One could say Friday’s decision by the Kansas State Finance Council to extend the state’s disaster declaration could be considered “the price of business.”
The Finance Council ultimately passed a measure to extend the current declaration ending Tuesday to Oct. 15. Before the final vote, however, the Finance Council also secured a commitment from Governor Laura Kelly she does not intend to close businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic, even though she has the authority to do so. Kelly initially resisted that push by Republicans on the committee, saying the language was unnecessary.
The hearing grew heated at several times as Democrats and Republicans accused the other side of politicizing the pandemic.
The Finance Council’s decision to extend the declaration came after a compromise package developed by lawmakers and signed by Kelly in June. The declaration was extended from June to Sept. 25, but Kelly needed Finance Council permission to extend again through Sept. 30 and she also needed the council’s OK to spend federal relief money. She also needed approval from the Kansas State Board of Education to close schools outright.
Kelly has said the extension is needed to keep federal funds coming to Kansas and to continue smooth emergency management operations at the state level. The declaration is also considered vital for suspending speedy trial requirements.
Kelly has already said she plans to seek another extension before the new Oct. 15 deadline.
