Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Kansas

Kansas Tax Collections Up

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Kansas’ January Total Tax Collections 9.7% More Than Previous Fiscal Year

TOPEKA – For January of Fiscal Year 2021, the State of Kansas saw a nearly 10% performance increase in total tax collections with $795.8 million collected. That is a 12.8%, or $90.2 million, increase from the estimate. Those collections are $70.4 million, or 9.7%, more than January of Fiscal Year 2020.

“While these numbers look promising, my administration will continue to take a close look at all tax legislation that may come to my desk and keep an eye on the fluctuation of the national economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “As I’ve said before, we must continue to promote fiscally-responsible practices that will ensure our state will not only recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but continue to grow.”

Corporate income tax collections were 29.9%, or $6.4 million, more than last fiscal year with $27.7 million collected for the month. That is an 84.9%, or $12.7 million, gain. Individual income tax collections were $457.9 million. That is $57.9 million, or 14.5%, more than the estimate and $49.2 million, or 12.0%, more than the previous January.

The individual income tax category is slightly higher for the end of the month due to the Internal Revenue Service’s delay in processing of tax returns to February 12, 2021. Due to that delay, the state cannot begin to process returns and issue refund checks until that time.

Retail sales tax collections were $3.8 million, or 1.7%, more than the same month of last fiscal year with $224.6 million collected. That is $9.6 million, or 4.5%, more than the estimate. Compensating use tax collections were $64.6 million for January; a $9.6 million increase from the estimate. Those collections are 22.9% or $12.0 million, more than last January.

Please find the revenue numbers here.

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Government, Kansas

Medicaid Expansion Funded By Medical Marijuana

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Medicaid Expansion Bill Funded By Medical Marijuana

~ Legislation resolves Medicaid Expansion funding question ~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced legislation to expand Medicaid (Kancare) and provide health insurance for 165,000 Kansans. The legislation also establishes a regulatory framework to make Kansas the 48th state to legalize medical marijuana.

“After nearly a year of challenges brought on by COVID-19, we need to use every tool at our disposal to protect the health of our workforce and our economy,” Governor Kelly said. “Getting 165,000 Kansans health care, injecting billions of dollars and thousands of jobs into our local economies, and protecting our rural hospitals will be critical to our recovery from the pandemic. By combining broadly popular, commonsense medical marijuana policy with our efforts to expand Medicaid, the revenue from the bill will pay for expansion.”

This Medicaid Expansion bill includes the same components of the compromise legislation from last year with the following exceptions:

  • The re-insurance program has been removed.
  • The Medicaid Expansion Surcharge paid by Kansas hospitals to offset the state general fund costs of expanding Medicaid has been removed.
  • In place of these two programs, a proposed medical marijuana bill has been inserted.
  • This bill is modeled after Ohio’s framework and similar to the bill that has been proposed by House Republicans.
  • The fiscal note of this portion of the bill should more than offset the state general fund costs of Medicaid Expansion.

“Our economic recovery depends heavily on our ability to attract and retain businesses throughout the state,” Lieutenant Governor Toland said. “Kansas has no business giving companies even one reason to look elsewhere — and I can say, unequivocally, that the availability of healthcare and well-being of all Kansans matters a great deal to companies considering places to locate and grow.”

Under the proposed legislation, Medicaid will be expanded to the full 138% Federal Poverty Line at 90% to 10% match from the federal government. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Environment to collect information from applicants regarding their employment history through the Medicaid application and refer unemployed or underemployed individuals to the Department of Commerce or Department of Children and Families to assist with locating job opportunities through work referral programs.

Individuals will be required to pay a premium not to exceed $25 per person or $100 per family, with a provision to grant exceptions based on hardship. Premiums that go more than 60 days unpaid are referred to the established debt setoff program through the Department of Revenue for collection.

