June 2015 – Page 59 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Health advisory issued for flooding

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a health advisory for all portions of the state that may experience high stream flows or flooding.

In addition to the physical dangers associated with entering swift moving waters, there is also a potential for high levels of pathogens to exist in the water, the KDHE stated. Pathogens can cause illness in humans and animals.

Waters can carry pathogens from surface runoff as well as from partially treated sewage. At flood levels, wastewater treatment systems in low lying areas are prone to flooding. Once flooded, wastewater systems are compromised and pathogens can escape to the surrounding floodwaters and carried downstream.

The potential for pathogens to cause illness is often measured by an indicator bacterium called E. coli. While all rivers contain bacteria, some bacteria are naturally occurring whereas others can cause illness or can indicate the presence of other illness causing pathogens such as viruses and protozoa. These illnesses can cause a variety of symptoms including skin, ear, respiratory, eye, wound infections and diarrhea.

KDHE anticipates elevated levels of pathogens in state surface waters as a result of excessive runoff and flooding in Kansas and upstream of Kansas, the spokesman said. Kansans are advised to avoid contact with waters experiencing high flows and flooding.

Pets and livestock should also be restricted from contact with flood water. These precautions should be observed until flooding is no longer present.

For more information regarding flood safety and clean up, visit the KDHE’s disaster recovery page: http://www.kdheks.gov/disaster_recovery.htm.

Burroughs criticizes tax bill passed by House

The Kansas House of Representatives passed a tax package in the early hours of Friday morning. The Senate met Friday morning and went into a recess until Friday afternoon, when it could vote on the bill.

“There is only one word to describe the tax bill that passed the House,” House Democratic Leader Tom Burroughs, D-33rd Dist., said, “depressing.”

“Not only is this the largest tax increase in Kansas history, it is also unfair because it raises the tax burden on poor, middle class, and working families. Kansans will now pay more for everyday essentials like groceries as a result of the increased sales tax rate, while simultaneously paying more in income taxes due to the elimination of certain itemized deductions. We are literally increasing the cost of living in Kansas on those who can afford it the least,” Burroughs said.

Burroughs outlined how the bill hurts Kansas citizens:

“This bill makes it even harder to be a student in Kansas by reducing money that goes into public classrooms.

“This bill makes it even harder to be a middle class family in Kansas by increasing the sales tax on all purchases.

“This bill makes it even harder to be a senior in Kansas by eliminating and reducing itemized deductions.

“This bill makes it even harder to be poor in Kansas by raising 80 percent of the revenue in a regressive manner.”

And, Burroughs criticized the bill for failing to address the root of the problem:

“This bill does not reverse Brownback’s failed experiment.

“This bill does not end the governor’s “march to zero” and is not sustainable.”

“This bill does not require businesses to pay income taxes.

“This bill does not put Kansas on a sustainable path to financial solvency.”

“It’s appalling Republicans voted for a tax plan that burdens three million individual Kansans with higher taxes, just so 330,000 businesses can continue to pay nothing,” Burroughs said. “It is well past time for them to admit: Brownback’s tax plan has failed.”

Rain possible in next five days; flooding risk increases

Multiple rounds of heavy rain are possible through the weekend and into early next week with thunderstorms likely throughout the next five days, according to the National Weather Service.

Widespread 2.5-inch amounts of rain are likely with some areas seeing up to 5-inch amounts, according to the weather service.

Flash flooding is possible and river flooding will be exacerbated, according to the weather service.

The threat for severe thunderstorms is low through the weekend and into early next week, the weather service said.

Today, the high will be near 78 with a 50 percent of rain. It was 70 degrees at 9 a.m.

Tonight’s low will be around 67, with a 70 percent chance of rain, the weather service said.

Saturday, expect a high near 79 with a 60 percent chance of rain.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.

A chart shows the Missouri River at Kansas City is expected to rise into the action stage on Sunday, still remaining below the flood stage. (NOAA chart)

A chart shows the Kansas River at 23rd Street in Kansas City, Kan., is expected to rise into the action stage on Saturday, still remaining below the flood stage. (NOAA chart)