Takeaways: Republicans and Democrats propose dueling tax-cut plans in the Kansas Legislature that could spend down a surplus and set policy for a generation. The Republican plan includes things the Democratic governor has said she’ll never sign. The Democrats’ plan lacks items that Republicans say are must-haves. Yet even as each side says the other’s […]
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 inKansas State Government
Kansas Democrats and Republicans both proposed tax cuts. Here’s how they compare
Takeaways: Republicans and Democrats propose dueling tax-cut plans in the Kansas Legislature that could spend down a surplus and set policy for a generation. The Republican plan includes things the Democratic governor has said she’ll never sign. The Democrats’ plan lacks items that Republicans say are must-haves. Yet even as each side says the other’s […]
Posted inState Government
Here’s how Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wants to spend the state’s tax dollars
Takeaways: The Kansas budget would include the largest single-year investment in child care under the plan set out by Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday The governor’s recommendations are just one step in the lengthy process of setting a final budget. Proposals to expand Medicaid and invest more in special education and her tax-cut plans draw […]
Posted inEducation, Health, Kansas State Government
Here’s how Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wants to spend the state’s tax dollars
Takeaways: The Kansas budget would include the largest single-year investment in child care under the plan set out by Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday The governor’s recommendations are just one step in the lengthy process of setting a final budget. Proposals to expand Medicaid and invest more in special education and her tax-cut plans draw […]
Posted inEnvironment, Kansas State Government
An EPA grant is helping Kansas foster kids get environmental jobs
Takeaways: A growing program in Kansas and Missouri aims to set up more kids for environmental jobs — and it’s focusing on foster kids. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is spending more than $450,000 to help foster children in the two states land environmental jobs. Those kids spend days in the classroom studying for key […]
Posted inEnvironment, State Government
An EPA grant is helping Kansas foster kids get environmental jobs
Takeaways: A growing program in Kansas and Missouri aims to set up more kids for environmental jobs — and it’s focusing on foster kids. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is spending more than $450,000 to help foster children in the two states land environmental jobs. Those kids spend days in the classroom studying for key […]
Posted inKansas State Government
Kansas Republicans want a flat tax. Here’s why it may not happen
Takeaways: The path to a Republican-led tax cut looks murky one day into the Kansas legislative session after three key lawmakers signaled they back the competing tax plan pushed by the Democratic governor. Republicans came close to passing a single-rate flat-tax plan last year that would have taxed everyone’s income at 5.15% if they make […]
Posted inState Government
Kansas Republicans want a flat tax. Here’s why it may not happen
Takeaways: The path to a Republican-led tax cut looks murky one day into the Kansas legislative session after three key lawmakers signaled they back the competing tax plan pushed by the Democratic governor. Republicans came close to passing a single-rate flat-tax plan last year that would have taxed everyone’s income at 5.15% if they make […]
Posted inState Government
Kansas lawmakers have a budget surplus and want tax cuts. Here’s what they’re thinking for 2024
Takeaways: Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka with a $2 billion-plus surplus and competing ideas on how to spend it. Republicans want things the state’s Democratic governor is sure to veto, and Democrats don’t have the legislative clout to pass their plans. The Beacon asked Republican and Democratic leadership what their priorities are for this session, […]
Posted inKansas State Government
Kansas lawmakers have a budget surplus and want tax cuts. Here’s what they’re thinking for 2024
Takeaways: Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka with a $2 billion-plus surplus and competing ideas on how to spend it. Republicans want things the state’s Democratic governor is sure to veto, and Democrats don’t have the legislative clout to pass their plans. The Beacon asked Republican and Democratic leadership what their priorities are for this session, […]