T H E KA N S AS
MILESTONE Summer 2022
IKE IN ACTION
Cost Share Program injects $130+ million into local projects
LEGISLATURE WRAPS UP SESSION KCA drives home wins on transportation issues
BANDING TOGETHER ON HEALTH INSURANCE
CIK plan helps KCA members control health insurance costs
THE OPIOID CRISIS Why it matters to your company and your families
KCA
KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
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KCA
KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
Summer 2022
18
Volume 2, Issue 1
On the cover:
OFFICERS
Bridge repairs and replacements are among the local projects funded by KDOT's Cost Share Program. KCA helped secure creation of the local-state partnership program in the IKE Plan.
Scott Anderson, President Summit Materials Chris Rech, Vice President A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc. Chad Girard, Treasurer APAC Kansas, Inc. - Shears Division Chris Spray, Immediate Past President Venture Corporation
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Trey Bowen, Director-at-Large Superior Bowen Asphalt Company, LLC Shane Ham, Supplier/Service Division Foley Equipment Co., Inc. Mike Hoffman, Grading & Railroads Division Alan’s Excavating, Inc. Heather Jantz, Director-at-Large MJE, LLC Kevin Koehler, Director-at-Large Dustrol Inc. Travis Rose, Director-at-Large Bridges Inc. Rocky Seybert, Flexible Paving Division Venture Corp. Jeff Shaw, Utility Infrastructure Division APAC Kansas, Inc. - Shears Division Steve Sloan, Supplier/Service Division Midwest Minerals Josh Smith, Director-at-Large Klaver Construction Co. Jeanne Waisner, Rigid Paving Division Koss Construction Co.
STAFF
Michael White, Executive Director mwhite@webuildkansas.com Nancy Delgado, Administrative Assistant ndelgado@webuildkansas.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 3
4
8
10 12
18
20 22
24
President’s Message: The future's so bright
Legislature Wraps Up 2022 Session KCA drives home wins on transportation issues Construction Students Earn Scholarships ConEd Foundation raises $42,000+ for education Why the Opioid Crisis Matters to Kansas Contractors (and your families) IKE in Action: Cost Share Progam injects dollars into local projects CIK Health Insurance Trust Strength in numbers on employee health insurance Election Outlook 2022 Retirements, redistricting will bring new faces Member News: Awards, recognitions, promotions & more The Extra Mile: A message from KCA’s Executive Director
Published bi-annually by the Kansas Contractors Association
800 SW Jackson, Suite 100, Topeka, Kansas 66612, 785.266.4152
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OF KANSAS HEALTH TRUST AGC of Kansas, Kansas Contractors Association and IMA, Inc. partner together to help build the Construction Industry of Kansas Health Trust.
+ “The Construction Industry of Kansas Health Trust is a wonderful health insurance option for employers who are members of the KCA or the AGC of Kansas. What is unique about this health insurance plan is that it pools similar construction oriented companies into an insured group allowing for more straight lined, less volatile insurance premiums. In today’s uncertain health insurance world, it is imperative as employers we do all we can for our employees, and the Construction Industry of Kansas helps make this possible.”
IMA is a proud member of + Associated General Contractors (AGC) + Kansas Contractors Association (KCA) + Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) + National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
+ Chris Spray Vice President Venture Corporation, Chairman of CIK
Member benefits construction industry of Kansas Health Trust
Employers
Program established
with over 4,000 member lives
Plans & network
Average rate increase since 2013
Learn more about IMA’s partnership with CIK Health Trust
imacorp.com/cik
Your IMA Contacts
CHRISTY POWELL
RYAN POWELL
Vice President
Vice President
316.266.6589
316.266.6230
christy.powell@imacorp.com
ryan.powell@imacorp.com
This material is for general information only and should not be considered as a substitute for legal, medical, tax and/or actuarial advice. Contact the appropriate professional counsel for such matters. These materials are not exhaustive and are subject to possible changes in applicable laws, rules, and regulations and their interpretations. NPN 1316541 | IMA, Inc dba IMA Insurance Services California Lic #0H64724
©The IMA Financial Group, Inc. 2021 08/2021
PRES IDENT ’ S MES S A G E
The future's so bright
BY SCOTT ANDERSON, SUMMIT MATERIALS KCA PRESIDENT
Things are going great, and they're only getting better ... The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades. In the heat of this summer, we're probably all wearing our shades a bit more than usual. But, that popular song from the 1980s also makes me reflect on some of the things emerging in heavy construction that make me optimistic about just how bright the future of our industry is.
Cost Share program getting local projects across the finish line
In this issue of the Milestone, we take a look at how the Cost Share program is working. This program was championed by KCA and the Legislature when we passed the IKE Plan in 2020. The concept is simple, but the results we're seeing so far are significant. Through the program, local communities can bring a project plan to the table and – combined with local funds – apply for state dollars to get the project over the finish line. So far, the program has infused more than $130 million into local projects that may not have otherwise been possible.
Construction students get $37,500 in tuition assistance from KCA members
It's equally promising to read through the essays and recommendation letters submitted by this year's ConEd Foundation scholarship applicants. While their stories differ, their goals are largely the same: to learn all they can in school about the construction industry and to make a difference through their careers building the roads, bridges and infrastructure that make our nation tick.
To be sure, the dollars we raise to make these scholarships possible are being invested in some really good kids – kids who have survived childhood illnesses or picked up the mantle when their parents faced major health issues ... kids who are navigating how to pay for college or navigating the process in general as the first-generation in their families to attend college ... kids who were born into the construction industry and kids who found their way to the industry through a teacher who went the extra mile. So, thank you for the contributions you've made to support the ConEd Foundation. I know that our companies and our communities will be better with these future graduates headed our way.
