Commissioner Dwight D. Keen elected Chairman of Kansas Corporation Commission

Topeka, KS – At today’s annual Kansas Corporation Commission Organizational Meeting, Commissioner Dwight D. Keen was elected to serve as Chairman of the Commission. Keen was appointed to the KCC by Governor Coyler on April 7, 2018 to a four year term, which expires March 15, 2022.

“We will remain dedicated to enhancing the public safety and well-being of Kansans through our commitment to delivering results that advance the public interest,” said Keen in accepting the Chairmanship.

Commissioner Keen has experience in business, law and government. His prior legal, finance and business experience includes serving as a securities attorney with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (presently FINRA) in Washington, D.C.; serving as the Senior Financial Analyst and Counsel to the Director of Corporation Finance for a large money center bank in New York City;  practicing corporate and securities law with two prominent Wichita law firms; and serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association. From 1998 to 2010, Keen was an Adjunct Professor of Business for the Graduate School at Friends University in Wichita where he taught five graduate level business courses.

Commissioner Keen’s prior state government service includes: serving for six years as Kansas Securities Commissioner; serving two terms as a Commissioner on the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs; and serving one four year term as a member of the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. Keen presently serves as the Kansas representative to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and is a member of NARUC, serving on the Gas Committee.

Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and serve staggered four-year terms. State law provides that no more than two of the three commissioners may belong to the same political party. The Commission acts as an independent regulatory agency with authority to render judgments and decisions on regulated utilities.

The KCC regulates the state’s electric, natural gas, telecommunications, oil and gas, and transportation industries with the responsibility of ensuring safe, adequate, and reliable services at reasonable rates for the citizens of Kansas.

 

The Kansas Department of Commerce is extending the deadline to participate in the 53^rd NCDA Annual Poetry and Art Contest, an initiative of the National Career Development Association, to February 1, 2019.

 

The contest theme is “Using Careers to Break Barriers, Empower Lives & Achieve Equity.”

The National Career Development Association promotes career development through its annual celebration of National Career Development Month. Every November, career development professionals are encouraged to celebrate with career-related activities including the annual Poetry and Art Contest.

Entries will be judged on how they celebrate and inspire career development with a positive tone while emphasizing the national theme.

 

Please submit any entries to [email protected] by February 1, 2019

Submissions may also be sent by mail to:

Kansas Department of Commerce, Poetry and Art Contest

1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 100, Topeka, Kansas 66612

 

Please include name and eligibility category from the options below.

ELIGIBILITY

Every adult and student enrolled in school is eligible, as well as adult practitioners who are not in school. Contest divisions areas include:

o   Primary – grades K-2

o   Intermediate – grades 3-5

o   Middle – grades 6-8

o   Senior – grades 9-12

o   Adult Student – ages 18 and older, enrolled in school

o   Open Adult – ages 18 and older (student teachers, parents, professionals, etc.)

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR POEMS

Poetic Form: Acceptable poetic forms, e.g. cinquain, free verse, diamante, haiku, limerick, metered, rhyming, blank verse

Size: Submit each poem on a single sheet of paper 8.5″ x 11″ in 12-point font.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ART

Lettering: Simple bold lettering is preferred. Captions are to be used to convey the theme, attract attention, and to achieve goals of clarity, vigor and originality. All lettering will be considered part of the design.

 

 

KANSAS SENATOR RICHARD HILDERBRAND COSPONSORS SB 9

TO REPAY $115 MILLION IN MISSED KPERS PAYMENTS

GALENA- Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) co-sponsors SB 9 to repay $115 million in missed KPERS payments.

“When someone goes to work for the state of Kansas, they have no choice but to pay into the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System. When things are tough at home and their budgets are tight, they still have to pay into this program. When things got tough for the state and the budgets did not balance, the state skipped paying into this program.

With the state expected to have an ending budget balance of $900 million at the end of this fiscal year, due in part to a $115 million missed KPERS payment. It is time for the state of Kansas to be fiscally responsible and repay our debts, especially when it comes to our hard working employees.

That is why I am proud to co-sponsor SB 9, that was pre-filed yesterday to repay the $115 million payment that was skipped in 2018.”

http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/documents/sb9_00_0000.pdf

 

KDHE urges you to have your home and school tested

 

TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) proclaimed January 2019 “Kansas Radon Action Month” to help educate Kansans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage actions to identify and address radon problems.

 

“Radon risk comes from prolonged exposure to elevated levels,” said KDHE Environmental Specialist Mark Ungerer. “Mitigation is a small cost compared to the risk posed by living in a home with elevated radon and can be easily accomplished in most cases. KDHE recommends everyone test their homes and encourage their school boards and superintendents to test their schools to have the most complete information about their radon exposure.”

