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Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

February 15, 2019

It may appear to be a slow week in the legislature:  However, as you know, things aren’t always what they appear.  The Senate and the House are doing a majority of the work in committees.  It is an important part of the process.  Committees study legislation.  Conferees testify in person or send written testimony on bills being considered.  The input can be critical because a committee will make a recommendation on a bill, often based on testimony.  The committee may take no action on the bill, or to vote a bill out of committee favorably or unfavorably.  After a bill passes out of committee, the majority leader decides if and when to bring a bill before the committee of the whole, all senators or all representatives of the respective chamber.  There are other paths a bill could take in the legislature but this is the most common.

KPERS: This week the House passed a bill out of committee unfavorably.  The bill would allow the Governor to re-amortization KPERS.  The House Majority Leader brought the bill to the committee of the whole, it was debated and failed the next day on final action 36 Yes and 87 No.  This action sent a clear message to the Governor, the House does not want to go into more debt for KPERS.  The week before the Senate passed a bill requiring the KPERS payment be made without delay.  Both chambers have sent strong messages.  Hopefully, each chamber will support the others actions so that Kansas will not take on more debt and will not delay the KPERS payment.

Hearing on Property Tax Relief: The Senate Tax Committee heard from several conferees regarding property tax or a homestead freeze, SB 91.  The bill would provide property tax relief for homeowners who are 65 years of age or older and do not have a mortgage on their home or for veterans who are at least 50% disabled.  The value of the property must be less than $350,000 and a combined household income less than $50,000 per year.  The bill would also allow renters to qualify for a homestead exemption.  It is an attempt at addressing property tax increases for some of our most vulnerable.  However, it does nothing to address seniors who are still paying on a mortgage or to address the high property tax increases the rest of Kansans are facing.  There will be other ideas to regarding property tax as there are many legislators with a desire to address the issue.

Kansas Senate denounces New York’s Reproductive Health Act:  Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1606 sends a clear message to New York State that Kansas denounces the recent legislation passed and celebrated by some of its legislators.  New York allows third-trimester abortions, removes an abortion penal code, and allows non-physicians to commit abortion.  The SCR passed the Senate on a vote of 27 to 13.  I voted Yes.  The SCR will now go to the House for debate, since it is a joint resolution.  If it passes the House, copies will be sent to the Governor of New York and each member of the New York State Senate and State Assembly.  Normally, it is not our concern how another state conducts business.  However, this is a matter of life and death.  Our founding fathers wrote of our natural rights including life and liberty.  It is the duty of government to protect the natural rights of people.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Caryn Tyson

Kansas Senate, District 12

785.296.6838

Government, Kansas

Acting Secretary Norman Testifies at KanCare Oversight Hearing

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Describes the system as sound but needing updates

 

 

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Acting Secretary Lee A. Norman, M.D. testified during Friday’s Bethel Oversight Committee hearing on Kansas’s Medicaid program, Kancare. He stated that while the program should continue with improvements in several areas, the program itself is on the right track and valuable for Kansans.

 

“I liken the base of KanCare to the chassis of an automobile,” said Acting Secretary Norman. “If the car does not have a strong, well-built chassis, then it doesn’t matter how great the tires are that you put on it. The solid chassis for KanCare involves an updated IT system as well as the personnel to handle the amount of cases that come in, among other things,” said Norman.

 

“During my tenure as chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Health System I had great deal of experience working on KanCare issues. I saw firsthand that it is a system that is beneficial to Kansans. Like any large endeavor it has had its growing pains, but we have seen great improvements and we will continue to hone those areas to make sure it is effective for all KanCare members.”

 

Areas discussed by Dr. Norman and KDHE staff at the hearing included the transition to a new managed care organization (MCO), Aetna, improvements to the eligibility system and financial updates for the program.

 

KDHE, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the three MCOs for KanCare all provided testimony to the Bethel oversight committee which meets quarterly.

Ascension Via Christi, Health Care

Ascension Via Christi’s Fort Scott Emergency Department will open Monday, Feb. 18

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Ascension Via Christi’s Fort Scott Emergency Department will open Monday, Feb. 18

Fort Scott ER door

FORT SCOTT, KS – Ascension Via Christi’s Emergency Department in Fort Scott will open its doors at 7 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18. In addition to the ED, Ascension Via Christi will provide diagnostic imaging and laboratory services at the Fort Scott campus.

“Our team has worked diligently over the past 60 days to get Fort Scott’s emergency department up and running as soon as possible,” said Randy Cason, President of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “We passed all of the regulatory inspections and certifications, and successfully completed our physician agreements and associate onboarding.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our Ascension Via Christi team for their hard work and we look forward to continuing our mission of caring for the residents of Southeast Kansas, including Fort Scott and the surrounding communities.”

