All posts by Submitted Story
Governor Kelly Announces Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
~~Balanced Budget Cuts Taxes, Fully Funds Schools, Makes Historic Investments in Child Care and Higher Education~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced her annual budget, which is balanced and continues to fully fund Kansas’ K-12 public schools, cuts taxes, and makes historic investments in child care and higher education.
“I’m a fiscal conservative, which is why, once again, I’m proposing a budget that’s balanced, pays off debt, and includes tax cuts for working families and retirees,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This budget also delivers on my commitment to continue fully funding schools, investing in our workforce and child care system, and giving law enforcement the resources they need to keep Kansans safe.”
The budget:
Cuts property, retirement, and sales taxes for Kansans: Governor Kelly’s bipartisan tax plan announced earlier this week will save Kansans more than $1 billion over the next three years. The plan eliminates the state tax on Social Security; exempts the first $100,000 in state property taxes for all homeowners; increases the standard deduction for personal income taxes; immediately axes the state sales tax on food, diapers, and feminine hygiene products; doubles the tax credit that parents can claim to help pay for child care; and includes a back-to-school state sales tax holiday.
Expands Medicaid to 150,000 Kansans: Governor Kelly’s budget brings more than $1 billion in taxpayer dollars back to Kansas that is currently sent to other states. Medicaid expansion will provide access to affordable healthcare for 150,000 more Kansans and cut healthcare costs for everyone else. Through one-time federal funds and a delayed hospital surcharge, Medicaid expansion is revenue neutral – meaning it comes at no additional cost to Kansas taxpayers.
Makes the largest single-year investment in early childhood care and education: The budget provides more than $56 million to expand child care slots and support the child care workforce. That includes nearly $30 million to construct new child care facilities and $5 million for a pilot program in Northwest Kansas that will provide a model for how public-private partnerships can improve child care in rural Kansas.
Fully funds Kansas’ public K-12 schools for the sixth year in a row: Governor Kelly’s budget fully funds K-12 public schools for the sixth consecutive year and puts Kansas on track to fully fund special education within five years so that every district has the statutorily required resources to educate all students.
Makes an historic investment in higher education: Marking a new high since Governor Kelly took office, her budget invests over $230 million to support postsecondary institutions’ efforts to drive workforce development and lower costs for Kansas students. $14 million for need-based aid is added so more low-income students can access higher education. Institutions throughout the state will receive one-time funding to enhance their core programs, including $75 million for the construction of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, $25 million for the K-State University Ag Innovation Initiative, and $15 million for nursing education at Fort Hays State University.
Continues to repair Kansas’ foster care system: This budget invests over $10 million in families and adoption services, including through continued efforts to build a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Service that provides reliable and timely data to improve services for Kansas children.
Uses one-time revenues to pay off debt and finish long overdue projects: Continuing the administration’s efforts to safeguard and enhance the state’s financial position well into the future, this budget uses one-time resources to invest close to $1.3 billion in one-time expenses, including $500 million to retire debt and save Kansans millions of dollars in future interest payments.
It also puts more than $500 million toward long-overdue projects like KHP Training Academy upgrades and a new Hutchinson Correctional Facility to replace the facility built in 1912.
Safeguards our water: Governor Kelly’s budget appropriates $53 million for water infrastructure and other projects, including the new funding level of $43 million now required by bipartisan House Bill 2302. The budget includes an additional $10 million for grants to rural communities in desperate need of improving local infrastructure in order to preserve local access to clean water. Altogether, this year’s budget will bring the three-year investment in water in Kansas to over $250 million.
Expands affordable and moderate-income housing: The governor’s budget invests more than $50 million in expanding affordable and middle-income housing. That includes one-time matching grants to local communities to address housing insecurity and to help Kansans find permanent housing, continued investment in moderate-income housing, and funding to expand the workforce needed to build housing throughout the state.
Improves public safety: The governor’s budget includes critical investments in the Kansas Highway Patrol, including improvements to its training academy, the construction of a new communications center, and funding for equipment and differential pay.
One-time funding for the Department of Corrections includes funding for a behavioral health center at the Topeka Correctional Facility and public matching funds for the Lansing Career Campus to help individuals achieve employment upon reentry and avoid reoffending.
There are also additional investments being made into the Kansas Bureau of Investigations to supplement the agency’s fight against the fentanyl crisis and expand its Child Protection Initiative.
Improves mental and behavioral health: In addition to Medicaid Expansion, which would increase access to mental health services, this budget puts $1.5 million towards Family Treatment Court to provide support for Kansas youth or parents with substance use or co-occurring mental or behavioral health issues. The budget also continues Governor Kelly’s efforts to expand access to mental health in schools by adding an additional $3 million for the Mental Health Intervention Pilot Program. This will bring the total funding to the program up to just more than $17 million, potentially expanding the program to over 100 school districts.
