SPARK Taskforce Executive & Steering Committees Hold Joint Meeting on CARES Act Funding Distribution

Today, Governor Laura Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce held the first joint meeting between Executive and Steering Committees to create the framework for the distribution of up to $525 million for Kansans, businesses, and communities to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.

“Kansans have been through so much these past few months,” Governor Kelly said. “I’m proud of my administration’s efforts to work with our local and federal partners to ensure Kansas families and businesses get the resources they need to recover from the economic damage of COVID-19. We will swiftly disperse these funds, so Kansans can get back to work and to support community preparedness in the event cases begin to rise again.”

This will be the 2^nd distribution proposal for the $1,034,052,049 of federal funds Kansas received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Last week, the Executive Committee approved a proposal to distribute an initial round of $400 million in funding to local governments to help address the health and economic challenges inflicted by COVID-19.

“We need to leverage these dollars to benefit Kansans now and, in the future,” Cheryl Harrison-Lee, SPARK executive director, said. “To do that, we need to seek the best ideas from both the public and private sectors for how to make investments that will improve health and economic outcomes across our state. As a former city administrator, I’ve seen first-hand how partnerships with the public and private sectors can deliver projects expediently and generate lasting economic growth.”

The CARES Act requires these funds to be spent by December 30, 2020, which will require entities to work quickly to be eligible for funding.

Committee members spent the bulk of the meeting developing potential investment criteria focused around four sectors: health, infrastructure, education and economic development.

“I appreciate the thoughtfulness and ingenuity our committee members brought to our discussions about investment priorities,” Lyle Butler, SPARK executive committee chair, said. “I’m confident we’ll be able to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of Kansans to make strategic investments that not only accelerate our economic recovery but also generate new opportunities for growth.”

Governor Laura Kelly on June 8 signed the bipartisan COVID-19 response bill, House Bill 2016 into law.

“From day one, my administration has worked keeping Kansans healthy, and protecting the economic future of Kansas’ businesses and communities,” Governor Kelly said. “That means reaching across the aisle to get things done. This bill contains essential provisions that will allow us to continue to deliver critical health and economic services to communities and businesses throughout the state during this pandemic.”

The bill addresses the ongoing COVID-19 emergency and its effects, both economic and health-related. It provides the Legislature with the ability to more effectively engage in oversight while the Legislature is not in session while Governor Kelly retains the emergency authority to act as needed during the pandemic.

Though there are a number of COVID-19 response measures contained in the bill, the key provision extends the current emergency declaration through September 15, 2020, providing stability and certainty for the state’s ongoing emergency response efforts. Beyond September 15, the State Finance Council may extend the declaration by a vote of 6 legislative members.

The bill also contains the provisions of a number of executive orders that the Governor has issued during the pandemic, including allowing for expanded telemedicine, temporary licensure of out-of-state medical providers, electronic notarization of documents and certain liquor sales.

While the bill does provide some liability protection for medical providers and businesses, these elements are written very narrowly to apply to certain aspects of the COVID-19 response, and for most businesses the liability protection only applies when the business acts within the scope of public health requirements.

House Bill 2016 becomes effective upon publication in an emergency edition the Kansas Register to be published tomorrow.

Governor Laura Kelly Recommends Communities Move into Phase 3 of “Ad Astra” Plan

TOPEKA, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration, as well as officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend that most local communities consider moving into Phase 3 of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” Monday, June 8, as scheduled.

“I know that many Kansans are anxious to return to many of the summer activities they love, and I’m pleased that we continue to make progress that will allow them to do so safely,” Governor Kelly said.

“Because of Kansans’ hard work – and after careful consideration, Secretary Norman’s team at KDHE have found that COVID-19 disease spread and hospitalizations across Kansas have generally continued to trend downward – and testing capacity has increased,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Therefore, we feel comfortable recommending that most local communities consider moving into phase three.”

The new emergency disaster declaration issued by the Governor on May 26 transfers reopening decisions back to local officials, which means counties moving into Phase 3 of the plan is only a recommendation. However, the State continues to monitor health metrics daily, and remains committed to supporting local communities in a safe, gradual transition.

