Program has funds through third week of March

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has received additional federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to keep the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) operational into March, during the Federal Government shutdown. Today, KDHE received an additional $1,603,809 in food funds and $602,897 in administrative funds. These funds now allow Kansas to purchase foods until March 20, 2019 and keep staff operational until March 26.

 

“We are pleased to receive these additional funds,” said David Thomason, Director of the Nutrition and WIC Services Section in the KDHE Bureau of Family Health. “There is an average daily food cost in Kansas of $92,134 under this program, and we continue to work with the USDA to see that WIC funding in Kansas continues through the shutdown.”

 

The USDA monitors state WIC programs and is working to ensure that programs remain operational. States were instructed to contact the USDA prior to implementing any changes to the program that would curtail operations or in any way limit or restrict access to the program and its benefits.

 

The following is a synopsis of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s first State of the State address on Jan. 14, 2019 provided by Senator Richard Hilderbrand in his weekly newsletter.

STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly delivered her first State of the State address. The governor laid out her agenda as she began her first term as governor. Some of her main agenda items include, more money to public education, increased funding to hire more social workers for DCF, and Medicaid expansion.

During her address, Kelly explained she would be proposing a one-year budget with a separate proposal for a two-year education plan.

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

Thursday morning, Governor Kelly presented her one-year budget proposal. The $18.4 billion spending plan would be the largest budget in Kansas history, with total spending rising $1.2 billion, or 7.2%.

Kelly’s proposal includes increased spending for areas such as K-12 education, DCF, and Medicaid expansion. Many lawmakers question the number Kelly presented for the cost of expanding Medicaid as many predict it to be well over the budget proposal’s estimate.

Below are some highlights from the governor’s budget proposal:

Kansas K-12 Education Finance

Governor Kelly recommended a $92 million inflation adjustment to state aid for K-12 public schools. This would be a phase in of $364 million over four years. With this increase, the state’s education funding would increase 5.5 percent during the next budget year, to nearly $4.4 billion.

Department for Children and Families

The budget proposed a 14 percent increase in spending on foster care programs. Governor Kelly’s agenda includes the hiring of 55 additional social workers. This would increase the department’s budget 8.7 percent, to $727 million.

Medicaid Expansion

Kelly’s budget included $14 million to initiate Medicaid expansion in Kansas. She explained that an expansion plan would be submitted to the Legislature by the end of the month.

State Employee Salary Increase

The budget provided $22 million for a 2.5 percent salary increase for state employees, excluding the judicial system and legislative branch. An additional $3 million was earmarked to increase wages for officers of the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas Board of Regents

The budget proposal would complete restoration of a 4 percent, or $30 million, cut in 2017 from the Board of Regents. Most of the money was previously restored to universities, but Kelly offered the final $8.9 million to be recovered. This restoration does not include previous cuts from 2008.

Re-amortization of KPERS

Kelly’s budget was built around the re-amortization of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System which essentially refinances the remaining $8.9 billion debt over 30 years. This is meant to provide $160 million in “short-term savings” but will extend the system’s debt until the year 2049. Larry Campbell, Governor Kelly’s budget director, said the debt would become an additional cost of about $7 billion.

State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13^th district

communications from the state capitol

January 18, 2019∙ Week One

HARD FACTS:

• According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, in 2018 Kansas added over 11,000 new jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment (Kansas Department of Commerce).
• GEICO announced a new service center in Lenexa, adding 500 new jobs (Kansas Department of Commerce).
• Spirit AeroSystems announced another major expansion with plans to add over 1,400 new jobs in the Wichita area (Kansas Department of Commerce).
• Since December 2017, Kansas gained 20,100 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 17,200 private sector jobs (Kansas Department of Labor).

