Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Kansas Emergency Department Data Available

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KDHE’s KIC Website Offers New Data from Emergency Departments

Tool makes diagnoses and other statistics available online for first time

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added a new dataset to its online health data query tool, Kansas Information for Communities (KIC). Emergency department data from the state’s general hospitals is now available on the KIC page.

 

“Using KIC, individuals and policy makers will be able to see the diagnoses that bring almost 900,000 residents to emergency departments at Kansas hospitals,” said KDHE Acting Secretary and State Health Officer Lee A. Norman, M.D. “This information can provide an insight into the injuries and illnesses affecting Kansans, many of which are preventable.”

 

Using the KIC emergency department data, individuals will be able to produce statistics on the number of ED visits by county, race, ethnicity, sex and various diagnosis categories. The diagnosis codes are grouped using a clinical classification software developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The same categories are used in the hospital discharge or inpatient diagnoses that are reported in the KIC hospital discharge query tool.

 

KIC can produce counts, rates and age-adjusted hospital ED or inpatient rates. Other datasets contained in KIC include hospital discharge procedures, births, deaths, pregnancies, cancer and population.  Data used in KIC is deidentified with some small counts or unreliable rates suppressed. The KIC web site also hosts a variety of other statistics, data and resources. The URL is http://kic.kdheks.gov.

Government, Kansas

Gov. Kelly Tells of Path Forward

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Governor Kelly outlines first seven weeks in office, encourages focus on schools
The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly:

 

Good morning. In the seven weeks since the inauguration, my administration has been hard at work.

I presented a plan that balanced the budget, prioritized schools, paved the way for Medicaid expansion, invested in children and families, enhanced public safety, and left the largest ending balance in two decades.

My budget was structured to stabilize our fragile state finances and pay down the record amount of debt racked up during the last eight years. Not only that, my bipartisan Cabinet hit the ground running with the long, hard task of rebuilding our state agencies.

Together, we’ve increased transparency by sharing, honestly, the severity of the problems we uncovered at the Department of Corrections, Department for Children and Families, and Department of Revenue. We’ve shed light on the number of no-bid contracts hidden throughout state government.

Contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, that didn’t go through the proper channels, and may not be in the best interests of Kansans.

My team at the Department of Administration is currently in the process of developing new, stricter standards of ethics and accountability in the procurement process. We look forward to announcing that plan once it is finalized in the coming weeks. And we are just getting started. We understand the urgency of our work. Our work touches the lives of Kansans every day and we take that very seriously.

Unfortunately, I’m disappointed that the Legislature has yet to act with the same level of urgency, especially given the breadth of our challenges and the deadlines we face.

As a former legislator, I have deep respect for the legislative process. It is not unusual for many of the biggest issues of the session to be resolved later in the session. This is not a race. But the deadlines are real. And they are right around the corner. It’s frustrating that little progress has been made on the most critical issue of the session: school funding.

After seven weeks, I worry that some legislative leaders have allowed serious deliberations and the development of policy alternatives give way to partisan games and unnecessary name calling.

In 2011, the first year of the previous administration, the Legislature debated and acted on 99 more pieces of legislation by this point in the session than they have this year. At this moment, halfway into the session, just one piece of legislation has reached my desk.

I’ve met with leadership. I’ve met with lawmakers of both parties. And my door continues to be open. I’m eager to find bipartisan consensus when lawmakers return for the second half of the session. I’m looking forward to seeing their plans so we can begin negotiations.

On election night in November, I was hopeful that lawmakers could put our differences aside and work together on behalf of Kansas families. Today, I choose to remain hopeful. I am ready to find middle ground.

I was elected to rebuild our state following years of mismanagement and failed policy. I offered a plan to do just that. I hope lawmakers will join me in earnest when they return.

In the meantime, my team will continue to do our work – cleaning up messes and charting a more responsible path forward. We will continue to put the best interest of families first. We will prioritize schools, health care, roads, and job growth.

Thank you for coming today.

