Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bill Expanding Computer Science Education in Kansas Schools

~~This Legislation Helps Students Transition from Career and Technical Education Programs into the Workforce~~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed bipartisan House Bill 2466 to promote computer science education in Kansas schools and provide additional funding for current and aspiring teachers to receive training in computer science programs. HB 2466 also establishes a pilot program that covers credential exam costs and assists career and technical education students in their transition to the workforce.

“By expanding computer science education and creating this transition program, we can better retain the skilled workforce Kansas produces through our K-12 schools,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “In addition, it signals to companies looking to build or expand their business that Kansas is the place to do it.”

HB 2466 provides scholarships for educators in rural areas and underrepresented socioeconomic groups to obtain computer science education training.

“HB2466 will bring much needed resources and training to our teachers,” Representative Steve Huebert, District 90, said. “With that, more classes will be offered, allowing students to gain the computer science skills they need for today’s workforce demands.”

More information about HB 2466 can be found here.

Governor Kelly also signed the following bills:

HB 2138
Provides for the use of electronic poll books in elections and the approval of such books by the secretary of state, requires all voting systems for elections to use individual voter-verified paper ballots with a distinctive watermark, requires the secretary of state and local election officers to develop an affidavit to be signed by election workers regarding the handling of completed ballots, requires audits of any federal, statewide or state legislative race that is within 1% of the total votes cast and requires randomized audits of elections procedures used in four counties in even-numbered years, requires a county election officer to send a confirmation of address when there is no election-related activity for any four-calendar year period and exempts poll workers from certain election crimes.

May 6, 2022

The legislature is on another break until May 23.  The delayed schedule is a response to the Congressional map and now the state senate map being challenged in court.

Meat Labeling Conference Committee Report (CCR) 261 will stop the use of the word “meat” when a product at the grocery store does not contain meat.  The bill does not address the use of the word “meat” in restaurants or the use of the word “milk”, but it is a step in consumer protection and forcing accurate labeling of non-meat products.  The CCR passed unanimously.

Taxes collected were $175 million above estimates for April.  Last year the Governor vetoed income tax cuts, calling them reckless.  The legislature overrode the veto and the tax cuts were implemented.  Taxes collected are at an all-time high.  A majority of legislators voted to pay down some debt (KPERS unfunded liability), which I supported.  However, a majority of legislators also voted to increase spending and put $750 million in reserves – so that government can spend it at a later date.  I do not support allowing government to grow, especially at that pace.

As Chairman of the Senate Tax Committee, I am grateful for the hard work by the Senate and the House to get some good tax legislation passed this year!  Here are some of the highlights: property tax freeze for low income seniors and disabled veterans, tax credits for teachers who purchased school supplies with their own money, removing state sales tax on delivery and postage costs, doubling personal income tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans from $2250 to $4500, and many other provisions.  And of course, after many years of trying, we finally passed legislation that will bring the state sales tax on groceries to zero. These are big wins for Kansans and I am grateful for the teamwork between the House and Senate to the tax policies passed with veto proof majority.

In the next day of session, May 23, watch for CCR 2597 which would amend income tax, sales tax, and would enact the COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Act, providing partial property tax relief for businesses who were restricted at their storefront during the Governor’s COVID-19 shut down.  The legislation would gradually remove state income tax on Social Security, increase the standard deduction based on inflation, remove state sales tax on electric and other utilities for businesses (homeowners are already exempt), and other tax provisions to help return record tax collections to Kansas taxpayers.

There was good teamwork and leadership this year that has brought good tax policy to fruition, but there is still work to be done on May 23.

K-12 funding for each Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, 2023, 2024 is over $6 billion in CCR 2567.  There was some policy items in the CCR, most notably, adoption of Open Enrollment, allowing students to move between schools provided the receiving school has the capacity to accept the student transferring.  There are several questions with the legislation.  It was in a budget bill and the Governor can line item veto budgets.  Does it apply to this bill?  The CCR passed the Senate 24 to 14.  I did not support the major spending increase.  I did support the school transfer version of the bill and had voted Yes when it was a standalone bill.

More legislation that passed can be found at www.KSLegislature.org.

