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Politics

KU makes sudden change in Statehouse presence
May 20, 2013
In the middle of a crucial fight in the Legislature over proposed budget cuts to higher education, Kansas University officials have changed their strategy in the Statehouse — and the lobbyist leading it. By Scott Rothschild
Legislative negotiations break down amid Republican in-fighting
May 17, 2013
Budget and tax negotiations broke down in the Legislature on Friday, prompting another round of Republican in-fighting before legislators went home, guaranteeing that the wrap-up session would extend into another week. By Scott Rothschild
Attempt to revive fire districts bill fails
May 17, 2013
A bill that would have allowed residents to have an election if they wanted to detach from a fire district appears to be dead for the 2013 legislative session. The measure was sought by Douglas County Commissioner Jim Flory, and an effort by state Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, to revive it failed in the House on Friday. By Scott Rothschild
Senate approves bill banning use of tax dollars to advocate for gun control
May 17, 2013
The Kansas Senate on Friday approved a measure that prohibits the use of state tax dollars to advocate for gun control at the local, state or federal levels. By Scott Rothschild
Budget provision would block state funding for Common Core standards
May 16, 2013
The top Senate Republican budget negotiator on Thursday urged passage of a measure that would prohibit the expenditure of state funds to implement Common Core standards for reading and math and new science standards in public schools. By Scott Rothschild
Higher education funding back at the forefront; Republican leaders still negotiating budget and taxes
11:29 a.m., May 16, 2013 Updated 09:42 p.m.
Key budget negotiators on Friday sought to cut funding to higher education, but couldn’t agree on how much. House and Senate Republicans were trying to resolve budget differences in the next day or two in an effort to wrap up the 2013 legislative session. By Scott Rothschild
Affordable Care Act bringing jobs to Lawrence
May 16, 2013
Lawrence will be a beneficiary of the federal government’s effort to help Americans understand the coverage being made available by the Affordable Care Act. A yet-to-be-determined number of positions will be added later this year to the Vangent call center in the East Hills Business Park, where operators will assist consumers purchasing insurance in the new online health care exchanges, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has confirmed. The jobs are a fraction of the 7,000-9,000 positions that will be created this fall nationwide at up to 14 call centers nationwide, some of which, including the one in Lawrence, currently handle Medicare-related queries. By Giles Bruce
House Republicans outline new tax plan
May 15, 2013
Republicans in the Kansas House outlined a new, compromise plan Wednesday for cutting income taxes in hopes of breaking a stalemate that’s prevented legislators from wrapping up their business for the year. The new plan would cancel part of a decrease in the state’s sales tax scheduled by law for July. The move would be aimed at stabilizing Kansas’ budget, while cutting personal income taxes further to follow up on massive reductions made last year in hopes of stimulating the economy.
Higher education officials say concealed carry on campus probably inevitable in the future
May 15, 2013
The Kansas Board of Regents is expected to adopt a temporary resolution to keep in place the current no-weapons policy at the state universities, including Kansas University. But having guns on campuses in some form in the future is probably inevitable, according to Regents Vice Chairman Fred Logan Jr. By Scott Rothschild
New judicial-selection plan fails
May 15, 2013
A plan to change how Kansas fills vacancies on its two highest courts foundered Tuesday when the Kansas Bar Association’s board decided to oppose it.
Conservatives at odds over budget, taxes as wrap-up session drags on
May 14, 2013
Kansas’ elected leaders may describe themselves as conservative Republicans, but, at this point, they aren’t getting along, and that means the state’s budget and tax system remained up in the air Tuesday as the 2013 wrap-up session dragged on. By Scott Rothschild
Brownback: Private GOP tax talks ‘going well’
May 14, 2013
Private negotiations with top legislative Republicans about tax issues are “going well,” Gov. Sam Brownback said Monday, but he wouldn’t predict when party leaders might agree on a plan to cut income taxes further.
Regents waiting on budget negotiations before taking up tuition proposals
May 10, 2013
One of the major duties of the Kansas Board of Regents is to set tuition and fees at the state universities. But that process will be delayed if Gov. Sam Brownback and the Kansas Legislature don’t come to an agreement soon on the state budget. By Scott Rothschild
Kansas Action for Children files lawsuit against Attorney General Derek Schmidt over settlement records
May 10, 2013
A child advocacy group filed a lawsuit on Friday against Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, alleging Schmidt’s office has violated the state law that requires the disclosure of public records. The attorney general’s office issued a statement that said it was following proper procedure. By Scott Rothschild
Kansas House approves NBAF funding
May 9, 2013
Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration overcame fresh resistance from the Kansas Legislature on Thursday to his proposal for an additional $202 million in bonds to help cover higher construction costs for a national biodefense lab that state officials had pursued aggressively.

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