Latest news with #PatrickLowry
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas committee wants stadium deal done by end of the year
TOPEKA, Kan. – The Chiefs and Royals will get another year to consider a deal with Kansas using Sales Tax and Revenue or STAR Bonds if they cross the state line. Legislators do not want that process to go beyond this calendar year. Construction on Kansas City Buc-ee's delayed Monday's unanimous vote of the eight-member Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) was to be expected, although Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins was critical of Democrat, Gov. Laura Kelly and Lt. Gov. David Toland. During the meeting, Hawkins said that previously, he's been of the opinion that extending the STAR Bond offer was not a good idea. But on Monday he said sometimes you don't know everything. 'Sometimes you find out things that really kind of take you back,' Hawkins said. 'For instance, when you find out that one of the teams went from November to February without ever getting a response from the administration, from the Department of Commerce.' Department of Commerce Director of Marketing and Communications Patrick Lowry expressed disdain for Hawkins comments. 'This is categorically false. Communication and negotiations between the Commerce Department and both the Chiefs and Royals have been ongoing since the legislature approved the STAR Bonds statute to include stadiums for professional teams. During the period from November 2024 to February 2025, there have been countless meetings with both teams to discuss numerous deal points as part of making proposals and counterproposals,' Lowry said. After the meeting, State Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes said she's had five updates either through the Commerce Department or from individuals. Sykes, a Democrat, said she believed Hawkins' statement was political. 'I think they're having conversations, Whether or not the teams are liking what they're getting as the offers and as they're negotiating. I mean these are businessman that we are talking to, so they're looking at the best interests for themselves,' Sykes said to reporters after meeting. The Royals sent out a statement following Monday's decision: 'We are again grateful to Chairman Masterson and the members of the Legislative Coordinating Council for the dedicated time and energy they have put forth. We also appreciate their recognition of the diligent work that goes forward on multiple fronts in this complex process.' 'Our focused discussions continue as we seek the best option for the future generational home of the Kansas City Royals. The extension of the Kansas STAR Bond legislation enables us to continue our pursuit of the right choice for our fans, our organization and our regional community.' The Chiefs also released a statement: 'We are grateful to the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council for extending the dates of the STAR Bond legislation. We continue to have fruitful conversations with community leaders and public officials, and this legislation allows us to further evaluate our potential options for a stadium in Kansas. As we have said from the beginning, the Chiefs are committed to making the best long-term decision for our fans, our franchise, and all of Chiefs Kingdom.' Second person dies in Independence farmhouse fire that killed 13-year-old girl Republican State Senate President Ty Masterson said a similar statement Monday that he told to our John Holt on Friday, June 27. He believed Gov. Kelly's administration was more interested in getting the Royals than the Chiefs while everyone else has the opposite priority. Masterson said if Kansas can get both teams though, that'd be great. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nearly 500 job vacancies with the State of Kansas ahead of job fair
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) is holding a job fair later this month for people who are looking to land a job with the state. Patrick Lowry with the KDC said in a press release that a virtual state agency job fair will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19. Jobseekers are encouraged to sign up and participate to find a position with the State of Kansas. 'Our state agencies have provided thousands of Kansans with fulfilling careers in public service,' Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. 'For those who are beginning the search for a professional career or those looking for a change of scenery — I encourage you to consider a purpose-driven role at one of our many departments and see what the State of Kansas has to offer.' 'Exhaustion has set in': 1886 Cafe in Mayetta to shut down Lowry said there are almost 500 open positions located across the state which range from entry-level to senior experience positions. People who participate are encouraged to dress professionally and check out the Virtual State Agency Job Fair online portal for helpful tips ahead of the fair. You can sign up for the fair by clicking here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