Future leaders take an interest in the advocacy side of our world
We had the opportunity last month to spend some time with more of our industry's future leaders during our first Day at the Capitol. Seventeen interns from KCA member companies joined our team in Topeka for a day where they met with legislative leaders and KDOT officials and learned about the impact these partnerships have on our livelihoods. With all of these things in play, and more to come, I know our future is in good hands. Please reach out to me at Scott.Anderson@Summit-Materials.com if you have ideas on more ways we can be laying the groundwork for our future.
KCA PAGE 3 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
2 02 2 LEG ISLA TIV E R EP OR T
Legislature wraps up
2022 SESSION
KCA drives home wins on transportation issues The Legislature wrapped up the 2022 session after returning to Topeka May 23 for a second Veto Session. The second Veto was scheduled in the event the Legislature would need to redraw redistricting maps. However, the courts decided in favor of the Legislature, ruling the Congressional, Kansas Senate, Kansas House and Kansas Board of Education maps constitutional. On the transportation front, we fared well again this Session – an indication of the hard work that we all have put into strengthening the message, political action and influence of our industry. In this report, I’ve provided a recap of the core transportation, budget, tax and employer issues that impact you and your company. If I may answer questions or provide additional details on these or other bills, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 785.250.8443 or mwhite@webuildkansas.com.
TRANSPORTATION BUDGET
Full Funding for Transportation Passes. The Legislature passed a budget bill for Fiscal Year 2023. Senate Bill 267 included full funding – $2.0 billion in All Funds – for transportation, including funding for delayed T-Works projects and the Eisenhower (IKE) Legacy Transportation Plan. No Extraordinary Transfers from Highway Fund. The Governor and the Legislature eliminated extraordinary transfers from the State Highway Fund in Fiscal Year 2023. This includes eliminating transfers to the Department for Aging & Disability Services ($9.8 million), the Office of Emergency Communications ($320,000), and for debt service on the Statehouse bonds ($20.4 million). A transfer to the State General Fund was also eliminated. From 2014 through 2018, the state transferred more than $1.7 billion out of the Department of Transportation – often referred to as the “Bank of KDOT” – into other parts of the state budget. Since that time, the size of the extraordinary transfer has gradually decreased from $316 million in 2019 to $97 million in 2022 to $0 in 2023. The budget does continue the use of ordinary transfers from the Highway Fund, including an additional transfer of $20 million to the Kansas Highway Patrol for the one-time purchase of upgraded aircraft and an executive airplane.
TAXES
Transportation Revenues Held Harmless in Food Sales Tax Reduction. House Bill 2106 will take a phased-in approach to eliminating the state sales tax on food. Most notably, the reduction will hold transportation funding from the sales tax harmless. Beginning January 1, 2023, the state sales tax rate on food would be reduced from 6.5 percent to 4.0 percent. The rate would then be further reduced to 2.0 percent on January 1, 2024, and to 0.0 percent on January 1, 2025. The bill would change the percentage of sales tax revenue distribution to provide the State Highway Fund with 17.0 percent of sales and use tax receipts beginning January 1, 2023, and 18.0 percent of sales and use tax receipts beginning January 1, 2024. KCA successfully defeated proposals to eliminate the food sales tax that would have caused a loss in transportation revenues. Those proposals included Senate Bill 339, House Bill 2711 and House Bill 2720, which would have cut an estimated $437.9 million from the State Highway Fund for Fiscal Year 2023-2026. TABOR effort stalls this year. Senators introduced a TABOR-like Constitutional Amendment this session. SCR 1620 would require a two-thirds majority vote of both the Senate and House in order to pass any bill CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
KCA PAGE 5 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
that creates a new state tax or increases the rate of any existing state tax. KCA and other stakeholders opposed the measure over concerns that it would starve future state revenues, making it more difficult for the state to fund transportation and other essential services and impeding the state’s ability to respond to unplanned economic circumstances. SCR 1620 passed the Senate, however, it was not considered in the House.
government during the pandemic – to receive property tax refunds up to $5,000. The bill also eliminates the requirement that Kansas retailers with an annual sales tax liability of $40,000+ front the funds to remit estimated payments. Retailers would instead remit sales tax on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis after the tax has been collected.
$310 million in Tax Relief, including Short-Line Railroad Tax Credits & changes to SALT Parity. HB 2239 includes a number of tax cuts and credits, including: $40 million per year in property tax relief for Kansas homeowners by increasing the amount of a home’s value that is exempt from property taxes under the 20 mill statewide school finance levy; A non-refundable tax credit for donors to Kansas technical colleges and community colleges; $26 million in income tax credits for qualified track maintenance expenses for short-line (Class II or Class III) railroads; and $24 million in income tax credit for employers in the aviation sector for certain tuition or course fee reimbursements paid to full-time qualified employees. HB 2239 makes changes to the SALT (State & Local Tax) Parity Act by allowing certain pass-through entities the option to pay Kansas income taxes at the entity level instead of by individual owners of the pass-through entity. It also equalizes treatment of SALT deduction between C-Corps and pass-through entities where individuals have a cap of $10,000 paid in state and local txes that can be deducted because of changes in federal tax code. C-Corps do not have a cap on state and local taxes paid.
Allowing driverless vehicles on Kansas roads. Senate Bill 313, passed during the Veto Session, would create a pathway for driverless cars and trucks on Kansas roadways. The original version of the bill was limited to commercial trucks that followed specific routes from a distribution facility to retail outlets. As the legislative session evolved, the bill was amended to include large trucks, passenger vehicles and transportation network companies. Driverless vehicles require installation of special navigational stripes on roads, however, the cost for installation of the stripes was not readily available during the Legislature’s debate. Governor Kelly was expected to veto the bill based on her prior veto of a bill that would have allowed companies like Amazon to utilize autonomous delivery vehicles in Kansas. However, she signed SB 313 into law.
