Kansas

November 3, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that more than $38 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being awarded to 4 states to support energy efficiency and conservation activities. Under DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states – Alaska, Kansas, Utah and West Virginia - will implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.    » read more »

Kansas City, Kan., October 30, 2009 - Proposals for Environmental Education grants to develop new programs or to improve the quality of existing programs will be accepted through Dec. 15, 2009 from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska communities by EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan.

EPA regional offices may award grants up to $50,000. Grants over $50,000 and up to $200,000 are awarded by EPA headquarters in Washington.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson sent a letter today to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking that he declare Rice, Sherman and Cheyenne counties agricultural disaster areas for crop production and structural losses due to severe weather between July 17 and September 23.

The severe weather included high winds and hail that adversely impacted corn, soybean, sorghum and sunflower production, and damaged farm structures, fences and equipment.

A secretarial disaster designation will make farmers eligible for low-interest loans through USDA’s Farm Service Agency, as well as any other aid that may be available through the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program approved in the 2008 farm bill.

Source: Kansas Governor

August 28, 2009 -- WICHITA, Kan. – U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary John D. Porcari today kicked off construction of the I-135 Interchange, the first highway project in Wichita with construction costs fully funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“The reconstruction of the I-135 interchange here in Wichita is a great example of a stimulus project that’s going to leave a lasting impression,” Deputy Secretary Porcari said. “This project is going to relieve a chronic bottleneck and open the door to new commercial and retail development.”    » read more »

Bipartisan-Bi-state Senators Designate Region as the Kansas City Animal Health & Nutrition Corridor

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recognizing the high number of animal health and nutrition businesses and educational and research assets available in the Kansas City area, U.S. Senators Kit Bond (R-MO), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Pat Roberts (R-KS) today introduced a resolution to bolster jobs by designating the region from Manhattan, Kansas to Columbia, Missouri as the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor.    » read more »

Recovery Act funding for Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oregon to expand state weatherization assistance programs and create jobs

June 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the transfer of nearly $80 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oregon to expand state weatherization assistance programs.

After submitting their comprehensive state weatherization plans that were due on May 12, these states are now receiving 40 percent of the total funding previously authorized under the legislation. Today’s announcement represents the next step in the Obama Administration’s efforts to promote energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and help support new jobs.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of Kansas' State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 3, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that $301 million is now available for Kansas under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts.

Kansas will be eligible to apply for another $148 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Kansas's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »

NEW YORK, NY – May 31, 2009 -- Cecile Richards, President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, today issued the following statement on the murder of reproductive health care provider Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, KS.

The entire Planned Parenthood family is deeply saddened by the murder of Dr. George Tiller. While he was not a Planned Parenthood provider, he was an integral part of our community and his loss is felt by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and those close to him who are suffering a personal tragedy.    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- In anticipation of lower than expected revenue receipts and the resulting budget shortfalls for fiscal years 2009 and 2010, Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson has released the following statement:

“Throughout the country, states are struggling with declining revenues, and Kansas is no exception. Fortunately, we are in a much better position than most states.

“We have a strategy in place to manage our budget shortfall through the end of the current fiscal year on June 30th. This strategy includes delaying some education payments a few weeks and speeding up the Department of Revenue’s tax amnesty program.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) and Lieutenant General Jack. C. Stultz, Chief, U.S. Army Reserve, today announced the Army Reserve will soon begin building up a new command and control unit in Kansas. The 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) will be located at the Lanny J. Wallace Army Reserve Center in Wichita.    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- To increase public safety and aid law enforcement, Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson today signed the Omnibus Crime Bill.

“Safe communities are one of the reasons that businesses and families move to our state,” Parkinson said. “I appreciate the work the Legislature and the Attorney General did this session to keep Kansans safe and secure.”

“To better protect our families, we must give law enforcement the tools they need to fight crime and bring predators to justice,” Attorney General Steve Six said. “This legislation contains a number of provisions that will help law enforcement keep our communities safe. I was pleased to be the main proponent of the provision which closed the loophole for criminals that would flee & elude law enforcement officers.”    » read more »

Kansas to finally have net metering and a codified Renewable Energy Standard

May 22, 2009 -- Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson has signed legislation that codifies the state’s Renewable Energy Standard and allows Kansans to generate their own power through net metering.    » read more »

Governor signs legislation to improve Kansas’ unemployment system

May 19, 2009 -- Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson was in Wichita this week to discuss the state’s path to economic recovery and to sign legislation improving Kansas’ unemployment system.

“Unemployment benefits can be the bridge to a new job, a new education or a new opportunity,” Parkinson said. “These benefits help out-of-work Kansans get back on the path to recovery – which is critical to turning our state’s economy around.    » read more »

Governors receive advisory group recommendations

May 14, 2009 -- A 42 person advisory group representing utilities, power generators, oil companies, manufacturers, labor, and environmental groups agreed yesterday to a set of Final Draft Recommendations that governors from six Midwestern states and the premier of Manitoba will use to develop a regional plan to cap and reduce global warming emissions.

The group advising the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (MGGRA) members—Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and Manitoba—indicated a strong preference for Congress to enact a federal level program to address climate change.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- Following the adjournment of the 2009 Legislative Session, Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson reflected on the progress Kansas made despite a national recession.

“We have proven that we can put politics aside and accomplish a great deal when we work together. In just the past ten days, together we have taken action to put our state on the road to economic recovery. We have approved legislation that helps many struggling Kansas workers. We took a giant step toward a renewable energy future for our state. And finally, we created a bi-partisan solution to our budget situation that protects vital services, but still reflects a shared sacrifice for everyone – all without raising taxes.”

Highlights of the 2009 Legislative Veto Session include:    » read more »