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Tag: kansas

State rolls out new rules for truckers

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TOPEKA – Beginning Jan. 1, the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Office will implement a new system that will increase compliance with federal and state departments of transportation. The property tax assessed on commercial vehicles will also be replaced with a fee.

The office, will now register intrastate and interstate motor carriers in the newly created Commercial Vehicle Registration System. This registration does not affect farm vehicles.

During the 2011 session, the Kansas Legislature passed House Bill 2557, which removed the property tax, also called the ad valorem tax, from commercial vehicles and replaced it with a commercial vehicle fee that will be collected at the time of registration.

Motor carriers operating solely in Kansas as an intrastate motor carrier will receive a new license plate.  The new white and purple plate marked “Commercial” will provide and easy reference for law enforcement.  Kansas-based motor carriers that drive in Kansas and other states and currently have an apportioned tag will continue to receive the license plate that is white with red marked “Apportioned.”

“The new fees will streamline Kansas’ antiquated process tied to fluctuating property taxes and help businesses predict from year-to-year what their registration will cost,” said Deann Williams, manager of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Office. “This is leveling the playing field for all commercial vehicle operators and simplifying the process because the fee will be collected when the vehicle is registered.”

The definition of a commercial vehicle is not changing; the federal rules have been in place since July 2000. The new system will help ensure that all commercial vehicles are properly registered and comply with existing federal and state laws.  Currently, commercial vehicles should be operating under a U.S. DOT number; that DOT number will be used to set up the new intrastate commercial vehicle registration account.

A commercial vehicle is used to transport property or passengers and:

• Has a gross vehicle weight or gross combination vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more

• Is designed or used to transport 15 or more passengers, including the driver

• Is used to transport hazardous material in a quantity requiring placarding.

If a vehicle meets any one of the three criteria, it is considered a commercial vehicle.

More information is available in the commercial vehicle registration section of www.truckingks.org, there operators can also check if their county treasurer’s office offers commercial vehicle registration or to register for a DOT number.

KDOT announces approved December bids

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TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation today announced approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in northwest Kansas.

District Three – Northwest

Ellis County: Interstate 70 from Hays east to the county line, milling and overlay, 15.4 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, $3,761,568.40.

Thomas County: Interstate 70/U.S. Highway 24 junction east to just east of the I‑70/Kansas Highway 25 junction, sealing, 8.4 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, $862,139.10.

Thomas County: U.S. Highway 24, Interstate 70 north and east to Colby, sealing, 8.3 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, $263,080.80.

Fundraising reports begin to paint the picture

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While some of us in the Statehouse/political clan are waiting for our blood alcohol content to drop below .08 percent after New Year’s Eve, all of us are waiting for Jan. 10.

That’s the day that candidates for state offices have to present to the Governmental Ethics Commission their reports on how much money they raised — and from whom — and what they have in their campaign accounts for the upcoming election.

That report, for better or worse, is New Year resolution No. 1 for those seeking statewide or Kansas House seats this year. (And, they tend to keep that resolution better than most of us … who generally just vow that we want to lose weight and give up on it before we Fed Ex ourselves smaller belts.)

The key is that Jan. 1 is the last day for receipt of campaign contributions from registered lobbyists, political action committees or unions—virtually everyone but friends and family — until sine die adjournment of the Legislature this spring.

So, that Jan. 10 report will be the first look we get at how successful candidates have been at raising significant amounts of money for the upcoming election. A big number shows that a candidate is really serious about this election business.

But recall, State Rep. Mike Peterson, D-Kansas City, spent $2,455 in election year 2012 to keep his seat, and Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, spent $77,663 in the last election cycle and lost.

What we may see is just how serious incumbents and announced challengers for House seats are about assembling the money they’ll need to at least start their campaigns. More will flow in from individuals, and after the session, lobbyists, political action committees, businesses and unions will make contributions…but what better way to show that you are serious than to have done groundwork in the off-election year?

For House members their tally may show spunk in preparing for the 2014 election season. Senators with comfortable four-year terms don’t run for reelection until 2016, so their numbers aren’t as politically important.

But the campaign finance reports are important for statewide office seekers. Gov. Sam Brownback had a little over $500,000 in his campaign account a year ago, and we’ll see Jan. 10 what he raised this year.

Democratic team House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, and running mate Jill Docking, Wichita, just got into the race for governor this year, so the key will be what they have raised since the fall announcement of their candidacy. Four years ago, the 2010 Democratic candidate, Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, hadn’t gotten into the race yet, and of course had no gubernatorial money on hand, so there isn’t a good comparison there.

But that Jan. 10 report will tell a story for the gubernatorial race ahead. A big number by Davis/Docking? It shows that Kansans with checkbooks are ready for a change…but just what does that number need to be? That’s the question. Brownback? Figure if he doesn’t have $1 million, he either wasn’t trying very hard…or presumes the 2014 election will take care of itself…

Syndicated by Hawver News Co. of Topeka, Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report. To learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit www.hawvernews.com.