Retailers no longer required to prepay sales tax, storefronts closed by COVID eligible for property tax refunds. During the second Veto Session, the Legislature passed House Bill 2136, which provides a mechanism for Kansas storefront retailers – that were ordered closed or restricted by the
TRANSPORTATION
Prohibiting teen drivers from using a cell phone in construction zones. The Senate Transportation Committee passed out Senate Bill 332, which would have prohibited the use mobile phones by drivers under age 18 in a school zone or construction zone. The bill was not brought to the Senate floor for consideration.
LEGAL & HUMAN RESOURCES
Legislature overrides Governor on welfare work/ training requirements. The Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto of House Bill 2448. The bill is intended to get more Kansans back to work by requiring able-bodied adults who are age 18 to 49
and not already working at least 30 hours per week to complete an employment and training program in order to be eligible for food assistance benefits. The requirement does not apply to adults who are caring for children or other dependents. Additional reform of Unemployment Insurance. House Bill 2703 builds on changes made in 2021 to unemployment insurance. Specifically, it makes statutory changes to the employer contribution rate tables so that employers are properly charged and not over-taxed; and allows employer tax credits to be used if the trust fund balance is achieved, which prevents $50 million in additional UI taxes if the trust fund reaches the projected $1 billion balance. The bill also changes the claimant participation requirement in the My Reemployment Program (MRP) from three continuous weeks of UI benefits to three or more weeks of benefits in the current benefit year. This change will keep claimants from stopping their job search after two weeks and staying in the UI system longer. Liability protections for work-based learning programs. Senate Bill 91 exempts businesses from certain liability claims from a secondary student participating in a work-based learning program. Under the new law, school districts will be responsibile for a student's loss related to an accidental bodily injury, sickness or death that is caused by a negligent act or omission caused by a student or business. Immunity would not be provided for the student or business for gross negligence or willful misconduct. Surcharge on credit card transactions remains illegal in Kansas. Senate Bill 331 would repeal the state’s prohibition on credit card surcharges, allowing businesses and other entities to apply a surcharge on credit card and debit card transactions. SB 331 passed the House but the Senate did not bring the bill up for a vote.
OTHER ISSUES OF INTEREST
Sports betting passes. The Legislature agreed on a plan to allow sports wagering in Kansas. Senate Bill 84 will allow the state’s casinos to offer mobile apps for placing bets. It would also allow each of the four casinos to make deals with 50 businesses to offer sports betting. At least 20% of those must be non-profit fraternal or veterans groups. The bill also authorizes “historical horse racing,” which are similar to slot machines, to be implemented at the former Greyhound Park in Wichita. A 10% tax rate will be applied on sports bets placed in person or online, which is estimated to generate $1.8 million in tax revenues in 2023. 80% of revenues from sports wagering will be invested in efforts to attract a professional sports franchise to Kansas, presumably the Kansas City Chiefs. Governor vetoes prohibition on mask mandates. The Legislature approved of Senate Bill 34 during the Veto Session, which would bar any government in Kansas from ordering mask mandates in response to a contagious or infectious disease. The bill also would bar any governments from requiring COVID-19 vaccination passports or issuing a vaccine passport to any individual without their consent. The Governor vetoed the bill and the Legislature did not consider an override. Kansas establishes 988 suicide/mental health hotline. Addressing mental health issues in the construction industry has been a priority for KCA members over the past year. In line with those efforts, legislators passed Senate Bill 19, which will create a 988 suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline in Kansas. As an alternative to using the 911 system, the 988 system will connect people in crisis to immediate assistance.
CONED SCHO LA RS HIP S
Reed Adelhardt
Ashton Burrows
Garren Champoux
Garrison Craig
Jeremiah Diaz
Morgan Hastings
Ethan Heis
Noah Jacobson
Tanner Meadows
Austin Muth
WICHITA Construction Management Fort Hays State University
CARBONDALE Mechanical Engineering Pittsburg State University
HUGOTON Construction Management Fort Hays State University
SALINA Construction Science Kansas State University
HOME Construction Management Fort Hays State University
ST. MARYS Industrial Design/Architecture Kansas State University
MARYSVILLE Construction Management Kansas State University
BLUE RAPIDS Construction Technology Manhattan Technical College
AURORA, MO Construction Engineering Pittsburg State University
NEWTON Construction Science Kansas State University
21 students earn ConEd scholarships KCA's Construction Education Foundation awarded $37,500 to 21 students this year, helping them to continue their education. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $750,000 for construction programs at Kansas colleges and universities as well as scholarships for students pursuing a degree in the construction field.
Here's a look at what some of this year's recipients had to say about the events that have shaped their education and what drew them to the industry: "I grew up loving construction when I was a kid because of my father. He would take me out on jobsites, and I got to see all the different heavy equipment move dirt, rock and asphalt. When I was 5 years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia. The construction company my father worked for gave me construction equipment toys as a hospital gift since I was so fascinated with the heavy equipment." PAGE 8
KCA
KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
"Although our lives changed, my dad's stroke brought us closer together as a family. School became a place I looked forward to going. It was during this time that I grew to really look forward to my shop classes." "I love the people you get to interact with, and I love to see the projects on paper come to life." "Being exposed to mechanically inclined people has had a great impact on me and sparked my interest. I fell in love with finding things that did not work and bringing them back to life ... The first time I heard about construction management I was a freshman in high school. I was blown away with the opportunities it had along with the ability to work with my hands." "I am extremely thankful for this scholarship opportunity. I can't wait to make a difference and get to work on the ever-changing infrastructure."
