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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Election security, or stripping citizens’ voting rights? FAQs about the amendment on Kansans’ ballots
Kansas’ Constitution already says voters must be citizens. A proposed amendment would add a small yet loaded distinction that opponents say could disenfranchise many eligible voters.
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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 state employees could lose Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance in cost-saving move
State decision-makers are mulling whether to drop Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas from the state employee health insurance plan, which would give employees just one option and potentially save the state nearly $240 million over three years.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoes bill requiring daily recess, annual fitness test of public school students
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill mandating public schools administer fitness tests to students and require 30 minutes of unstructured recess for elementary students. The Kansas Legislature had flexed its political muscle to approve it.
Kansas governor rejects Legislature’s property tax bill as a ‘false promise’
Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday vetoed a bill adopted by the Kansas Legislature to curtail rising property taxes by placing unprecedented restrictions on the ability of cities and counties to increase spending, calling it a “false promise.”
Kansas policymakers lag on updating public school funding formula
A Kansas task force is running out of time to craft a new public school funding formula, which the Legislature and the state’s next governor must agree upon before the current framework expires.
Kansas BOE names Jake Steel as state’s next education commissioner
Kansas public schools will soon have a new chief administrator. The Kansas State Board of Education has named Jake Steel as the state’s next education commissioner.
‘The people of Kansas lost’: Last-ditch attempt at property tax relief devolves into finger-pointing
TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s last-ditch attempt to make good on campaign promises to deliver […]
Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board hears about new Family Engagement Center, state legislative updates
The Lawrence school board on Monday heard a presentation about the new Family Engagement Center to be located at the current school district offices, as well as some legislative updates.
Kansas Legislature’s GOP supermajority leans into rule that skirts debate, muffles dissent
Republican leaders of the Kansas Legislature relied on an arsenal of parliamentary procedure that frustrated Democrats seething about a bill forcing transgender people to use public bathrooms and obtain driver’s licenses matching their sex assigned at birth.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Kansas students to face punishment for protests after lawmakers override veto
Kansas public school students will need parental permission to leave school grounds for a protest and schools could face $100,000 penalties if they don’t enforce restrictions after legislators overrode the governor’s veto Friday.
Legislators override veto to create 25-foot ‘safe zone’ around police, emergency personnel
Republican legislators overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto to create a buffer around law enforcement and emergency personnel, making it a misdemeanor to go within 25 feet of a first responder while they are working.
Kansas Legislature overturns veto to pass free speech bill honoring Charlie Kirk
House and Senate Republicans overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto Thursday to preserve a bill they say will protect free speech in the name of Charlie Kirk, despite objections.
Kansas governor signs sports authority bill to guide Kansas City Chiefs’ developments
Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bipartisan bill Thursday to establish a state sports authority to offer oversight of construction and management of a $3 billion stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL franchise’s new headquarters.
House passes bill to force civics test to graduate high school, rejects physical fitness test
A requirement that Kansas high school students pass a civics test before graduation is closer to being a reality after the House gave its approval Thursday. The bill now moves to the governor’s desk.
Kansas governor dangles plan for property tax relief, accuses Republicans of ‘lip service’
Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday proposed a three-part plan to provide “a real and lasting solution” for property tax relief as lawmakers head back to Topeka to close out the legislative session.
Kansas governor warns of Legislature’s ‘political games,’ ‘micro-managing’ in eight-bill veto spree
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly shot down legislation riddled with “bureaucratic red tape,” “political games” and “micro-managing” as part of her Monday veto spree.
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