“Making health care available to thousands of low-income, uninsured Kansans would help working Kansans and their families, resulting in a healthier, more productive workforce and  benefit employers across the state,” Tracey Osborne Oltjen, President and CEO of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, said. “We know that people who have health coverage are generally healthier and more productive at work. From a business perspective, that’s why Medicaid expansion is so important. Until we expand Medicaid in Kansas, we risk falling further behind our neighbors. We should not stand as an island on this issue, creating expensive challenges for our residents and our businesses.”

Kansas is one of only three states without legalized medical marijuana and one of only twelve that have failed to expand Medicaid.

“Expanding Medicaid is one of the most cost-effective tools our state can use to protect our residents, health care providers and economy during the COVID-19 crisis and later as we rebuild,” April Holman, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, said. “With that in mind, we commend the governor for her commitment to this issue. We will need to discuss the full scope of Governor Kelly’s proposal with our coalition. However, we remain unified in urging the Legislature to act on expanding Medicaid now. On its own, expanding KanCare will prove to be a budget positive proposal that will create thousands of jobs.”

The bill designates the Kansas Department of Health and Environment responsibility for overseeing patients and their use of medical marijuana, KDOR is responsible for licensure and fee collections as well as regulation of producers, and the Board of Healing Arts is responsible for certifying prescribing physicians. However, it also establishes a bipartisan medical marijuana advisory committee with appointments made by the governor, legislative leadership, and chaired by the Secretary of Health and Environment.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

January 29, 2021

 

Resolution to change the Kansas Constitution

Who has the authority to write laws addressing abortion in Kansas? House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 5003 titled Value Them Both (VTB) passed the Senate on a vote of 28 to 11. I was one of the 28 who voted yes to pass the Resolution and allow voters the opportunity to change the Kansas Constitution on the August 2022 ballot, making it clear the legislature has the authority to write laws on abortion, not the courts.

 

In 2015, the legislature passed SB 95 with a supermajority, banning dismemberment abortion in Kansas.  After becoming law, the Kansas Supreme Court nullified the law by issuing an extreme ruling that the Kansas Constitution allows dismemberment abortion.  You can read the Kansas Constitution and try to find where it says that.  I did and I couldn’t find it.  Do you think our Christian ancestors who wrote the Constitution in the 1800s were wanting to endorse abortion?  I’m pretty certain that protecting dismemberment abortion wasn’t on their agenda.

 

During debate, I used the words of dissenting Justice Stegall who spoke against the court’s decision, “Today we issue the most significant and far-reaching decision this court has ever made.  The majority’s decision is so consequential because it fundamentally alters the structure of our government to magnify the power of the state….”  We have a rogue Court.

 

Property Tax Transparency (SB 13) passed the Senate 34 to 1 and will be debated in the House.  The current version of the bill would take effect immediately if it becomes law.  Government authorities argue against the bill taking effect this year, but we have delayed addressing our run-away property taxes long enough.  Presently, as property valuations are increased your property taxes automatically increase.  This bill simply does not allow this automatic tax increase.  The government can still raise your property taxes but it will require that they do so by a vote witnessed by the taxpayers.

 

Hopefully, House members will understand this and take into consideration the taxpayers.  Taxpayers who have had their property tax increased by double digits year after year.  Taxpayers who are on a fixed income.  Taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet.  SB 13 does not lower taxes but it will provide transparency and an opportunity for taxpayers to have a say before their taxes increase.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Government, Kansas

Celebrate Kansas Day

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Kansas Tourism Invites Kansans To Celebrate Kansas Day  

 

TOPEKA – In honor of Kansas’ 160th birthday, on Kansas Day, Jan. 29, 2021, the Kansas Division of Tourism is inviting all Kansans near and far to celebrate with their own salute to the Sunflower State. This social media celebration is centered around the new Kansas Tourism marketing tagline, “To The Stars,” that honors the states motto – Ad Astra, Per Aspera.   

 

Participating is easy. This celebration is for all Kansans, Kansas destinations, and Kansas businesses.  

