The Kansas Legislature has adjourned its 2016 session sine die today, June 1, 2016. Following a decision by the state’s Supreme Court disapproving of how funding is distributed among public schools, many were expecting lawmakers to take action during its […]
The Kansas Legislature has adjourned its 2016 session sine die today, June 1, 2016.
Following a decision by the state’s Supreme Court disapproving of how funding is distributed among public schools, many were expecting lawmakers to take action during its typically ceremonial session. Senate leaders, however, blocked any consideration of a school funding bill, causing both houses to adjourn the session.
Gov. Sam Brownback will now have to call a special session if any changes will be made prior to a court-imposed deadline of June 30. Many Republican senators, however, are pledging to defy the court’s ruling.
Photo of the dome of the Kansas State Capitol by Aviper2k7 on Wikimedia Commons.
The Kansas Legislature adjourned after passing a budget in the early hours of May 2, 2016. Lawmakers have been in session only 73 of the scheduled 90 days and will return to the state capitol on June 1 for a […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned after passing a budget in the early hours of May 2, 2016. Lawmakers have been in session only 73 of the scheduled 90 days and will return to the state capitol on June 1 for a brief adjournment ceremony.
Leadership is hopeful business has been completed for the year; however, more work may be ahead as the state’s supreme court reviews changes to how more than $4 billion is distributed to school districts. Justices will hear arguments on May 10.
Photo of the Kansas State Capital dome by Aviper2k7 on Wikimedia Commons.
December 10, 2015 •
Wichita City Council Votes to Allow Contributions by Corporations
The Wichita, Kansas City Council approved a measure removing the prohibition on corporations, unions, and political action committees donating to local campaigns. Such groups are still limited to contributions of $500 per election, matching the limit on individual contributions and […]
The Wichita, Kansas City Council approved a measure removing the prohibition on corporations, unions, and political action committees donating to local campaigns. Such groups are still limited to contributions of $500 per election, matching the limit on individual contributions and mirroring the state’s restrictions.
Proponents of the change believe with the limit so low, the risk of corporations or PACs swaying an election is minimal.
The council also voted unanimously to move city elections from the spring to the fall beginning in 2017.
June 15, 2015 •
Marathon Session in Kansas Comes to an End
The Kansas Legislature adjourned Friday, June 12, 2015. The 113-day session was the longest in state history after lawmakers struggled to fix a deficit in the budget. A typical session only lasts 90 days and each additional day costs taxpayers […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned Friday, June 12, 2015.
The 113-day session was the longest in state history after lawmakers struggled to fix a deficit in the budget.
A typical session only lasts 90 days and each additional day costs taxpayers an estimated $40,000.
February 3, 2015 •
Kansas Legislature Mulls Raising Registration Threshold for Lobbyists
A new bill could increase the expenditure threshold for lobbyist registration. House Bill 2082, attempting to account for inflation, would increase the current $100 threshold to $1,000. The current law has been in place since 1975. Proponents of the bill […]
A new bill could increase the expenditure threshold for lobbyist registration. House Bill 2082, attempting to account for inflation, would increase the current $100 threshold to $1,000.
The current law has been in place since 1975.
Proponents of the bill believe it will only serve to protect private citizens from inadvertently breaking the law, while having no effect on industry lobbyists, who typically expend much larger sums.
Carol Williams, executive director of the Kansas Government Ethics Commission, presented the proposal to the House Elections Committee and was the only person to testify on the matter.
On June 18, the Kansas Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint accusing a candidate of soliciting contributions from lobbyists through social media, according to the Kansas City Star. On May 1, while the Legislature was still in session, a Facebook page […]
On June 18, the Kansas Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint accusing a candidate of soliciting contributions from lobbyists through social media, according to the Kansas City Star.
On May 1, while the Legislature was still in session, a Facebook page for former state Sen. Jean Schodorf’s campaign was posted seeking help to raise money for her political campaign for secretary of state. Clay Barker, the state GOP executive director, made a complaint after a lobbyist “liked” the page. State law prohibits candidates from seeking contributions from lobbyists while the Legislature is in session.
Schodorf told the Star the commission informed her they found no probable cause to believe she violated the law and dismissed the complaint.
May 5, 2014 •
Kansas Adjourns Short Legislative Session
The Kansas Legislature adjourned in the early morning hours of May 3, making this the shortest legislative session in 40 years. State lawmakers passed a budget and approved funding for courts and schools, but failed to address the state’s falling […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned in the early morning hours of May 3, making this the shortest legislative session in 40 years.
State lawmakers passed a budget and approved funding for courts and schools, but failed to address the state’s falling revenue due to deep tax cuts passed in 2012 and 2013.
Sharp declines in revenue are causing the state to quickly burn through its reserve funds, leaving some to wonder if the next Legislature will be able to fund critical state services.
