State Finance Council approves $290 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds for Child Supervision, Public Health, Other Essential Services

TOPEKA – The State Finance Council (SFC) today unanimously approved a total of $290 million for the public health, essential needs and services, and business resiliency and workforce development programs previously recommended by the Executive Committee of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce.

“These funds will provide child supervision for parents with school-age children to ensure they can keep working, reduce evictions, and provide tools to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I commend the SPARK taskforce and the State Finance Council, who crafted and approved these recommendations that will strongly support Kansans’ health and keep our state on the path economic recovery.”

Recognizing the constantly evolving health and economic needs created by the pandemic, the recommendations do not allocate all the funds immediately. Rather, the Office of Recovery will monitor demand for the funds from approved programs and submit additional allocations to the State Finance Council for approval.  Each program requires a minimum be invested in an area of emphasis, which include COVID-19 testing, housing stability, and remote learning centers for school-age children.  If those areas of emphasis do not require more funding, the remaining dollars in the reserve fund can be allocated to previous programs approved by the SFC in round 2.

“It was important to the SPARK taskforce to ensure there was flexibility and to not overcommit funds too early and be unable to respond should needs shift again this fall,” SPARK Chairman Lyle Butler said. “I want to thank SFC for sharing this concern and supporting a dynamic approach that will serve Kansas well.”

The $290 million approved today is for the third and final round of funding of the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which is part of the federal CARES Act.  Previously, SFC approved $400 million to Kansas counties (round 1) and $314 million for statewide priorities of public health, education, economic development, and connectivity (round 2).

“I want to thank both SPARK and the State Finance Council for providing the flexibility to deliver timely investments and ability to respond to shifting needs,” Recovery Office Executive Director Julie Lorenz said.  “With flexibility comes an even greater need for transparency and accountability for how these funds are utilized and we remain committed to reporting our progress to SPARK, SFC, and Kansans so they can see how their tax dollars are being spent.”

Below is a breakdown of the minimum investment requirements and allocations approved for each program.

Governor Laura Kelly Issues Executive Order Allowing Continued Delivery of COVID-19 Recovery Supplies

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced she has signed Executive Order #20-65, which extends temporary relief for motor carriers from certain rules and regulations allowing them to quickly deliver supplies necessary to assist Kansas in its COVID-19 recovery efforts.

“I want to thank motor carriers across the nation who have been working diligently throughout the pandemic to make sure medical supplies, food shipments, and other critical items reach those who need them,” Governor Kelly said. “I will continue following the lead of our federal partners to decrease the burden on our motor carriers, and ensure these supplies reach their destinations as quickly as possible.”

Executive Order #20-65 extends temporary relief for motor carriers from certain rules and regulations until rescinded, until December 31, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier. It is an extension of measures put in place by Executive Order #20-62. 

The order lifts certain weight restrictions and permitting requirements to allow needed medical supplies, food shipments, and other items to move through Kansas as quickly as possible. These exceptions apply only to motor carriers actively participating in COVID-19 response efforts.  

View E.O. #20-65 here.

Governor Laura Kelly Announces $500,000 Grant to Protect Historic Kansas Properties

~National Park Service awards $500,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant to the Kansas Historical Society~

TOPEKA—Governor Laura Kelly today announced a new program that will assist Kansans who own historic properties in communities with populations under 30,000. The National Park Service has awarded the $500,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant to the Kansas Historical Society. The Historical Society’s Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will develop this new sub-grant program, Kansas Rural Preservation.

“Kansas is home to many historical and cultural sites that tell the story of our state and our country’s past,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to the National Park Service and the Kansas Historical Society, we can be assured that markers that are part of our history will be protected for future generations to learn from and enjoy.”

More details about the sub-grant program and applications will become available this winter at kshs.org/20430. Or contact Katrina Ringler, SHPO grants manager, at 785-272-8681, ext. 215; [email protected]; to be placed on a notification list for further details.

Kansas was among eight recipients to receive the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants this year. A total of $4.8 million was awarded in 2020 to support the preservation of historic buildings in rural communities across America. Now in its second year, the Paul Bruhn Historical Revitalization Grants are named for a former executive director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont.

Congress appropriates funding for various programs, including the Paul Bruhn Revitalization Grant, through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). The HPF uses revenue from federal oil leases on the Outer Continental Shelf to assist preservation projects in all states, territories, and many tribal lands. For more information about the Paul Bruhn Revitalization Grant, find more at go.nps.gov/revitalization.

Agriculture Marketing and Promotions Advisory Board to Hold Virtual Meeting on September 17

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Promotions Advisory Board will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17. This is a regularly scheduled board meeting that will be held via virtual meeting or by utilizing a call-in option.

The mission of the KDA Agricultural Marketing, Advocacy and Outreach Team is to serve all Kansans through innovative programming and delivering solutions designed to create an environment that facilitates growth and expansion in agriculture while increasing pride in and awareness of the state’s largest industry — agriculture.

The meeting is open to the public. To request a copy of the agenda or directions on how to participate in the virtual meeting, please contact Kerry Wefald, agriculture marketing director, at 785-564-6758 or [email protected].

Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least two days prior to the meeting.

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WHO:            Marketing and Promotions Advisory Board

Kansas Department of Agriculture

WHAT:          Regular Board Meeting

WHEN:          September 17, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.

Topeka – Phone and internet services are vital for online learning, applying for jobs, accessing healthcare, and calling for help in an emergency. The Lifeline program offers discounts to help eligible low-income and unemployed Kansans connect to those services. More than 10 million Americans, including 35,000 in Kansas, are currently enrolled in the program.

As part of National Lifeline Awareness Week, September 14-18, the Kansas Corporation Commission wants to make Kansans aware of this valuable resource. Depending on the services provided and your provider, residents may be eligible to receive up to $17.02 in monthly federal and state discounts. Subscribers living on tribal lands qualify for additional discounts.

This year, a new National Verifier program helps speed up the approval process for applicants enrolled in assistance programs by quickly confirming Lifeline eligibility. Residents enrolled in any of the following assistance programs may be eligible for the Lifeline program: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA), Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension Benefit, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start Tribal Programs (only those meeting its income qualifying standard), and the Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands.

Those at 135% of the federal poverty level also qualify with income documentation. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the requirement of three months of income documentation was waived until November 30, 2020 to allow recently unemployed individuals to apply for the program by submitting an official document, including notice of unemployment benefits to confirm their income-based eligibility.

More information about Lifeline eligibility, participating providers and the enrollment process is available on the KCC’s website at: https://kcc.ks.gov/telecommunications/lifeline.