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Kansas marijuana laws remain unchanged, despite Trump promoting looser regulations
President Donald Trump took the first step Thursday to reclassify marijuana, but the move won’t affect Kansans unless the state changes its laws, a law enforcement professional said.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Biotech company testing psilocybin pill requests preemptive change in Kansas law
A biotech company is attempting to persuade Kansas legislators to modify the state’s controlled substances act in advance of a possible new psychedelic treatment.
Sarah Wright / Contributed
Kansas lawmakers consider expanding window for fireworks sales
A proposed Senate bill would permit year-round fireworks sales from permanent retailers and expand the window around the Fourth of July for pop-up vendors.
Lone Catholic nun stands before Kansas House to oppose immigration enforcement resolution
Sister Therese Bangert stood alone before a house committee to denounce a resolution urging Gov. Laura Kelly to do everything in her power to support the immigration enforcement agenda of President Donald Trump.
Kansas House bills would impose stricter penalties for domestic battery, fleeing police
Roberta Jackson was physically abused by a man who had an extensive history of hurting women in at least seven other states. She testified Monday about legislation that would strengthen penalties for repeat offenders of domestic violence.
Kansas university leaders condemn bill abolishing property rights of faculty tenure
Academic leaders of KU and K-State said legislation retroactively abolishing property rights inherent in tenure would run off distinguished educators, undercut faculty recruiting, destroy research programs, trigger an exodus of students and deliver a devastating blow to the state’s economy.
Kansas governor vetoes gender-affirming care ban for minors; Republicans ready for override
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed Republican-led legislation Tuesday that attempts to ban gender-affirming care for minors, a move a top GOP lawmaker called “reckless and senseless.”
Arts, entertainment, business converge in attempt to secure Kansas film production incentives
Film and television production professionals are hoping this is the year incentives become law so Kansas can attract talent to grow the local media industry.
Child welfare advocates split with law enforcement on distinguishing neglect from poverty in Kansas
Testimony over a proposal to redefine “neglect” for the child welfare system showed a divide between social workers and law enforcement.
Attorney General Kris Kobach seeks to profoundly limit filing of ineffective counsel motions
AG Kris Kobach is the driving force behind a Kansas Senate bill placing stringent limits on the ability of people convicted of a crime to file multiple petitions claiming ineffective legal representation.
Kansas legislation transfers certified school teachers to financially preferable retirement plan
A proposal examined by a House committee would shift certified teachers — but not all school employees — from the modest tier 3 plan in the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System to the more robust tier 2 plan in KPERS.
Kansas Democrats propose minimum wage hike in response to Republicans’ plan for no taxes on tips
Top Democrats, including the governor, proposed Wednesday raising Kansas’ hourly minimum wage to $15 in response to Republicans’ plan to eliminate taxes on tips.
Buying candy, soda with food stamps banned under proposed Kansas bill
Purchasing soda and candy with food stamps would no longer be permitted under a proposed Kansas bill, but whether the federal government would accept the move is unclear.
Kansas advocacy organizations offer strategy for curtailing waitlist for disability services
A Kansas House committee has been gathering testimony on a wide range of reform options for Kansans with disabilities. That includes a four-year plan endorsed by advocates to invest $13.6 million to help people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Kansas lawmakers want to cut property taxes and still fund schools. Can they do both?
Republicans and Democrats want to cut Kansas property taxes this year. But they can’t decide on the best way to do it — and some worry that core local services like schools, roads and law enforcement could suffer as a result.
Kansas GOP senators promoting bill to exempt tips from state income tax
State and federal lawmakers from Kansas convened Monday at the Celtic Fox pub in Topeka to celebrate legislation to exempt tipped earnings of service and hospitality workers from income taxation.
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