Gov. Sam Brownback has vetoed a bill increasing the spending threshold for lobbyist registration. Senate Bill 99 would have raised the expenditure threshold triggering lobbyist registration from $100 per calendar year to $500 per calendar year. The increased threshold was […]
Gov. Sam Brownback has vetoed a bill increasing the spending threshold for lobbyist registration. Senate Bill 99 would have raised the expenditure threshold triggering lobbyist registration from $100 per calendar year to $500 per calendar year.
The increased threshold was recommended by the state ethics commission because the current threshold had not been increased in 25 years.
In vetoing the bill, Gov. Brownback stated he understood the bill’s purpose and intent but believed the current threshold better served the interest of government transparency.
January 18, 2013 •
Changes May Be Coming to Kansas Lobbyist and PAC Fees
Ethics commission will likely propose modest increase
The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission is seeking changes to the fees it charges for lobbyist and political action committee registrations. The commission’s executive director Carol Williams said the commission has not determined the amount of the increase it plans to propose, but that it will likely be a modest amount.
The fees for lobbyists and PACs have not increased in 12 years and the commission receives about a third of its funding through fees. The commission is also recommending an increase in the threshold amount at which a person must register as a lobbyist, from the current $100 in expenditures for lobbying to $500. The current threshold has not increased in 25 years, and the commission believes the proposed amount is a reasonable inflation factor.
January 15, 2013 •
Legislative Sessions to Watch
This week we see the first day of session for the following legislatures:
Monday, January 14, 2013
Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
May 30, 2012 •
Recalls and Redistricting
Keep up with the latest news about recall elections and redistricting:
Recall Elections
“Recall Fever: As Scott Walker Fights To Keep His Post, Recall Elections Spread Across U.S.” by Ashley Portero in the International Business Times.
“Recall fundraising figures released” by the Associated Press in WEAU News.
“Statistics Fly in Wisconsin’s Recall Battle” by Douglas Belkin in The Wall Street Journal.
Redistricting
Connecticut: “Challenge to Senate redistricting is delayed” by Brian Lockhart in the Connecticut Post.
Kansas: “Brownback tells federal judicial panel to toss legislative redistricting maps” by Scott Rothschild in the Lawrence Journal World.
Kansas: “Kan. redistricting trial nears completion” by John Milburn (Associated Press) in Real Clear Politics.
Photo of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker by Megan McCormick in Wikipedia.
May 29, 2012 •
Redistricting in the News
Keep up with the latest redistricting articles from five states.
Arizona: “Dismissal of Arizona redistricting lawsuit requested by commission” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Capitol Times.
Kansas: “Remove politics, and redistricting map falls in line” by Scott Rothschild in the Lawrence Journal World.
Kansas: “Redistricting hearings begin in Kansas City” by Andy Marso and Aly Van Dyke in the Topeka Capitol-Journal.
Missouri: “Missouri’s U.S. House and statehouse districts will remain, court rules” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
North Carolina: “N.C. group: Panel, not lawmakers, to draw districts” by the Associated Press in the Greensboro News & Record.
Texas: “Redistricting concerns remain in Texas” by Paul J. Weber in the Daily Oklahoman.
May 22, 2012 •
Today’s Redistricting News Roundup
We have news on redistricting issues from five states:
Alabama: “Redistricting bill stalls in Senate” by Sebastian Kitchen and Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Alaska: “Haines Borough challenges latest redistricting plan” by Becky Bohrer in the Anchorage Daily News.
Arizona: “Ariz. redistricting headed to two courts” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Sun.
California: “In Calif. redistricting experiment, how much better off will Democrats be?” by Tom Curry on MSNBC.com.
Kansas: “Court allows lawmakers, voters to intervene in redistricting suit” by John Hanna of the Associated Press and Brent D. Wistrom of the Eagle Topeka bureau in the Kansas City Star.
May 14, 2012 •
Monday’s News Roundup
Keep up with the latest campaign finance, ethics, and redistricting news:
Campaign Finance
“FEC to Congress: Expand ban on personal use of political committee funds” by Rachel Leven in The Hill.
Ethics
Arkansas: “Group throws financial weight behind ethics reform initiative” by Rob Moritz in Arkansas News.
Florida: “Gov. Rick Scott’s chief of staff draws ethics complaint for using state staff to apply for a job” by May Ellen Klas in The Miami Herald.
Florida: “Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Scrutiny of State Contracts Awarded Friends” by Mary Ellen Klas in Governing.
Redistricting
Alaska: “State redistricting board will meet Monday to address supreme court concerns in SE Alaska” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Arizona: “Clean Elections Commission weighs in on redistricting suit” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
Kansas: “Kansas redistricting fight may navigate to the courts” in the Kansas City Business Journal.
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