Trustees of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System deferred Friday until at least next month a decision about lowering the assumed rate of return on pension investments below the current 7.75% target and dramatically inflating the system’s unfunded liability.
Kansas stands on the verge of letting students attend any public school — regardless of where they live.
A revised economic forecast for Kansas projects the state will collect $407.8 million more than previously expected in the upcoming fiscal year, adding to a budget surplus that could be used to eliminate the 6.5% state sales tax on food.
Gov. Laura Kelly signed Wednesday a $16 billion state budget backed by most lawmakers from both parties, including an extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage, a fully funded water plan and rainy day money.
Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation enabling 15-year-olds with restricted driver’s licenses to drive unaccompanied to “religious activities” such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings at a school but not a gathering in the same building of National Honor Society.
At least two bills rejected by Gov. Laura Kelly, probably more, will be put on the override docket. That drama will play out after legislators return Monday to Topeka. The backdrop is the 2022 campaign for governor pitting the Democratic incumbent against likely GOP nominee Derek Schmidt, the attorney general.
Under a new Kansas law, those found guilty of child abuse will face harsher penalties in line with other severe crimes.
The Kansas and national associations of nurse practitioners praised action by the Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly to reduce regulatory barriers to licensed advanced practice registered nurses practicing independently, including prescribing of medication without written authorization of a physician.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed hot-button bills sought by Republicans to ban transgender females from sports, adopt an educational bill of rights for parents, raise the barrier to eligibility for food stamps and broaden COVID-19 lawsuit immunity for health providers.
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.
