Public Policy Forum

At the UCS Public Policy Forum on January 7, Representative Jill Quigley, Senator Tim Owens and Senator John Vratil discussed the issues that they expect to receive attention during the Kansas Legislative Session. Representative Quigley, who serves on the House Health and Human Service Committee, identified the Clean Indoor Air Act, childhood obesity, day care inspections, and licensure for addiction counselors among the issues that may be considered. Senator Owens, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, plans to hear bills focused on state’s rights and the death penalty. He is championing Kate’s Law which concerns autism. Senator Owens chairs the DUI commission and expects to bring forth a plan prior to next year’s session.

Senator Vratil, Ways and Means Vice-Chair, focused on the state budget. He made it clear that without a tax increase, the budget will have to be cut and that a budget cut will harm state programs. He emphasized that grass-roots support is essential for revenue enhancements and/or increases to be passed. It is not enough for community organizations to advocate for maintaining services, they must also advocate for revenue to support those services.

Poverty in Johnson County and Kansas

The number of people in Johnson County living below the federal poverty level increased 55% between 2000 and 2008. That compares to a statewide increase of 22%. Only Lyon County had an increase greater than Johnson County . For more comparisons to Kansas data see UCS’ latest Fact Sheet.

School-Age Children and Youth Trends Report

Nearly 140,000 Johnson County residents are under age 18; approximately 90,000 attend one of the county’s public schools. UCS’ School-Age Children and Youth Trends Report provides information on indicators that reflect conditions for children and youth, and presents data for a variety of factors that affect the ability to learn, such as language and poverty. Among the data:

•  Enrollment in English as a Second Language tripled over the past ten years.

•  64 languages were spoken by students in the Shawnee Mission District during the 2008-09 school year.

•  The number of children at the poverty level increased 61% between 2000 and 2008. During the same period, the child population increased 14%.

•  5.1% of Johnson County children live below the poverty level.

UCS Human Service Awards

Congratulations to the UCS 2009 Human Service Award recipients. Honorees were selected by the UCS board of directors and recognized at the UCS annual meeting.

•  Kansas State Senator John Vratil, UCS Distinguished Public Service Award;

•  Sue Bond, UCS Citizen of the Year; and

•  Evergreen Living Innovations, Inc. (formerly Johnson County Nursing Center), UCS Excellence in Community Service Award.

“It’s important that we recognize the dramatic impact each of the winners has made in improving the quality of life in our community,” said Brad Stratton, UCS board president. “Each has worked diligently for causes that make Johnson County a great place to live and work.”

Click here for information on the honorees, plus a list of past recipients.