11 Sep State Finance Council extends emergency declaration & Update from KDOT
On Friday, September 11, 2020, the State Finance Council met to consider Governor Kelly’s request to extend her COVID-19 related disaster declaration which is set to expire on Tuesday, September 15th. On a vote of the members, the State Finance Council extended the Governor’s emergency disaster declaration for 30 days until October 15th, with additional language included stating that the Governor does not intend to close businesses. Without the extension of the emergency declaration, Kansas would lose access to federal CARES funding. Further extensions of the disaster declaration after October 15th will require approval of the State Finance Council.
In addition, the State Finance Council reviewed extensions of several of Governor Kelly’s Executive Orders which deal with a broad range of activities including extension of driver licenses, heavier trucks and movement of commodities and essential goods across the state. These executive orders will be extended through January 26, 2021.
Message from KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz
Good afternoon,
I’m pleased to share this progress update on implementing the IKE Transportation Program. As of last week, all the new partnership programs created under IKE have been launched! Key elements of the new Short Line Rail Improvement Fund program: Program includes facilitates maintenance, rail relay and the rehabilitation of track, bridge, industrial leads, and sidings on Class II or III (short line) railroads in Kansas. The program will have $5 million available for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Participants are required to provide 30% of the total project cost in matching funds. Applications for the first round were due Aug. 3rd and announcements will be made this month.