Conor Eitel
Christian Engroff
Jack Fisher
Aden Rausch
Luke Reitz
Matthew Rodriguez Noah Schacklett
HUMBOLDT Construction Management Pittsburg State University
SHARON Construction Management Hutchinson Comm College
Coral Stewart NORTON Civil Engineering University of Kansas
COLUMBUS Construction Management Pittsburg State University
SENECA Construction Science Kansas State University
Nolan Wild
PRAIRIE VILLAGE Civil Engineering Kansas State University
ELLSWORTH Construction Management Fort Hays State University
Preston Gover
HUTCHINSON Business Administration Kansas State University
Zeke Haag
ELLIS Construction Management Fort Hays State University
OVERLAND PARK Construction Management Pittsburg State University
CONED
Kansas Construction Education Foundation
PECULIAR, MO Construction Management Pittsburg State University
VANKEPPEL TEAM WINS CONED GOLF TOURNEY, GOLFERS RAISE $42,200 FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
The VanKeppel team – Jason Cole, Mike Cole, Rob Franklin and Brady Romine – won this year's ConEd Foundation Golf Tournament. They are the first team to be awarded the new Kitson Cup, a trophy named in honor of Curt Kitson from Monarch Cement Company (pictured center). Curt is a longtime supporter of the ConEd Tournament, which raised $42,200 this year for construction programs and scholarships.
KCA PAGE 9 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
Why the opioid crisis matters to Kansas contractors (and your families) BY CAL BEYER AND MOLLY MEEK
The opioid crisis has plagued the nation since the late 1990s. The latest wave of overdose deaths struck the state of Kansas exceedingly hard. Overall overdose deaths in Kansas grew 43%, from 476 in 2020 to 680 in 2021. This percentage increase was second only to Alaska’s 75% increase. 53% of all overdoses in 2020 were attributable to opioids.
Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 80100 times stronger than morphine. Synthetic opioids are cheaper and easier to make and distribute. As a result, fentanyl is used to make counterfeit prescription pills that are deadly.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 107,622 overdose deaths in 2021. This was a 15% increase over 2020 following a 30% increase in 2019. Between 2019 and 2020, deaths from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids increased to over 71,000 from almost 58,000.
Unfortunately, national and statewide data has not been compiled to show overdose deaths by industry or occupation. In the few jurisdictions where public health agencies have calculated this data, construction is either the top one or two industry impacted greatest by opioids.
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Why Construction Is Impacted Hard By Opioids and Overdose Deaths
Here is why that matters:
Resources:
1. Overdose deaths inflict a toll on families, workplaces, communities, and the state economy. 2. Year after year, a portion of working aged adults and youth is lost to overdoses. The opioid crisis has shrunk the possible workforce candidate pool for industries like construction and manufacturing. 65.3% of the decedents are male compared to 34.7% female. 3. Nationally, the age group most affected by overdoses is those aged between 25-34 years. State data for 2021 is not yet available. However, data for 2020 confirms this trend for Kansas by age for opioid overdoses: < 24 yrs 20.2%
25-34 27.1%
35-44 19.1%
45-54 15.6%
55+ 18%
Source: KFF
4. Prescription medications continue to be source of new persistent opioid use in construction. In Waging a Counterattack Against Opioids in the Workplace and at Home, the increased frequency of opioid prescriptions among construction workers is highlighted. Moreover, prescription doses tend to be 20% stronger and for 20% longer durations. This contributes to persistent opioid use leading to addiction. This article highlights eight First-Dose Prevention Strategies to decrease the risk of opioids at home and in the workplace. 5. Surgery is a leading gateway to new persistent opioid use. Depending on the type of surgery, between 8-18% of patients are affected. Opioidsparing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols use up to 90% less opioids than conventional surgical methods. It is imperative for employees and dependents enrolled in contractor health benefit programs to know non-opioid medications exist. Moreover, multi-modal pain relief can be more effective at controlling post-surgical pain than opioids and without the risk of addiction. Become informed and be an advocate for yourself or any other family member scheduled for any medical or dental surgical procedures.
Ahmad, FB, Rossen LM, and Sutton P. Provisional drug overdose death counts. National Center for Health Statistics. 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/ drug-overdose-data.htm Beyer, Cal, and Newland, Brand. (October 10, 2021). Optimizing Surgical Outcomes. Insurance Thought Leadership. https://www.insurancethoughtleadership. com/life-health/optimizing-surgical-outcomes Beyer, Cal., Jones, Richard., and Newland, Brand. (April/ May 2022). Waging a Counterattack on Opioids in the Workplace and at Home. Construction Financial Management Association. (CFMA). Building Profits. https:// cfma.org/files/o-files/view-file/7eb2bd81-7ccf-46b3a3b6-aa71aa7dbfb1 KFF. Mental Health & Substance Use Indicators. Opioid Overdose Deaths. https://www.kff.org/state-category/ mental-health/opioids/
Cal Beyer, CWP, SCTPP is Vice President of Workforce Risk & Worker Wellbeing for Holmes Murphy. He’s been dedicated to construction risk and safety management since 1996. He was director of risk management and safety for a paving contractor in the Pacific Northwest from 2014-2020. He serves on the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Cal helped to launch the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Contact Cal at cbeyer@holmesmurphy.com or 651/307-7883. Molly Meek is an Employee Benefits Account Executive in the Kansas City office of Holmes Murphy. Molly collaborates with contractors to review and evaluate population health trends to design and implement costeffective employee benefit programs. Molly partners with clients to find innovative funding solutions for their benefits packages. She seeks to provide a competitive advantage for employers in recruiting and retaining employees through desirable employee benefit programs. Contact Molly at mmeek@ holmesmurphy.com or 816/857-7880.
