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Category Archives: Government
Kansas Water Authority Virtual Meeting April 14
The Kansas Water Authority (KWA) will have a virtual meeting by webinar on Tuesday, April 14 starting at 10 a.m.
For additional meeting information or how to access it, visit the Kansas Water Office website, www.kwo.ks.gov or call (785) 296-3185.
The KWA is responsible for advising the Governor, Legislature and Director of the Kansas Water Office on water policy issues. They also ensure that water policies and programs address the needs of all Kansans as well as serve as advisors of the Kansas Water Vision and Kansas Water Plan. The KWA was established in 1981 and consists of 13 voting members who are appointed by the Governor or Legislative leadership. State agency directors serve as ex-officio members.
DCF Relaxes Food Assistance Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults
Agency implements other food assistance waivers during pandemic
Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard today announced several steps the agency is taking to temporarily ease restrictions on Kansans who are currently receiving or applying for food assistance.
“The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act allows states to suspend time limits on food assistance eligibility for unemployed and underemployed individuals known as able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDS),” Howard said. “Additionally, a proviso approved by the Kansas legislature would temporarily allow DCF to apply to the United States Department of Agriculture for a waiver of time limits if Kansas’s high unemployment persists after time limits are reinstated on the national level.”
This is a temporary waiver in effect from April 1 through the end of the national public health emergency.
Typically, ABAWDS must work or participate in an approved employment and training program for at least 20 hours per week. People not meeting this requirement are limited to receiving food assistance for only three months out of a 36-month time frame.
Beginning in April, these individuals continued to receive food assistance if otherwise eligible. If an individual’s case closed at the end of March or previous months they should reapply.
Additionally, DCF applied for and received federal waivers allowing the agency to:
- Temporarily extend certification periods so individuals do not have to update their paperwork as often
- Waive interviews for food assistance applicants, if the agency can verify information through other methods.
- Waive face-to-face interviews for quality control reviews.
The agency also implemented express eligibility determinations, waiving additional documentation when possible.
Those interested in applying for food assistance can visit the DCF website at www.dcf.ks.gov.
For more information on COVID-19 visit: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
Kansas Update on COVID 19
Today the Southeast Kansas Mult-Health Department announced the first death in Bourbon County from COVID 19.
Click below for the Kansas statistics on the pandemic.
Kansas Mass Gatherings Executive Order
Governor Kelly announces revised mass gatherings guidance to include religious services
As part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, today Governor Laura Kelly rescinded Executive Order #20-14 and replaced it with Executive Order #20-18, which primarily brings our religious institutions and religious and non-religious funerals in line with the previous order that limited public gatherings to 10 or fewer people.
Although religious institutions and funerals previously were exempt from this 10-person limit, they now will need to comply with this rule, effective at 12:01 p.m. Wednesday.
“As Holy Week gets underway – and with Kansas rapidly approaching its projected ‘peak’ infection rate in the coming weeks – the risk for a spike in COVID-19 cases through church gatherings is especially dangerous,” Kelly said. “This was a difficult decision, and not one I was hoping to have to make.
“But I’ve said repeatedly during this crisis that we will adjust to circumstances as they develop to make sure we do everything we can to protect Kansans.”
E.O. #20-18 does not ban religious gatherings or funerals. Instead, both conducting and attending religious services and funerals remain designated “essential functions” and cannot be prohibited by local orders. However, gatherings must be limited to 10 individuals at a time and clergy, staff and attendees must adhere to appropriate safety protocols as outlined in the statewide stay-home order – including social distancing, hygiene and other efforts.
“I encourage all faith leaders to embrace alternative forms of worship that do not involve in-person congregation,” the Governor said. “Churches are livestreaming services and bringing their parishioners together over Facebook Live for Bible Study. They also are looking for alternative ways to observe their rituals.”
On April 3, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued new guidance to support churches in their transition to this method of worship, which can be viewed at http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Church_Sevices_Guidance.pdf.
