Tag: Kansas

Kansas unemployment rate holds steady at 2.4% in July, economy adds private-sector jobs

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Topeka — The unemployment rate in Kansas remained at 2.4% in July with growth of 4,000 private-sector jobs and a decline of 500 in the government workforce.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Kansas Department of Labor said a pair of monthly surveys — one of employers and the other of households — indicated Kansas’ jobless rate stood at 2.4% in July and June.

The rate in 2022 has flowed from a high of 2.6% in January to a low of 2.3% in May.

“Kansas and the U.S. have maintained relatively low unemployment rates so far in 2022, with Kansas remaining at 2.4% and the U.S. reaching 3.5% in July,” said Amber Shultz, secretary of the state Department of Labor.

In 2021, the Kansas unemployment rate ranged from 3.8% in January to 2.8% in December. During July of last year, Kansas had a rate of 3.4%.

The seasonally adjusted job estimate for Kansas showed total nonfarm payroll, which includes private sector and government employers, increased by 3,500 in July. That number was the result of 4,000 additional private-sector workers combined with 500 fewer government workers.

Emilie Doerksen, a state labor department economist, said the Kansas manufacturing industry expanded by 1,500 jobs. The growth also reflected 1,000 hires in the trade, transportation and utility sector, she said.

Since July 2021, nonfarm employment has risen by 13,500 in Kansas. It represented 16,700 additional private-sector jobs and a reduction of 3,200 government employees.

The federal labor bureau reported July jobless figures of Kansas’ four border states, compared to June: Nebraska, 2% in July, up from 1.9% in June; Missouri, 2.5%, down from 2.8%; Oklahoma, 3%, up from 2.9%; and Colorado, 3.3%, down from 3.4%.

Kansas Reflector stories, www.kansasreflector.com, may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
See more at https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-unemployment-rate-holds-steady-at-2-4-in-july-economy-adds-private-sector-jobs/

Kansas Rep. Gail Finney remembered as champion for Wichita, warrior for justice

by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

Topeka — Rep. Gail Finney’s colleagues mourned her death Saturday and remembered the Wichita Democrat as a fierce advocate for child welfare, a warrior for justice, a champion for her community, and a shining example of a public servant.

Finney’s death was announced by fellow Democrats on social media. She was 63.

“Kansas lost a warrior today,” said Gov. Laura Kelly. “No one fought harder for her constituents, for her community, for justice and equity.”

House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer described Finney as “a real fighter,” noting that she continued to serve in the Legislature this past session while recovering from a kidney transplant. Sawyer, who is also a Wichita Democrat, said Finney’s “love for Wichita knew no bounds.”

“Finney was a shining example of a public servant,” Sawyer said. “Her ongoing work to ensure her community’s proper representation in Topeka reflected an admirable commitment to her neighbors and community.”

Finney had served in the House since 2009 and did not file for reelection this year. She was a member of committees that deal with criminal justice reform, financial institutions, rural development, and insurance and pensions.

Finney fought for foster care reforms, decriminalizing marijuana, and improved accounting for maternal deaths.

“My heart is breaking,” said Rep. Susan Concannon, a Beloit Republican who serves as chairwoman of the Children and Seniors Committee. “Rep. Finney was a fierce advocate for child welfare issues and a foster parent herself.”

Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat, said Finney was “whip-smart, funny and tough,” and “a shining example of constituent advocacy.”

Finney took on Evergy after the utility giant replaced wooden poles directly in front of her constituents’ homes with massive metal ones, some five feet wide and 105 feet tall. Finney’s public scrutiny of the “big ass poles,” as she called them, led Evergy to renegotiate with property owners and make other investments in Finney’s district.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said Finney championed her community and stood up for those who were overlooked in the legislative process.

“She was a wonderful colleague to all, a cherished friend to many, and an incomparable advocate for our state,” Sykes said.

Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Leavenworth Democrat who served with Finney in the House for four years, said Finney “understood what it meant to persevere through adversity.”

“I enjoyed working with her to make the world a more just place and will miss her,” Pittman said.

Kansas Reflector stories, www.kansasreflector.com, may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
See more at https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/20/kansas-rep-gail-finney-remembered-as-champion-for-wichita-warrior-for-justice/

Kansas recount affirms early trend: Johnson narrowly defeats Tyson in GOP treasurer’s race

Voters cast 431,000 Republican ballots in contest with gap of less than 500

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Topeka — State Sen. Caryn Tyson conceded the Republican Party’s nomination for state treasurer amid a recount she sought in six counties that barely nudged the needle in an extremely close primary.

Tyson, a GOP senator from Parker in eastern Kansas, sent a message Thursday to supporters of her campaign who provided donations, walked door-to-door, put up yard signs and prayed on her behalf. She lost by less than 500 votes out of 431,000 cast statewide.

“While our campaign is over,” she said, “I will continue to work to protect our freedoms and to make Kansas a shining state in the nation. Over the course of the campaign, I have been blessed to meet and get to know so many amazing Kansans.”

Unofficial returns from the Aug. 2 primary and additional ballots processed by counties during the canvassing showed state Rep. Steven Johnson, of Assaria in central Kansas, with a lead of 475 votes.

Tyson sought a recount in Barton, Cloud, Dickinson, Harvey, McPherson and Ottawa counties. The secretary of state’s office said the recount in four of those counties shaved five votes from Johnson’s lead. The recount in McPherson and Cloud counties remained unofficial, but Johnson’s campaign said results in those two counties wouldn’t flip outcome of the primary.

Johnson has turned his attention to the November contest against Treasurer Lynn Rogers, a Democrat appointed to the position by Gov. Laura Kelly following resignation of Republican Jake LaTurner, who now serves in the U.S. House.

“We didn’t lose any ground while we waited for all the legally cast ballots to be counted,” Johnson said. “Our team hit the ground running knowing this process could take weeks to complete.”

Johnson raised about $100,000 in days following the primary election, and his campaign manager urged Republicans to unify behind the GOP nominee.

“I want to thank my opponent for her willingness to run and for her continued service to this great state,” Johnson said. “I also want to thank my many volunteers and supporters who have been critical in winning a close race where every voter contact mattered. With our base of support we are well-positioned to win the general election.”

Kansas Reflector stories, www.kansasreflector.com, may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
See more at https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/19/kansas-recount-affirms-early-trend-johnson-narrowly-defeats-tyson-in-gop-treasurers-race/