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Kansas governor doubtful GOP legislators can pull off congressional redistricting
Gov. Laura Kelly predicted Tuesday the 2026 Legislature wouldn’t muster enough political support to implement a new congressional district map splitting Johnson County and making it easier to defeat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the midterm election.
Kansas governor doubtful GOP legislators can pull off congressional redistricting
Gov. Laura Kelly predicted Tuesday the 2026 Legislature wouldn’t muster enough political support to implement a new congressional district map splitting Johnson County and making it easier to defeat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the midterm election.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe KANSAS NEWS
KPERS weighs cutting anticipated investment return rate despite political pressure to delay
Trustees of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System deferred Friday until at least next month a decision about lowering the assumed rate of return on pension investments below the current 7.75% target and dramatically inflating the system’s unfunded liability.
Suburban school officials predict ‘chaos’ if Kansas lets out-of-district students transfer freely
Kansas stands on the verge of letting students attend any public school — regardless of where they live.
New revenue projections give Kansas a $3.1B surplus as governor pushes for food sales tax cut
A revised economic forecast for Kansas projects the state will collect $407.8 million more than previously expected in the upcoming fiscal year, adding to a budget surplus that could be used to eliminate the 6.5% state sales tax on food.
Kansas governor approves budget including extension of postpartum coverage
Gov. Laura Kelly signed Wednesday a $16 billion state budget backed by most lawmakers from both parties, including an extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage, a fully funded water plan and rainy day money.
New driving privilege for 15-year-olds opens preferential path to religious activities
Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation enabling 15-year-olds with restricted driver’s licenses to drive unaccompanied to “religious activities” such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings at a school but not a gathering in the same building of National Honor Society.
Democrat Kelly dangles vetoes in front of GOP legislators eager for fresh fight
At least two bills rejected by Gov. Laura Kelly, probably more, will be put on the override docket. That drama will play out after legislators return Monday to Topeka. The backdrop is the 2022 campaign for governor pitting the Democratic incumbent against likely GOP nominee Derek Schmidt, the attorney general.
Governor signs Kansas law allowing harsher penalties against child abusers
Under a new Kansas law, those found guilty of child abuse will face harsher penalties in line with other severe crimes.
Kelly signs bill expanding authority of Kansas advanced practice RNs
The Kansas and national associations of nurse practitioners praised action by the Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly to reduce regulatory barriers to licensed advanced practice registered nurses practicing independently, including prescribing of medication without written authorization of a physician.
Kelly vetoes transgender sports ban, parental bill of rights touted by Republicans
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed hot-button bills sought by Republicans to ban transgender females from sports, adopt an educational bill of rights for parents, raise the barrier to eligibility for food stamps and broaden COVID-19 lawsuit immunity for health providers.
Kansas GOP senator demands immediate removal of ‘Gender Queer’ book from school library
Republican Sen. Rick Kloos has demanded immediate removal from Shawnee Heights High School of the autobiography “Gender Queer” because he contends it isn’t suitable for teenagers.
Kansas wildfire responders brace as a dangerously dry, windy season drags on
The Kansas wildfire season is typically winding down around this time of year. But after months of drought, high winds and dry grass continue to fuel extreme wildfire conditions across the state.
Property, sales and income tax mega-bundle approved by Kansas governor
A Kansas bill signed into law Thursday spans the gamut of tax policy, packaging more than two dozen measures amending property, sales and income tax laws.
Kansas inspector general’s report identifies weakness in financial oversight of Medicaid
Medicaid inspector general Steven Anderson concluded Wednesday that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment lacked “an effective system for tracking” beneficiaries in KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program.
Leaders of Kansas’ three government branches coalesce behind quest to fix mental health crisis
The 2022 Kansas Mental Health Summit, the first of its kind in Kansas, brought together more than 600 in-person and online registrants. The roster included judges, legislators, attorneys, court services officers, community corrections officers and representatives from the executive branch, mental and medical health disciplines, law enforcement and first responders.
Kansas education commissioner publicly apologizes for racist story about Native Americans
The Kansas commissioner of public education apologized Tuesday for telling attendees of an online education conference that when growing up he attempted to convince people visiting the state they should be more afraid of dangerous American Indians than violent tornadoes.
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