Category Archives: Government

Government, Kansas

Proposed Commercial Hemp Hearing Jan. 20

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Hearing for Proposed Adoption of Commercial Industrial Hemp Regulation

 

MANHATTAN, Kansas — A public hearing will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, to consider the adoption of a proposed regulation to govern commercial industrial hemp production in Kansas. Due to public health concerns posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing proceedings will be held via a video conferencing system to provide the opportunity for virtual participation online. Although in-person participation is also an option, attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing and to comply with local health requirements.

 

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is proposing amendments to K.A.R. 4-34-1, in order to make the existing rule and regulation align with the requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill and the Commercial Industrial Hemp Act, which together allow commercial hemp production in Kansas.

 

A copy of the proposed regulation, as well as an expanded notice of public hearing, may be accessed on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/PublicComment. Anyone desiring to participate via video conference or in person must pre-register and be provided with a video link or instructions for in-person attendance. Written comments can be submitted on the public comment web page prior to the hearing or sent to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS, 66502.

 

Any individual with a disability may request accommodation in order to participate in the public hearing and may request a copy of the regulations in an accessible format. Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least five working days prior to the hearing. For more information, including special accommodations or a copy of the regulations, please contact Ronda Hutton at 785-564-6715 or [email protected].

 

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WHAT:          Public hearing on proposed commercial industrial hemp regulation

WHEN:          10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2021

WHERE:       Virtual: via video conferencing system

In person: Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Dr., Manhattan

 

 

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

COVID-19 Tests Exceed 1 Million in 2020

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Exceeded 1 Million COVID-19 Tests in 2020

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the State of Kansas exceeded its goal to conduct 1 million COVID-19 tests in 2020, which was set by the Governor in October.

“In October, we launched our Unified Testing Strategy with a goal of testing one million Kansans by the end of the year – and today, I’m excited to announce that we exceeded that number,” Governor Kelly said. “This coordinated partnership between state health officials and local providers, in addition to a majority of counties’ decision to adopt face covering requirements, led to the control of the spread of the virus in Kansas for the first time since the stay-at-home order was lifted in May.”

The State of Kansas conducted over 1,001,000 tests in 2020.

“Ramping up testing capabilities in Kansas has been critical to identify COVID-19 in our state and stop the spread,” Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said. “ Reaching this milestone in Kansas shows great success, but we must remain vigilant and continue following proven public health measures as we move into 2021. Free testing is available through the end of January, and I urge you to utilize testing locations in your area this month.”

The Unified Testing Strategy was launched by Governor Kelly’s administration to coordinate COVID-19 testing statewide, keep Kansans safe and healthy, and accelerate the state’s economy.

“Although we are still working on making the process work better for Kansas consumers, we met the million test mark by the end of 2020, which took a great deal of teamwork from all of our partners in a very short time frame,” Marci Nielsen, special advisor to the Governor, said. “As we begin to vaccinate the public against COVID-19, it’s heartening to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But we can’t yet let down our guard. Testing for COVID-19 is still critically important to control the spread of the virus.”

The strategy includes a campaign called “Stop the Spread. It’s Up to Us, Kansas,” which directs Kansans to free testing locations across the state through the website GoGetTested.com/Kansas. Currently, there are 39 free testing locations on the site, which is updated regularly.

Governor Kelly’s all-of-the-above approach to virus mitigation also includes the “Kansas Beats the Virus” network, a statewide, bipartisan public health intervention, spearheaded by the Kansas Leadership Center, to increase local actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 and encourage Kansans to practice virus mitigation efforts.

“As we move into 2021, the Unified Testing Strategy – including the free testing program – will continue full steam ahead,” Governor Kelly said. “Additionally, the groundwork already put in place through our all-of-the-above approach to virus mitigation is, and will continue to be, essential infrastructure that will allow for the quick and efficient distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Kansas Expands Newborn Screening

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Kansas Expands Newborn Screening

 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that as of January 2, two lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) have been added to the Kansas Newborn Screening blood spot panel: Pompe Disease and Mucopolysaccharidoses I (MPS I).

 

With this change, Kansas is now screening for 34 of the 35 conditions on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel. This screening will be part of the standard blood spot screening conducted shortly after birth. While Kansas is not the first state to add Pompe and MPS I to the blood spot screening panel, it is now one of only 23 states to routinely screen for these two LSDs.

 

Lysosomal storage disorders are a group of diseases that prevent cells from breaking down fats and sugar, causing them to swell. Cells that swell due to LSD causes tissue damage that can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as muscle weakness, enlarged heart, feeding difficulties, intellectual disability and retinal degeneration.