The Governor said that in speaking with several faith leaders across Kansas, she was encouraged and deeply grateful that many religious institutions across the state have already recognized the danger of congregating in person and have proactively taken steps to celebrate in an alternative way. See statements from several below:
Reverend C.L. Bachus of Kansas City Kansas’ Mt. Zion Baptist Church: “I am calling the Christian community to follow Governor Kelly’s executive order as it relates to social distancing and limited gatherings. We’ve had some difficult experiences in the religious community that makes this action necessary. I encourage you all to obey the mandate. It’s time we use good common sense as well as exercise our faith during this difficult time. We are all in this together.”
Catholic Monsigner Stuart Svetland of Donnelley College in Kansas City, Kansas: “Everyone recognizes the religious liberty and first amendment rights, but with rights also comes the duty to serve the common good. Right now, it is necessary for religious institutions to serve the common good and our common health by following this reasonable request from the Governor.”
Dr. T. La Mont Holder, President of Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas: “In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is imperative that pastors and churches comply fully with the state and local gathering restrictions of (10 or less) that have been implemented by our Governor, Laura Kelly, and the healthcare experts who are working with her daily to provide the best policies and practices for reducing the spread here in Kansas.
This is no time for spiritual extremism. It is the responsibility of each pastor and church to act responsibly and lead by example. To continue to place the health and welfare of our church members, and the community at large in danger is biblically and morally irresponsible and reckless.
In these difficult times we must endeavor to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. To defy the meeting restrictions is negligent, selfish and reprehensible. As a member of the clergy, I understand that as a community of faith the church is our safe place. However we must not turn our safe places into sanctuaries of predation.
I implore EVERY pastor, church leader and parishioner across the state of Kansas to rethink your actions during this vulnerable time in our nation and particularly in Kansas. We are in a state of emergency and our actions in these critical moments will determine how soon we get beyond this healthcare emergency.
Join me, the Governor, and our trusted healthcare experts in combatting this unprecedented health crisis in our country. Let’s unite to fight this outbreak and in the end we will conquer COVID-19. #KansasStrong!”
Rev. Shriley D. Heermance, Pastor at Historic St. Mark’s A.M.E Church: “Today we were informed of the Honorable Governor Laura Kelly’s Executive Order to remove the exemption that allowed for members of the Faith Community to gather for worship, per the established distancing order. The Historic St. Mark’s African Methodist Episcopal Church (Topeka, Kansas) stand in support of this difficult decision. Sharing with others of the Faith Community, who believe that through this crisis, we are safer at home. We are grateful to have opportunity to continue in Worship, study, and official meetings through the social media and teleconferencing. Our hearts are filled with sorrow over the 11,000-plus lives lost to the COVID-19 virus. We are thankful for all those who serve through this crisis on the front line and will remain prayerful until at last our God has healed our State, our Nation, and our World.”
First COVID 19 Death in Bourbon County
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Bourbon County, Kansas
PRESS RELEASE:
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
April 7, 2020
It is with our deepest regret that we need to announce the loss of our first resident of Bourbon County, KS (elderly male), due to COVID-19, plus other health conditions. We would like to extend our sympathy to the family and friends of this individual during this difficult time and encourage the public to do the same as his family and friends mourn his loss.
The individual was and had been hospitalized out of state prior to 3/22/20 and was Bourbon County’s first positive COVID-19 case. Bourbon County Health Department’s first step was to contact those people who were a contact of this individual. The contact investigations have been completed. If you have not been contacted, your risk of exposure from this individual is minimal.
The overwhelming opinion of medical professionals across the country is that we MUST all do our part to help reduce the spread of this virus. Even though many will only experience mild symptoms, the higher risk/elderly population and those with underlying health issues could experience more severe symptoms.
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it is recommended that everyone stay home if you are able, utilize social distancing, use frequent hand hygiene, cough or sneeze into your sleeve/elbow, work from home if possible, and stay home if you are ill.
