Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas’ October Total Tax Receipts

~ October total tax receipts exceed the estimate by $104.2 million ~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that October continued the trend of Kansas’ total tax collections being more than the estimate as total tax collections were $662.7 million for the month. That is 18.7%, or $104.2 million, more than the estimate. That is also $66.1 million, or 11.1%, more than the same month of last year.

“As I’ve said before, though our state’s revenue numbers continue to out-pace estimates, we must keep practicing fiscal responsibility,” Governor Kelly said. “That’s how we’ll continue to grow our economy and protect our fiscal health.”

Individual income tax collections were $301.6 million which is $46.6 million, or 18.3%, more than the estimate. That is $17.9 million, or 6.3%, more than October 2020. Corporate income tax collections were $40.0 million for the month. That is $25.0 million, or 166.8%, more than the estimate and $13.9 million, or 53.3%, more than the same month of last year.

Retail sales tax collections were $227.7 million, which is 8.4%, or $17.7 million, more than the estimate. Those collections are $16.7 million, or 7.9%, more than last October. Compensating use tax collections were $67.6 million which is $12.6 million, or 22.9%, more than the estimate. That is a growth of $16.9 million, or 33.3%, over the same month of 2020.

“The difficult steps taken early on in the COVID-19 pandemic have helped the state’s economy not only rebound quicker than expected but has also moved the state towards a sustainable and healthy economic future,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.

The last time the state had tax collections below the monthly estimate was July 2020.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet November 10.

View October tax receipts here.

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to spread awareness for the KansasAgStress.org website and destigmatize mental health in Kansas’ agriculture community.

“This $500,000 grant will help us destigmatize mental health and promote the wellbeing of Kansas farmers, ranchers, and our agriculture workforce,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Kansas farmers and ranchers feed the world – they’re critical to society, and my administration will continue to use every resource available to support them. I want to thank the USDA and the Kansas Department of Agriculture for prioritizing the mental health of Kansas’ agriculture community.”

The Kansas Department of Agriculture will use funding to create a statewide campaign to raise awareness for the KansasAgStress.org website, develop reusable media content, and work to destigmatize the concept of mental health awareness while lowering suicide rates in the agriculture industry in Kansas.

There are several external factors that contribute to stress in the agriculture industry. Creating awareness and equipping workers with support resources will help reduce crisis situations.

“Members of the Kansas agriculture community feel stress that comes from many directions, and it is important that mental health is not overlooked,” said Kansas Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kelsey Olson. “These Kansans are valued members of their community and work hard to grow the food and fuel that supplies our state, nation and world. We look forward to using this grant to support all the members of our Kansas ag family and to shine a spotlight on the urgency of mental health in agriculture.”

“Mental health is health, and we must continue to fight the stigma through accessible resources like the Kansas Ag Stress network — especially as suicide rates are climbing in rural areas,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03). “Kansans work hard, and we take care of each other. Programs like this ensure every person in every corner of our state knows that if they are struggling, they are not alone, and there are resources here to help.”

In total, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced an investment of nearly $25 million for 50 grants supporting Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) State Department of Agriculture (SDA) projects.

Funded projects must initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance as necessary through farm telephone helplines and websites; training programs and workshops; support groups; and outreach services and activities.

MANHATTAN, Kansas — A public hearing will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, to consider the adoption of proposed regulations to govern commercial industrial hemp production in Kansas. Due to public health concerns posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing proceedings will be conducted virtually via a video conferencing system to provide the opportunity for virtual participation online.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is proposing amendments to K.A.R. 4-34-24, K.A.R. 4-34-25, and K.A.R. 4-34-29 in order to provide greater flexibility to Kansas hemp producers and make the regulations align with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Final Rule on Commercial Hemp Production. These three amendments were temporarily adopted in August; this public hearing is to finalize the process and make the regulations permanent.

A copy of the proposed regulations, as well as an expanded notice of public hearing, may be accessed on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/PublicComment. Anyone desiring to participate via video conference must pre-register to be provided with a video link. Written comments can be submitted on the public comment web page prior to the hearing or sent to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS, 66502.

