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Funding Issue for Military Related School Districts on Legislative Radar

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jeff longbineA proposed school funding bill in the Kansas House Education Committee would reduce funding for Geary USD 475 by an estimated 6.7 million dollars in state aid.

That topic arose during a question and answer period with area state legislators during the Chamber of Commerce legislative coffee on Saturday in Junction City.

State Senator Jeff Longbine noted the bill in the House has 18 amendments that have been added, and more are probably coming. He noted the first amendment involved a change in enrollment calculation to September of the prior year with military adjustments. ” I am assuming that’s going to be a second ( student enrollment ) count so that will be beneficial.”

Longbine attended a meeting with Senate and House leadership, the Commissioner of Education, and the governor and his staff. The Senator stated he pointed out that there is some type of disconnect on how the numbers were originally calculated in the bill, and military schools were taking a disproportionate hit. “The governor was extremely supportive of making sure that we hold military districts as harmless as possible.”

Longbine added there’s a disconnect and he’s confident right now it will be fixed. He noted the Leavenworth school district has the same problem. “I’m confident this point those fixes will be made. Can’t stand up in front of you and tell you that you won’t receive less money, that you’ll receive more money, I can’t do that but I can assure that I think it’s on our radar screen and that you’ll be treated equally.”

The legislative coffee was held at the C. L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City.

 

Weekend Events, Saturday April 1st

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post newToday is the first day of April! Check out some of the events taking place in the community this weekend:

Rep. Dave Baker speaks out in support of Medicaid Expansion ahead of Legislative Coffee

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coffeeThe third and final legislative coffee hosted by the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce will be Saturday, April 1st at 9:00 am.

The coffee will feature State Senators Jeff Longbine and Tom Hawk, as well as State Representatives Lonnie Clark and Dave Baker.

Fresh off the Medicaid expansion veto by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, this will be an opportunity for community members to express their concerns to local legislators.

Representative Dave Baker, 68th District, said that discussion toward an override of the Governor’s veto has been tabled until Monday – a move prompted in part by the absence of two members of the House on the day the veto was announced.

“Everyone will go home this weekend, and I’m sure we’ll be getting lots of input from constituents on how they feel about Medicaid Expansion,” said Baker. “I’m for overriding the Governor’s veto.”

Baker, a member of the Children and Seniors Committee, said that he hasn’t had anyone contact him “that supports the Governor’s position.”

“It’s a sad situation,” said Baker. “[They] went from 124 people to process those applications on KanCare all the way down to 18, and that just created a tremendous backlog; and our forms that we use for helping people navigate the Medicaid system – we use to have a 7 page form like the other states around us, now it’s 17 pages – so we’ve made everything just about as difficult as we possibly can.”

Baker said that as a result of the issues with KanCare and budget cuts due to financial woes in the State it has created hardships across many sectors.

“We need to get a resolution, and Medicaid expansion is definitely part of the answer.”

The Kansas House 68th District includes the counties of Chase, Morris, Dickinson and part of Geary County that includes Junction City.

*feature image courtesy @davebaker4kansas Facebook

Hospital Administrator Responds on Medicaid Expansion Issue

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Geary Community Hospital CEO Dr. Joseph Stratton
Geary Community Hospital CEO Dr. Joseph Stratton

The Chief Executive Officer at Geary Community Hospital, Dr. Joseph Stratton, has responded on behalf of the hospital to the recent Medicaid expansion discussions in the legislature, and the governor’s veto of a medicaid expansion bill.

“This past week showed us what can happen when we decide to work together as Republicans and Democrats. It is clear that Kansans want to take care of their neighbors. Medicaid expansion is a critically important and very positive piece of legislation for uninsured Kansans and healthcare providers.  Unfortunately, Gov. Brownback stated it did not meet the three criteria he was looking for, so he vetoed it.  This was not a surprise to most people tuned-into the topic. We are sorely disappointed at Geary Community Hospital, yet we would like to commend our local legislators who voted for and continue to support this healthcare bill.

