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All posts by Submitted Story
Governor Kelly Announces Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
~~Budget Is Balanced, Responsibly Cuts Taxes, Fully Funds Schools~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced her annual budget, outlining her common-sense, fiscally responsible plan to provide tax relief for Kansans, fully fund schools for the fifth year in a row, and make one-time investments that will pay off debts and expand healthcare.
“My budget reflects my plan to responsibly cut taxes, continue growing our economy, fully fund education, and strengthen our infrastructure and workforce,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We’re building a better Kansas for working families and retirees — all while maintaining a balanced budget.”
The budget:
- Provides responsible tax relief: Governor Kelly’s “Axing Your Taxes” plan will save Kansans more than $500 million in tax cuts over the next three years. The plan includes a proposal to completely axe the state sales tax on groceries, diapers, and feminine hygiene products by April 1, 2023. The second proposal adds a four-day back-to-school sales tax holiday, and the third increases the exemption on Social Security income tax to provide tax relief for retirees.
“Let’s pass tax cuts that we can afford and help working families and seniors – while allowing us to continue the progress we’ve made on education,” said Governor Kelly.
- Fully funds schools for the fifth year in a row: The Governor’s budget fully funds K-12 schools for the fifth consecutive year and puts Kansas on the path to fully fund special education. The budget also invests nearly $110 million in higher education, allowing schools to continue the recent trend of low-to-no tuition increases and expand financial aid.
“The special education funding gap impacts every student because schools end up diverting funds away from other areas to provide these services,” said Governor Kelly. “I fully recognize that Congress hasn’t done its part to deliver the federal funding it promised for special education services, and I’ll continue to work with our congressional delegation to push the federal government to hold up it is end of the bargain. But in the meantime, Kansas families need solutions.”
- Prepares Kansas for the future: The Governor’s budget adds $500 million to the Rainy Day Fund, putting the balance at $1.5 billion. When Governor Kelly first came into office, the Rainy Day Fund was empty. Now Kansas is in a much better position to weather future storms.
- Invests in stronger infrastructure: The Governor’s Budget keeps the ‘Bank of KDOT’ closed for the second year in a row and adds $220 million to the state’s “Infrastructure Leveraging Fund” so that local communities can have the state and local matching funds they need to access federal funding for transportation, broadband, and water infrastructure upgrades.
- Saves taxpayers money by paying off debt: By paying off the remaining $53 million for reservoir debts at Milford and Perry Lakes, Governor Kelly’s budget will save taxpayers nearly $30 million in future interest payments. The budget also pays in cash for the state’s share of the proposed new veterans home in Topeka – saving close to $10 million in interest.
- Invests in Kansas workers: The Governor’s budget ramps up funding for the recently formed Office of Registered Apprenticeship and invests in a college internship program to encourage the next generation of Kansans to stay in the state post-graduation.
“As Kansas aims to continue shattering economic records, there’s one thing in our way: There aren’t enough skilled workers for all the jobs we’re creating. Our labor shortages are driving up prices and stunting our economic growth,” said Governor Kelly. “These investments will help create a strong pipeline of talent that has abundant educational and economic opportunities right here at home.”
- Continues to repair Kansas’ foster care system: The Governor’s budget invests over $5 million to increase placement rates for foster homes and support foster kids transitioning to adulthood.
- Expands mental and physical healthcare and saves Kansas hospitals: The Governor’s budget directs over $12 million to the current KanCare program to eliminate disparities in service for KanCare program recipients, enhances the ability to secure providers, and expands network capacity. The budget also shows why Kansas must expand Medicaid. Kansas will receive an estimated $370-$450 million in additional federal funding over the next two years when we expand Medicaid – which would cover the state’s share of expansion for eight years.
“By far, the most impactful thing we could do to improve Kansans’ health, keep our healthcare workers, and save rural hospitals is expand Medicaid and draw down billions of dollars – our own tax dollars – waiting for us in Washington, D.C.,” said Governor Kelly.
