Governor waives property tax interest for storm victims
Sebelius also requests additional counties be declared disaster areas

Governor Kathleen Sebelius today signed an order waving interest on property taxes as part of a series of actions expediting relief efforts for communities devastated by recent storms. 

“The financial needs of storm victims are tremendous,” Sebelius said. “We want to help lift some of those burdens so the generous gifts of Kansans and the assistance provided by charities and governments can be put directly towards rebuilding the town of Greensburg.”

Executive Order 07-10 was requested by the Kiowa County Commission and waives the interest that would normally accrue on 2006 second half real and personal property taxes that are due and payable on or before May 10, 2007, but cannot be timely paid.

The full text of this and other executive orders are available online at http://www.governor.ks.gov/executive/Orders/.

Governor Sebelius has also requested an amendment to the federal disaster declaration signed by President George W. Bush for Kiowa County to include three additional counties hit by the same storm. Sebelius is asking that Edwards, Pratt and Stafford Counties be added to the declaration for individual assistance.

“The tornado that hit Greensburg was unlike any the state has seen in a long time,” said Sebelius. “Not only was it powerful, it cut a swath through Kansas 22 miles long, causing significant damage not just in Kiowa, but in these three counties as well. Preliminary figures from joint state and federal damage assessment teams indicate there are sufficient losses to warrant a federal disaster declaration for the people in these counties.”

Damage assessments are continuing and more counties may be added to the request at a later time.

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