Area News

Steve Stockard Appointed 11th District Judge

Leave a comment

Governor appoints Steve Stockard to fill district court vacancy in the 11th Judicial District

 

Today Governor Laura Kelly appointed Steve Stockard to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jeffry L. Jack.

 

“Steven is a talented attorney and has extensive experience with a wide variety of legal issues,” Kelly said. “I was particularly struck by his ability to put himself in his client’s shoes and by his passion for foster care. I know he will serve citizens of the 11th Judicial District well.”

 

Stockard is a partner at Wilber & Towner, P.A., where he represents clients in a broad range of legal matters including personal injury, bankruptcy, family law and juvenile justice. He also is a part-time prosecutor of juvenile offender and child-in-need-of-care cases for Bourbon and Crawford counties.

 

His prior experience includes eight years as a Crawford County Assistant County Attorney and time as a staff attorney with the Kansas Department of Revenue. Stockard also is a member of the Kansas Bar Association and a youth volleyball coach at the YMCA. He graduated from Benedictine College in 1992 and earned his juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law in 1996.

 

“I’m grateful to the nominating commission and to Governor Kelly for the confidence they have placed in me with this appointment,” Stockard said. “I know this community. I know the judges, the lawyers and the people of our district, and I will dedicate myself to serving them fairly and impartially every day. Our district has been blessed with great judges over the years, and I will do my best to honor and be a part of that legacy.”

 

District court judges in the 11th Judicial District are appointed by the governor and selected from among nominees chosen by a district nominating commission. Judges in nominating commission districts are subject to retention elections every four years. The two other nominees selected by the district nominating commission were Hon. Samuel Marsh, (Cherokee County district magistrate judge, Columbus), and Shane Adamson (private practice attorney, Parsons).

Business, Fort Scott

New Salon Opens at 19 S. National

4 Comments
Beauty salon owner Margo Davis, right,  gives a friend who dropped in, Mary Etta Williard, a tour of her new business on March 3.

Margo Davis took time out of a hair appointment to give a friend a tour of her new salon on the salon’s opening day, March 3.

 

Structure by Margo is at 19 S. National Avenue, where Bids and Dibs Consignment store was formerly located.

 

The tour included a look at the new salon area that will eventually allow five other beauticians space, a kitchenette, a dispensary,  a waxing room, hair washing stations, nail spa, bathroom and lots of storage space.

“I’m loving it, the new location,  and the renovation work,” Davis said.

Davis shows the dispensary of the salon.

The salon opened following a Kansas State Board of Cosmetology inspection on Feb. 26 and months of a renovation of the building.

The hours of the business are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The brand new business phone number, as of March 9,  is 620-644-5003.

Davis shows Willard the hair washing stations.

Davis received her cosmetology degree from Fort Scott Community College and taught in the cosmetology department for 26 years.

Following her desire to mentor new hairstylists,  Davis has a  2020 Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology student, Joy Page, coming when Page graduates.

Davis shows the waxing room where she removes facial and upper body hair. The reno work was done by Jim Jones, an electrician, and Josh Query, a contractor.

“They did an amazing job,” Davis said.

Margo Davis takes an appointment by phone at her new shop, Structure By Margo.
Davis, in a previous interview, said she received help starting her business from Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor who gave step-by-step guidance during the process of applying for an eCommunity loan.
She also received a  grant from Bourbon County Economic Development Council with The City of Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt instrumental in attaining this grant, she said.
To view a prior story:

Structure by Margo Coming Soon

Business, Fort Scott, Government

2020 Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence

Leave a comment

Now accepting nominations for

2020 Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence

 

Topeka, Kan. – The Kelly administration announced today that nominations are being accepted for the prestigious 2020 Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence, which honor businesses across the state.

 

“The Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence have been presented to outstanding Kansas businesses since 1995,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said, “It’s my honor to continue the tradition of recognizing the magnificent work Kansas businesses do for our people and our communities.”

 

In past years, the state has presented the Governor’s Award to one outstanding Kansas business. This year, in addition to Business of the Year, the state also will present awards for Outstanding New Business, Outstanding Veteran-owned Business and Family Friendly Business. Regional awards also will be presented in the Manufacturing and Distribution, Healthcare and Nonprofit, Business Services and Retail sectors.

