OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA– In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sun-up to sun-down on October 2 through October 6 following the terrorist shooting at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas that killed at least 58 people and injured more than 515 others.

“The purposeful act of terror inflicted upon concert-goers in Las Vegas is an unspeakable demonstration of evil. Mary and I and the people of Kansas are shocked, horrified, and grieving for everyone who is affected. We send our love and prayers to those suffering, and we will continue to pray because the healing process is only beginning,” Brownback said in a statement late Monday morning.

KDHE

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has scheduled a series of conference calls to update consumers and providers on the development of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2019 KanCare Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) contract.

Previous public meetings were held in May 2016 and June 2017, as well as meetings with provider associations and advocacy organizations, to collect ideas and input for the development of the RFP for the new contract. Prior to posting the RFP, KDHE will provide an update about new requirements that will be part of the RFP and how public input has been used to create the RFP.

KDHE will enter into new contracts with MCOs in June 2018 for implementation of the new KanCare program effective January, 2019. This will coincide with implementation of the renewed KanCare 1115 demonstration waiver.

Conference calls will be held for both members and their families, and providers as detailed below. Conference lines are limited to 200, so both members and providers are encouraged to gather in rooms where a conference line can be shared via speakerphones.

The two calls each day will be the same. The presentation for each audience can be found here: https://kancare.ks.gov/about-kancare/kancare-renewal. The calls will include a brief presentation and then allow participants to ask questions about the KanCare RFP. The RFP is the only topic that will be addressed in these calls.

In addition, in November 2017, KDHE will conduct public hearings around about the KanCare 1115 demonstration waiver renewal around the state. Details and schedules will be announced at a later date.

KDHE requests that providers help make members aware of this opportunity to hear about the KanCare RFP and, if possible, support them in accessing the member presentation and attending a member call.

Conference call schedule:

KDWPT

PRATT – If you like a good challenge, want to test your hunting prowess, or just want to shake up your fall hunting plans, consider adding a fall turkey hunt to your list. Spring turkey hunts are hugely popular, and given the time of year, it’s no surprise – it’s the first hunting season of the year, temperatures are comfortable, and action is everywhere. But come fall, action-packed turkey hunts can still be had, that is, if hunters are up to the challenge.

Hunting techniques used in the spring can prove less effective later in the year. Unlike the spring when mating is top priority, during the fall season, turkeys are gathering into winter flocks and are focused on finding food. Therefore, fall hunting is often a matter of finding birds, scouting their feeding areas and setting up an ambush point.

A hunting technique common in southern states is to break up a flock of turkeys, sometimes using a dog to scatter the birds, then hiding quietly as the birds begin to re-group. Birds will make a “kee-kee-run” call to locate flock members, and the hunter can use this call to an advantage. One thing that doesn’t change from spring to fall is the fact that good camouflage and well-timed movements are still keys to success.

The 2017 fall turkey hunting season runs from Oct. 1 – Nov. 28 and opens back up again from Dec. 11 – Jan. 31, 2018.

Hunters may take one turkey during the fall season. Resident fall turkey permits are $27.50 for hunters 16 and older and $7.50 for hunters 15 and younger. Nonresident fall turkey permits are $52.50 for hunters 16 and older and $12.50 for youth 15 and younger. Fall turkey permits are available wherever licenses are sold and at ksoutdoors.com.

For information on turkey hunting regulations, legal equipment, unit maps and public hunting areas, reference the 2017 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary and 2017 Kansas Hunting Atlas, or visit ksoutdoors.com.

OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA – Childhood poverty in Kansas is at the lowest level since 2004, according to the latest Kids Count report that uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

In the past five years, the number of Kansas children in poverty has decreased by 26 percent. Data also shows that 19 percent of children are living in poverty across the United States, compared to 14 percent in Kansas.

“When I became Governor of Kansas, my vision for the state included a reduction in childhood poverty, and that vision is being realized through effective welfare reforms and poverty-prevention programs,” said Governor Sam Brownback. “Approximately 99,000 Kansas children remain in poverty, so there is work left to do, but we are clearly heading in the right direction, and Kansas is leading other states to consider welfare reforms like ours, which encourage self-reliance and result in better outcomes for participants.”

