State government
Latest
Kansas moves closer to updating Children’s Health Insurance Program eligibility stuck in 2008
The federal poverty level from 2008 determines eligibility for Kansas’ program that provides low-cost insurance for children who don’t quite meet Medicaid income requirements. But that could change.
Kansas moves closer to updating Children’s Health Insurance Program eligibility stuck in 2008
The federal poverty level from 2008 determines eligibility for Kansas’ program that provides low-cost insurance for children who don’t quite meet Medicaid income requirements. But that could change.
Want more state government news?
You can read Associated Press coverage of Kansas stories and more online for free here.
KCUR also has paywall-free news from around the state at this link.
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.
TOP TAGS
Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
New Kansas bill requests $40 million for homeless shelters, requires enforcement of camping laws
A bill supported by Sedgwick County and the city of Wichita is requesting $40 million from the state for homeless shelter infrastructure, and it also requires localities to enforce ordinances on camping and vagrancy.
Kansas Democrats blast GOP physicians for pushing disinformation in debate on anti-trans bill
House Democrats questioned the integrity of two Republicans legislators who brandished their credentials as physicians while promoting harmful misinformation about transgender children during debate Thursday on legislation that would prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming care.
Lawrence teens ask lawmakers to eliminate sales tax on period products, diapers
A Lawrence teen told legislators Thursday morning that a sales tax exemption for menstruation products, diapers and incontinence products would benefit Kansans as well as a local nonprofit.
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.
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.
Kansas lawmaker urges more protections for Native American children in state welfare system
Rep. Christina Haswood, a Lawrence Democrat and member of the Navajo Nation, wants to solidify Indigenous rights in the state’s child welfare system, attempting to reduce inequality in a system long beset by racial and cultural disparities.
Lawrence’s plastic bag ban goes into effect Friday; here’s what you should know
The City of Lawrence ordinance banning single-use plastic bags goes into effect Friday. Here are answers to what it means, where you can get reusable bags, who could face fines and more.
Kansas Republicans introduce new anti-abortion bills, including prison time for ‘coercion’
House and Senate Republicans — in their latest attempts to weaken the state’s constitutional right to bodily autonomy — have introduced legislation to require prison time for coercing a pregnant person into getting an abortion and to mandate ultrasounds before terminating a pregnancy.
DEI audit of state universities shows $9M in state funds spent widely
An audit instigated because of Republican suspicion over state public universities’ equity programs found the programs used $9 million in state dollars during the 2022-2023 school year.
Lawrence teens work to alleviate period poverty for Kansans, cement legacy of their nonprofit
Even if Kansas legislators don’t pass bills this session in alignment with a Lawrence nonprofit’s mission, they’ve opened up a conversation on period equity, and that’s a win for a group of local teens.
Voting rights groups ask Kansas Supreme Court to block law they say impedes voter registration
A Kansas law that makes it a crime to impersonate an election official unconstitutionally interferes with voter outreach efforts, voting rights groups told the state Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