 

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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February 22, 2019

Kansas Farm Bureau Option for Medical Coverage resulted in an ardent senate floor debate.  Senate Bill (SB) 32 would allow KS Farm Bureau to establish and offer medical coverage for KS Farm Bureau members.  Healthcare costs are skyrocketing and not everyone can afford insurance.  It has been reported that since Obama-care became law, insurance premium costs have increased an average of 12% each year for persons who are non-Medicaid eligible.  SB 32 would provide another option for KS Farm Bureau members who cannot afford the rising cost of health insurance.  The KS Farm Bureau program would not have all of the benefits of health-insurance, for example –a person would have to qualify for the coverage and not all health-care would be covered.  The program is modeled after Tennessee Farm Bureau’s program, which has been in existence for approximately 70 years.  The bill passed 28 Yes to 11 No.  I voted Yes.

Stop the Fraud and Waste:  In 2015, I offered an amendment on a bill to require an electronic identity check when a person applies for government assistance.  It was signed into law.  A couple of weeks ago I requested information on how the statute was implemented and what the results have been in stopping fraudulent applications.  The response I got was that the electronic identity check has still not been implemented.  It is things like this that result in little to no confidence in government.

Kansas sales tax and sales tax on food is some of the highest in the nation.  According to the Tax Foundation, combining the average county and city sales tax with the state sales tax puts Kansas at the 8th highest sales tax rate in the nation.  Kansas is 11th highest for state sales tax and 15th highest for average local sales tax which results in the 8th highest for combined sales tax.  These tax rates result in Kansas having among some of the highest sales tax rates on food.  Some Kansans can apply for a food sales tax credit when they file their KS income tax return.  There are a few ways a person may qualify.  One way is a person must be 55 years of age or older, have a federal adjusted gross income less than $30,615.01, and have a Kansas income tax liability to qualify.

The Senate Tax Committee had a hearing on SB 76.  The bill is an attempt to decrease the State sales tax on food by 3% in the next three years (1% per year decrease).  If passed, it would be a step in the right direction.

Seat belt violations: Current statute is ambiguous and has resulted in varied opinions as to rather a seat belt violation is a traffic infraction or a misdemeanor.  SB 41 would make it clear that a seat belt violation is a traffic infraction.  Fines would not change.  A fine is $30 if age 18 or older, $60 for anyone 17 or younger and not properly fastened in the appropriate restraining system.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Government, Kansas

