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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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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Judge blocks Kansas law that banned prescribing abortion pills over telemedicine
Kansas women could soon be able to seek abortion pills through telemedicine appointments after a judge blocked a state law banning the practice.
Kansas education policy reform in upcoming legislative session likely to mirror 2022 bills
The 2023 legislative session in Kansas is expected to generate familiar debates on financing of public schools and vouchers for private schools, transgender student participation in sports and creation of a parental bill of rights touching on class curriculum and library offerings.
Lobbyists with the Kansas Association of School Boards also anticipated legislation would surface to broaden vaccination exemptions for students, encourage school employees to carry firearms and address the longstanding shortfall in state aid to special education.
Lawmakers say marijuana is workforce issue, urge caution in legalization discussion
Kansas lawmakers said marijuana legalization, political stances and state funding were potential roadblocks in addressing the state’s severe workforce shortage.
New York Times investigation shows how sports gambling industry exploited Kansas legislators
A New York Times investigation into the gambling industry’s bare-knuckled lobbying efforts provides insight into concessions Kansas lawmakers provided when they legalized sports betting earlier this year.
New Kansas crime-tracking system halfway completed, officials say
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation director said the agency’s new data tracking system is about halfway complete and will create a better overview of the state’s crime problem, including a potential rise in fentanyl cases.
Democrat Sawyer steps away from leadership post, Hawkins seeks job of House speaker
Kansas House Democratic leader Tom Sawyer, first elected to the Legislature in 1986, said Tuesday he didn’t intend to seek the leadership job entering the 2023 session.
Kansas child welfare panel raises issue with guardian ad litem, CASA programs
Kansas legislators leveled criticism at programs designed to serve children subjected to abuse or neglect, alleging attorneys fell short of expectations and asserting a volunteer initiative failed to mirror diversity of children served.
Kansas GOP suspends punishment of party members amid loyalty crackdown
The Kansas Republican Party’s chairman said sanctions against party members were suspended due to appeals filed by people who were to be penalized for signing a petition leading to placement on November ballots of an independent candidate for governor.
Vital factors playing into Lawrence school district’s funding are in state Legislature’s hands
The Lawrence school district’s budget for next year awaits state legislative decisions regarding school funding. That means two scenarios to plan for.
Kansas GOP wants to sanction Republicans who signed Pyle’s gubernatorial petition
Independent gubernatorial candidate Dennis Pyle’s post-election critique of why Republican Derek Schmidt lost to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly did nothing to soothe Kansas Republican Party leaders frustrated by Pyle’s insurgent conservative campaign.
Kansas school leaders urge lawmakers to fully fund special education services
School districts have been forced to shoulder the burden of paying for special education services that are underfunded by the Kansas Legislature. Advocates say there’s a dire need for more money.
‘We ought to be ashamed’: Kansas board urges schools to eliminate Native American mascots
The Kansas Board of Education is calling on the state’s public schools to eliminate Native American-themed mascots within five years.
GOP clings to Kansas House supermajority entering Kelly’s second term as governor
Republicans preserved a two-thirds supermajority in the Kansas House to mirror the GOP-dominated Kansas Senate and keep in place this substantial legislative barrier in a second term for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
Conservatives sweep races for seats on Kansas State Board of Education
Unofficial results show four seats on the Kansas State Board of Education were won by conservative candidates who want to restrict how race and social-emotional learning are taught in schools.
Kansas Supreme Court justices retained in November vote
Kansans voted to keep all six state Supreme Court justices up for retention on the November ballot. The justices were returned with more than 60% voter support, including two who voted in favor of abortion rights.
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