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Category Archives: Kansas
KS Ag Exports=$5 Billion
Governor Kelly Announces Record-Setting Agriculture Exports of Nearly $5.5 Billion
~~Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam Meets with International Ag Leaders to Strengthen Trade~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that agricultural exports reached $5.46 billion in 2022, the highest export total in decades. The Kansas agriculture industry has grown significantly since Governor Kelly took office; in 2019, Kansas had $3.8 billion in exports.
Once again, the top ag export for Kansas was red meat, which made up $2.1 billion or 38.9% of all agriculture exports. Second were cereals (including corn, wheat, and sorghum), and third was oil seed (primarily soybeans), making up 24.5% and 12.5% of total agricultural exports, respectively.
“Once again, we are shattering records to grow our economy and strengthen our ag industry,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “But even with these record exports, we aren’t taking anything for granted – which is why Secretary Beam and I are building relationships with international trading partners to ensure Kansas farmers and ranchers can continue to feed the world.”
Mexico was Kansas’ largest ag importer with $2.17 billion in 2022, Japan was the second largest with $781 million, and Canada was third with $594 million.
Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam met today with his state and provincial agriculture counterparts from Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. as part of the annual Tri-National Accord in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, to strengthen relationships with key trading partners. This annual event allows state agricultural leaders to discuss critical issues affecting trade between the three countries, including animal health, rural development, and agriculture technology.
“Kansas is a national leader in agriculture, and the continued growth in agricultural exports shows the significance of the work being done throughout the Kansas ag industry to develop these international markets,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam.
Participation in the Tri-National Accord continues KDA’s vision of achieving long-term, sustainable agricultural prosperity and statewide economic growth. For more about international marketing programs at KDA, including information about upcoming trade missions, and to see the full report on Kansas’ ag exports in 2022, go to agriculture.ks.gov/
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Imagination Library Program Expands in Kansas
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Youth Stable Placements, Improvement in Access to Mental Health Services
Report Shows Kansas Foster Youth Remain in Stable Placements, Improvement in Access to Mental Health Services
Neutral party releases second McIntyre Settlement status report
TOPEKA – Kansas foster children have more stable placements and have quicker access to mental health services, according to the second report from the Neutral Third Party in the McIntyre class action lawsuit settlement.
“My administration continues to make progress in protecting Kansas kids in the foster care system and repairing the state’s child welfare system,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The latest Neutral Report shows we continue to ensure kids are in stable placements and are improving how many foster youth receive necessary mental health screenings and timely access to services. But this report also makes clear that, in spite of all of our efforts, there’s much more work to be done. I am encouraged by the steps we’ve taken in 2023 to decrease temporary overnight placements and instances of kids staying in offices, but clearly the legislature and I must dig deeper, make more targeted investments, and come up with solutions that work.”
The McIntyre class action lawsuit was filed in 2018 under the Colyer Administration by Kansas Appleseed, Children’s Rights, and the National Center for Youth Law against the Governor, Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The Governor was later dismissed from the case.
The parties agreed to a settlement in 2020. The settlement was structured to ensure Kansas would achieve substantial progress and compliance in key performance areas over a multi-year period. Performance areas include accountability, reporting and implementation, practice improvements and outcomes. The settlement recognizes that the outcomes and practice improvements will not all be accomplished in one year. Outcome goals were set for a three-to-four-year period.
This second report covers data from calendar year 2022.
The new report shows Kansas continued to show progress in placement stability. For the second year in a row, DCF met the requirement to increase stable placements for children in custody. In a case review, the Neutral found that 91% of children and youth whose case were reviewed were in stable placements in 2022. That’s a 6% improvement over 2021.
Other highlights of the report include:
- Nearly 98% of Family Foster Homes and nearly 100% of Non-Relative Kin and Licensed Kin homes followed licensing capacity standards in CY 2022.
- In 2022, DCF improved the number of children and youth receiving mental health and trauma screens after initially entering care. The CY 2022 data shows 43% of case reviews showed a screening was conducted, an improvement from 34% in CY 2021.
- Case reads also showed DCF has improved in addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of children and youth in custody. The report shows that 70% of cases reads showed children and youth receiving timely mental health services, an increase of 5% over CY 2021.
“The report affirms our commitment to the continuous improvement of the Kansas child welfare system,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “Several factors including implementing a youth statewide mobile crisis service, adding therapeutic foster homes as a level of service, and working with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to implement Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) are responsible for the steady improvement of these mental health outcomes. We expect to see this number continue to improve as more CCBHCs come online and more families across the state become aware of the youth mobile crisis service.”