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

Caryn

April 30, 2022

The legislature began the 2022 veto session on April 25.  It has been an unusual year and the schedule confirms this since the legislature will return May 23 and the final day of session will not be until June.  The last day is usually in mid-May.  The delayed schedule is a response to the Congressional map being challenged in court.

Sales Tax on Groceries, Conference Committee Report (CCR) 2106, passed the Senate unanimously and the House with super-majority.  January 1, 2023, the state sales tax on groceries will decrease from 6.5% to 4%, in 2024 it will decrease to 2%, and in 2025 it will be 0%.  The Governor’s plan never cut “sales tax on food”.  It was sales tax on groceries.  Groceries are to be defined as non-prepared foods with a few quirky items.

My updates do tend to focus on tax.  As the Senate Tax Chairman, I have worked diligently to lower taxes in Kansas.  Someone in the Capital commented to me that we wouldn’t have passed any tax legislation this year if I would not have been working on it.  We have had some major wins this year, including lowering property tax for homeowners.  (Hopefully, local governments will not take the savings from you by increasing local taxes.)  The Governor took credit for it even though she never worked on it.

The legislature passed a budget that puts over $750 million in reserve.  That money should be returned to the taxpayers – Kansans need it with inflation and skyrocketing prices.  Let’s cut more taxes by passing CCR 2597.  It would remove income tax on Social Security, increase the standard deduction based on inflation, and implement other common-sense tax solutions for Kansans.

Fairness in Women’s Sports, Conference Committee Report (CCR) 160, would have ensured participation in women’s sports is for biological women.  For a second year, the Governor vetoed the legislation.  The Senate had the votes for an override.  However, the House fell three votes short of an override.  I supported the legislation and the override.  It will be interesting to see how much impact this has on 2022 elections.

The Parents’ Bill of Rights, CCR 58, would have been a first step for addressing Critical Race Theory (CRT), age-appropriate material, and transparency for parents of students attending elementary or secondary school in this state.  The Governor vetoed the legislation.  The Senate overrode the veto but the House fell short by 12 votes.  I had introduced a bill banning CRT and the teaching of inaccurate history.  Due to social pressure the bill didn’t even get a hearing.  The Parents’ Bill of Rights was the only legislation to pass out of committee this year.

The Governor vetoed Welfare Reform CCR 2448, requiring able-bodied adults without dependents to complete an employment and training program in order to receive food assistance.  The House and Senate were able to override this veto.  I voted Yes.

A Constitutional Amendment will be on the November 2022 ballot, allowing voters to decide if the Kansas Constitution should be amended to require County Sheriffs to be elected, except for Riley County.

More legislation that passed can be found at www.KSLegislature.org.  I’ll include more items in a later update.

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

Caryn

Kansas Department of Health and Environment Supports New Community Health Worker Certification

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition are excited to announce the new Community Health Worker Certification. This certification is the first in the state to recognize the valuable role that Community Health Workers (CHWs) play in communities as they serve as a link between health and social services and communities to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

“CHWs play an integral role in patient-centered health care teams. They improve care accessibility and health outcomes. The diversity of backgrounds, skills and experiences CHWs bring is a strength,” said David Jordan, President and CEO of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. “The new certification process standardizes Community Health Worker education and training. Ultimately, this will strengthen community health workers’ future in Kansas. The Health Fund is proud to have partnered with the Kansas Community Health Worker workgroup, KDHE and the Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition to standardize the role of CHWs in Kansas.”

A Certification Task Force was formed out of a need to investigate pathways for certification and started in the coalition’s Sustainability Committee. Over the past five years, the development of this certification has been inclusive and transparent. More than 40 individuals from the Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition and beyond were involved in the process.

“Having a certification process for CHWs is key to expanded career options and future opportunities,” said Stefanie Olson, KDHE CHW Section Director.

“This certification also provides CHWs who serve in their communities a way to validate and build their skills in individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy” said Alma Vargas, KS CHW Coalition Executive Co-Chair. “It also offers employers of CHWs – particularly health care providers with a key support in these times of increased need for skilled health professionals. This statewide recognized certification can distinguish CHWs from their peers and can help them as they work towards other goals.”

