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*WEEK OF JAN. 20, 2025*


Job Report Week of Jan. 20, 2025






*Governor Kelly Celebrates Panasonic's 
$4B Electric Vehicle Plant 'Soft-Launch' in De Soto*

Governor Kelly speaks with Allan Swan, President of Panasonic Energy North America

“Last Friday, I visited Panasonic's $4B EV plant in De Soto. This plant — the largest economic development project in Kansas history — is transformational for our economy and workforce. Its success is a testament to what we can achieve through collaboration."

*Press:*

* *State leaders celebrate ‘soft launch’ of Panasonic battery plant [ [link removed] ]*
"*State Affairs*"
* *Panasonic battery plant progressing toward completion in De Soto, Kansas [ [link removed] ] "KMBC"*
* *Panasonic EV Battery plant closing in on De Soto production kickoff [ [link removed] ]*
"*FOX4*"
* *The first EV batteries will come out of Kansas’ massive Panasonic plant this spring [ [link removed] ]*
"*KCUR*"
* *Panasonic plant has 400 employees now, with 1,000 planned by summer; state leaders gather to celebrate project [ [link removed] ]*
"*Lawrence Journal-World*"
* *With Panasonic plant in De Soto on track to open this year, hiring efforts are large focus [ [link removed] ]*
"*KSHB*"
* *Panasonic hiring as De Soto EV battery plant gets set to start production [ [link removed] ]*
"*Johnson County Post*"
* *What we know ahead of Panasonic's spring production start [ [link removed] ]*
"*KC Business Journal*"



Governor Kelly Proposes Free School Meals for
Kansas Students on Reduced Price Meals in
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
Governor Kelly talks to students while they eat lunch

"A hungry child struggles to learn, impacting academic performance and social/emotional development. That’s why in my budget this year, I proposed $5.5 million to provide free meals to over 35,000 students on reduced lunch. No child should have to worry about his or her next meal while trying to learn."

*Press:*

* *800+ Reno County students may benefit from Kansas governor's free lunch proposal [ [link removed] ]*
"*Hutchinson News*"
* *Kansas governor's plan could mean free lunch for 800 more Saline County students [ [link removed] ]*
"*Salina Journal*"
* *Laura Kelly wants Kansas to pay for free school meals for nearly 37,000 students [ [link removed] ]*
"*Topeka Capital-Journal*"
* *Kansas governor wants free school meals for 36k kids. Could it make a ‘huge difference’? [ [link removed] ]*
"*KC Star*"
* *Will Kansas students get free lunches? Here's what the governor proposed in budget [ [link removed] ]*
"*Topeka Capital-Journal*"



Governor Kelly Announces Child Care Center Pilot in Partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas

Governor Kelly speaks to a crowd

"I’m pleased to announce this public-private partnership and to be able to offer increased child care options for our employees. I believe public-private partnerships are key to solving child care shortages. I urge other employers across the state to develop innovative solutions and utilize various state programs to provide greater access to care for their employees."

*Press:*

* *Gov. Kelly announces $2.5 million partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas for Topeka child care center [ [link removed] ]*
"*Lawrence Journal-World*"
* *Statehouse Briefs: Blue Cross, Kansas unite for employee child care solution [ [link removed] ] "State Affairs"*





ICYMI

* *Statewide advisors confer on long-term water strategies [ [link removed] ]*
"*WIBW*"
* *Gov. Kelly announces major funding for Stafford County transportation facility project [ [link removed] ]*
"*WIBW*"
* *Kansas governor proposes a 2.5% pay raise for almost all state employees [ [link removed] ]*
"*Topeka Capital-Journal*"











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Kansas - Ad Astra Per Aspera






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