The report also found the state has more work to do to decrease both temporary overnight placements, instances of youth staying in offices, and night-to-night placements. Since the time period covered in the report, DCF has made significant strides in reducing those numbers thanks to new innovations already implemented and significant targeted investment from the governor and the Kansas legislature in this year’s budget. The agency implemented the Failure to Place network, which ensures there is a stand-by bed for youth who may otherwise be forced to stay in an office because of a lack of available placements. This has already led to a more than 50% reduction in the number of youth staying in a contractor’s office in CY 2023.
DCF is also encouraged by the recent investment of $6 million in the state’s new therapeutic foster home system, which will increase the stability of placements and improve mental health outcomes. Once fully implemented in partnership with the Children’s Alliance, children with high needs will fully realize the benefits of a therapeutic foster care option supporting families serving these youth.
The agency also notes the Neutral’s continued concerns related to data access and validation. The agency currently has a Request for Proposal for a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) in the review stage. The RFP is designed to allow for separate parts of the system to be implemented sequentially, allowing the state to realize the benefits prior to the system becoming fully operational.
Those interested in the full CY 22 report can access it via the Center for the Study of Social Policy website.
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Grant to Revitalize Downtown Buildings Announced
New Round of Funding Announced for Revitalization of Downtown Buildings
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $1.5 million will be available for a fourth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. HEAL grants help close financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts more economically vibrant.
Since the HEAL grant program was launched in 2021, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to fund 63 projects in 48 counties throughout Kansas.
Enhancements have been made for HEAL 4.0 that are designed to set up applicants for even greater success, including a longer application period and a maximum award of $100,000. Additionally, formal bids will be required this round from licensed contractors at the time of application submission.
“HEAL 4.0 will offer even more support and funding for communities working to bring vacant and underutilized buildings back to productive use,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We want as many communities as possible across the state to benefit from this successful program that breathes new life into downtown districts.”
HEAL grants help bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
- New or expanding businesses
- Housing
- Arts and culture
- Civic engagement
- Childcare
- Entrepreneurship
Submitted projects must show potential to be economic drivers in that community and also demonstrate that the space will be occupied by the end of the project. Proof of 1:1 matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application.
Communities that received a HEAL grant in the first round (awarded spring/summer 2022) are now eligible to apply again. Communities that received HEAL grants in either fall 2022 or spring 2023 are not eligible to apply this round.
The application window opens August 14 and closes November 10 with award notifications in mid-December.
A virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Organizations and building owners interested in applying should register and attend the webinar. To register, please click here.
Additional information about HEAL, the webinar and the online application can be accessed here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
KDOT requesting comment on draft 2024 Statewide Transportation Improvement ProgramTIP
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Road/Weather Motorist Info New Web Address
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Back to School Assistance For Supplies, Tutoring, Lessons, Camps Available
Kansas Education Enrichment Program Provides Back-to-School Assistance for Families in all
105 Kansas Counties
~~Students Can Receive $1,000 for Educational Goods and Services~~
TOPEKA – As Kansas students prepare to head back to school this month, Governor Laura Kelly announced that families in all 105 counties across Kansas have applied for the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP). She is encouraging more qualifying parents and guardians to take advantage of the one-time award of $1,000 per child to cover educational goods and services, including school supplies, tutoring, music lessons, and academic camps.
“The KEEP program is providing Kansas families the support they need to encourage their child’s learning over the summer and long after, whether that’s through new books, tutoring, or school supplies,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I encourage all who qualify to join the other families who have applied and to take advantage of this resource.”
In June, Governor Kelly expanded eligibility for KEEP to students with household incomes of less than 300% of federal poverty guidelines. The Kansas Office of Recovery partners with Merit to implement KEEP.
“As students head back to school, Merit is pleased to help facilitate the diverse and enriching educational experiences Kansas children will receive through KEEP,” said Tomer Kagan, CEO, Merit. “Merit’s online education marketplace connects parents and guardians with educational goods and services provided by approved service providers.”
Parents can spend their student’s program funds on a variety of academic enrichment opportunities such as:
- The purchase of curriculum and educational materials, including school supplies and certain allowed technological devices
- Camps with academic-related curriculum such as music, arts, science, technology, agriculture, mathematics, and engineering
- Tutoring
- Language classes
- Musical instruments and lessons
The funds are not eligible for private school tuition.
