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, […]
Kansas House
Posted inHealth, 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 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 inElections, Kansas State Government
Changes to checks and balances: What these constitutional amendments could mean for Kansas
Kansans may have seen postcards in their mailbox, videos in their Facebook feed or commercials on television admonishing voters to support House Concurrent Resolution 5014, a proposed constitutional amendment listed on the November ballot as Constitutional Question 1. But while the ads are long on platitudes, they’re short on specifics, leaving many Kansas voters to […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Local Government, State Government
How to research federal and state candidates on the November ballot in Wyandotte County
For voters interested in researching candidates, here are the competitive federal and state races that will appear on ballots in Wyandotte County on Nov. 8, with links to each candidate’s campaign website (if one exists) and Ballotpedia page.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Kansas State Government, Lea en Español, Local Government
¿Votará en las primarias de Kansas? Esto es lo que puede esperar al emitir su voto
Las elecciones primarias de Kansas son el 2 de agosto, pero los votantes no tienen que esperar tanto tiempo para votar. Ya sea que vote el día de las elecciones, por correo o antes de las elecciones en persona, The Beacon ha creado una guía para ayudarlo a prepararse. ¿Cómo verifico mi información en el […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Kansas State Government, Local Government
Voting in the Kansas primary? Here’s what to expect when casting your ballot
The Kansas primary election is on Aug. 2, but voters don’t have to wait that long to vote. Whether you vote on election day, by mail, or early in person, The Beacon has created a guide to help you prepare for the Kansas primary. How do I check my voter registration information? When do I […]
Posted inEducation, Kansas State Government
Open enrollment, childhood literacy included in Kansas’ $6.4 billion education budget
Kansas lawmakers did not include the additional $30 million in special education funding Gov. Laura Kelly requested.
Posted inKansas State Government
Here’s what happened during the Kansas Legislature’s veto session. But lawmakers aren’t done yet.
Lawmakers returned to the Kansas Statehouse on Monday with a lengthy to-do list: seven vetoes from Gov. Laura Kelly, school funding and several high-profile bills left unresolved when they departed for spring break earlier in April. They wrapped up many of the matters in four days. But there’s still more to be done. On May […]