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Category Archives: Kansas
KDOT employees celebrate service anniversaries
The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in October. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.
Those celebrating 35 years:
- Lora Kowach, CIT Program Manager, Longford
Those celebrating 30 years:
- Kevin Hennes, Public Service Executive II , Topeka
- David Schwartz, Special Projects Engineer, Topeka
Those celebrating 25 years:
- Brian Briggs, Database Administration Supervisor, Topeka
- John Cukjati, Engineering Technician Specialist, Hutchinson
- Perry Huffman, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Oakley
Those celebrating 20 years:
- Dominic Harrington, Highway Maintenance Superintendent, Hoyt
- Michael Hernandez, Network Service Technician III, Topeka
- Roy Whitcomb, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Kincaid
Those celebrating 15 years:
- Leah Ogden, Public Service Administrator I, Topeka
Those celebrating 10 years:
- Jaylon Ashburn, Equipment Operator Specialist, Troy
- Jennifer Cavanaugh, ROW Property Appraiser II , Topeka
- Kevin Diers, Equipment Operator, Osage City
- Mark Massey, Applications Developer II, Topeka
- Chelsea Milner, Engineering Technician Senior, Burrton
- Lisa Mussman, Public Information Officer I, Phillipsburg
- Brian Varnadore, Equipment Operator, Alma
- Karen Williams, Equipment Operator Senior, Mapleton
Virtual Statewide Job Fair Highlights Booming Opportunities for Jobseekers
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Over 200 Will Receive Citizenship in Fort Scott on Friday September 20
Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting the U.S. Federal Court proceeding by the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m.
“The park hosts the proceedings by providing the venue, and, working with the community and state, offers added value to the new citizens, their families, and the community,” said Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc.)
Fort Scott National Historic Site.
“This includes snacks for the naturalizing citizens before the ceremony, a beautiful and historic setting for the event, information about the community and its businesses, and the opportunity to fulfill the civic duty by registering to vote.” he said. “There are also a series of clubs, organizations, and state and local groups helping to make this happen (it takes a village). The Kansas Secretary of State’s office will have a representative here to register voters, new citizens or otherwise.”
What does one have to do to become a citizen?
“Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires naturalization applicants to demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language, and demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government (civics). To meet the requirements of Section 312 of the INA, applicants must pass a naturalization test to become U.S. citizens. The naturalization test consists of two components: an English language and a civics component. The English language component tests applicants on their ability to speak, read, write, and understand the English language. Applicants who fail one or both test components will have a second opportunity to pass both portions of the test, called a re-exam. More info at www.uscis.gov/citizenship We have been running some of the questions on our Facebook page this week.”
Today’s questions on its Facebook page:
Wednesday’s Questions:
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
What is one reason colonists came to America?
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
www.instagram.com/FortScottNPS
http://twitter.com/FortScottNPS
The Ceremony
“Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 10:30. Fort Scott VFW Post 1165, Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post, will be the Color Guard. Musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made by Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum,” he said.
“We are looking at 201 naturalized citizens from 57 different countries. One of the largest ceremonies in the National Park Service,” he said.
Countries represented are Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
New Round of SEED Grants Available for Rural Quality-of-Life Initiatives
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Nominate a Kansas Health Champion
Kansas Governor’s Council on Wellness 2025 Health Champion Nomination Form
Health Champions Awards Nominations are officially out.
Please consider nominating:
- Yourself
- Your Colleague
- Your Friend
- Your Community Health Worker
- A small business is making a big difference (those restaurants and food retailers are the real heroes in getting local produce in their market).
- A partner organization that deserves to be awarded
Here is the link!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HKSNRRC
KDA Extends Summer Youth Food Program
DCF Announces Application Deadline Extension for Summer EBT Program
Application deadline is now 5 p.m. on October 15
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is extending the application deadline for the 2024 Summer EBT program, a new federal program designed to help eligible families offset some of the costs of buying food for their school-aged children during the summer.
Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks in other states, is a partnership between DCF, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, and the Kansas Department of Education. The program provides families a one-time installment of $120 per each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries over the summer. Applications will be accepted through the DCF online self-service portal, dcfapp.kees.ks.gov, until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. Families will need to use their existing account through the DCF self-service portal or create an account to apply.
Since July 2024, about 117,200 students have received the one-time $120 Summer EBT benefit through an auto-issuance, and DCF has received more than 2,000 applications. For families with children receiving food assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and/or foster care benefits, the Summer EBT benefit was automatically added to existing households’ Kansas Benefits Cards (also known as an EBT card) or loaded onto a Kansas Benefits Card and mailed to the home. DCF estimates there could be more than 100,000 children who did not automatically receive the benefit but may be eligible.
Eligibility:
Children may be eligible for the program if:
- The child attended a Kansas school offering the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, and the household income met the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals at any point during the 2023-24 school year.
Or
- the school-aged child (7-17 years old) received food assistance, TANF, and/or foster care benefits at any point during the 2023-24 school year. (Summer EBT benefits were auto-issued to these households in July 2024.)
“While Summer EBT is intended to help offset the cost of food during summer break when kids don’t have access to the free or reduced-price meals they get at school, even with children already back in class the program can still provide families with a little extra help in putting food on their tables,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “We hope that by extending the application deadline, more families with eligible children will have the opportunity to apply for this year’s Summer EBT benefit.”
Application:
Families with children who did not receive the Summer EBT benefit by the end of July 2024 should apply through the online self-service portal, dcfapp.kees.ks.gov. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2024.
Learn more about the Summer EBT program at dcf.ks.gov.
Phone/Internet Services Assistance
Lifeline helps low-income Kansans stay connected
TOPEKA – Phone and internet services are vital to accessing healthcare and community services, finding employment, and calling for help in an emergency. However, the cost to stay connected is out of reach for many Kansans.
In observance of Lifeline Awareness Week, September 8-14, the Kansas Corporation Commission joins utility regulators nationwide in creating awareness of the Lifeline program and encourages those in need of assistance to apply.
Lifeline provides federal and state discounts of up to $17.02 per month to help pay for residential or wireless phone service, internet, or a bundled phone and internet plan. Subscribers living on tribal lands qualify for additional discounts. Currently, nearly 8 million Americans, including 23,000 in Kansas, are enrolled in the program.
Eligibility is based on income (at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) or participation in certain assistance programs such as:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA)
- Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Head Start Tribal Programs (income based)
- The Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands
More information on income eligibility, participating providers, and the enrollment process is available on the KCC’s website or by calling 800-662-0027.
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Governor Kelly Announces August Total Tax Collections Surpass Estimate by Nearly $23M
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the August 2024 total tax collections were $665.6 million. That is $22.8 million, or 3.5% more than the estimate. Total tax collections are up 4.0% from August 2023.
“While we are seeing collections higher than the estimate, we likely won’t see the impact of the income tax cuts from Senate Bill 1 on monthly collections until the beginning of next year,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Because of that timing, we must continue to be fiscally responsible for our long-term outlook.”
Individual income tax collections were $329.4 million, which is $19.4 million, or 6.3% more than the estimate and up 10.1% from August 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $20.2 million, which is $9.8 million, or 32.8% less than the estimate and down 19.7% from August 2023.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $294.6 million, which is $12.6 million, or 4.5% more than the estimate and up $2.2 million, or 0.7% from August 2023.
Click here to view the August 2024 revenue numbers.
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Kansas Dept. of Children and Families New Building To Open Soon In Fort Scott
The new Department of Children and Families building is located at National Avenue and Wall Street and is 13, 642 square feet.
“The new building will include safety features to protect employees and clients such as secure interview rooms, electronic access management system, a video surveillance system and other office renovations to suit the functionality and needs of DCF,” said Anita Cooper, Southeast Regional Director for the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
“A more centralized location will make it easier for residents in Fort Scott and the surrounding area to access the service center,” she said. “The new building puts us back in the downtown area where we were originally located. We are excited to be a part of the downtown community! ”
The Kansas Department for Children and Families offers a wide range of programs and services to help vulnerable Kansans.
