In 2023, Gov. Laura Kelly issued a near record number of vetoes (though close to half were overturned). What were her motivations in making use of her veto power so extensively? Some of Kelly’s vetoes reflect her very practical, service-oriented vision for Kansas. More than anything else, ...

We liberal Christians are used to being overlooked. I was reminded of this the other day while discussing religion and politics with an otherwise smart, worldly, well-read former student who had never heard of liberal Christianity. Liberal Christians are woven into the fabric of Kansas and ...

Gov. Laura Kelly recently vetoed House Bill 2285, which would have restricted the ability of public health officials to respond to public health emergencies in the state of Kansas. While Republican legislators will be unable to override this veto, bill proponents have promised this fight ...

Medicaid expansion has been a hot topic over the past decade. Despite many states across the country expanding their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act, Kansas has yet to do so. According to the 2022 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey distributed by the Docking Institute of ...

They waited ’til the midnight hour, almost; it was the evening of the final day of the 2023 legislative session when lawmakers compromised on school funding and school choice voucher bills. Republicans, Democrats, legislators from rural counties and urbanites from upscale northeast suburbs ...

I’ve used this space many times over the years to provide some defense of the political powers and interests of the cities that over 75% of Kansans live in. I did last month in response to a bill in Topeka — which thankfully died in committee — that would have forbidden cities from ...