Encourages Legislature to do what’s right to protect Kansans

TOPEKA – Today Governor Laura Kelly announced a series of actions her administration is taking to respond to the emergency situation COVID-19 currently presents to the economy and to public safety.

1. After careful review, Kelly has vetoed House Bill 2054. This sweeping, hastily crafted legislation pushed through the Kansas Legislature last week includes provisions that will damage Kansas’ ability to respond to COVID-19 and all future disasters. The bill also weakens local county health officer authorities and adds unnecessary layers of bureaucracy to their emergency response efforts.
2. Kelly has signed a new state disaster declaration to ensure that Kansas can effectively respond to the current emergency situation, which includes an unprecedented economic emergency and the imminent threat of new outbreaks of COVID-19, specifically regarding food supply. This will also ensure the state can continue its coordinated response with federal and state partners.
3. Kelly has called a special session starting June 3. She has asked the Legislature to put politics aside, work with her, and deliver an emergency management bill that has been vetted, debated, is transparent and addresses the need to keep Kansans safe and healthy.

“As I’ve said from day one, the safety and well-being of Kansans is my number one priority. What the Legislature sent to my desk does not protect Kansans. It does not help Kansans. It puts their lives at risk,” Kelly said. “I’m calling on the Legislature to come back and put a carefully crafted, bipartisan bill on my desk that will provide the resources Kansans need, in a timely manner. We must stop putting Kansans at risk.”

The new state disaster declaration addressing the current emergency enables Kansas to provide the following services through the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas National Guard and the federal government:

• Allows National Guard members supporting numerous field missions throughout the state to serve communities in response to the disaster and threat. To date, a total of 678 National Guard personnel are supporting these missions.

• Allows KDEM and National Guard to provide vital food support to communities and protect against threat of food supply shortages. Guard members have packed more than two million meals which are being distributed to food banks across Kansas.

• Allows KDEM and National Guard to swiftly provide medical and non-medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hospitals, first responders and many more to combat the imminent threat of COVID-19 surges. To date, over 7,000 cases of PPE have been delivered across the state, which includes 3.2 million individual pieces of PPE. More will be needed to address the imminent threat of new outbreaks.

• Allows KDEM to assist the Kansas Department of Corrections to provide support personnel – including medical and food preparation personnel.

• Allows KDEM to make deliveries of Remdesivir to counties across Kansas. So far, KDEM, along with their state agency partners which include the Kansas National Guard, Kansas Highway Patrol and Civil Air Patrol, have made 26 deliveries of Remdesivir to 10 counties. Remdesivir is delivered to hospitals to treat critical patients, and this service is potentially life-saving for those patients.  KDEM makes these deliveries immediately when needed for patients throughout the state.

• Allows KDEM to continue providing non-congregate shelter for positive and exposed persons who are essential workers. There are currently 50 contracts related to non-congregate sheltering needed for the present disaster. Continuing to provide this support will mitigate the threat to the food supply and the threat of surges in COVID-19 infections.

• Allows medical workers and first responders to rely on the Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System to decontaminate their PPE. This system is provided by FEMA and continuing to provide this service will mitigate the threat of surges in COVID-19 infections.

• Allows KDEM to manage donations and warehouse space necessary to store PPE. This storage is necessary due to the threat of new COVID-19 outbreaks as statewide restrictions are lifted and the economy reopens.

• Allows KDHE to provide community-based testing under the State Emergency Response Plan. Increased testing will help the state mitigate the threat of, or respond to, future outbreaks and allows businesses, employees, and customers to resume economic activity with increased confident that outbreaks will be prevented or mitigated.

• Allows KDEM to continue transporting testing samples. KDEM has transported over 1,000 samples to state labs since April 29, 2020. By transporting the tests via KDEM couriers, the tests arrive at the lab the same date they are collected, and results are provided the following day. Without this same-day service, the results of the tests will be delayed and the ability to contact-trace will be severely limited, risking additional illness and death as well as economic insecurity.

• Allows KDEM to provide translation support. Currently, KDEM is providing 16 translators to support contact-tracing operations to mitigate the current and imminent threat of a new COVID-19 outbreak.

• Allows the Civil Air Patrol to continue to provide needed emergency transportation.