According to the United States Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey, released this month, Kansas is seeing its most dramatic decrease in childhood poverty. Last year’s report indicated 122,000 Kansas children were living in poverty. This year’s report indicates 23,000 fewer children in poverty.

In 2015, Governor Brownback signed into law the Kansas HOPE (Hope, Opportunity and Prosperity for Everyone) Act—the most comprehensive welfare reform in the nation that not only added permanency to existing work requirements, but also added additional provisions to strengthen the integrity of the welfare benefits system in Kansas. Additional reforms were added in 2016 to further self-reliance.
Since the passage of that legislation, state benefits programs, such as food, cash and child care assistance have increasingly incentivized employment over dependence, helping lift Kansans out of poverty.

“By encouraging work over reliance, we have broken the cycle of poverty for thousands of Kansans,” said Governor Sam Brownback. “Our policies are good for Kansas families, the economy and taxpayers.”

To learn more about the 2016 American Community Survey, visit www.census.gov or www.datacenter.kidscount.org. You can also use the United States Census Bureau’s FactFinder to do a state-by-state comparison at www.factfinder.census.gov.

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; member of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee; and co-chair of the Senate Aerospace Caucus – today spoke on the Senate floor about Congress’ damaging practice of passing short-term, 11th hour extensions to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authority.

“Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of Congress have repeatedly found common ground, and consensus among the entire aviation community, on a wide range of issues impacting the FAA, such as strengthening the Contract Tower Program and streamlining aircraft certification processes,” said Sen. Moran. “Yet today we see that controversial proposals to privatize our air traffic control system have derailed our progress yet again. Short-term authorizations like this one fail to give our aviation community the certainty it needs to plan for improvements at our airports that will keep travelers safe or empower manufacturers to create jobs. We must end this dangerous habit.”

“Air traffic control privatization is about everyone except for the largest cities with the largest airports and the most numerous travelers,” continued Sen. Moran.

“So this is not about just Garden City, Kansas, or Manhattan, my hometown, or Hays, my former hometown. This is about Wichita, Topeka, it’s about Kansas City – all but the absolute largest airports would be damaged by the privatization of air traffic control. Privatization of the nation’s most complex air system is a solution without a problem that will ultimately create lots of problems.”

Sen. Moran’s floor remarks can be viewed below.

Background

• Kansans have built three out of every four general aviation aircraft since the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk, and today, over 40,000 Kansans make a living manufacturing, operating and servicing the world’s highest quality aircraft.
• Last year, Sen. Moran voted in favor of the Senate’s FAA reform proposal and opposed the six-month extension that resulted after disagreement with the House.
• Sen. Moran has been a vocal opponent of proposals to privatize our nation’s air traffic control system, advocating instead in favor of proposals to provide greater protections for the general aviation industry, small airports and all but the largest communities nationwide.

KIDS AND CARS

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Over the last couple of decades, significant reductions in vehicle crash-related child fatalities have been attributed to advances in legislation, public safety campaigns and engineering. However, less is known about nontraffic injuries and fatalities (occurring primarily in driveways and parking lots) to children in and around motor vehicles.

A new Traffic Injury Prevention Journal study, Unintentional Nontraffic Injury and Fatal Events: Threats to Children In and Around Motor Vehicles describes the frequency of various nontraffic incidents, injuries, and fatalities to children using a unique surveillance system and database. The database was developed and is maintained by KidsAndCars.org, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping children safe in and around motor vehicles. Examples of nontraffic events include backovers, children left in hot vehicles, frontovers, children inadvertently knocking vehicles into gear, and others.

The new study describes the national incidence of various nontraffic incidents, injuries, and fatalities to children in the United States using a comprehensive, longstanding surveillance system and database. Prior studies have focused on certain types of nontraffic mechanisms such as backovers, heatstroke, power window strangulation, trunk entrapment, etc. In addition to focusing on just a single mechanism, many of these studies have also been limited by institutional or regional estimates, or a narrow time period. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published recent periodic nontraffic incident summaries, including those with child-specific data. The significance of this study is that it is the first detailed analysis that includes all types of nontraffic vehicular dangers to young children.

