Gov. Kelly files lawsuit, issues 2 new executive orders

TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) – Governor Laura Kelly announced at her daily news conference Thursday she’s filing a lawsuit against the Legislative Coordinating Council.

The news conference comes a day after the Legislative Coordinating Council reversed an executive order issued by Gov. Kelly limiting religious gatherings and funerals to 10 people. Kelly said on Thursday that she’s “confident the supreme court will take up this matter.”

She said the reversal “weakened and confused our emergency response efforts, putting every Kansan at risk.”

In the news conference, Kelly said she spoke with Vice President Mike Pence earlier regarding the supply shortage in Kansas and said it was a productive conversation. She said Pence assured he would do everything he could “to fulfill our most urgent PPE needs.”

Gov. Kelly issued two new executive orders effective tonight:

• The first order extends professional and occupational licenses through the remainder of this pandemic. All state agencies should extend all licenses that have expired or will expire during this pandemic. Any late penalties or expiration fees will also be waived.
• Temporarily allow notaries and witnesses to do their jobs remotely

Kelly also mentioned at the news conference that the Kansas Department of Labor has launched a new phone system. They were able to serve roughly 1,300 Kansans before noon Thursday. Kelly directed people to go to getkansasbenefits.gov