The Kansas Constitution, including the Ordinance, Preamble, and Bill of Rights, is available to print in a pocket-sized version from the State Library’s website https://kslib.info/constitution. Just click on the link and follow the instructions. A helpful diagram shows how to fold and where to cut to assemble your pocket-sized constitution. Tip: print double sided and check “flip on the long edge”. A long reach stapler is helpful, but not necessary. There is also a larger sized booklet version. Need help? https://kslib.info/Ask

FLOOR ACTION

Thursday the Senate voted to confirm 17 governor nominated appointments and 2 attorney general nominated appointments.

NEW APPOINTMENTS:

Bowser, Steven – Member, Pool Money Investment Board

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Fertig, Sarah– Medicaid Inspector General

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Hutton, Mark – Regent, State Board of Regents

Confirmed on a vote of 39-0

Schmidt, Allen – Regent, State Board of Regents

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Samaniego, Richard– Crime Victims Compensation Board

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Norris, Eric– State Librarian

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Thomas, Donna Dr. – Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Copeland, Michael – Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

REAPPOINTMENTS:

Dillon, David– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Feurborn, William– Regent, State Board of Regents

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Graves, Gregory– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Lair, Casey– Member, Kansas State Banking Board

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Macke, Carroll– Member, State Civil Service Board

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Melugin, Raymond– Member, State Civil Service Board,

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Neuman, Jack– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Schorn, Harold – Member, Kansas Human Rights Commission

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Waller Ryan– Member, Employment Security Board of Review

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Wright, Jerel– Administrator, Department of Credit Unions

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

Wynn, Deryl– Member, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

Confirmed on a vote of 40-0

GOVERNOR KELLY’S INAUGURATION

On Monday, January 14^th, Laura Kelly was sworn in as the 48^th Governor of the State of Kansas. Governor Kelly enters the Governor’s office after serving 14 years in the Kansas Senate, representing Topeka.

The following state officials were also sworn into office on Monday:

Lynn Rogers, Lieutenant Governor

Derek Schmidt, Attorney General

Scott Schwab, Secretary of State

Vicki Schmidt, Insurance Commissioner

Jake LaTurner, State Treasurer

NEW SENATORS

The Kansas Senate had four new faces Monday. Kevin Braun (R-Kansas City) replaces Steve Fitzgerald after he resigned from the Senate in September. Vic Miller (D-Topeka) took Laura Kelly’s seat in the Senate. Eric Rucker (R-Topeka) took Vicki Schmidt’s seat in the Senate as she is now Insurance Commissioner. Mary Ware (D-Wichita) was chosen to replace Lynn Rogers in the Senate.

Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) was also sworn in after winning his special election in November.

STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly delivered her first State of the State address. The governor laid out her agenda as she began her first term as governor. Some of her main agenda items include, more money to public education, increased funding to hire more social workers for DCF, and Medicaid expansion.

During her address, Kelly explained she would be proposing a one-year budget with a separate proposal for a two-year education plan.

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

Thursday morning, Governor Kelly presented her one-year budget proposal. The $18.4 billion spending plan would be the largest budget in Kansas history, with total spending rising $1.2 billion, or 7.2%.

Kelly’s proposal includes increased spending for areas such as K-12 education, DCF, and Medicaid expansion. Many lawmakers question the number Kelly presented for the cost of expanding Medicaid as many predict it to be well over the budget proposal’s estimate.

Below are some highlights from the governor’s budget proposal:

Kansas K-12 Education Finance

Governor Kelly recommended a $92 million inflation adjustment to state aid for K-12 public schools. This would be a phase in of $364 million over four years. With this increase, the state’s education funding would increase 5.5 percent during the next budget year, to nearly $4.4 billion.

Department for Children and Families

The budget proposed a 14 percent increase in spending on foster care programs. Governor Kelly’s agenda includes the hiring of 55 additional social workers. This would increase the department’s budget 8.7 percent, to $727 million.

Medicaid Expansion

Kelly’s budget included $14 million to initiate Medicaid expansion in Kansas. She explained that an expansion plan would be submitted to the Legislature by the end of the month.

