Commissioners voted 7–3 to authorize a local tax pledge after being warned a no vote could cost the county leverage in stadium negotiations and state-funded bridge repairs.
Kansas
Posted inElections
Cryptocurrency might make its way into local election campaigns as lawmakers consider new bill
Republican Sen. Craig Bowser is pushing the bill. A 2022 report by the state’s Governmental Ethics Commission said lawmakers should regulate the practice.
Posted inKansas
Kansas Republicans want citizenship status listed on driver’s licenses
Supporters say the proposal would reduce noncitizen voting, even though that is very rare. One study says it happens 0.0001% of the time.
Posted inState Government
A course on sexual assault is helping catch predators across the country, but Kansas doesn’t require schools to teach it
Kansas is one of 12 states that haven’t passed Erin’s Law. Advocates want that to change.
Posted inState Government
‘The numbers are just not credible’: Kansas used flawed math to estimate economic impact of Chiefs relocation, experts say
The Beacon spoke with four economists who say the state relied on inflated numbers to make the stadium deal look better. State officials say football teams bring in real value as millions flock to the stadium projects.
Posted inMeeting Notes
KCKPS board highlights early childhood and special education updates
The board also swore in new members and approved funding for new facilities, roof repairs and public library upgrades.
Posted inState Government
Bill would stop transgender Kansans from changing sex on driver’s licenses, birth certificates
A previous law faced legal troubles, and the courts sided with Democrats to allow gender marker changes.
Posted inState Government
‘This place is killing me’: Prison medical care in Kansas still struggles to help inmates
A 2022 investigation found serious flaws in the prison medical system. Those same problems persist years later, and the prison medical contractor is making more mistakes.
Posted inMeeting Notes
Wyandotte County considers loosening short-term rental rules ahead of the World Cup
Proposed changes could make it easier for homeowners to host World Cup visitors, though details around enforcement, the one-per-block limit and duration are still under discussion.
Posted inState Government
Kansas Republicans don’t have the votes for congressional redistricting, House speaker says
Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said he is about 20 votes short of overriding a veto.