Latest news with #KansasStatehouse
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Kansas law would make drivers move over or slow down for stalled cars
Kansans will have to either slow down or move over when passing a stalled vehicle on the side of the road under a law that passed both the House and Senate. Senate Bill 8 is uncontroversial in the Kansas Statehouse, passing both chambers without a single dissenting vote nor any opponent testimony during committee hearings. The bill is now heading to Gov. Laura Kelly's desk. The law creates a $75 fine for unlawful passing of a stationary vehicle that has its hazard lights on or has deployed road flares or caution signals. People are urged to switch lanes if possible, but if they can't are asked to slow to a "reasonable" and "prudent" speed. A similar law already existed, but only applied to stalled vehicles that were operated by law enforcement, emergency services, tow trucks, utility vehicles and garbage trucks. "While Kansas existing 'Move Over' law is fairly strong, one glaring need for improvement was that regular folks changing a tire, dealing with an engine breakdown or other vehicle issues were NOT included in or protected by the law in the same way emergency responders and roadside workers are,' said Shawn Steward, public and government affairs manager for AAA Kansas. 'Everyone on the roadside, whether unplanned or there for their job, should enjoy the additional safety and awareness this enhancement will provide.' The Kansas Department of Transportation statistics show that nearly 1,000 empty stalled vehicles were struck while on the side of the road between 2018 and 2023, resulting in the following: Eight fatalities. 25 suspected serious injuries. 211 suspected minor injuries. 513 instances of damaged property. Another 82 crashes occurred with someone in the car, resulting in the following: 2 deaths. Four suspected serious injuries. 60 suspected minor injuries. 42 instances of property damage. Every state has some form of "Move Over" laws, but Kansas would be the 26th state to move toward a universal model rather than specifying it for certain types of vehicles, like police cruisers. Kansas nearly passed a similar bill last year, but it was bundled with two other bills that were less popular: One would have increased the penalties for striking emergency vehicles that have stalled, and created felony crimes if emergency services personnel were struck or killed. The other would have banned using cell phones while driving in a construction zone with workers present or a school zone during active hours. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansans must move or reduce speeds under uncontroversial bill
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands raised to support Haskell students, staff after federal cuts
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After dozens of staff members lost their jobs at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence last month, a foundation connected to the school is raising thousands of dollars to help students and remaining employees affected by the federal cuts. The Haskell Foundation announced in a statement Feb. 25 that it launched an emergency fundraiser to raise $350,000 to support the Haskell community. Haskell students protest layoffs at the Kansas Statehouse The school said it was working with university leadership and its partners 'to ensure funds are allocated to mitigate the immediate impact of these disruptions.' As of Monday, the foundation's website showed that it has raised more than $112,000 with more than 400 donors contributing. Kansas, Missouri prep for Severe Weather Preparedness Week The foundation listed the following ways that the money will be used: Temporary contract extensions for part-time coaches, bus drivers, custodial staff, dining services, and general staff to maintain essential campus functions for at least three months. Emergency assistance for students affected by financial aid delays and unexpected hardships. Limited relief for displaced employees facing financial instability. Funding for long-standing cultural events to ensure the continuity of vital community traditions. Support the remaining Haskell staff, who are overwhelmed by the recent personnel reductions. A reserve fund to address unexpected university funding cuts, with assistance provided at the request of the HINU President or their appointee. The foundation emphasized that it is not raising money to rehire the affected employees. 'While this idealistically would be a tremendous support, this is not a realistic goal at this time. Haskell University employees are federal employees and we are not able to circumvent the federal process,' the foundation said in a statement. Haskell Indian Nations University lays off dozens of employees after federal orders 'The Haskell University Board of Regents and our partners are working together to present a united front to petition these blanket terminations.' The foundation added that it is also encouraging community members to call their elected officials and U.S. Secretary of the Interior to make their voices heard. Haskell students last week who gathered outside the Kansas Statehouse to protest the federal layoffs told sister station KSNT that they are concerned about their education and the lack of instructors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Activists call on Kansas lawmakers to provide sales tax relief for period products
