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Homelessness is rising in Kansas and state lawmakers aren’t doing much to help
A bill in the Kansas Legislature would have provided millions of dollars to build homeless shelters across the state. But lawmakers let the bill stall in committee and left Topeka for the year without taking any meaningful action to address the growing problem.
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MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
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.
Environmental advocate condemns Kansas lawmakers’ attitude toward plastics, lack of energy policy
In Lawrence, plastic grocery bags are scarce after a citywide ban on the product took effect Friday. But on the state level, Republican lawmakers have vowed to prevent similar bans from going into effect — an attitude one environmental advocate calls unfair.
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.
Critics of Kansas bills blocking transgender medical care to minors tossed from House hearing
Kansas House Rep. Brenda Landwehr kicked the first person out of Thursday’s hearing on anti-transgender legislation for cradling a protest sign in the room.
A Kansas senator heard debate on an anti-trans bill after short notice for the public to prepare
Kansas advocates for trans rights spoke out Thursday against Republicans’ latest attempt at restricting access to gender-affirming care and criticized a state senator for giving short notice on a hearing to those who would be most affected if the proposal becomes law.