 

“Businesses play a critical role in creating and maintaining a healthy Kansas economy,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “With so many terrific businesses in Kansas, I know members of the selection committee will have their work cut out for them in selecting this year’s winners.”

 

Nominations for the Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence are reviewed and scored by a committee of Kansas businesses and economic development professionals.

 

Businesses may be nominated by an individual or organization, and nominators may submit multiple companies for consideration. Self-nominations also are accepted. The nomination deadline is April 3, 2020.  Additional details on the awards, as well as the nomination form may be found online at www.kansascommerce.gov/governorsawards.

 

Bourbon County, Schools, Sports

Eagles Boys Defeated by Northeast in Sub-State

Leave a comment
Adelay Martin. Submitted photo.

Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter

The Uniontown Eagle Varsity boys faced off against the Northeast Arma Vikings in their second round of Sub-State last Friday. The boys were defeated 51-54, allowing Arma to advance to the final round.

Luke George and Jake Harvey lead in points, scoring 17 and 13, respectively. Harvey also had 3 assists. Hunter Schaaf had 8 points and 8 rebounds. Clay Sutterby had 6 rebounds, and Drew Perry had 4 assists and steals. “I’m extremely proud of our team,” said Coach Hays. “We came a long way this season. I’m going to miss being around these guys every day. It’s sad that it is over. I enjoyed every minute of this season.”

I couldn’t agree with Coach Hays more. I never managed the boys’ team directly, but I stayed for almost every game since they usually played after the girls. I enjoyed cheering for them from my seat in the pep band or by Rhian, our filmer. I hope our seniors had a great final season, and I hope the rest of the team will come out for basketball again next year.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda March 10

Leave a comment

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: March 10, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45 – Executive Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

9:45-11:00 – Jeff Fischer, Review current status of Neosho County Road Use Agreement

11:00-12:00 – Apex Wind Generation Contracts

12:00-1:30 – Lunch

1:30-1:35 – Hazel Swarts, Discuss Public Comment Rules

2:00-2:05 – Arlene Weber, Wind Farms

2:05-2:10 – Anne Dare, Wind Farms

2:10-2:15 – Mary Pemberton, Wind Farms

2:15-2:20 – Nancy Van Etten, Lake Sewer District

2:45-3:45 – Justin Meeks, Executive Session-Contract Negotiations – Medical Mall

Business, Fort Scott

Smallville: Emerging 2020 Business Award

Leave a comment

Smallville CrossFit Recognized as Emerging Business of the Year at 2020 Kansas Small Business Awards

 

Smallville CrossFit was recognized as the Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State University Emerging Business of the Year at the annual Kansas Small Business Awards on March 5th in Topeka.

 

Aaron and Lindsey Watts, owners of Smallville CrossFit in Fort Scott, are on a mission to build a well-balanced, healthy, and fully capable community. Smallville’s atmosphere allows for anyone to come through their doors and start on their better health journey with no judgement.

 

The Wattses purchased Smallville CrossFit in 2016 and the business quickly grew. Knowing they would need to purchase a larger facility, the Wattses reached out to the Kansas Small Business Development Center in 2019 for assistance with cash flow projections and the development of a financial strategy.

 

“Laying out a detailed list of all of the costs we needed to address and be prepared for was huge for me,” said Lindsey Watts. “I am a planner; however, there were still many things that were not even on my radar. [Kansas SBDC advisor] Dacia Clark explained each and every cost and asked questions that helped me question ways to do things better with future spending.”

 

Smallville CrossFit is located at 1905 S. Judson Street in Fort Scott, Kansas. To learn more, follow them on Facebook at @smallvillecrossfit.