If the state disaster declaration is not extended by the Legislature within 15 days, the following significant problems will likely occur:

• Possible closure of meat processing plants;
• Inability to assist hog farmers with the euthanasia and disposal of excess hogs;
• The loss of unemployment benefits;
• Significant delay and possible frustration entirely of the economic recovery of the State;
• Reduced PPE inventory for healthcare workers and first responders;
• KDEM would be unable to receive, sort, package, and transport PPE and other commodities to health care workers and first responders;
• Food shortage and an inability of state agencies to provide the various food programs needed to assist Kansans;
• Reduced testing and a lack of timely test results;
• Inability to conduct contact-tracing missions;
• Increased outbreaks of COVID-19 in the prison population;
• Increased outbreaks of COVID-19 in nursing homes;
• Inability to service or transport ventilators or anesthesia machines;
• Inability to coordinate mission assignments or take emergency actions necessary to deal with issues related to the current disaster;
• No immunity for state employees or volunteers providing vital services;
• Inability to initiate and maintain the Kansas Response Plan; and
• Increased costs to the State of Kansas as a result of losing federal funding.

Under the new disaster declaration, the operative provisions of the following Executive Orders will be reissued:

• 20-08: Temporarily expanding telemedicine and addressing certain licensing requirements to combat the effects of COVID-19
• 20-12: Driver’s license and vehicle registration and regulation during public health emergency
• 20-13: Allowing certain deferred tax deadlines and payments during the COVID-19 pandemic
• 20-17: Temporary relief from certain unemployment insurance requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
• 20-19: Extending professional and occupational licenses during the COVID-19 pandemic
• 20-20: Temporarily allowing notaries and witnesses to act via audio-video communication technology
• 20-23: Licensure, Certification, and Registration for persons and Licensure of “Adult Care Homes” during public health emergency
• 20-27: Temporarily suspending certain rules relating to sale of alcoholic beverages
• 20-32: Temporary relief from certain restrictions concerning shared work programs
• 20-33: Extending conditional and temporary relief from certain motor carrier rules and regulations in response to COVID-19

KDHE recommends self-quarantine for Kansans who traveled to Lake of the Ozarks

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is recommending voluntary 14-day self-quarantine for those Kansans who traveled to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, over the Memorial Day weekend and did not use protective measures, such as social distancing and face masks. 

Over the holiday weekend, large crowds were reported at the Lake of the Ozarks with no protective practices being followed.

“The reckless behavior displayed during this weekend risks setting our community back substantially for the progress we’ve already made in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “If you traveled to Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend, we urge you to act responsibly and self-quarantine to protect your neighbors, co-workers and family.”

While Lake of the Ozarks is not currently on the mandated travel list, KDHE urges those who traveled over the Memorial Day weekend to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to Kansas.

A list of states on the mandated travel advisory is available at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Kelly encourages Kansans to have a safe Memorial Day Weekend

With Memorial Day approaching, Governor Laura Kelly reminds Kansans to enjoy the holiday weekend with safety in mind.

COVID-19-related guidance and requirements related to gatherings are outlined in the Governor’s reopening plan, and reflect her decision to move Kansas into a modified version of Phase 2 of the plan, starting Friday. The plan and additional safety guidance can be found at covid.ks.gov.

“The Memorial Day weekend is one of the first holidays of the year when people want to get outside and enjoy the weather, and spend time with their families and friends,” Kelly said. “But no one should use this as an excuse to ignore health and safety guidelines.”

The following is allowed on Memorial Day, according to “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas”:

• Have a gathering in your home with 15 or fewer individuals, not including those you live with.
• Use your backyard pool for any parties, so long as mass gathering restrictions are met.
• Have a drive-through parade, so long as no more than 15 individuals are outside the car and they are able to maintain social distancing.
• Go to a restaurant with your friends and family, so long as that business meets the necessary health and safety requirements.
• Engage in outdoor activities at parks or other public spaces, so long as social distancing and mass gathering requirements are met.

Here’s what you can’t do on Memorial Day according to the “Ad Astra” plan:

• Hold or attend an in-person fair, festival or parade.
• Use community, public and other non-backyard pools for parties or gatherings.
• Go to bars or nightclubs.
• Have ceremonies or gatherings that violate the mass gathering limit of 15 or more individuals when a 6-foot distance cannot be met, except for infrequent or incidental moments of contact.

