Among the sponsored bills are proposals that would make it easier to evade vaccine requirements, require colleges to provide platforms for a wide variety of viewpoints, and make community college and medical school more affordable for students in high-demand areas.
Kansas State Government
Stories from The Wichita Beacon that cover issues from the Kansas state government.
Posted inEnvironment, Kansas State Government, Watchdog
‘I’m just so angry’: Wichitans feel state neglected to warn them of danger
In November, KMUW and The Wichita Beacon requested records detailing what the state did to inform the public of the contamination. The state produced limited evidence that it followed through on key aspects of its own communications plan between 2003 and 2022.
Posted inEconomics, Kansas State Government
Kansas wants to ease taxes on retirees
Update: This story was from the 2023 Legislative session, but it has been updated for the 2024 Legislative session and is up-to-speed on Statehouse action as of Jan. 31, 2024. Kansas lawmakers failed to cut Social Security taxes in 2023. But lawmakers are trying again — this time with more bipartisan support. Last year, Gov. […]
Posted inKansas State Government
These Wichita lawyers are providing Kansans with a way off the drug registry list
Kansas Legal Services and the Wichita Bar Association are offering potentially free help to people who want to be removed from the state’s drug registry, but to participate you must sign up by Jan. 28, then attend an in-person clinic on Feb. 5.
Posted inKansas State Government
Who represents me in the 2023 Kansas Legislature?
Wichita and the surrounding area account for only a fifth of the state’s population, but the region’s representatives in the 2023 Kansas Legislature include some of the most powerful politicians in Topeka, including House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson. Both men have the power to set the agenda of the entire legislature, […]
Posted inEconomics, Kansas State Government
Kansas lowers sales tax on food, but not everything you eat is eligible for savings
Update: On April 24, Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed legislation that would have accelerated the elimination of state sales tax on food to zero on Jan. 1, 2024. The food sales tax is currently scheduled to fall from 4% to 2% on that date. Though Kelly supported the change, she opposes the larger bill that would […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, DIY Democracy, Kansas State Government
Kansas Legislature asked to focus on life-and-death issues
“You have the power to save lives this upcoming session,” said Lisa Veyda, one of two dozen people who signed up to speak Dec. 13 at a public forum hosted by the Regional Economic Area Partnership of South Central Kansas (REAP).
Posted inDIY Democracy, Kansas State Government
DIY Democracy: How to follow the Kansas Legislature
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information about the 2024 legislative session. The Kansas Legislature meets from January through at least early May each year, holding countless committee meetings and hours of floor debate, which frequently can last into the wee hours. Hundreds of lobbyists and a dozen or so journalists monitor […]
Posted inHealth, Kansas State Government
Medicaid expansion in Kansas: What to know, how we got here and what’s next
Update as of March 14, 2023: In February, Democratic lawmakers introduced two bills, SB 225 and HB 2415, that propose expanding Medicaid eligibility in Kansas. Both bills have stalled since they were introduced, with no movement so far from legislative leadership. On March 31, a pandemic measure that prevented states from removing people from Medicaid […]
Posted inEconomics, Housing, How To, Kansas State Government
Can’t pay your utility bill? There is help for keeping the heat on this winter
Kansas’ “cold weather rule” is in effect from Nov. 1 to March 31. Nov. 1 until March 31. During this time, certain utility companies must do two things: Offer a 12-month repayment plan for those behind on their payments and not shut off any utilities if the temperature drops below 35 degrees.