 

Pompe and MPS I are disorders that are inherited from unaffected parents. When both parents carry a gene for one of these disorders there is a 25% chance their child will be affected by the disorder. Pompe has an incidence rate of 1 in 40,000 and MPS I has an incidence rate of 1 in 100,000. Given these rates, KDHE’s Kansas Newborn Screening Program expects to identify approximately one Kansas infant per year affected by Pompe and one every year and half affected by MPS I.

 

As with all conditions on the Kansas Newborn Screening panel, treatments are available for these conditions and are most effective when started early. Early detection and treatment for LSDs can help prevent severe disability, early death and can help babies have the best possible quality of life.

 

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About the Kansas Newborn Screening Program

The Kansas Newborn Screening Program has screened babies for rare and serious conditions at no charge to families since 1965, starting with screening newborns for phenylketonuria (PKU). Most babies are born healthy. However, some are born with serious medical conditions that may not be visible at birth. Left untreated, these conditions can cause permanent disability or death. Over the years the program has added 31 additional disorders to its panel including hearing loss, critical congenital heart defects, and 29 additional genetic and metabolic disorders. Over 36,700 babies received this essential service in 2019, saving 20 lives and preventing serious illness or disability for more than 200 Kansas children.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Special Meeting Jan. 9

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to interview candidates for the City Manager position. The City Commission will recess into Executive Session for these interviews.

This meeting is open to the public, but the Executive Session is not.

 

Government, Kansas

Governor’s State of the State Is Virtual on Jan. 12

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Governor Laura Kelly to deliver State of the State Virtually, January 12

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly will deliver the annual 2021 State of the State address virtually, on Tuesday, January 12, at 7:00 pm CT.

Who:              Governor Laura Kelly

What:             State of the State

When:            7:00 pm, Tuesday, January 12

Where:          Governor Kelly’s Facebook page here:

                          https://www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly,

                          or watch the broadcast on the following public television stations:

                          KTWU, KPTS, Smoky Hills Public Broadcasting.

Government, Kansas

Toland Sworn In As Lt. Governor

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Commerce Secretary David Toland Sworn in as Lt. Governor of Kansas Today

TOPEKA – David Toland was sworn in as the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of Kansas in a ceremony today at the Kansas Statehouse.

Toland has served in the Kelly Administration as Secretary of Commerce since his appointment in January 2019. He will maintain the duties of Commerce Secretary while serving in this new role as Lieutenant Governor.

“There’s no doubt about it, this is a great day for Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “As Secretary of Commerce, David has spearheaded efforts to provide critical assistance for small businesses and rebuilt programs within the Department that make Kansas competitive on a global scale when it comes to business recruitment. He is a smart and dynamic leader, and is ready to step up on Day One to help our administration drive our economic recovery and keep Kansans healthy.”

Toland was sworn in by Judge Daniel Creitz, Chief Judge of Kansas’ 31st Judicial District and a fellow Iolan.

“I’m honored, excited and so very humbled to be Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary working alongside Governor Kelly as she continues to rebuild our state and create a healthier, brighter and more prosperous future for all Kansans,” Lt. Governor Toland said. “I am sincerely grateful for Governor Kelly’s strong, steady quest to keep people safe and healthy, and help businesses and our communities recover and move forward. We will continue to work in a bipartisan, collaborative way on Kansas-specific strategies and solutions for the people of Kansas and the future of our state.”

As Commerce Secretary, Toland has overseen sweeping changes within the state’s lead economic development agency. Under his leadership, the Department has rebuilt its in-state, domestic and international business recruitment teams; launched the state’s Office of Broadband Development; re-established a Community Development division and the Kansas Main Street Program; and launched the state’s first new economic development strategic planning process since 1986.

Toland and his team have been at the forefront of Governor Kelly’s efforts to support the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, providing technical and financial assistance to thousands of small businesses. He also led negotiations on behalf of Governor Kelly that resulted in the end of the economic incentives “Border War” that existed between Kansas and Missouri for a decade.

Efforts across the Kansas Department of Commerce have resulted in over $2.5 billion in new capital investment by businesses in Kansas in 2020, an increase of nearly 80% over the previous year and the highest in state history.

Prior to joining the team at Commerce, Secretary Toland was the first CEO of Thrive Allen County, a nonprofit coalition that works to improve quality of life and economic conditions in Allen County, Kansas. A seventh-generation Allen Countian, Toland oversaw the organization in its efforts toward improving economic conditions, healthcare access and quality of life in the small, rural Kansas county. Toland holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kansas.

