Bourbon County remains at seven cases of  COVID 19.

To see the state update:

https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData

COVID relief: Speeding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) loans

Topeka, Kan. – In an effort to speed relief funds in the face of the current public health emergency, the Department of Commerce is providing guidance on how CDBG funds, which are already in Kansas communities, can be loaned to area businesses more quickly.

Under certain circumstances these funds can be made available via local governments in just 24 hours.

“Local communities have a better understanding of the immediate needs in each of their communities,” Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “The state stands ready to support them in making these funds available to communities across Kansas.”

There is currently about $6 million in CDBG funds that resides in communities statewide as local Revolving Loan Funds.  The funds are administered by cities, counties and economic development organizations.  Under normal circumstances when a community wants to issue a business loan, Commerce must conduct an environmental review that takes 30 days.  The communities also must do public notice, which can also take 30 days.

If a revolving loan is for working capital, then environmental review is not applicable, and the public notice can be reduced to 24 hours. This allows communities to issue a loan in two days and not involve the Department of Commerce. This will speed the delivery of these funds to businesses that need it now.

Local communities are also empowered to make decisions on matching funds, collateral and interest rates, as well.

Secretary of Commerce David Toland will hold a conference call with CDBG communities Friday, March 20, 2 p.m., to promote the use of these funds to help ease the burdens of the coronavirus crisis.

For more information on Community Development Block Grants, visit: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/programs-services/community-development/community-development-block-grant-program/.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to Suspend Sales of Nonresident Turkey Permits

PRATT – In an effort to protect the health of Kansans and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Governor Laura Kelly, with the support of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), is suspending sales of general nonresident turkey permits effective immediately. The suspension is made possible via Executive Order No. 20-21, signed on April 9, 2020 by Governor Kelly.

“During this unprecedented crisis, we must take every measure possible to protect Kansas lives,” Kelly said. “While turkey hunting is largely a solitary activity, the potential for inadvertent spread of COVID-19 due to travel associated with nonresident participation is something we simply cannot risk. Secretary Brad Loveless and his staff have done a tremendous job maintaining safe spaces for us all to enjoy, and I’m confident they’ll continue their good work as we encourage everyone to enjoy recreational activities locally this spring.”

“We’ve received a tremendous amount of feedback from concerned individuals and at the end of the day, we want to do what’s right by our fellow Kansans,” Loveless said. “Initially, this issue seemed self-limiting as nonresident permit sales lagged behind last year’s sales year-to-date. However, recently, as opportunities in other states began to diminish, nonresident demand increased at a rate we are no longer comfortable with.”

Nonresident hunters who made their spring turkey purchase prior to the order’s effective date may still participate in Kansas’ spring turkey season; however, because Kansas’ regular turkey season has yet to open (April 15, 2020), only a small percentage of the nonresident permits normally purchased have been sold. KDWPT is offering refunds and KDWPT gift cards in an effort to lower participation rates even further. Nonresident hunters may obtain a refund or KDWPT gift card by sending an email request to [email protected].

“There’s no doubt this will come as a disappointment to many of our out-of-state hunters and outfitters, and rightfully so. Kansas’ spring turkey season is something a lot of us look forward to,” Loveless said. “But I’m also confident many of these same individuals will understand and join us in ‘recreating locally’ this year until we can once again travel without fear of spreading COVID-19.”

For other KDWPT updates, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/COVID-19.

Governor appoints Magistrate Judge Kristin Hutchinson to fill district court vacancy in the 13^th Judicial District

Today Governor Laura Kelly appointed Magistrate Judge Kristin Hutchinson, to fill the term of retiring District Judge Mike Ward.

“Judge Hutchinson has extensive experience with a wide variety of legal issues,” Kelly said. “I know she will serve the citizens of Butler County and the entire 13^th Judicial District well.”

Hutchinson has served as a District Magistrate Judge in Elk County for the past eleven years, where she handles probate, small claims, juvenile offender and child-in-need-of-care cases. Hutchinson has prior experience as Chautauqua County Attorney pro tem, in addition to over a decade of experience with the City of Emporia, KS which included five years as Municipal Judge. She graduated from Southwestern College in 1979 and earned her juris doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1983.

