Kultala appointed to Special Committee on Transportation

News Release

Senator Kelly Kultala, of Kansas City, was today appointed to the Special Committee on Transportation by Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley.

“Senator Kultala has been one of our state’s leaders on transportation issues,” said Hensley.  “In 2010, she helped craft a comprehensive 10-year transportation plan that will create 175,000 new jobs and bring $6.4 billion to the state economy.  And in 2011 she was instrumental in accelerating 11 highway projects in northeast Kansas, creating hundreds of new transportation jobs sooner than expected.  She has the expertise and leadership necessary to serve as Ranking Member on this important committee.”

The Special Committee on Transportation will review the passenger rail section of the State Rail Plan; Evaluate feasibility of developing the Northern Flyer route; determine maintenance costs for improving rail tracks in western Kansas; develop a service delivery plan for a passenger rail from Kansas City to Dallas, and determine the viability of connecting Chicago to Los Angeles via Southwest Chief service.

Kultala will also serve on the Corrections and Juvenile Justice Interim Committee, which will meet for three days this fall, and the Home and Community Based Services Oversight Interim Committee, which will meet for three days.

“This summer, Senator Kultala spearheaded an investigation into two of our state’s juvenile correctional facilities,” said Hensley.  “As a member of the Corrections and Juvenile Justice Interim Committee, Senator Kultala will be able to follow-up on some of the positive changes that have taken place since the post audit report was released.”

Committee members will be tasked with studying a number of corrections-related issues, including the treatment of mentally-ill inmates, restoration and improvement of programs at the Kansas Department of Corrections and Juvenile Correctional Facilities; career and technical training for juvenile offenders; and the recruitment and retention of juvenile corrections officers; among others.

Senator Kultala represents the 5th Senate District.