Is this certification for you? Certification requires:

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalent. Exceptions may be made.
• Completion of one of these two pathways.
  • Education Pathway: Applicant must complete the KDHE approved CHW training program through the Kansas CHW Coalition or a certified Kansas CHW education provider.
  • Work Experience Pathway: Applicant must complete 800 hours over three years plus three letters of recommendation to document work and/or volunteer experience.

Given CHWs important role in advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health, these efforts could not have come at a better time.

Visit the Community Health Worker Coalition  to learn more about and apply for the certification, scholarships are available. Health topic information and other resources to support CHWs can be found on both the KDHE and CHW websites. Join KDHE on Thursday, June 9 at Wichita State University, Rhatigan Student Center at 9 a.m. for the annual Kansas Community Health Worker Symposium. Sponsorship and scholarship opportunities are available.

~~Assistance Available for Housing Developers to Jumpstart Projects, Address Rural Housing Shortage~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the launch of a new housing program for developers to help address the housing needs of communities across Kansas. The Startup Housing Opportunity Venture Loan (SHOVL) program provides funding to housing developers for expenses incurred before the closing of permanent financing for housing developments.

“A shortage of quality, affordable housing is a barrier to economic growth and development throughout the state – and particularly in rural Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Affordable housing is a vital component of recruiting and retaining workers, families, and entrepreneurs to help rural and urban Kansas thrive. We can’t capitalize on our record-breaking economic success if we don’t have affordable housing options for our workforce, and I’m pleased this new program will be another step in addressing this challenge.”

Economic development, including new business recruitment, business expansions and job retention, is highly dependent on available and adequate housing. To qualify for the SHOVL program, the housing developments must directly connect to past, current, or future economic development efforts. This link between housing and economic development may include:

• New job creation within the last several years
• An opportunity to attract a new business with the development of workforce housing
• Expansion plans by an existing local business
• A pending economic development project that will require additional housing
• Job retention of a local business dependent upon adequate housing development

“We remain committed to finding creative ways to assist developers in finding the funding they need to get projects started,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Housing is critical to economic development and we must continue to invest in housing in order to attract new businesses and new residents to the state.”                       

SHOVL is available for housing developers looking to construct housing developments in communities with populations of 10,000 or less. The program will offer a no-interest loan of up to $25,000 and require a 20% match. Loans are available to private developers, non-profit organizations, or the local government.

“Rural housing development often lacks something that can jump start the process. The SHOVL program will provide that spark,” Housing Specialist, Randy Speaker said.

More information on the SHOVL program is available here.

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Redistricting Maps for State House, Senate, Board of Education

~~Governor Vetoes S Sub For HB 2448, H Sub for Sub SB 286, SB 58, and SB 160~~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed the redistricting maps for the Kansas state House of Representatives, the Kansas state Senate, and the Kansas Board of Education into law and vetoed Senate Sub for House Bill 2448, House Sub for Sub Senate Bill 286, Senate Bill 58, and Senate Bill 160.

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of S Sub for House Bill 2448:

“Every Kansan feels the price of the pandemic-induced inflation at the pumps and at the grocery store. The cost of food alone is one of the most significant contributors to inflation overall.

“With the rising costs of these necessities, we should be helping people afford the basics. This bill would unnecessarily burden nearly 30,000 hard-working Kansans, including people caring for their families and impacting those with children.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto S Sub for House Bill 2448.”

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of H Sub for Sub Senate Bill 286:

“This bill includes valuable provisions that I support, such as expanding telemedicine and criminal penalties for violence against health care workers in hospital settings.

“During the pandemic, I worked with hospitals, frontline care workers, and stakeholders on a narrowly tailored compromise to protect our doctors and nurses responding to COVID-19 while ensuring Kansas patients still had appropriate protections. This was important for those working around the clock, caring for our loved ones during the height of the pandemic.

“However, a last-minute provision was inserted into this bill which gutted our original carefully crafted compromise and indiscriminately broadened protections for health care providers, substantially reducing protections for Kansas patients.

“I will work with the Legislature in a bipartisan fashion on a bill that returns the liability provisions to the original compromise language and include the provisions for telemedicine and enhanced criminal penalties for violence against health care workers in hospital settings so that both Kansas patients and our hard-working healthcare providers are protected.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto H Sub for Sub Senate Bill 286.”