Dave Says: Garnishing while paying

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Dear Dave:
My husband and I have about $60,000 in federally insured student loans. Can our wages be garnished if we’re paying less than the actual payment amount? If so, how far behind do we have to be for that to happen?
Jennifer

Dear Jennifer:
To the best of my knowledge there’s no set formula for making this determination. In counseling people, we find some folks who are two years behind making payments before anything is done, while others are flagged at just a couple of months. In reality, they can garnish you immediately if you’re paying less than the agreed-upon amount. But in most cases they won’t mess with you as long as there’s reasonable activity on the account.
The thing most people don’t realize about student loans is that a lawyer doesn’t have to be involved for them to garnish your wages. It’s a lot like the IRS in that they don’t have to sue you in order to take your wages. Congress gave them that power because it’s a federally insured loan. And in my mind, that’s way too much power.
If you’re having trouble making your payments, don’t just throw up your hands and default. Talk to them about a deferral, and keep sending them whatever you can. It’s always better to be proactive than reactive in situations like these. Let them know you want to make good on your obligation, and ask what you can do to make this happen under terms you can afford.
Good luck, Jennifer!
— Dave
Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s authored four New York Times best-selling books: “Financial Peace,” “More Than Enough,” “The Total Money Makeover” and “EntreLeadership.” For more, visit daveramsey.com.

New hunters take aim at annual pheasant hunt

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Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

BELOIT ­– Thirty-five new hunters with limited experience came from across the state to get a taste of what pheasant hunting can be like. Hunters ranged in age from 11 to 55 — out of those 35 hunters, 11 were female. The event is organized by Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism staff from the Glen Elder Wildlife Area and volunteers from the Pass It On-Outdoor Mentors Inc. of Wichita.

YOUTH-AND-WOMEN’S-PHEASANT-HUNT-DRAWS-35-PARTICIPANTS_frontimagecrop

This year, hunters were joined by 10 celebrities and hometown heroes who served as hunting mentors. Celebrity hunters included former NFL players Mark Arneson, Jerry Holloway, Mel Gray and Eric Williams; former professional drag racer Guy Caster; youth Crappiemasters champion John Gilotte; and national go-cart racing youth champions Brody and Nolan Pope. Hero-celebrities from the Kansas National Guard included LTC Damon Frizzell from Gardner and SSGT Casey Pennock from Manhattan.

“This event would not be possible without the generous support of over 30 businesses and individuals that stepped up as sponsors from the local communities surrounding Waconda Lake,” said Glen Elder Wildlife Area Manager, Chris Lecuyer. “These sponsors allow the day-long event to be offered to participants absolutely free of charge and their donations of prizes, food, services, and financial contributions continue to make the event a bigger success every year, so thank you.”

For information, visit KDWP&T.

City of Topeka sends flags to submarine

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TOPEKA (AP) — The city of Topeka sent two flags to its namesake submarine, which is currently being overhauled in Maine.

Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast says the city recently sent three flags to the crew of the USS Topeka, in response to a request from submarine officials.

The USS Topeka is a nuclear-powered attack submarine. It has been in drydock since December 2012 in Kittery, Maine. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported the sub is undergoing a 20-month overhaul.

Wolgast said his office recently sent flags, which flew Dec. 11 and 12 in front of City Hall.

Topeka city manager Jim Colson said the flags were sent to show the city’s support and appreciation for submarine’s crew. The flags will be kept aboard the USS Topeka.

Police: Homeless man freezes under bridge

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WICHITA (AP) — Wichita police are investigating the death of a homeless man, who they say might have frozen to death under a bridge.

Police found the man’s body under the bridge Sunday afternoon after being called to check on his welfare. The man, who is believed to be in his 50s or 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The bridge is just south of Wichita’s Riverside park.

The coroner will determine the man’s cause of death but police say there were no obvious signs of trauma.

City pushing for change in airline

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hays regional airport signBy JOHN SIMMONDS
Hays Post

The City of Hays has received three proposals for service through Hays Regional Airport, but the city is only interested in one of those bids.  At Thursday evening’s city commission work session, city manager Toby Dougherty expanded upon what had been discussed at the previous meeting.

Two bids came from Great Lakes Airlines, and the third came from Sky West Airlines.  The bids received are as follows:

1-Sky West Airlines. 12 flights a week in a 50-passenger CRJ Jet. Subsidy requested: $2.25 million
2-Great Lakes. 21 flights a week in a 19-passenger Beech 1900. Subsidy requested: $1.7 million
3-Great Lakes. 14 flights a week in a 30-passenger Brasilia. Subsidy requested: $1.5 million

At the Dec. 12 meeting, the Hays City Commission unanimously agreed that SkyWest would be better for the community.  SkyWest is consistently in the top 10 percent of all US airlines in on-time percentage, while Great Lakes has reported that in November, 40 percent of their scheduled flights through Hays Regional Airport have been canceled.

Dougherty since has drafted a letter on behalf of the City of Hays to the Department of Transportation, who will make the final decision on which company will be awarded service. The letter states that “The City of Hays and its residents give the strongest possible endorsement to the air service proposal of SkyWest Airlines.”