1.   Choose a photo or video of a beloved Kansas trait, person, historical figure, place, or anything that makes Kansas special. Be creative!  
2.   Create a post on your social media channels using “To The ________” (insert your word/person/place/trait here). Examples: “To The Beautiful!” or “To The Kaw River!” 
3.   Continue the post with more details about what you’re celebrating, what Kansas means to you, or why you chose your word. Example: “Today I’m celebrating the state with the best sunsets anywhere! #ToTheStarsKS” 
4.   Use #ToTheStarsKS with every post.  

“This celebration is a way for everyone to share in a toast to our state on its 160th birthday,” said Bridgette Jobe, Kansas Director of Tourism. “Kansas is full of rich history, unique destinations, and beautiful wildlife and scenery. The ‘To The Stars’8 format allows flexibility and creativity in sharing what makes Kansas special to each individual.”  

Participants are encouraged to share their photos and videos on the social media channels of their choice with the hashtag #ToTheStarsKS. More details and examples of posts can be found at https://tothestarsks.com/resources.  

Also, in honor of Kansas Day, the Kansas Tourism Division will release a new video celebrating the spirit of Kansas and featuring snapshots of what makes the state so distinctive. That video can be viewed on travelks.com and on Kansas Tourism’s social media channels, beginning Jan. 29, 2021.

“The new video and social media celebrations are a way for all of us to honor the history and beauty of our state during a time we can’t be together in person,” Jobe said. “Virtual celebrations mean anyone can participate and celebrate Kansas Day and we hope they do.” 

Kansas Tourism launched the new tourism tagline, “To The Stars,” in June 2020 as a tribute to the state’s motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, and the fortitude that forged the state. 

To plan your Kansas getaway, visit TravelKS.com. Shoppers can find gear featuring “To The Stars” and other Kansas designs at https://kansastourism.merchtable.com/.  

Kansas Tourism is a division of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.   
 

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The Mission of the Kansas Tourism Division is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. 

 

 

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Food, Government, Kansas

Kansas Issues Fish Consumption Advisories for 2021

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TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) are issuing fish consumption advisories for 2021.  The advisories identify types of fish or other aquatic animals that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination.  General advice and Internet resources are also provided to aid the public in making informed decisions regarding the benefits as well as the risks associated with eating locally caught fish from Kansas waters.

 

Definitions:

 

Bottom-feeding fish:  buffalos, carp, carpsuckers, bullhead and channel catfish, sturgeons, and suckers.

 

Predatory fish: blue catfish, crappies, drum, flathead catfish, largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, perches, sunfish, white bass, wiper, striper, walleye, saugeye, and sauger.

 

Shellfish: mussels, clams, and crayfish.

 

Serving size (skinless fish fillets before cooking):

 

Adults and Children age 13 and older = 8 ounces

Children age 6 to 12 = 4 ounces

Children younger than 6 = 2 ounces

 

Statewide advice for consuming locally-caught fish because of Mercury

 

The eating guideline tables below contain recommended consumption limits (based on mercury levels) for different kinds of fish and sizes (given in inches) caught in Kansas.  The limits are protective of sensitive populations which includes women who are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant, and children younger than 17 years old.  Kansas encourages anyone who regularly consumes fish to carefully consider the types and amounts they eat, including store-bought fish.  For specific questions or concerns about mercury in Kansas fish please contact KDHE.  For information about fish caught in other states, store-bought fish, and other seafood please visit (https://www.epa.gov/choose-fish-and-shellfish-wisely).  By making informed choices consumers can enjoy the health benefits associated with eating fish without ingesting unhealthy amounts of mercury.

 

*Eating Guideline Charts

 

Bottom-Feeding Fish Size/Inches Servings/Month
Bullheads All Sizes 4
Channel Catfish < 20 8
  > 20 4
Common Carp All Sizes 6

 

Predatory Fish Size/Inches Servings/Month
Crappie All Sizes 8
Flathead Catfish < 20 4
  > 20 2
Freshwater Drum All Sizes 4
Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass All Sizes 2
Sunfish (Bluegill, Green, Redear, etc.) All Sizes 4
White Bass, White Perch, Wiper, Stripped Bass < 20 8
  > 20 4
Walleye, Sauger, Saugeye < 20 8
  > 20 4
     

 

*KDHE and KDWPT will provide advice for other commonly-eaten fish such as buffaloes, blue catfish, and suckers as more data become available. For species not listed Kansas recommends a limit of 4 servings per month.