Any individual with a disability may request accommodation in order to participate in the public hearing and may request a copy of the regulations in an accessible format. Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least two working days prior to the hearing. For more information, including special accommodations or a copy of the regulations, please contact Ronda Hutton at 785-564-6715 or [email protected].

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WHAT:          Public hearing on proposed commercial industrial hemp regulations

WHEN:          10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021

WHERE:       Virtual: via video conferencing system

Hearing for Proposed Adoption of Administrative Regulations.pdf

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the interim report from the Cybersecurity Task Force has been released with an initial set of recommendations.

“These recommendations will help secure our data, strengthen our digital infrastructure, and grow our cybersecurity workforce – all while protecting Kansans’ privacy,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I want to thank the Cybersecurity Task Force for their hard work creating this report – I look forward to seeing the final recommendations this December.”

On July 13, 2021, Governor Kelly signed Executive Order No. 21-25, establishing the Governor’s Cybersecurity Task Force to protect Kansas’s digital infrastructure. Comprised of bipartisan members from across Kansas in both the public and private sectors, the Task Force has spent the last three months meeting with stakeholders and subject matter experts to collect input for recommendations that will improve the cybersecurity posture for the State of Kansas.

The Task Force is comprised of four subcommittees: Statewide Coordination and Collaboration, Workforce Development and Education, Cyber Incident and Disruption Response, and Strategic Vision and Planning.

Under the leadership of co-chairs Mike Mayta and Jeff Maxon, the Task Force met bi-weekly with subcommittees meeting on alternate weeks.

“Thank you to everyone who played a role in putting this interim report together. To the many associations, educational institutions, and our State and Federal partners who took time to meet with us, your input and ideas provided the framework for many of these recommendations. Without your engagement, this would not have been possible,” said co-chairs Mike Mayta and Jeff Maxon. “Organizations across Kansas are doing the hard work to protect their data, educate their employees and the public, and develop a robust cybersecurity workforce. Through these recommendations, we hope to leverage and build upon their success and see it come together in a more whole-of-state approach.”

The Task Force submitted its interim report to the Governor on October 5, 2021, with 45 recommendations for how entities from state and local government, education, the private sector, and other critical infrastructure sectors can address cybersecurity challenges from a whole-of-state approach. Recommendations include cybersecurity training, partnerships to support workforce development and cyber response, as well as education.

The Task Force and its subcommittees will continue to convene throughout the fall as they prepare their next report due in early December. The second report will include new recommendations while further developing some of the recommendations included in the interim report.

Members of the public can read the full report here and submit any feedback to [email protected].

Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Kansas Representative Russ Jennings

TOPEKA – In accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities effective immediately until sundown on Sunday, October 31, in honor of Kansas Representative Russ Jennings. Jennings, Lakin, has represented Kansas House District 122 since 2013.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Representative Russ Jennings. Russ and I shared a commitment to reforming the Kansas criminal justice system, particularly our juvenile justice system,” Governor Kelly said. “His commitment to public service, his mastery of the subject matter, and his boundless tenacity made him a natural leader, well-respected by his colleagues and his constituents. I will miss him, and I know others in the State Capitol and throughout his district will too. I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife, Judy, their children and all who knew and loved him.”

Prior to being elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, Representative Jennings served as a deputy sheriff in Kearny County, director of the Southwest Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center, a district magistrate judge and as a member of Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority.

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.

~ The Kansas Department of Health and Environment releases recommendations to enjoy Halloween while limiting the spread of COVID-19 ~ 

Governor Laura Kelly Announces $1 Million Federal Grant to Support Economic Development in Kansas

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has awarded Kansas $1 million to accelerate economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and build up local economies.

“My administration set the stage for economic growth early on – and despite the challenges of the pandemic, we’ve achieved one business recruitment victory after another, experienced record-breaking investment, and earned national recognition for our successes,” Governor Kelly said. “These dollars will allow us to keep up that momentum, and support our efforts to build a better, more resilient economy for future generations of Kansans. I want to thank our federal partners for their investment in our communities.”