Government, Kansas, Uncategorized

Senator Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter March 6

Leave a comment

 
State senatorRichard Hilderbrand13th district
Communications From The State Capitol
March 6, 2020 ∙ Week Eight
HARD FACTS
The Budget
·      The Governor’s budget sets a new record of spending from the state general fund at $7.8 billion. That’s an $800 million increase from 2019.
·      KPERS executive director Alan Conroy estimated the Governor’s proposal to re-amortize the employee pension plan would cost more than $4.4 billion in additional contributions over the next 25 years.
·      Although Governor Kelly promotes “Closing the Bank of KDOT,” sweeps from 2019 &2020, total $838 million. http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/Transportation/SHF_xfersFY2011-FY2020Apprvd2019and2020.pdf
·      Governor Kelly’s proposed budget calls for a tax on “all sales of digital property,” which starting in July of 2020, would cost taxpayers an estimated $26.7 million in state taxes.
Kansas Talking Books Week is March 1-7
The Kansas Talking Books program, a division of the State Library of Kansas, provides library materials in a specialized format to any Kansas resident with a visual or physical impairment that makes reading difficult. This no-charge service includes fiction and nonfiction in braille or audio format, magazines in braille or audio, plus descriptive videos. A simple application is available at https://kslib.info/talking-books. A signature from a certifying authority such as a medical doctor, optometrist, or librarian is needed. If you or someone you know would like information, please visit the Kansas Talking Books website https://kslib.info/talking-books or call 620-341-6280 or 1-800-362-0699.
FLOOR ACTION
March 5, 2020
The following bills all received unanimous support and were passed Yea: 40 Nay: 0
SB 255 continues a 2007 commitment by the legislature to provide $5 million per year in support to The University of Kansas for obtaining the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Clinical Cancer Center Designation. This funding has served as a critical resource for The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
An NCI-Designated Cancer Center must demonstrate scientific leadership, resources, and capabilities in laboratory, clinical, or population science. It must also demonstrate reasonable depth and breadth of research in each of three major areas: laboratory, clinical, and population-based research. The University of Kansas Cancer Center met these rigorous standards and was awarded an NCI Clinical Cancer Center designation in 2012.
The bill asks the legislature to appropriate an additional $5M annually to the KU Cancer Center. This additional money will be used for KU Cancer Center to achieve the most prestigious designation known as the Comprehensive Cancer Center Designation. The KU Cancer Center will apply for Comprehensive Designation in 2021.
Comprehensive Cancer Center Designation is only awarded to cancer centers which are recognized for their trailblazing research and leadership in developing cutting-edge treatments. For KU Cancer Center, becoming one of only 51 centers in the U.S. with this comprehensive designation means access to more research dollars, attracting internationally renowned researchers and physician-scientists. This appropriation and designation will continue the urgent journey to break the devastating grip of cancer.
SB 140 establishes income tax and privilege tax credits for contributions to the Eisenhower foundation. Senate Bill 140 would allow a taxpayer, Corporation, or Financial Institution to receive a new tax credit for 50.0 percent of certain contributions made to the Eisenhower Foundation for tax years 2019-2023. Individual income taxpayers would only be allowed to claim up to $25,000 per tax year. Corporations and Financial Institutions would be able to claim $50,000 per tax year on income or privilege tax. The total amount of credits claimed in any fiscal year would be limited to $350,000
The following bill was passed Yea: 35 Nay: 5
SB 409 makes permanent the quality care assessment imposed on skilled nursing care facilities. This is a technical bill to push back the sunset (expiration) of the Nursing Quality Care Assessment from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2030. (I voted no on this bill. This bill allows a bed tax for nursing home patients.)
The following bill was passed Yea: 31 Nay: 9
SB 225 amends the hospital provider assessment rate and uses and membership of the healthcare access improvement panel.(I voted no on this bill. This bill increases the tax for all inpatient hospital procedures from 1.83% to 3.0%, and adds a 3.0% tax for all outpatient hospital procedures.)
The Appointment of David Weishaar, Kansas Adjutant General, was confirmed Yea: 40 Nay: 0
The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs heard the nomination of David Weishaar on February 20. He succeeds Major General Lee Tafanelli, who has served as Adjutant General since January 28, 2011 and who retires March 31, 2020.  In Kansas, the adjutant general is the top military advisor to the governor, leads the state’s 7,100-person Army and Air Guard operations and directs the state’s division of emergency management and homeland security.
ABOUT OUR NEW ADJUTANT GENERAL
Prior to his appointment, Brigadier General David Weishaar served as the Director of Joint Staff, Kansas National Guard, Chief of Staff- Air, Commander, Kansas Air National Guard and most recently became dual hatted as the Air National Guard Assistant to Commander, Air Force Sustainment Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Tinker AFB.
He initially entered the Air Force in January 1981 as an aircraft maintenance specialist. He separated from the active duty Air Force and joined the Kansas Air National Guard in 1985. He held various positions in the aircraft maintenance arena until his commissioning through the Academy of Military Science as a Distinguished Graduate in 1996. In the past 15 years in the Air Guard at McConnell Air Force Base, he commanded the 184th Intelligence Wing, 184th Mission Support Group, 299th Network Operations and Security Squadron, and the 127th Command and Control Squadron.
Brig. Gen. Weishaar’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Armed Forces Services Medal among many others.
THANK YOU, GENERAL TAFANELLI!
Before giving his final report on the activities and status of the Adjutant Generals Department, General Tafanelli said, “For the past nine years, I have had the great privilege and honor and solemn responsibility to serve as the Adjutant General, and for that I am forever grateful as it has been a distinct pleasure and the greatest honor to serve as Adjutant General.”