Additional health tips include:

• Stay home if sick
• Practice social distancing whenever possible
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Cover cough and sneezes into an elbow or tissue
• Wear masks (especially in places where social distancing is difficult to maintain)
• Stay home if you or a loved one is considered high risk.

For those having parties or gatherings this weekend:

• Have cleaning supplies readily available
• Avoid using buffets and other self-service food stations
• Have individuals with gloves and masks serve food
• Avoid punchbowls or other communal drink stations
• Use disposable plate and utensils if unable to constantly clean dishes
• Plan outdoor activities rather than indoor ones
• Practice social distancing and maintain ventilation through your home by opening doors or windows if engaging in indoor activities.

For more information on health and safety guidance, or to see Governor Kelly’s reopening plan, visit the Kansas COVID-19 Response and Recovery website.

Click below:

https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1125/Historical—May-22?bidId=

Governor Laura Kelly orders flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Victims of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, and following the proclamation of President Donald J. Trump, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff, from Friday, May 22, 2020, to sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020 in honor of the Victims of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic.

“The death toll due to coronavirus is devastating in Kansas and beyond,” Kelly said. “We all have an obligation to honor those lost to the virus, to include courageous frontline workers who literally gave their lives to help and protect others during this pandemic.”

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit:

https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honor

KCC orders utilities to offer payment plans, waive late fees through 2020

TOPEKA – An order issued by the Kansas Corporation Commission this morning requires utilities under its jurisdiction to offer 12-month payment plans and waive late fees through the end of the year to help residential and small business customers avoid disconnection.

The Commission’s earlier order suspending disconnections is set to expire on May 31. Today’s order will help customers, struggling with the economic effects of COVID-19, pay off past due balances gradually while avoiding disconnection of service. Customers are also encouraged to apply for available utility assistance programs. Information is posted on the KCC website (https://kcc.ks.gov/consumer-information/utility-assistance-programs).

KCC staff filed a report with the Commission on May 6 recommending baseline customer protections prior to the end of the disconnect suspension order. Utilities had the opportunity to respond to the recommendations prior to today’s order. Several utilities have advised they plan to offer protections in excess of the minimums required.

The order states utilities may defer any extraordinary bad debt expense and lost fee revenue that arises from the required customer protections into a regulatory asset for accounting purposes only. Any recovery requests will be considered in a utility’s next rate case or rate recovery filing.

The Commission may extend the consumer protections outlined in today’s order if the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into 2021.

Today’s order can be viewed at: https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20200521111445.pdf?Id=932794de-f0cc-4397-b1bf-948512be107e

DCF and KSDE partner to offer one-time benefit

The Department for Children and Families in collaboration with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announced today the creation of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Program (P-EBT). The program will help families who have been impacted by school closures due to COVID-19 to purchase food for their children.

“We know the pandemic has made it difficult for families to access food, especially if they relied on school meals,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to the partnership between DCF and KSDE the state will be able to automatically enroll most families into the P-EBT program, so they receive their benefit as quickly as possible.”

“Food insecurity should be the last thing our Kansas children should have to face right now,” Cheryl Johnson KSDE director of child nutrition and wellness said. “P-EBT provides temporary funding to address emergency food needs and avert financial hardship for families affected by the pandemic. I am thankful that through this partnership, Kansas is able to put healthy food on the table for Kansas children.”

P-EBT provides a one-time benefit of up to $291 on a Kansas Benefits Card to Kansas families whose children between the age of 5 to 18 would receive free or reduced-price meals at participating schools. There is no application process to receive the P-EBT benefit.

DCF will issue the benefit in phases. Those Kansas families who currently receive free or reduced-price meals and are enrolled in the food assistance or TANF programs should begin to receive their benefit later this week.

The second phase also will include an automatic match with those families on free or reduced-price meals and who also are receiving Medicaid or child care assistance.

The final phase will include families that need to provide additional information to receive the benefit. Those families will receive access to a parent portal to register for the program beginning June 5. Parents should receive information from their school district on how to access the parent portal.

“Most families should expect to see their benefit in the next two weeks,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “If families have not yet received information about P-EBT, I encourage them to reach out to their local school district.”

In order to provide additional information about P-EBT and to answer questions, DCF is hosting a virtual town hall meeting tomorrow from 11 a.m. to noon.

Virtual P-EBT Town Hall Thursday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Use this link to join: https://bit.ly/KansasP-EBTTownHall