TOPEKA – This morning the Kansas Corporation Commission denied a Petition for Reconsideration (PFR) filed by the Natural Gas Transportation Customer Coalition (NGTCC). In its PFR, NGTCC asked the Commission to reconsider its September 9 decision rejecting NGTCC’s motion to subpoena S&P Global Platts Gas Daily for documents relating to the daily gas index during February’s winter weather event.

In today’s Order denying NGTCC’s PFR, the Commission found NGTCC’s request for a subpoena was designed to protect a specific subset of commercial customers (also referred to as Transportation customers) from financial penalties associated with their use of gas supplied by Kansas Gas Service (KGS) when their third party suppliers could not deliver. The requested subpoena was not designed to investigate price manipulation, price gouging, or profiteering in the wholesale markets to protect all Kansas ratepayers from the elevated gas costs of Winter Storm Uri.

“It is the Commission’s job to weigh the evidence, balance interests, and find the right solution for Kansas,” said KCC Chair Andrew French. “Today’s decision does not limit the already expansive scope of our investigations; it simply makes clear no customer groups will be given special treatment at the expense of other customers.”

The order also explains the serious consequences of reducing or eliminating penalties for unauthorized gas usage. Because a portion of the penalties represent the cost of providing gas to transportation customers, eliminating legitimate or appropriate penalties could cause remaining customers to subsidize NGTCC’s members.

“Thus, NGTCC recognizes that by advocating for reduction or elimination of penalties, it is potentially subjecting residential customers to a large portion of the $390 million of additional gas costs that might otherwise be paid by the gas marketers.  So, to be clear, NGTCC is seeking the subpoena for the benefit of its members and their gas marketers, rather than to root out profiteering or to protect residential customers – who NGTCC very clearly does not represent.”

Despite its concerns of potential discrimination against residential customers, the Commission emphasizes no decision has been made on the reasonableness or appropriate amount of any potential penalties, so NGTCC’s argument that it faces excessive penalties is premature. NGTCC and other intervenors will have an opportunity to argue their position as this proceeding progresses.

The Commission’s order concluded by emphasizing the importance of not affording preferential treatment to certain subsets of customers while investigations remain ongoing.

“If FERC finds certain markets or indices should be retroactively adjusted, then all Kansans and Kansas businesses – whether sales or transportation customers – can be treated equitably in accordance with those findings.  Granting NGTCC’s request for special treatment as compared to other Kansans at this phase would be inequitable and wrong.”

Today’s order can be viewed at
http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=ae27c56a-4294-453f-b098-52d4f08e7bea

A recording of the Commission Business Meeting is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9eApI4p2WE

WICHITA WORK RELEASE FACILITY WALK AWAY ELVIN MORRIS APPREHENDED

FRIDAY, OCT. 8, 2021

TOPEKA, Kansas – Elvin Eugene Morris #93668 has been apprehended after walking away from the Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) Oct. 2, 2021.

Morris was taken into custody early afternoon, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 by officials from the Kansas Department of Corrections Enforcement Apprehensions & Investigations (EAI) Unit and booked into Sedgwick County Jail.

Morris was placed on escape status Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, after he failing to report back to correctional facility.

At this time no other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.

The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state facility with a population of 250.

PUBLIC’S HELP SOUGHT IN LOCATING WICHITA WORK RELEASE FACILITY WALK AWAY

ELVIN EUGENE MORRIS

TOPEKA, Kansas – The Kansas Department of Corrections is asking for the public’s help in locating KDOC Inmate #93668 Elvin Eugene Morris. Morris was placed on escape status at approximately 7:50 p.m. Saturday, October 2, 2021, after he failed to report back to the Wichita Work Release Facility.

Morris, a 43-year-old black male, left for Walmart in the community at 4:05 p.m. and was reported missing when he did not report back to the facility following an approved community pass.

Morris is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 179 pounds, slender build with brown eyes and black hair. Morris was last seen wearing jeans and a long sleeved, button up, white shirt and gray sweatshirt. Morris is known to inhabit homeless communities in Wichita.

UPDATE PHOTO AVAILABLE: https://www.doc.ks.gov/wichita-work-release-facility-walk-away-resident-93668-elvin-eugene-morris

Morris is currently serving a sentence for a conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment. Morris was last seen leaving the Wichita Work Release Facility at 400 South Emporia in Wichita, Kansas.

Anyone with information on Morris can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-265-5211, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

The escape is currently being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available.

The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 250.

Governor Laura Kelly Ceremonially Signs Legislation, Authorizing Land Transfer to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas

TOPEKA – This week, Governor Laura Kelly ceremonially signed House Bill 2408, authorizing and directing the Executive Director of the Kansas Historical Society (KSHS), on behalf of the KSHS, to transfer 9.86 acres of land in Doniphan County to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.