 

Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soils across Kansas. Outdoors, radon is diluted to low concentrations, but once inside a building, radon can accumulate, exposing the occupants to elevated levels. Radon is the first leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause in smokers.

 

The only way to know if radon is elevated in a building is to test.  KDHE encourages all Kansans to test their homes for radon to make sure they are not being exposed to elevated levels. KDHE maintains a list of certified radon professionals who can perform radon measurements. Do-it-yourself radon test kits can also be purchased at local hardware and builder’s supply stores, as well as from county extension offices throughout Kansas. Elevated radon levels have been found across Kansas with about one in four measurements being high (above 4 picoCuries per liter).

 

While the majority of radon exposure comes from the home, Kansans should also be aware of potential radon exposure in other places where they, or their children, may be exposed. Children have smaller lungs and a more rapid breathing rate and are thought to be more susceptible to the risks presented by exposure to elevated radon levels. Kansas law does not require that schools be tested for radon, but Kansans are encouraged to contact their school board or district superintendent to find out if their local school has been tested.

 

Elevated radon levels can be fixed or reduced through mitigation.  Homeowners are encouraged to contact a certified radon professional if their radon test has a result of over 4 pCi/l.  Additional information about radon and a list of certified radon contractors is available at www.KansasRadonProgram.org  or by calling the Kansas Radon Hotline at 800-693-KDHE (800-693-5343).

KDOT accepting Transportation Safety Recognition Award nominations

Topeka – Nominations for 2019 Transportation Safety Recognition Awards are now being accepted by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Traffic safety advocates can be nominated in one of two categories – People Saving People Award and the Hero Award.

 

The People Saving People Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the improvement of transportation safety behavior in Kansas. The Hero Award honors the individual who has risked his or her own life to save someone else when they happened upon a crash or while trying to prevent the likelihood of a crash in a one-time traffic safety-related incident.

 

More details about the awards and nomination forms can be found at www.ktsro.org.  Nominations must be submitted online or by mail by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 2.

 

The awards will be presented April 2 and 3 at the annual Kansas Transportation Safety Conference in Wichita.

 

The 2018 winners include:

Jeff Collier for his efforts as state coordinator for the Drug Recognition Expert and the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing training programs.

 

Kevin Gamble for advancing traffic safety issues – Gamble manages more than 58 State Farm grants to Kansas traffic safety programs, including the SAFE program, for a monetary amount exceeding $560,000.

 

Christopher Mann for providing legal representation to drunk driving victims and their families in lawsuits against the drunk drivers. Mann helped to pass DUI ignition interlock law that requires first-time offenders to install ignition interlocks on their vehicles.

 

Kendall Schoenekase for visiting Kansas universities to promote the “Don’t Text and Drive, Just Drive” pledge campaign as well as 40 Kansas high schools to promote the SAFE program.

 

Deputy Jason Klepac for running after a moving vehicle and saving the life of its unconscious driver.

 

Lieutenant Tom Reddin for entering a crashed vehicle setting on its side with smoke coming from its engine compartment and helping the three occupants exit safely.

 

 

Powered by the State Library of Kansas 

 

Topeka, KS, —Up-to-the-minute information on the 2019 Kansas Legislature is only a phone call or chat away. Kansas residents can access information about the Kansas Legislature, bill status, legislative process and more by calling 1-800-432-3924 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Questions are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and are kept confidential.

 

In addition to calling the hotline, Kansans can chat with a librarian instantly through the library’s Ask A Librarian service found at kslib.info/ask or use their phone to text questions to 785-256-0733. TTY users should call 711.  Questions can also be emailed to [email protected] or by visiting the State Library.

 

Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to their legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents.

 

The State Library is located on the third floor, north wing of the Kansas Capitol Building. The library’s hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Community Development Block Grant Program Announces Application for New Community Pool

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce announces its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program now enables communities to apply for funding that can be used to construct a swimming pool.

There are many benefits for a community to consider constructing an outdoor city swimming pool – both for lifestyle and health benefits. Swimming pools offer a means of social interaction, relaxation and stress relief. They give an opportunity for residents to participate in aerobic, yet low-impact exercise. Finally, ADA-approved pool helps people in the community who have special needs.

To be eligible, the proposed facility must include a single pool of water with no elaborate extras, such as lazy rivers, slides or splash parks. The pool can include a maximum of two diving boards. Facilities may be designed to allow for extra features in the future but cannot be part of the application.

For a community to be eligible, it must have population of 500 to 25,000. The maximum grant amount is $1,000,000.  The application has a deadline of May 15, 2019.  The City must still meet the LMI requirements, and a 60/40 match is required (60% CDBG funds and 40% local funds).

