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Category Archives: Kansas
New Kansas Director of Native American Affairs
Governor Laura Kelly Appoints Jancita Warrington as Executive Director of the
Office of Native American Affairs
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Jancita Warrington as executive director of the Office of Native American Affairs. The Office of Native American Affairs serves as the liaison for the governor to ensure Native American voices are represented in state policymaking.
“Jancita joins my team with deep experience in promoting the preservation of Indigenous culture,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I appreciate her stepping into this role to help my Administration continue its work to strengthen state-tribal relations.”
Warrington is currently a cultural and research consultant and curriculum developer for the University of Kansas. She also advises independent programs and projects as they relate to tribal historical accounts and diversity. She is a graduate of Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of Kansas where she earned Magna Cum Laude honors and a Master of Arts in Global Indigenous Nations Studies.
“I am honored to be appointed to the Office of Native American Affairs and to build upon the progress the Kelly Administration has made for state-tribal relations,” Executive Director Jancita Warrington said.
Jancita Warrington is of Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ho-Chunk descent.
Kansas Hemp Industry Meets July 19
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture will hold an in-person meeting with a focus on the industrial hemp industry in Kansas beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19. The stakeholder meeting will be held in the College Center Conference Room on the K-State Salina campus at 2310 Centennial Road in Salina.
The program will feature Kansas industrial hemp producers, processors and retailers. Additional speakers include representatives from K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Farm Bureau and KDA.
The KDA Agricultural Marketing, Advocacy and Outreach Team will host the event. Their mission is to serve all Kansans through innovative programming and delivering solutions designed to create an environment that facilitates growth and expansion in agriculture while increasing pride in and awareness of the state’s largest industry — agriculture.
The meeting is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, go to agriculture.ks.gov/
Political signs not allowed on highway right of way
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KS Recognition For Eco Devo
Kansas Wins Prestigious Gold Shovel Award for Economic Development Excellence for Second Consecutive Year
TOPEKA – Kansas has won Area Development magazine’s coveted 2022 Gold Shovel Award, marking the second year in a row the state has received this national recognition for excellence in economic development.
“For the second year in a row, Kansas has been recognized as one of the nation’s leaders in job creation and business investment,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “There’s a reason why: Our track record of fully funding schools, investing in infrastructure, and expanding broadband access has resulted in more businesses choosing to call Kansas home.”
The annual award is given to states that attract high-value investment projects that create a significant number of new jobs in their communities. Only five states have been awarded the Gold Shovel for 2022. Since the start of Governor Kelly’s Administration, Kansas has received nearly $8.8 billion in new business investments, created and retained nearly 43,000 jobs, and been home to 645 new economic development projects.
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to help businesses and communities grow in Kansas. Commerce’s business recruitment team supported all business successes submitted for the Gold Shovel Award.
“Under Governor Kelly’s leadership, the Kansas economy has transformed into one of the most dominant states for economic development,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Our aggressive approach to bringing new, quality jobs and investment to the state has led to back-to-back years of record-breaking success. As a result, the world is taking notice.”
To strengthen these record-breaking efforts, Governor Kelly recently signed the Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion (APEX) bill into law. This bipartisan legislation provides an additional tool to help Kansas compete for some of the country’s most significant and transformational economic development projects. With modern, competitive economic development tools and a highly skilled workforce, Kansas will remain on track for new growth in the years to come.
The Kansas Department of Commerce worked with economic development organizations and partners across the state to select a sample of successful projects to submit for this award.
The top projects are:
| Company Name | Total Capital Investment | City | County | New Jobs |
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Hilmar Cheese Company |
$459,206,226 |
Dodge City |
Ford |
247 |
|
Bartlett Grain Company, LP |
$322,750,000 |
Cherryvale |
Montgomery |
50 |
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Hill’s Pet Nutrition |
$251,500,000 |
Tonganoxie |
Leavenworth |
85 |
|
Summit Sustainable Ingredients, LLC |
$251,386,056 |
Phillipsburg |
Phillips |
55 |
|
TriRx Pharmaceutical Services |
$70,000,000 |
Shawnee |
Johnson |
250 |
|
Torch Research, LLC |
$55,000,000 |
Leawood |
Johnson |
490 |
|
Charter Communications, Inc. |
$18,919,072 |
Overland Park |
Johnson |
510 |
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Netsmart Technologies |
$11,435,000 |
Overland Park |
Johnson |
425 |
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WellSky Corporation |
$9,926,000 |
Overland Park |
Johnson |
593 |
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MCI BPO |
$1,500,000 |
Wichita |
Sedgwick |
500 |
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Enjoy Free Fishing Days – June 4-5, 2022
PRATT – June 4 and 5 are Free Fishing Days in Kansas, when anyone can fish on any public waters without a fishing license. The free weekend provides the perfect opportunity to introduce someone to the joys of angling; kind of a “try it before you buy it” opportunity. In Kansas, anyone age 16-74 must have a fishing license to fish, except on Free Fishing Days, and although license requirements are waived, anglers must still abide by all other regulations such as length and creel limits, and equipment requirements.