 

How to Use the Eating Guideline Charts

 

Example: Crappie have a recommended limit of 8 servings per month. Within a months’ time, if you eat 4 servings of crappie, then eat no more than ½ the recommended monthly limit of any other type of fish.

 

Type of Fish Number of Servings Proportion of Monthly Limit
Crappie 4 1/2
Channel Catfish > 20 inches 2 1/2

 

 

 

Waterbody specific advisories for all consumers

 

Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish and catfishes to 4 servings per month from the following location because of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):

 

  1. Cow Creek in Hutchinson and downstream to the confluence with the Arkansas River (Reno County);
  2. The Kansas River from Lawrence (below Bowersock Dam) downstream to Eudora at the confluence of the Wakarusa River (Douglas and Leavenworth counties);
  3. The Little Arkansas River from the Main Street Bridge immediately west of Valley Center to the confluence with the Arkansas River in Wichita (Sedgwick County).

 

Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish and catfishes to 1 serving per month from the following location because of PCBs:

 

  1. K-96 Lake in Wichita (Sedgwick County).

 

Kansas recommends not eating specified fish or aquatic life from the following locations:

 

  1. The Arkansas River from the Lincoln Street dam in Wichita downstream to the confluence with Cowskin Creek near Belle Plaine (Sedgwick and Sumner counties); bottom-feeding fish and catfishes because of PCBs.
  2. Shoal Creek from the Missouri/Kansas border to Empire Lake (Cherokee County); shellfish because of lead and cadmium.
  3. The Spring River from the confluence of Center Creek to the Kansas/Oklahoma border (Cherokee County); shellfish because of lead and cadmium.
  4. Antioch Park Lake South in Antioch Park, Overland Park (Johnson County); all fish because of the pesticides dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, chlordane, and dichlorophenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs).
  5. Arkalon Park Lakes in Liberal (Seward County) – Kansas recommends not eating fish or other aquatic life because the lakes are sustained solely by treated municipal wastewater.

 

General advice for eating locally caught fish in Kansas

 

  1. Sensitive populations should consider restricting their total mercury intake for both supermarket fish and locally caught species. Concerned parents and other persons may wish to consult with a physician about eating fish and mercury exposure.
  2. Mercury exposure can be reduced by limiting the consumption of large predatory fish.  Larger/older fish of all types are more likely to have higher concentrations of mercury.
  3. Avoid the consumption of fish parts other than fillets, especially when eating bottom-feeding fish and catfishes.  Fatty internal organs tend to accumulate higher levels of fat-soluble contaminants such as chlordane and PCBs than fillets.
  4. Consumers can reduce their ingestion of fat-soluble contaminants such as chlordane and PCBs by trimming fat from fillets, and cooking in a manner in which fat drips away from the fillet.
  5. Avoid subsistence level (relying on wild-caught fish for daily nutritional needs) fishing activities in large rivers within or immediately downstream of large urban/industrial areas and wastewater outfalls.  Fish in these areas are more likely to contain traces of chemical contaminants.
  6. Kansas recommends not eating fish or aquatic life from surface waters sustained solely by municipal or industrial wastewater because of unknown, yet potentially present pathogens, metals, organic chemicals or other emerging contaminants.  This advisory includes consumption of any aquatic life present in wastewater outfalls, waste treatment lagoons or stormwater detention ponds.
  7. In waterbodies where watches or warnings related to harmful algae blooms have been applied, fish should be consumed in moderation and care taken to only consume skinless fillets.  Avoid cutting into internal organs and rinse fillets with clean water prior to cooking or freezing.