For more details and to download the grant application, visit KansasCommerce.gov/cdbg. Questions should be directed to Linda Hunsicker, CDBG Specialist, at (785) 215-4484 or [email protected].

 

 

Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel issued the following statement on Governor-Elect Kelly naming Laura Howard as interim Secretary of the agency, and requesting to hold child welfare grants:

“It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve the children and families of Kansas under Governor Jeff Colyer’s leadership, and alongside some of the most dedicated public servants. Together, we have made many necessary changes and improvements in one year.

 

I brought on board a dedicated leadership team with more than 300 years of combined experience at the agency. We visited all 36 DCF offices and met with judges, legislators, foster parents, mental health professionals, advocates and other child welfare stakeholders. We increased child safety and wellbeing by changing key policies and procedures and implementing further mandated training. We successfully piloted a 24/7 phone line in Wichita where law enforcement and hospital workers can immediately report abuse or neglect instead of calling the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC). DCF also overhauled the KPRC, streamlining key processes and implementing Structured Decision Making (SDM). The child protection vacancy rate has dropped by 60 percent. The number of missing and runaway youth has dropped 26.7 percent. Risk Removal Staffing’s have kept 86 youth from needing to enter care in the last three months, with a 49 percent diversion rate. We anticipate finalizing 1,500 adoptions in FY 19, double the number of adoptions in FY 18. We have added approximately 150 beds to the continuum of care and continue to add more. With Governor Colyer, we introduced legislation that was passed by the Kansas Legislature to increase agency transparency, and I always made myself readily available to the media. We have made initial necessary investments in child welfare, and Kansas is one of three states currently pursuing the Family First Prevention Services Act, innovative legislation that will bring evidence-based, preventative services to this state.

 

All these changes and improvements would not have been possible without the hard work of DCF’s staff, our contracted providers, judges, legislators, foster parents, advocates and other child welfare stakeholders. I will be ever thankful for their tireless work and their dedication to the children and families of Kansas.

 

Since the agency announced the new case management and family preservation grants, we have been honest, transparent and forthright with the Child Welfare System Task Force, advocates and the general public about the changes in the grants and the bidding and review process. It should also be mentioned; the grants were constructed after gathering valued feedback from the public and child welfare stakeholders—we received more than 400 concerns about the current child welfare contracts. The bid review process was extensive and robust. Two internal DCF teams, consisting of DCF staff from across the state, analyzed and blind-scored each bid submission offsite for three days. These new grants are necessary to improve child welfare in Kansas and are in the absolute best interest for Kansas children and families. With that being said, DCF has been fully transparent and forthcoming with information about the grants with Governor-Elect Kelly’s transition team, and we will continue to collaborate with them and hold the grants, as has been requested. I personally called each provider this morning to express the new administration’s desires on this matter.

 

I wish Laura Howard the best in her new position, and I will be readily available to her in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition. From the moment Governor-Elect Kelly was integral in my unanimous confirmation as Secretary, I have enjoyed an honest and candid relationship with her. I wish her and her administration the best.”

Statewide Job Fair Employer Registration Now Open

 

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce, in partnership with KANSASWORKS, will host the KANSASWORKS Statewide Job Fair on March 7, 2019. The annual job fair will provide employers, veterans, and job seekers with the unique opportunity to connect face-to-face.

“Meeting the workforce needs of Kansas employers is a primary goal for this Department,” said Interim Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary Robert North. “The Statewide Job Fair offers the opportunity to unite the businesses we work so closely with to the skilled and valuable employees they need to fill crucial positions within their companies.”

The Statewide Job Fair is also an opportunity for veterans of any status and their families to meet with a variety of employers in various industries and fields. Veterans at any stage in their career search are invited, including active duty, reservists, or National Guard.

“The Kansas workforce is made up of talented, highly-skilled individuals with a passion and drive that brings an inherent value to everything they do,” said Mike Beene, Kansas Department of Commerce Director of Employment Services. “Our workers make up the fabric of this state, holding it together through their commitments to hard work and excellence.”

The event will take place at 11 different locations across the state, including Colby, El Dorado, Independence, Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Overland Park, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita. The job fair will be open to all job seekers from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Registration for the Statewide Job Fair can be done via the following links:

Colby, Independence, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Overland Park, Salina, Topeka: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/kansasworks-18343559329

Wichita: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kansasworks-statewide-job-fair-wichita-tickets-31256597324?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

El Dorado: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kansasworks-statewide-job-fair-el-dorado-tickets-31256940350

 

For more information, job seekers and employers may visit any Workforce Center or call (877) 509-6757.