Author

Tim Carpenter

Tim Carpenter

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International. He has been recognized for investigative reporting on Kansas government and politics. He won the Kansas Press Association's Victor Murdock Award six times. The William Allen White Foundation honored him four times with its Burton Marvin News Enterprise Award. The Kansas City Press Club twice presented him its Journalist of the Year Award and more recently its Lifetime Achievement Award. He earned an agriculture degree at Kansas State University and grew up on a small dairy and beef cattle farm in Missouri. He is an amateur woodworker and drives Studebaker cars.

Kansas state Treasurer Lynn Rogers launched Wednesday a campaign for the Democratic Party's nomination for the job. The former lieutenant governor was appointed treasurer by Gov. Laura Kelly in January 2021 upon resignation of Republican Jake LaTurner. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Democrat Lynn Rogers formally files, launches campaign for full term as state treasurer
By: - May 25, 2022

Kansas state Treasurer Lynn Rogers launches Democratic campaign for the job, having been appointed in January 2021 by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly ordered flags lowered to half-staff statewide until Friday in wake of a Texas elementary school massacre leaving 19 students and two teachers dead. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas politicians offer prayers, direct lowering of flags in wake of Texas school massacre
By: - May 25, 2022

Kansas' elected officials offer prayers in wake of the Texas elementary school massacre, but don't advance specific policy proposals for curtailing gun violence.

The Kansas Farm Bureau's political action committee endorsed for reelection in 2022 U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. Reps. Jake LaTurner Tracey Mann and Ron Estes. The PAC didn't endorse in the 3rd District centered on Johnson County. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas Farm Bureau’s PAC endorses four GOP incumbents, silent on 3rd District race
By: - May 24, 2022

TOPEKA — The political action committee of the Kansas Farm Bureau endorsed Tuesday the reelection of Republicans U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. Reps. Ron Estes, Jake LaTurner and Tracey Mann. The PAC — Voters Organized to Elect Farm Bureau Friends — didn’t endorse anyone in the 3rd District race involving Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice […]

California philanthropists Richard and Melanie Lundquist donated $25 million to McPherson College in what was thought to be the largest contribution to a small liberal arts college in Kansas history. Melanie Lundquist spoke to graduates on Sunday at commencement. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from McPherson College video)

California couple donates $25 million to ‘think-outside-the-building’ McPherson College
By: - May 24, 2022

California couple makes $25 million donation to McPherson College to mark the largest gift in Kansas history to a small, liberal arts college.

Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican and candidate for state treasurer, warned colleagues not to let Gov. Laura Kelly take credit for signing into law tax reform bills offering property tax relief to businesses closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Legislature sends governor tax bill with $50 million for small businesses hurt by COVID-19
By: - May 23, 2022

Legislature sends Gov. Laura Kelly a tax bill featuring $50 million in property tax relief for small businesses compelled to close during COVID-19 pandemic.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican seeking reelection, said Kansans should be confident in election security, resolution of redistricting was a relief and voters can look forward to deciding constitutional amendments in August and November. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Secretary of state weary of fact-averse out-of-staters who insult Kansas election system
By: - May 23, 2022

Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who is seeking reelection, says voting is secure in Kansas and confirmation of redistricting maps is welcomed.

Rep. Jason Probst, a Hutchinson Democrat, said the 2022 Legislature should revise drug paraphernalia law to legalize possession of test strips capable of identifying potentially deadly contamination with fentanyl. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal)

Kansas Legislature’s final day of 2022 session may involve more than ceremonial activities
By: - May 23, 2022

Kansas Legislature convenes Monday for ceremonial final day of the 2022 session, but some lawmakers sought action on fentanyl, tax and vehicle legislation.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Lt. Gov. David Toland, with a campaign platform that emphasizes economic development, have presided over an economy that reduced the jobless rate to 2.4%. GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Schmidt criticized loss of private sector jobs in Kansas during April. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas unemployment stagnates at 2.4%, below U.S. jobless rate of 3.6%
By: - May 21, 2022

Kansas' unemployment rate stood at 2.4% in April, a fraction of the COVID-19 surge to 12.2% in April 2020.

Trustees of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System agreed to lower the anticipated annual rate of return on the system's portfolio to 7%, down from 7.75%, due to diminished market conditions. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Market forces compel KPERS to cut assumed investment return to 7%, down from 7.75%
By: - May 21, 2022

Soft market conditions compel Kansas Public Employees Retirement System's trustees to lower the annual rate of return to 7%, a reduction from 7.75%.

The Kansas Supreme Court issued an opinion Friday overturning a Kansas Court of Appeals decision in businessman Gene Bicknell's legendary tax case. The Supreme Court said Bicknell was a resident of Florida, which has no state income tax, during the period in which Kansas officials claimed he owned millions of dollars in state income taxes on sale of a company comprised of Pizza Hut franchises. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Former pizza magnate Bicknell prevails in tax appeal to Kansas Supreme Court
By: - May 20, 2022

Businessman Gene Bicknell, fighting with Kansas officials for more than a decade in an income tax dispute, wins decisive decision from Kansas Supreme Court.

Kansas Supreme Court disbars former Shawnee County prosecutor for unethical conduct
By: - May 20, 2022

Kansas Supreme Court disbars former Shawnee County prosecutor who engaged in misconduct to win a double-murder trial later reversed on appeal.

A legal challenges filed in Shawnee County urges the state to reconsider plans to reduce the Docking State Office Building to three floors and renovate the structure for office and meeting spaces with a budget of $120 million. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)

Kansas preservation group raises objections to Docking building reconfiguration
By: - May 19, 2022

Just when Kansas officials assumed the future of Docking State Office Building was in hand, historic preservation group seeks new evaluation of plan.

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