Click below:
All posts by Submitted Story
Kansas Gov. Kelly’s First 100 Days
Governor Kelly’s first 100 days rebuilding Kansas
Outlines accomplishments, addresses the unfinished business of Medicaid Expansion
One hundred days into her tenure as the 48th Governor of Kansas, Laura Kelly is reflecting on her accomplishments, highlighting successes and addressing the unfinished business of passing Medicaid expansion.
“When I gave my inaugural address on January 14, I stood in front of three banners with the words: equality, education and opportunity,” Kelly said. “These are the principles that have guided my first 100 days in office. And they are the principles that will guide us as we work to invest in our future and grow our economy. ”
In addition to the accomplishments outlined below, Kelly followed through on her promise to appoint a highly-qualified, bipartisan cabinet of Kansas leaders focused on rebuilding state agencies decimated by previous administrations.
“I was elected to rebuild Kansas and we’re already making progress,” Kelly said. “My team has increased transparency and accountability in our government and restored responsible, commonsense leadership that addresses the priorities of Kansas families.”
Kelly has taken significant steps towards stabilizing the state’s budget and investing in key priorities, like schools and roads. However, one critical issue is left unfinished: Medicaid expansion. In her fifteenth consecutive Kansan to Kansan weekly video, shared on Facebook earlier today, she called on Senate leadership to stop blocking progress on Medicaid expansion.
“We’re halfway there – but that’s not good enough. When the legislature returns on May 1st, they need to vote on Medicaid expansion,” Kelly said. “Over 77 percent of Kansans want expansion to happen. The Senate President and Majority Leader need to stop playing games with taxpayers’ health care and get it done. Two of my biggest town halls were in their districts and the response was overwhelming and undeniably in favor of expansion. Kansans are counting on us.”
100 days rebuilding Kansas
Day 1:
On her first full day in office, Governor Kelly signed Executive Order 19-02, reinstating protections to state employees who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
Day 4:
Kelly submitted a balanced budget to the Kansas Legislature nearly three weeks ahead of schedule; a budget that paid down debt, invested in key priorities like schools, highways and Medicaid expansion, and provided the state with the largest ending balance in twenty years – all without a tax increase.
Day 15:
Kelly introduced a bipartisan plan to expand Medicaid on Kansas Day.
Day 32:
Kelly joined Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz in announcing plans to invest $160 million in Kansas’ transportation system, as part of the Governor’s FY 2020 budget. This included four new projects from the T-Works program.
Day 39:
Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers launched the Rural Healthcare Tour, as part of building the Office of Rural Prosperity. As of today, he has visited seventeen communities across Kansas: Emporia, Marysville, Garden City, Hutchinson, McPherson, Dodge City, Hays, Russell, Ottawa, El Dorado, Council Grove, Goodland, Abilene, Leavenworth, Junction City, Chanute and Pittsburg.
Day 42:
Kelly announced new transparency initiatives at the Department for Children and Families, designed to improve the agency’s efforts to locate children who are absent or have run away.
Day 53:
Kelly signs Senate Bill 9 which repaid $115 million debt to our state retirement system.
Day 82:
Kelly squarely established herself as the ‘education governor’ by signing a bipartisan school funding plan into law. The education plan, if approved by the Kansas Supreme Court, could bring an end to decades of legislative debates and legal challenges surrounding education funding. This followed the signing of Executive Order 19-03 in January, establishing the Governor’s Council on Education and the restoration of the previous administration’s cuts to the Children’s Initiatives Fund.
Day 85:
Kelly completed four town hall discussions during the 2019 legislative session. In total, over 15,000 Kansans attended these town halls in-person or online via Facebook live.
Day 99:
Kelly signed Executive Order 19-07, establishing the Kansas Complete Count Committee, in support of a statewide strategy that ensures every Kansan is counted in the upcoming census. The data collected in the census will inform how the federal government distributed much-needed funding for Kansas roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services and much more.
Day 100:
As of this day, Kelly has signed over 100 proclamations and her constituent services team has opened nearly 2,000 cases on behalf of hardworking Kansans. Of those opened cases, 1,800 have been closed.
###
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 24
Chamber Coffee at Peerless April 25
|
WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
|
|
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports April 22-23
Click below:
Older Worker, Disabilities/Discouraged, Ex Offenders Job Focus Groups April 24: Get $ To Attend
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020 Census is Important
Governor Kelly highlights importance of accurate 2020 Census
Creates Kansas Complete Count Committee, appoints co-chairs
This morning, through Executive Order 19-07, Governor Laura Kelly launched an initiative to make every Kansan count. She established the Kansas Complete Count Committee (CCC) to ensure that every Kansan is represented in the 2020 Census.
A CCC is a volunteer committee established by tribal, state and local governments and community leaders or organizations to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census.
“As Governor, I’m committed to ensuring the data we collect is as accurate as possible,” Kelly said. “The data collected in the Census informs how the federal government distributes funds to our state – through 55 different federal programs. And it’s these funds that help to pay for roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services and much more.”
Getting an accurate count in the Census is paramount. Census population totals determine the number of seats each state has in the United States House of Representatives. State totals are also used to redraw legislative and school districts.