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg announced on Feb. 1 that it would assume operations of the emergency department in response to Mercy Fort Scott’s October 2018 announcement that it would close the hospital. Diagnostic imaging and laboratory services can accept orders from any physicians or health care providers in the area. Call 620-232-0447 for scheduling.

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Meeting Agenda Feb. 19

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

FEBRUARY 19, 2019

6 p.m.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 5th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1232-A totaling $505,644.58.

VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen) –

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:00 p.m. Final Closeout Public Hearing – 124 E Wall – CDBG Grant – Approval for Mayor to sign closing documents

VII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration to solicit RFP’s for new life insurance benefit offering

VIII. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:

Ambulance Update: Dave Bruner or Paul Ballou

Health Care Update: Dave Martin

Finance Update: Rhonda Dunn

Legislative Update: Robert Uhler

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Obituary

Obituary of Robert Findley

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Robert William Findley, age 70, of Fort Scott, KS, passed away February 11th surrounded by his family.

The son of Eldon and Ula (Carr) Findley, Robert was born in Fort Scott, at Mercy Hospital, on January 10th, 1949. In his youth Robert helped his father on the family farm. While in school Robert was active in 4H & FFA. He graduated from Fort Scott High school in 1967. Robert married the love of his life, Linda S. Rhynerson on May 28th, 1970, in a private ceremony in Miami, OK. Robert & Linda started a family in 1975 with the birth of their daughter Brenda.  Robert was fortunate enough to make a career out of one of his favorite hobbies and Findley Body Repair was opened in 1975. It has been going strong ever since. Anyone who had the chance to visit the body shop could count on a friendly greeting from not only Robert but also his beloved weenie dogs. Robert took great pride in his business and worked right up until his accident on February 7th.

Robert began giving back to his community at young age. He enjoyed his membership in various philanthropic and civic organizations. Joining in 1977, he was a lifetime member of The Elks Lodge B.P.O.E 579. During his time with The Elks he served as a district deputy and a state Vice President. He truly enjoyed delivering Christmas baskets every year and spent several years as a hoop shoot coordinator. Robert was also a member of the Shriners Mounted Patrol. He was active in the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce for many years.

In his younger days Robert could be found racing cars at the Mo-Kan speedway, participating in demolition derby’s as well as tractor pulls. Later in life he traded in racing cars for watching NASCAR. Jimmy Johnson was his favorite driver. When he wasn’t watching NASCAR, he was enjoying reruns of The Rifleman & Gunsmoke. John Wayne was one of his favorites. Robert also enjoyed hunting & fishing. He would participate in fishing tournaments every year. For over a decade now Robert has found joy in taking trips to Cloud 9 ranch to ride his ATV alongside his friends. The muddier the better! 

Robert loved sightseeing and a good Diner. His love for life was contagious and those who knew him all agreed that he was always a happy man. His desire to make others laugh and to forever be the better prankster new few limits. As did his generosity towards others. Robert didn’t know a stranger & he was well known not only for his wit & zingy one liners but also for his kindness towards his fellow man.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Eldon & Ula Findley; his sisters, Rose Mary Findley, Doris Query, and Helen Hixon; and 2 brothers, John Findley and Floyd Findley. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Linda Findley; their daughter, Brenda Findley Tapp (Mountain Home, ID) and her husband David & his 3 grandchildren, who he adored, Lauren, Aubrey & Pierce; a brother, Donald Findley; and 2 sisters, Rita Findley & Janice (Rollin) Camp. Robert is also survived by countless nieces & nephews including a very special nephew, Von Jason Findley and his family; wife Tiffany & their 2 children, Tyler & Megan. 

There was cremation. A public Celebration of Life will be held at The Elks Lodge starting at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 23rd.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Care to Share, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. 

Business

Author of New Novel –OUR DUTY—to speak at Hedgehog.INK Feb. 21

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Gerri Hilger

Hedgehog INK will soon host a former Ft. Scott Middle School teacher as she shares her recently published historical fiction, OUR DUTY.

Gerri Wetta Hilger taught 7th & 8th English at FSMS in the last years it was the “castle” on National Avenue.

The main heroines of the book are Hilger’s mother Pauline Garrity Wetta and her best friend, Agnes Beat Pauly.

Though “mostly true” the book is considered fiction due to created scenes and dialogue to add to the flow of the novel which presents a different perspective of WW II.

Much of the setting of the beginning chapters takes place at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita where the young women are student nurses. Sedgwick County Kansas with farm families struggling on the home front, and workers at Boeing Aircraft manufactured unbelievable numbers of bombers for the war effort.

Hilger will speak about the characters and events of OUR DUTY and sign copies at Hedgehog Books INK, 16 S. Main in Ft. Scott on Feb. 21 at 6:00 PM.

