Governor Laura Kelly’s Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to Uphold DACA

The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly on the United States Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold protections for Dreamers was the right one. Dreamers have contributed much to our communities and to our economy, and ending DACA would have cost our state more than $335.9 million every year.

“There are more than 6,000 DACA recipients in Kansas — they serve in our military, work in our hospitals, teach our kids, and pay taxes. They were brought here as children, this is their home, they belong here.”

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Executive Order Extending Relief from Online Driver’s License Renewal Age Restrictions

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she signed an Executive Order Monday that will help make renewing driver’s licenses easier for people across the state.

Executive Order #20-46 offers temporary relief from age restrictions that prohibit applicants 50 years of age or older from applying to renew their driver’s license online. Under the new order, all drivers under the age of 65 are permitted to use the online renewal system.

“Providing every opportunity for Kansans who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 to conduct business virtually is crucial in our efforts to safely get Kansans back to work and back to school as quickly as possible,” Governor Kelly said. “This order is one of several actions my administration is working on to help Kansans return to normal while making sure we protect the health of our of seniors and others who are at higher risk in this pandemic.”

The order will remain in place until rescinded, until July 31, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier.

To view Executive Order #20-46, click here.

It’s a sign of the season – campaigning to support your favorite political candidate. However, if your plans involve placing a political sign, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) reminds you to make sure it’s not located on highway right of way.

By law, all right of way on state highways is to be used exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide signs and warning signs are allowed on the state highway system. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes on the state’s 9,500-mile system.

The public should be aware that all political campaign signs or billboards are prohibited on the state right of way.

When KDOT maintenance crews find political or business advertising on state right of way, the signs will be removed immediately without notice. All such signs will then be taken to the closest KDOT subarea office where they can be picked up by the owner with the agreement they will not be placed on state right of way again. All political campaign signs not picked up will be disposed of after the election.

Political campaign advertising is allowed on private property bordering state right of way. However, people erecting signs on private property must first obtain permission from the property owner.

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Executive Order Extending Relief to Motor Carriers During COVID-19 Pandemic

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today issued a new executive order as part of her administration’s comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Order #20-45 will extend temporary relief for motor carriers from certain rules and regulations until rescinded, until July 12, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier. It is an extension of measures put in place by Executive Order #20-44.

“The executive order issued today will continue to ease the burden on the workers who are critical to our state’s response capabilities,” Kelly said.

The order lifts certain weight restrictions and permitting requirements to allow needed medical supplies, food shipments and other items to move through Kansas as quickly as possible. These exceptions apply only to motor carriers actively participating in COVID-19 response effort.

To view E.O. #20-45, click here.

Department of Commerce seeking new Individual Development Account Administrator

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce has issued a Request for Proposals seeking qualified organizations to administer the Individual Development Account (IDA) program.

The Kansas IDA program allows qualified organizations the opportunity to provide a match on deposits made by low-income participants who are saving to buy a home; make repairs to their existing home; start a business or expand their existing business; or attend continued education classes such as college or a technical school.

The program is structured to provide financial assistance to community charities, tribal and religious organizations that administer the IDA program in their communities through the sale of tax credits. Organizations can serve a specific region, multiple regions or the state as a whole, and will receive up to $100,000 in tax credits annually. The organization is granted up to 20% of the earned funds to use for operations cost the first two years they administer the program, and 15% for each year thereafter.

“This is such an incredible tool for low-income residents, and we need bold, creative nonprofits that can maximize the opportunities IDA provides,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “IDA helps create and expand businesses and it gives people a way to make a permanent home in Kansas, improving countless lives in our state. This program is a life-changing tool for many Kansans, and it can be a positive transformative opportunity for the organizations that administer it.”

If your community development organization is interested in administering the IDA program, sign into the Kansas eSupplier Portal, register at this site and respond to the RFP at this link by June 29, 2020.

For questions on the RFP, please contact Angela Brown at the Department of Administration. All questions will be gathered and answered publicly to ensure that all bidders receive the same information.

Procurement Officer: Angela Brown

Telephone: 785-296-7251

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

Web Address: http://admin.ks.gov/offices/procurement-and-contracts/

Bid number: EVT0007402

Lansing Correctional Facility
Declared a Contained Site by
Kansas Department of Health and Environment 

TOPEKA, Kansas – Today, Secretary Jeff Zmuda, Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), expressed his thanks for the service of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas National Guardsmen at the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) in support of KDOC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of June 1, 2020, KDHE confirmed the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus at LCF as contained. As a result, the Guardsmen who have supported logistics, food and medical services at the facility concluded their mission on June 4.

“The Kansas National Guard is full of highly trained, professional public servants who are ready at a moment’s notice to serve their fellow Kansans,” Zmuda said. “We were extremely impressed with their willingness and ability to adapt to their new surroundings and face each task with strength and dignity. On behalf of the department, I want to sincerely thank them for their work.”

The first four Kansas National Guard members arrived at Lansing on April 15 and grew to more than 40 in support of LCF’s COVID-19 response. The Guardsmen were instrumental in monitoring residents for symptoms, carrying out mass testing for the virus and conducting twice-daily health checks. Additional members also provided support in food service, as residents who normally prepare meals were unable to do so while they were quarantined and assisted with the move to the new buildings at the reconstructed facility. Their contributions allowed Lansing employees to remain focused on safety and security tasks with confidence that these services were continuing.

KDHE began assisting KDOC with their COVID-19 preparations in early March and when the situation at LCF escalated, they dedicated a full-time staff member to assist with ensuring the health and safety of the residents. As the agency moves into a new phase of response, the two agencies will continue to partner to determine what additional steps may need to be taken in the future.

“Secretary Lee Norman and Phil Griffin, Director of the Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention at KDHE, have been amazing partners to our agency,” Zmuda said. “They have brought the health expertise that we needed to make sure that our staff received the most up-to-date information on the virus and how to keep the men, women and youth in our care safe.”

With the virus contained, residents, staff and contractors at the facility are moving forward with the resumption of many activities. This includes residents returning to their jobs in food service, laundry and maintenance activities as well as essential private industry jobs. In addition, the contracted medical provider will continue providing all services under the terms of their contract. Activities that expose residents to the community, including visitation, volunteers, mentors, and non-essential private industry jobs will not be resumed at this time.

“While we are resuming many activities, we fully recognize that this virus will still be present for the foreseeable future, so we plan to maintain the mitigation strategies that have been implemented at each of our facilities,” Zmuda said. “This resumption of activities is a first step to normalizing operations at Lansing, but one we will do with an abundance of caution and care.”

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus. For information on the KDOC’s response to COVID-19, visit https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates.