State government
Latest
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/leavenworth.jpg?fit=723%2C438&ssl=1)
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.
Want more state government news? You can read Associated Press coverage of Kansas stories and more online for free here.
We post many, but not all, stories from the Kansas Reflector. Read more of their coverage here.
We also frequently post stories from the Kansas News Service. Read more of their coverage here.
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/P4060039.jpg?resize=670%2C446&ssl=1)
Kansas GOP leaders: House — not Senate — possesses votes to override Kelly’s tax veto
Republican leaders of the Kansas Legislature said a two-thirds majority of House members were committed to overriding Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a tax reduction bill but a supermajority hadn’t crystalized in the Senate to complete the maneuver.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/P1090558.jpg?resize=670%2C446&ssl=1)
Kansas governor vetoes ‘reckless’ flat tax proposal
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly announced her veto of a sprawling flat tax proposal Friday, calling the plan “reckless,” and one reminiscent of former Gov. Sam Brownback’s disastrous tax cuts.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Rick-Piepho-2024-min.png?resize=670%2C446&ssl=1)
Bill blocks Kansas counties from sending unsolicited advance ballot applications to voters
The organization of Kansas county election officers told legislators they opposed a Republican-sponsored bill that would prohibit counties from continuing the practice of mailing unsolicited advance ballot applications to registered voters.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pear-tree-moratorium-2-16x9-1-1024x576-1.jpg?resize=670%2C446&ssl=1)
Kansas edges closer to ban on planting Callery pear trees; critic warns: ‘Stay out of my yard’
Under a permanent quarantine the Kansas Department of Agriculture has endorsed, the Callery pear tree couldn’t be sold or planted anywhere in Kansas after Jan. 1, 2027.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/P1170621.jpg?resize=670%2C446&ssl=1)
Kansas GOP leaders tout flat tax plan that would save Charles Koch $875K annually
A plan by Republican legislative leaders to flatten income tax rates would save billionaire political donor Charles Koch an estimated $875,000, while most of the state’s workers would save between $37 and $84 annually.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/P5162172-1024x768-1.jpg?resize=670%2C446&ssl=1)
Kansas foster care system has seen ‘great progress,’ DCF secretary says
Kansas Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard on Monday said the number of children in foster care has dropped, marking some improvement in the state’s long-criticized child welfare system.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lawrencekstimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240119-flat-lay-1.jpg?resize=670%2C446&ssl=1)
A year of celebrating joy and resilience in Lawrence’s trans community
From protests and a Pride parade to working against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and more, the transgender community in Lawrence celebrated joy and resilience in many ways throughout 2023.