Governor Laura Kelly joined a bipartisan group of governors in sending a letter to President Donald Trump to express her willingness to continue allowing refugees into Kansas communities.
The correspondence came in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 13888, “On Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement.” The order directs the federal government to resettle refugees only in jurisdictions in which both the state and local governments have consented to receive them.
“Kansas has a long and proud history of welcoming the world’s refugees into our state,” Kelly said. “As Governor of Kansas, I not only consent to the initial refugee resettlement in Kansas as per the terms of the Executive Order, I also welcome them into our state.”
Kelly said that her administration is committed to working with President Trump’s administration to ensure that refugees are properly vetted and arrive in Kansas in a safe, orderly manner.
“Kansans are among the most welcoming, openhearted people in the nation,” Kelly said in the letter. “I know they’ll continue to accept these peaceful refugees into their communities, just as so many other states have done.”
Communities in Kansas already have, or are preparing to issue similar letters of support for refugees to be resettled locally.
A full copy of Governor Kelly’s letter to President Trump is attached.
Fort Scott Begins Infrastructure Revitalization Project
Working with global energy leader, Schneider Electric, improvements will help the city sustain growth and economic development.
Fort Scott is excited to announce a city-wide infrastructure project with Schneider Electric, that will drive economic development and enhance city buildings. Through this project, Schneider Electric has helped identify energy savings measures and growth within the city’s wastewater and water treatment facilities, buildings, parks and downtown redevelopment that will exceed $52,000 a year for the next 20 years. With a goal of anticipating and mitigating future needs, this strategic initiative also plans to reduce annual operating and maintenance costs by an additional $25,000 and create new revenue streams through improved city services and infrastructure. Over the next 20 years, The city of Fort Scott can expect at least $2.1 million in savings, which will completely offset the cost of the $1.5 million project.
By adopting new technology and replacing existing equipment, Fort Scott will be providing enhanced city services and upgraded facilities through an innovative design-build construction model. The impact of reinvesting energy and operational dollars back into capital needs of the city, provides an opportunity to leverage current capital dollars in other areas of need. Additionally, the targeted improvements in this initial phase will greatly improve the overall environments for city staff and visitors to the City of Fort Scott’s municipal facilities.
At Schneider, we believe access to energy and digital is a basic human right. We empower all to do more with less, ensuring Life Is On everywhere, for everyone, at every moment. We provide energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. We combine world-leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. We are committed to unleash the infinite possibilities of an open, global, innovative community that is passionate with our Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all who attended or participated in the 2019 Christmas Parade in Downtown Fort Scott Tuesday, December 3rd. The theme was “Christmas through the Years” and the parade was sponsored by Briggs of Fort Scott.
The Chamber would also like to announce the parade entry winners: 1st place winner, receiving a $75 prize, Medicalodges Fort Scott; 2nd place winner, receiving a $50 prize, Bethel Community Baptist Church; 3rd place winner, receiving a $25 prize, Parkway Church; best golf cart winning $25, Ascension Via Christi; and best band winning $25 was the Fort Scott Tiger band.
The contribution of many is what makes events like the Christmas parade successful. The Chamber is sincerely appreciative of all who volunteered, announced, judged, and otherwise had a part in the parade.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
Since taking over operations of the medical clinic from Mercy Hospital earlier this year, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has been working to add more doctors’ services.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.
Added Doctors
The following doctors have recently been added or added more days available in the Fort Scott clinic.
Dr. Alicia Pino, D. O. is a board-certified pediatrician and holds medical privileges from Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg.
Dr. Holly Gault, M.D. is a board-certified family physician with obstetrics and has medical privileges at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg.
“They aren’t really new,” Krista Postai, CEO and president of CHCSEK said of the two doctors. “Dr. Gault, a family physician, has been with us for more than three years in Pittsburg and lives near Arcadia so is actually closer to Ft. Scott. She has been seeing patients there one day a week and is increasing to two.”
“Dr. Pino joined us this summer; she is a board-certified pediatrician and is currently seeing patients one day a week in Fort Scott. She also sees newborns at Via Christi Ascension and patients in Pittsburg three days a week.”
“We thought it would be more convenient for those Bourbon County women delivering in Pittsburg to have both these doctors more available for follow up visits,” she said.
Dr. Grant Hartman, a Fort Scott Chiropractor officially joins CHCSEK this month and, beginning in January, will provide chiropractic services at their clinics in both Pittsburg and Fort Scott, Postai said.
Dr. Bashar Marji is the latest addition of specialists added, Postai said. Marji is a cardiology specialist who will come to Fort Scott one Friday each month.
