Scott Rothschild / LJWorld.com

Staff

Scott Rothschild (Statehouse Reporter)

I cover the state Legislature, government and politics.

I have been a reporter in Kansas since 1998, and prior to that he covered news in Texas as a newspaper reporter and later with The Associated Press.

For two of the past three years, I have been awarded first place in beat reporting from Capitolbeat, an association of statehouse reporters and editors. I live in Topeka with my wife and two teenage sons.

You can follow me Twitter, where I try to provide instant updates on news and what's going on in the Statehouse.

Recent stories

Kansas Legislature considers poverty waivers for those looking to get married, but unable to pay fees: By Scott Rothschild; February 9, 2010; Saying “I do” could be a cheap date under a bill before the Legislature.
House gives preliminary OK for Kansas universities to bypass purchasing requirements: By Scott Rothschild; February 9, 2010; The Kansas House gave preliminary approval to a bill that would free regents universities from state government purchasing requirements.
Proposed constitutional amendment to block federal health care reform considered: By Scott Rothschild; 03:09 p.m., February 9, 2010 Updated 04:59 p.m.; About 10 people testified in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 1626, saying it was needed to protect Kansans from federal government intrusion.
Groups urge Kansas Senate to consider primary seat belt law: By Scott Rothschild; 09:46 a.m., February 9, 2010 Updated 09:46 a.m.; Car makers, insurance companies and law enforcement testified in support of Senate Bill 483.
Statehouse Live: Kansas politics resembles musical chairs: By Scott Rothschild; 08:54 a.m., February 9, 2010 Updated 08:54 a.m.; Of the six statewide elected officials, five were not elected to the office that they currently hold.
Bill would allow big-cat hunting: By Scott Rothschild; February 9, 2010; A Kansas legislator Monday urged passage of a bill to allow hunting of mountain lions.
Lawmakers consider school-district mergers: By Scott Rothschild; February 9, 2010; State legislators who are hungry for ways to stretch tax dollars in the current budget crisis received a report Monday that said merging school districts could produce savings.
Audit looks at school district consolidation: By Scott Rothschild; 01:04 p.m., February 8, 2010 Updated 01:05 p.m.; The state could save money by merging school districts, but those consolidations could also produce problems, the study said.
Statehouse Live: House committee considers moratorium on handing out tax breaks: By Scott Rothschild; 09:39 a.m., February 8, 2010 Updated 11:24 a.m.; The panel was considering a resolution to establish a three-year moratorium in granting new tax exemptions, tax credits or economic development incentives that involve the use of employer withholding taxes.
Capitol briefing: News from the Kansas Statehouse: By Scott Rothschild; February 8, 2010; News from the Statehouse for February 8, 2010.

Full story list

Recent photos

State Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, (standing), spoke on Tuesday in opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment that asserts that the federal government cannot require Kansans to have health insurance. From left to right (seated) are state Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, and state Sens. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, and Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka.

State Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, R-Shawnee, in foreground, on Tuesday spoke at a hearing on her proposed constitutional amendment that she said was needed to prevent the federal government from requiring that Kansans purchase health insurance.

A bill was heard Monday that would expand the definition of domestic violence crimes, and seeks to better identify offenders. Christie Brungardt, the mother of Jana Mackey, who was murdered in 2008 in Lawrence, and Mackey’s stepfather Curt Brungardt, were on hand to testify on the bill before the House Corrections Committee. Mackey was slain by Adolfo Garcia-Nunez, who was later arrested in New Jersey in connection with Mackey’s death, and committed suicide in a holding cell.

Here are some examples of novelty cigarette lighters that would be banned under Senate Bill 342, which was considered Thursday before a Senate committee. Nancy Niles Lusk of Overland Park purchased these lighters in filling stations and convenience stores in Kansas. Supporters of the bill say the lighters should not be for sale because they are attractive to young children who could misuse them.

State Sen. Jeff Colyer, R-Overland Park, on Wednesday explains his amendment to repeal a 10 percent cut in Medicaid that was imposed by Gov. Mark Parkinson to balance the budget. Colyer's proposal was defeated by senators who said it would make the budget hole deeper. Lawmakers face a $400 million revenue shortfall in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Full photo list