Instances of nontraffic injuries and fatalities in the United States to children 0-14 years were tracked from 1990-2014 using a compilation of sources including media reports, individual accounts from victims and their families, medical examiner reports, police reports, child death review teams, coroner reports, medical professionals, lawyers and various modes of publications. There were over 11,750 distinct incidents in a variety of venues and vehicles affecting 14,568 children 14 years and younger, resulting in nearly 3,400 deaths of which 47 percent were male, and with an average age of 42 months.

“While we have made great progress in reducing injuries to children in motor vehicle crashes, this study describes the burden of nontraffic incidents and deaths to children 14 years old and younger over a 25-year period, including: children left in hot vehicles, backovers, frontovers, and other mechanisms,” said Dr. Mark Zonfrillo, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and injury researcher from Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and lead author of the study. “These nontraffic incidents present an important and often underreported threat to the safety and lives of young children, and are completely preventable” he added.

“These issues have been masked for decades by the age-old problem of, no data; no problem. Once thought of and referred to as ‘freak accidents,’ this study reveals just how common nontraffic incidents really are,” said Janette Fennell, president and founder of KidsAndCars.org. “Continued education, engineering modifications, advocacy, and legislation can help continue to prevent these incidents and must be incorporated into overall child vehicle safety initiatives.”

To learn more about nontraffic dangers to children visit www.KidsAndCars.org.

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement after the Administration, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee released their tax reform framework Wednesday:

“It has been more than 30 years since President Reagan signed the 1986 Tax Reform Act – the economy was entirely different and the way we do business across the world has changed drastically. Americans can no longer afford the status quo of an outdated and complicated tax system. Today’s tax reform framework is a first step toward growing our economy, boosting small businesses, creating new jobs and keeping good jobs here at home. Creating a fairer and simpler tax code means better days for working families and higher paying jobs in Kansas and across the country. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration on this tax reform framework.”

The full framework can be found here. A one-pager description can be found here.

KDA

MANHATTAN — The 2017 Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is currently accepting applications from high school seniors or college freshmen who are passionate about agriculture and are interested in representing Kansas in a week-long exchange program in late November 2017.

Each year the National Taichung Agricultural Senior High School in central Taiwan hosts students from the Midwest for this program. Selected students will tour agricultural facilities and businesses in Taiwan, and will learn about Taiwanese agriculture. This program will take place November 20-24, 2017.

“The Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is a tremendous opportunity for students who are interested in agriculture,” said Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, international trade director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “Students are able to return from Taiwan with a broader understanding of international agriculture and the role that exports play in their local communities.”

Exports play an important role in Kansas agriculture. According to Euromonitor, Kansas exported nearly $101 million in agricultural goods to Taiwan in 2016, including beef, oil seeds, cereal grains and wheat flour. Globally, exports of agricultural products contributed almost $3.5 billion to the Kansas economy in 2016.

Three students will be selected to represent Kansas. To be eligible to apply, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be a high school senior or college freshman;
• Be at least 18 years of age by the beginning of the trip;
• Have a strong Kansas agricultural background;
• Have a valid U.S. passport by time of exchange program selection; and
• Be able and willing to pay for airfare costs (approximately $1,400).

Applications must be submitted by October 17 for the student to be considered. Students interested in applying can find more information at agriculture.ks.gov/AgEd. The Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Kansas FFA Association and Kansas 4-H.

For more information, contact Robin Blume, KDA education and events coordinator, at [email protected] or 785-564-6756.

 

OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA – Governor Brownback and Lt. Governor Colyer on Wednesday recognized water rescue teams from agencies across Kansas who were deployed to Texas to assist in recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey

The ceremony took place on the South capitol steps, and was followed by a reception at Cedar Crest that included the teams and their families.

The search and rescue teams, comprised of over 50 individuals from 16 different agencies across the state, deployed to Texas on Aug. 30 to assist with the floods after Hurricane Harvey. In addition to personnel, the deployment included hard bottomed, air, and inflatable boats. They all returned to Kansas on Sept. 5.

