Week 1 – Getting Kansans Back to Work
Skilled labor needed as aviation, aerospace rebound in Kansas
KWCH – 04.12.21
Gov. Laura Kelly and Lt. Gov. and Commerce Secretary David Toland were in Wichita on Monday to meet with local aviation and aerospace leaders.
The representatives for the small and medium companies said that after two years of turbulence, their industry is returning to more stable conditions. The biggest issue they face going forward is finding trained and qualified workers as recovery continues…
New technology is where aviation businesses see the industry going and pinned their sustainability in recent years in looking for new opportunities.
KSN – 04.15.21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has embarked on her Back To Work, Back To School Tour across the state…
Even though the legislature is out, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is hard at work. She’s making her way through the state speaking to communities, seeing what needs to be done as those communities begin to re-open.
Kansas Gov. Kelly tours area businesses
KOAM – 04.15.21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly had a bit of a busy day in the 4-states. She brought her Back to Work Back to School tour to Humboldt where she visited Monarch Cement.
Governor Kelly tours Orizon, Monarch
The Chanute Tribune – 04.15.21
“These companies are sort of the foundation of these communities,” Kelly told The Tribune in an exclusive interview. “They’re the stimulators of many things. Both jobs, but also community pride, community culture…
“Even with the global pandemic, we set a new capital investment record in the state of Kansas last year with over $2.5 billion in new capital investments. We didn’t take our eyes off this (initiative), because we knew the pandemic would ultimately end. And we wanted to make sure we were positioned to be even stronger than before.”
VIDEO: Governor Kelly Vistis SEK on April Break Tour
KODE – 04.15.21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Southeast Kansas today. She stopped by Orizon Aerostructures in Chanute as part of her statewide tour.
Over the next three weeks, Governor Kelly will be visiting communities as part of her “Back to Work, Back to School” tour. This week, the conversation is centered around economic development.
Throughout the pandemic, several Kansas government assistance programs helped keep several small businesses in service. Kelly says these programs and Kansas’s handling of business was based on the momentum the state had built before the pandemic.
The Iola Register – 04.16.21
Gov. Laura Kelly was in Humboldt Thursday morning to tour the Monarch Cement plant and learn its history.
Kelly said, “It’s companies like Monarch that are the bedrock, literally, of our state, along with agriculture.”
Not content with the status quo, Kelly said, “We’re working ferociously to grow our economy here in the state of Kansas,” adding, “Last year we set a record for new capital investments in the state. Over $2.5 billion.”
Kelly said she was “very, very impressed” with her tour of the plant, and in Monarch’s “adaptations over the years.”
Monarch stands the test of time
The Iola Register – 04.16.21
Decked out in a hard hat and protective headphones, Gov. Laura Kelly took an extensive tour of Humboldt’s Monarch Cement plant Thursday morning…
Thursday’s tour made me realize how with so many people, industries and sites around, what we often see is just the tip of the iceberg and how it behooves us, as Gov. Kelly did, to go deeper. It was a win-win affair. I’m sure Wulf appreciated Gov. Kelly’s attention to his concerns.
And there’s no doubt the governor came away duly impressed with the vital role that Monarch Cement plays southeast Kansas.
Gov. Kelly concludes Economic Development Week of Back to Work, Back to School tour
WIBW – 04.17.21
Governor Laura Kelly has finished the Economic Development Week of her Back to Work, Back to School tour…
“Our discussions this past week had one major aspect in common – that in spite of the challenges we’ve faced, the future of the Kansas economy is brighter than ever before,” Governor Kelly said. “My administration is committed to maintaining this momentum and ensuring Kansas businesses can not only recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic but thrive now and into the future.”
Kelly administration is laser-focused on growing Kansas business | Commentary
The Wichita Eagle, Lt. Governor Toland – 04.25.21
From Day One of Gov. Laura Kelly’s governorship, we have prioritized rebuilding our economic foundation, creating jobs, and fostering an environment that will make Kansas competitive on a global scale when it comes to business recruitment.
Recently, I joined Gov. Kelly for her “Back to Work, Back to School” tour, focused on economic and workforce development in Kansas.
We visited businesses across Kansas to learn more about their successes and how the Kelly administration can continue to support business growth.
Week 2 – Supporting a Healthier, Stronger Kansas
Gov. Laura Kelly tours Wesley Medical Center, visits with Black Nurses Association in Wichita
KWCH – 04.19.21
Governor Laura Kelly was in Wichita on Monday as part of her “Back to Work, Back to School” tour.
Last week, the tour was focused on economic development. This week’s focus is on health care. The governor visited Wesley Medical Center and got a chance to tour the children’s hospital. She also spoke to members of the Black Nurse’s Associations. Her big message was to call for Medicaid expansion and urge Kansans to get vaccinated.
Governor praises Wichita group for vaccination efforts
KAKE – 04.19.21
Communities of color still lag behind the overall COVID-19 vaccination rate in Kansas, but the gap is closing…
Gov. Laura Kelly said, “I’ve learned that I’ve got a new partner in town, and I plan to take full advantage of them.”
The governor and others credit the Black Nurses Association of Wichita with much of that change in Sedgwick County.
Governor Kelly visits Wichita hospital to talk about COVID vaccine, Medicaid
1070 AM – 04.19.21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made a visit to Wichita Monday morning to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine and talk about the need for Medicaid expansion.