Senator Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter Feb. 22

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February 22, 2019∙ Week Six
HARD FACTS
·       The Kansas Department of Corrections recently discovered that 591 inmates have tested positive for Hepatitis C, an infection that damages the liver. It is estimated that treatment for inmates will be roughly $9 million (Wichita Eagle).
Learn Online with Universal Class
Universal Class https://kslib.info/uclass offers over 500 lifelong learning courses in more than 30 areas of study at no charge. Join a full course with instructors and readings or just watch the lecture videos to brush up on a topic. The wide range of courses offers something for everyone: from accounting to yoga, babysitting to parenting, cake decorating to computer training.
Easy registration and self-supplied password is necessary to use this resource and allows you to resume your work. If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step.  Questions: contact the State Library at [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION
EXPIRATION DATE OF RISK-BASED CAPITAL INSTRUCTIONS(SB 28): Senate Bill 28 changes the date specified in the Insurance Code for risk-based capital (RBC) instructions promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for property and casualty companies and for life insurance companies. The instructions currently specified became effective on December 31, 2017. The bill would update the effective date on the RBC instructions to December 31, 2018. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
EXEMPTING CERTAIN DOMESTIC INSURERS FROM FILING ENTERPRISE RISK REPORTS (SB 66): Senate Bill 66 modifies registration requirements in the Insurance Holding Company Act related to filing exemptions for enterprise risk reports. SB 66 requires enterprise risk reports filed by the controlling person of every insurer subject to registration, to be appropriate to the nature, scale, and complexity of the insurer. The bill also exempts the ultimate controlling person of domestic insurance from submitting an enterprise risk report if the domestic insurer is authorized, admitted, or eligible to engage in the business of insurance only in Kansas with total direct and assumed annual premiums less than $300 million; unless the ultimate controlling person of the domestic insurer also controls other insurers not meeting the requirements of the section. Stating that an insurer is not considered to be authorized, admitted, or eligible to engage in the business of insurance only in Kansas if the insurer directly or indirectly writes or assumes insurance in any other manner in another state. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
M DRIVER’S LICENSES OPERATING UNDER TEMPORARY PERMIT (SB 17): Senate Bill 17 removes an exception for motorcycles operated with a temporary registration permit from requirement for each operator of a motor vehicle in Kansas to hold a license classified for the operation of the motor vehicle. Previous law stated that any person operating a motorcycle registered in Kansas shall be the holder of a class M driver’s license; except when any person is operating a motorcycle that is registered under a temporary permit. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE (SB 25): Senate bill 25 authorizes expenditures of $82,886 in FY 2019 to pay claims against the State of Kansas. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
APPROACH OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE (SB 40): Senate Bill 40 removes language requiring a law enforcement officer to issue a warning citation from, and after, the effective date of the act, and prior to July 1, 2001. This is for provisions requiring a driver to move into a nonadjacent lane or, if changing lanes is not possible or unsafe, proceed with due caution upon approaching an authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle using flashing or hazard warning lights. This bill was passed and placed on the Consent Calendar 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
SEAT BELT USE IN TRAFFIC INFRACTION (SB 41): Senate Bill 41 amends the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic to specify the violation of law that requires seat belt use by occupants ages 14 and older in passenger cars or autocycles. This will now be considered a traffic infraction. This bill was passed and placed on the Consent Calendar 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
KANSAS FARM BUREAU MEMBER HEALTH CARE BENEFITS (SB 32): Senate Bill 32 allows the Kansas Farm Bureau to establish a health care benefit that offers coverage specifically for Farm Bureau members in Kansas. Senate Bill 32 aims to reduce the number of uninsured Kansans by creating competition and free-market options for health care. Senate Bill 32 is the Farm Bureau’s solution to addressing the critical need for KFB members to find affordable health care coverage. A recent study pointed out that 65 percent of agriculture producers view health care as the number one threat to the future of their operation. This bill passed the Senate 28-11(I voted in favor of this bill).
REPORTING OF MISSING FOSTER CARE CHILDREN
On Thursday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held hearings for Senate Bill 162, which would require foster care contractors to inform the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) within 24 hours if any child in the foster care system goes missing. The bill would give DCF 48 hours to then inform legislators, the governor and media about missing children. In addition, SB 162 would compel DCF to fine their private contractors $500 daily for violations of the proposed disclosure law.
The legislation, which was drafted by Senator Molly Baumgardner (R-Louisburg), comes after multiple reports over previous years about missing children in DCF. Sen. Baumgardner expressed the need for the Kansas Legislature to address this crisis within the state. Currently, there are around 7,500 children within the Kansas foster care system.
ONLINE EDUCATION AND DEDICATED MCO FOR FOSTER CARE CHILDREN
On Wednesday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held hearings for Senate Bill 122. Senate Bill 122 would require the Kansas Department of Education to track academic records, make online access available and provide a laptop for high school students in the foster care system as they transfer from one school to the next. SB 122 would also have a nonprofit managed care organization (MCO) serve Kansas foster care children under the umbrella of Medicaid.
NEXT WEEK
Monday –
·      Hearing on: Senate Bill 178, sales tax exemption for nonprofit integrated community care – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 25 at 9:30 am]
·      Hearing on: Senate Bill 179, increasing the married tax filer income threshold for the subtraction modification for social security income – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 25 at 9:30 am]
·      Hearing on: Senate Bill 93, establishing restrictions on the use of step therapy protocols by health insurance plans – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; February 25 at 9:30 am]
·      Hearing on: Senate Bill 124, prohibiting the state corporation commission from authorizing certain charges for electric service – [Senate Utilities Committee; February 25 at 1:30 pm]
Tuesday –
·      ON FLOOR ALL DAY
Wednesday –
·      ON FLOOR ALL DAY
Thursday –
·      ON FLOOR ALL DAY
Friday –
·      NO SESSION
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly on KPERS

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Governor’s statement on the passage of Senate Bill 9

 

The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly on the passage of Senate Bill 9, a $115 million payment to KPERS to make up for years of delayed and eliminated payments:

 

“After years of delayed, reduced and eliminated pension payments to prop up a failed tax experiment, it is encouraging to see lawmakers act responsibly to fix past mistakes. However, Senate Bill 9 does little to address ballooning KPERS payments in future years, and it does nothing to stabilize state finances as a whole. In January, I put forward a commonsense, structurally balanced budget that tackled our most urgent priorities, paid down debt, rebuilt our state savings, all without raising taxes.