“This legislation is long-overdue and returns land that belongs to the Iowa Tribe,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I want to thank the bipartisan group of legislators and the Executive Committee of the Iowa Tribe for making this bill possible – my administration will continue to be a partner in your efforts.”

Kansas Water Photo Contest & Student Poster Research Submissions Being Accepted

Kansas is blessed with an abundance of great natural resources and Kansans are encouraged to capture the most vital of these; water. The Kansas Water Office (KWO) is accepting water photos to be featured in conjunction with the 2021 Virtual Governor’s Water Conference in November. The photos need to pertain to water or water use in Kansas.  Examples include all bodies of water, irrigation, agriculture, recreation and fun, or other water infrastructure.

Worthy entries will be voted on during this year’s Virtual Governor’s Water Conference by conference attendees. The winning photo will earn feature photo at the 2022 Governor’s Water Conference. It will also, along with second and third place, be displayed in the Kansas State Capitol and KWO during the year. November 5 is the deadline to submit photos at [email protected].

Student Research will also continue to be a feature during the virtual conference. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts on their water-related research to be presented as posters. Any research that involves water quantity, quality or water education is eligible and cash awards are available. The submission deadline is November 4.

For more information about both contests as well as tentative conference agenda and speakers, please select Governor’s Water Conference at kwo.ks.gov under the News & Events section. Conference registration will be free and available to those planning to attend any of the virtual conference.

Governor Laura Kelly Establishes the Division of the Child Advocate to Protect Kansas Children and Families

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 21-28 to establish the Division of the Child Advocate – an independent accountability structure to protect Kansas children and families within the child welfare system.

“The establishment of a Child Advocate is a commonsense win for Kansas kids and families,” Governor Kelly said. “For years, our state’s essential family services were neglected and underfunded – leaving our kids and families more vulnerable than ever before. Fixing those systemic problems has been a top priority for my administration, and the Division of the Child Advocate is a significant step forward to ensure every Kansas child is protected from harm.”

The Division of the Child Advocate will act as a centralized entity to:

• Protect Kansas children and families from harm by providing an independent oversight and accountability system for public and private entities involved in child welfare.
• Compile and receive complaints made on behalf of children within the child welfare system.
• Review the practices of agents in the child welfare system.
• Provide nonpartisan, independent reports to the Governor, Legislature, and Judicial Branches each year. These reports will detail the complaints received by the office and provide recommendations to improve services and systems.
• Improve coordination between state agencies, contractors, and partners in the child welfare space to ensure all Kansas children and families receive quality services.
• Educate children and families of their rights and entitlements under state and federal law and serve as a resource for families attempting to navigate the child welfare system.

E.O. 21-28 also creates protections for individuals who make complaints to the Child Advocate to empower state employees to work with the Division and report wrongdoing.

“The Child Advocate will strengthen existing oversight in the child welfare system and provide more accountability for Kansans that receive child welfare related services,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “It is essential that our most vulnerable citizens have an independent advocate they can go to for recourse in the event they feel services were administered incorrectly or inappropriately.”

In addition, the Governor signed Executive Order 21-27, which establishes the Office of Public Advocates (OPA). The OPA will consist of the Division of the Child Advocate, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and the KanCare Ombudsman.

To view E.O. 21-27 – please click here.

To view an unsigned copy of E.O. 21-28 – which establishes the Division of the Child Advocate – please click here.

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas’ September Tax Receipts

~ Kansas’ Total Tax Collections Grow $147.6 Million Compared to Same Time Last Year~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas’ September total tax receipts were $876.5 million. Those collections are $162.2 million, or 22.7% more than the estimate and a growth of 20.2%, or $147.6 million, from last September.

“Our tax collection numbers continue to show promising growth,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “In the months ahead, we must maintain fiscally-responsible policies to strengthen our growing economy.”

Individual income tax collections were up $51.8 million, or 14.6%, for the month with $406.8 million collected. That is $48.2 million, or 13.4%, more than the same month of 2020. September corporate income tax receipts, which are comprised primarily of estimated tax payments, have continued to trend upward. Corporate income tax collections were $85.3 million, or 142.1%, more than the estimate with $145.3 million collected. That is a growth of $55.6 million, or 62.0%, from the same month of last year. September 2021 corporate income tax collections were also 46.8% more than September 2019 actual receipts.

“After three quarters, these higher-than-expected estimated payments are a strong indication that corporations anticipate improved profit margins in 2021,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.

Retail sales tax collections were $225.2 million which is $15.2 million, or 7.2%, more than the estimate. Those collections are 15.1%, or $29.6 million, more than last September. Compensating use tax collections were $60.7 million which is $6.7 million, or 12.5%, more than the estimate. That is also $15.1 million, or 33.2%, more than September 2020.

To view the entire report, click here.