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Latest Stories
LCC schedules 73 interim days, more narrowly focused committees
The Legislative Coordinating Council Monday morning approved 73 days of joint, special and standing committee meetings this summer and fall, up just one day from last year, but with more specialized, narrowly focused committees than last year. Those specialized committees include special education studies, public/technical education cooperation, and an examination of the salaries, other benefits …
Bulletin
View MoreGovernor signs K-12 funding/policy bill
Gov. Laura Kelly Thursday signed into law – with some line-item vetoes — the $6.3 billion K-12 budget bill that is the last bill sent to her by the 2023 Legislature. Kelly said the bill fully and constitutionally funds K-12 education as described by the Kansas Supreme Court and criticized lawmakers for refusing to include …
Kelly to veto tax-cut bill today
Gov. Laura Kelly said this morning she will veto the massive legislative-passed tax cut bill today. She said the flat tax proposed by GOP leadership is regressive and would see tax cuts of about $8 per month for Kansans. She has proposed a $450 rebate for single Kansans and a $900 rebate for married couples …
Former lawmaker Brady dies
Former House and Senate member, and since 2000 lobbyist, Bill Brady, D-Parsons, died Sunday night after suffering a stroke Friday. Brady, 66, who lived in Lawrence, served five terms in the House from 1981-1991 and then one and a half terms in the Senate to succeed former Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Parsons, before being elected to …
Newsletter
View MoreKelly, Kobach face off over school money issue
By Martin Hawver and Bryan Richardson Attorney General Kris Kobach will face off against Gov. Laura Kelly probably by mid-week to decide whether he believes her line-item veto of a provision of the K-12 budget/policy bill is authorized by state law or will be rejected. “We’re sorting through this complicated issue just a day after …
Lawmakers await Kelly’s school budget decision
Analysis by Martin Hawver Yes, the Legislature has adjourned its 2023 session, but most members are still waiting to find out just what Gov. Laura Kelly is going to do with the K-12 budget/policy bill that she will have to deal with this week. The $6.3 billion bill, which finances the state’s 287 unified school districts and …
It was all about preparing for 2024…
Analysis by Martin Hawver Legislators are back home for the year, and it appears that the just-adjourned 2023 Legislature was all about preparing for the GOP to dominate – with veto-override margins — the upcoming 2024 election year. Next year, the entire House and Senate will stand for re-election, and the state has never been …
Heading into the last week, will the Kansas Legislature get done?
Analysis by Martin Hawver The Legislature heads into what is (scheduled) to be the last week of the 2023 legislative session with nine vetoed bills facing potential override and the Mega budget bill with at least two dozen line-item vetoes, a few of which might see legislative challenges. Lawmakers will meet briefly Monday and Tuesday …
Sen. Masterson now a five-time winner of the Golden Fork Award
Editor’s Note: The following article is one in a series we’ve done over the years since the 2000 Kansas law establishing legislative hospitality transparency. The article continues the tradition of HCR bestowing the Golden Fork Award, along with Best-fed Boy, Best-fed Girl and Best-fed Democrat designations. (Why Best-fed Democrat? Because so far, no Democratic legislator …