 

“While I’m eager to compromise with Republican leadership on policy proposals, I will not compromise Kansans’ commitment to fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets. I’m hopeful that Republican leadership will join me in that effort and come to the table to offer reasonable ideas so we can avoid the mistakes that made Senate Bill 9 necessary in the first place.”

 

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Government, Kansas

Definition of A Weapon Considered by Kansas Senate

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Department of Corrections Secretary Cautions Lawmakers to Consider Costs of Their Decisions During Testimony

 

Topeka, Kan. — During his neutral testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee this week regarding Senate Bill 80, which would expand the definition of weapon, Department of Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz reminded lawmakers to consider a series of questions and its subsequent impact on the Kansas Department of Corrections. The proposed change would add the word “ammunition” to law thus raising the severity level of the penalty resulting in lengthening prison sentences for criminals. On the surface the change may seem to impose relatively little impact for the Kansas Department of Corrections, however, he offered another perspective with a series of questions.

 

Those questions included:

 

  1. What is the purpose of the legislation and the change in penalty? Is it to deter people from committing this offense? Is it simply to incapacitate them for a longer period of time?
  2. If the goal is deterrence, I would ask you to consider how many convicted felons will be aware of this legislation or will know that someone with a criminal history of two non-person felonies will move from presumptive probation with an underlying prison sentence of 11 to 13 months to a presumptive prison sentence of 25 to 29 months. I would argue that these folks will not do a cost benefit analysis of possible penalties and decide not to commit the crime because of the new sentences proposed. The fact is, these offenders don’t think they will be caught or simply don’t think at all.
  3. If the goal is incapacitation, how much more public safety will we buy by increasing prison time by 14 to 16 months, especially if the department does not have the program capacity to address the criminal behaviors that resulted in incarceration? We can certainly prevent offenders from doing much harm while imprisoned, but incapacitation is a very expensive strategy to pursue.

 

Werholtz cited legislative research requested by Rep. Ward Loyd in the past to determine how many changes were made to sentencing law for a multi-year period beginning in 2005. It was found that 108 changes to sentencing statutes were made. Of those 108 changes, 97 increased penalties.

 

“When considered independently, each of those decisions may seem to have insignificant impact on the Department of Corrections. However, the cumulative effect has considerable impact on our operations,” Werholtz said in his written testimony. “I chose to highlight this issue, with this legislation, because I think it is a good example of what can happen if we don’t look at the long-term consequences of a change.”

Secretary Werholtz provided a parallel of a truck that continued to have its cargo area loaded with more items. As more and more content is loaded into the truck it could seemingly handle the additional load, but eventually, he hypothesized, the load becomes too much and the truck’s chassis breaks and the truck is unable to be operated anymore. Similarly, the prison system, which is over its capacity will exceed its tipping point too.

 

“You are no doubt aware by now that we have insufficient space to house our population, insufficient staff to properly supervise them, and insufficient programming to effectively treat them,” Werholtz said in his written testimony. “My request is that, when considering all legislation impacting the size of KDOC’s inmate population, please be prepared to provide the necessary resources to safely house and treat them. Our current trajectory is unsustainable. Your careful consideration of this request is appreciated.”

Government, Kansas

KDOT requesting comments on Transportation Improvement Amendment

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KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2019-2022 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes March 6. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Bureau of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-2252.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Office of Public Affairs, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).