 

 

Internet resources from KDHE, KDWPT, EPA, FDA, and the American Heart Association

 

To view the advisories online and for information about KDHE’s Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program please visit our website at: http://www.kdheks.gov/befs/fish_tissue_monitoring.htm

 

For information about harmful algal blooms, including current watches and warnings, visit this KDHE website: http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm

 

For information about fishing in Kansas including licensing, regulations, fishing reports and fishing forecasts please visit the KDWPT fishing website: http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing

 

For general information about mercury in fish, national advisories, and advisories in other states please visit this EPA website: http://www2.epa.gov/choose-fish-and-shellfish-wisely

 

For information about the health benefits vs. the risks of including fish in your diet please visit this American Heart Association website: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/25/eating-fish-twice-a-week-reduces-heart-stroke-risk

 

For technical information regarding the EPA risk assessment methods used to determine advisory consumption limits please visit: http://www2.epa.gov/fish-tech

 

 

Government, Kansas

Child Welfare Settlement Agreement

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Federal Judge Approves Child Welfare Settlement Agreement

DCF looks forward to implementation and continued improvement

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard today applauded the approval of the settlement agreement in the matter of M.B. and S.E., through their next friend KATHARYN MCINTYRE, et al., v. LAURA HOWARD, et al.

“I want to thank Judge Crabtree and the plaintiffs for making this a collaborative process,” Howard said. “We’ve already begun the heavy lifting required of us to address the provisions laid out in the agreement, we know we have much work ahead of us to reinforce our commitment to Kansas children by building an effective child welfare system.”

The class action lawsuit was filed in 2018 by Kansas Appleseed, Lori Burns-Bucklew, Children’s Rights and the National Center for Youth Law against the Governor, DCF, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The Governor was later dismissed from the case.

The agreement outlines three categories of requirements for DCF focused on placement stability and access to mental health services. Categories include accountability reporting and implementation, practice improvements and outcomes. See the full list of requirements.

“We know these outcomes are achievable because we’ve already seen the positive results of the hard work DCF employees have put into these requirements,” Howard said. “I believe we can meet the timelines set forward in the agreement and ensure that Kansas isn’t caught up in never ending litigation.”

As part of the settlement work, DCF has already organized a statewide placement stability workgroup of partners and providers to identify and implement improvements. In addition, the agency will soon award a contract for Kansas Family Crisis Response and Support will allow DCF to offer crisis intervention services across the state.

The agency also has increased supports to relative and foster caregivers and will soon issue an RFP for innovations to support placement stability practice improvements included in the settlement agreement.

With these efforts, the rate of moves for children in care has reduced over the past 12 months.

Howard isn’t satisfied.

“We’ve made significant progress in slowing the number of foster youth who run away or don’t have a placement and end up in offices thanks to our enhanced special response team and by building a new child protection framework through new practice models like Team Decision Making and Family Finding. I am committed to seeing this work through until the requirements are completed and being transparent about our progress along the way.”

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas COVID-19 Recovery Orders

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Governor Laura Kelly Re-Issues, Signs Executive Orders to Promote COVID-19 Recovery

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she has signed Executive Orders #21-01 and #21-02 as part of her administration’s commitment to protect Kansans and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate effective virus recovery efforts.

E.O. #21-01 allows Kansas employers to continue to withhold income taxes based on the state of the employee’s primary work location, and not based on the state in which the employee is temporarily teleworking as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has altered many aspects of our lives – including how and where we do our jobs,” Governor Kelly said. “This order helps ensure that tax season can go on without a hitch for Kansas businesses that have adjusted working schedules and employee work sites to keep people safe during the pandemic by allowing them to proceed with income tax withholdings as usual.”

Several executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic were set to expire on Jan. 26 in conjunction the expiration of the state of disaster emergency. Because the Legislature enacted Senate Bill 14 to extend the state of disaster emergency until March 31, 2021, certain previous executive orders must also be extended. Under E.O. #21-02, the following executive orders already in place will be extended until rescinded or until the statewide state of disaster emergency expires, whichever is earlier:

  • 20-37 – Allowing certain deferred tax deadlines and payments during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-39 – Extending professional and occupational licenses during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-40 – Temporarily allowing notaries and witnesses to act via audio-video communication technology during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-43 – Temporary relief from certain restrictions concerning shared work programs during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-56 – Amended Licensure, Certification, and Registration for persons and Licensure of “Adult Care Homes” during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-61 – Temporarily prohibiting certain foreclosures and evictions
  • 20-66 – Amended provisions related to drivers’ license and vehicle registration and regulation during state of disaster emergency
  • 20-70 – Provisions related to drivers’ license and identification cards during the state of disaster emergency

“These Executive Orders allow Kansas to continue responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and assist our efforts to keep Kansans healthy, keep businesses open, and get our kids back to school as quickly as possible,” Governor Kelly said.

