SPARK Taskforce Executive & Steering Committees Hold Joint Meeting on CARES Act Funding Distribution

Today, Governor Laura Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce held the first joint meeting between Executive and Steering Committees to create the framework for the distribution of up to $525 million for Kansans, businesses, and communities to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.

“Kansans have been through so much these past few months,” Governor Kelly said. “I’m proud of my administration’s efforts to work with our local and federal partners to ensure Kansas families and businesses get the resources they need to recover from the economic damage of COVID-19. We will swiftly disperse these funds, so Kansans can get back to work and to support community preparedness in the event cases begin to rise again.”

This will be the 2^nd distribution proposal for the $1,034,052,049 of federal funds Kansas received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Last week, the Executive Committee approved a proposal to distribute an initial round of $400 million in funding to local governments to help address the health and economic challenges inflicted by COVID-19.

“We need to leverage these dollars to benefit Kansans now and, in the future,” Cheryl Harrison-Lee, SPARK executive director, said. “To do that, we need to seek the best ideas from both the public and private sectors for how to make investments that will improve health and economic outcomes across our state. As a former city administrator, I’ve seen first-hand how partnerships with the public and private sectors can deliver projects expediently and generate lasting economic growth.”

The CARES Act requires these funds to be spent by December 30, 2020, which will require entities to work quickly to be eligible for funding.

Committee members spent the bulk of the meeting developing potential investment criteria focused around four sectors: health, infrastructure, education and economic development.

“I appreciate the thoughtfulness and ingenuity our committee members brought to our discussions about investment priorities,” Lyle Butler, SPARK executive committee chair, said. “I’m confident we’ll be able to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of Kansans to make strategic investments that not only accelerate our economic recovery but also generate new opportunities for growth.”

Governor Laura Kelly on June 8 signed the bipartisan COVID-19 response bill, House Bill 2016 into law.

“From day one, my administration has worked keeping Kansans healthy, and protecting the economic future of Kansas’ businesses and communities,” Governor Kelly said. “That means reaching across the aisle to get things done. This bill contains essential provisions that will allow us to continue to deliver critical health and economic services to communities and businesses throughout the state during this pandemic.”

The bill addresses the ongoing COVID-19 emergency and its effects, both economic and health-related. It provides the Legislature with the ability to more effectively engage in oversight while the Legislature is not in session while Governor Kelly retains the emergency authority to act as needed during the pandemic.

Though there are a number of COVID-19 response measures contained in the bill, the key provision extends the current emergency declaration through September 15, 2020, providing stability and certainty for the state’s ongoing emergency response efforts. Beyond September 15, the State Finance Council may extend the declaration by a vote of 6 legislative members.

The bill also contains the provisions of a number of executive orders that the Governor has issued during the pandemic, including allowing for expanded telemedicine, temporary licensure of out-of-state medical providers, electronic notarization of documents and certain liquor sales.

While the bill does provide some liability protection for medical providers and businesses, these elements are written very narrowly to apply to certain aspects of the COVID-19 response, and for most businesses the liability protection only applies when the business acts within the scope of public health requirements.

House Bill 2016 becomes effective upon publication in an emergency edition the Kansas Register to be published tomorrow.

Governor Laura Kelly Recommends Communities Move into Phase 3 of “Ad Astra” Plan

TOPEKA, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration, as well as officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend that most local communities consider moving into Phase 3 of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” Monday, June 8, as scheduled.

“I know that many Kansans are anxious to return to many of the summer activities they love, and I’m pleased that we continue to make progress that will allow them to do so safely,” Governor Kelly said.

“Because of Kansans’ hard work – and after careful consideration, Secretary Norman’s team at KDHE have found that COVID-19 disease spread and hospitalizations across Kansas have generally continued to trend downward – and testing capacity has increased,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Therefore, we feel comfortable recommending that most local communities consider moving into phase three.”

The new emergency disaster declaration issued by the Governor on May 26 transfers reopening decisions back to local officials, which means counties moving into Phase 3 of the plan is only a recommendation. However, the State continues to monitor health metrics daily, and remains committed to supporting local communities in a safe, gradual transition.

“Our recommendation to move into Phase 3 does not mean the threat of COVID-19 is over,” Governor Kelly said. “Please remember: this virus remains highly transmissible, it has a long incubation period, and cases are frequently asymptomatic. Please continue using proper safety precautions.”

Key Phase 3 highlights for communities:

• Mass gatherings of more than 45 individuals are not recommended;

• All education, activities, venues and establishments may operate and are recommended to follow all public health guidelines;

• On-site staffing has no recommended restrictions;

• Nonessential travel may resume, provided travelers follow KDHE travel and quarantine guidelines for travel to high-risk areas.

As always, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:

• Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;

• Remaining home when sick or running a fever;

• Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;

• Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;

“Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.