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.

University of Kansas chancellor Doug Girod, left, and Kansas State University president Richard Linton urged passage of federal legislation expanding access to higher education data helpful to people deciding where to attend college. U.S.S Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, also supports the latest version of the bipartisan College Transparency Act. (Photos by Sherman Smith and Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

KSU, KU leaders and Marshall endorse broader federal reporting on post-college success data
By: - May 4, 2023

University of Kansas, Kansas State University officials welcome Sen. Roger Marshall's backing of federal transparency act to guide college choice decisions.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, proposed suspension of the federal tax on gasoline. Her likely GOP opponent, Amanda Adkins, said the idea of setting aside the 18-cent-per-gallon tax in 2022 was political theater. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kelly, Davids welcome EPA waiver of limitations on sale of E15 fuel during summer months
By: - May 3, 2023

Gov. Laura Kelly and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids praised the EPA's decision to allow E15 to be marketed to Kansas consumers during the summer months.

The Kansas Department of Revenue said state tax collections of $704 million in October exceeded expectations by 11% or $73 million. It was the 27th consecutive month state tax revenue surpassed the forecast. (Getty Images)

Kansas tax revenue below expectations in April, still $384 million ahead of last year’s pace
By: - May 2, 2023

Kansas tax revenue from all sources through nine months of the fiscal year stood at $384 million above the total after three quarters last fiscal year.

The administration of Gov. Laura Kelly said an inquiry had been launched into allegations of a state employee and "concerned taxpayer" about potential misuse of aircraft by the Kansas Highway Patrol's aviation unit. The allegations center on pilots obtaining flight credentials of little use to the KHP and of using a helicopter for trips to Kansas City restaurants. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

KHP’s ‘two-step’ technique for launching vehicle searches challenged on constitutional grounds
By: - May 2, 2023

U.S. District Court is hearing lawsuit challenging constitutionality of Kansas Highway Patrol's technique for compelling vehicle searches for illegal drugs.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab said on the Kansas Reflector podcast that he was eager to see how candidates and voters responded to the state's experiment with a $4.7 million presidential primary in March 2024. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas secretary of state convinced complaints about elections drive county clerks to retire
By: - May 1, 2023

Secretary of State Scott Schwab happy election law cleanup bill moved through Legislature and eager to see results of Kansas presidential primary.

Rep. Ford Carr, a Wichita Democrat, said he had heartburn about a special budget proviso earmarking $250,000 for the Quindaro Ruins Archaeological Park in Kansas City, Kansas. He said he supported work on the site where underground railroad slaves were buried, but was uneasy about backroom dealing on the budget. He voted against the bill passed Friday by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Laura Kelly. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

New Kansas state budget delivers pay raises, generates consternation about rise in spending
By: - April 29, 2023

Kansas Legislature's last budget bill includes pay raises for state workers and help for cities and counties seeking federal infrastructure aid.

Rep. John Eplee, an Atchison Republican and family physician, said the Legislature's passage of a bill restricting authority of state and local public health officials was a misguided response to government actions during the COVID-19 pandemic

Legislature narrowly approves bill stripping authority from state, local public health officials
By: - April 29, 2023

Kansas Legislature presented Gov. Laura Kelly with a bill restricting authority of state and local public health officials responding to health emergencies.

Sen. Tim Shallenburger, R-Baxter Springs, voted for to send a bundled tax reform bill to Gov. Laura Kelly despite concerns about so many policy changes in one bill and apprehension other tax changes sought by his constituents had yet to be made law. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas lawmakers adopt property tax break for restaurant, child care and fitness club businesses
By: - April 28, 2023

Gov. Laura Kelly will be asked by Legislature to consider signing bill making 18 changes in Kansas tax law, including property tax break for fitness clubs.

Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican, is convinced market manipulators were behind staggering price shocks in February 2021 amid a lethal cold-weather storm that left consumers with bills requiring years to pay off. He supports a House-passed resolution encouraging investigations. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas Senate’s attempt to override Kelly on tax cuts falls short again — GOP senator sanctioned
By: - April 28, 2023

Senate President Ty Masterson stripped GOP Sen. Rob Olson of a committee chairmanship for voting against overriding Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a tax bill.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Kansas congressman, said during the Kansas Chamber's annual meeting Wednesday night that President Donald Trump was right to affirm America's greatness and concentrate on making the United States an international economic powerhouse.

Pompeo jokes about $1 million bounty on his life, delves into ‘crazy’ four years at Trump’s side
By: - April 27, 2023

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explores Iran's $1 million bounty on his life, "crazy" years working for President Trump and the nation's future.

GOP Rep. Brenda Landwehr of Wichita, left, and Democratic Rep. Susan Ruiz of Shawnee verbally spar on merits of Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of $2 million earmarked for pregnancy resource centers. The House voted to override Kelly, but the Senate has yet to act. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas House rejects governor’s veto of bill expanding limits on access to food subsidies
By: and - April 26, 2023

House overrides Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of bill aimed at compelling food aid recipients to get a job and a $2 million earmark for pregnancy crisis centers.

Senate negotiators — left to right, center — Renee Erickson, Beverly Gossage and Pat Pettey await return of three House negotiators working on a bill to restrain state and county officials striving to prevent spread of infectious diseases. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)

GOP House, Senate negotiators attempting one more bite at anti-vaccination apple
By: - April 26, 2023

Senate and House GOP negotiators resurrected parts of several bills to limit power of Kansas and county health officials working to avoid disease spread.

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