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House passes bill to force civics test to graduate high school, rejects physical fitness test
A requirement that Kansas high school students pass a civics test before graduation is closer to being a reality after the House gave its approval Thursday. The bill now moves to the governor’s desk.
House passes bill to force civics test to graduate high school, rejects physical fitness test
A requirement that Kansas high school students pass a civics test before graduation is closer to being a reality after the House gave its approval Thursday. The bill now moves to the governor’s desk.
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TOP TAGS
Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Kansas abortion rights advocacy group sues state officials over law banning foreign contributions
A Kansas reproductive rights advocacy group, backed by a Washington, D.C. law firm, is suing state officials over a new law banning financial contributions from “foreign nationals” to support or oppose constitutional amendments.
Gov. Laura Kelly warns of undercutting Kansas schools, judicial independence, budget stability
Gov. Laura Kelly wants the Republican-dominated committee drafting a new state funding formula for K-12 public schools to resist pressure to funnel tax dollars into private schools.
Anti-porn center files four Kansas lawsuits alleging violation of state’s age-verification law
A bundle of federal lawsuits in Kansas have been filed on behalf of a 14-year-old Olathe resident alleging owners of online businesses violated a state law mandating steps be taken to prevent minors from accessing pornography lacking scientific, artistic or political value.
Kansas efficiency panel wades through public input, creates plan to tackle transparency, access
The Kansas Senate Committee on Government Efficiency dug through hundreds of online submissions Tuesday and set an agenda for the coming months tackling issues from transparency to auditing.
Kansas Legislature’s auditors point to inconsistency in awarding economic relief funds
The Kansas Legislature’s auditors reported Monday the state Department of Commerce didn’t consistently adhere to internal evaluation processes and maintain transparency in selecting recipients of $99 million in federal funding.
Lawsuit challenges ‘unconstitutional’ Kansas law cutting grace period for mail-in ballots
Three advocacy organizations filed a lawsuit Monday in Douglas County District Court challenging the Kansas Legislature’s attempt to “arbitrarily” reject advance ballots of voters if the mail system fails to deliver them by Election Day.
Kansas governor pleads with congressional delegation to fight against Medicaid cuts
Gov. Laura Kelly sent letters to Kansas’ congressional delegation urging the federal lawmakers to resist pressure to vote for Medicaid cuts that would deny health care to the most vulnerable people in the state.
Kansas Legislature steps back from terminating popular affordable housing tax credit program
Instead of Kansas’ low-income housing tax credit being terminated in July, the program will survive, in a reduced capacity, until 2028.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
‘This isn’t our first rodeo’: Kansas, Lawrence Democrats rally, prep for vote against amendment in August 2026
Local Democrats urged community members during a rally Sunday to help people register and get out the vote — and in particular, to vote against a constitutional amendment coming to ballots in August 2026.
Kansas Legislature turns cold shoulder to child reading program after less than one year
The Kansas Legislature’s budget bill that eventually passed with bipartisan support contained no new funding of Blueprint for Literacy, which aims to intervene on behalf of 33% of Kansas students not meeting fundamental levels of reading.
Kansas will carve out religious vaccine exemptions as it eases some child care regulations
Gov. Laura Kelly says she will sign a bill aimed at improving access to child care and other early childhood services. But some health experts are concerned about a provision codifying religious exemptions for vaccines required at day cares.
Funding freeze could slam Kansas classrooms, but state officials have asked feds to reverse course
A directive from the U.S. Department of Education immediately froze more than $22 million in federal funding meant to help Kansas students recover from pandemic-era learning loss.
Kansas LGBTQ+ foster kids’ rights in jeopardy under new law protecting religious parents
The way Kansas LGBTQ+ youths in foster care are placed into homes could change after lawmakers forced a bill into law that permits foster children to be placed with families who don’t affirm a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity based on the parents’ religious or moral beliefs.
Kansas is getting controversial new laws for fetal tax exemptions and ultrasound videos in schools
New legislation concerning fetal tax exemptions and fetal development education are coming to Kansas this summer, garnering praise from anti-abortion advocates and criticism from abortion rights supporters.
Kansas families with SNAP can still buy soda, candy, but new law adds red tape to assistance
A bill barring Kansans who use food benefits from buying soda and candy failed to move forward last week, while another bill passed that opponents said would stall stage agencies’ ability to react to changes in assistance programs and disability services.
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