 

It’s important to note this isn’t just a healthcare issue, this is an economics issue. According to KHA, our state has lost $1.7 billion of our own tax dollars, because of the refusal of many to consider expansion. Thirty-one states have successfully expanded their Medicaid program. National, multi-state and single state studies show 31 states expanding Medicaid under the ACA have realized budget savings, revenue gains, and overall economic growth.

 

For Geary Community Hospital expanding Medicaid would bring approximately $1.2 million annually in needed revenue to help take care of the uninsured and underinsured population.  These funds would not be a profit-windfall, but instead dollars to pay your local, county healthcare system for services rendered for those who do not or cannot pay, whether it be in the clinics, hospital, or emergency room.  Let us not forget this past July the Governor’s office dealt yet another blow to hospitals statewide, with a sudden decision to decrease all Medicaid payments by 4% in an attempt to help address the state’s budget shortfalls. This unexpected decision by policymakers meant about a $200,000 take-away from GCH for the budget year.

 

Many people believe the state is ripe to expand Medicaid.  Rep. Susan Concannon, R-Beloit, asked “if this isn’t the right time, when is the right time?”  As well, many think that with the recent failure in the U.S. Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare it opens up new opportunities to expand Medicaid for thousands of Kansans and many citizens across the nation. Lawmakers will reconvene on Monday to discuss and see if they can muster enough votes to override the veto. In the meantime, we urge you to contact your local representatives and ask them to vote yes to override the Governor’s veto of HB 2044.”

 

A Look at the Weekend’s Events

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postThere are several events taking place in the community this weekend:

Investigation Ongoing in alleged attack at local store

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carPress Release: On 03/29/17, at about 1847 hours, Officers responded to Walmart, 521 E. Chestnut St in reference to a subject that had been attacked while in her car. Upon arrival, Officers met with the victim who advised that a white female with blonde hair exited a gray or dark blue vehicle, possibly a Nissan that was parked next to her vehicle. The female opened the victim’s car door, reached in and grabbed the victim by the hair. After a brief struggle the female got back into the Nissan. A white male with dark hair was in the Nissan at the time but never exited the vehicle. The vehicle possibly had Kansas tags with the numbers 959.

This case currently under investigation. There is no indication at this time that this incident has anything to do with Human Trafficking or that the public is in any immediate danger. We do ask that as always, be vigilant in parking lots and if something does not feel or look right, walk away and call the police.

If anyone has any information on this case or can identify the vehicle attached to call the police department at 762-5912, Crimestoppers at 762-8477 or leave a web tip at https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1216

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Previous story:

Reports have been circulating on various social media platforms of a Junction City woman that alleges she was the victim of an attempted human trafficking abduction.

A social media report reads, in part: “An employee at the Junction City Wal-Mart was attacked by a couple. They attempted to kidnap her and they hanged around for awhile. Police were called and they were already gone.”

Lieutenant Trish Giordano, Junction City Police Department, said that the incident is under investigation and there is no indication that it is related to human trafficking as alleged in other accounts.

“We ask the public that if they see anything suspicious to contact us,” said Giordano. “We do not believe that the public is in danger…but if anybody does see anything suspicious please notify [law enforcement].”

Allegedly, an unknown male and female tried to grab the woman from the Walmart parking lot on Chestnut Street.

“A white female attacked [the victim] by pulling her hair while she was sitting in her car…there was a male in the car, but the female is the one that approached the victim and pulled her by her hair,” said Giordano.

The JCPD stresses that this incident is under investigation and there is no immediate threat to the public. Human trafficking is a serious allegation to which there is no evidence of at this time.

JCPD Investigating Incident; no immediate threat to public

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jcpd threeReports have been circulating on various social media platforms of a Junction City woman that alleges she was the victim of an attempted human trafficking abduction.

A social media report reads, in part: “An employee at the Junction City Wal-Mart was attacked by a couple. They attempted to kidnap her and they hanged around for awhile. Police were called and they were already gone.”

Lieutenant Trish Giordano, Junction City Police Department, said that the incident is under investigation and there is no indication that it is related to human trafficking as alleged in other accounts.