Later, when reflecting on his interactions with counterparts across the country, he shared that “I always return home thankful for the clear and enduring support that the Kansas Legislature shows our troops and our civilians while working hard to make sure that our families sleep safely at night.” He closed by expressing his full and complete support for the nomination of David Weishaar.
Prior to his appointment as adjutant general, Tafanelli assumed the position of assistant adjutant general – Army, Kansas Army National Guard, and commander of the Land Component for the Joint Force Headquarters-Kansas in 2010. Tafanelli joined the Kansas Army National Guard in 1980 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers through Pittsburg State University’s ROTC program in 1982.
Maj. Gen. Tafanellli’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal among many others.       Click here to listen to the committee audio.
YET ANOTHER KANSAS SUPREME COURT DECISION IS STRICKEN BY HIGH COURT
The United States Supreme Court has once again overturned a decision made by the Kansas Supreme Court. The case, Kansas v. Garcia, 17-834, centered around the issue of whether or not the state can prosecute illegal immigrants who use false identifying documents to secure employment.
In 2017 the state Supreme Court ruled the federal government is the sole authority allowed to prosecute such cases and threw out state convictions of three immigrants who had used false information on certain employment forms, like the I-9. However, this week the high court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled that nothing in federal immigration law prevents states from going after immigrants who use false documents and numbers.
In the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, Justice Samuel Alito wrote “The mere fact that state laws like the Kansas provisions at issue overlap to some degree with federal criminal provisions does not even begin to make a case for” the state having to forgo prosecution.
More information can be found at https://apnews.com/8f345352b9e3d4aa8539b22c17be061f.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
SHOULD STUDENT-ATHLETES RECEIVE COMPENSATION?
On Wednesday, the Commerce Committee held a hearing on SB 474, which would allow student-athletes to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, likeness rights or athletic reputation if 15 other states adopt similar legislation.
The practice goes against current NCAA rules, but about 30 states are addressing legislation to make it possible. Examples include student-athletes being paid to autograph memorabilia, accepting gifts or meals or even signing outright endorsement deals similar to what professional athletes receive.
Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, a spokeswoman for KU, said the Senate bill was a reaction to other states saying, “Senate Bill 474 does not intend to put Kansas universities in the forefront of this evolving policy matter, but rather simply seeks to ensure Kansas student-athletes aren’t disadvantaged relative to their peers in other states.”
“Recruiting is one of our biggest challenges for our student-athletes. We’re not the NBA, MLB or NFL where you get drafted. You choose where you go,” said K-State Athletics Director Gene Taylor.
Matt Lindsey of the Kansas Independent College Association testified neutral to the bill but requested, if the committee works the bill, he would like it to include a measure that would allow smaller institutions to opt-out if they don’t have the funding or resources to participate in the agreement.
SEDGWICK COUNTY CONSIDERS REORGANIZATION POSSIBILITIES
On Thursday, the Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee held a hearing on SB 406, which would authorize the formation of a charter commission to study and propose possible reorganization to the Sedgwick County government. The bill essentially forms the commission and gives different Sedgwick county organizations and the Kansas House and Senate the authority to appoint its members.
SUNDAY MORNING BUZZ: FED AND STATE CONSIDERS EXTENDING SUNDAY LIQUOR SALES
SB 456, which was heard by the committee on Federal and State Affairs Thursday, would change the start time for liquor sales on Sunday morning from 12 noon to 9 a.m. No other changes to statute are made through this bill.
COMMITTEE LOOKS TO CRACK DOWN ON ASSAULT OF A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER
On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on SB 413 which considers adding penalties for assault or battery of corrections officers at private, state-contracted prisons that would be equal to similar offenses against officers in state-run prisons. The costs of such a change are hard to determine due to the impossibility of estimating the number of new court cases that might follow.
CALENDAR
Monday, March 9
Ø Final action: SB 474 — Permitting student athletes to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, likeness rights or athletic reputation when 15 other states adopt similar legislation. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Final Action: SB 375— Providing for the FORWARD transportation program. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2515 — Creating the Kansas promise scholarship program.(1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø 2:30 p.m. session
Tuesday, March 10
Ø Hearing: HB 2451 — Amending Kansas department of agriculture division of animal health license, permit and registration renewal deadlines.(8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2462 — Updating provisions related to the Kansas department of agriculture division of conservation.(8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Possible final action: HB 2506 —Expanding the military spouse and servicemember’s expedited licensure law to certain other license, certificate or registration applicants. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SCR 1601 — Constitutional amendment eliminating transfers from the state highway fund.(8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 360 — Authorizing certain sales taxation authority for the Sherwood improvement district. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2118 — Providing income tax credits for aerospace and aviation program graduates and their employers. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2509— Vacating certain blocks in the original town plat set aside for a college and a park of the city of Americus and vesting fee simple title in the city.(9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2510— Special districts may be dissolved and responsibilities assumed by a city.(9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2583— Clarify the vacation of territory from city boundaries or release of easements. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2479— Codifying the NAIC corporate governance model regulation into statute. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 467 — Creating a statewide alert program for missing military members. (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 468 — Providing the state fire marshal with law enforcement powers and requiring an investigation of deaths resulting from fire. (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2429— Adding a public defender to the Kansas criminal justice reform commission. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2447— Changing how two-way electronic audio-visual communication is used in courts. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2448— Changing penalties for crimes related to motor vehicles. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2449— Changing the requirements for board of indigents’ defense services appointments. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 274— Eliminating KPERS working-after-retirement employer contribution requirement when first employing retirees aged 65 or older. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2346 — Relating to standards for school-administered vision screenings.(1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2487 — Including emotional disability rather than emotional disturbance in the definitions of “children with disabilities” and “individuals with disabilities.”(1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø 2:30 p.m. session
Wednesday, March 11
Ø Hearing: SB 435 — Providing for the use of personal package delivery devices on sidewalks and crosswalks, exempting such devices from motor vehicle regulation and preempting additional municipal regulation. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 459 — Creating the distracted driving violation and prohibiting the use of a wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 338 — Allow municipalities to adopt an alternate budget procedure. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 414 — Exempting grocery stores from sales tax assessments for community improvement district. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 457 — Requiring use of the soil survey version dated September 16, 2019, for mapping agricultural land for property tax purposes. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 462 — Prohibiting disclosure by the secretary of revenue of certain sales and use tax information to taxing officials of other states. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 454— Creating exemptions in the open records act for election security records and cyber security records. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 458— Increasing the compensation of members of the state banking board. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 407— Requiring the Kansas department for aging and disability services to operate acute psychiatric inpatient beds for children in Hays and Garden City. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: HB 2646— Allowing the attorney general to coordinate training for law enforcement agencies on missing and murdered indigenous people. (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2521— Enacting the revised uniform athlete agents act. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 368— Transferring $268,412,000 from the state general fund to the Kansas public employees retirement fund in FY 2020 and eliminating certain level-dollar KPERS employer contribution payments. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2503— Authorizing the transfer of $268,412,000 from the state general fund to the KPERS fund during fiscal year 2020 and eliminating certain level-dollar employer contribution payments. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 418— Requiring the joint committee on information technology to meet on a monthly basis. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2540 — Requiring moneys attributable to at-risk student weighting be expended for approved at-risk educational programs.(1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø 2:30 p.m. session
Thursday, March 12
Ø Hearing: HB 2464 — Updating egg repacking requirements for retailers.(8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2432 — Creating the Kansas pesticide waste disposal program and allowing up to $50,000 to be transferred annually from the Kansas agricultural remediation fund to a new Kansas pesticide waste disposal fund.(8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2507 — Liability protection for businesses that participate in high school work-based learning programs. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2420 — Allowing military surplus vehicles to register with the division of vehicles for road use. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 396 — Discontinuing apportionment of countywide retailers’ sales tax imposed for general purposes between the county and cities located therein. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 460 — Increasing the sales tax collection thresholds relating to time frames for filing returns and paying sales tax by certain retailers and providing that electronic filing is not required for certain retailers. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2466 — Enacting the Kansas taxpayer protection act; requiring the signature and tax identification number of paid tax return preparers on income tax returns; authorizing actions to enjoin paid tax return preparers from engaging in certain conduct. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 152-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2452— Providing certain KP&F tier II spousal and children’s benefits for death resulting from a service-connected disability. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2500— Amending the Kansas power of attorney act regarding the form of a power of attorney and the duties of third parties relying and acting on a power of attorney. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 437 — Enacting the Kansas electricity bill reduction bonds act and authorizing the state corporation commission to issue securitized ratepayer-backed KEBRA bonds for electric utility property.(1:30, Utilities, 548-S)
Ø 2:30 p.m. session
Friday, March 13
Ø Final action: HB 2462 — Updating provisions related to the Kansas department of agriculture division of conservation. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Final action: HB 2451 — Amending Kansas department of agriculture division of animal health license, permit and registration renewal deadlines. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2702 — Decoupling the KIT and KIR workforce training programs from the high-performance incentive fund program and enhancing the workforce training tax credit. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø 8 a.m. session
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