For every person not counted in the Census, Kansas stands to lose $1,539 in federal funds per year for 10 years.
“The Census matters because it impacts everything from school lunches to libraries to wastewater systems,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “It’s vital to Kansas businesses and communities that we have a full and accurate count in 2020, and Commerce is honored to work hand in hand with the Committee and local partners to make sure that happens.”
Brian McClendon of Lawrence and Joyce Warshaw of Dodge City will serve as co-chairs of the Kansas Complete Count Committee. McClendon is a professor at the University of Kansas and the former Vice President of Google and Uber. Warshaw serves on the Board of Directors for the Kansas League of Municipalities and is a Dodge City Commissioner.
CCCs already are operating in Sedgwick, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties, with others being formed across Kansas. Additional members of the Kansas CCC will be announced at a later date.
“Next year, on April 1, I encourage Kansans to respond to the Census, and be sure to count everyone living in your household,” Kelly said. “That includes children and newborn babies. Everyone needs to be counted.”
For more information, go to kansascommerce.gov/census.
Minority/Women Business Workshop May 15
New Minority/Women Business Development Workshop Aims to Help Businesses Grow
Topeka, Kan. – The Minority and Women Business Development Office of the Kansas Department of Commerce will host a Workshop for Minority, Woman and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Programs on May 15. Those interested in DBE/MBE/WBE Certification will be able to hear more about the application process and potential benefits of certification at the workshop.
DBE/MBE/WBE Certification Workshop
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
10:00am – 12:00pm
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 100
Topeka, KS 66605
(Curtis State Office Building)
Attendance is FREE, but registration is REQUIRED. Space is limited so sign up early!
Click on the following link to register.
(Deadline is Friday, Monday May 10, 2019)
Ryan Brinker
Public Information Officer
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100
Topeka, KS 66612-1354
Phone: 785-296-4931
Cell: 785-276-9723
Charles Baker celebrates 40-year milestone at KDOT
Charles Baker has worked on the state highways in all kinds of adverse weather events, including tornadoes and snowstorms. He and his crew at the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Erie subarea shop have also dealt with heavy rains and major flooding – including a flood that destroyed the office, which was subsequently rebuilt – during Baker’s years with the agency.
Baker, who is supervisor at the Erie office, has achieved a career milestone and is celebrating 40 years of service to KDOT in May 2019. Beginning work as an equipment operator at Erie in May 1979, he was promoted to supervisor in 2006. The seven-member Erie shop performs operations such as fixing potholes, repairing signs and guardrail, mowing right-of-way, and blading shoulders on the state highway system in the area.
During winter months the removal of snow and ice from the highways is a high priority. “After a snowstorm there is the joy and gratitude you feel that no one got hurt,” said Baker. “We got the job done and there were no accidents.”
Baker lives in Hepler with his wife Janice. On April 28 the couple will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Christian Heights Country Store May 4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 23
American Legion Post 25 Reminder of Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
April 23. Bloodmobile will be at Buck Run Community Center from 1 – 7 pm. Blood donation is a national Legion program. Call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment.
April 24. Bloodmobile will be at Buck Run Community Center from 9 am – 1 pm. Blood donation is a national Legion program. Call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment.
April 27. Women’s Self-Defense class from 10 am – 12 pm at Fort Scott Middle School. Signup online at takedefense.org or by calling 620-223-1440. Ages 12 – 90. No males allowed.
April 27 – April 28. Fort Scott Civil War Encampment. Starts at 9 am both days.
April 27. American Legion Baseball Information Session for players ages 16 to 19. Players must be a student or recent graduate of Fort Scott High School or Uniontown High School. Starts at 10 am. Fort Scott Memorial Hall (Corner of National Ave. and 3rd Street) 1 E 3rd St, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County students who meet the age requirements but attend a private school or are homeschooled may be eligible to play.
Email Post 25 Baseball Chair Earl Adams at [email protected] with any questions or for more information.
DATE CHANGE.
May 2. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 rechartering has been changed to May 2, 2019 at 7 pm. This milestone event will take place in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.
Any female who has an ancestor who served in the United States military is eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Additionally, female family members of Veterans and active duty military may also be eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Email [email protected] for more details on joining the Auxiliary.
Volunteers Needed
Ralph Carlson is seeking volunteers to help with minor home repairs for low income area residents. Volunteers with carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. All projects are short term and can be accomplished based upon the volunteer’s availability. Some of Ralph’s most recent projects were wheelchair ramps for two disabled Veterans and repairing a kitchen floor for a senior citizen. Call Ralph at 620-644-8162 to volunteer or more for information about his program.
The Fort Scott Cancer Treatment Center relocated to Chanute. Drivers are needed to take Fort Scott patients to Chanute for chemotherapy. Drivers will use their own vehicle and there is a small stipend for gas, if requested. A driver will take the chemo patient to their appointment in Chanute and wait for treatment to be completed and bring the patient back to Fort Scott. The driver may have only a half hour wait for the patient or two – three hours. Call Donna Bauer at 620-224-7075 for more information or to volunteer.
You do not have to be a Veteran to step up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Just someone who will step up and offer a helping hand to our neighbors.