From left, Caitlyn Hammack, the Kansas leader of equity organization URGE, and Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, a Wichita Democrat, appear on Feb. 26, 2025, at a period day of action in Topeka to promote a bill that would exempt period products from sales taxes. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — A person spends on average about $2,000 on menstrual products in their lifetime, and Kansas activists say part of that price tag could be reduced by eliminating sales tax on those products. At a period day of action Wednesday at the Kansas Statehouse, students and legislators convened to advocate in favor of Senate Bill 107, which would exempt disposable and reusable period products, diapers and incontinence products from the state's 6.5% sales tax and local sales tax collections. The bill hasn't received a hearing this session despite bipartisan support for similar bills proposed in recent years. State budget officials estimated the tax exemption would decrease state revenue by $8 million in fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1, when the exemption would go into effect. Officials were not able to calculate the impact on local sales tax revenues. Caitlyn Hammack is the statewide organizer for URGE, Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, which is active on five college campuses across Kansas helping students access period products and reduce the stigma surrounding discussions about periods. Hammack led the Wednesday event, which included shiny red tablecloths, attendees wearing red clothing and stickers that read 'Go with the flow!' She said the bill fits the session's predominant focus: tax relief for everyday Kansans. Hammack said she wrote the bill, modeling it after similar legislation in red and purple states, including Texas, which eliminated its 'tampon tax' in 2023. Wichita Democratic Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau introduced it on Jan. 29. Faust-Goudeau pointed out the struggle among Kansans to afford basic needs, including those who receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which can't be used to purchase hygiene products. Rep. Alexis Simmons, a Topeka Democrat and a supporter of the bill, told those gathered to 'make a big deal about what you're doing.' 'How often do we hear someone talking about the price of eggs?' Simmons said. 'But why is nobody talking about something that directly affects 50% of the population?' The bill was assigned to the Senate tax committee, where a hearing has not been scheduled.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Topeka Mayor Padilla says he won't run for reelection
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla announced at a monthly press conference on Tuesday that he won't be running for reelection in Topeka. Padilla said his stepping down is an opportunity for those seeking office to step up on Feb. 25. He said he would continue to work throughout the rest of the year. 'This will be my formal announcement… I want to thank everyone who supported me as a councilmember and as mayor,' Padilla said. Haskell students protest layoffs at the Kansas Statehouse Padilla said it has been a privilege and honor to serve the city in his capacity as mayor. Padilla retired from the Topeka Police Department in 2011 after 34 years and took a position with the State of Kansas as the new Chief of Enforcement for the Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control. He also served on the Governor's Committee to study racial profiling. Following his career in law enforcement, he served as the District 5 Council member starting in 2018 and then served as interim mayor during the second half of 2021. He was elected mayor during the 2021 elections. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dark tidings as Kansas Statehouse overflows with anger, confrontation and confusion
The Kansas Statehouse dome peers out of an inky black night sky. The session has taken an ominous turn, writes opinion editor Clay Wirestone. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Statehouse scraps Opinion editor Clay Wirestone's weekly roundup of legislative flotsam and jetsam. . Well, that was alarming. A representative-on-representative confrontation in the Kansas House led to suspension of business, a private caucus among Democrats and precious little clarity about what happened. In short, Republican Nick Hoheisel apparently had words with Democrat Ford Carr. Both men are from Wichita. During the caucus, Carr suggested that Hoheisel might have been carrying a firearm: 'He got up, he came over to me, and he made attacks. I can't honestly see how someone of his stature would feel comfortable making those kind of attacks at me unless, of course, he feels like he has some sort of an equalizer.' Hoheisel snapped back via text to Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith: 'I'm not going to dignify any of those false and outlandish allegations with a response.' The House stopped debate on a bill and both sides licked their wounds for a couple of hours. House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Minority Leader Brandon Woodard issued a rare joint statement meant to deescalate tensions. Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, sounded an ominous note after the entire affair. 'In the longer term,' he said, 'leadership is going to have to have long conversations with some of their members.' Carmichael added: 'I do not feel safe on the floor under these circumstances. This situation with immature hotheads with guns on the floor needs to end.' Recall where we were just last week. Republican Reps. Patrick Penn and Kyler Sweely were joking on the House floor about shooting former Democratic Rep. Jason Probst. Not a single Republican objected. Can leadership really be so surprised to see tensions ratcheted up from bad to worse? They have given this fire of tensions more and more oxygen, targeted members of the news media with repeated lies and barriers to doing their work. A small band of GOP lawmakers have treated anyone even asking questions as dangerous threats. Read Probst on the subject, if you have a moment. This could all lead to a dark place, and soon. In late January, Rep. Suzanne Wikle noted the Legislature's short schedule during an interview. At the time, I wondered if this had anything to do with leaving Gov. Laura Kelly holding the bag if final revenue estimates came in below expectations. I still don't know if that's the case. But we do have more clarity about the shortened schedule: It's real and pressing. The turnaround deadline was Thursday. That means each chamber finished work on its own bills before sending them to the other chamber. I've written before that turnaround is an illusion; leaders deploy it as a tool to kill bills they don't like while blessing their favored legislation whenever they choose. Regardless, it came two days earlier this year than last. First adjournment is set for March 28, with a veto session penciled in for April 10. Last year, first adjournment was April 5 and the veto session began April 29. This adds to the stress and unhappiness suffusing Statehouse halls. Lawmakers are being asked to plunge through legislation to meet earlier deadlines — and for what? We still don't know. Look, I try to keep these roundups as light as possible. They hit Kansas Reflector's website and email inboxes Saturday mornings. I want to start your weekend off with a chuckle or two, or at least an amused eye roll. This week, though? I don't know about this week. The whole affair felt progressively grim and grimmer, as temperatures stayed below zero and lawmakers ground through votes on dozens of bills. Medicaid expansion proposals fell flat. So did an attempt to crack open the door on medical marijuana legalization. We know Kansans support these proposals; they've told pollsters so for years. But leadership doesn't care. Their members don't care. They pass bills that bully and harass children and people who are different from themselves, then pat themselves on the back. It's not funny. It's gut-wrenching. You know who else has watched this session with amazement and despair? The good folk of Hutchison, approximately 60 of whom braved the incoming storm on Monday evening to see Reflector reporter Anna Kaminski, editor Sherman Smith and yours truly at the community college. (Thanks to the Hutchinson Area Chapter of Women for Kansas for sponsoring our appearance.) They had a bunch of questions about legislative deadlines, Hawkins' restrictions on journalists, Sweely and our current political climate. Smith and I visited Hutchinson two years ago for a similar town hall. What I noticed this time around was a decidedly different tone from those in attendance. In 2023, they sounded curious and a bit plaintive. This time around, they sounded angry. They wanted answers from their elected representatives. They wanted action in Topeka. And they wanted those of us at the Reflector to do do our work even more aggressively. You can count on that. More questions that came to mind after this week. GOP Rep. Pat Proctor branded me a 'liar' on Twitter over the weekend (don't worry, I'll survive). But what does that make Proctor? What's up with the delay in introducing some sort of legalized cannabis in this state? How many members of the Legislature imbibe regularly yet still oppose bills that would bring in a bunch of money? Rep. Steven Howe made stirring points Thursday about special education funding. Does his refusal to offer an amendment adding that funding remind you of his decision to endorse Donald Trump for president last year — after begging Republicans to consider alternatives? If Washington, D.C., lawmakers end up slashing Medicaid funding, will Kansas Republicans look wise for forgoing expansion all these years? It wouldn't be a weekly installment of this column in 2025 without mentioning that House Speaker Dan Hawkins continues to bar journalists from their traditional space on the House floor. They have been banished from the press box and sent to report from the balcony, all the better to keep them away from altercations like the one we saw Thursday afternoon. With the news out of Mississippi, where a newspaper was ordered in flagrant violation of the First Amendment to take down an editorial, Hawkins still has an opportunity to stand up for free speech. He could do it any time, any day. Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
