State government
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Kansas Supreme Court reaffirms that abortion rights are protected by constitution, striking down 2 laws
The Kansas Supreme Court struck down two laws restricting abortion on Friday, affirming its prior interpretation that ending a pregnancy remains a constitutionally protected right in Kansas.
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We post many, but not all, stories from the Kansas Reflector. Read more of their coverage here.
We also frequently post stories from the Kansas News Service. Read more of their coverage here.
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
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Former GOP Kansas House member guilty of fraud, money laundering in federal COVID-19 case
A former Republican member of the Kansas House deepened his legacy of corruption when a U.S. District Court jury returned guilty verdicts on a dozen felony counts of defrauding federal and state agencies of $355,000 in COVID-19 business recovery funds.
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Kelly launches legislative campaign for three-year, $500 million state tax reduction plan
Gov. Laura Kelly initiated a campaign Monday to convince the Republican-led Legislature the revenue surplus was sufficient to end the state sales tax on groceries by April 1, create a three-day sales tax holiday on school supplies and increase the state income tax exemption on Social Security benefits.
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Kansas public universities face $1.2 billion in deferred maintenance on core buildings
Restoring life safety and functional integrity to nearly 500 academic or research buildings on state university campuses in the Kansas Board of Regents system would cost an estimated $1.2 billion, officials said Thursday.
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Kansas medical marijuana committee holds final meeting, prepares for January legalization push
Medical marijuana may have a future in Kansas after all, though lawmakers are still uncertain whether any medical marijuana legislation will garner support in the Senate, or wither away like previous bills.
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Chronic absenteeism among K-12 students across Kansas climbs to 24.5%
The number of K-12 students in Kansas classified as chronically absent from school surged to 24.5% during the 2021-2022 academic year as educators emerged from the darkest depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Kansas lawmakers say they’re getting closer to more easily expunging criminal records
Multiple bills have tried to change Kansas laws on expungement, but none have passed. The bills do have bipartisan support and are expected to come back up next year.
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Kobach nominates former federal prosecutor to serve as KBI director
Attorney General-elect Kris Kobach said Tuesday he would nominate a former Republican rival, Tony Mattivi, to be director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.