Leave a comment
Caryn Tyson

 

March 6, 2020

 

It’s a good thing it happened…  The U.S. Supreme Court has just reversed the Kansas State Supreme Court once again.  This time it was because the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the state could not prosecute illegal immigrants for identity theft using a stolen Social Security Number (SSN).  In 2017, the Kansas Supreme Court had thrown out three state convictions of identity theft saying it is a federal issue; and not a state issue, because they are illegal immigrants.  Thankfully, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the ruling.  The U.S. Court Opinion stated the Kansas Court’s, “interpretation is flatly contrary to standard English” and “…strange consequences would ensue.”  The U.S. Opinion is posted at https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/17-834_k53l.pdf

 

Legislation 101 Senate Bill (SB) 294, the bill we are following in these updates, that brings transparency to your property tax increases, sits in the House Tax Committee.  I reached out to the Chair in hopes that the bill will be scheduled for a hearing.  He does plan to have a hearing, but has not decided a date.

 

The Senate worked four bills on the floor.

SB 255 would provide $10 million in funding for the University of Kansas Cancer Center in hopes that they will obtain the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Clinical Cancer Center Designation, providing access to more research dollars and attracting researchers and cancer physicians.  The bill passed unanimously.

 

SB 140 would establish an income tax credit for contributions made to the Eisenhower Foundation, used to support the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene.  The bill passed unanimously.

 

SB 409 would increase the tax on nursing home beds in order to get more federal money.  The problem with this bill is it raises taxes on all beds, including those who are paying themselves.  Those who are on government assistance in a nursing home are not impacted because the government pays the tax increase.  The bill passed 35 Yes to 5 No.  I voted No.

 

SB 225 is similar to SB 409 in the manner that it increases hospital provider assessment rates in order to get more federal tax dollars.  During the debate, it was stated that, “this would only impact Medicaid patients” but that was not correct.  More debate exposed the tax would be on all patients and that the tax “will have an automatic insurance rate increase…  The more government gets involved the more expensive things get.”  The bill passed 31 Yes to 9 No.  I voted no.

 

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

Caryn

…

Obituary

Obituary of Erla Mae Casner

2 Comments

Erla Mae Casner, age 90, died March 5, 2020, at Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott, Kansas.

She was born October 26, 1929, in Mapleton, Kansas, daughter of William Fred Bloesser and Lula Mae Wellington Blosser.

She married Merle LaVerne Casner on Oct. 26,1947, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He preceded her in death June 10, 2017.

Erla graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1948.

She studied organ under Professor Ronald Dawson and then Dr. John Ditto at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.

She served twenty-four years as organist at the First Church of God in Fort Scott. She also served as substitute organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Fort Scott. She performed several recitals at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on the pipe organ for Good Ol’ Days. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She is survived by two sons: Mark Casner and wife Donna, and Keith Casner both of Fort Scott, four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and sister Fern Wratchford of Fort Scott.

Besides her husband, Merle, she was preceded in death by her brother William Bloesser and grandson, Raef Casner.

Father Dave Jenkins will officiate funeral services for Erla at 2:00 p.m., Thursday March 12, 2020, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m., Thursday until the service at 2:00 p.m.

Burial will be held at Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Pittsburg, Kansas and may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas. 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Bourbon County Local News