“Our recommendation to move into Phase 3 does not mean the threat of COVID-19 is over,” Governor Kelly said. “Please remember: this virus remains highly transmissible, it has a long incubation period, and cases are frequently asymptomatic. Please continue using proper safety precautions.”

Key Phase 3 highlights for communities:

• Mass gatherings of more than 45 individuals are not recommended;

• All education, activities, venues and establishments may operate and are recommended to follow all public health guidelines;

• On-site staffing has no recommended restrictions;

• Nonessential travel may resume, provided travelers follow KDHE travel and quarantine guidelines for travel to high-risk areas.

As always, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:

• Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;

• Remaining home when sick or running a fever;

• Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;

• Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;

“Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.

Survey area in blue

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin a field survey at the First Cow Creek drainage bridge on U.S. 69 at Frontenac on Monday, June 8.

The bridge is 2¼ miles north of the north junction of U.S. 69/U.S. 69A.

The field survey covers .6 miles on the existing alignment. Survey crew members will gather information for the detailed design of a proposed improvement to replace the bridge.

KDOT expects the survey work to last four weeks. Activities include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the corridor.

A member of the survey crew will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property.

Robert Ubben of Affinis Corporation will manage this survey for KDOT.

Persons with questions may contact KDOT Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.

Offices reopening based on county COVID-19 data; some offices will remain closed

Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard announced today a select number of DCF offices will reopen to the public beginning Monday, June 8.

“Based on Governor Laura Kelly’s Ad Astra plan for reopening and county data, I feel it is appropriate to slowly begin to open our service centers,” Howard said. “Our reopening plan is based on data and will be done in a safe and measured fashion.”

The agency recently opened some service centers to test its readiness and ensure the safety of both clients and employees. Clients can expect to see several safety measures inside the service centers.

Those include:

• Limiting lobby capacity to ensure social distancing
• Asking COVID-19 screening questions upon entry
• Encouraging clients to wear masks
• Asking clients to limit the number of people they bring to the service center
• Making phone interviews available
• Plexiglass partitions
• Designating “phone stations” for clients

Service centers included in this initial round of openings include:

• Atchison
• Chanute
• Colby
• Columbus
• Concordia
• El Dorado 6/10
• Fort Scott
• Goodland
• Hays
• Hiawatha
• Independence
• Junction City
• Lawrence
• McPherson
• Manhattan
• Marysville
• Osawatomie
• Ottawa
• Parsons
• Phillipsburg
• Pittsburg
• Pratt
• Salina
• Topeka
• Winfield 6/10

Other ways to connect with DCF

DCF also offers other ways for clients to connect with the agency if they are concerned about entering public spaces.

Clients with general questions about assistance programs can use the agency’s statewide customer service line at 1-888-369-4777.

Kansans who have case specific questions or need to provide information or documents can email those to their local service center at DCF.(city)EES@ks.gov (Example: DCF.TopekaEES.ks.gov).

Clients who have questions about their Kansas Benefits Card can call 1-800-997-6666.

If you need to report suspect abuse or neglect call the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330.

“We know the pandemic has caused additional stress to the well-being of Kansas families,” Howard said. “Our goal is to be available no matter how someone contacts the agency because we know access to our programs can provide a measure of security during these difficult times.”

DCF will make additional announcements as more offices reopen.

The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding the passage of HB 2016 through the Kansas House and the Senate:  

“Today’s bipartisan passage of the COVID-19 response bill is a victory for Kansans. Our communities have faced unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic and I am proud of the compassion and resiliency they have shown during this difficult time.

“While there are parts of this legislation that I oppose, HB 2016 provides the tools and resources for Kansas families, communities, and businesses to begin the path to economic recovery. I will sign this legislation when it comes to my desk, and will continue to honor my commitment to work across the aisle and move our state forward.”

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Governor applauds Kansas House of Representatives swift action on bipartisan COVID-19 bill

Urges the Kansas Senate to take swift action

The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding the Kansas House of Representatives’ passage of HB 2016: 

“I appreciate the Kansas House of Representatives’ bipartisan and transparent efforts on the passage of the COVID-19 response bill. Today, in spite of their disagreements, they put the interests of Kansans ahead of politics.

“I urge the Senate to swiftly follow their lead, so that we can get Kansas families, businesses and communities the resources they need.”