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Government, Kansas

Senator Hilderbrand’s Communication Week Five

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HARD FACTS:
·      The Kansas House of Representatives rejected Gov. Kelly’s proposal to re-amortize KPERS on a vote of 36-87. The proposal would have provided the state with $770 million over the next five years but would cost the state $7.4 billion over the next 30 years (Kansas City Star).
·      On Tuesday, The Kansas Department of Corrections declared an emergency at El Dorado Correctional Facility, one of the state’s largest prisons. The prison has 95 vacant staff positions (more than 25 percent of uniformed positions) while housing 74 inmates over its limit (Wichita Eagle).
·      Job openings hit record high of 7.3 million in December. The number of job openings hit a record high of 7.3 million in December, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday in a sign of the labor market’s strength. The previous high was sent in August. Data goes back to the year 2000. The private sector drove the new record, with private entities accounting for 6.7 million job vacancies-also a record high. The construction industry recorded 382,00 new jobs, far more than ever before (Washington Examiner).
·      Kelly Flip Flops – Proposes KPERS Plan she recently opposed. Governor Kelly’s KPERS re-amortization plan, which was defeated overwhelmingly in the House this week, is similar to a plan proposed by the Brownback administration in 2017 that then Senator Kelly opposed and said, “would unravel all the work done to ensure the financial stability of KPERS.” Senator Kelly also went on to criticize Governor Brownback for “short-term thinking.” (The Wichita Eagle). I agree with Senator Kelly’s assessment of how re-amortizing KPERS would unravel the financial stability of KPERS, and is short-term thinking. That is why I oppose this procedure.
Find reliable and age appropriate information online with Britannica – Public Library https://kslib.info/eor from the State Library of Kansas. Three levels of learning (Children, Young Adult, and Reference Center) offer continually updated entries, multimedia, primary –source material, maps, and links to expert websites. Double–click any word in the article for the definition to pop up with audio pronunciation. Also available at https://kslib.info/eor, Britannica – Academic includes more scholarly content. Another link https://kslib.info/kids takes you to Britannica – School for learning about any subject for all grades and reading abilities.
If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step.  Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION
ACCESS OF CRIMINAL DEFENDANT’S PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT (SB 19): Senate Bill 19 changes the statute governing the presentence investigation report prepared in criminal cases, allowing access of the report for community correctional services and any entity required to receive the information under the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision. The bill makes technical changes to provide consistency in references to the report and consistency in statutory phrasing. This bill passed the Senate 40-0 (I voted in favor of this bill).
JUDICIAL BRANCH SURCHARGE (SB 20): Senate Bill 20 makes the judicial branch surcharge permanent. The Legislature reauthorized the surcharge (HB2041) in 2017, which funds non-judicial personnel. Current law allows the Judicial Branch to impose this additional charge on various docket fees to fund the costs of non-judicial personnel until June 30, 2019. The bill also makes technical changes by removing outdated statutory references and effective dates. This bill passed the Senate 35-5 (I voted against this bill. It eliminated the sunset revision, and did not set a new sunset date. I felt that there were a lot of fees in this bill that put a heavy burden on those that cannot afford to pay the fines).
ATTORNEY GENERAL ENTERING INTO DIVERSION AGREEMENTS (SB 18): Senate Bill 18 allows the attorney general to enter into diversion agreements pursuant to statutes; to add a provision specifying that any diversion costs or fees collected under a diversion agreement entered into by the attorney general would be deposited in the Fraud and Abuse Criminal Prosecution Fund; and to add a provision allowing the attorney general to enter into agreements with the appropriate county or district attorney, or other appropriate parties, regarding the supervision of conditions of the diversion agreement. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
VEHICLE DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS LICENSING ACT (SB 39): Senate Bill 39 identifies that the dealer may establish its average percentage markup for parts or its labor rate, by submitting to the manufacturer or distributor copies of 100 sequential retail service orders paid by the dealer’s customers, or all of the dealer’s retail service orders paid by the dealer’s customers in a 90-day period, whichever is less, for services provided within the previous 180-day period. The bill would authorize the manufacturer or distributor to choose to audit the submitted orders, within 30 days of receiving the dealer’s submission. The manufacturer or distributor would then approve or deny the establishment of the dealer’s average percentage markup or labor rate. If the manufacturer or distributor approves the average percentage markup or labor rate, the markup or rate go into effect 45 days after approval.
If the manufacturer or distributor denies the establishment the average percentage markup or labor rate, the dealer would be able to file a complaint with the Director of Vehicles and require a hearing following procedure in continuing law for hearings on violations of any provision of the Act. The burden of proof would be on the manufacturer or distributor to establish that the denial of the dealer’s average percentage markup or labor rate was reasonable. If the Director of Vehicles finds the denial was not reasonable, the Director of Vehicles then determines the dealer’s average percentage markup or labor rate for purposes of calculating a reasonable schedule of compensation. SB 39 would prohibit a dealer from requesting a change in the dealer’s average percentage markup or labor rate more than once in any one-year period and would prohibit the compensation to the dealer for warranty parts and labor from being less than rates charged by the dealer for like parts and services to retail customers, provided the rates are reasonable. This bill passed the Senate 39-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
