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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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MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Kansas faith leaders, environmentalists call for transparency around Keystone pipeline spill
Faith leaders joined environmental advocates and Kansas legislators for a vigil Monday at the Statehouse to call attention to TC Energy’s lack of transparency regarding December’s Keystone pipeline spill, which dumped 588,000 gallons of crude oil in northern Kansas.
Kansas lawmakers unveil bill to incentivize private education with public funds
A new education bill would funnel money into unregulated, unaccredited private schools, with lawmakers saying the legislation would protect parental authority.
Sedgwick County judge offers Kansas legislators package of bills to stem domestic violence
Judge Phil Journey’s vantage point from a courthouse in Sedgwick County — epicenter of the state’s domestic violence caseload — led to development of a package of reform bills he wants the Kansas Legislature to consider.
Educators say attacking Kansas teachers is GOP strategy to push private schools
When Buhler teacher Sam Neill gave lawmakers her opinion on educational issues in the state on Monday, she was told by a lawmaker that people like her were the reason no one wanted to become teachers.
Kansas might tighten criminal penalties for kids, after loosening them 6 years ago
Kansas lawmakers are trying to retool juvenile justice laws to bring back more penalties for children who commit crimes. Supporters of the bill said it brings back accountability. Opponents see it as unforgiving and regressive.
A $1.8 billion semiconductor plant is planned for Wichita through another Kansas megaproject deal
The state entered an agreement with Integra Technologies to provide $300 million of incentives for the company to build the plant and create 2,000 new jobs in Wichita. But the deal still hinges on federal funding.
Anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in Kansas Legislature are political bullying tactic, activists say
The Kansas GOP is testing the waters with new legislation meant to discredit the LGBTQ community, activists say, with bills seeking to criminalize gender-affirming care and drag show performances for children, and a revised ban on transgender athletes.
Physician asks Kansas lawmakers to ban racial diversity programs at medical schools, hospitals
A controversial physician and author urged the Kansas Legislature to ban hospitals and medical schools from compelling students and employees to pledge allegiance to critical race theory, affirmative action and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Kansas ballot drop boxes need to be more secure, lawmaker says, comparing issue to 9/11
Election officials debunked ideas of so-called ballot mules stuffing dozens of votes into drop boxes, reassuring lawmakers Tuesday that the boxes are already secure during a hearing fraught with election security concerns and misinformation.
Gov. Kelly condemns flat tax proposal, touts plan to cut taxes on groceries and other supplies
Following the unveiling of a flat tax proposal that would cost the state $1.5 billion, Gov. Laura Kelly once again rallied Kansans to her tax cut plan, saying any bill passed this legislative session needs to be fiscally responsible.
Kansas restaurant industry still struggling for comeback, officials say
The restaurant industry statewide has been plagued by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and workforce shortages, with new issues making it difficult for restaurant owners to bounce back, officials have said.
Analysis show Kansas Chamber’s flat tax proposal costs $1.5B, favors top 20% of wage earners
Assessments by the Kansas budget director and an independent tax policy institute Monday showed the flat tax proposal by the Kansas Chamber would reduce the state budget by $1.5 billion per year and primarily benefit the state’s highest wage earners.
Scuffle over Kelly’s nominee to Court of Appeals foreshadows bigger fight over Supreme Court
The Kansas Senate unanimously confirmed Kansas Court of Appeals nominee Rachel Pickering despite alarms set off by Republicans about judicial criticism leveled against her decisions as appellate defense counsel in a 15-year-old criminal case.
Kansas Republicans want election rule changes that could give them an edge over Democrats
Kansas Republicans are considering the removal of a three-day grace period for returning ballots by mail and creating runoff elections for statewide races. Democrats and voter turnout advocates say they are voter suppression efforts.
Despite a ballot box loss, anti-abortion lawmakers in Kansas propose a complete ban
Republican lawmakers in Kansas have introduced the most extreme anti-abortion legislation so far this session. It comes less than six months after voters dealt a landslide upset to abortion opponents when they rejected an anti-abortion ballot measure.
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