KCA PAGE 11 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
IKE in Action
Bridge repairs and replacements are among the local projects funded by KDOT's Cost Share Program. KCA helped secure the local-state partnership program when the Eisenhower
Legacy (IKE) Transportation Plan passed in 2020. In this issue, we take a look at the impact of the Cost Share Program on communities around the state.
$103.1 million
IN STATE FUNDING
$74 million
IN LOCAL FUNDING
121 projects ACROSS THE STATE
IKE IN ACTION
Cost Share Program injects $103+ million into local infrastructure projects I-35 traffic signals in Johnson County and bridge improvements over Mound Creek in Pottawatomie County are among the latest projects funded by KDOT's Cost Share Program. This spring's Cost Share projects total more than $7 million. Overall, the program has generated more than $103 million in state funding – matched by more than $74 million in local funding – for community infrastructure projects.
What is the Cost Share Program?
The Cost Share Program was created in 2019 as part of the 10-year Eisenhower Legacy (IKE) Transportation Program that KCA championed with the Legislature. By leveraging both state and local dollars to fund community transportation projects, the program is designed to support job retention, relieve congestion, and increase access and mobility in both rural and urban areas. “We rely on local leaders to bring us their best ideas for projects that, with a little help, can make a significant difference in a community,” said KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Communities come to the table with a solid project plan, the support of local business and community members, and matching funds in place. State dollars help get the projects to the finish line.”
What types of projects does it fund?
Projects like the Arlington Road bridge in Reno County are an example of what the Cost Share Program funds. The bridge, a 200-foot long twolane bridge across the Ninnescah River on the eastern edge of Arlington, was estimated to cost PAGE 14
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$1.25 million to replace with a new 405-foot bridge. The existing bridge was an “aging and crumbling bridge that has exceeded its useful life,” said Reno County Public Works Director Don Brittain. The bridge’s load rating also did not meet current legal standards, according to Brittain. The Reno County Commission was among the local entities to send a letter to KDOT in support of the county's Fall 2020 application for cost-share funding. The county sought a 50 percent match through the program, which reduced the cost to the county by $625,000. Under the Cost Share program, communities may apply for up to $1 million in assistance for a wide range of highway, local road, bridge, rail, airport, bicycle, pedestrian and public transit projects – as long as they can provide at least a 15 percent local cash match.
How does a community apply?
KDOT opens the application process twice a year, generally in the Fall and Spring. See a sample application here: https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/ CostShare/Documents/spring2022/SAMPLE_ Spring_2022_Application.pdf Watch here for the Fall 2022 application to be released: https://www.ksdot.org/CostShare/ CostShareProgram.asp.
All Cost Share Project Locations to Date Part of the Kelly Administration’s IKE Transportation Program
Fall 2019
SUMMER 2020
Fall 2020
Spring 2021
Fall 2021
Spring 2022
Cost Share Program Projects (2019-2022) 2022 Projects (to date)
Bonner Springs
Traffic Signalization & Modernization
Bucklin
Main Street Sidewalk and Lighting
Ellis County
Cathedral Avenue reconstruction
Butler County
Haverhill Road Improvement Project
Erie
4th Street improvement, phase two
Carbondale
Main Street and 3rd Street Sidewalk
Fort Scott
Horton Street improvements
Chanute
21st and Plummer Intersection
Johnson County
I-35 and 24th Street traffic signals
Cheney
South Main Street Sidewalk
Lincoln County
60th Road pavement reclamation
Cherryvale
Cherryvale Street Rehabilitation
Logan
Logan Street reconstruction
Coffey County
Acceleration / Deceleration Lanes
North Newton
Sidewalk improvements
Colby
Country Club Drive Improvements
Olathe
Cedar Creek Trail, phase two
Derby
South Woodlawn Hike and Bike
Pottawatomie County
Havensville Road bridge
Dickinson County
1145 1st Road Bridge Replacement
Scott County
W. Road 270 improvements
Dodge City
Downtown Streetscape Project
Valley Center
Seneca Street reconstruction
Ellis County
Cathedral Avenue Improvements
Ellsworth County
FAS Bridge 490 Replacement
Ellsworth
Sidewalk Improvements
Garden Plain
North Main Street Sidewalks
Gove County
Old Hwy 40 and County Road 76
Greensburg
Greensburg Airport Improvements
Hardtner
Street Chip Seal Project/ Repair
Hoisington
Second Street Reconstruction
Holcomb
Holcomb Intersection Improvements
11 PROJECTS | $7 MILLION
2021 Projects
50 PROJECTS | $30.4 MILLION Abilene
14th Street Improvements
Arkansas City
North Summit Street Resurfacing
Atwood
Street Improvement Project
Barton County
SW 40 Avenue Resurfacing Project
Basehor USD 458
K-32 Hwy Geometric Improvements
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
KCA PAGE 15 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
Cost Share projects continued Howard
Pedestrian, Drainage and Surfacing
Topeka
8th Avenue Bikeways Connection
Labette County
Bridge Replacement Project BSN 460
Vermillion
Main Street Improvements
Leawood
Town Center Trail Connections
WaKeeney
South First Street Reconstruction
Lyon County
Bridge No. FAS 50 Deck Replacement
Marshall County
11th Terrace Road Extension
Miltonvale
City Street Improvements for Safety
Morris County
Neosho River Bridge Replacement
Morton County
Syracuse Dairy Road Paving
Auburn
14th Street Widening & Overlay
Ness County
FAS Bridge 450 Stone Arch Repair
Augusta
Redbud Rail Trail City Section
Park City
Streets Improvement Project
Belle Plaine
Quiet Zone
Peabody
4th Street Phase Improvement
Bonner Springs
Downtown Improvement Project
Phillipsburg
Runway Extension
Clark & Comanche
Asphalt Improvement Project
Rice County
Avenue Q Overlay
Colby
Nutrien Ag Rail Project
Riley
Sidewalk & Drainage Improvements
DeSoto
Ottawa Street Reconstruction
Rooks County
County Road 10 Improvement
Erie
4th Street Improvement Project
Rush County
360 Road Realignment
Eudora
Nottingham Redevelopment
Saline County
Old Highway 81 pavement widening
Ford County
Jewell Road Reclamation Project
Scott City
8th Street Extension
Garnett
Garnett Municipal Airport Runway
Sedgwick County
61st Street Reconstruction
Goodland
Goodland Street Improvements
Sedgwick County
Reconstruction of 95th St South
Greenwood County
Christian Hills Bridge Replacement
Sterling
East Cleveland & 1st Street Corridor
Independence
Maple Street Improvements
2020 Projects
38 PROJECTS | $26.3 MILLION
Governor Laura Kelly and KDOT officials at the unveiling of the Spring 2022 Cost Share Program projects.