The governor visited Wesley Medical Center and the Wesley Children’s Hospital and talked with members of the Wichita Black Nurses Association, which has been active in getting COVID-19 vaccines into neighborhoods that have not had ready access to it.
Governor Kelly visits Wichita hospital to talk about COVID vaccine, Medicaid
KFDI – 04.19.21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made a visit to Wichita Monday morning to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine and talk about the need for Medicaid expansion.
The governor visited Wesley Medical Center and the Wesley Children’s Hospital and talked with members of the Wichita Black Nurses Association, which has been active in getting COVID-19 vaccines into neighborhoods that have not had ready access to it.
Governor continues back to work, back to school tour
Hays Post – 04.19.21
Governor Laura Kelly on Monday visited health care facilities and professionals as part of the second week of her Back to Work, Back to School tour.
Governor Kelly toured the children’s hospital at Wesley Medical Center to discuss the importance of Medicaid expansion and encourage Kansans to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Gov. Kelly tours B.E. Smith Family Center in Merriam, which stayed open through pandemic
Shawnee Mission Post – 04.21.21
Children at play, exercising their small muscles, playing musical instruments, learning colors through sensory play, snuggling up to parents.
That’s how Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly found many of the toddlers and babies at the B.E. Smith Family Center on the AdventHealth Shawnee Mission campus in Merriam on Tuesday afternoon: happy, playful and full of smiles…
For Kelly, who started her career working with children with disabilities in recreational therapy, the tour was impressive.
“It’s also very indicative of the generosity of the folks in this particular area,” Kelly said. “I want to thank all of them for what they’ve done to make a tremendous contribution to the community and specifically to these kids and to their families.”
Gov. Laura Kelly tours Great Bend hospital
Great Bend Tribune – 04.23.21
During a visit to Great Bend on Thursday, Governor Laura Kelly said she has “about five billion reasons” why Kansas should expand Medicaid now.
Because Kansas has been one of the states not to expand Medicaid in recent years, “almost $5 billion (in federal funds) have been sent to other states,” Kelly said. “We need to make sure that our own dollars are coming back to Kansas.” …
“Right now there’s an incentive in the (federal) Rescue Plan that would bring $350 million to $450 million to Kansas over the next two years, IF we expand Medicaid. We absolutely have to expand Medicaid in order to get those dollars.”
Kelly said there never was a good reason for the state not to expand Medicaid. Now the Kansas Health Institute has released a report indicating business owners could save money if Medicaid is expanded.
Kelly touts Medicaid expansion after touring Great Bend hospital
Great Bend Post – 04.22.21
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly was in Great Bend on Thursday to tour the University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus. The Governor is touring Kansas medical facilities this week while the state legislature is taking its April recess. Kelly told reporters after the tour what she saw…
The governor used some of her time in Great Bend to make her case for Medicaid expansion. She said her Medicaid proposals would provide more access to quality healthcare for people who do not have health insurance coverage. Kelly also said the expansion of Medicaid is important to rural hospitals like the one here in the Great Bend.
Week 3 – Ensuring a World-Class Education for Kansas Kids
Governor’s ‘Back to Work, Back to School’ tour includes stops in Council Grove, Olpe
KVOE – 04.26.21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly continues her “Back to Work, Back to School” tour this week, and she has two stops in the KVOE listening area to start the proceedings.
The governor starts this week with a stop at Council Grove Elementary School for a tour and discussion around 10 am. She follows that stop with a trip to Olpe High for a tour and a roundtable discussion with area superintendents.
KVOE – 04.26.21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s “Back to Work, Back to School” tour brought her to the KVOE listening area Monday.
Among those in attendance, Monday was USD 251 North Lyon County, Superintendent Bob Blair. Blair says he was thankful for the opportunity to have the governor available in person as he feels it makes the conversations much more impactful.
He went on to say, he felt the roundtable was beneficial both for the superintendents in attendance and Governor Kelly herself. An issue that has been brought up many times in the last year was the topic of a “one-size fits all approach” to education.
Gov. Kelly talks education at Olpe Schools
The Emporia Gazette – 04.27.21
Gov. Laura Kelly visited Olpe Schools in celebration of the Eagles’ state championships in football, girls basketball and boys basketball and to discuss education needs with more than a dozen area superintendents Monday afternoon…
“I ran for governor to be the education governor,” Kelly said. “I have been an ardent supporter of public education, not only during my time in the state legislature but also before that. The public education system in Kansas is one of the things that attracted my husband and me to move from Colorado to Kansas. … As education governor, I will make sure that the same opportunities that were available for my daughters are available for all Kansas kids.”
Governor discusses learning loss, other COVID-19 education matters during stop in Council Grove
KVOE – 04.27.21
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly discussed several pressing education matters with area school superintendents as part of her “back to Work, Back to School” tour Monday.
At Council Grove Elementary, one of the main focal points was COVID-19 response, especially connected to learning loss. USD 417 Morris County Superintendent Aron Dody says learning loss isn’t as “generic” as it’s been made out to be.
Dody says Morris County has also taken an approach of investing resources to help children learn, even though not all the items will be directly connected to education. The district is hiring teachers to have smaller sections at its elementary school. It’s also seeing the benefits of having more nurses on staff, both for students and faculty.
VIDEO: Governor Kelly Visits Santa Fe Middle School
KMBC – 04.27.21
VIDEO: Governor Kelly Talks Education at Olathe Middle School
KSHB – 04.27.21