EDA awarded $24 million in grants to states and territories across the nation for statewide planning efforts to boost economic development, enhance U.S. competitiveness, combat the climate crisis, and recover from the pandemic. These are the first EDA American Rescue Plan grants announced.

All 59 states and territories have been invited to apply for a $1 million grant through EDA’s Statewide Planning program—one of six programs EDA developed to equitably distribute its $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding. 24 grants were awarded yesterday, with the remainder being disbursed in the coming weeks and months.

For more about EDA’s Statewide Planning grant and other American Rescue Plan programs, please visit: https://www.eda.gov/arpa/.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov) The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

PRATT – As the days get shorter and weather gets cooler, the breeding season for deer will begin. Traversing pastures, roadways, rivers and streams – male white-tailed and mule deer will begin a nearly month-long quest for suitable mates, stopping for very little, including motorists.

Commonly referred to as the “rut,” this time of year marks the distinct period when deer-vehicle collisions are most frequent, and the Sunflower State is no exception. That’s why the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and AAA Kansas offer  helpful tips that can help drivers safely navigate Kansas roadways and potentially avoid collisions with deer.

“If you are unfortunate enough to have a deer enter the highway in front of your car, it is best to hit the animal and not swerve to avoid it,” said KHP Lieutenant Candice Breshears. “Often, we find more serious crashes occur when you swerve to miss the deer, potentially losing control of your vehicle, leaving the road or veering into oncoming traffic.”

While the vast majority of deer-vehicle collisions do not involve serious injury, data collected by KDOT indicates that from 2011-2019, 51 people have been killed in Kansas crashes involving deer.

“In addition to potentially causing human injuries and loss of life, deer collisions often cause significant vehicle damage that can lead to large expenses for the vehicle owner if not properly insured,” said Shawn Steward, public and government affairs manager for AAA Kansas. “Of the animal strikes reported by AAA Insurance policy holders in 2020, the average cost per claim was nearly $5,500, an increase of more than $1,000 per claim from 2019.”

Steward attributes the higher repair costs to advanced driver assistance technology and the expensive sensors and calibration requirements in newer vehicles.

To avoid incurring costly vehicle repairs, or worse, state experts offer these helpful tips:

• Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk, when deer are more active.
• If you see one deer, expect others, as deer seldom travel alone.
• Drive at a reduced speed and be extra vigilant near wooded areas or green spaces, such as parks and golf courses, and near water sources such as streams and ponds.
• Deer crossing signs show areas where high numbers of vehicle/deer crashes have occurred in the past; heed these warnings.
• Use bright lights when there is no oncoming traffic, and scan the road ahead for the reflective eyes of deer.
• Do not swerve to avoid hitting a deer – the most serious crashes sometimes occur when motorists veer and collide with another vehicle or run off the road and hit an obstacle.
• Always wear a seat belt and use appropriately-fitting child safety seats, as these are the best defenses in a crash.
• Honk the vehicle’s horn using one long blast, as this may frighten large animals, such as deer, away from the roadway.
• Lastly, if a collision occurs, move the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, if possible, and call law enforcement – KHP dispatch at *47, the Kansas Turnpike at *KTA and local law enforcement at 911.

Anyone involved in a deer-vehicle crash resulting in personal injury or property damage that totals $1,000 or more is required to immediately report the incident to the nearest law enforcement agency. Failure to report any vehicle crash is a misdemeanor and may result in suspension of driving privileges.

To remove a deer carcass, or any part of a deer, from a crash site, a salvage tag must first be obtained. Salvage tags can be issued by KHP troopers, sheriff’s deputies or KDWP game wardens.

This fall season, motorists can ensure the “holiday traffic” they encounter remains as safe as possible, for humans and deer, by staying alert and simply slowing down.

Click here to download the KDOT Motor Vehicle/Deer Crash Summary.