Fall 2019 Projects
Junction City
Ash & Eisenhower Intersection
Kingman
Downtown Kingman Sidewalk Project
Kingman County
3 Bridge Replacements
Atchison
Commercial Street Revitalization
Lawrence
27th Street-Clinton connection
Cimarron
Competitive Highway Bridge Program
Leavenworth County
158th Street Roadway Safety Project
Dighton
Lane County Feeders Roadway
Lebo
Shared Use Path from Downtown
Ellsworth
8th Street Geometric Improvement
Logan County
Logan County Road Improvements
Garden Plain
Section Line Road Sidewalk
Maize
Maize Road Pedestrian Crossing
Goodland
Old Highway 24 Resurfacing
Manhattan
North Campus Corridor
Great Bend
US-56 and NHRA
Marion County
Nighthawk Road Reconstruction
Great Bend
Redwing Intersection Improvements
Morris County
Laird’s Creek Replacement Bridge
Humboldt
The Last Mile
Newton
Wheatridge Paving Extension
Hutchinson
Apple Lane Reconstruction
Overland Park
91st Street Bike and Pedestrian Trail
Iola
Pavement Patching and Overlay
Parsons
Bridge Deck Rehabilitation
Lansing
K-7 & Eisenhower Road Intersection
Peabody
Peabody School Street
Lenexa
87th street Pedestrian & Bike Tunnel
Pratt County
NE 20th Ave Pavement Construction
Liberal
KC Park and Hike & Bike Trail
Randolph
Randolph Asphalt Overlay
Liberal
Turning lanes US 83 and Salley Road
Reno County
Arlington Road Bridge Replacement
Oskaloosa
62nd Street
Republic County
Courtland Overlay Project
Paola
Baptiste Drive Improvements
Sheridan County
Feedyard Road Improvements
Pittsburg
East Quincy Street Reconstruction
Smith County
Smith County Road P Resurfacing
Salina
Salina Airport Hangar & Runway
Sterling
Cleveland Ave Intersection
Tribune
Greeley Co. Hospital Concrete Street
Wichita County
Selkirk Bridge Improvement
Washington
B Street Reconstruction
Wichita
K-42 Access at BrightWater Bay
Wichita
Wichita North Junction Gold Project
Thank you!
22 PROJECTS | $39.4 MILLION
2022 ConEd Foundation Golf Sponsors
BEVERAGE CA RT SP O NSO RS
HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORS
O VERALL SP O NSO RS
HOLE SPONSORS
A m i no B r o t h e r s C o . Hamm Companies W i l d c a t C o n st r u c t i o n Co. TEE BO X SP O NSO RS Ash Grove Cement Bayer Construction Bridges Inc. Cornejo & Sons Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Foley Equipment Company
Holmes Murphy J&R Sand Co., Inc. Lockton Companies Pearson Construction LLC Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Smoky Hill Construction Sporer Land Development
A.M . C o h r o n & S o n , I n c . AP AC Kan sas-S h ear s Di v i si o n Assu r edP ar t n er s, I n c . Ber r y T r ac t o r Bet t i s C o m pan i es BR B C o n t r ac t o r s, I n c . C en t r al P l ai n s C em en t C l ar kso n C o n st r u c t i o n C o n st r u c t i o n An c h o r s C o n st r u c t i o n R en t al , I n c . C o r esl ab S t r u c t u r es, I n c . Do n dl i n ger & S o n s Du st r o l , I n c . E ber t C o n st r u c t i o n C o . G .W. V an Keppel Hal l Br o t h er s, I n c . Ho i dal e C o ., I n c . I M A, I n c . Ji m Hawk T r u c k T r ai l er s K C o e I so m
Ki n g C o n st r u c t i o n C o mp a n y Ko ss C o n st r u c t i o n C o . M i dwest C o n c r et e M a te r i a l s M i dwest M i n er al s, In c . Ol dc ast l e I n fr ast r uc tu r e P av em en t P r o s LLC P et r o C h o i c e Lu br i ca ti o n So l u ti o n s P feffer ko r n E n gi n ee r i n g & E n v i r o n m en t a l P h i l l i ps S o u t h er n E l e c tr i c C o . , I n c S al i sbu r y S u ppl y C o mp a n y , I n c . S h i l l i n g C o n st r u c t i o n S M H C o n su l t an t s V al er o M ar ket i n g & Su p p l y V an c e Br o t h er s V en t u r e C o r po r at i o n Wal t er s-M o r gan C o n s tr u c ti o n , I n c . Wel bo r n S al es, I n c .
