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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.
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Carter Gaskins/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider new high school graduation requirements
The Lawrence school board on Monday will look to approve proposed high school graduation requirements for next year.
Task force asks Legislature for 4-year, $82.7 million annual spike in special education funding
The task force created by the Kansas Legislature to resolve funding challenges in K-12 special education endorsed a four-year plan Friday adding $82.7 million annually in appropriations to local school districts.
Kansas special education task force to convene – finally – for quick study of funding shortfall
Rep. Kristey Williams and Sen. Renee Erickson agreed there was little value in convening a task force to study the state’s shortfall in funding public school special education programs because the financial issues were too complex for such a group to unravel and the only remedy suggested by education advocacy groups was too simplistic to warrant examination.
Kansas Chamber puts shoulder behind 2024 income tax, health care, education reforms
The Kansas Chamber released a legislative policy agenda Thursday endorsing a proposed single rate state income tax, opposing expansion of Medicaid health coverage to 150,000 low-income Kansans and supporting investment of state tax dollars in private K-12 education.
Kansas senator proposes job limits to avoid potential conflicts of interest in state government
Sen. Tom Holland, of Baldwin City, has introduced a bill that would forbid members of the Kansas Legislature from concurrently holding jobs in an executive branch agency. Others have filed bills on school starts, birth centers, taxation and heritage sites.
Abortion remains hotly contested in Kansas heading into the 2024 legislative session
From an influx of patients to evolving state restrictions, 2023 brought changes to abortion access in Kansas — and more could be on the way in 2024.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Looking ahead in Lawrence: Big changes coming in 2024
From major updates to Lawrence’s public transportation system to the election of every seat in the legislature, 2024 is going to be a big year for Lawrence and for Kansas as a whole. Here’s a roundup of big changes to know about, dates to mark and more.
Next phase of Kansas’ gradual repeal of state sales tax on food to yield savings of $150 million
Gov. Laura Kelly said the next scheduled reduction in the state’s sales tax on groceries Jan. 1 will cut the rate in half to 2% and enable shoppers in Kansas to avoid $150 million annually in food costs.
Kansas school leaders say the shift to open enrollment next fall won’t be simple or easy
A new state law that goes into effect next fall lets Kansas students attend schools outside the districts where they live, as long as there is space available.
Kansas governor not drawn to horse-trade compromise on school choice to win Medicaid expansion
Top priorities of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Senate President Ty Masterson collide in January when the Kansas Legislature convenes for the 2024 session.
GOP leaders reject Kansas governor’s proposal for Medicaid expansion
GOP leadership in the Legislature rejected Gov. Laura Kelly’s latest proposal for Medicaid expansion, questioning whether federal regulators would allow a work requirement and calling for alternate reforms without offering their own plan.
House, Senate panel embraces potential reform of Kansas’ civil asset seizure law
Members of a Kansas Legislature committee agreed to recommend reform of the system relied upon by law enforcement agencies to seize millions of dollars annually in cash and property from people suspected, but not convicted, of crimes.
Kansas Democrats push property tax relief as alternative to GOP’s ‘political extortion’
As House Democrats unveiled a proposal to save homeowners $500 million on property taxes, House Minority Leader Vic Miller brayed at GOP leaders who play “stupid games” to try to secure income tax cuts that primarily favor the wealthiest Kansans.
A third of Kansas election officials have quit because of harassment and conspiracy theories
Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew has had three different deputy clerks since shortly after the 2020 election, when the previous deputy clerk left the job amid unsubstantiated voter fraud claims and conspiracy theories.
‘Why would I trust the government?’: Kansas conservatives speak against death penalty
No one has been executed in Kansas since 1965. Citing anti-abortion beliefs and love for Jesus Christ, several Kansas conservatives affirmed Saturday their commitment to making sure that status continues.
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