“We are proud of these individuals who were ready and willing to help when called upon. They were prepared with specialized swift water rescue training that allowed them to be of service in this unique kind of disaster. We thank them for their talents, abilities, and willingness to help others,” said Brownback.

The crews engaged in search and transportation operations for people and animals stranded by flood waters. Kansas search and rescue swift-water/flood teams, along with teams from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, worked mostly in Katy, Texas, with teams from Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Missouri. Collectively, 15 strike teams consisting of five boat squads combined for a total of 75 water assets. Kansas strike teams searched close to 1,200 structures and evacuated 27 individuals. In total, the joint operation resulted in over 4,000 structures searched and over 100 evacuations. The teams also worked on other small assignments and were on standby as needed.

“What these brave men and women accomplished in serving our neighbors in Texas is a remarkable feat of collaboration and caring,” said Colyer. “They have represented our state well and we thank them for serving.”

“I am proud of the men and women from the many different Kansas organizations who did not hesitate when called upon for hurricane relief,” said Maj.Lee Tafanelli, the Kansas adjutant general. “I am especially proud that the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which guides the coordination of all these resources across the country is once again being managed right here in Kansas by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.

“I would also like to remind Kansans that September is Preparedness Month. Though there are numerous skilled, courageous responders such as these, it is everyone’s responsibility to be prepared at home for an emergency. If you need information about what your family can do to be prepared, please visit www.ksready.gov.”

Agencies involved were: The Kansas Adjutant General’s Office, Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Chanute Fire Department, Derby Fire Department, Hutchinson Fire Department, South Hutchinson Police Department, Manhattan Fire Department, Mission Township Fire Department, Neodesha Fire Department, Newton Fire/EMS, Parsons Fire Department, Pittsburg Fire Department, Salina Fire Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Sedgwick County Fire District #1, Shawnee Fire Department, and Winfield Fire/EMS.

KAG

TOPEKA – Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general, announced the selection of Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams as the state command senior enlisted leader for Joint Forces Headquarters, Kansas National Guard, Topeka. Williams replaces Command Chief Master Sgt. James Brown, who is leaving the position to become the command senior enlisted leader for Joint Force Civil Support, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

In this role, Williams, will be the primary advisor to the adjutant general of Kansas on all matters pertaining to the enlisted force. He currently serves as the state command chief master sergeant for Joint Forces Headquarters, North Carolina National Guard, and will begin his duties in Kansas Oct. 2.

“I am pleased to announce the selection of Chief Master Sgt. Williams, who brings with him an impeccable record and leadership experience that will benefit the Kansas National Guard,” said Tafanelli. “This position carries great responsibility and I am confident that he is the right person to join our team.”

“I am looking forward to serving the Citizens, Airmen and Soldiers of the state of Kansas,” said Williams. “Chief Master Sgt. James Brown has laid a great foundation for the enlisted Soldiers and Airmen of the Kansas National Guard and I look forward to the opportunity of building upon his legacy.”

“It has been my absolute honor to serve the citizens of Kansas and the soldiers and airmen as their command senior enlisted leader for the Kansas Guard,” said Brown. “It is comforting to know I am leaving our most valuable assets, our enlisted warriors, in the capable hands of this tremendous Airmen, Chief Master Sgt. Maurice Williams.”

Williams entered the North Carolina Air National Guard in 1987 and graduated from the Air Transportation Specialist course at Shepard Air Force Base, Texas, in 1988. During his career, he has served in a number of command positions in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar.

His military education includes the Noncommissioned Officer Prep Course, Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Course, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Course, Air National Guard Chief Executive Course, Chief Leadership Course, Command Chief Orientation Course, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, and numerous other professional courses.

Williams earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in businesses administration from Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Alabama.

Williams’ military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, North Carolina National Guard Meritorious Unit Citation, North Carolina Adjutant General’s Meritorious Achievement Service Ribbon and North Carolina National Guard State Service Ribbon.

KID

TOPEKA— Officials say that within the next two months vehicles will appear for sale from unscrupulous sellers that are the result of water damage from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Kansas consumers should check the backgrounds of vehicles they may consider purchasing, said Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.