KCA PAGE 17 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
CIK Health Trust helping contractors manage health insurance costs When it comes to managing the cost of employee health insurance, there's strength in numbers. That's why the Kansas Contractors Association partnered with IMA and AGC of Kansas to form the Construction Industry of Kansas Health Trust (CIK). What is the CIK? The CIK is a Multi-Employer Health Plan, formed in 1974 and operated in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield. "The CIK has delivered historically stable rate increases that consistently beat the average rates in other programs," said Chris Spray, president of Venture Corp. in Great Bend. "Businesses of all sizes can provide competitive benefit packages that will help to retain and attract new employees." Kevin Koehler, secretary of Dustrol in Towanda, added, "the CIK Health plan gives contractors the opportunity to have their employees join a larger pool of members, which can give each employee more health care options at a lower premium than what they could receive on their own." Who is eligible to participate in the CIK? Contractors in the state of Kansas who are eligible to join the KCA or AGC of Kansas. What are the advantages for a KCA member to participate? The main advantage is that – unlike the standard small group (employers under 50 employees) rating structure – the CIK allows small groups to be rated as if they are a much larger group. As a result, as long as a group is fairly healthy, the CIK can deliver significant savings. The secondary advantage is simply having the ability to be part of a much larger group, which has shown to be more stable over time.
Koehler said their company joined the CIK because of "the availability of lower premiums and more health care options for our employees." Spray cited similar reasons, saying it allows contractors "to come together and have the purchasing power of a very large employer." "The CIK can negotiate better rates and benefits for employers that are challenging to get if you are a stand-alone company," said Spray. How many employers participate in the CIK now? 90 employers How large does a group have to be to participate? 2 employees Does the CIK offer plans and a provider network that employees are familiar with? Yes, the CIK Plan is a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan with a wide variety of plans to choose from. "We have been in the program for decades and our employees have been pleased with the benefits," said Spray of their experience. Are other insurance products available through the CIK besides health insurance? Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental is available along with a VSP Vision Plan. However, these additional products are not required. How does an employer learn more about whether the CIK is right for them? Email Christy Powell at Christy.Powell@IMACorp.com or Ryan Powell at Ryan.Powell@IMACorp.com. More information is also online at imacorp.com/CIK.
KCA PAGE 19 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
2022 ELECT IO N O U TL O O K
Retirements, redistricting to bring new faces to Legislature A combination of retirements and new seats created by the redistricting process will bring at least 27 new faces and new leadership to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2023. Three of the most notable retirements include Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman Jr., Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch and House Transportation Chair Rich Proehl. No changes are expected in the Kansas Senate as – with the exception of one election due to the mid-term death of Sen. Bud Estes (R-Dodge City) – senators are not up for re-election until 2024.
Who's Up for Election this Year?
ON T H E B A L L OT Primary Election: August 2 General Election: November 8 Governor
• Laura Kelly - Democrat * • Derek Schmidt - Republican
Attorney General
• Kris Kobach - Republican • Tony Mattivi - Republican • Kellie Warren - Republican
• All 125 Kansas House seats • 1 Kansas Senate seat – Ron Ryckman Sr. (R-Meade) • All five Statewide offices, which includes Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner
Secretary of State
Quick Facts about Kansas House Races
• Lynn Rogers - Democrat * • Steven Johnson - Republican • Caryn Tyson - Republican
• 27 seats have no incumbent – 24 due to retirements and 3 due to new seats in redistricting • 1 seat has two incumbents competing against each other – House District 118 (Jim Minnix and Tatum Lee Hahn) • 55 seats in the House are uncontested
• Scott Schwab - Republican * • Mike Brown - Republican • Jeanna Repass - Democrat
Treasurer
Insurance Commissioner • Vicki Schmidt - Republican * • Kiel Corkran - Democrat * indicates the incumbent
PAGE 20
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KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
K ANSAS H O USE R ET I R E M E N T S
Ron Ryckman, Jr.
Blaine Finch
Rich Proehl
Jim Kelly
Ron Highland
Steve Huebert
Steven Johnson
Lonnie Clark
Kent Thompson
Jesse Burris
David French
Marty Long
Megan Lynn
Dave Baker
Boyd Orr
John Toplikar
Tom Burroughs
Stephanie Byers
Jim Gartner
Broderick Henderson
Gail Finney
Annie Kuether
Ponka-We Victors
Kathy Wolfe Moore
R-OLATHE Speaker of the House
R-VALLEY CENTER Education Chair
R-LANSING
R-OLATHE
D-WICHITA
R-OTTAWA Speaker Pro Tem & Utilities Chair
R-ASSARIA Insurance Chair
R-ULYSSES
D-KANSAS CITY
D-TOPEKA
R-PARSONS Transportation Chair
R-JUNCTION CITY Veterans & Military Chair
R-OLATHE
D-WICHITA
D-WICHITA
R-INDEPENDENCE Financial Institutions Chair
R-IOLA Local Government Chair
R-COUNCIL GROVE
D-TOPEKA Tax Ranking Minority
R-WAMEGO Water Chair
R-MULVANE
R-FOWLER
D-KANSAS CITY
D-KANSAS CITY Approps Ranking Minority
KCA PAGE 21 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
KCA hosts Future Leaders Day at the Capitol
We welcomed 17 future leaders from Bridges Inc., Cornejo, Foley Equipment, Hall Brothers, Hamm Inc., L&M, Summit Materials and Wildcat Construction to the Capital City on June 30 to learn more about the advocacy side of our industry. The group was welcomed by Michael White and Dan Scherschligt, executive director of the Kansas Asphalt Pavement Association, then spent the morning touring KDOT's Materials Testing lab where they learned how soil, asphalt, concrete and other materials are tested.
