Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas’ September Tax Receipts

~ Kansas’ Total Tax Collections Grow $147.6 Million Compared to Same Time Last Year~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas’ September total tax receipts were $876.5 million. Those collections are $162.2 million, or 22.7% more than the estimate and a growth of 20.2%, or $147.6 million, from last September.

“Our tax collection numbers continue to show promising growth,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “In the months ahead, we must maintain fiscally-responsible policies to strengthen our growing economy.”

Individual income tax collections were up $51.8 million, or 14.6%, for the month with $406.8 million collected. That is $48.2 million, or 13.4%, more than the same month of 2020. September corporate income tax receipts, which are comprised primarily of estimated tax payments, have continued to trend upward. Corporate income tax collections were $85.3 million, or 142.1%, more than the estimate with $145.3 million collected. That is a growth of $55.6 million, or 62.0%, from the same month of last year. September 2021 corporate income tax collections were also 46.8% more than September 2019 actual receipts.

“After three quarters, these higher-than-expected estimated payments are a strong indication that corporations anticipate improved profit margins in 2021,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.

Retail sales tax collections were $225.2 million which is $15.2 million, or 7.2%, more than the estimate. Those collections are 15.1%, or $29.6 million, more than last September. Compensating use tax collections were $60.7 million which is $6.7 million, or 12.5%, more than the estimate. That is also $15.1 million, or 33.2%, more than September 2020.

To view the entire report, click here.

Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-staff to Honor National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day

TOPEKA – In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, and in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day on Sunday, October 3, 2021, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on October 3.

“This year, we lost three brave firefighters dedicated to protecting their communities from harm,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “On National Fallen Firefighters Memorial day, it is our responsibility to remember their lives and sacrifice and pay our respects to their families and loved ones.”

The honor is extended for all fallen firefighters – including firefighter Johnny Ivison Jr. of Easton, Kansas, who died in November 2020 responding to a house fire in Leavenworth County; Joshua Schwindt, who passed away in August 2021 after being electrocuted while responding to the scene of an accident; and Michael Baker, the Assistant Fire Chief in the 190th Air Refueling Wing in the Air National Guard, who died in September 2021 from complications caused by COVID-19.

“Johnny Ivison Jr., Joshua Schwindt, and Michael Baker paid the ultimate price in service to their communities. They will not be forgotten,” said Governor Laura Kelly.

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honor.

Governor Laura Kelly Congratulates KDOT for Receiving National Recognition

~Turner Diagonal Project named Top 12 finalist in the 2021 America’s Transportation Awards competition~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly congratulated the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for receiving national recognition for the Turner Diagonal project in Wyandotte County. The Turner Diagonal project was recently named a Top 12 finalist in the 2021 America’s Transportation Awards (ATA) competition.

“Congratulations to everyone at KDOT for receiving this well-deserved recognition for the Turner Diagonal project,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Since day one, my administration has used transportation dollars for what they are meant for – improving our roads, bridges, and highways to create jobs, grow our economy, and improve quality of life for all Kansans. This recognition is proof that our efforts are working.”

The $30.3 million Turner Diagonal project in Kansas City reconfigured the interchange on I-70, allowing the release of nearly 50 acres of right-of-way and opened 300 acres of land for economic development and job creation. Using alternative delivery methods, the project was completed ahead of schedule, opening in less than a year from ground-breaking.

“From the start, the Turner Diagonal project embodied so much of our new IKE transportation program, building on the foundational elements of partnerships, options and problem solving,” said Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “With this project, we have delivered with public sector principles and private sector urgency.”

The Turner Diagonal project made use of public funds from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, KDOT and a USDOT Build grant, as well as private-sector support. The Kansas Turnpike Authority donated right of way. Completing the project 20 months faster than traditional delivery months helped create 2,000 new jobs at Turner Logistics Park. Truck staging areas improved truck travel times in the area. Pedestrian paths and sidewalks provided a more sustainable, usable community asset.

The finalists – whittled down from 80 nominees from 35 state DOTs – now compete for the ATA Grand Prize and for the People’s Choice Award. Both prizes come with a $10,000 cash award, for a charity or transportation-related scholarship of the winners’ choosing.

The ATA People’s Choice award winner is selected through online voting. KDOT and Governor Kelly are encouraging Kansans to show their support by voting once a day for the Turner Diagonal project here. Voting is underway and continues until Oct. 25. Transportation industry experts will select the Grand Prize winner.

The national ATA winners will be announced at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) annual meeting at the end of October.

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Additional Grants to Support Child Care Providers in Kansas

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Child Care Aware of Kansas, in partnership with Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), is launching a second round of Child Care Sustainability Grants to aid child care providers in meeting the costs of operating their business.

Grant awards will range from $5,000 for family child care programs to $60,000 for large centers.

“At the height of the pandemic, the Child Care Sustainability grant program supported nearly 3,200 child care centers in Kansas, allowing them to stay open when families needed them most,” Governor Kelly said. “As we grow the economy, this second round of grants will provide the continued support our child care facilities need to stay open and to ensure that Kansas families have access to safe, quality child care.”

“Time and again we heard from child care providers that as families sheltered in place during the pandemic, they were faced with difficult decisions involving staffing, operating expenses and even providing classroom supplies,” Kansas DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “We are confident the second round of grants will continue to provide needed support to child care providers and offer one less worry for Kansas families.”

The Child Care Sustainability grant application will be available via the Child Care Aware of Kansas website beginning Oct. 1, 2021, and must be received by 5 p.m., Nov. 5, 2021. To be considered for funding, child care programs must maintain an active permanent license with Kansas Department of Health and Environment, whether they remain open or temporarily closed.