“The time is coming when the adage ‘let the buyer beware’ will become ever more important when it concerns buying a used vehicle,” said Commissioner Selzer. “A common-sense approach to inspecting a vehicle is needed now, because some flood-or-hurricane-damaged vehicles may be making their way to Kansas car lots from Texas or Florida.”

Commissioner Selzer and Kansas Insurance Department staff members urge prospective vehicle buyers to get a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. This will tell if the vehicle has been in a flood, a crash or a fire. Also, buyers should consider taking the vehicle to a trusted mechanic for an inspection prior to purchase.

The Commissioner also recommends checking these possible signs of vehicle water damage:

• Water stains under the carpet
• Corrosion around electrical wiring
• A musty odor
• A water mark in the engine compartment

KDOC

TOPEKA – Offenders are helping a Kansas business develop by taking advantage of a federal certification that allows inmates to work with private enterprises through Kansas Correctional Industries (KCI).

Thirsty Coconut, a family-owned producer of healthy drinks based in Louisburg, needed assistance with their beverage dispensing machines, and had nowhere in Kansas to turn to for help, until they found KCI.

KCI, a subsidiary of the Kansas Department of Corrections, teaches offenders new skills, and allows them to earn wages in preparation for life outside of a correctional facility. One valuable component of KCI is the Private Industry Program. The program involves partnerships between the KDOC/KCI and private business for prison based and non-prison based operations. KCI ensures that new private industry programs do not negatively impact workers employed by interested private companies or available workers in the locality of the host correctional facility.

A new federal certification of KCI shops has expanded its ability to assist Kansas businesses.

Since the establishment of the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) as created by Congress in 1979, Kansas has been involved with the “employer model” by working in partnership with privately operated companies. KCI factories have served State Agencies since 1958, but recently some KCI shops, like the metal shop, have been certified through a Federal Program Prison Industries Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) for “customer based” work allowing KCI to assist Kansas businesses with the manufacturing of products. KCI recently certified not only the metal factory, but the furniture factory, textiles factory and the dental lab have completed the process as well.

Because of the certification, fabrication of a new product by KCI is helping a new Kansas business develop.

Luke Einsel, President of Thirsty Coconut, Inc., met representatives of KCI at a vendor fair, and found a partner who could create the stainless steel parts needed for their machines.

“The only place I could find that would do what I needed was in China,” said Einsel, “I was just about to sign a contract that would have sent this work to the other side of the world, when fortunately I found out KCI might be able to help.”

Brad Jurgensen, KCI Director of Operations, said the recent expansion in certification of some KCI shops has allowed them to take on new projects such as that of Thirsty Coconut.

“This way the offenders learn to work with several different customers, learn a broad range of skills and flexibility to work on different products,” Jurgensen said.

Jurgensen said he noticed in recent years a shortage of metal fabricators and welders within the state of Kansas. He said KCI is always in need of projects for offenders to work on, and transitioning to customer-based service has opened up new opportunities. These work environments found within correctional facilities pay market wages to offenders who stay free of discipline issues and prove themselves reliable. Often the training they gain within KCI programs translates directly to employment opportunities upon release.

KCI recently produced the parts to satisfy Thirsty Coconut’s order – enough to secure 480 machines.

“It’s really good for our company that we can get these products made right here in Kansas,” said Einsel. “I’m really glad it turned into a win-win for us and the Department of Corrections.”

KDOT

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on the draft 2017 State Freight Plan and the draft 2017 State Rail Plan. These documents provide an overview of the multimodal freight transportation networks in Kansas, commodity flows, economic data and, additionally, information about passenger rail service in the state.

Federal guidelines require a public comment period of 30 days, which concludes on Oct. 20. The draft document for the State Freight Plan and Appendices may be viewed online at https://www.ksdot.org/burRail/Rail/default.asp. Select the draft State Freight Plan with Appendices link at the top of the page. The draft document for the State Rail Plan may be viewed online at https://www.ksdot.org/burRail/Rail/default.asp. Select the draft State Rail Plan and Appendices links at the top of the page.

To comment on either plan, comments may be submitted to John Maddox at [email protected]