Today’s actions also affect rules regarding unemployment benefits for Kansans. Executive Order 20-50, which had been in place since June 30, 2020, had suspended the requirement to continue searching for work in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits. That order expired yesterday and will not be extended. Executive Order 20-71, issued previously, waives the requirement that new unemployment claimants wait a week before receiving benefits and will continue in effect because the Legislature did not include a waiting week waiver in the pandemic legislation passed last week.

View E.O. #21-01 here.

View E.O. #20-02 here.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Flags At Half-Staff to Honor Police Chief

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Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-staff in Honor of Leon Police Chief Jerry Farthing

TOPEKA – In accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has directed that flags be lowered to half-staff in the City of Leon, Kansas, on Friday, January 29, until sunset in honor of Leon Police Chief Jerry Farthing.

“Chief Jerry Farthing served the people of Leon and Butler County well both as the leader of the Leon Police Department and as a volunteer firefighter in Cassoday,” Governor Kelly said. “He was a dedicated public servant and deeply involved in his community. I offer my condolences to Chief Farthing’s friends and family, and the Leon community, during this difficult time. He will be missed.”

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

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas COVID 19 Vaccine Dashboard

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Governor Kelly Announces County Vaccine Data Available on Kansas’ COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard

To view the COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, click here.

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly is announcing county vaccination data is now available on Kansas’ COVID-19 vaccine dashboard. A collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the COVID-19 dashboard will be updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 12:30 PM.

“I am pleased to announce county-specific vaccination data is now available on our vaccine dashboard,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “My administration is prioritizing transparency and communication with public health officials and Kansans to deliver vaccines quickly and efficiently. As we progress through Phase 2 of our vaccination framework, I encourage Kansans to visit KansasVaccine.Gov or contact their local public health departments to learn more about signing up for the vaccine.”

As of January 25, Kansas has reported:

  • 132,145 people vaccinated,
  • 157,520 total vaccine doses administered,
  • 255,550 vaccine doses distributed.

To view the COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, click here.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
January 22, 2021
Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1602 titled Value Them Both (VTB) was supposed to be debated on the Senate Floor but it didn’t happen. It needs 27 votes to pass but senators were gone or refused to vote Yes or No. The House passed their resolution, House
Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 5003, with the same language on Friday. The Senate will debate it next week and if it passes there will be no need for the Senate resolution.
It is an important issue and should be debated. A few years ago, the legislature passed a bill banning dismemberment abortion in Kansas. A supermajority, 2/3 the legislature, supported the bill. The Governor signed it into law. However, the Kansas Supreme Court
nullified the law by issuing an extreme ruling that the Kansas Constitution allows dismemberment abortion. Where in the Kansas Constitution does it say that? The rogue Kansas Supreme Court is legislating from the bench again. The proposed constitutional
amendment, SCR 1602 and HCR 5003, would at least stop the Court from legislating on abortion. That duty is the responsibility of the legislature.
A constitutional amendment requires a resolution to pass in both chambers with a supermajority. Then the amendment would be on a ballot for all Kansas voters to cast a Yes or No vote. It is a high bar and should be to change our Constitution. The constitutional
amendment would reset the law as if the Court ruling hadn’t occurred. It is not a ban on abortion as such, but it would allow the people, through their elected legislature, to regulate
abortion.
COVID-19 testing parameters were quietly changed by Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) earlier this month and by the World Health Organization (WHO) last
week. The change in Kansas decreases the cycle threshold for testing. This is important because, according the medical experts, the higher threshold results in more false positives.
The WHO parameter change requires a person to have symptoms along with a positive test before anyone is diagnosed with COVID-19. These changes will lower the number of COVID-
19 cases. You can bet the news and others are going to say how the cases dropped because of vaccines or government mandates. How will we know what caused the decreased number
of cases when the definition of positive test changed?
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Government, Kansas

