Category Archives: Government

Fort Scott Receives Waste Tire Product Grant

DHE Announces Recipients of Waste Tire Product Grants
28 grants distributed to recipients across Kansas

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Waste Management has announced the recipients of waste tire product grants. These annual waste tire grants are awarded to local municipalities and public and private schools K-12 across the state. The grants totaled $436,172.81 and were awarded to 28 organizations to fund projects that include the use of recycled tire products, including playground surfacing and picnic tables. The grants are funded by revenue collected through the tire excise tax, a $0.25/vehicle tire fee.

 

  • Cherokee County K-State Research and Extension, Cherokee County
  • City of Burden, Cowley County
  • City of Dighton, Lane County
  • City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County
  • City of Garnett, Anderson County
  • City of Geneseo, Rice County
  • City of Grenola, Elk County
  • City of Harveyville, Wabaunsee County
  • City of Herington, Dickinson County
  • City of Lebanon, Smith County
  • City of Williamsburg, Franklin County
  • Holy Trinity School, Miami County
  • Kansas State School for the Deaf, Johnson County
  • Manhattan Catholic Schools, Riley County
  • Marshall Middle School, Sedgwick County
  • Sacred Heart Elementary, Thomas County
  • Sedgwick County
  • Sedgwick County Extension Education Foundation, Inc., Sedgwick County
  • USD 257 Iola, Allen County
  • USD 274 Oakley Elementary, Logan County
  • USD 289 Wellsville, Franklin County
  • USD 308 Graber Elementary, Reno County
  • USD 311 Pretty Prairie, Reno County
  • USD 367 Sport & Fitness – Ozone, Miami County
  • USD 430 Everest Middle School, Miami County
  • USD 463 Udall Elementary, Cowley County
  • USD 493 Park Elementary, Cherokee County
  • West Elementary School, Sedgwick County

Please visit our website for information about their projects and dollar amounts awarded. https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/700/Waste-Reduction-Public-Education-Gra

Weekly Newsletter of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran


by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran

 

This Is the Moment for Emergency Global Hunger Programs

Currently 45 million people across 43 countries are on the brink of famine. This week, I spoke on the Senate Floor to bring greater awareness to one of the most pressing consequences coming out of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine: hunger.

Food stability is essential to political stability. Ukraine is a large grain-producing country, not just in wheat, but ranking as a top ten global exporter of corn, sunflower oil and other commodities. As Russia’s tyranny continues, countries around the globe will teeter over the edge, falling further into widespread hunger. As we have seen in the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Afghanistan and the developing crisis caused by this invasion of Ukraine, it is critical to utilize every tool at our disposal to combat this worsening hunger crisis.

As the co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus and as a member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee which funds the Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole Program, the United States should work quickly to provide the necessary commodities through sale or donation to meet countries’ unsatisfied food and commodity needs. This includes releasing the resources within the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust – an emergency international food assistance program to combat global hunger in instances of “exceptional need” – in instances as this one requires. Watch my remarks here or below.

 

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Read my op-ed discussing food security in The Hill by clicking here.

 

We Must Provide Ukraine with More Timely Security Aid

Human spirit defies all expectations, and the Ukrainian people are a testament to that resilience. Failure in our obligations as a country to assist Ukraine would be immoral, deadly and not in our national interest.

Promised aid means nothing. We must provide Ukraine the resources to not just survive, but to win. Watch my remarks on the U.S. Senate Floor here or below.

 

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Celebrating National Ag Week & Welcoming Ag Leaders to Washington

Crops don’t grow unless they are sown. To the farmers, ranchers, agriculture workers and all who steward our land and waters, thank you.

Recognizing all you do to feed, fuel and foster the United States and the world this past National Agriculture week.

 

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4-H Students

Members of 4-H are invested in their communities and represent the future of Kansas. Thanks to Annika of Wamego, Corey of Girard, Sukesh of Kingman, Katrina of Wichita and Jaden of Sylvan Grove for representing our great state and for speaking with me in the Capitol this Ag Week.

 

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Hilmar Cheese
I also met with Hilmar Cheese CEO David Ahlem this week to continue discussions about the company’s plan to build a new cheese facility in Dodge City. Once completed, the new facility is expected to create 750 new jobs in the region and attract five new dairies to supply the plant. To facilitate the new plant, I am working with Dodge City officials to help see this opportunity realized. Mr. Ahlem, who is also president of the International Dairy Foods Association, also discussed issues facing the dairy foods industry, including the Food and Drug Administration Standards of Identity, supply chain disruptions and concerns regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed climate rules. I appreciate Hilmar’s investment in Kansas and look forward to working with the company in the future.