Makes investments to attract and retain state employees: To ensure the State of Kansas has the workforce necessary to deliver services effectively and efficiently, Governor Kelly’s budget implements a 5% pay raise and increases the minimum wage to $15 per hour for state workers to adjust for the job market and be competitive with private-sector employers.
Fiscal Year 2025 runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Governor Kelly’s full budget proposal can be found here.
###
FSCC Initiates Community Conversations on January 24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2024
The Office of the President
Fort Scott Community College
Fort Scott Community College President, Dr. C. Jason Kegler, would like to invite members of Bourbon County, the surrounding communities, and alumni to a series of conversations regarding the college and its impact on our community.
The first conversation will be held at 5:30 pm in the Ellis Fine Arts Center on January 24, 2024.
The purpose of the conversation series is to engage the community on matters related to the college.
We will be examining the college’s mission and vision, image, identity, economic impact, and other topics involving the community.
These conversations will occur monthly beginning in January and concluding in April, with the potential for future conversations.
The idea of the conversations is for this to be an opportunity for two-way conversations designed to gain information on this
community’s college for the people we serve.
The college and Dr. Kegler are looking forward to this opportunity to engage with the community and our constituents.
For more information, please call 620-223-2700 ext. 5202.
In Case of Water Emergency In Cold Weather
From Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin:
“In case of a water emergency during very cold weather, please call Emergency Communication Services at 620-223-1700 to report a leak”
“This number can also be used to determine where the shelter is located if the power is lost during a storm (Buck Run Community Center is our shelter). We have had some elderly people call us wanting to know these things and do not have Facebook.”
USDA Rural Development Announces Awards for Domestic Biofuels in Kansas
$5 Million Will Provide Fuel Station Improvements in Topeka, Ottawa and Ellis
TOPEKA, Jan. 11, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Christy Davis announced today that $5 million in grants will increase the availability of domestic biofuels in Kansas and give travelers cleaner, more affordable fuel options at gas pumps.
“These grants will help people in rural areas access clean energy,” Davis said. “By increasing the supply of biofuels made here in Kansas and the U.S., we are strengthening our energy independence and lowering costs for Kansans in rural communities.”
The Department is making the awards through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Blending ethanol into gasoline has helped reduce fuel costs by approximately 25 percent. HBIIP expands the use of ethanol-based fuels at gas stations around the nation.
This announcement is part of a larger national announcement that includes projects in 21 other states. The details of the Kansas projects are:
- A $122,521 grant will help create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels through Capital City Oil Inc. This project will install one E15 dispenser, one E85 dispenser, one B20 dispenser, two ethanol storage tanks and two biodiesel storage tanks at one fueling location, located in Topeka. This project aims to increase the amount of biofuels used by 5,280,000 gallons per year.
- A portion of a $4,943,820 grant will help create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels at two Kansas locations of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. This project will retrofit 704 E15 dispensers at 88 fueling stations located in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Station locations impacted by this grant are: AZ – Eloy, Chandler, Gila Bend, Williams, Benson, Joseph, City; FL – Lee, Ocala, Ormond Beach; GA – Waco, Thomson, Brunswick, Richmond Hill, Jackson, Dublin, Tifton, Emerson, Hogansville; IA – Sioux City; IL – Williamsville, Ina, Kankakee, Dwight, Le Roy, Roscoe, Greensvile, Utica; IN – Mooresville, Richmond, Whiteland, Memphis, Gary, Whitestown, Haubstadt, Demotte, Marion, Pittsboro, St. Paul; KS – Ottawa, Ellis; KY – Waddy, Sparta, Horse Cave, Corbin, Richmond, Grayson, Calvert City; MO – St. Joseph, Matthews, Rolla; NC – Dunn, Marion; NE – Aurora; NM – Albuquerque; NV – Fernley, Wells, Las Vegas; OH – Zanesville, Hubbard, Jeffersonville, Perrysburg, Burbank, Baltimore, Dayton; SD – Sioux Falls; TX – Van, Midlothian, Hillsboro, Katy, Luling, Rockwall, Anna, Edna, Three Rivers, Texarkana, Weimar, Hutchins, Seguin, Fairfield, Von Ormy, Weatherford, Mount Vernon, Lufkin, Cleveland, Houston, Fort Worth, Rhome; and WI – Tomah. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 86,085,412 gallons per year.
Background: Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners, including marine, rail, and home heating oil facilities, to help expand access to domestic biofuels, a clean and affordable source of energy. These investments help business owners install and upgrade infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. Expanding the availability of homegrown biofuels strengthens energy independence, creates new revenue for American businesses and brings good-paying jobs to rural communities.
In June 2023, USDA made $450 million available in Inflation Reduction Act funding through the HBIIP to expand the use and availability of higher-blend biofuels. That same month, USDA also announced the first round of Inflation Reduction Act-funded HBIIP awardees.
USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand access to domestic biofuels. These grants will support the infrastructure needed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. There are three quarterly application windows left, and the program ends Sept. 30, 2024. The next application deadline is March 31, 2024.
For more information, go to the HBIIP webpage.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
###
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports January 11
Julia Fern Haggard Obituary
Julia Fern Haggard, age 50, a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, January 6, 2024, at her home in Pittsburg. She was born November 30, 1973, in Pittsburg, Kansas the daughter of Harriett Walker Wisdom and Gary Falletti.
Julie graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1992. She married John Haggard on December 3, 1994, at Pittsburg, Kansas. Julie had worked for several years at Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott. John and Julie later lived in Texas for several years before moving to Pittsburg.
Julie loved sports of all kinds. She was a great fan of the Ft. Scott Tigers and of the Pittsburg State Gorillas and went to as many of their games as possible. She also enjoyed country western music. Some of her favorite singers were Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks and George Strait. Julie had a gentle spirit and loved animals.
Survivors include her husband, John, of the home; two sisters, Amy Nance and Dustee Craddock-Harrison as well as her father, Gary Falletti. Also surviving are her mother-in-law, Barbara Haggard, an aunt, Elizabeth “Alee” Walker, an uncle, Mike Falletti and numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends.
Julie was preceded in death by her mother and grandparents.
Rev. Dustin Morris will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Julie Haggard Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report January 10
Obituary of Castiel Grubb
Castiel Alistair Grubb, 8-month-old, son of Phillip Grubb and Haley Ford, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born April 12, 2023, at Overland Park, Kansas. He was named after an angel, was an angel here on earth and he is now an angel in Heaven. His name, Castiel Alistair, has the meaning, “My Cover is God, Defender of the People.” Castiel was born a month early and had to fight to live. He spent two weeks in the NICU and seldom cried. He will be remembered for his laid-back personality who was always satisfied and content. Not only did he love his parents, but he also dearly loved his brothers. He had a variety of nicknames, such as Cas, Bebe. Despite his brief life, he made a significant impact and made memories that will last a lifetime. He was loved and cherished abundantly by many.
Survivors include his parents, Phillip Grubb and Haley Ford and two brothers Ryker and Shepard Grubb. Also surviving are grandparents, Joel and Angela Grubb, Barbara and Jason Falbo, Leslie Keaton and Dwight and Lana Miller and great-grandmothers, Marjorie Turner and Wanda Keaton and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Terry and Vicky Ford and his numerous great-grandparents.
Pastor Dale Samuels will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, January 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Following funeral services there will be cremation and private burial will take place at a later day at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Castiel Grubb Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Rescheduled Due to Forecasted Weather
Fort Scott, Kan. – With inclement weather and severe cold in the forecast for Jan. 15, the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Fort Scott Community College is rescheduled to Wednesday, Jan. 17.
In making the announcement, Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum noted that the “Day of Service” (in honor of King’s birthday) begins with a food drive for the Beacon Food Pantry of Fort Scott.
Canned goods and non-perishable, non-expired items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, located in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.
The celebration, with all events open to the community, features a free soup lunch at noon. The lunch, provided by Great Western Dining, includes soup, drink, dessert and birthday cake. The celebration lunch also includes a “I Stand for …” photo promotion, sponsored by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
An afternoon of celebration and tribute through music, “Celebrating Every Voice,” begins at 1 p.m. in the theater and features choirs from the Apostolic Christian Church and the United Missionary Baptist Church, both of Fort Scott, and blues guitarist Lem Sheppard from Pittsburg. All events are free to attend.
For more information, go to https//www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or call the museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850 or email [email protected]
###
Applications for 2024 Boys State of Kansas Session Open
January 9, 2024 — The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is accepting applications for its 2024 session. The event is set to be held Sunday, June 2, through Saturday, June 8, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 32nd consecutive session at KSU and 86th overall.
Traditionally, Kansas Boys State is for individuals who will complete their junior year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. However, the ALBSK program will again expand the pool of applicants for this year’s session to include those who will complete their sophomore year of high school this spring.
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government, and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
The cost to attend the Boys State of Kansas program is $375; however, in many instances, sponsors pay the majority of the fees, with the delegate or his family paying $50. Those wishing to attend the 2024 session should visit ksbstate.org to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2024 program is Tuesday, April 30; applications are accepted after that date, but on a space-available basis.
Potential sponsors, such as American Legion posts, civic organizations, businesses, clubs and interested individuals should visit ksbstate.org/sponsor-a-delegate. Questions? Contact the ALBSK at [email protected] or (785) 550-6492.
For information about the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State, which will be held Sunday, June 2, through Friday, June 8, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, visit ksgirlsstate.org.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.
Death Notice of Patricia Wynn
Patricia C. Wynn, age 60, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola, Kansas.
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will take place at a later date in the Bronson Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Patricia Wynn Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.