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Category Archives: Kansas
Support To Build Infrastructure For Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
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Governor Kelly Announces Appointments to Kansas Corporation Commission
Governor Kelly Announces Appointments to Kansas Corporation Commission
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced she has appointed former longtime State Representative Annie Kuether and reappointed Andrew French to serve on the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). These appointments will be submitted to the Kansas State Senate for confirmation.
“Representative Kuether brings experience to the Kansas Corporation Commission from her 25 years in the Legislature, where she served as a ranking minority member on the energy, utilities, and telecommunications committee,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I am pleased to appoint her and reappoint Andrew French to serve the people of Kansas on this vital commission.”
The KCC is one of the first state regulatory bodies in the nation, originally formed in 1883, and has five main divisions: Administration, Conservation, Utilities, Transportation, and Energy. The KCC consists of three members appointed by the Governor to overlapping four-year terms.
Kuether was previously a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from 1997-2022, representing a central portion of Topeka in District 55. Kuether’s appointment replaces Susan Duffy, who decided not to seek reappointment when her term ended on March 15, 2023. If confirmed, Kuether would begin on October 3, 2023.
French was originally appointed to the commission in 2020. He currently serves as the Kansas representative to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and the 2023 SPP Regional State Committee President. If confirmed again, his new term will begin on March 16, 2024.
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KS To Promote Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health
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KS High School Athletics Adopted New Policy in Response to Fairness In Women’s Sports Act
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Apprenticeships Increase in Kansas
Governor Kelly Celebrates Nearly 40% Increase in Apprentices Since Creation of Office of Registered Apprenticeship One Year Ago
TOPEKA – Today marks one year since Governor Laura Kelly established the Office of Registered Apprenticeship through Executive Order 22-07. The Office was created to strengthen workforce development and grow the economy by modernizing and expanding apprenticeship opportunities and by building partnerships with educational institutions.
Since Governor Kelly’s executive order, Kansas has made great strides in expanding apprenticeship opportunities: There has been a 37.9% increase in Kansans participating in apprenticeships since September 2022, with nearly 4,400 apprentices in Kansas today. In addition, the Office has expanded the type of occupations in which Kansans can gain experience: 49 new job titles have been added, resulting in a total of 107 occupations in the apprenticeship pipeline.
“Through the Office of Registered Apprenticeship, we are helping Kansans gain the skills they need to get jobs that don’t require a college degree – and we’re developing the workforce needed to attract new businesses to the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Because of our efforts, Kansas continues to lead the nation as the state with the most business investment per capita.”
All Registered Apprenticeship programs must have five core components to be recognized for certification, including on-the-job training, related technical instruction, mentorship, wage progression, and industry-recognized credentials. However, the driving force must be a business or industry willing to support an apprentice to “earn and learn” a career.
“Registered apprenticeship is an increasingly central component of our efforts to build up the Kansas workforce,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our purposeful economic development is creating thousands of new opportunities for hard-working Kansans across the state.”
Since the creation of this office, there has been a 38.8% increase in the completion of apprenticeship programs – from 129 program completers in 2022 to 179 in 2023.
“We are executing a targeted plan to expand high-quality registered apprenticeships, and we are showing results across the entire state of Kansas,” said Shonda Anderson, Director of the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship. “Most importantly, we are bridging partnerships with our labor unions, business and industry, local workforce boards, non-profits, higher education, and even cross-departmental partnerships.”
Governor Kelly has also taken other actions to support apprenticeships, including:
- Governor Kelly signed the Kansas Apprenticeship Act to promote and expand apprenticeships for the most in-demand industries in Kansas through tax credits and grants.
- U.S. Department of Labor awarded Kansas $6.3 million to “Lead Apprenticeship Results in Kansas.” With this, the Office of Registered Apprenticeships will work with stakeholders to grow teacher educator apprenticeships, inside and outside justice involved apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and other programs in Kansas’ most in-demand industries.
- Kansas was selected to participate in the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship. Through the Policy Academy, Kansas will develop a strategy to expand apprenticeship opportunities to youth ages 16 and older to help them build the skills needed for the modern workforce.
- The Office of Registered Apprenticeship launched a statewide Teacher Educator Apprenticeship Program, making Kansas home to one of the most innovative teacher-educator apprenticeship programs, allowing para-educators to obtain their bachelor’s degree and gain a Kansas Teaching certificate while being paid to teach in the classroom from day one.