The following are the specialists currently in Fort Scott, with their frequency:
Cardiology – Dr. Markham (HCA) – the first, third and fourth Thursday of each month;
Urology – Dr. Tawil – every Thursday;
Orthopedics – Greg King, APRN (Freeman) – every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday;
Surgery – Dr. Hall (Allen County Regional Hospital) – Thursday afternoons, Friday all-day of every week;
Cardiology – Renae Bateman, APRN (Mercy) – every Monday;
Cardiovascular Surgery – the combination of Dr. Meyer/Dr. Brown/Pam Darnell, APRN/Amanda Lumpkins, APRN/Paige Palmer, APRN (all Mercy) – First and Third Friday of every month;
Cardiology – Dr. Marji – one Friday each month
New Clinic Building In Process
CHC/SEK will be building a facility on Horton, just west of the former Mercy Hospital building.
The move to build a new clinic on the Horton Street side of the former Mercy Hospital in on-going, Postai said.
Currently, CHCSEK is finalizing the donation of land from Mercy Hospital, she said. Additionally, they are working on the design of the new building.
“We are looking at eight acres including the helipad,” Postai said. “We expect to have that done very shortly and are looking at a groundbreaking in the spring.”
Meeting for the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform produces recommendations
The fourth meeting of the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform concluded this afternoon. The bipartisan group is performing an in-depth study of the state’s current tax system, and today submitted an initial round of recommendations for consideration by the Kansas Legislature in the upcoming session.
“I want to thank the Council for its work in preparing thoughtful recommendations, and look forward to their continued study in 2020,” Governor Laura Kelly. “The proposals they shared today reflect my vision for a fiscally responsible, fair and sustainable tax structure that will keep the tax burden as low as possible for Kansas individuals and businesses.”
The Council recommended:
A food sales tax rebate. The Council recommended a new Food Sales Income Tax Credit that would be refundable, have income limits based on Federal Adjusted Gross Income and be limited to taxpayers who were Kansas residents for the entire tax year. If the food sales tax rebate is fully implemented, it is estimated that over 400,000 Kansans would receive a refund.
A return to implementation of the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTRF) as a way to help local governments keep their property taxes low. Previously funded by 3.63% of the state sales tax, the LAVTRF has not been funded since 2003. If fully funded again, local governments would once again have a strong tool to begin lowering local property taxes.
Implementation of a tax on out-of-state marketplace facilitators and digital products. While the Department of Revenue notice earlier this year requires out-of-state retailers to register and collect and remit use tax on sales made in the state, existing statute does not allow the state to make the same requirements of marketplace facilitators. A marketplace facilitator is a person who facilitates a sale through an internet or physical retailer. The proposal related to digital products would apply the state sales tax to all sales of digital products and subscription services, such as digital books and music.
Caution by the Governor and the Legislature: Given the devastation prior tax policy has had on Kansas, the Council recommended the Governor and the Legislature be very cautious with proposals that diminish revenue until Kansas has fully regained its fiscal health.
Property tax lid exemption for transportation: The Council recommended that an exemption be made to the existing property tax lid for the funding of local transportation projects. A significant portion of expenditures at the local level are for road and bridge repairs and the property tax lid has far too often been a hinderance to those needs. During the Department of Transportation’s local consult meetings across the state, a number of communities expressed the need for this exemption.
Affirming the need to bring back the 3-legged stool: Additionally, the Council recommended the state strive to bring balance back with a 3-legged stool approach to taxes — income, property and sales. During the past few months, the Council found evidence that the state’s current tax policy has an imbalanced tax structure with income taxes and property taxes being significantly out of balance.
Future items to consider: The Council also approved a list of items they are planning on studying and reviewing during the next calendar year. Those are: broadening the tax base, tax exemptions, review of progressivity v. regressivity within the current tax system, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Global Intangible Low-taxed Income (GILTI), decoupling and overall property tax relief.
Over the course of its study, the Council will make additional specific statutory recommendations to state lawmakers on tax reform in Kansas. A final report is due in December 2020, in advance of the 2021 legislative session.
For more on Governor Kelly’s executive order establishing the Council, its membership and presentation materials:
Kansas State Treasurer launches Christmas Cash website to encourage Unclaimed Property searches
Topeka—Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner today announced the beginning of their 2nd Annual Christmas Cash initiative with the launch of www.ChristmasCash.ks.gov. The website is a free search engine for Kansans to go online and find out if any of the $350-million in unclaimed property in the State treasury belongs to them. Last Christmas the website yielded over 40,000 searches and over $7-million dollars was returned to Kansans.
“We love putting this money back in people’s pockets, and what better time than Christmas for us to connect Kansans with a little extra cash,” said LaTurner. “Even if you’ve searched for yourself before and found nothing, search again. We get new property all the time, and would be thrilled to make the holidays a little brighter for you or someone you know.”
All searches on ChristmasCash.ks.gov are free and can be done for individuals and businesses. The State Treasurer’s office warns individuals to beware of anyone asking for a finder’s fee to return unclaimed property. Those types of solicitations are fraudulent and do not originate from the State Treasurer’s Office.
