Lawmakers have promised for years to fix sky-high property tax bills. But the 2026 session ended with lawmakers in both parties saying more needed to be done to help.
Blaise Mesa
Blaise Mesa is The Beacon’s former Kansas Statehouse reporter. He covered the Kansas Statehouse for The Beacon from 2023 to 2026 after reporting on social services for the Kansas News Service and crime and local government for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He has a bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism with a concentration in radio from Columbia College Chicago.
Posted inState Government
Kansas Republicans overrode dozens of Gov. Laura Kelly’s vetoes. Here’s what passed
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed more than 25 bills this year and dozens of budget items. The vast majority were overridden.
Posted inKansas
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoes property tax relief
Lawmakers have voted on multiple property tax cuts this year. Only one major proposal passed so far. The governor has her own plan, which includes previously failed ideas.
Posted inState Government
Kansas bill aims to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen in prescription drug pricing
The bill regulates pharmacy benefit managers, which are the middlemen in prescription drug pricing. Pharmacists say shady drug pricing has inflated costs.
Posted inState Government
Kansas bill gives foster care agencies more protections from lawsuits — the same level as law enforcement
Social workers could be rolled into the Kansas Tort Claims Act if Gov. Laura Kelly signs a bill passed by state lawmakers.
Posted inState Government
Kansas bill would drain funding that helps steer kids out of criminal justice system, advocates say
The bill focuses on detention and treatment programs. But opponents of the legislation say the proposed programs won’t succeed.
Posted inState Government
DOJ says Kansas handed over Social Security numbers of voters. The state says that’s not true
The U.S. Department of Justice claimed in court it already has sensitive data on voters. The Kansas secretary of state said none of that information has been shared.
Posted inState Government
Kansas bill to expand free breast cancer screening stalls in political squabble
Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt was a key force behind the bill. She is running against Ty Masterson in the Republican gubernatorial primary election.
Posted inState Government
Kansas lawmakers shaping sports authority — and tax shield — for new Chiefs stadium
The sports authority would work similarly to the one in Jackson County. It will mean the stadium is publicly owned.
Posted inState Government
Kansas lawmakers want to require age verification on all phone application downloads
The legislation passed the Senate 34-6. It would require adults and children alike to confirm their ages before downloading apps from platforms such as Google or Apple.