Toland succeeds former Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers in this position after Rogers was appointed to be the 41st State Treasurer of Kansas, filling a position left by former Treasurer Jake LaTurner’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Photos of the ceremony below available for media use:

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Government, Kansas

Kansas Tax Collections Up

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Kansas’ December Total Tax Collections Up $13.6 Million Compared to Last Fiscal Year

TOPEKA – Kansas’ December total tax collections continues the state’s trend of outperforming the estimate. Total tax collections were up $64.5 million, or 9.1%, for the month with $770.2 million collected. That is a $13.6 million, or 1.8%, increase from December of Fiscal Year 2020.

“While it appears that receipts are relatively stable, we must continue to be prudent and exercise caution as we move forward,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Additionally, we are still determining the full impact that the recent federal COVID-19 relief package will have on state receipts.”

For December, retail sales tax collections were $201.9 million; a $6.9 million, or 3.6%, increase from the estimate. That is 0.5%, or $995,601, more than the same month of last fiscal year. Compensating use tax collections grew 34.4%, or $13.4 million, over last December with the collection of $52.1 million. That’s $7.1 million, or 15.9%, more than estimated.

“With the 2020 tax filing season starting this month, we will get a clearer picture of the economic implications the COVID-19 pandemic has presented over the last ten months and how to address those issues,” Revenue Secretary Mark Burghart said.

Individual income tax collections were $306.7 million; an increase of 2.2%, or $6.7 million, above the estimate. These collections were $9.5 million, or 3.0%, less than the same month of last fiscal year. Corporate income tax collections were $99.2 million for the month; $39.2 million, or 65.4%, more than estimated. That is $8.5 million, or 9.4%, more than last December.

Please find the revenue numbers here.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Will Not Meet Jan. 5

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: January 5, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

NO MEETING

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Agenda For Jan. 5

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR
MEETING OF
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
BUCK RUN COMMUNITY CENTER

COREY LARSON GYMNASIUM

735 SCOTT AVENUE
JANUARY 5, 2021
6:00 P.M.

Call to Order

  1. Roll Call:

K. Allen P. Allen J. Jones L. Watts R. Nichols

II. Flag Salute:

  1. Invocation: Led by: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle

  2. Approval of Agenda:

  3. Proclamations/Recognitions:

  4. Consent Agenda:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 15th, 2020, and special meeting minutes of December 14th, 2020 and December 29th, 2020.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1278-A totaling $699,215.47.

  1. Resolution 1-2021 designating the official City newspaper.

  1. Resolution 2-2021 designating the official City depositories for public funds.

  1. Resolution 3-2021 designating exemption from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles under KSA 75-1120(a).

  1. Request to Pay – Olsson Associates – Airport Runway Extension Project – Engineering – $1,062.50

  1. Request to Pay – Suez Treatment Solutions, Inc – $15,450.30 – Ozone Generator Convertor due to fire

  1. Request to Pay – Suez Treatment Solutions, Inc. – $169,062.30 – SCADA Upgrade

  1. Request to Pay – 3RK – MIH Housing Grant – $13,534.97

VII. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION AND ELECTION OF MAYOR, COMMISSION PRESIDENT, B.C.E.D.C.I. REPRESENTATIVE, AND FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY DELEGATE

    1. Election of Mayor
    2. Election of Commission President

    3. Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council Inc. Representative

    4. Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate

  1. Public Comment:

(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion)

  1. Interim City Manager Reports and Comments

  1. Director Reports: Allyson Turvey, Community Development Manager/Zoning Administrator/Tourism Manager

  1. Old Business: None

  1. Appearances: None

  1. New Business:

  1. Peerless Annexation – Approval of Ordinance No. 3571

(Approval from Bourbon County Commission meetings attached)

  1. Zoning Change – Peerless – 2 tracts – Approval of Ordinance No. 3572

  2. Consideration of Appointments to Design Review Board (3)

  3. Consideration of Appointments to Tourism Board (2)

  4. Consideration of Flow Fee Agreement – Heinan Brothers Ag Company – Fort Scott Municipal Airport

  5. Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. – October – $2,266.00 – November $2,538.00 – Port-A-Potties

  6. Consideration of Tail Insurance Coverage

  7. Extension of Flood Permit at 520 E. Wall Street – Greg Schick

XIII. Reports and Comments:

A. Commissioners Reports and Comments:

B. City Attorney Reports and Comments:

XIV. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)

XV. Adjournment: