Kansas faces tax cuts; Kansas abortion foes are in conflict

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ recently reelected Democratic governor and Republican legislators are headed for a clash over how their financially flush state should cut taxes, and abortion opponents are wrestling with what ideas to pursue following last year’s decisive statewide vote Favoring abortion rights

Gov. Laura Kelly is set to take the oath in her second four year term. The ceremony will be held at noon Monday. The Republican-controlled Legislature is set to convene in the afternoon for an annual session that’s expected to last into early May.

Kelly and leaders of the Republican supermajorities in both chambers, Kelly, are making tax cuts a top prioritization but disagree on the taxes to reduce.

Aside from abortion, which is almost a constant issue for them and others, lawmakers also expect to address education policy and water policy. Republicans plan to pass another bill that would ban transgender athletes from K-12 and girls’ colleges. two past vetoes from Kelly.

Here’s a look at the key issues facing Kansas legislators:

Vote SCRAMBLES NEARLY THE ANNUAL ABORTION DEABATE

Abortion opponents are constrained by a Kansas Supreme Court ruling in 2019 that abortion access is a “fundamental” right under the state constitution. GOP lawmakers pushed to amend the constitution to say it doesn’t grant a right to abortion — allowing lawmakers to ban it — but voters rejected the proposed change in August.

Key anti-abortion groups are yet to announce their plans. However, GOP lawmakers have offered several options, including an increase to the state’s minimal assistance to anti-abortion crises pregnancy centers. A largely symbolic law that tells doctors they must do all they possibly can to prevent newborns dying, even after a botched one.

Kansas is becoming more accessible for abortion drugs, which upsets many abortion opponents. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a rule allowing more pharmacies to dispense The medication. A judge in a state court blocked the enforcement of the state’s requirement that the doctors who provide the medication must be present in the same room as the patients. allowing teleconferencing.

SURPLUS CASH PROMPTS NEW PUSH FOR TAX CUTS

Kansas was praised for its 2012-13 reduction in income taxes and persistent budget deficits. Now, five years later, after the experiment was ended by lawmakers, the state has $4.2 billion surplus cash.

Kelly last year advocated for the elimination of the grocery sales tax. But lawmakers rejected Kelly’s request. It was gradually phased out over three year. So it fell to 4%, from 6.5% at year’s beginning. It won’t disappear before 2025. However, the Democratic governor is attempting to abolish the tax by April but many Republicans oppose this.

Kelly has also proposed lower income taxes in retirement. However, many Republicans are more ambitious and want to eliminate them altogether.

And Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said he’d like to see Kansas move to a “flat” income tax, with one rate for all individual and corporate filers, instead of three for individuals and two for corporations. He claims that Kansas would benefit economically from a simpler tax system.

“I’m optimistic about a combination” that includes some version of what the governor has proposed, he said.

GOVERNOR, REPUBLICANS LIKELY to CLASH ON EDUCATION

Conservative Republicans haven’t given up on proposals that they believe will make public K-12 schools more transparent and give parents more choices about where to educate their kids, despite Kelly’s veto last year of a “parental rights” measure. They are seen by critics, especially Democratic legislators, as an attack on public schools.

GOP lawmakers are expected to continue to pursue proposals that would require schools and universities to post more information online about the content of their classes and make it easier for parents and students to request the removal of books and materials from libraries and classrooms they find offensive. It is part of a larger push by Republicans across America to limit the teaching of gender, sexuality, racism and other aspects of American history and society.

REPUBLICANS TO SUSPEND ELECTION LAW MODIFICATIONS

While Americans rejected candidates who promoted baseless conspiracy theories last year, many Republicans still consider Kansas’ election laws to be a top priority. They intend to pursue proposals that limit or eliminate. ballot drop boxes end the state’s three-day grace period Mail ballots can be sent after the election.

Scott Schwab, Secretary of State and a Republican, is pleading for the integrity in Kansas elections. defeated an election conspiracy promoter Last year’s GOP primary saw him declare that he will have his own collection of proposals to stop voter intimidation, and protect their privacy. However, specific proposals have not been made public.

MARIJUANA MEASURES, MEDICAID MEASURES, ARE LIKELY NOT FOR STARTTERS

Kelly made it clear during her successful reelection campaign, that she would push to expand Medicaid coverage in the state to 150,000 more people. Kelly also supports legalizing medical marijuana.

Despite the perception that both ideas are popular among Kansas residents this year, it seems unlikely that either will pass.

Kelly supported Medicaid expansion during her first term. She could have worked majorities in both chambers for it, but Republicans in key positions opposed it. Masterson and Dan Hawkins (a Kansas Republican) are vocal foes as are the chairs for the chambers’ respective health committees.

Medical marijuana is a legal form of cannabis. passed the House in 2021. However, it was not even up for a vote in the Senate’s committee. Top GOP leaders are concerned that such a law could lead to recreational pot legalization.

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