House sends bill on gun lobbying to governor

A bill that bans use of state money to advocate for or against gun control won approval in the Kansas House and was sent to the governor Tuesday.

Tax negotiations to resume at Kansas Statehouse

A week after House Republicans offered a compromise tax plan, Senate Republicans Tuesday said they’d make a compromise pitch of their own in hopes of breaking the stalemate.

Wagle: Extending sales tax an “unprecedented opportunity’

The standoff between the Republican-controlled House and Senate continued Monday as lawmakers sought a way to follow up last year’s big income-tax cuts with more cuts while also finding new revenue to sustain essential state services.

Kansas chief justice says senator’s proposal on judicial selection is political coercion

Kansas lawmakers began the year by turning away the chief justice of the state Supreme Court from his traditional speech to the Legislature.

State funding for National Center for Aviation Training likely to be cut

In a year of budget cuts driven by tax reductions, Wichita’s National Center for Aviation Training will likely be among the losers.

Capitol Beats: ‘The real story is, see, Republicans can govern’

A few quick hits about what’s driving the debate in the Legislature.

Bill would prevent lobbying about gun control, pro or con

Kansas state government could be barred from lobbying against gun control in Washington by a gag rule designed to prevent local governments from lobbying in favor of gun control at the Statehouse.

Kansas budget negotiations break down

With a messy political puzzle strewn before them – and state services and tax policy hanging in the balance – lawmakers shook their heads, slammed their gavels and went home for the weekend by lunchtime Friday.

Top Kansas Democrat: Staffer faces discipline over tweets

The top Democrat in the Kansas House promised Thursday that he'll discipline a staffer who's been posting disparaging tweets about Republican legislators.

Legislators weigh $87,000 in grants for Wichita-area golf tournaments

As lawmakers debate painful funding cuts, they’re considering giving $87,000 in grants to bolster two Wichita-area golf tournaments.

Kansas House, Senate negotiators reach deal to fund Riddel Boys Ranch

House and Senate budget negotiators have reached accord to provide $750,000 in funding for the Judge James V. Riddel Boys Ranch, the juvenile correctional facility at Lake Afton that was threatened with closure last year during a Sedgwick County budget crunch.

Kansas budget proposal could halt new education standards

Republican budget negotiators said they’ll consider a move to block any money that would be spent to implement Common Core standards for reading and math or Next Generation Science Standards in Kansas’ public schools.

Kansas House, Senate Republicans meet to compare budgets, tax plans

House and Senate Republicans still can’t find harmony on their dueling income tax reduction proposals, so attention Thursday shifted to their competing spending plans.

Senate approves $202 million in biolab bonds

The Senate on Tuesday approved borrowing authority to nearly triple the state’s investment in a national laboratory to fight bioterrorism.

Senate, House GOP leaders wrangle over Kansas tax policy, spending proposals

The GOP-controlled House and Senate are at an impasse over tax policy in Kansas, unable to agree on even how much to project state revenue will grow, Senate President Susan Wagle said Tuesday.

Kansas chief justice: Senator linked budget, plan

Chief Justice Lawton Nuss sent a letter Tuesday to district judges. It said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Jeff King “suggested a link” between the judicial selection proposal and a favorable outcome on budget issues.

Brownback, GOP leaders defend private talks on tax plan, budget

While top GOP officials consulted privately over tax and budget issues Monday, most of the state’s 165 elected lawmakers were left with virtually nothing to do.

First days of legislative wrap-up session result in frustrated lawmakers, little action

For lawmakers who aren’t into after-hours charitable shrimp peels, scotch and cigars, there was little reason to be in the state Capitol during the first three days of the Legislature’s wrap-up session.

Capitol Beats: 'We're at a crossroads'

Say what?

Marriage proposal in House chamber lightens legislative mood

In a chamber often known for discord, love bloomed Friday.