CONDEMNING THE ENACTMENT OF NEW YORK’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT (SCR 1606): Senate Concurrent Resolution 1606 condemns the enactment of New York’s Reproductive Health Act (RHA) because it violates the health and well-being of a woman and her unborn child.
Last month, the State of New York passed RHA which expands legal abortion from 24 weeks to full-term; removes abortion in its entirety from the state penal code; allows non-physicians to commit abortion such as nurses, physician assistants, or midwives; jeopardizes a health professional’s right to not participate in abortion.
Kansas pro-life senators signed on to the resolution to take a stance against New York’s progressive late-term abortion legislation. This resolution passed the Senate 27-13(I co-sponsored and voted in favor of this bill).
Senators and members of the Kansas House of Representatives held a press conference on Monday to discuss the resolution and display their commitment to protecting the life of the unborn.
To watch the press conference, click here.
Kansas lawmakers held a press conference on Monday to condemn New York’s Reproductive Health Act, which allows for late-term abortion.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON POPULATION ADJUSTMENTS
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Scott Schwab testified in front of the Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee in support of a constitutional amendment (SCR 1605) that would end the revision of population figures to reflect where military members and college students reside for the purpose of redistricting.
Secretary of State Schwab told the committee that Kansas would have to spend an estimated $834,000 to adjust the 2020 U.S. Census figures to prepare for redrawing political boundaries for House and Senate districts.
“The adjustment requirement is burdensome, antiquated and expensive,” Schwab told the committee. “Kansas is the only state in the nation that continues to adjust census numbers. I think this provision of the constitution is a waste.”
Secretary of State Schwab explained that the population report relied on for redistricting would be delayed three to six months while a private consultant contacted college students and military personnel in Kansas to determine where they want to be counted as residents.
The district maps are based on population. The adjustment of census figures was originally done to allow rural areas -for redistricting- to retain people who had moved elsewhere to serve in the military or attend college. While the original purpose was to help rural areas, the revisions favored urban centers after the 2010 census.
For SCR 1605 to be placed on a statewide ballot, it would require the approval by two-thirds majorities of the House and Senate.
DECREASING NUMBER OF SCHOOL SAFETY DRILLS
The Senate Education Committee is considering legislation that would decrease the number of school safety drills from 16 to nine a year. Currently, all schools in Kansas, except colleges and universities, must complete 16 emergency-preparedness drills during school hours. The 16 drills include nine crisis drills, four fire drills, and three tornado drills. Senate Bill 128 would reduce requirements to three crises drills and two tornado drills, while retaining the four fire drills.
G.A. Buie, executive director of United School Administrators of Kansas and Kansas School Superintendents Association, polled district superintendents and 150 principals. He said 95 percent support the reduction of crisis drills.
NEXT WEEK
Monday –
·      Hearing on: SB 47, creating the student opportunity scholarship program – [Senate Education Committee; February 18 at 1:30 pm]
Tuesday –
·      Hearing on: SB 152, Authorizing the secretary of health and environment to collect underground injection control program fees and redirecting water well license program fees – [Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; February 19 at 8:30 am]
·      Hearing on: SB 125, extending the eligible time period for rural opportunity zones loan repayment program and income tax credit – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 19 at 9:30 am]
·      Hearing on: SB 135, adding certain counties to the list of eligible rural opportunity zone counties – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 19 at 9:30 am]
·      Hearing on: SB 140, establishing an income tax credit for contributions to the Eisenhower foundation – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 19 at 9:30 am]
·      Hearing on: SB 43, Elections; registration; election day registration – [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government; February 19 at 9:30 am]
·      Hearing on: SB 144, allowing the use of expedited partner therapy to treat a sexually transmitted disease – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; February 19 at 9:30 am]
·      Hearing on: SB 108, increasing criminal penalties for abuse of a child and involuntary manslaughter when the victim is under 6 years of age and making a presumption of unfitness against any parent convicted of either crime – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 19 at 10:30 am]
·      Hearing on: (opponents) SB 69, requiring the state corporation commission to study electric rates and consider certain factors in establishing just and reasonable electric rates – [Senate Utilities Committee; February 19 at 1:30 pm]
Wednesday –
·      Hearing on: SB 49, authorizing the secretary of wildlife, parks and tourism to establish fees for cabins operated by the department of camping permits at state parks – [Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources; February 20 at 8:30 am]
·      Hearing on SB 122, implementing Medicaid and educational services for foster care youth and certain former foster care youth – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; February 20 at 9:30 am]
·      Informational briefing on sports wagering – [Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee; February 20 at 10:30 am]
·      Hearing on: SB 80, increasing the criminal penalty for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and adding ammunition to the definition of a weapon – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 20 at 10:30 am]
Thursday –
·      Hearing on: SB 76, sales tax rate on food and food ingredients – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 21 at 9:30 am]
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

