Search

Contains brief statements and the committments of the administration in the areas of health, energy, taxation, aging, public safety, transportation, education, agriculture, youth, local government, natural resources and environmental quality, economic development, cultural enrichment and outdoor recreation.

Presentation giving a brief report on the Job Creation Program's funded projects for Fiscal Year 2018.

Presentation giving an overview of the Kansas Department of Commerce's economic development initiatives and successes in both urban and rural development, with special emphasis on Rural Opportunity Zones.

"The report covers capital infusion, total payroll and revenue, and the jobs created and saved for the approved companies. ... The Department of Commerce is pleased with the 2018 results and equally delighted with our ability to provide this program to certified companies seeking seed and early stage investment."

Presentation giving an overview of the Kansas Department of Commerce's economic development initiatives and successes in rural development, with special emphasis on Rural Opportunity Zones.

Presentation giving an overview of the Department of Commerce, including incentives and programs offered, descriptions of successful projects and programs, 2018 expenditures, and their benefits to the Kansas economy.

"Presentation giving an overview of the work of the Kansas Department of Commerce, emphasizing the Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) program, the High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP), STAR Bonds, Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ), Workforce Development programs, and International Trade."

"Presentation giving an overview of economic initiatives in Kansas, including the PEAK program, the High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP), STAR Bonds, Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ), and Workforce Development programs, with pictures of completed STAR bond redevelopment projects in Kansas."

"I would like to offer comments on STAR Bonds and Senate Bill 434. ... The language modifies and limits the definition of"project costs" to those costs necessary to implement the tourist attraction component of a project. ... Bill adds a prohibition against using STAR Bonds to pay for ingress and egress roads to the tourist attraction. ... Places significant restrictions on the types of retail in a District. ... Caps the state's investment in a STAR Bond project dependent on the amount of local investment. ... The impact of all of these proposed changes could be significant as many of the pending projects listed above are nearing completion. ... In order to clarify legislative intent, it is suggested the references to the term "approved" be fully defined and clarify if the language is applicable to existing projects."

"The report covers capital infusion, total payroll and revenue, and the jobs created and saved for the approved companies. ... The Department of Commerce is pleased with the 2017 results and equally delighted with our ability to provide this program to certified companies seeking seed and early stage investment."

"Commission staff has determined the current decline in production and associated decrease in revenue, combined with transfers out of the Conservation Fee Fund, will result in a negative balance during ensuing fiscal years. This determination was based on several assumptions, primarily that oil and gas production would continue to decline by 6% each year and spending from the Conservation Fee Fund would remain at approved, essentially flat levels. Given these assumptions, staff determined it is necessary to increase the mill assessed per barrel of oil production and the mill assessed against one thousand cubic feet of gas (mcf). These increases are necessary to provide sufficient revenue to meet the budgeted $8.89 million revenue required to administer the statutory and regulatory obligations of the Conservation Division."

"This budget, passed on the 113th day of the legislative session, unnecessarily increases government spending in several areas and fails to adopt common sense cost saving measures identified by the legislature's own efficiency study. However, I am signing the budget, despite my concerns about excessive spending, to avoid a break in core functions of government and to provide state workers with well-deserved pay increases. Pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(b) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby return 2017 Senate Substitute for House Bill 2002 with my signature approving the bill, except for the items enumerated below. Home and Community Based Services Integration Proviso: Section 174 is vetoed in its entirety. ... Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Clubhouse Rehabilitation Services: Section 99-(q) and Section 100-(o) are vetoed in their entirety."

Tables listing various projects financed by the Kansas Department of Commerce, showing the financial aspects thereof.

"This is an incentive program, a quid pro quo, which can provide tax benefits to businesses who in return are willing to expand the scope of their capital investments, pay a higher than average wage and make a significant investment in employee training. It can be a great tool for Kansas economic development."

Presentation showing a Kansas promotional website, KansasCommerce.gov. "The Kansas Department of Commerce is committed to marketing the state proactively. Commerce will continue to show businesses worldwide the quality of the business climate and why Kansas, above all others, is a great place to live and work."

Presentation giving an overview of the High Performance Incentive Program, which "provides tax incentives to employers that pay above-average wages and have a strong commitment to skill development for their workers. ... A substantial investment tax credit for new capital investment in Kansas and a related sale tax exemption are the primary benefits of this program."

"STAR Bonds support the development of major commercial entertainment and tourism areas that serve as statewide and regional destinations. Projects include high quality attractions that increase tourism and generate significant positive economic impacts."

Presentation giving an economic report of the activities of the PEAK program in Kansas. "Per a Legislative Post Audit report from December 2014, a Return on Investment of $57 to every $1 of incentive was received for the PEAK Program. PEAK has become one of Kansas' most important economic development tools."

"STAR Bonds support the development of major commercial entertainment and tourism areas that serve as statewide and regional destinations. Projects include high quality attractions that increase tourism and generate significant positive economic impacts. ... STAR Bonds are a valuable economic development tool that has generated a significant economic impact for Kansas. In addition to creating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment, most projects are exceeding revenue projections and the bonds are anticipated to pay off early."

