KCC warns consumers to beware of utility assistance scam

TOPEKA — The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has received reports that an individual, claiming to work for the KCC, is calling Kansans asking if they need assistance paying their natural gas bills. Not much information is currently available about these calls. However, the KCC wants to alert the public that any unsolicited call from a person claiming to be a KCC employee offering utility payment assistance is not legitimate. If you receive a call like this, please do not share any personal or financial information.

The KCC has a Consumer Protection Division that ratepayers can contact when they need assistance. The staff is available between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday by calling 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140 or sending an email to [email protected]. There is also a link to utility assistance programs on the KCC’s website at https://kcc.ks.gov/public-affairs-and-consumer-protection/utility-weatherization-related-assistance-programs.

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Advantage Kansas Executive Order to Improve Kansas’s Workforce

~Executive order establishes a coordinating council to establish cooperation and coordination between education and business communities~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 21-08 to establish the Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council (AKCC) to improve Kansas’s workforce. Comprised of education and business leaders across the state, the AKCC will align education with state agencies and business needs to develop, retain, and attract talented Kansans into the workforce.

“As we recover from the pandemic, we must rebuild a stronger, healthier workforce that can meet the demands of our growing economy,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “The Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council will empower education and industry leaders to collaborate on long-term solutions, develop the most skilled workforce in the Midwestern region, and recruit new businesses to our state.”

“A well-trained workforce that meets the current and future needs of the state’s many industries is one of the top challenges the Kansas business community faces,” Alan Cobb, President and CEO of the Kansas Chamber said. “Creating “Advantage Kansas” is a significant step forward to addressing these hiring needs, but perhaps more importantly, this effort will provide more economic and professional opportunities for Kansas students graduating from Kansas high-schools, community colleges, technical colleges, four-year institutions or anyone attaining professional certifications. This public-private partnership will be key in ensuring our state’s education system is in sync with the future growth of our state’s economy, the workforce needs of employers, and our collective desire to keep Kansas students in Kansas.”

As outlined in E.O. #21.08, the AKCC will consist of members from the Governor’s office, State Board of Education, Kansas Department of Education, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Chamber, and others to create synergy between education, economic systems, and the Framework for Growth.

“This collaboration is strategically aimed at ensuring our state is future-focused, and future-ready,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Through efforts to align our workforce development efforts more closely with industry demand—and also our ability to support entrepreneurs and build a strong ecosystem for innovative companies to succeed in our state—we can make sure the future is built right here in Kansas.”

Goals outlined for the AKCC include:

• Preparing workers for high-wage, high-demand, high skilled, critical need occupations;
• Expanding public-private partnerships and strategies focused on access and equity to dual and concurrent enrollment;
• Expanding industry driven youth and registered apprenticeship opportunities;
• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of, and recommend targeted improvements in, the use of state and federal resources tied to workforce development, education, and training.

To read E.O. #21.08, click here.

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Extensions for Certain 2020 Kansas Tax Filings

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas 2020 individual income tax, fiduciary income tax, and Homestead or Property tax relief refund claim filings are extended to May 17, 2021, bringing our state in line with the Internal Revenue Service tax-filing and payment deadline extension.

If a balance due is paid on or before May 17, 2021, penalty and fees will not be imposed. These extensions are outlined and executed through Kansas Department of Revenue Notice 21-01.

“Though COVID-19 cases continue to decline, signaling our return to normalcy, Kansas families are still assessing the full scope of the economic challenges brought on by the pandemic,” Governor Kelly said. “Extending the deadline gives needed relief for Kansans to fully account for the pandemic’s impact and complete their state returns accurately.”

No additional forms are required to benefit from the extension. The due dates for Kansas individual estimated tax payments has not changed.

For specific questions about a state tax filing, taxpayers can contact the Kansas Taxpayer Assistance Center at 785-368-8222, Monday through Friday, 8 am-4:45 pm, or by email at [email protected].

See Notice 21-01 here.

March 12, 2021

Property Tax Liberation

The Senate and House passed Senate Bill (SB) 13 and sent it to the Governor’s desk.  Each year as you pay your taxes, SB 13 will stop automatic property tax increases that are solely due to property valuation increases. It will stop the shell game of who raised your taxes; stop valuation increases as a result of normal maintenance on your property; allow county treasurers the option to setup payment plans on property taxes; and remove that property tax lid that hasn’t worked because of too many exemptions.  I started working on this property tax legislation after hearing from many of you.  It was a major undertaking.  I used methodologies from my management and business experience with some major help from friends across the state.  The results will help reign in out-of-control property tax increases and allow property owners to see why their taxes increased.  It must be good legislation because many legislators are taking credit for it.  That’s always a good sign.  The Governor vetoed it last year.  Surely, she won’t make that mistake two years in a row.

Freeze Property Tax For Some Seniors

The Senate Tax Committee heard a bill last week that would freeze property tax on low-income seniors and disabled veterans.  Currently, the bill would freeze it for anyone over 65 years of age, making less than $50,000 a year, and lives in a house valued less than $350,000 a year.  Kansas is taxing people out of their homes and out of the state.  We have to find ways to stop the madness.

