State government

A new Senate plan would redirect a portion of federal COVID-19 aid from the state and counties to small businesses impacted by public health orders during the pandemic.

State Government April 2, 2021 – 11:15 am

Senate moves forward with plan for oversight of Kansas foster care system

TOPEKA — Sen. Molly Baumgardner says the first call she received as an elected senator […]

State Government April 1, 2021 – 4:43 pm

Kansas GOP-controlled legislative council spikes refreshed mask mandate

by Tim Carpenter and Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

A council of top House and Senate legislators voted Thursday to revoke a new statewide executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly requiring people to wear a mask in public spaces.

State Government April 1, 2021 – 11:40 am

Kelly issues 13 pandemic executive orders affirming mask mandate

by Tim Carpenter and Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

Gov. Laura Kelly reissued a series of executive orders tied to the COVID-19 pandemic that included protocol for wearing a mask indoors at public places.

State Government April 1, 2021 – 10:39 am

Behemoth public education policy, budget measure narrowly approved by Kansas House

A bill with wide-ranging impacts to education policy and the public school budget passed the Kansas House by a narrow margin Tuesday despite bipartisan concerns over several provisions.

State Government March 31, 2021 – 3:52 pm

Kansas Senate advances bill requiring civics test for high schoolers

Sen. Pat Pettey raised concerns during Senate debate Wednesday with jettisoning “what really works to help students learn” in favor of requiring high schoolers to pass a 60-question civics test before they receive a diploma.

State Government March 31, 2021 – 1:32 pm

Unemployment system overhaul bill receives initial approval by Kansas Senate

The Kansas Senate gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill aimed at overhauling the state’s maligned and outdated unemployment system.

State Government March 30, 2021 – 6:56 pm

House GOP kills off another Medicaid expansion attempt by Democrats

Republicans in the Kansas House stiff-armed the latest attempt by Democrats to expand eligibility for Medicaid to 120,000+ lower-income Kansans.

State Government March 30, 2021 – 3:08 pm

House rams through preemptive resolution to derail new Kelly mask order

The Kansas House worked to get out front of any effort to extend statewide COVID-19 mask mandates Tuesday.

State Government March 29, 2021 – 3:31 pm

Election reform bills bring fiery debate for their impact on voters

TOPEKA — A Senate committee’s handling of an election bill last week and legislation considered […]

State Government March 26, 2021 – 7:07 pm

Kansas Senate majority leader drove 90 mph in wrong direction while drunk, charges allege

Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop was charged Friday with drunk driving and felony fleeing from police while traveling 90 MPH in the wrong direction on Interstate 70 in Topeka.

State Government March 26, 2021 – 4:17 pm

Kansas House bill would remove guns from abusers

House Bill 2251 would require relinquishment of firearms in instances of domestic violence.

State Government March 25, 2021 – 5:14 pm

Don’t Tread on Me license plate draws concerns from legislators for ‘vile, racist’ connection

A bill passed Thursday by the Senate allowing Kansas to print “Don’t Tread on Me” license plates came under scrutiny by Democrats for its association with a former slave owner.

State Government March 25, 2021 – 1:31 pm

House, Senate GOP leaders pledge to derail new mask order if re-issued by Kelly

Kansas Republican leaders of the House and Senate pledged to move swiftly to thwart Gov. Laura Kelly’s issuance of a new executive order April 1 directing statewide reliance on face coverings during the pandemic.

State Government March 25, 2021 – 5:15 am

Senate, House put seal of approval on liquor bills for state fair and Sunday sales