At lunch, we hosted a "3 Around 30" panel at the KCA office where the group visited with Rep. Nick Hoheisel (Wichita), Sen. Kristen O'Shea (Topeka) and Michael Murray, chief of staff to the Speaker Pro Tem, about the increasing role of younger leaders in the Legislature. We spent the afternoon at the Statehouse where the group climbed to the top of the Dome, then had the opportunity to sit on the House floor for a conversation with two of House's top leaders - Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman, Jr. and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch.
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K CA ME MBE R N EW S
K-STATE RURAL INSTITUTE SPOTLIGHTS MJE The Huck Boyd Institute at Kansas State University recently profiled KCA member MJE on their journey to develop local talent and invest in their community. Founded by Max Jantz in 1974 in the community of Montezuma, the Jantz family has grown MJE from a one-man operation to employing over 200 Kansans. Heather Jantz serves on the KCA board of directors. Read the profile on MJE's commitment to the industry and to rural Kansas.
TRIP CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AND KANSAS CONNECTION TRIP held a celebration in May in Washington, D.C., for its 50th anniversary. The national transportation research nonprofit was founded in 1971 with start-up funding from ARTBA and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AME). The late Bill Reece of Reece Construction in Salina was a key founder of TRIP. He traveled the country visiting AGC and ARTBA state chapters to garner early financial support for the organization. Since that time, TRIP has produced more than 600 reports in every state aimed at providing lawmakers and the media with reliable data on transportation policy and funding. “TRIP continues to be a trusted voice in Kansas and has been quite helpful in assisting our industry in securing the approval of legislation by providing facts and messages that helped build support for increased transportation investment in the state,” said Mary Lou Reece, president and chair of Reece Construction, and daughter of Bill Reece.
KCA PARTNERS WITH HOLMES MURPHY ON MENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS KCA partnered with Holmes Murphy and other industry groups to host a series of mental health awareness seminars in Hays, Hutchinson and Kansas City. Led by Cal Beyer, Vice President of Workforce Risk & Worker Wellbeing for Holmes Murphy, the two-part discussion focused on suicide prevention in the construction industry, how to create a caring workplace culture, and when and how to talk with employees about mental well-being and substance abuse. Nationally in the construction industry, more workers die annually by suicide than by all occupational injuries combined.
INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT DRAWS HUNDREDS
Hundreds of Kansas infrastructure and community leaders met in Wichita July 13-14 for the state's first Infrastructure Summit. Participants learned more about the grant opportunities available under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and shared input on local infrastructure priorities. Under BIL, Kansas will receive nearly $3.8 billion in direct funds over the next five years for transportation, water, energy and broadband projects. Learn more at https://kshub.org/. KCA PAGE 23 KANSAS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
TH E E XTR A MIL E
Legislative wins happen when we're strong and united BY MICHAEL WHITE KCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Health insurance through the Construction Industry of Kansas Plan (see page 19) isn't the only place where our industry finds strength in numbers. The legislative wins we've achieved together over the past few years have unequivocally been the result of our ability to pool our resources and stand united.
Passing the IKE Transportation Plan
Passage of the state's new 10-year Transportation Program is a tremendous win for our industry and an example of what we can accomplish when we have resources like KCA's Eisenhower Fund. With these resources, we were also able to secure funding for the IKE Plan in these initial years and block efforts in this year's food sales tax legislation that would have reduced transportation funding.
What's Next?
Passing the IKE Plan was just the first step. Our next priority must to be secure out-year funding for the plan and protect long-term revenue sources for transportation as motor fuels revenues change. As efforts build at the Statehouse to restrict revenues and cut spending, there will be increased pressure on lawmakers to pass legislation similar to the TABOR law that has severely hampered Colorado’s transportation investments. If Kansas were to move in that same direction, it could divert transportation fund dollars to make up for those revenue losses in other areas of the budget, and ultimately threaten the state’s investment in the very industry that PAGE 24
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drives economic growth and prosperity. This election year is particularly critical for our industry. Here's why: 1) Two of the architects of the IKE Plan are retiring from the Legislature at the end of the year, paving the way for new House leadership in 2023. 2) The attempt we’ve seen this session to pass a TABOR-like Constitutional amendment is not going away.
It's Time to Renew our Commitment
As we launch into election season, it is time to renew our commitment to KCA’s Eisenhower Fund. The Fund allows our industry to stand united to (1) influence upcoming elections in order to elect lawmakers who support the transportation industry, (2) educate Kansans and the media about our industry, and (3) drive good decisionmaking among the lawmakers who hold the cards for our companies. Over the next few months, we will be reaching out to chat more about the Eisenhower Fund and your priorities. I look forward to visiting with you! In the meantime, you can find more information about the Eisenhower Fund at WeBuildKansas.com in the Member Center.
As a family-owned business spanning three generations and more than 80 years, our family’s vision and values are woven through the fabric of Kansas’ history. We’ve grown that vision from one store to 15 locations serving 144 counties. While a lot has changed, Foley’s commitment to empowering the progress of our customers and the communities we serve has remained constant.
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KCA KCA
KANSASCONTRACTORS CONTRACTORS KANSAS ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION
800 SW Jackson, Suite 100 Topeka, Kansas 66612 W eB ui l d K an s a s.com
Cake is just the beginning. In 2023, the Kansas Contractors Association will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Get ready to join us for the year-long celebration, including:
LIVE CONCERT AT OPENING NIGHT OF CONVENTION Wednesday, January 25 Overland Park Sheraton
100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
Telling the story of our association and your company's history with the KCA Stay tuned for more announcements on 100th anniversary activities!
