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Kansas Senate committee moves to block use of fentanyl test strips to stem overdose deaths
By: Tim Carpenter - March 20, 2023
Senate committee deletes from a House bill a provision allowing people to legally use fentanyl test strips to reduce potential of overdose deaths in Kansas.
Coalition of Kansas organizations strives to entice candidates for city, county, school board
By: Tim Carpenter - March 20, 2023
A coalition of diverse Kansas organizations find common ground in quest to recruit candidates for school board, city council and county commission.
Kansas Senate budget bill features 3.25% spending cut, imposes DEI ban at universities
By: Tim Carpenter - March 19, 2023
The Kansas Senate's budget debate hit on Medicaid, diversity and equity, conflicts of interest, concentrated political power and, of course, state spending.
Court of Appeals reverses lower court on Kansas lawsuit challenging restraint of voting rights
By: Tim Carpenter - March 17, 2023
Kansas Court of Appeals issues election-law opinion reversing district court judge and irritating Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach.
Senate Republicans, Democrats plunge into weeds for rules scuffle on education funding bill
By: Tim Carpenter - March 17, 2023
Kansas Senate plowed into a procedural fight over whether Democrats could force a quick vote on a bill creating a voucher-like program for private schools.
Kansas senator’s plea to speed conversion to new wind turbine lighting may threaten reform bill
By: Tim Carpenter - March 16, 2023
Kansas Legislature is debating how to reduce the problem of irritating flashing lights on top of wind turbines, starting with a mandate on new construction.
Kelly, bipartisan group of Kansas legislators urge Congress to boost aid for special education
By: Tim Carpenter - March 16, 2023
Gov. Laura Kelly and four top GOP and Democratic leaders in Kansas Legislature want Congress to comply with federal law on funding of special education.
A daughter asserted Kansas’ failure to expand Medicaid cut her mother’s life short
By: Tim Carpenter - March 15, 2023
The governor, a cancer doctor, a Topeka business leader and people who lost uninsured loved ones rallied at the Capitol for expansion of Medicaid services.
Kansas House narrowly approves education proposal to fund unregulated private schools
By: Rachel Mipro and Tim Carpenter - March 15, 2023
TOPEKA — The Kansas House passed a wide-ranging bill funneling state funding to unregulated private schools after holdups due to bipartisan concern about the proposal’s effects. The vote was initially divided, 60 for and 64 against, with Republicans breaking rank to vote with the 40-member Democratic bloc during the Wednesday House meeting. One Democrat voted […]
Kansas statute determining access to child care subsidy conflicts with federal regulation
By: Tim Carpenter - March 15, 2023
Kansas House bill would repeal 2015 state statute restricting access to child care subsidy, which conflicts with federal mandate.
Marshall irritated by regulators’ action in bank failure; Intrust, UMB facing downgrade
By: Tim Carpenter - March 14, 2023
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, said he was disappointed President Joe Biden allowed a financial bailout of a failed California bank.
Kansas state agencies support raising retention, hiring bonus cap to $10,000 annually
By: Tim Carpenter - March 14, 2023
Cluster of Kansas state agencies urge House budget committee to support a bill expanding employee hiring, retention bonuses to maximum of $10,000 annually.