- Increases state employee pay by 5%: The Governor’s budget works to recruit and retain state workers by increasing pay and maintaining the Career Progression Plan for Kansas Highway Patrol officers that was provided in last year’s budget.
- Makes investments in housing and childcare: The Governor’s budget invests in early childhood education and care, giving local communities the ability to implement solutions tailored to their needs. It also provides $20 million to the Housing Revolving Loan Program to help expand housing stock across the state, especially in rural Kansas.
- Invests in IT infrastructure and cybersecurity: The Governor’s budget works to modernize and protect IT systems across state government and provide additional IT support and cybersecurity measures at state agencies.
View the Governor’s full budget recommendations here.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Starts Today
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 12
Obituary of Anna Mae Smith
Anna Mae Smith, age 92, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott. She was born May 15, 1930, in Hiattville, KS, the daughter of Albert and Sarah Hixon Powell. She graduated from Hepler, KS High School. She married Neil Smith on April 1, 1951, in Eureka Springs, AR. He preceded her in death in 1992. Anna worked for Key Industries for over 25 years until her retirement. She enjoyed quilting, reading, traveling, collecting magazines and books, bird watching and attending auctions. She took care of her family, making sure all needs were met. She especially loved weekends spoiling the grandchildren. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Survivors include a sister, Mary Estenson; 3 grandchildren Jeff Parker (Kim), Kimberly Phillips (Adam), and Beth Parker; 5 great grandchildren Gabe Parker, Conner Parker (Alyssa), Marra Holt (Gabe), Keira Phillips, and Benjamin Phillips; a son-in-law, Ron Parker; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Deborah Parker; and 5 brothers, Tom, George, Wayne, Don, and Joe Powell.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 Tuesday, January 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place at the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:30 Tuesday morning at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Eleanor Rogers
Eleanor Faye Rogers, age 88, resident of Mapleton, KS, died Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott, KS. She was born on February 1, 1934, in Blue Mound, KS, the daughter of Glenn and Reta Dizmang McGee. She married Harold Rogers on May 18, 1952. He preceded her in death on December 4, 2001. Eleanor enjoyed growing flowers, especially roses. She served many years working for the Bourbon County Democrats. She was a 60-year member of Eastern Star. She was a member of the Mapleton Methodist Church.
Survivors include a son Tim Rogers (Liza), Jacksonville, FL; 2 daughters Susan Smith, Belton, TX, and Karen Rogers, Ft. Scott; a sister-in-law Carolyn McGee, Blue Mound, KS; 7 grandchildren, Steven Rogers (Wendy), Elizabeth Richter (Matt), Sam Smith (Jennifer), Ted Smith (Allison), Lattica Foster (Dan), Robbie Hall, and Jerried Hall; 14 great grandchildren Madison Reynolds, Jaycek and Adalyn Rogers, Cooper Smith, Avery and Natalie Smith, Tanner and Hayden Foster, Madisyn, Tucker, Baylee, and Jonah Hall, and Bennett and Corbin Richter; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Charles McGee, and her parents.
Rev. Connie Edgerton will conduct funeral services at 3:00 PM Sunday, January 15th, at the Mapleton Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 Sunday afternoon at the Church. Memorials are suggested to either Mapleton Fire Department or Paws and Claws and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Uniontown Jr/Sr High School Honor Roll
FSHS Thespian Troupe #7365 Receives State Honors
The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 attended the KS State Thespian Festival on Jan. 5-7 in Wichita, KS and received a number of honors.
The troupe received the highest honor a troupe can receive, the Gold Honor Troupe Award, for the seventh consecutive year. The honor reflects the performances, community involvement, student leadership, and high standards a troupe achieves throughout the year. Troupe Historian Cooper George, a sophomore, created the honor troupe presentation that earned the award.