If you feel you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) please call your clinic first. If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, please call 911!
If you have questions, the Bourbon County Health Department will answer your call at (620)223-4464. Due to the volume of calls, we are not answering messages via Facebook or Messenger.
You can also call the COVID-19 hotline at (866)534-3463 OR visit COVID-19 Resource Center at: http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm See KS COVID-19 Case Summary for more details: https://public.tableau.com/profile/kdhe.epidemiology#!/vizhome/COVID-19Data_15851817634470/KSCOVID-19CaseData
You can also visit Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook for local updates regarding COVID-19.
The Bourbon County Health Department is aware that daily case updates from KDHE may not always align with County case numbers. This may be due to the individual’s location vs. their physical address.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to decrease the spread of COVID-19. Please continue this effort.
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
April 3, 2020
The legislature adjourned about two weeks early this year. The session has been suspended and we do not know if or when we will be back, even though we are scheduled to return April 27. Almost all have been impacted by COVID-19 and the legislature is no exception. There is still important work to be completed but nothing that the law requires. The only topic the legislature is required to deal with is the budget and unfortunately the one that passed is a huge increase in spending that does not address the pandemic.
It was reported the state government is tracking people by using cell phone data. More accurately, the Secretary of Kansas Health and Environment (KDHE) is using data from the company Unacast. The Governor has stated they are not paying for your cell phone data and that this data is anonymous to the state government. The Senate President has made an open records request to assure the data is anonymous. Google has announced they will also be providing anonymous data to the government. You know the data is not anonymous to the collectors. If they happen to release raw data, well you can see how this would be a problem.
The federal government and many companies are tracking you, buying and selling your personal information. This raises privacy concerns and it should. However, most people give access to their information without being aware they did it. During session, I was reading the fine print of a common software application (known as an app) to a friend. In order to use the free app, you had to agree for all access to your phone, including but not limited to contacts, camera, pictures, web pages you accessed, and your location. If you check the box to use the app, you signed over access to all of that information. It’s time that we work on legislation to protect your privacy.
With all of the uncertainty and people out of work, financial obligations are daunting. Many will face property tax payments due May 10. Currently, there is no way to lower the amount due for this obligation other than an Executive Order (EO) by the Governor. Local governments and schools can lower mil levies in order to lower property taxes but that will not address the amount due this May 10.
As we spend Holy Week reflecting, I’m reminded of a prayer we would say before volleyball games, so let’s remember you have been given this and every day to use as you will. “What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.” For Christians this is a very important week. May you have a blessed Easter.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
…
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Department of Commerce introduces Live Chat to help businesses
applying for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce launched a Live Chat feature on its COVID-19 Response webpage today specifically to provide support to Kansas businesses and nonprofits applying for Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the U.S. Small Business Association.
The SBA approved Governor Laura Kelly’s disaster declaration request for all 105 Kansas counties, making low-interest, long-term loans available for Kansas businesses to fund fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the impact of COVID-19. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations.
“The Department of Commerce doesn’t administer the SBA disaster loans, but we can help our business partners across the state navigate the application process,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We know this is a challenging time for Kansas companies, and we are moving swiftly and aggressively to get them the support they need.”
The Department’s team of regional project managers attended training provided by the SBA and various lenders, which prepared them to provide guidance to Kansas businesses applying for SBA loan funding. “We fast tracked the training with our partners to ensure we could provide immediate support to the businesses who need it right now,” Toland said.
Businesses can apply for SBA loans at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. Commerce representatives will be available via the Live Chat function from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday at https://kansascommerce.gov/covid-19-response.
For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.
KDHE adds state to travel quarantine list: Connecticut
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added one state to the quarantine list: Connecticut. This is effective for persons returning today, April 6, and moving forward.
A comprehensive list of those individuals in Kansas needing to quarantine for 14 days includes those who have:
- Traveled to Connecticut on or after April 6.
- Traveled to Louisiana or anywhere in Colorado on or after March 27.
