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Kansas champions of administrative reform at public universities offer concessions to calm skeptics
The Republican majority leader of the Kansas House and the governor’s chief of staff worked Thursday to resolve objections to a bill designed to make the state’s three largest public universities more financially efficient by removing layers of administrative red tape.
Kansas champions of administrative reform at public universities offer concessions to calm skeptics
The Republican majority leader of the Kansas House and the governor’s chief of staff worked Thursday to resolve objections to a bill designed to make the state’s three largest public universities more financially efficient by removing layers of administrative red tape.
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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
Kansas lawmakers will debate the taxes you pay and access to trans health care this session
Property tax cuts and access to care for young, transgender people are likely to be top issues in the Kansas Statehouse this year.
Daylight saving time would end in Kansas under senator’s prefiled bill
A Kansas legislator renewed attempts to rid the state of daylight saving time under a bill filed ahead of the state’s 2025 legislative session, which begins later this month.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Kansas lawmakers throw up unique barrier to use of state’s alternative-fuel vehicle tax credit
A Kansas income tax credit created in 1995 to incentivize reliance on alternative-fueled cars and trucks was sabotaged by amendments to state law to exclude electric vehicles and forbid individuals from claiming the tax break.
State sales tax on groceries drops to zero Jan. 1
On Jan. 1, 2025, Kansans will no longer pay state sales tax on groceries. They will still pay city- and county-imposed taxes, but the current state tax of 2% will be reduced to zero.
Kansas audit sounds alarm on security flaws at Osawatomie State Hospital
Inadequate physical security systems, erosion of workplace culture and persistently high staff turnover jeopardizes the safety of Osawatomie State Hospital employees serving adults with acute mental illness, a state audit said.
Lawrence Public Schools sees losses with open enrollment transfers
Lawrence Public Schools gained five students through open enrollment but lost at least 20 more to the three districts closest to the city.
Kansas Board of Education accepts policy report recommending phone bans, sends to local districts
School districts across Kansas will receive a 20-page report containing guidance on cell phones that recommends daytime cell phone bans, mental health awareness and bolstered parental oversight.
Kansas’ smallest school district to dissolve following voter, state board approval
Two students are enrolled this year at the Healy Public Schools district in western Kansas, a decrease from 20 students the previous year.
Thousands of Kansans are Missouri medical marijuana patients
Thousands of Kansans are crossing the Missouri border with medical marijuana cards in hand, and that’s unlikely to change as Kansas lawmakers resist medical legalization in 2025.
Kansas House Republicans, Democrats nominate leadership teams for 2025 session
Politicians elected to serve in the Kansas House in the 2025 legislative session endorsed Monday retention of three top Republicans in leadership posts and the nomination of a Democrat to assume responsibility for shepherding the minority party.
KBI seeks $114.4 million for new headquarters and exit from ‘horrible’ neighborhood in Topeka
The director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation proposed construction of a $114.4 million headquarters to replace buildings that subjected employees to fire-safety dangers and security threats from “homeless people and drug addicts.”
Emerging blueprint spells out details of Kansas initiative to improve literacy instruction
Developers of the state’s new student literacy initiative are pushing ahead with plans to create university centers of excellence and a special credential tied to retraining teachers in a quest to have 90% of third- to eighth-grade students read at or above grade level.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board committee to recommend prohibiting cell phone use during school
A draft cell phone policy would prohibit Lawrence school district students from using their phones during school hours, but some exceptions are included and discipline is not a focus of the policy.
Mother returns to Kansas Statehouse with photo of boy who died in foster care, pleading for change
Sherry Lesher stood before lawmakers Thursday holding a photo of her son — who died seven years ago in state custody — pleading for reform.
Kansas tax revenue projected to decline by $72M after tax cut bill
Kansas is expected to take in about $72 million less in tax revenue next year than initial estimates projected, officials said.
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