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The Kansas Senate voted Wednesday to confirm all 33 of Governor Laura Kelly’s appointments heard and advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee during the 2019 legislative interim.Of the 33 confirmed appointments advanced by the Senate...

Today Governor Laura Kelly appointed Stacey Donovan to the district court vacancy in Douglas County created by the December 31 retirement of Judge Peggy Carr Kittel.“Stacey is a talented and accomplished public servant with a reputation of integrity and...

Governor Laura Kelly today announced her intent to submit an executive reorganization order (ERO) to the Kansas Legislature, moving the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) and the State Self Insurance Fund (SSIF) from the Department of Health and Environment...

Due to safety concerns regarding the winter storm coming through the state overnight Friday, Jan. 17, Governor Laura Kelly has declared Inclement Weather, ordering state offices in Shawnee County to be closed on Friday, Jan. 17.Forecasts show sleet and...

Citing its importance to Kansas exports and the state’s economy, Governor Laura Kelly and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam expressed praise today for Congressional passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).“This is an important and...

Topeka, Kan. -- The second budget recommendation offered by Governor Laura Kelly delivers on her continued commitment to rebuilding Kansas after a decade of crisis. It maintains funding for Kansas public schools, includes funding to expand Medicaid,...

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the planned resignation of Kansas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli.Tafanelli, who has served as the state’s Adjutant General since Jan. 8, 2011, will step down from his current post on March 31.The Adjutant...

Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers announced at a press conference today the release of the Office of Rural Prosperity Listening Tour report.The Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP), housed within the Kansas Department of Commerce, was...

Governor Laura Kelly today moved quickly to coordinate efforts of state agencies in response to planned layoffs at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita.  The Governor directed Wichita native and Labor Secretary Delía García to coordinate the state’s available...

For the first time since 2015, the Governor’s State of the State address will be broadcast on live television in Kansas.During the annual State of the State speech, Governor Kelly will report to the Kansas Legislature and to the state on her...

After weeks of negotiations, Democratic Governor Laura Kelly and Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning today announced a compromise proposal to expand Medicaid while lowering health insurance premiums for Kansas families.“This process is far from...

Governor Laura Kelly today announced her intent to submit an executive reorganization order to the Kansas Legislature creating the Kansas Department of Human Services (KDHS). The new agency will include the current programs at the Department for Children...

The Kansas Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee Tuesday approved seven appointments to state boards and agencies, including one reappointment.“I have been working diligently to appoint people I know will perform their duties with the utmost dedication,”...

Governor Laura Kelly today shared details of a plan to stabilize the state budget and ensure long-term viability of the state employee pension system while protecting KPERS benefits.Kansas accumulated a record level of debt under the previous...

Governor Kelly appointed Karen Hibbard, Manhattan, to the Council on Travel and Tourism.The mission of the Council is to advise on the development of new tourist attractions in Kansas and expansion of existing tourist attractions.“It’s clear that Hibbard...

Governor Laura Kelly appointed Holly Lofton, Lindsborg, to the Kansas State Fair Board.The purpose of the board is to promote and showcase Kansas agriculture, industry and culture; to create opportunity for commercial activity; and to provide an...

Governor Laura Kelly appointed David Anderson, Mary Jones, Andrea Perdomo-Morales, Johnna Norton and Ric Glen Steele to the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.The mission of the board is to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare from unlawful or...

 With 2019 drawing to a close, Governor Laura Kelly reflected on her administration’s accomplishments during her first year in office and addressed the work still to be done to keep Kansas on the path to prosperity.“When I took office in January, I made a...

Governor Kelly today announced the Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance grant awards. These funds are generated by federal fines, penalty assessments, forfeited appearances and bail bonds. No taxpayer money is deposited into the Federal...

Governor Kelly appointed Chuck Magerl, Lawrence, to the Council on Travel and Tourism.The mission of the Council is to advise on the development of new tourist attractions in Kansas and the expansion of existing tourist attractions.“Chuck Magerl has had a...

Governor Laura Kelly reappointed Dr. Jerry Degrado, Wichita, to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts.The purpose of the board is to regulate 16 different health-care professions in the state and ensure that health-care professionals meet and maintain certain...

Governor Laura Kelly today appointed Judge Evelyn Z. Wilson to the Kansas Supreme Court. Wilson will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Lee Johnson. “Judge Wilson stood out from the field of candidates for her experience, her character...

Due to safety concerns regarding the winter storm that came through the state on Sunday, Dec. 15, Governor Laura Kelly has declared Inclement Weather, ordering a delayed start time for non-essential state employees in Shawnee County on Monday, Dec. 16.“Due...

The sixth and final meeting of the year for the Governor’s Council on Education concluded this afternoon, with a set of recommendations focused on greater collaboration between businesses, workforce training programs and educators, along with enhanced...

The final meeting for the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion concluded this afternoon. The group studied Medicaid expansion strategies from the 36 other states that have already expanded to determine the best version for Kansas. The Council is...

Governor Laura Kelly appointed Doug Louis, Wichita, to the State Board of Technical Professions.  The board is tasked with providing maximum protection to the health, safety and welfare of Kansans by registering and licensing technical professionals...

Governor Laura Kelly appointed Steve Waugh, Topeka, to the State Library of Kansas Board.The mission of the board is to advocate for statewide library services and resources, and to encourage cooperation among libraries and promote and encourage innovative...

Governor Laura Kelly appointed Jim Gillespie, Overland Park, to the Board of Accountancy.  The board licenses and regulates certified public accountants (CPAs), and is a regulatory body authorized to carry out the laws and administrative regulations...

Governor Laura Kelly reappointed Laurie Labarca of Wichita to the Wichita State University Board of Trustees.The purpose of the board is to manage property, estates and funds given, transferred and pledged to Wichita State University.“Since 2016, Laurie...