"The Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) program is the primary economic development tool that the Department of Commerce uses to support business growth and job creation in Kansas. ... PEAK is intended to encourage economic development in Kansas by incenting companies to relocate, locate or expand business operations and jobs in Kansas."

Presentation giving an overview and statistics concerning the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors, which was created "to serve the citizens of Kansas by providing economic insights directly to the Governor through assessing local, national and global economic conditions and trends, evaluating the significance of those conditions as related to Kansas towards an economic development strategy, and research related topics of importance to Kansas and report directly to the Governor."

"As the state's lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. To this end, the Department comprises a variety of programs and services that create jobs, attract new investment, provide workforce training, encourage community development and promote the state as a great place to live and work."

Outline showing plans for and/or changes that need to be made to the various economic plans and programs provided by the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Testimony in support of HB 2409: "Prohibiting state contracts with companies that are engaged in an anti-Israeli boycott."

"Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ) is an initiative to bring new residents and job growth to the rural areas of the state. The ROZ program is part of a growth and retention strategy for Kansas. It encourages individuals from out of state to move to rural Kansas and also helps keep new graduates of Kansas colleges and universities in the state."

"The Kansas Department of Commerce has enhanced the efforts to assist transitioning soldiers with finding valuable employment in the state of Kansas."

"Per statute, Consensus Revenue Estimates (CRE) are used as the base for the budget developed by the Legislature and Governor. Due to the significant variances between the original estimates and the actual receipts, it has been difficult to develop and maintain a stable budget. As a result, Governor Brownback asked a working group to convene and make recommendations to improve the State's consensus revenue estimates."

Information concerning the positive economic impacts of STAR Bonds. "STAR Bonds are a valuable economic development tool that has generated a significant economic impact for Kansas. In addition to creating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment, most projects are exceeding revenue projections."

"As the state's lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. To this end, the Department comprises a variety of programs and services that create jobs, attract new investment, provide workforce training, encourage community development and promote the state as a great place to live and work."

Presentation concerning the positive aspects of the privatization of the Kansas Bioscience Authority. "The newly privatized funding and administration of KBA will allow the organization to continue its mission of progress and innovation in the bioscience industry."

Memorandum submitting "a summary of the monitoring activities of Commerce's Regulatory Compliance (CRC) unit from last year. ... The CRC unit is primarily responsible for implementing employment and training reviews associated with the federally funded Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA)."

Written testimony regarding SB 474, "which authorizes the state finance council to approve the sale of the Kansas Bioscience Authority and its assets as a designee of the Kansas Legislature. SB 474 was amended in the Senate Committee of the Whole to incorporate important STAR Bonds reforms based on the "Ten Points for STAR Bonds Reform Memorandum" that was submitted as testimony in [the] House Committee on Taxation hearing on HB 2738."

Neutral testimony regarding HB 2738, "which would enact reforms to STAR Bonds. ... I have developed Ten Points for STAR Bond Reform that may serve as a guide to enact reform legislation."

Neutral testimony regarding SB 493, "which would implement application and administrative fees for certain economic development programs. While Commerce agrees that the implementation of fees will allow us to cover our costs more efficiently, we believe that additional research is necessary to ensure that fees are not cost prohibitive."

Testimony in support of SB 474, which "authorizes the state finance council to approve the sale of the KBA and its assets as a designee of the Kansas Legislature. ... The sale of KBA will allow for a more efficient allocation of taxpayer resources."

Testimony in support of HB 2405, "which extends the sunset on the Angel Investment Tax Credit program."

Information concerning the KANSASWorks Workforce Center programs to aid all veterans seeking employment, and to encourage and assist employers to hire veterans.

Information concerning employment services for those with disabilities. "Department of Commerce, Workforce services Division, provides a continuum of services designed to meet the challenges faced by job seekers with disabilities as they pursue education and employment toward self-sufficiency and independence. Further, Commerce leverages its partnerships with employers to assist with the employment placement of these customers, meeting the needs of both job seekers and employers."

Presentation concerning the purpose, strategic plan, and goals of the KansasWorks State Board.

Presentation concerning the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. "WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy."

Presentation concerning the Workforce AID program.

"The Kansas Department of Commerce's Workforce Services division links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. The Division provides services to assist employers and job seekers, including incentives and training, assistance with closings and mass layoffs, disability resources and KANSASWORKS virtual services. The Department also works with military veterans and employees with special needs. In addition to these services, the Department partners with other agencies including the Department of Labor and the Department for Children and Families to provide reemployment and training services, and the Department of Corrections and Board of Regents on workforce initiatives."

"The Kansas Department of Commerce's Workforce Services division links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. The Division provides services to assist employers and job seekers, including incentives and training, assistance with closings and mass layoffs, disability resources and KANSASWORKS virtual services. The Department also works with military veterans and employees with special needs. In addition to these services, the Department partners with other agencies including the Department of Labor and the Department for Children and Families to provide reemployment and training services, and the Department of Corrections and Board of Regents on workforce initiatives."