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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 Supreme Court rejects AG’s request to dismiss redistricting lawsuits in Douglas, Wyandotte County courts
The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday rejected Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s request to dismiss lawsuits filed in Wyandotte and Douglas counties over redrawn congressional districts.
Women’s suffrage memorial backed by near entirety of Kansas Senate gets committee green light
Nearly every state senator has signed on to a bill establishing a permanent memorial commemorating the Kansas suffragist movement in the state Capitol.
‘Shooting themselves in the foot’: Committee guts Kansas bill to protect water
The prospects for a major overhaul of Kansas water programs dimmed Tuesday after a legislative committee gutted a reform bill meant to give cabinet-level importance to a near crisis in Kansas.
Kansas first responders seek to normalize, provide relief for job-induced mental trauma
Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister says first responders carry a lifetime of scars, mental and physical, from experiences in the field that require years of healing.
Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service
A push to dump the Kansas food sales tax could run into election politics
Efforts to eliminate the 6.5% sales tax on food have the support of the leading candidates for governor, but the change has hit some political hurdles nonetheless.
Kansas education board to meet over commissioner’s ‘inappropriate’ comment about American Indians
The Kansas State Board of Education plans to meet Friday behind closed doors to discuss an “inappropriate” comment education commissioner Randy Watson made earlier this month regarding American Indians.
Kansas House overwhelmingly rejects proposal to ban no-knock warrants
The House rejected an amendment to ban no-knock warrants on an 84-35 vote after hearing from several lawmakers with law enforcement experience.
Kansas House advances constitutional amendment requiring elected sheriffs
Rep. Eric Smith encouraged House members Tuesday to support a constitutional amendment requiring counties to elect sheriffs, rather than risk the possibility of a county commission gaining authority to appoint the position.
Senators give preliminary approval to funnel $500K into Kansas stem cell therapy COVID-19 trial
A plan to invest $500K in a Kansas stem cell therapy center’s COVID-19 trials received preliminary Senate approval Tuesday, along with a handful of law enforcement-related bills.
Senate panel signs off on Kansas income tax deduction increase, credit for teachers
A Kansas Senate panel backed two bills Monday providing tax relief for everyday Kansans and teachers using their own money to fund classroom needs.
‘We can’t wait 15 years’: Legislative committee works to overhaul Kansas water policy
Parts of the aquifer in far western Kansas may only have 10 years of water left. Small towns are struggling to provide clean drinking water, and upgrading their facilities would bankrupt them.
Proposal to ban cities from banning plastic bags pits Sierra Club against Kansas Chamber
Sierra Club lobbyist Zack Pistora told lawmakers he could talk at length about the “big mess” plastic bags have created for aquatic ecosystems, landscape and infrastructure in Kansas.
Kansas election official urges legislators to avoid restricting drop boxes for advance ballots
The Kansas Secretary of State’s office and voting rights advocates are urging Senate lawmakers to reject a bill banning the use of drop boxes for advance ballots except under certain conditions.
Education committees clash over legitimacy of bill of rights legislation for Kansas parents
“Educational bills of rights for parents” under consideration in Kansas House and Senate committees were supported by seven people and faced opposition from more than 100 people who submitted testimony.
Kansas Senate committee unable to advance anti-wind bills, chairman says
One of a half-dozen bills opponents say are meant to end renewable energy in Kansas won’t make it out of committee, the senator leading the charge said Wednesday.
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