Update: On May 11, Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 174 into law. The bill decriminalizes fentanyl test strips. Read more here. On Monday, the Kansas Legislature introduced a bill that, if passed, would decriminalize a tool used to test drugs for the presence of fentanyl. House Bill 2328 was introduced with little fanfare in […]
Kansas Senate
Posted inEducation, Kansas State Government
Tuition, sports and free speech: How Kansas lawmakers want to change higher education in 2023
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.
Posted inState Government
These lawmakers represent Johnson and Wyandotte counties in the 2023 Kansas Legislature
Johnson and Wyandotte counties are represented in the 2023 Kansas Legislature by more lawmakers during this legislative session than the last, a reflection of the region’s growing population — and political influence. The region gained three state representatives after last year’s redrawing of political boundaries. Wyandotte County is now represented by eight members of the […]
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 inDIY Democracy, State Government
DIY Democracy: How to follow the Kansas Legislature
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include revisions to the legislature’s website made after this story published, and to add more information sources available to the public. When the 2023 Kansas Legislature convenes on Jan. 9, lawmakers will begin writing, revising and debating laws that will impact the lives of all Kansans. But […]
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, 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 […]