If you’re looking for a place to drop a line during Free Fishing Days, visit ksoutdoors.com/fishing and click “Where To Fish” for a list of fishing locations near you.
After you’ve found an ideal spot or two, consult the 2022 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary prior to hitting the water. The summary contains vital information specific to all public waters and even has some handy tips and tricks on tying knots and identifying fish. View an electronic version at ksoutdoors.com/fishing, or pick up a hard-copy at your nearest license vendor.
Kansas fishing regulations, forecasts, and more can also be accessed via the GoOutdoorsKS mobile app for iOS and Android. Visit https://ksoutdoors.com/
With the right location, a variety of baits to choose from, and some cooperative weather, Kansas fishing can be a blast. Give it a try; we can bet you’ll be hooked.
Ks Helps Small Business Recovery
Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bill Providing $50 Million of Financial Relief to Kansas
Small Businesses
TOPEKA –Surrounded by small business leaders in downtown Topeka, Governor Laura Kelly today signed bipartisan House Bill 2136, which will invest $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Providing $50 million of financial assistance for small businesses is just one more way my Administration is working to make Kansas the most pro-business state in the country,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The financial assistance legislation I signed today will support our entrepreneurs by ensuring they can make the investments they need to hire workers, strengthen their product lines, and better serve their communities.”
“Small businesses are what power our economy, and this legislation builds on years of work to ensure they have the resources they need to continue to serve customers and create jobs,” said Senator Tom Holland. “Through bipartisan collaboration, we will be able to continue to make sure that our economy continues to grow a strong base of businesses here in Kansas.”
Governor Kelly was joined at the bill signing by small business owners, the Greater Topeka Partnership, and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.
“House Bill 2136 is a product of the many people who have shown unwavering commitment to Kansas small businesses,” Eric Stafford, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, said. “On behalf of the Kansas business community, thank you to Governor Kelly and the legislature for supporting this legislation. It will provide relief for the small businesses that make up the backbone of our state.”
More information about HB 2136 can be found here.
KS Unemployment Insurance Modernization
Governor Laura Kelly Administration Formally Kicks Off Unemployment Insurance
System Modernization
~~Governor Kelly Sends Letter Urging U.S. Labor Secretary
to Provide Additional Federal Funding for Modernization~~
TOPEKA – Today, the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) formally kicked off a $48 million, 26-month-long effort to modernize the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) system. Governor Laura Kelly also built on her previous support for the project by sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh urging him to provide additional funding previously allocated by the U.S. Congress for modernization.
“My administration is working quickly to update our antiquated computer systems so Kansans who need unemployment benefits don’t experience the same problems they faced during the pandemic,” Governor Kelly said. “Congress promised to help states modernize their unemployment insurance systems and allocated the resources to get them started. Kansas upheld its end of the deal by investing millions of dollars in a new system. It’s now time for the U.S. Department of Labor to release these modernization funds to the states as Congress directed. It’s the only way to ensure we are prepared for the next economic downturn.”
Kansas’ current mainframe system used to process UI benefits was created in the 1970s. The last major push to modernize began under Governor Sebelius in 2005 but was subsequently abandoned in 2011 by the Brownback administration. That shortsighted decision directly led to the systemic inefficiencies and vulnerabilities that occurred within the state’s unemployment system during the pandemic. The effort to bring Kansas’ UI system into the 21st century will be led by information technology experts Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
“We have been looking forward to this day and to bringing everyone together to begin the formal process of developing a new, modernized unemployment system,” said Kansas Labor Secretary Amber Shultz. “TCS is a capable partner for KDOL to set a path for technology and process transformation that will enable the delivery of software that will be responsive to the future needs of the state.”
Upon completion, the KDOL’s new system will improve the experiences of unemployed Kansans and businesses that interact with the UI systems by:
- Modernizing technology: Replace the agency’s antiquated IT legacy system that supports unemployment insurance taxes, payment of unemployment insurance benefits, and delivery of employment services.
- Enhancing customer experience: Deliver improved services such as online self-service, automation, access to data, and integration with partners.
- Transforming business processes: Provide improved efficiencies in business processes, offer new tools for KDOL employees, and support more effective service delivery to Kansans.
- Improving data security: Better anticipate and respond to security threats and prevent unemployment insurance fraud.
- Providing expandable technology: Deliver a system capable of supporting new programs and functionality, as well as connections to other systems like workforce tools.
A page has been created on the KDOL website to keep the public updated on the modernization project’s progress. For the most recent information, visit www.dol.ks.gov/ui-
See a copy of Governor Kelly’s letter here.
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
May 27, 2022
The legislature was called back on May 23. In an unusual move, a motion was made to end the 2022 session, sine die. Even though it was an abrupt end to session, we were able to complete some important work that day.
The legislature overrode two of the Governor’s vetoes. One was legislation that would prevent the Governor or the Secretary of State from altering election procedure without the consent of the legislature since the legislature is responsible for authoring election laws. The Senate override vote was 27 to 10. I voted Yes. The House also passed the override so the legislation will become law. The other veto override was on legislation that would stop the Governor from closing churches during an emergency as she did in 2020 and it would stop a new contract from being let for the KanCare system until January 31, 2023. The KanCare contract will be a multi-billion dollar contract and will define medical assistance programs in Kansas. After the current Governor and Administration signed a multi-million dollar contract with a foreign owned company to replace the Unemployment system, it raises questions and a super majority of Representatives and Senators thought it best to delay this decision until 2023. I voted Yes. The legislation will become law.