        OUR DUTY opens with Polly and Aggie, as student nurses at St. Francis.  Because WW II is raging, nurses are at a shortage, so student nurses work many hours with patients in addition to attending classes and mastering the medical information.  Even as they struggle to graduate, the young women find time for plenty of shenanigans to entertain readers, lending a lighter tone than most WWII works.

After graduation Aggie joins the military where she qualifies as a flight nurse and becomes part of the Army Air Corp.  Through her letters, some of the difficulties faced by this under-recognized group of brave women, including their initial lack of respect by the military brass, are detailed. In addition to tending wounded, Aggie’s life is intertwined with airmen who faced unimaginable dangers in the skies over Europe that will change them forever.  Later she nursed the wounded on long flights over the Pacific to medical facilities in Hawaii and later on home to San Francisco.

While Aggie is in the military, Polly stayed behind to work many extra hours on the maternity floor at St. Francis Hospital which was still short staffed due to the War.  She entertains Aggie and boosts the morale of any who are privy to her letters describing romantic adventures and escapades. By the end of the historical novel, several seemingly unrelated military characters are brought together as they return home.

OUR DUTY has recently been awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Chanticleer Book Reviews. Comments include “In Our Duty, Hilger tackles the hefty topic of why some people enlist while others try their hardest to stay home. It should be noted that all of the characters’ reasons for avoiding war have everything to do with family responsibilities and less to do with worrying about whether or not one may die as a result of enlisting. . . Hilger has gifted us with a WWII historical fiction on the lighthearted side with an enjoyable sweet romance. “www.ChantiReviews.com

Signed copies will be available for purchase at the Hedgehog presentation. Hilger looks forward to seeing friends, and answering questions about the novel..More information on Facebook—Gerri Hilger Author or contact:  [email protected]

Book Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAC6tFNc5Q&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3RVpA3hfD5xuElj8olxrRF7SOOfOMtRDrOTxm6yXp0Qo8OgX4MwqcBanc

 

Health Care, Kansas

Governor Comments on Oswego Hospital Closing

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Governor Kelly’s statement on the Oswego Community Hospital closure

 

The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding the closure of Oswego Community Hospital:

 

“Once again, we see the consequences of failing to expand Medicaid. Another Kansas hospital, this time in Oswego, has closed its doors. Studies show about 30% of our state’s hospitals are considered financially vulnerable. In small communities across our state – these facilities are at serious risk of closure.

 

“Just by expanding KanCare – the state’s Medicaid program – we can help keep these important facilities open and provide affordable health care to 150,000 more Kansans – no matter where they live. It is time to put politics aside and do what is best for the families and communities of Kansas.

 

“I look forward to legislators following through on their pledge to move our agenda through the committee process and allow for a full floor debate on our Medicaid expansion proposal.”

Government, Kansas

Rebid Family Preservation Grants; Reopen Negotiations on Foster Care Grants

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Kansas Department for Children and Families to Rebid Family Preservation Grants; Reopen Negotiations on Foster Care Grants

Current contracts to be extended

 

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Department for Children and Families (DCF) will rebid the state’s family preservation grants and revise the grants awarded to foster care contractors during the previous administration.

“After careful review, it is clear there are flaws in both the family preservation and foster care grants awarded by the previous administration,” said Kelly. “Under the direction of Secretary Laura Howard, and in partnership with the Department of Administration, we will work to resolve the inconsistencies and shed more light on the process.”

Thursday morning, DCF sent letters to Eckerd Connects and Cornerstones of Care terminating the previously negotiated grants for family preservation services in Kansas. These contracts will be rebid. In addition, Saint Francis Ministries, KVC Kansas, TFI and Cornerstones of Care were notified of the state’s intent to reopen negotiations on the foster care grants announced in November.

“It is not our intent to completely restart the process on the foster care grants,” said Howard. “We want to continue to work with our valued partners to ensure the grants are structured in a way that provides more stability during the grant transition and additional clarity in the roles of both the grantees and DCF. To be clear, we look forward to working with our current contractors to solve these issues and believe that adding new partners will bring long-term stability and years of experience into the child welfare system in Kansas.”

To ensure a transparent process moving forward, DCF will issue a new request for proposal (RFP) for family preservation services through the Department of Administration. In addition, representatives from the Department of Administration will join DCF staff to assist in the foster care grant negotiations. This will ensure proper procedures are followed.

“As a senator, I served on the Child Welfare Task Force and I voiced my concerns regularly about the lack of transparency in the Department for Children and Families,” said Kelly. “Rest assured, fixing the problems in this agency, working with advocates and being open about the process is of critical importance to my administration.”

To allow time to complete the RFP process and additional negotiations, DCF is extending the current family preservation contracts by six months and foster care contracts by three months.