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Kansas legislative leadership wobbly on redistricting as January session draws near
Kansas legislators’ messaging has teetered between confident and uncertain as they approach a possible attempt at drawing new Congressional lines in January.
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MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Kansas GOP senator demands immediate removal of ‘Gender Queer’ book from school library
Republican Sen. Rick Kloos has demanded immediate removal from Shawnee Heights High School of the autobiography “Gender Queer” because he contends it isn’t suitable for teenagers.
Property, sales and income tax mega-bundle approved by Kansas governor
A Kansas bill signed into law Thursday spans the gamut of tax policy, packaging more than two dozen measures amending property, sales and income tax laws.
Litigants file appeal of Kansas judge’s dismissal of lawsuit challenging election restrictions
A judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of 2021 election mandates passed by the Kansas Legislature. Voter rights groups have filed an appeal.
Kelly pulls plug on electric delivery devices Amazon sought to operate on Kansas sidewalks
Gov. Laura Kelly threw up a roadblock to Amazon’s request to operate delivery robots in Kansas. She also vetoed a bill forbidding city and county bans on single-use plastic.
Conflicting sides make final case in Kansas congressional redistricting trial, await judge decision
An attorney representing Kansas voters who feel their votes will be drowned out by new congressional districts urged a judge to block the map on grounds the GOP-dominated Legislature tore apart communities of interest for political benefit.
Kelly signs bill spiking Wyandotte County’s adoption of ‘sanctuary’ city policy
Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation Monday crafted by Republicans rebuking Wyandotte County for passing an ordinance allowing issuance of ID cards to undocumented residents and affirming the practice of local law enforcement agencies to not participate in federal immigration raids.
Kansas governor signs bill modifying free vision screening of school children
Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill altering standards for free vision screenings at public schools or accredited private schools and establishing a commission to help families secure additional services for a child failing the initial screening.
Kansas governor signs bill to expedite analysis of sexual assault kits
A new Kansas law will require the review of all sexual assault kits in a timely fashion, ensuring no tests languish on the shelf as they have previously.
Attorneys debate potential for Kansas election law to chill voter registration efforts
Voting rights attorneys battled Thursday in the Kansas Court of Appeals over the merits of a 2021 law that threatens felony prosecution for any activity that could be mistaken as the work of an election official.
Two House members say Rep. Waggoner offered ‘we work harder’ defense of gender pay gap
A Hutchinson state representative purportedly declared aloud during a recognition of Women’s History Month that women earned less in the workplace because men worked with more intensity at their jobs, two female legislators said.
Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service
Republicans face a new kind of legal challenge for cutting up Democratic strongholds in Kansas
A new map of congressional districts lumps Lawrence with deep-red western Kansas — all but nullifying the ballots of the blue voters here and proving once again the power of gerrymandering.
‘Nerves and adrenaline’ as Kansas congressional redistricting trial begins
Opening arguments began Monday in a trial over a redistricting map that places Lawrence into the 1st District along with rural counties that border Colorado, about 385 miles west of town.
Kansas Legislature races to finalize budget, food tax cut, sports gambling, education bills
Kansas lawmakers are working to finalize last-minute deals on the state budget, a reduction of the state sales tax on food, sports wagering, a parental bill of rights, transgender athletes, and a wide range of other legislation before adjourning for a three-week break.
Legislature ties SNAP for able-bodied adults to job training or part-time job
The Kansas House and Senate voted to send Gov. Laura Kelly a measure Thursday mandating able-bodied adults without dependents hold down a job for 30 hours a week or enroll in a job training program to receive federal food assistance.
Lawrence immigration activists worry as city’s sanctuary ordinance is in jeopardy
Lawrence activists are concerned about a bill on its way to the governor’s desk that will nullify a city ordinance protecting community members regardless of their citizenship status.
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