State Tourism To Relocate To Kansas Dept. of Commerce

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Governor Laura Kelly Proposes Agency Reorganization to Spur Economic Growth

~Governor Kelly to realign Tourism Division under the Department of Commerce~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced her intent to submit an Executive Reorganization Order (ERO) to the Kansas Legislature relocating the State’s Tourism Division to the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The move comes as the result of input from businesses, destination marketing organizations and other key industry partners, including the Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK), The Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association (KRHA), and the Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), to consolidate Kansas’ tourism efforts primarily as an economic development tool.

“Consolidating our Tourism focus within the Department of Commerce sends a clear message to our industry partners and prospective companies that this administration will use every tool at our disposal to spur new economic development,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This realignment will benefit our business community, our tourism industry, and Kansas’s economic recovery as a whole.”

“This is a move the tourism industry has supported and it is the right time for this change,” TIAK President Jim Zaleski, Labette County CVB said. “Kansas Tourism and the Department of Commerce have a shared goal of bringing revenue into the state. A coordinated marketing effort will help establish and promote a consistent, strong state brand and a single “front door” to Kansas.”

“The Kanas Restaurant & Hospitality Association agrees the Kansas hospitality community will be best served by having our Travel and Tourism efforts within the Kansas Department of Commerce,” Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association President Adam Mills said. “At a time when hospitality needs every reform possible this reorganization will reposition us as we grow out of the recent strains of the pandemic.”

“The KEDA Board supports the ERO to move tourism promotion back to the Kansas Department of Commerce and believes that, utilizing the expertise and outreach of the state’s lead economic development agency, the move will increase awareness of tourism opportunities among visitors to our state,” President of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance, Steve Jack said. “Our organization serves 76 Kansas communities and counties, and we see the positive impact of the Department of Commerce’s efforts every day across the state. We are confident that Commerce will bring a similar spark to our state’s tourism.”

The Tourism Division will be housed within Business Development at the Kansas Department of Commerce. The Department already features several tools aimed at increasing tourism, including the Kansas Athletic Commission and the STAR Bond program.

“This move will create a more robust, centralized effort to attract Tourism to the state of Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “I appreciate the work that the Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has put into this vital program, and I’m excited to see our team pursue new possibilities to increase tourism to Kansas.”

As a result of the ERO, the KDWPT will be designated as the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP).

“It’s exciting to see Tourism being positioned as a key part of our state’s economic development strategy,” KDWPT Secretary Brad Loveless said. “I fully support this decision and look forward to continued collaboration with the talented Tourism Division staff to promote our state’s wonderful natural resources.”

Governor Kelly will submit the ERO to the Kansas Legislature on Jan.25. The ERO becomes effective on July 1, following its transmittal to the Legislature, unless within 60 calendar days of transmittal, either the Senate or House adopts a resolution disapproving it.

Government, Kansas

Governor’s Statement of Kansas House Passing Abortion Amendment

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Governor Laura Kelly’s Statement on Kansas House Passing Abortion Constitutional Amendment

TOPEKA – The following is Governor Laura Kelly’s statement in response to the Kansas House of Representatives’ passage of an amendment to the Kansas Constitution to reverse the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision that abortion is a constitutional right under the state.

“I’ve always believed that every woman’s reproductive decisions should be left to her, her family, and her physician. While I know others do not share my belief, I don’t think those supporting this amendment are aware of the consequences it will have for the state of Kansas and our reputation.

“We already know how this ends – North Carolina’s notorious bathroom bill cost that state nearly $4 billion in economic development – and this amendment has the same potential to do irreparable damage to our COVID-19 economic recovery efforts and our long-term prospects to recruit businesses and workforce talent.”