 

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Speaking with Educators and Students

Kansas Delegates for the U.S. Senate Youth Program
On Tuesday, I spoke with Will Rues of La Crosse and Gerrit Dangermond of Oskaloosa, this year’s U.S. Senate Youth Program Kansas delegates. I am pleased they have the opportunity to represent our state and learn more about government and the legislative process here in our nation’s capital.

 

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Council for Opportunity in Education Seminar
This week, I addressed the Council for Opportunity in Education’s Annual Policy Seminar, a gathering of more than 1,000 federal TRIO program educators, students, and supporters. Federal TRIO programs provide academic tutoring, college and career counseling, financial aid advising and personal mentoring that enables low-income students, students with disabilities, adult learners and veterans to achieve their goal of becoming the first in their families to earn a college degree. There are 53 TRIO projects in Kansas serving over 14,000 students. I was glad to speak to the group about how TRIO programs and services can assist individuals in unlocking opportunity through education. I thank Kurt Peterson, Director of Student Support Services at Garden City Community College, for introducing me, as well as the many Kansans in attendance.

 

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Kansas TRIO
I also was pleased to meet and speak personally with Kansas TRIO students and educators to hear about the positive impact federal TRIO programs have in equipping Kansans to effectively pursue higher education. Education is one of the greatest sources of opportunity in the United States, and TRIO programs assist first-generation and low-income students, as well as veterans and students with disabilities, in preparing for, and attaining, success in higher education. As a first-generation college student, I have long been a supporter of TRIO programs and work each year to see that they receive increased support through my role as an appropriator for the Department of Education. I appreciate these Kansas TRIO students and educators for taking the time to share their insight on the value TRIO programs have in providing opportunity in higher education.

 

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Jefferson West
Thanks to Jefferson West seniors Brooklyn, Kierstyn and Mellany, and to government teacher Shawn Dolezilek for showing me around your school this week. I appreciate all Kansas educators who make our state a better place for the students who show up to learn.

 

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Advancing Air Mobility

This week, the Senate passed my bill that would facilitate collaboration between federal agencies and civil aviation industry leaders when developing policies regarding advanced air mobility (AAM).

The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Coordination and Leadership Act would instruct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to lead a working group comprised of members from multiple government agencies to engage and work with the civil aviation industry. The working group would review policies and programs to help advance the maturation of AAM aircraft operations and create recommendations regarding safety, security and federal investments necessary for the development of AAM. American aviation is entering a new era of innovation and growth, and industry leaders should have a seat at the table as the federal government creates programs to advance the development of this technology and sets safety and operation standards. Passing this legislation in the Senate puts it one step closer to being signed into law and will help Kansas aviation leaders have a role in developing policies designed to shape this new chapter in aviation.

 

Speaking at Ceremony for the 35th Infantry Division Headquarters Building

This week, I spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the 35th Infantry Division Headquarters Readiness Center at Fort Leavenworth – the intellectual center of the Army – where training capacity will increase from 13,000 square feet to over 100,000 square feet. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I helped kick-start this initiative by securing nearly $50 million in federal funding in FY2017 and FY2018 appropriations bills for the construction of these needed facilities.

I’m pleased soldiers stationed at and visiting Fort Leavenworth will continue to receive first class combat readiness instruction through these improvements as they meet the mission objectives of the 35ID Headquarters. Thank you to Major General David Weishaar, Kansas Adjutant General, for the invitation to participate, and congratulations to the leadership of the Army and National Guard for effectively training our citizen soldiers as they prepare to protect and defend our nation.

 

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Improving VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

On Tuesday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee conducted a hearing on improving the VA’s program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers. The VA is expected to see a significant increase of veterans with long-term care needs. To prepare for this increasing trend, the department has routinely told Congress and veterans that it is shifting the focus of long-term care from institutional care settings to home and community-based settings. Family caregivers play an integral role in making certain our veterans can remain at home and are central to the success of VA’s efforts to shift care to home and community-based settings. It is important to make certain that these frontline heroes are adequately supported in their work caring for our nation’s veterans. This week’s hearing was both timely and necessary as we work to make certain the laws we pass are implemented in ways that work as Congress intends. We have a duty to see to it that VA faithfully executes these laws and is investing resources as intended into family caregivers.

