Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today Reps. Ron Estes, Tracey Mann and Jake LaTurner sent a letter to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly following H.R. 1319 becoming law. 

"Following extreme shutdowns that left families, small businesses and communities suffering economic losses, Kansas was hit with frigid temperatures and exorbitant energy bills," said Rep. Estes. "However, state revenues have increased during this time, allowing the state to directly assist Kansans through the federal funding that the state government doesn't actually need. We shouldn't keep the extra $1.5 billion in Topeka – assisting Kansans suffering from shutdowns and then high energy bills will be a much better use of these funds." 

"Kansans are facing enormous utility bills following the extreme weather last month," said Rep. Mann. "While the FERC investigation is an important step in determining the cause of the unusually high prices, the bills are a more pressing matter. For that reason, my House colleagues and I encourage Governor Kelly to use state funds from the most recent COVID-19 package to help address this issue." 

"Kansans are still hurting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the deadly winter storm that took place in recent weeks, which has massively hiked energy bills," said Rep. LaTurner. "For that reason, it’s critical all incoming direct federal aid to our state should be used as targeted as possible to help offset the costs. We should focus mainly on distributing economic aid to those who need it most and where it will have the greatest impact – households, small businesses, and nonprofits."

President Biden signed H.R. 1319 into law today after final passage in the Senate Saturday and the House Wednesday on mostly party-line votes (one House Democrat voted against the bill). Kansas is estimated to receive more than $1.5 billion in direct federal aid after already receiving $18 billion from previous COVID-19-related bills, even as state revenues soar above projections and pre-pandemic months. You can read the letter here. 

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.