- The Office is using $4.7 million in grants to expand registered apprenticeships in the care economy, IT sectors, construction, and more.
More information on Kansas Registered Apprenticeships can be found on the Kansas Department of Commerce website.
Funding to Create New Child Care/High Speed Internet Awarded Kansas
Governor Kelly Announces Kansas Awarded $40M to Build Community Multi-Purpose Facilities, Expand Access to Child Care
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund announced today that Kansas has been awarded $40 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury for a new program, the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator (CPF Accelerator). The program will provide local communities with funding to build or renovate multi-purpose facilities that create new licensed child care slots and provide Kansans access to high-speed internet for digital work, health, and education supports.
“The Capital Projects Fund Accelerator Grant program is another example of how my administration is finding new ways to expand access to affordable, quality child care and other essential community services,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This grant opportunity will enable more communities to work with local businesses to meet a pressing need for Kansas families.”
In June 2023, the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund’s Child Care Capacity Accelerator awarded more than $43 million to 52 organizations and partnerships across Kansas. The new CPF Accelerator grant opportunity builds on that momentum by providing prospective grantees a new funding source for the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of community facilities and other capital improvement for community-driven projects and programs. This funding is the latest effort to support the state’s rapidly growing work in early childhood and boost communities in scaling up their facilities to serve families and children.
“The Capital Projects Fund Accelerator is another exciting chance to invest in the infrastructure needed to increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare as well as a full range of programs and services to help families meet basic needs,” said Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. “The Kansas Children’s Cabinet is proud to continue our work to champion community-driven solutions to the multi-faceted challenges facing families with young children today.”
The RFP is available here, with two submission deadline options. The first-round application deadline is Oct. 2, 2023, and the second-round deadline is Dec. 18, 2023. The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund encourages applicants to decide which deadline is appropriate for their project as there is no advantage or consequence in applying by either deadline. Applications will be submitted online via the Kansas CommonApp portal.
Kansas was previously awarded $83.5 million from the Capital Projects Fund to build reliable broadband infrastructure and extend high-speed internet to more than 24,500 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other public institutions in underserved counties across the state. A portion of Kansas’ $40 million award for the CPF Accelerator will be used to assist in the administration of the program. Combined with the Child Care Capacity Accelerator Grant programs, these two funding opportunities will infuse more than $83 million into Kansas’ early childhood care and education sector.
Click here to learn more about the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator.
KS Tourism Grants Available
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Foster, Snyder and Woods Win Purple Ribbons at Kansas State Fair
The Bourbon County 4h Dog Project qualified three members for the 2023 Kansas State Fair Dog Agility Competition.
On September 2 in Hutchinson, KS Ella Snyder with Tex, Makiah Woods with Sadie, and Davina Foster with Paris competed in a field of 45 in the Dog Agility 1 competition.
All three received purple ribbons with Davina Foster placing 4th with a perfect score of 200.
The Bourbon County 4h Dog Project is assisted by volunteers Zach and Aubry Ross of Ross’s Kennels.
They will be holding try-it days in September or October for current and future 4Hers to come and experience the project along with adults as the club fundraises for equipment.
Dates will be announced soon.
KS August Tax Collections Are Below Estimate
August total tax collections at $640.1 million; 3.7% below the estimate
TOPEKA – The State of Kansas closed August with total tax collections at $640.1 million. That is $24.5 million, or 3.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 1.9% from August 2022.
Individual income tax collections were $299.3 million. That is $25.7 million, or 7.9% below the estimate, and down 2.6% from August 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $25.1 million, or 25.5%, higher than the estimate and up 62.3% from August 2022.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $292.4 million, which is $5.6 million, or 1.9%, below the estimate and down $10.5 million, or 3.5%, from August 2022.
Click here to view the August 2023 revenue numbers.
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Help For Saving Energy and Lowering Monthly Bills
KCC approves energy efficiency programs for Evergy customers
TOPEKA – In a 2 to 1 vote this morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission approved a settlement agreement pertaining to Evergy’s application for a Demand-Side Management (DSM) Portfolio featuring nine energy efficiency programs aimed at helping customers save energy and lower their monthly bills. Today’s decision is not related to Evergy’s pending rate case, which is a separate docket.