 

Evaluating the Semiconductor Industry

Semiconductors control every electronic device you own, from your stove to your car to your smartphone. There is an ongoing global semiconductor shortage that is negatively impacting many economic sectors and increasing prices on many consumer goods. Ramping up production of semiconductors to meet demand is made more difficult by the lack of U.S. semiconductor production capabilities, particularly for the newest, cutting-edge chips.

On Wednesday, I participated in a Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing about the health of the U.S. semiconductor industry. I questioned the CEOs of Intel, Micron, Lam Research and PACCAR about the importance of building a strong semiconductor ecosystem in the United States and about federal research programs that might assist the industry. As the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds many of the federal government’s research programs, ensuring that the US is a leader in semiconductor research is a priority of mine. I am looking forward to working with the firms represented at the hearing, as well as our Kansas semiconductor companies, to ensure that our semiconductor industry is a leader not just in innovative chip research and development, but also in chip manufacturing, assembly, packaging and testing.

 

Passing of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the first woman to represent our nation in that role. She was an inspiration to all, including women around the world, and generous in her support of young people pursuing public service careers. She was a giant in her field and always gracious to me in the conversations we had. Throughout her distinguished career in public service and after she left the State Department, she worked to address global hunger, advocated for education and worked to increase our country’s security through diplomacy and tackling the root causes of conflicts abroad. I offer my condolences to her loved ones on behalf of a grateful nation.

 

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Honored to Serve You in Washington
It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.

 

Very truly yours,
Jerry

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here.

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KS Legislative Update by Senator Caryn Tyson

Caryn Tyson

You may have heard the quote, “Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.”  Well, that is what I did the last couple of weeks in an attempt to get tax relief for Kansans.

 

Tax Relief in Senate Substitute for House Bill (Sen Sub HB) 2239: Property tax freeze via an income tax rebate for low-income seniors and disabled veterans, known as the Golden Years, passed the Senate for at least the third year in a row.  Hopefully our friends in the House will help this legislation become law.  The bill had a few other provisions: it would increase the standard income tax deduction by 10%, providing real tax relief for all Kansans who pay income tax; it would provide an option for Kansas taxpayers on State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction who are limited by the federal $10,000 cap; it would allow taxpayers who got caught in the carry back carry forward conflict between federal and state statutes from 2018 to 2021 to subtract the loses and carry forward on their state income tax; it would allow exemptions for the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit and the Employer Retention Credit programs; it would create a tax credit program for donors to technical and community colleges, capped at $7 million a year; and it would create a museum voluntary checkoff program so that individuals may donate to museums of their choosing when they file income tax returns.  This tax bill passed 36 to 2.  I voted Yes.

 

Small Business Property Tax Relief: For some reason a bill that came out of the Judiciary Committee had property tax language making changes to property law that had passed last year.  The language would have had unintended consequences, so I worked with others to clean it up.  Tax bills should be run thru the tax committee and not thru other committees like Judiciary.  I also took the opportunity to amend the bill so that businesses that were shut down by the Governor in 2020 could apply for up to $7,500 to help pay for property taxes owed even though they could not conduct business.  It was language that had passed the Senate and had been negotiated with the House. However, politics got in the way and the language was lost on the last day of session last year.  This could be paid for with the hundreds of millions of dollars in federal SPARK money that are unspent and help businesses still feeling the pain of the 2020 Governor shutdown.  Sen Sub HB 2416 passed 26 to 11.  I voted Yes.

 

Early in session the Senate Tax Committee, that I chair, passed legislation to remove the state sales tax on food and allow local governments an option to remove local sales tax.  That bill was never debated on the Senate floor.  The House did not have one tax bill debated on the House floor this year.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the final days of session.  I will continue to work diligently for Kansas taxpayers.

 

Last week the Senate worked over 50 bills on the Senate floor in less than three days.  Senators would get a list of bills late in the evening and it would take most of the night to read them.  It was difficult to get amendments because of the number of bills and the burdensome level of work for the lawyers writing the amendments and others involved in the process.  Obviously, there were too many bills to cover in this update.  The activity can be found at www.KSLegislature.org under the Senate journals.

 

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

Caryn

 

 

 

The Cold Weather Rule ends March 31

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Cold Weather Rule ends on Thursday, March 31. That means Kansans who are behind on electric and natural gas utility bills will be subject to disconnection of service unless they contact their utility company to make payment arrangements.

The Cold Weather Rule is in effect from November 1 through March 31 each year. It provides protection from disconnection to residential customers served by utilities regulated by the Kansas Corporation Commission’s (KCC). When that protection ends on Thursday, failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in disconnection. Reconnection after March 31 may require past due balances be paid in full, depending on the utility’s policy. That is why it is important to call now – while regulated utilities are still required to offer the Cold Weather Rule 12-month payment plan.

