TOPEKA, Kan. – Secretary Burghart announces the selection of Ethan Spurling to take over the position of Legislative Liaison for the Kansas Department of Revenue. Spurling joins the Department after serving as Operations and Scheduling Coordinator in Governor Laura Kelly’s office since January.

“Ethan will bring a unique perspective to this position with his previous experience and relationship building at the municipal level,” Secretary Mark Burghart said. “We look forward to taking that experience and expanding that within his role.”

Prior to his time with the Kelly-Rogers administration, Spurling served the City of Frontenac, Kansas as a city councilman for almost four years.

“It was during my time serving as a city councilman I found a great understanding of civic duty.” Spurling said. “This is a great opportunity to continue that passion while working alongside legislators to help Kansans.”

Spurling is a 2018 graduate of Pittsburg State University with degree in Political Science and International Studies.

Governor appoints executive director to the Office of Native American Affairs

Gov. Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Chris Howell as executive director of the Office of Native American Affairs and Governor’s Tribal Liaison.

The Native American Affairs office serves as the liaison for the governor to ensure that Native American concerns and needs are addressed in state policymaking.

“Chris will step into this important role with a breadth of relevant and meaningful experience in both the public and private sector,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “I appreciate his willingness to serve in such an important capacity, and help work toward positive state-tribal relations.”

Howell, of Lawrence, most recently served as Director of Tribal Relations for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway, and was involved in tribal outreach and communications with more than 86 tribal nations located along the BNSF railway system. Howell has served multiple state administrations, including as Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Kansas Arts Commission. He graduated with a B.A. in business from Emporia State University.

Governor appoints executive director to the Office of Native American Affairs

Gov. Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Chris Howell as executive director of the Office of Native American Affairs and Governor’s Tribal Liaison.

The Native American Affairs office serves as the liaison for the governor to ensure that Native American concerns and needs are addressed in state policymaking.

“Chris will step into this important role with a breadth of relevant and meaningful experience in both the public and private sector,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “I appreciate his willingness to serve in such an important capacity, and help work toward positive state-tribal relations.”

Howell, of Lawrence, most recently served as Director of Tribal Relations for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway, and was involved in tribal outreach and communications with more than 86 tribal nations located along the BNSF railway system. Howell has served multiple state administrations, including as Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Kansas Arts Commission. He graduated with a B.A. in business from Emporia State University.

Governor appoints facilitator to the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission

Today Governor Laura Kelly announced Reggie Robinson as the facilitator for the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission.

“Reggie has a distinct and esteemed background that will contribute greatly to this position,” Kelly said. “Kansas needs comprehensive criminal justice reform, and Reggie will be integral to this effort.”

Robinson, a Lawrence resident, currently serves as Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs at the University of Kansas. Previously, Robinson served as the director of the School of Public Affairs and Administration from July 2014 – August 2017. He was a professor of law and Director for the Center of Law and Government at Washburn University. Robinson was a White House Fellow and Special Assistant to Attorney General Janet Reno in 1993. He served as Deputy Associate Attorney General of the U.S. from 1996 – 1997, and Acting Director for Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime from 1997 – 1998.

Robinson received his undergraduate and graduate law degrees from the University of Kansas. He also served in the U.S. Army as an active duty field artillery officer.

The Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission was created as part of HB 2290, which passed during the 2019 legislative session. The governor appoints one criminal defense attorney or public defender, one member representative of the faith-based community, and one facilitator to provide administrative assistance to develop a project plan and assist the Commission in its duties. This facilitator is not a member of the Commission.

Kansas Dept. of Revenue helps current and discharged military transfer valuable credentials

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue is working in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to help military personnel bridge a possible licensing gap with its Military Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Even Exchange Program. The program is open to current Kansas National Guard, Kansas Reserves, or discharged military personnel who have a valid military CDL credential convert over to a civilian CDL.

“We recognize our military men and women with a CDL acquired during their service are valuable to the Kansas workforce,” Department of Revenue Secretary Mark Burghart said. “The safety training received during service goes above and beyond the requirements of the civilian CDL and it only makes sense to be part of the Military Even Exchange Program.”

“Kansans serving in the military have been some of the most devoted public servants, with a strong sense of commitment to making our communities, state and nation better,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “It’s important that they have employment opportunities to transition to civilian life in a way best for them and their families. Reintegration programs and the Military Even Exchange CDL Program are among ways we can offer that vital assistance.”

Kansas is the fifth state to be part of this program. Being ahead of other states makes the program valuable to both veterans and businesses needing highly skilled CDL credentialed drivers.

Military personnel discharged with the military credential have up to a year from their discharge date to be eligible for the conversion. If a hazardous materials credential is needed in addition to the CDL, an applicant must take the additional test. All applicants must provide a medical clearance card from an FMCSA certified physician.

For more information about the program, please contact Brian Brunt at 785-213-9157.

State closes out FY 2019 $440.5 million ahead of previous year’s total tax receipts

TOPEKA – The state is closing out Fiscal Year 2019 (FY) at $7.5 billion, or 2.62% above estimates, for total tax collections. This is a $440.5 million increase in tax revenue, compared to FY2018.

In June, the state collected $781.8 million, or 4.36% above the estimate for total tax receipts.

