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What the Kansas Legislature Is Facing This Session

khi.org

Here are the issues facing Kansas legislature according to the Wichita Eagle:

  • Abortion.  State lawmakers have passed some of the most stringent laws, and there is little left to add without being in direct conflict with the Supreme Court.  The Wichita-based Kansas Coalition for Life is expected to push again for a law to outlaw abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected, about five to six weeks into a pregnancy.
  • Aviation Training.  Restoration of $2 million dollars of funding to the National Center for Aviation Training is expected to be a priority of Wichita lawmakers.
  • Energy.  Repealing of the standard requiring utilities to obtain 20% of power, namely wind energy, from renewable sources. 
  • Fair Fares.  South-central lawmakers will try to retain a $5 million state subsidy that assures lower-fare airline service to Wichita Mid-Continent Airport.
  • Marijuana.  Legalization of medical use marijuana.  Bills have been hung up in legislative committees for years and never made it to a vote.  Supporters hope recent legalization of recreational pot in Colorado and Washington will give them momentum.
  • Medicaid.  Health providers will push for the expansion of the Medicaid program to help cover about 78,000 uninsured Kansans in the current coverage gap.
  • Mortgage Fees.  Real estate and banking lobbies want to eliminate county fees to register mortgages. 
  • Prisons.  Funding for corrections remains a point of contention even in the middle of a two-year budget cycle.  Lawmakers say current levels do not adequately fund the department.  Brownback vetoed last year’s corrections budget.
  • Voter Registration.  The repeal of proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration will be introduced.  Previous bills failed to pass last fall’s special session.  The bill would match the state with federal requirements.
  • Water.  Protecting the Equus Beds aquifer northwest of Wichita to sustain water as the city develops industry.

Further topic details from the Wichita Eagle can be found here.