The Cold Weather Rule 12-month payment plans require an initial payment of 1/12 of the overdue amount, 1/12 of the bill for current service, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fees, plus any applicable deposit owed to the utility. The balance is billed in equal payments over the next 11 months in addition to the regular monthly bill.

The KCC adopted the Cold Weather Rule in 1983 to protect customers during cold winter weather by providing a reasonable and organized method of paying past due and current bills. It is important to note that the KCC does not regulate co-ops or municipal utilities, although many of those utilities also offer a cold weather plan. For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit: http://kcc.ks.gov/about-us/jurisdiction

To find out more about utility assistance programs in your area, please contact your utility or the KCC Consumer Protection Office at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140. Utility assistance program information is also posted on the KCC’s website.

KDHE Invites Photographs for Project On Healthy Kansans

KDHE Announces Photo Voice Project for Healthy Kansans 2030

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Healthy Kansans 2030 (HK2030) project team are inviting photographers to submit photos to be considered for inclusion in a State Health Assessment Report being published later this spring.

“For many people, photographs are a vital way to convey important messages,” Jade Ramsdell, MBA, LSSGB, Performance Improvement Director at KDHE, said. “We are delighted to invite amateur and professional photographers across the state to help us explore and tell the story of the health of Kansas in a different and deeper way.”

The project is seeking photos to help visualize health in Kansas. Entries should answer one or both of the following questions

  • What does healthy living look like in your Kansas community?
  • What makes it easy or hard to stay healthy in your everyday environment?

Entries can be submitted until April 15. Winners will receive print credit in the report and will be notified of their selection by April 29. A panel of KDHE staff and the HK2030 project team will review and judge each entry.

Complete photo entry details, FAQs and supporting documents are available on the Healthy Kansans 2030 webpage, kdhe.ks.gov/201/. Questions about the project should be directed to [email protected].

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for March 29

Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 29, 2022
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
• Millie Lipscomb, Elks Lodge – Consideration of Donation for Fireworks
• Hamlin Energy Contract
• EMS – Dave Bruner
• County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
o Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
o Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
o Reminder: April 5th Commission Meeting at the Mapleton Community Center, 6pm
o Budget Forms & CIP Forms
• Noble Health
• Public Comment
• Elected Officials Comment
• Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session: KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

FS City Commission Special Meeting on March 28

The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 28th, 2022 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to review the submitted letters of interest to fill the open City Commission position.

Also, a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations to the building at 8 N. National Avenue will be considered.

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.

Bo Co Commisson Special Meeting Today at 2 p.m.

Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Date: March 25, 2022
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM AT 2:00PM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Noble Health Update

Justifications for Executive Session: KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Make a difference – adopt a highway

 

Make a difference in your community and help the environment at the same time – join the Adopt-A-Highway program in Kansas.

Litter is unsightly and unsafe, and it has a negative impact on both residents and visitors to Kansas. But every section of highway right of way cleaned by participating groups adds up to many miles of nice-looking roadsides for everyone to enjoy. This helps to raise awareness on the negative effects of pollution and the positive aspects of a clean community.

Groups are asked to sign a two-year agreement with the program, and there is no cost to the group. The Kansas Department of Transportation, which sponsors the program, provides each group safety training, trash bags and orange vests. Groups have clean-ups three times a year at their convenience and are recognized for their efforts with signs marking their sections of highway.

Adopt-A-Highway groups are gearing up for the annual Clean Up Kansas Campaign, which takes place during the month of April. All Adopt-A-Highway groups are encouraged but not required to participate in the statewide event.

Any non-profit group that does not discriminate upon the basis of race, religion or gender can join. Members must be at least 11 years old and have adequate adult supervision. For more information, contact the KDOT office in your area (listed below).

To adopt a section of highway, KDOT phone numbers listed below
(Ask for the Adopt-A-Highway coordinator in the KDOT office located closest to you.)

Northeast Kansas

Topeka, (785) 296-2291

Kansas City Area –

Bonner Springs, (913) 942-3040

Olathe, (913) 942-3100

North Central Kansas

Salina, (785) 823-3754

Northwest Kansas

Norton, (785) 877-3315

Southeast Kansas

Chanute, (620) 902-6400

South Central Kansas

Hutchinson, (620) 860-7400

Wichita, (316) 744-1271

Southwest Kansas

Garden City, (620) 765-7074