“We ask the public that if they see anything suspicious to contact us,” said Giordano. “We do not believe that the public is in danger…but if anybody does see anything suspicious please notify [law enforcement].”

Allegedly, an unknown male and female tried to grab the woman from the Walmart parking lot on Chestnut Street.

“A white female attacked [the victim] by pulling her hair while she was sitting in her car…there was a male in the car, but the female is the one that approached the victim and pulled her by her hair,” said Giordano.

The JCPD stresses that this incident is under investigation and there is no immediate threat to the public. Human trafficking is a serious allegation to which there is no evidence of at this time.

*feature photo courtesy FMLA Insights

A Day in the Life of a Junction City Firefighter; a multi-part series

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David Mortimer
David Mortimer

David Mortimer has been with the Junction City Fire Department for six years.

Originally from a small community north of Salina, Mortimer said that Junction City is a great community.

“I went to the Fire Academy in Johnson County and [this] was the first place I applied; I knew some people from here so [when] I got offered the job I’ve been here since,” said Mortimer. “I just love the community…it’s a caring community, and especially from not being from here it was very inviting when I did move here.”

Mortimer, like the other firefighters, said that workdays can vary depending on the needs of the community; but he also noted that the job itself is ever changing and growing.

“It’s an evolving career, you have to stay on top of your game and you have to keep training and staying up with the latest technology and apparatuses – you can’t get comfortable,” said Mortimer.

Mortimer added that the JCFD team made his move to Junction City that much more pleasant.

“I enjoy all the guys that I work with…I just love the community,” said Mortimer.

Mortimer’s story is the final part in a mini-series highlighting various individuals with the Junction City Fire Department.

Part 1 and Part 2 are still available on JC Post.

Fort Riley to “Light It Up Blue” for Autism Awareness Month

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fort riley logoFORT RILEY, KS – Fort Riley joins communities around the country April 2 for the national “Light It Up Blue” autism awareness campaign, which promotes understanding, acceptance and celebration of autism spectrum disorder. On this day, people are encouraged to wear blue, turn Facebook profiles blue, help make autism awareness trend on social media, and install blue light bulbs at home and work.

Army Community Service will provide complimentary blue lightbulbs to the Fort Riley community at their office through Friday and at “Kidsfest” April 2. Kidsfest is Fort Riley’s kickoff for the Month of the Military Child; it takes place from noon to 3 p.m. at Riley’s Conference Center.

Fort Riley offers support to special needs family members throughout the year via the Exceptional Family Member Program, a comprehensive, coordinated, multi-agency program that provides community support, housing, medical, educational and personnel services to military families. The program and the “Light It Up Blue” campaign are designed to increase autism awareness and encourage acceptance of those with the disorder through inclusion in schools and their communities.

For more information about the Exceptional Family Member Program or how to participate in the “Light It Up Blue” campaign, call 785-239-9435 or visit https://www.facebook.com/rileyefmp.

A Day in the Life of a Junction City Firefighter; a multi-part series

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Jamie Farr
Jamie Farr

“I like helping people.”

Humble and understated, Fireman Jamie Farr said his desire to help others led him to Junction City.

“This is one of those communities, where you can go down the street and wave at everybody that you see; and to be able to come to a department that runs EMS to help everybody in this community – Junction City and Geary County – I think that’s what keeps me around, because I enjoy the community and I enjoy helping people,” said Farr.

A typical day at the Junction City Fire Department (JCFD) is pretty regimented, but that can quickly change in the event of an emergency.

“We are a fire/EMS based service, so you never know what might happen from day to day based on our call volume; we are a fire department based out of EMS, the majority of our calls are EMS, but then again we frequently do get fire calls,” said Farr. “Everyday is really a crap shoot, you never know what you’re going to get.”

And being a fire/EMS based service means that everyone is EMT certified, at a minimum.

“It takes at least one semester of college to be an EMT, and then you can advance to become an AMT and the highest level for us is paramedic,” said Farr.

A native of rural Illinois, Farr made the move to Junction City in 1996 working for the Kansas 4-H Foundation in rural Geary County.

“I’ve loved Junction City since I moved here, it’s a very unique and wonderful community,” said Farr.

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