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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.
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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
Bill banning city prohibitions on plastics throws home rule, environment out, representatives say
Some Kansas representatives say a prohibition recently approved by the Legislature on municipalities restricting plastic items tramples on local control and will cause issues for ecosystems across the state.
Kansas is on a path to make it easier to get your seized property back from police
Police can keep seized property “as long as necessary,” state statute says, if they believe it could be evidence in a trial. A proposed change to state law would require police to give items back.
Senate narrowly adopts bill affirming access to off-label drugs for COVID-19
A bill adopted by the Senate on a vote of 21-16 would mandate child care facilities and K-12 public schools to accept — without inquiry or scrutiny — the religious objection of parents or guardians to vaccination of their children against a collection of maladies.
Kansas House takes brief hiatus after approving more than two dozen bills
The Kansas House concluded business before a short break in the session Wednesday by passing more than two dozen bills, including proposals to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, final approval of an education mega bill and passage of both legislative maps.
EMILY's List
Lawrence legislator nominated for national award celebrating women in public office
Kansas Rep. and Lawrence local Christina Haswood has been nominated for the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award, which recognizes an “extraordinary woman” serving in state or local office.
Inclusion, fairness central to Kansas Senate debate over ban on transgender athletes in sports
Kansas Senators renewed a debate Monday over legislation to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports, advancing the bill to a final vote despite pushback over what some considered discriminatory policy.
Democrats fail to shelve Senate GOP’s education bill of rights for K-12 public schools
One senator wanted legislators to volunteer for a week in classrooms before introducing a bill that would influence education funding or curriculum. Another said she didn’t need to do so to understand the necessity of affirming in law the key role of parents in educating children.
Big Lie huckster peddles bogus election conspiracies with Kansas lawmakers at Topeka church
Douglas Frank entertained a church crowd in Topeka with bogus conspiracies about hacked voting rolls, fake ballots, machines secretly connected to cellphone towers and a plot by technocrats to predetermine the outcome of elections.
Kansas’ anti-abortion amendment wording is purposely confusing, panelists say
The “Value Them Both” amendment would pave the way to a complete ban of abortion in Kansas despite language implying otherwise, panelists said Saturday. If the majority votes “yes” in August, legislators could ban abortions even in cases of rape, incest, and risk of death.
Survivors of child sex abuse call for elimination of Kansas statute of limitations
By the time Kim Bergman was able to come forward about her experiences, it was past the statute of limitations in Kansas to collect damages for childhood sexual abuse.
Douglas County Democrats
Lawrence panel to address how to fight Kansas’ anti-abortion amendment
The Douglas County Democratic Party is holding an event this weekend to help inform the public about how to protect the right to an abortion in Kansas.
Kansas Senate health panel endorses vaccine opt-out for school kids, ivermectin prescriptions
The Kansas Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee adopted a bill that gives an easy out for childhood vaccine requirements and allows doctors to prescribe ineffective treatments for COVID-19 without fear of discipline.
Kansas Senate bill would bolster inspections of dog breeders, animal shelters
A bill supported by animal shelters and opposed by the Kansas Livestock Association and dog breeders would establish a division of the Kansas Department of Agriculture to deal with pet animal facility inspections.
Kansas House map plan raises concerns about Leavenworth County, LGBTQ representation
More than 50 people submitted testimony to the House Redistricting Committee urging modifications to the map titled Freestate 3, with debate largely centered on Leavenworth County districts, LGBTQ representation, and the need for further analysis.
Kansas Senate launches effort to legalize medical marijuana by end of session
Retired Holton mechanic Jim Ricketts, 71, is a criminal. That’s because in order to ease the pain of injuries he suffered in a pair of car crashes, he relies on smoking pot — which has allowed him to stop taking opioids.
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