The legislature passed tax Conference Committee Reports (CCR) 2136, stopping the accelerated/pre-payment of sales tax so businesses only pay sales tax on actual sales, allows Atchison County to vote on a county-wide sales tax, delays the delivery and postage sales tax for one year to 6/1/2023, and establishes a reimbursement program for store front businesses to receive up to 1/3 of their property tax due if they were shut down during COVID (remember some government officials deemed them “non-essential”). It is capped at $5,000 per business location. The Department of Revenue will be establishing the application and monitoring the program. It passed the Senate unanimously and with one No vote in the House. The Governor could veto the bill and there would be no chance to override since the 2022 session is over.
All bills that did not pass both chambers died May 23rd. It was odd, because some bills had been negotiated in conference committee (representatives from the House and Senate) and were voted on in one chamber but not the other. A couple of examples are CCR 331 and CCR 2597. Both reports had been signed but for some reason, leadership in one or the other chamber did not recognize or make the motion to move the legislation forward. Myself and others worked diligently on some of this legislation, so we most likely will see it next year. The Senate passed CCR 2597, removing income tax on Social Security, decreasing income tax on retirement income, increasing the standard deduction based on inflation, removing state sales tax on commercial electric and other utilities, and other tax cuts. The House didn’t to take action on it.
A Senate Resolution defending American Sovereignty and denouncing the U.S. Administration’s proposed amendments to the World Health Organization (WHO) that could be used to justify economic and financial actions against a target nation that does not heed lockdowns, mandates, vaccine passports, and digital health surveillance imposed by the WHO. The Resolution passed on a voice vote. I voted Yes.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
KS Driver’s Can Now Update Address Change Online
Kansas Department of Revenue Announces Expansion of Online Renewal System to Include Address Change
TOPEKA – Kansas driver’s license holders can now quickly and conveniently update their address on their current credentials. Kansas licensees can update their address by downloading the iKan app from the Apple App or Google Play store or visiting ikan.ks.gov.
“The addition of address change to the iKan app will benefit all Kansas driver’s license holders,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said. “This expansion of service creates efficiency while shortening wait times for Kansans who must visit one of our driver’s license stations by allowing Kansans to update their address of record from anywhere.”
“We are excited to provide the option for Kansas drivers to update their address through the iKan service,” David Harper, Division of Vehicles Director said. “This is the latest development in our commitment to expand service options for our customers.”
To update an address using iKan, the Kansas Department of Revenue’s official renewal app, customers must submit proof of a valid address with a copy of their current license. Once their address is updated, the licensee will receive an updated credential in the mail.
Wildlife and Parks Launches New Licensing System
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Infant Formula Shortage Recommendations
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Actions to Assist Kansans Affected by Infant Formula Shortage
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced actions her administration has taken to ease the burden on Kansas families affected by the nationwide infant formula shortage. Since February, the Kelly Administration has been working with state agencies and federal partners to address the issue.
“I have directed all state agencies to do everything in their power to help Kansans access vital infant formula,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “From increasing flexibility to helping eliminate barriers at check-out, my Administration is doing what is within our power to ease the impact of the national infant formula shortage on Kansas Families.”
Governor Kelly has instructed agencies to work with their federal counterparts to expedite relief. To that end, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has taken a leading role in working with the White House, the National Governors Association, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Association, and private industry to help coordinate efforts and eliminate red tape.
KDHE has implemented a series of waivers to provide the maximum flexibility in making more infant formula products – including Ready to Feed (RTF) formulas – available to Kansans and has approved additional formula products for use by Kansas WIC families. The agency is also working with the Kansas Department for Children and Families on increased communication efforts to inform the public of possible alternatives.
The Kelly Administration, including KDHE, recommends the following to families struggling to find the formula they need to feed their child:
- Call your OBGYN or pediatrician to see if they can provide any resources to access formula or for suggestions on an alternative formula to meet their infant’s health needs.
- Switch to another brand or type of formula that is available if recommended by the infant’s physician.
- Contact their local WIC agency to see if the infant is eligible for WIC benefits.
- Contact smaller stores and drugstores that carry formula to see if they have products in stock.
- Kansas WIC families should contact their local health department or health agency for assistance in receiving substitute products when needed.
“KDHE is committed to ensuring infants in Kansas have access to formula,” Secretary Janet Stanek said. “Since February, we have been working to do what is possible, within our authority, to provide relief for Kansans. We urge all impacted families to follow these recommendations and stay up-to-date with information to care for their family’s needs.”
Families are strongly encouraged not to unnecessarily stockpile formula in such a way that would cause further strain on the supply chain.
KDHE strongly discourages the use of toddler formula to feed infants or watering down formula or trying to make infant formula at home.
The Kelly Administration will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as they become available. For more information about WIC eligibility, visit the KDHE WIC website. Find the approved substitution formula list for WIC families here.