the point that inaction or failure to pass the bill, would result in a tax increase for Kansans with the possibility of Kansas-based companies leaving the state to find more affordable options. The windfall directly linked to the Trump tax cuts belongs to Kansas taxpayers, not government and Senate Bill 22 would allow Kansans to fully benefit from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
The Kansas Senate is expected to debate SB 22 next week.
KANSAS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
This week, the Senate recognized the 2019 Kansas Teacher of the Year, Whitney Morgan of Wyandotte High School. The Kansas Teacher of the Year is nominated to represent Kansas in the National Teacher of the Year program.
Whitney was joined by seven other teachers who were winners of the regional competition administered by the Kansas Department of Education.
Kansas Teacher of The Year:
- Whitney Morgan, Kansas City USD 500
Regional Finalists:
- Jennifer S. Brown, Geary County USD 475
- Megan Clark, De Soto USD 232
- Signe A. Cook, Great Bend USD 428
- Nicole L. Corn, Lawrence USD 497
- Lan T. Huynh, Wichita USD 259
- Sharon L. Kuchinski, Leavenworth USD 453
- Tim “T.J.” Warsnak, Halstead-Bentley USD 440
NEXT WEEK
Monday –
- Presentation on: Concurrent Enrollment: Kansas Department of Education, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees – [Senate Education Committee; February 4 at 1:30 pm]
Tuesday –
- Hearing on: SB 27, removing a restriction, for purposes of employment security law, on leasing of certain employees by client lessees of lessor employing units – [Senate Commerce Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
- Hearing on SB 40, removing expired warning provision for approach of an emergency vehicle traffic violation – [Senate Transportation Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
- Hearing on SB 41, clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring seat belt use is a traffic infraction – [Senate Transportation Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
- Presentation by: Roger Werholtz, Kansas Department of Corrections – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 5 at 10:30 am]
Wednesday –
- Hearing on: SB 15, amending the definition of “service-connected” in the Kansas police and firemen’s retirement system – [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee; February 6 at 9:30 am]
- Hearing on: SB 45, enhancing penalties for offenses causing death or serious bodily injury to public sector employees – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 6 at 10:30 am]
- Hearing on: SB 44, appropriations for the department of education for FY 2019, 2020, and 2021; increasing BASE aid for certain school years; continuing 20 mill statewide levy for schools and exempting certain portion of property used for residential purposes from such levy – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance; February 6 at 1:30 pm]
Thursday –
- Briefing on: Property taxes by the Kansas Department of Revenue – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 7 at 9:30 am]
- Hearing on: SB 16, authorizing school districts to expand at-risk education funds on evidence-based learning programs – [Senate Education Committee; February 7 at 1:30 pm]
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Entries Requested for Art is Ageless Exhibits
CONTACT: Becky Kellum, Sales and Marketing Director, 620-223-5550
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s Art is Ageless®
call for entries underway
FORT SCOTT KAN. – Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held March 25- April 10, 2019. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2018 Art is Ageless calendar.
Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2014). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Village by March 25, 2019.
The Art is Ageless® Program encourages Presbyterian Village residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.
Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the systemwide level.
Entry forms and information can be picked up at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 South Horton, Fort Scott, or by contacting Becky Kellum at 620-223-5550 or [email protected]. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.
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KCC approves settlement agreement in Kansas Gas Service rate case
Topeka- This morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) approved a partial unanimous settlement agreement negotiated between KCC staff, the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB), Kansas Gas Service (KGS) and other intervenors pertaining to the utility’s application to increase rates.
Under the settlement agreement, residential customers will see an increase of $2.40 per month (4.23 percent) on average. That includes an increase in the customer charge from $16.70 to $18.70 per month. The new rates take effect February 6, 2019. The company’s original proposal called for a monthly residential increase of $5.67 or 10 percent. In its application, KGS requested to increase base rates by $45.6 million. The settlement approved today will result in an annual increase of $21.5 million.
One issue yet to be decided is whether KGS will be allowed to keep the tax savings it has accrued since the Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act took effect. In December 2017, the KCC issued an order requiring investor owned utilities to accrue those savings in an interest bearing regulatory account allowing time to study the economic impacts of the new lower tax rates and where appropriate, pass cost savings on to consumers. KGS asked to retain the accrued savings of $17.9 million to offset its cost of service. Both KCC staff and CURB voiced opposition to the request at an evidentiary hearing in December. The Commission will issue a decision on the tax savings issue on or before February 25.
Today’s order can be viewed on the Commission’s website at: http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=296a4df7-658b-4d87-b9a6-fde3a18331ff
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 5
Obituary of Connie Golden
Connie Golden, age 62, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019, at her home. She was born September 9, 1952, in Cuba, Missouri. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She enjoyed playing the guitar and drawing.
Survivors include two sons, James Golden Jr. and wife, Virginia and Daniel Golden and wife, Joyce, all of Ft. Scott; and thirteen grandchildren. Also surviving are several brothers and sisters in Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents and two grandchildren Kelsey and Christian Golden.
Following cremation, Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct a memorial service at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, February 13th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place at a later date in the Large Cemetery south of Ft. Scott. Memorials are suggested to the Connie Golden Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.