The letter goes on to detail the level of disservice Great Lakes has provided to Hays as well as the benefits of awarding SkyWest the bid for service. Dougherty added this letter will not be the only one sent to DOT expressing a desire to change providers.

“I have solicited letters from the (Ellis County) Coalition for Economic Development, the (Hays Area) Chamber of Commerce, Hays Medical Center and Fort Hays State University. If they wanted to write a letter in support of SkyWest airlines, those will be in the packets.”

Though the city commission has the funds available to pay the higher subsidy, Dougherty told commissioners other entities in Hays have stepped up to bridge that gap. The chamber pledged $25,000, the economic development coalition committed up to $50,000, and HaysMed has offered up to $50,000 to ensure a more reliable airline is able to conduct business in Hays.

Service with the company awarded the bid for Hays Regional Airport is anticipated to begin May 1.

Kansas to offer free radon testing kits

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TOPEKA (AP) — Kansas officials are launching a campaign to get residents to test their homes for radon gas.

Gov. Sam Brownback signed a proclamation Friday designating January as Kansas Radon Action Month.

Throughout the month, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will provide free test kits at more than 80 locations throughout the state.

KDHE Secretary Robert Moser says the agency is trying to gather data about radon levels around the state, especially in homes. He says as many as one in four homes may have high levels of the odorless, colorless gas.

Radon can cause health problems for humans, including lung cancer. Moser says knowing levels of the naturally occurring gas will help set health policies.

Clerk injures would-be convenience store robber

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WICHITA (AP) — A 911 call about an alleged assault led Wichita police to a man suspected of trying to rob a convenience store.

KFDI-FM reported the call was made late Thursday by the girlfriend of the suspect, who received minor injuries in a fight with the store’s female clerk.

Police Lt. Doug Nolte says the 28-year-old man entered the Jump Start store around 11:30 p.m. and showed a gun. The 23-year-old woman behind the counter gave him cash, but grabbed the gun and hit him with it when he demanded money from the safe.

The clerk then dragged the robber outside and told him to leave. Officers arrested the man at his girlfriend’s home.

Police say the clerk thought the gun was a toy. She was also treated for minor injuries.

FHSU touts grads’ success rate

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Contacts with 1,241 Fort Hays State University graduates from the 2012-2013 academic year found a “success rate” — placement in a job or enrolled in advanced study — of 95 percent, according to a report from the university’s Office of Career Services.

Career Services contacts all FHSU graduates inside the United States within six months of graduation. The 1,241 figure includes Virtual College, on-campus students, and associate and undergraduate degree students. Not included in the percentage are Virtual College graduates from China and other nations.

This placement rate for FHSU graduates continues the success of recent years. The placement rate was also 95 percent in 2011-2012; 94 percent in 2010-11; 94 percent in 2009-10; 95 percent in 2008-09; 98 percent in 2007-08; 98 percent in 2006-07; 98 percent in 2005-06; 98 percent in 2004-05; 98 percent in 2003-04; 98 percent in 2002-03; 98 percent in 2001-02; 99 percent in 2000-01; and 99 percent in 1999-2000.

Of the 2012-13 graduates, 844 are working in their major fields and 171 are continuing their education. Another 97 reported being employed outside their majors, 63 were still seeking employment and 29 were not seeking employment.

Geographic employment data show that 161 are working in Ellis County, 341 are employed in western Kansas, 152 are employed in other Kansas regions, and 287 are working out-of-state.

The annual survey is conducted by the Office of Career Services. The office assists FHSU students in acquiring the skills necessary for a successful job search and provides information about available jobs. It also assists students who are seeking admission to graduate school.

Career Services Office staff uses phone, mail and e-mail surveys and then turns to faculty, alumni, fraternity or sorority contacts, families, neighbors, and various other sources to find the employment or study status of almost all graduates.

Community Theatre closes another successful show

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hct food driveBy JOHN SIMMONDS
Hays Post

The Hays Community Theatre wrapped up another successful production this month. The Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol,” directed by Samie Pfeifer, played Dec. 13, 14 and 15 at the 12th Street Auditorium.  Cost of admission was a freewill donation or non-perishable food item.

In total, 442 people attended and donated $1290.65.  Also, 564 items were donated to the St. Joseph Food Pantry.

Bill Brown, assistant director for the show and an HCT Board member, told Hays Post he was pleased with this performance.

“I thought we did very well. The audience reaction to the show has been great from everything that I have heard. I think the people that came enjoyed it, the actors and crew did an excellent job,” Brown said. “Samie was brilliant as a director, Travis shone as Scrooge, and I think audiences that came truly appreciated the performances they saw.”

The next large shows for HCT are “Grease” next summer and “A Christmas Story: The Musical” next winter.

Economic growth predicted in rural Kansas

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of bankers suggests that the economy will grow at a healthy pace in rural parts of 10 Midwest and Western states in the months ahead.

The monthly survey’s overall index rose to 56.1 in December from November’s more moderate 54.3. But any score above 50 suggests growth.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the region continues to benefit from the strength of agriculture and energy businesses. But declining crop prices and the lack of a farm bill are concerning.

The index is based on surveys of rural bankers in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

It ranges from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead.

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