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 58:

“Throughout the pandemic, parents had to step up and do the impossible. Go to work. Take care of their children. Teach, tutor and facilitate their children’s learning. When it comes to their children’s education, parents can and should play a vital role. We know that parental engagement in their child’s education greatly impacts the outcome.

“This bill, however, is about politics, not parents. Over one hundred Kansas parents testified against this bill. It would create more division in our schools and would be costly. Money that should be spent in the classroom would end up being spent in the courtroom.

“That’s unacceptable, especially after our efforts to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund our schools for the last four years.

“I look forward to working with the Legislature in a bipartisan fashion on a bill that gives parents a seat at the table without harming school funding or exacerbating the issues facing our teachers.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 58.”

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 160:

“Both Republican and Democratic Governors have joined me in vetoing similar divisive bills for the same reasons: it’s harmful to students and their families and it’s bad for business.

“We all want a fair and safe place for our kids to play and compete. However, this bill didn’t come from the experts at our schools, our athletes, or the Kansas State High School Activities Association. It came from politicians trying to score political points.

“This bill would also undoubtedly harm our ability to attract and retain businesses. It would send a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 160.”

April 1, 2022

The legislature finished the 2022 regular session and will begin the 2022 veto session on April 25.  There were several pieces of legislation passed by the legislature.  Let’s hope the Governor doesn’t veto them.

Fairness in Women’s Sports, Conference Committee Report (CCR) 160, is to ensure participation in women’s sports is for biological women.  The Senate vote was 25 to 13.  The Senate would need 27 votes for a veto override.  I voted Yes and will vote Yes on a veto override.  Last year the Governor vetoed the legislation and there were not enough votes for an override.

Election Security was addressed in three CCRs, 2138, 2056, and 2252.  CCR 2138 had several provisions like requiring watermarked paper for ballots starting in 2024, cleaning up voter rolls, and language for election audits in even-numbered years of four counties, different each election – one with a population greater than 90,000; one with a population between 20,000 and 90,000; and two under 20,000.  It passed the Senate 28 to 8.  CCR 2056 would limit the county election offices use of drop boxes to one for every 30,000 voters.  There are currently no restrictions on these drop boxes, so this is an improvement.  Twenty-seven Senators voted Yes and 12 voted No.  CCR 2252 would block the Governor or Secretary of State from altering election law without approval by the legislature.  It passed 27 to 12.  I voted Yes on all three CCRs.

I’ve seen press releases that Mississippi passed a law to block Zuckerberg and other money from influencing elections.  Last year, I introduced several amendments to protect our elections and they became law, including stopping Zuckerberg and other money being used in Kansas elections.  It took a veto-override of 2/3 legislators to become law, but election security prevailed.

Redistricting map for the State Board of Education (name of the map: Apple 7) board members passed 31 to 8, Senate Bill (SB) 557.  I voted Yes.  The U.S. Congress map that passed the legislature early in session, has been challenged in court.  We should hear the results of the court case before April 25.  The Kansas Senate map (Liberty 3) and Kansas House map (Free State 3F) were put in CCR 563, along with Apple 7.  The maps could have been drawn several different ways.  As with most legislation, there was good and bad.  The negative outweighed the positive on CCR 563 for Senate District 12 and other districts so I was a No vote.  It passed 29 to 11.

Banned: Sanctuary Cities and Counties that restrict law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities and allow the use of municipal identification cards to satisfy proof of identity, including for voter identity, will be banned when House Bill (HB) 2717 becomes law.  It passed the Senate 29 to 10  and the House 84 to 38.  I voted Yes.

A proposed Constitutional Amendment will be on the November 2022 ballot, allowing voters to decide if the Kansas Constitution should be amended to require County Sheriffs to be elected, except for Riley County.  Some counties were attempting to appoint a Sheriff like they have been doing in Riley County for years.  A majority of legislators teamed with local Sheriffs to pass HCR 5022 allowing voters to decide.  I was a part of that team and voted Yes supporting the Sheriffs.  It passed the Senate 39 to 1.

More legislation that passed can be found at www.KSLegislature.org.  I’ll include more items in a later update.

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

Caryn