Discussions on the Energy Efficiency program application have been ongoing between Evergy, Commission Staff, and other stakeholders since the application was filed in December 2021. Agreement on the program offerings came relatively quickly. However, determining the best way to measure and fund the programs resulted in differing opinions. Due to KCC staff concerns regarding potential cost, the Commission was presented with two proposals — a full slate of nine programs including PAYS® or a modified, lower cost option featuring only five programs.
The original nine-program offering was approved today with conditions attached to help ensure accurate performance measurements and fiscal accountability while avoiding duplication of funding available under the Inflation Reduction Act. The approved settlement agreement is expected to have a total bill impact of less than 1-2% to implement and maintain the energy efficiency programs, while producing lower overall costs for customers in the long run. These costs will not appear on customer bills until mid-2025 at the earliest.
Commissioner Dwight Keen filed a dissenting opinion (included in the docket with today’s order) explaining his preference for a cost effective alternative DSM Energy Efficiency proposal that he believes provides substantial benefits to Evergy ratepayers at a significantly lesser cost, and more directly addresses his concerns regarding a possible duplication of incentives contained in the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Today’s order states:
“The Commission’s view of “just and reasonable rates” and “the public interest” is broader than immediate bill impacts. The Commission must evaluate not just the cost of programs, but also what customers are receiving for that cost. Here, customers are gaining access to programs that allow them to better control their energy usage and their bills. The Commission received very positive feedback from the public that they want access to these types of programs.
“While there is ample evidence that the system as a whole will benefit from the KEEIA portfolio, the Commission is also compelled to provide opportunities for low and fixed income customers to control their bills. In the Commission’s view, programs serving these communities make rates more just and reasonable for all. The continued absence of energy efficiency tools for these communities contributes to less just and reasonable rates.”
The order also references the Kansas Energy Efficiency Investment Act (KEEIA) K.S.A. 66-1183, previously passed by the Kansas Legislature.
“Nearly ten years ago, the Kansas Legislature and Governor set State policy promoting the establishment of cost-effective energy efficiency programs. At that time, it became the policy of this State to help utility customers use energy more efficiently and in a manner that sustains or enhances those customers’ incentives to use energy more efficiently. The intent of this Order is to implement the goals of our State’s highest policymakers and ensure those Kansas residents and businesses with the greatest need to control their bills have options available to do so.”
The nine programs approved today include the following:
1) Whole Home Efficiency Program: Provides rebates, discounts, and on-bill financing for HVAC and building envelope measures in single and multifamily residences. It will also provide no cost energy assessments and discounted energy savings kits.
2) Home Energy Education Program: Helps rural and low-income customers use energy more efficiently through marketing, outreach, and education.
3) Home Demand Response Program: Helps customers reduce their energy use during peak demand periods. It also provides opportunities for customers to receive free thermostats and water heater controllers.
4) Hard-to-Reach Homes Program: Provides enhanced incentives, no-cost home upgrades, and no-cost energy assessments and savings kits for low-income and rural customers.
5) Whole Business Efficiency Program: Provides both variable and fixed incentives to help business customers install efficient equipment and building envelope improvements.
6) Business Energy Education Program: Provides tools, resources, and guidance for businesses interested in saving money on energy. The program focuses on small businesses.
7) Business Demand Response Program: Helps business customers decrease their energy usage during periods of peak demand.
8) Hard-to-Reach Businesses Program: Offers enhanced incentives to small businesses and non-profits.
9) Pilot Incubator Program: Creates a pathway to identify and evaluate new DSM program concepts to meet changing customer needs and integrate evolving technologies.
More details and the timeline for implementation will be shared as the programs are developed.
Today’s order is available here. A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.
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Birth Certificates in Kansas Must Reflect Biological Sex of the Person
Kobach statement on Foster v. Stanek order
TOPEKA – (August 31, 2023) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today issued the following statement in response to the Court’s order in Foster v. Stanek:
“The Court’s opinion was well reasoned and thorough. The trans activists in this case attempted to nullify state law. The Court held that SB 180 means what it says – birth certificates in Kansas must reflect biological sex. As long as I am attorney general, the laws of Kansas will be enforced as written. The Legislature decided that birth certificates must reflect biological reality, and they were quite clear in how they wrote the law. Today’s decision is a rejection of the activists’ and Governor Kelly’s attempt to twist the English language beyond recognition. The Court has told the Governor what the law clearly means. We now expect the Governor to follow the law and cease changing birth certificates to something other than biological sex at birth.”
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