Retail sales tax receipts are 0.45% below monthly estimates, totaling $199.1 million, and are $5.4 million below the same month in 2018. Individual income tax receipts are at $388.0 million, or 12.47% above the estimate of $345.0 million.

“The numbers attributed to the growth in individual income tax receipts for the fiscal year are due to a combination of factors including continued growth, federal and Kansas tax law changes, and non-recurring capital-gain transactions,” Secretary Mark Burghart said. “Sales tax has been fairly flat for the year, decreasing by 0.27% compared to the previous fiscal year.”

To view the report:

12_June_Revenue_FY19_07-01-19_Final

Governor appoints executive director to Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Audé Amelia Negrete of Overland Park as executive director of the Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission.

The Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission serves as a liaison for the Kansas Hispanic and Latino community and the Office of the Governor, with the goal of serving needs of Hispanic and Latino residents in areas of culture, education, employment, health, housing, welfare, and recreation.

“Audé’s own life experience and desire to address challenges faced by Hispanic and Latino residents of our state made her an ideal choice to lead this commission,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “She’ll be a valuable contributor, just as she’s been over the years in her successful efforts surrounding social justice and civic engagement.”

Born in Mexico City, Negrete was 14 when her family left Mexico for to the United States and Kansas. During her career, she’s been involved in numerous initiatives designed to provide educational, social and economic services for Hispanic and Latino families in Kansas.

The seven-member Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission includes four members representing each of the state’s congressional districts, and three at-large members.

Negrete will fill the executive director position previously held by Richard Martinez.

Statement on U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Census citizenship question

“I support today’s Supreme Court ruling,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The goal is to make sure every person is counted. At stake is federal funding distributed to communities for schools, roads, public safety, parks and other programs, so Kansas cannot afford to be shortchanged in this important process. The Census also determines how many seats states have in the U.S. House, and Kansas deserves fair representation.

“The citizenship question would have done more to deter participation than encourage everyone to be counted,” the governor said. “Our Complete Count Committee is working across Kansas to raise awareness of the Census and address related challenges. If people living in Kansas aren’t counted, it will cost our state and local communities – especially our rural communities – thousands of dollars, per person, every year for the next decade. I want to remind all Kansans of the need to be counted.”

Kansas Department for Children and Families Expands Access to Child Care Program

Policy changes designed to help parents maintain employment

In a move to help Kansans find work and stay employed, Governor Laura Kelly today announced a new Kansas Department for Children and Families initiative that will expand access to child care assistance for Kansas families.

“Having access to quality child care is essential for parents to maintain employment,” Kelly said. “Those with lower incomes often struggle to afford quality child care. By expanding access to the program, more Kansas families can sustain employment or participate in meaningful training programs.”

DCF is making several policy changes to the program that will go into effect July 1. They include:

• Reducing the minimum work hours per week to be eligible from 28 to 20, which will expand child-care access to more working  parents.
• Expanding the program to participants of the GOALS employment and training program allowing families to access child-care assistance for job search activities. GOALS is specifically for parents who participate in the state’s food assistance program.
• Using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF) to pay child-care costs for foster children. This new program will provide foster parents the added convenience of using an EBT card to pay for child care.

“We know that child-care costs can be an obstacle to employment for many of our low-income families,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “In Topeka for example, affordable child care is 21 percent of a family’s income for those at the top of the eligibility threshold (185% of federal poverty level). Our expectation is that families will actually be able to increase their earnings while having peace of mind knowing their children are being cared for in healthy environments.”

DCF estimates more than 3,000 Kansas children will benefit from these policy changes. The agency estimates spending more than $9 million in FY 2020 and nearly $14 million in FY2021 based on current caseload data.

“Helping our fellow Kansans find work, stay employed and receive a quality education are universal values,” Kelly said. “This is a first step in repairing the safety net that was pulled from vulnerable Kansans during the previous eight years.”

Governor makes appointment to Supreme Court Nominating Commission

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Frances Gorman Graves to the Supreme Court Nominating Commission.

“Frances’ leadership experience and years of involvement in communications, along with her rural Kansas perspective, will be valuable as the Supreme Court Nominating Commission does its work,” Kelly said. “We appreciate her willingness to serve and be part of this important process.”

The nine-member Supreme Court Nominating Commission is responsible for recommending qualified individuals for appointment to the Kansas Supreme Court and Kansas Court of Appeals. Four of the members are non-attorneys appointed by the governor. The four appointees selected by the sitting governor each represent one congressional district in the state. Four others are attorneys selected by fellow attorneys in each of the congressional districts, with the chair of the commission an attorney elected by attorneys statewide.

Graves was appointed to a four-year term as one of the board’s four non-attorney members, and will serve starting on June 30. She’s currently the Assistant to the Director of Parsons Area Community Foundation. Previously, Graves was the Senior Media Researcher for Synoptos from 2012 to 2015, Adjunct Instructor at Labette Community College in Parsons from 2009 to 2012, Communications Coordinator at KU’s School of Business from 2008 to 2009, and Director of Strategic Communications for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office from 2007 to 2008. She and her family are farmers and ranchers in southeast Kansas.

Graves will assume the commission seat currently held by 2^nd Congressional District non-attorney member Felita Kahrs of Topeka, who was appointed by Governor Sam Brownback.

Kelly will continue filling a significant number of vacancies in the coming months in her effort to rebuild Kansas, including new vacancies and other positions left unfilled by previous administrations.