Funds may be used for any normal operational expenses, additional expenses the child care program has due to meeting CDC guidance for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, and other activities necessary to maintain or resume the operation of programs.

“Child care providers are essential to parents’ ability to work, especially at a time when child care is in such short supply. Financial support from these grants will stabilize our existing child care infrastructure, ensuring that parents have a safe, nurturing environment for their young children,” Kelly Davydov, Executive Director, said.

For more information about the Child Care Sustainability Grants, visit https://ks.childcareaware.org.

Governor Laura Kelly Applauds Kansas Delegation Members for Bipartisan Support for Wildlife Conservation, Extinctions Prevention

~Governor Kelly Thanks Senators Moran, Marshall, Rep. Davids, Continues to Push All Kansas Delegation for Passage of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act~

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly applauds Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Representative Sharice Davids for their bipartisan support of the most significant wildlife conservation bill seen in nearly half a century: The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). The bipartisan bill will devote $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts – including $17.6 million to Kansas – to help prevent extinctions and help at-risk wildlife species. More than 280 local species would benefit from the bill, including lesser prairie chickens, barn owls and swift foxes.

Since 2017, Kansas Wildlife and Parks has advocated for RAWA and its many benefits to Kansas native wildlife and plants which are at risk. The bipartisan bill requires state agencies to work with locally led wildlife restoration efforts and interested Kansas partners to help conserve sensitive species in Kansas and keep them off protected lists. In Kansas, 98% of land is privately owned, and KDWP staff have the technical expertise and long-standing relationships with landowners that will accomplish the tasks of increasing habitat quality and reversing habitat loss trends.

“Conserving sensitive species in Kansas is an all hands-on-deck project, requiring vital collaboration from our federal delegation, our restoration and conservation organizations, and our local landowners,” Governor Kelly said. “Voluntary programs like this give us the resources we need to support both landowners and the species. I appreciate Kansas’ congressional delegation’s work to create a healthy environment that supports all of our native plant, fish and animal species.”

The money to fund the Act comes from civil or criminal penalties and fines generated from violations of environmental and natural resources laws and regulations. At least 15 percent of the funds will be used to help species already designated as endangered or threatened. Federally recognized tribal nations, such as the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas, would share $97.5 million annually to fund wildlife conservation efforts on tribal lands.

“We’re facing a critical period with many sensitive species in precipitous decline. This is the most important piece of wildlife legislation in the past fifty years because of the help it offers,” Brad Loveless, Secretary of Kansas Wildlife and Parks said. “Ultimately, helping species recover and stay off of protected lists is in everyone’s best interest. By signing on as bill cosponsors in the House and Senate, Rep Davids and Senators Marshall and Moran are leading the way, and all of Kansas is grateful.”

“The Kansas Wildlife Federation is excited for Senators Moran and Marshall and Rep Davids’ engagement in this bipartisan process. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is a once in a generation opportunity to do something great for wildlife and we thank these legislators for being part of this on behalf of all Kansans,” Jeff Seim, Board President, Kansas Wildlife Federation said.

Kansas Racial Equity Collaboration Announces Learning Sessions

Examining racial inequities to grow understanding and create change for Kansas children

TOPEKA – Creating understanding through collaboration is the goal for the Kansas Racial Equity Collaboration, a statewide effort to understand the history of racial inequities in child welfare and how to move from controlling to supporting Kansas Black and Brown families.

“Black and Brown children are in the foster care system at double the rate they are in the population,” said Shanelle Dupree, DCF regional director. “And even more, data suggests that once these children are in foster care, they have worse outcomes and experiences.”

“Our hope is that by examining the history of racial inequities, asking tough questions and listening to uncomfortable answers, we as a state, may be able to more fully support Kansas families and children,” continued Abby Fry, CarePortal Regional Manager.

The Collaboration is a partnership between the Kansas Department for Children and Families, the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, and CarePortal, created by The Global Orphan Project. Group conversations, both virtually and in person, led by nationally respected speakers will be the cornerstone of the Collaboration.

“We invite educators, medical community leaders, legislators, judges, attorneys and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to take part in the sessions,” said Dr. Michelle Mohr Carney, Dean and Professor in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. “By the end, participants will have a toolkit that will provide them ways they can address racial disparities and advance racial equity in the child welfare system.”

The conversation will continue through a dedicated list serv. This information source will share on topics of racial equity for children and families, spotlighting progress, and continuing to highlight data and research to explain the need for action.  Sign up for updates here.

Register for the virtual sessions here, Kansas Racial Equity – CarePortal.

Four virtual sessions are scheduled followed by an in-person symposium, scheduled for April 15, 2022 at the University of Kansas.

Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topics: Understanding the historical context of structural racism and current day implications. How we got here and a better path forward

Speaker: Haywood Burns Institute

Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic: Addressing racial inequities in child welfare. View from early childhood education

Speaker: Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph. D.

Jan. 26, 2022, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic Debunking myths around racial inequities in child welfare

Speaker: Panel Discussion

Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic: Forward movement: Shifting from control to support for black and brown families

Speaker: Panel Discussion

Hear more about the Racial Equity Collaborative from the people who will help lead the effort.

Tuesday, Oct. 5, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close K-39 from U.S. 59 east to K-3. Crews will replace the fill between pipes running underneath a bridge on K-39 and repair the driving surface. The closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Traffic should use alternate routes. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road conditions and construction details. Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon at (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.