- Traveled to Illinois or New Jersey on or after March 23.
- Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (California, Florida, New York and Washington state) on or after March 15.
- Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado in the week of March 8 or after.
- Traveled on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
- People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should finish out their quarantine.
- Traveled internationally on or after March 15.
- People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their international travel to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran should finish out their quarantine.
- Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. You should quarantine at home for 14 days since your last contact with the case. (A close contact is defined as someone who has been closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes while the patient is symptomatic.)
Important Note: These mandates do not apply to critical infrastructure sectors needed to continue operations during this pandemic. Public health, including hospitals, clinics, etc. need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans. While KDHE strongly recommends these quarantine restrictions for everyone, we do recognize that medical care needs to continue and no healthcare facility should ever be to a point where it would need to close due to staff being quarantined. We ask facilities to ensure they have updated their Emergency Preparedness Plans and implement protocols to ensure that no employee comes to work symptomatic. Other examples of critical infrastructures include pharmaceutical and food supply, along with others defined by the Department of Homeland Security.
For more information, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.
No Bourbon County Commission April 7
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: April 7, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
There will not be a regular Commission meeting on April 7, 2020.
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Kansas Statistics on COVID 19 April 6
LaTurner Asks Congress To Include Savings Bonds In Stimulus Package
Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner asks Congressional Delegation to include $26-billion in savings bonds in next stimulus package
Topeka- Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner today sent an open letter to the Kansas Congressional Delegation strongly encouraging them to push for the U.S. Savings Bond Act to be included in any future stimulus package that is brought forward in Congress.
On background: The Federal Government now has an estimated $26 billion of matured and unclaimed US Savings Bonds that are no longer paying interest and need to be re-united with the people of the United States, and it is estimated that over $157 million of that belongs to Kansans.
A large majority of the bonds were issued before 1974 and many were issued in support of the war efforts during World War II. Unfortunately, the rightful owners or heirs to these bonds are often only able to claim their money if they have the actual bond serial number.
After an unsuccessful battle in the U.S. Court of Appeals asking the U.S. Treasury to release the data that would allow the states to identify owners of these bonds and reunite them or their heirs with their money, the Kansas federal delegation, led by Congressman Ron Estes, have taken this matter to Congress to get it settled.
Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner believes the best method for settling the matter would be to include it in an upcoming stimulus package. He sent the following letter urging this action:
Dear Kansas Congressional Delegation;
As Treasurer of the State of Kansas, I would like to personally thank former Kansas Treasurer and Congressman, Ron Estes, Congressman Roger Marshall and Senators Moran and Roberts, for your leadership and support to bring an end to the long, hard-fought battle to return the $26-billion in U.S. Savings Bond money to the people of this country. As you know, Kansas has been the leader in challenging the U.S. Treasury through the courts, asking them to turn over the U.S. Saving Bond data to the states, enabling state treasurers throughout the country to reunite unclaimed U.S. Treasury Bonds with their rightful owners.
The purpose for my letter today is to strongly encourage you all to push for the U.S. Savings Bond Act to be included in any stimulus packages that are brought forward in Congress. If Congress is going to continue to find ways to put money in American’s hands they should start with the $26-billion that the U.S. Government already owes them. The U.S. Treasury has held on to this money long enough. So many people in our country are currently dealing with severe financial hardship. Now is the time to return this money to the dedicated American citizens who invested in their country years ago during its time of need.
I assure you that we have the systems in place in Kansas to receive these records and begin working right away to return this money to its rightful owners or heirs. This will be a great help to so many in our state who are trying to provide for themselves and their families during these uncertain times.
Thank you again for your work to get this matter settled.
Sincerely,
Jake LaTurner
Kansas State Treasurer
Additional links to background articles on the U.S. Savings Bond case can be found in the news section of the Kansas State Treasurer’s website: https://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/news.html
Feel free to email [email protected] with the Kansas State Treasurer’s office with additional questions.