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Kansas Senate clears flat tax plan after heated discussion
Late Thursday, following fiery speeches on both sides of the aisle and lengthy debate, Kansas senators approved a new iteration of a flat tax plan that favors the state’s top earners and would cost the state nearly $650 million annually once phased in.
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MORe KANSAS NEWS
‘Hungry for control’: Kansas House advances ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors
State employees would no longer be able to so much as call transgender children by their chosen pronouns under a bill blocking transgender minors in the state from receiving gender-affirming care. The legislation is barreling toward the governor’s desk.
Kansas bill banning affirming care for trans kids headed toward fight with governor
Kansas House lawmakers advanced a wide-ranging bill Tuesday that includes Republican plans to ban trans children from getting gender-affirming medical care amid outcry from worried parents.
Kansas House committee considers abortion coercion bill, funding for anti-abortion services
The House Federal and State Affairs Committee heard testimony on a bill creating a felony of coercion for persuading someone to terminate a pregnancy against their will and a bill designed to funnel $5.8 million into efforts to pressure women not to terminate a pregnancy.
Kansas court upholds AG Kobach’s argument in transgender driver’s license case
A district court has sided with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on a temporary block to keep Kansas residents from changing the gender listed on their drivers’ licenses.
New Kansas bill requests $40 million for homeless shelters, requires enforcement of camping laws
A bill supported by Sedgwick County and the city of Wichita is requesting $40 million from the state for homeless shelter infrastructure, and it also requires localities to enforce ordinances on camping and vagrancy.
Kansas Democrats blast GOP physicians for pushing disinformation in debate on anti-trans bill
House Democrats questioned the integrity of two Republicans legislators who brandished their credentials as physicians while promoting harmful misinformation about transgender children during debate Thursday on legislation that would prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming care.
In wake of mass shooting, Kansas lawmakers spar over ‘gun rights preservation’ bill
Though Kansans and Missourians are still reeling from a February mass shooting that left dozens injured and one dead, a Kansas lawmaker is pushing to change gun regulations in the state so that the “feds” can’t interfere with gun owners like himself.
Kansas House pivots to DEI bill imposing $100,000 fines on offending public colleges, universities
A Kansas House committee plans to move ahead Wednesday with a bill exposing universities and colleges to $100,000 administrative penalties and lawsuits for compelling students or employees to pledge allegiance to diversity, equity and inclusion.
‘August was not a fluke’: Kansas advocates warn against raft of bills limiting reproductive rights
Kansas is one of the few states left in the region that protects abortion rights. Unable to change state constitutional protections, some lawmakers are now doing their best to discourage abortion through a slew of legislation instead.
Sparks fly when Kansas House budget panel explores detail of university budget requests
The Kansas House’s budget committee delivered bipartisan condemnation Monday of unusual $3 million payouts to Emporia State, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State universities intended to stabilize operating budgets during a period of enrollment decline and rising costs.