State Employee Salary Increase

The budget provided $22 million for a 2.5 percent salary increase for state employees, excluding the judicial system and legislative branch. An additional $3 million was earmarked to increase wages for officers of the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas Board of Regents

The budget proposal would complete restoration of a 4 percent, or $30 million, cut in 2017 from the Board of Regents. Most of the money was previously restored to universities, but Kelly offered the final $8.9 million to be recovered. This restoration does not include previous cuts from 2008.

Re-amortization of KPERS

Kelly’s budget was built around the re-amortization of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System which essentially refinances the remaining $8.9 billion debt over 30 years. This is meant to provide $160 million in “short-term savings” but will extend the system’s debt until the year 2049. Larry Campbell, Governor Kelly’s budget director, said the debt would become an additional cost of about $7 billion.

Senate Leadership including, President Wagle, Vice President Longbine, Majority Leader Denning, Assistant Majority Leader Petersen, and Majority Whip Bowers, issued the following statement in response:

“Governor Kelly’s budget is simply taking a different path that inevitably spends us right back into the red. She is willing to fund her irresponsible spending agenda at the expense of our Kansas retirees while placing an additional $7 billion burden on our future generations.”

Transfers of Kansas Department of Transportation

$238 million would continue to be drawn annually from KDOT to finance basic government.

NEXT WEEK

Monday –

• The Legislature will be closed on Monday, January 21^st to observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday –

• Hearing on: SB 9, authorizing the transfer of $115,000,000 from the state general fund to the Kansas public employees retirement fund during fiscal year 2019 – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 22 at 10:30 am]

Wednesday –

• Presentation on: Kansas Department of Revenue, David N. Harper, Director – [Senate Transportation Committee; January 23^rd at 8:30 am]
• Briefing on: Mental Health Task Force Report and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 23^rd at 10:30 am]
• Presentation on: Cost of Special Education Funding, LPA – [Senate Education Committee; January 23^rd at 1:30 pm]
• Response to KCC Rate Study, Chuck Caisley, SVP, Marketing and Public Affairs for Evergy – [Senate Utilities Committee; January 23^rd at 1:30 pm]

Thursday –

• Presentation on: Kansas State University programs by Interim Dean/Director Ernie Milton – [Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; January 24^th at 8:30 am]
• Presentation on: Kansas Highway Patrol, Colonel Mark Bruce, Superintendent – [Senate Transportation Committee; January 24^th at 8:30 am]
• Informational briefing: Local Impact of Federal Farm Bill, Department of Agriculture – [Senate Ways and Means Committee; January 24^th at 10:30 am]
• Presentation on: Mental Health Awareness: KS School Counselor Association, KS School Psychologist Association, KS School Social Worker Association – [Senate Education Committee; January 24^th at 1:30 pm]

2019 SESSION DATES AND DEADLINES

Please be aware of the following dates and deadlines for the 2019 legislative session. As always, each is subject to modification and leadership will keep you updated on any changes which might occur.

Monday, January 21	Martin Luther King Day – No Session
Monday, February 4	Last day for members to request bill drafts
Monday, February 11	Last day for non-exempt committees to request bill drafts
Wednesday, February 13	Last day for bill introductions by members
Friday, February 15	Last day for non-exempt committee bill introduction
Monday, February 25	Last day for AM/PM committees to meet
Tuesday, February 26	On floor all day
Wednesday, February 27	On floor all day
Thursday, February 28	Turnaround Day, last day for non-exempt bills in house of origin
March 1-5	No session
Friday, March 22	Last day for non-exempt committee consideration
March 25-26	On floor all day
Wednesday, March 27	On floor all day; Last day to consider non-exempt bills not in originating chamber
March 28-31	No Session
Friday, April 5	Drop dead day; first adjournment
Wednesday, May 1	Veto Session begins
Friday, May 17	Day 90

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.

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).