February 15, 2019

It may appear to be a slow week in the legislature:  However, as you know, things aren’t always what they appear.  The Senate and the House are doing a majority of the work in committees.  It is an important part of the process.  Committees study legislation.  Conferees testify in person or send written testimony on bills being considered.  The input can be critical because a committee will make a recommendation on a bill, often based on testimony.  The committee may take no action on the bill, or to vote a bill out of committee favorably or unfavorably.  After a bill passes out of committee, the majority leader decides if and when to bring a bill before the committee of the whole, all senators or all representatives of the respective chamber.  There are other paths a bill could take in the legislature but this is the most common.

KPERS: This week the House passed a bill out of committee unfavorably.  The bill would allow the Governor to re-amortization KPERS.  The House Majority Leader brought the bill to the committee of the whole, it was debated and failed the next day on final action 36 Yes and 87 No.  This action sent a clear message to the Governor, the House does not want to go into more debt for KPERS.  The week before the Senate passed a bill requiring the KPERS payment be made without delay.  Both chambers have sent strong messages.  Hopefully, each chamber will support the others actions so that Kansas will not take on more debt and will not delay the KPERS payment.

Hearing on Property Tax Relief: The Senate Tax Committee heard from several conferees regarding property tax or a homestead freeze, SB 91.  The bill would provide property tax relief for homeowners who are 65 years of age or older and do not have a mortgage on their home or for veterans who are at least 50% disabled.  The value of the property must be less than $350,000 and a combined household income less than $50,000 per year.  The bill would also allow renters to qualify for a homestead exemption.  It is an attempt at addressing property tax increases for some of our most vulnerable.  However, it does nothing to address seniors who are still paying on a mortgage or to address the high property tax increases the rest of Kansans are facing.  There will be other ideas to regarding property tax as there are many legislators with a desire to address the issue.

Kansas Senate denounces New York’s Reproductive Health Act:  Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1606 sends a clear message to New York State that Kansas denounces the recent legislation passed and celebrated by some of its legislators.  New York allows third-trimester abortions, removes an abortion penal code, and allows non-physicians to commit abortion.  The SCR passed the Senate on a vote of 27 to 13.  I voted Yes.  The SCR will now go to the House for debate, since it is a joint resolution.  If it passes the House, copies will be sent to the Governor of New York and each member of the New York State Senate and State Assembly.  Normally, it is not our concern how another state conducts business.  However, this is a matter of life and death.  Our founding fathers wrote of our natural rights including life and liberty.  It is the duty of government to protect the natural rights of people.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Caryn Tyson

Kansas Senate, District 12

785.296.6838

Government, Kansas

Acting Secretary Norman Testifies at KanCare Oversight Hearing

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Describes the system as sound but needing updates

 

 

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Acting Secretary Lee A. Norman, M.D. testified during Friday’s Bethel Oversight Committee hearing on Kansas’s Medicaid program, Kancare. He stated that while the program should continue with improvements in several areas, the program itself is on the right track and valuable for Kansans.