District judges in Butler County are elected and serve four-year terms. When a judge retires in the middle of a term, the governor appoints a new judge to finish out the term. The position to which Hutchinson is being appointed will be on the ballot in 2020. The 13^th Judicial District includes the counties of Butler, Elk, and Greenwood.

Governor Kelly issues Executive Orders to aid Kansans during COVID-19 pandemic 

As she discussed during her press briefing, Governor Laura Kelly today issued two new executive orders as part of her administration’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Due to the obstacles created by social distancing for Kansans whose work requires the renewal of a license, certificate, permit or registration, Executive Order #20-19 extends professional and occupational licenses for the remainder of the pandemic.  

Under the order, all state agencies shall extend renewal deadlines for any occupational or professional license that has expired – or will expire – during this disaster. Licenses will remain valid as long as the disaster declaration is in effect, and for 90 days after it expires.  

“Thousands of licensed workers are officing from home in an effort to follow guidance from public health officials,” Kelly said. “This order will ensure those Kansans are not hampered by licensing problems that they are powerless to solve under our present circumstances, so they can continue to do their jobs safely from home.”  

The measure also waives any late penalties or expiration fees, and it extends deadlines for continuing education requirements.  

The governor also issued Executive Order #20-20, which will temporarily allow notaries and witnesses to do their jobs remotely, through audio-video communication technology.  

“Our economy is at a standstill at the moment,” the Governor said. “But to the extent that we can, it’s important to find ways for Kansans to continue safely entering into contracts, filing marriage licenses, updating wills and handling other personal health care directives while still adhering to social distancing protocols.”  

Executive Order #20-19 can be found here.

Executive Order #20-20 can be found here.  

Gov. Laura Kelly takes legal action  
to keep Kansans safe amid global public health pandemic 
 

On Wednesday, the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) voted to revoke Kelly Executive Order 20-18, a temporary limit to mass gatherings of 10 or fewer people. This unprecedented action by the LCC to overrule a governor’s emergency response authority puts every Kansas life at risk amid a global health pandemic. In response, the Kelly administration today announced it has taken legal action to ensure politics do not continue to impede on the state’s ability to save Kansas lives.  

“The last thing I want right now is a legal battle,” Kelly said. “But Kansas lives are on the line, and I took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution. What the LCC did yesterday – in concert with the Kansas Attorney General – weakened and confused our emergency response efforts, putting every Kansan at risk. I cannot stand for that.” 

The Kansas Emergency Management Act empowers the Legislature with certain checks upon gubernatorial authority in the time of an emergency. However, those checks are allocated to the Kansas Legislature as a whole – not the seven-person Legislative Coordinating Council. If the Legislature seeks to amend the Kansas Emergency Management Act, it must do so by way of the constitutionally prescribed legislative process— not by issuing a mere concurrent resolution. Under the Kansas Constitution, laws are made by passing bills through both houses of the Legislature and presenting them to the Governor for signature. The Legislature bypassed that process when it attempted in the waning hours before adjourning to change the Kansas Emergency Management Act through a resolution. 

As such, the LCC’s actions yesterday conflict with both the Kansas Constitution and Kansas statute, which explicitly states that revocation of emergency orders resides with the Legislature as a whole – not with the LCC.  

“Throughout my time as governor, my administration has actively engaged the Kansas Legislature in our decision-making processes,” Kelly said. “I have invited lawmakers to provide input on various initiatives, to participate on various gubernatorial task forces, and I have always welcomed diverse voices and ideas to the table, no matter what the issue at hand. I will continue to do so – especially as it pertains to this public health pandemic and the necessary work that will soon be upon us to reopen and rebuild our economy. But there’s a difference between collaboration and control. My action today is about protecting our government’s constitutionally protected separation of powers, so that we can respond effectively to the worst public health emergency of our lifetimes.” 

The suit was filed with the Kansas Supreme Court to provide a conclusive, swift decision.