Students in a current foster care placement are also eligible regardless of household income. More information on how families can apply for and receive funds is available on the KEEP program website: www.keep.ks.gov.
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New safety signage along U.S. 69 aims to reduce crashes
Road users traveling U.S. 69 in Crawford County will see newly installed yellow “Safety Corridor – Increased Enforcement” signage. These warning signs bring attention to heightened law enforcement efforts as part of a Safety Corridor Pilot Program launched in Summer 2023. The Safety Corridor Pilot Program is a five-year initiative aimed at reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on four selected highway corridors in Kansas. The Program entails a comprehensive set of strategies in enforcement, education, engineering, and emergency response.
The U.S. 69 Safety Corridor extends from the U.S. 400 junction north through Frontenac and Pittsburg to the U.S. 160 junction. Crash reports indicate 98 total crashes occurred along the U.S. 69 corridor route over a five-year timeframe (2016-2021), including 4 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. The Kansas Department of Transportation installed signage to alert motorists of increased enforcement of risky driving behaviors associated with crash risk.
“U.S. 69 was selected for this pilot safety initiative based on a history of fatal and serious injury crashes and crash reports noting a reoccurring pattern of risky driving behaviors,” said Southeast District Engineer Wayne Gudmonson. “The goal is to help travelers get home safely by bringing attention to the importance of obeying traffic laws, wearing seat belts and advancing a culture of safe driving behaviors.”
The Safety Corridor Pilot Program will run until 2028. Secondary educational messages in schools and businesses along the four corridors will be distributed beginning this month. For more information on the Safety Corridor Pilot Program, visit the program website at https://www.ksdot.gov/bureaus/burTrafficSaf/safetycorridor.asp.
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Governor Kelly Invites Public Input on Broadband Infrastructure Plan
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 1 is available for public viewing and comment. The BEAD 5-Year Action Plan, along with Volume 1 and Volume 2, will identify served, unserved, and underserved locations across the state and map out a plan to expand access to high-speed internet.
The BEAD program, established by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, has allocated more than $451 million to Kansas for the development of broadband networks.
“Universal internet access is essential, and BEAD is a catalyst to a more connected and prosperous Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “From remote work to telehealth and other critical services, my administration is committed to ensuring every Kansan has the opportunity to thrive in the digital economy.”
Residents, community organizations, businesses, and local authorities from across the state are encouraged to participate in the public comment period for Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal. The document adheres to National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) guidelines and includes a description of each requirement and attachments.
Volume 1 includes:
- Existing broadband efforts
- Identification of unserved and underserved Kansans
- List of community anchor institutions
“It’s essential to have opportunities for meaningful public comment and connection with the Office of Broadband Development if we are to achieve the goal of universal service,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas is on the path to a more digitally accessible future, and participation in the public comment period will play a crucial role in shaping the success of the BEAD program.”
These strategic planning documents aim to bring robust broadband connectivity to every corner of Kansas, bolstering economic growth, education, health care, and public safety.
“This historic investment will make bold strides toward closing the digital divide and empowering Kansas communities,” said Jade Piros de Carvalho, Director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. “Input from Kansans is needed to ensure everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy enhanced broadband access, creating greater opportunities for all residents.”
Public comments on Volume 1 can be submitted online here until August 30.
Learn more about the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Plan here.
Governor Kelly Announces July Total Tax Receipts $13.9M More than Estimate
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that total tax collections for July 2023 were $681.0 million. That is $13.9 million, or 2.1%, more than the estimate. Total tax collections are up $94.7 million, or 16.2%, from July 2022.
“We are starting this fiscal year on strong financial footing, thanks to my administration’s laser-sharp focus on attracting businesses and growing the state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The numbers are clear: we must put money back in the hands of working Kansans through responsible tax cuts.”
Individual income tax collections were $313.7 million. That is $3.7 million, or 1.2%, more than the estimate, and a $13.2 million, or 4.4%, growth from July 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $44.7 million. That’s $4.7 million, or 11.9%, more than the estimate and up 22.2% from July 2022.
“It is important to note that wage withholding, the largest component of the $313.7 million in individual income tax receipts, is 13.4% more than in July 2022. Kansas wage income continues to be strong as the state moves into Fiscal Year 2024,” said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $315.3 million, which is $12.3 million, or 4.1%, more than the estimate and up 38.8% from July 2022.
Click here to view the July 2023 revenue numbers.
AG’s Medicaid fraud unit recoups $42,000 in restitution
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