Senior Kinsley Davis and Junior Regen Wells both received a Superior rating on their Monologue performances. This qualifies them to compete in the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University in June. Other students who competed in Individual Thespy Performance events include: sophomores Mykael Lewis and Kaiden Clary in Duet Acting, senior Karen Primeaux and junior Josiah Eisenbrandt in Duet Acting, freshman Chris Newman with Monologue, freshman Junie Fisher in Vocal Solo, juniors Lexi Hill and Casey Gomez in Vocal Solo, sophomore Emma Guns and junior Jaedyn Lewis in Duet Acting, sophomore Alyssa Popp in Playwriting, senior Luke Majors in Vocal Solo, and junior Jericho Jones with Monologue.
For the second year in a row, FSHS had a team advance to the Finals Round of Competitive Improvisational Acting. The team included Majors, Hill, Wells, Eisenbrandt, and Mykael Lewis.
The Advanced Drama class competed in the One-Act Play category with the play “There is No Play” by Arthur M. Jolly. The performance was the world premiere of the one-act and the class was able to video conference with Jolly from Los Angeles and workshop the play as they rehearsed. This original cast will be published in the printed version of the script set for publication in the near future.
In addition to performing, the troupe experienced three days of workshops with professional actors and theatre technicians, main stage musical and play performances, meetings with colleges and performing arts conservatories, and fellowship with Thespians from schools across the state.
# # #
Governor Establishes Early Childhood Transition Task Force
Governor Kelly Signs First Executive Order of Second Term to Improve Early
Childhood Development
~~Establishes Task Force to Develop a Plan for a New Early Childhood-Focused State Agency~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed the first executive order of her second term, Executive Order 23-01, to establish the Early Childhood Transition Task Force. The Task Force is charged with reviewing Kansas’ early childhood programs and developing a roadmap for the creation of a new state, cabinet-level agency focused solely on supporting the success of our youngest Kansans.
“Yesterday, I laid out a vision for my next four years, to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family. Today we are taking a significant step forward in pursuit of that goal,” Governor Kelly said. “Giving Kansas kids the strongest start to life is the best possible investment we can make. This task force will determine how to make that investment most effectively.”
The task force will analyze the current early childhood system and how it is financed – focusing on gaps, inefficiencies, and redundancies. It will also conduct a series of stakeholder engagement opportunities and draft a transition plan for the new agency.
The task force will build on the Kelly Administration’s first term efforts around early childhood, which include investing more than $270 million to support child care providers and increasing access to reliable, affordable child care.
The task force will include representatives from state government, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, early childhood service providers, and advocacy organizations. Governor Kelly will also invite members of the Kansas Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives to be members of the task force.
The complete text of Executive Order #23-01 can be found here.
What they’re saying:
“Early childhood care and education is the cornerstone for a child’s well-being,” Secretary of the Department for Children and Families Laura Howard said. “I am excited to embark on this journey of collaboration, under the steady leadership of Governor Kelly, as we work to move early childhood policy forward to address the needs of Kansas families.”
“I applaud the Governor for having the vision to create this task force,” Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Janet Stanek said. “I look forward to collaborating with policy experts and others to align on early childhood policy development within a future agency that will bring greater efficiencies and eliminate structural barriers for families, communities, and businesses.”
“The work of this new task force represents a commitment to the transformational change needed to create an early childhood care and education system that works for all Kansas families,” Melissa Rooker, executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, said. “The pandemic revealed the challenges in our current system, and we are excited to go to work developing an action plan to address barriers, gaps, and opportunities to serve our youngest Kansans more effectively.”
“Governor Kelly is a champion for Kansas children who understands that high-quality early learning opportunities and family support programs are among the best investments we can make as a state,” John Wilson, President of Kansas Action for Children, said. “The best policies and proposals are those that have been shaped by diverse stakeholders, which is why I am excited for the work of this task force. It will build upon the strong, collaborative work that’s been happening across state agencies to improve the health and well-being of children and families.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 11
The FS Landmark Meeting is Jan. 16 at 4 p.m.
The Landbank will meet on Monday, January 16th, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will be made available via the City’s YouTube channel at City of Fort Scott.
