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Kansas House roundup: Wind turbine lights, feminine fight, ballot deadline, Biden energy policy
TOPEKA — Wind turbine lights are a dangerous nuisance, Kansas House lawmakers said during a lively discussion Tuesday of wind farm lighting statewide. The wind turbine bill was among nearly two dozen pieces of legislation the House planned to consider during a jam-packed debate as lawmakers attempt to make progress ahead of next week’s end-of-session […]
Kansas House advances budget over objections to unchecked spending
TOPEKA — Rep. Henry Helgerson appealed to his fellow House members’ sense of duty Tuesday as he asserted no more than “a handful of you” had actually read the 337-page budget proposal they were about to endorse. Helgerson, an Eastborough Democrat, said lawmakers years ago would divide the state’s $16.6 billion spending blueprint into as […]
Kansas law singling out abortion clinics contested at high court
TOPEKA — An attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights says a 2011 state law that targets abortion clinics with a “regulatory scheme” was an unjustified attempt to restrict access to a fundamental right. The center, which represents two doctors who operate a clinic in Overland Park, wants the Kansas Supreme Court to permanently block […]
‘I buried this terrifying experience’: Survivors of child sex crimes urge changes to Kansas law
TOPEKA — Earl McIntosh wants state lawmakers to look at a photo of himself as a young boy, to see him as an innocent child full of joy and potential, and to think about how his life forever changed when he was sexually assaulted. Kansas law protects the man who assaulted McIntosh from facing consequences […]
After weeks of waiting, Kansas survivors of child sex abuse eager for legislative hearing
TOPEKA — Every week since the beginning of the legislative session in January, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have staffed a table near the main public entrance to the Statehouse. Every week, they have met with senators and representatives, working toward a compromise on legislation that would remove barriers for other survivors who seek justice […]
Kansas governor vetoes legislation banning transgender athletes from school sports
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly for the third straight year has vetoed model legislation that would ban transgender girls from playing school sports with cisgender girls. The Democratic governor said Friday the annual attack on transgender students sends “a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation than becoming […]
Medical marijuana advocate blames Kansas lawmakers for needless suffering
TOPEKA — Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says lawmakers who refuse to legalize medical marijuana are responsible for the needless suffering of Kansans. After two days of Senate hearings on proposed legislation, there appears to be little hope for change this year. Rangel-Lopez, a Dodge City resident who has appeared before the Legislature previously to advocate for voting […]
Kansas Republicans push forward with changes to ethics rules amid ongoing investigations
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly’s chief of staff urged Republican lawmakers Tuesday to spend more time studying proposed changes to campaign finance law before moving forward with legislation inspired by ongoing investigations. The House Elections Committee on Tuesday amended and advanced a stripped down version of House Bill 2391, which was written by attorneys who […]
‘Really rotten bundle:’ Kansas lawmaker, education officials call bill bundling a bad practice
TOPEKA — A bill that formerly dealt with naturopathy has been transformed into a wide-ranging public education budget and policy bill, the latest bundle of education bills and amendments rolled into one piece of legislation. During a Monday House K-12 Education Budget hearing, lawmakers voted to substitute several House bills dealing with the education budget […]
Republican lawmaker, leery of rivalry with Kansas public schools, launches conversation
TOPEKA — Rep. Adam Thomas compares the relationship between state lawmakers and public schools to the legendary baseball rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. He puts it mildly: Traditionally, they don’t get along. Thomas, an Olathe Republican, hopes to defuse tensions over education policy by starting a conversation. On Thursday, he […]
Kansas lawmaker considers banning drop boxes to appease election deniers
TOPEKA — Rep. Pat Proctor imagines a scenario in which his wife leaves their SUV parked in the driveway with the vehicle’s back door open. He compares this scenario to arguments surrounding the use of drop boxes in Kansas elections. On one hand, there is no evidence of voter fraud associated with drop boxes. On […]
Transgender Kansans alarmed by bills seeking to undermine constitutional rights
The Kansas Legislature is advancing an agenda transgender individuals view as a collective assault on their constitutional rights and personal liberties.