Unemployment

There are only a couple of weeks left of the regular 2021 session but there is much work to be completed.  A major piece of legislation is dealing with the broken unemployment system.  The Senate Commerce Committee will have hearings on this legislation all next week.  It is an attempt to make the Governor fix the system and to shore up the unemployment funds that have been depleted because the Governor shut down businesses and paid hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment claims.

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

Caryn

Governor Laura Kelly Announces American Rescue Plan Programs for Kansas

TOPEKA – On Thursday, March 11^th, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP), providing $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus to assist in the long-term recovery from the economic and public health impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The American Rescue Plan will provide critical relief to Kansas families and businesses who have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “While I disagreed on the allocation formula, these funds will allow us to make targeted and strategic investments in childcare, broadband, education, and our business communities to aid our recovery from COVID-19.”

The ARP aims to move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, return children to school, vaccinate the population, provide direct assistance to families, and stimulate economic growth.

As a part of the American Rescue Plan, the state of Kansas will be eligible for a variety of funding. Below are some of the programs and initiatives available to Kansas; many more will be made available through strategic coordination and investment:  

• Direct aid to Kansans in the form of $1,400 checks per person for incomes up to $75,000
• Extension of unemployment benefits
  • The ARP extends benefits from March 14 to September 6
  • Enhanced benefits will stay at $300/week
• Provide direct housing and nutrition assistance
  • Emergency rental assistance, utility assistance, and homeowners support
  • Key investments in food security, including extending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Women Infants and Children (WI) benefits, and Pandemic-EBT programs
• Strengthen support for farm communities, growers, and producers
  • Investments in infrastructure that support food safety
  • Debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
• Expand access to safe and reliable child care through Child Care and Development Block Grant
• Expand the Child Tax Credit and an improved Earned Income Tax Credit

The federal government will release more information and guidance in the coming weeks regarding funding for Kansas.

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Advisory Board will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021, via teleconference. The advisory board will discuss changes and modifications for the Kansas Commercial Industrial Hemp Program rules and regulations based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final rule on the establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program.

The meeting is open to the public. Individuals who want to call in to the meeting should contact Braden Hoch, industrial hemp supervisor of the plant protection and weed control program, at [email protected].

Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least two days prior to the meeting.

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WHO:            Industrial Hemp Advisory Board, Kansas Department of Agriculture

WHAT:          Scheduled board meeting

WHEN:          2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021

WHERE:       Via teleconference

KDA Industrial Hemp Advisory Board to Meet March 19H

KDADS and Family Service & Guidance Center Team Up to Provide Crisis Treatment for Families

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today the agency’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Commission has entered into an agreement with Family Service & Guidance Center (FSGC) of Topeka, Inc. to provide immediate crisis services to families and youth with emergency mental health issues.

“We are always looking to engage community partners and provide families a more stable, long-term solution to mental health and substance use treatment,” Secretary Howard said. “This agreement raises the bar and allows us to move forward with the goal of providing immediate access to care in a safe, therapeutic environment and we believe our work with Family Service & Guidance Center is significant in reaching the program goals and outcomes we have set.”

KDADS has awarded FSGC $312,500 over the next 15 months with potential for yearly funding extensions using monies from Lottery Vending Machine revenue. FSGC will use the funds to address three identified needs as outlined in the agreement:

• To expand the capacity of FSGC’s Crisis Recovery Program for the stabilization of youth and families throughout the state of Kansas for youth aged 5-17, in a therapeutic environment setting, that require an immediate or intermediate episode of care for a maximum of 28 days for the resolution of psychological and substance use symptoms and impairment and/or until the family rupture involving the youth can be re-stabilized.
• To create a program that is strategically designed for a vulnerable population that incorporates a flexible, yet safe, design scheme that will allow for the ability to scale the program and operations in an effective and cost-efficient manner.
• Recruit and retain a workforce that is cross trained to treat youth and families that may seek our services for a variety of crisis situations, including substance use disorders.

The specific counties served through this grant include Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley and Wabaunsee. The agreement also provides for services to youth from other counties when warranted, so no exceptions to service are made based only on location.

KDADS and the Kansas Department of Children and Families recognize the need for these crisis services to prevent and mitigate family disruption and the placement of children and youth into residential treatment facilities or foster care due to a behavioral health crisis.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to implement a program we feel will be effective in reducing the demand for admission of children and youth to private psychiatric hospitals or PRTFs by addressing the need for crisis stabilization in this population.” Commissioner Andy Brown said. “Combined with DCF’s initiative for Mobile Crisis Response services, we are expecting positive results for many youths. This program offers a real opportunity to demonstrate a regional solution that broadens the system of care and creates new access points for families in need of help.”

“Our mission at FSGC is to provide high quality behavioral health services to children and families, and we are deeply appreciative of the support from KDADS so we can further our mission,” said Brenda Mills, CEO of Family Service & Guidance Center. “The number of children struggling with mental health and substance use disorders is alarming, and it continues to grow. Expanding our crisis program will help meet this challenge by allowing us to implement a more comprehensive program tailored to meet these pressing needs.”

About Family Service & Guidance Center

Family Service & Guidance Center (FSGC) is a nonprofit community mental health center that specializes in meeting children’s unique needs. For more than 115 years, they have provided direct clinical services, prevention education and outreach to nearly 12,000 children, adolescents and families from 38 Kansas counties annually. Today, FSGC is an innovator and recognized leader in children’s mental health services.