 

“I liken the base of KanCare to the chassis of an automobile,” said Acting Secretary Norman. “If the car does not have a strong, well-built chassis, then it doesn’t matter how great the tires are that you put on it. The solid chassis for KanCare involves an updated IT system as well as the personnel to handle the amount of cases that come in, among other things,” said Norman.

 

“During my tenure as chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Health System I had great deal of experience working on KanCare issues. I saw firsthand that it is a system that is beneficial to Kansans. Like any large endeavor it has had its growing pains, but we have seen great improvements and we will continue to hone those areas to make sure it is effective for all KanCare members.”

 

Areas discussed by Dr. Norman and KDHE staff at the hearing included the transition to a new managed care organization (MCO), Aetna, improvements to the eligibility system and financial updates for the program.

 

KDHE, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the three MCOs for KanCare all provided testimony to the Bethel oversight committee which meets quarterly.

Health Care, Kansas

Governor Comments on Oswego Hospital Closing

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Governor Kelly’s statement on the Oswego Community Hospital closure

 

The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding the closure of Oswego Community Hospital:

 

“Once again, we see the consequences of failing to expand Medicaid. Another Kansas hospital, this time in Oswego, has closed its doors. Studies show about 30% of our state’s hospitals are considered financially vulnerable. In small communities across our state – these facilities are at serious risk of closure.

 

“Just by expanding KanCare – the state’s Medicaid program – we can help keep these important facilities open and provide affordable health care to 150,000 more Kansans – no matter where they live. It is time to put politics aside and do what is best for the families and communities of Kansas.

 

“I look forward to legislators following through on their pledge to move our agenda through the committee process and allow for a full floor debate on our Medicaid expansion proposal.”

Government, Kansas

Rebid Family Preservation Grants; Reopen Negotiations on Foster Care Grants

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Kansas Department for Children and Families to Rebid Family Preservation Grants; Reopen Negotiations on Foster Care Grants

Current contracts to be extended

 

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Department for Children and Families (DCF) will rebid the state’s family preservation grants and revise the grants awarded to foster care contractors during the previous administration.

“After careful review, it is clear there are flaws in both the family preservation and foster care grants awarded by the previous administration,” said Kelly. “Under the direction of Secretary Laura Howard, and in partnership with the Department of Administration, we will work to resolve the inconsistencies and shed more light on the process.”

Thursday morning, DCF sent letters to Eckerd Connects and Cornerstones of Care terminating the previously negotiated grants for family preservation services in Kansas. These contracts will be rebid. In addition, Saint Francis Ministries, KVC Kansas, TFI and Cornerstones of Care were notified of the state’s intent to reopen negotiations on the foster care grants announced in November.

“It is not our intent to completely restart the process on the foster care grants,” said Howard. “We want to continue to work with our valued partners to ensure the grants are structured in a way that provides more stability during the grant transition and additional clarity in the roles of both the grantees and DCF. To be clear, we look forward to working with our current contractors to solve these issues and believe that adding new partners will bring long-term stability and years of experience into the child welfare system in Kansas.”

To ensure a transparent process moving forward, DCF will issue a new request for proposal (RFP) for family preservation services through the Department of Administration. In addition, representatives from the Department of Administration will join DCF staff to assist in the foster care grant negotiations. This will ensure proper procedures are followed.

“As a senator, I served on the Child Welfare Task Force and I voiced my concerns regularly about the lack of transparency in the Department for Children and Families,” said Kelly. “Rest assured, fixing the problems in this agency, working with advocates and being open about the process is of critical importance to my administration.”

To allow time to complete the RFP process and additional negotiations, DCF is extending the current family preservation contracts by six months and foster care contracts by three months.