“As of May 2024 (the most recent report), the total number of households in Bourbon County served by DCF was 878,” Cooper said. “That includes 21 served by the Temporary Assistance to Needing Families (TANF) program, 817 served by food assistance (FA) and 40 served by child care assistance (CC). The Fort Scott office also manages the cases for people living in Linn County. Total households served in Linn County: 419 (5 TANF, 402 FA and 12 CC). In addition, Child Protection Services provides child and family well-being services to approximately 417 families a year out of our Fort Scott office.”
There are 29 staff members based out of the Fort Scott office with hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The new building is located at 10 S. National Ave., Fort Scott. The phone, fax, etc. will all remain the same numbers when they move in, in the next month.
“We are leasing our current office location at the Fort Scott Professional Building, 710 W. 8th St. We’ve been in this location since 2009. The new building will be leased as well through SilverRock Ventures, LLC based out of Junction City,” Cooper said.
Kendall Schoenrock, of SilverRock Ventures, is the
owner and builder of the building.
“We will own it and it is leased to the State of Kansas Department for Children and Families,” Schoenrock said. “The State will look to take occupancy (of 10 S. National Avenue) in the next four weeks or so.”
Schoenrock purchased the property on August 31, 2023, which was originally known as the Downtowner Hotel building.
“This project is very important for the State of Kansas, to retain jobs in Fort Scott,” Schoenrock said in a prior interview https://fortscott.biz/news/ks-department-of-children-and-families-office-building-is-being-built-at-wall-and-national-avenue. “They could have moved the DCF to another community. In addition, it will spur money for retail and restaurants in the downtown area.”
“This project will get a lot of people for downtown businesses,” he said. “They will eat downtown, shop downtown, etc.”
The demolition was done by Skitch’s Hauling and Excavating, Inc.
After demolition was completed, his team got to work putting the building on the south side of the lot, with parking on the north.
“Many people helped make this happen,” he said. “Bailey Lyons with Lyons Realty Group, Rob Harrington with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development and Brad Matkin and Matthew Wells, with the city. And Arnold Scholfield with the Fort Scott Design Review Board provided good, solid feedback for the project.”
“They should be praised,” he said. “Fort Scott has been very supportive. I couldn’t have asked for more support from the city. That’s what is needed to spur development.”
Name In Stone
There is a name in stone on the north facade of the new building in honor of a SilverRock employee who died on this job site this year.
“Mike Anders was a long-time employee and close friend,” Schoenrock said. “Sadly he passed away on the job site on April 4th, 2024. It was not work-related.”
KS Governor Signs Tax Cuts Package
Governor Kelly Ceremonially Signs
Comprehensive Tax Cuts Package in Olathe
OLATHE— Governor Laura Kelly today ceremonially signed Senate Bill 1, the bipartisan sustainable tax cuts package, in Olathe. The bill comprehensively cuts Kansans taxes while ensuring the state’s long-term fiscal health.
“Kansans can expect to see meaningful tax cuts and can rest assured they will not threaten our ability to continue fully funding essential services,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This bipartisan bill delivers the tax relief Kansans needed, deserved, and that our state could afford.”
Senate Bill 1, passed with bipartisan support and signed by Governor Kelly in June, provides Kansans with nearly $2 billion in tax cuts over the next 5 years. The bill completely eliminates state taxes on Social Security income, saving Kansas retirees $152 million in the first year alone.
The bill also reduces property taxes by increasing the residential property tax exemption to $75,000. Residential property owners will save more than $236 million over 5 years. Additionally, the bill reduces income taxes while increasing the standard deduction and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.
“By responsibly reducing property and income taxes, we’re implementing comprehensive tax cuts that all Kansans will feel the impact of,” said Kansas State Senator Rob Olson, District 23. “I’m proud to have worked with Governor Kelly and lawmakers of both parties to get this bipartisan package across the finish line.”
Public Input Needed on Safe Routes to Schools
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