Federal Stimulus: What it means to Kansans

The Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has passed and is in the process to be implemented. The purpose of the Recovery Act, also known as the economic stimulus bill, is to create and save jobs, jumpstart our economy, and build the foundation for long-term economic growth. The Act includes measures to modernize the nation's infrastructure, enhance America's energy independence, expand educational opportunities, increase access to health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. This now generates questions above and beyond "should it pass?" Questions pop up such as how will these monies affect the states and how much will Kansas get? How is this money going to be used? Where did this money come from? Some answers to these questions will need to wait until the funding available in this bill is allocated; until then, see the resources below for available answers and much more information:

From the U.S. government:

New! Kansas Department of Transportation lists transportation projects that would utilize ARRA monies
http://www.ksdot.org/EconomicStimulus.asp

Real and valid grants available from Federal Agencies via ARRA
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=Search&dates=7&docs1=doc_open_checked

Quick FAQ from the Whitehouse:
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/frequently-asked-questions#2

You will be able to track the funds when they have been allocated at:
http://www.recovery.gov/

Full text of the actual stimulus bill
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.1:
or
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1enr.pdf

To view the committee report on this act go to:
http://www.rules.house.gov/bills_details.aspx?NewsID=4149

To meet the acts' objectives, the President is directing Federal agencies to take critical steps in preparation for the Act’s implementation. See here, for the White House’s February 9, 2009 initial implementation memorandum and February 18 detailed guidance memorandum.
http://www.recovery.gov/files/recoverylegislationmemo.pdf

http://www.recovery.gov/files/Initial%20Recovery%20Act%20Implementing%20Guidance.pdf

Timeline of the Act and implementation:
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/timeline

How your tax dollars to be used according to this act:
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/investments

Speaker Pelosi's highlights of the act:
http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/legislation?id=0273

Word from President Obama:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/president-obama-delivers-your-weekly-address/
or
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/24/obama.speech/index.html?eref=rss_topstories#cnnSTCVideo

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Advisory Group:
http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/2009/nr-09-0123a.htm

Summary of the effects on the economy by the Congressional Budget Office:
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/99xx/doc9987/Gregg_Year-by-Year_Stimulus.pdf


From the Kansas Government:
Governor's press release, "Federal Stimulus: The action we need to put America back to work"
http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/GovColumn/col09-0211g.htm

Quick highlights:
http://www.governor.ks.gov/recovery/highlights.htm

Sebelius forms group to prepare Kansas for Federal stimulus bill:
www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/2009/nr-09-0123a.htm

Governor Sebelius’ statement on the American recovery act: www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/2009/nr-09-0213a-st.htm

Kansas Health Policy Authority and Medicaid monies available for Kansas:
http://www.khpa.ks.gov/LegislativeInformation/Testimony/2-23-09%20ARRA%20fact%20sheet.pdf

Monies for projects for roads and highways:
http://www.ksdot.org/EconomicStimulus.asp

The Governor's Budget

Last night, January 12th, Governor Sebelius gave her State of the State Address. This is a speech in which the governor details the current state of affairs to the state legislature as well as discussing her ideas for the state budget. The Governor's budget is a report that details where state funding comes from, the governor's goals for the following year, what each state agency has previously received and should receive as funding from your state taxes. Governor Sebelius is releasing her published State Budget today, January 13th at 10:00 am. See the resources below to find out more about state appropriations and financing and how your tax dollars are being used:

Full text of the Governor's State of the State Address:
http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/sp-stateofstate2009.htm

Full text of the Governor's Budget will be at:
http://budget.ks.gov/gbr.htm

Governor's homepage:
http://www.governor.ks.gov/

As the Legislature works the state appropriations, you can find out details at http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Appropriations.html

Information on current state revenues:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Revenue&Tax.htm

Review audits of current state agency functions at:
http://www.kslegislature.org/postaudit/

To tell your legislator your thoughts on the Governor's Budget call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 and the staff there can relay your message to your legislator. Your representative's or senator's emails will be available at www.kslegislature.org shortly. If needed, you can find out who your legislator is at http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-legisportal/redistricting.do

State and Personal Finances

At a time of financial uncertainty it a good idea to be aware of how government can assist you. Below is a list of Kansas state agencies and how they oversee and regulate firms, activities and individuals while educating and assisting Kansas citizens. We've also included some other online resources that might be of help to you in understanding economic issues in our state.

More questions? Contact us!

KANSAS STATE AGENCIES

Kansas Department of Credit Unions
http://www.kansas.gov/kdcu/
(The mission of the Kansas Department of Credit Unions is to protect Kansas citizens and credit union members from undue risk through the examination and supervision of Kansas chartered credit unions to ensure safe and sound operation and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.)

Kansas Division of Consumer Protection, Attorney General's Office
http://www.ksag.org/content/page/id/39
(This Division investigates scams, mediates and prosecutes violations of the Consumer Protection Act, Kansas Charitable Organization and Solicitations Act, the Funeral and Cemetery Merchandise Agreements Act and the Kansas Cemetery Corporation Act.)

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
http://www.kshousingcorp.org/programs/htc.shtml
(The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation mission is to enhance Kansas communities with housing opportunities. This goal is achieved through using a variety of strategies and approaches, including increasing homeownership opportunities, leveraging the construction of more affordable rental housing, preserving existing housing through rehabilitation, promoting energy efficiency improvements for owner-occupied and rental housing, providing affordable housing through rent assistance to low-income families and senior citizens, and creating housing opportunities for previously underserved persons and communities.)

Kansas Insurance Department
http://www.ksinsurance.org/
(The Kansas Insurance Department regulates and reviews companies, educates consumers, assists consumers, and licenses agents selling insurance products in the state.)

Kansas Office of the Securities Commissioner
http://www.securities.state.ks.us/home.html
(The mission of the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner is to protect and inform Kansas investors, to promote integrity and full disclosure in financial services, and to foster capital formation.)

Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner
http://www.osbckansas.org/
(The mission of the Office of the State Bank Commissioner is to ensure the integrity of regulated providers of financial services through responsible and proactive oversight, while protecting and educating consumers.)

Kansas State Treasurer
http://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/prodweb/index.php
(The mission of the State Treasurer's Office is to participate in the management of public funds to ensure safe and sound financial practices that benefit the people of Kansas. Through efficient and effective use of public and private resources, we will partner with Kansas citizens in the pursuit of their financial security.)

OTHER SITES

Publications on the status of Kansas' economy
http://www.kansasinc.org

Kansas Economic Opportunity Initiatives Fund- disaster assistance funding available to businesses
http://www.kansascommerce.com/IndexPages/Pgm01.aspx?mod=bd&rscId=997371512988

Kansas Economic Development Alliance
http://www.kansaseda.com/

Kansas economic data summary:
http://www.kslib.info/sdc/business.html
http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/esum/