Kansas government

Democratic Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly shares what she'll focus on accomplishing over her last two years in office as she faces an even stronger GOP legislative supermajority. Plus political headlines from across the metro.

Missouri residents voted to legalize abortion, overturning one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the nation. They also voted to raise the minimum wage and send Josh Hawley back to the U.S. Senate. In Kansas, voters reelected Sharice Davids to the U.S. House. Plus, Kansas City and Johnson County voters made big decisions about their top law enforcement officials.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Missouri and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Kansas (although Johnson County opens an hour earlier!). With the U.S. presidential race at the top of the ticket, and a critical abortion rights amendment plus statewide and congressional races below, it's a stacked election. We break down the races on both sides of the state line.

Sedgwick County struggled with staffing levels, especially in public safety departments, after the pandemic. In response, the county poured millions of dollars into increased compensation.

New laws passed by the GOP-led Kansas Legislature will change rules for pornographic websites, overhaul civil asset forfeiture, and ban public universities from requiring diversity pledges.

Missouri House Majority Leader Jon Patterson called the Kansas legislation — which could provide hundreds of millions of dollars for new Chiefs and Royals stadiums — a "wakeup call. He anticipates that Missouri lawmakers will craft a response to keep the two teams.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said she will sign the bipartisan compromise to cut Kansas income and property taxes, as well as eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits.

Tax relief for Kansans will be in short order during Tuesday's special legislative session. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and top Republican lawmakers reached an agreement late last week, opening the door to iron out an incentive package to draw the Kansas City Chiefs or Royals to the Sunflower State.

The offer would be available to all professional sports franchises ready to build stadiums costing at least $1 billion. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said the state would develop a “competitive” count if Kansas stepped forward with a package.

Ahead of Tuesday's special legislative session, the deal between Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the GOP leaders of the Kansas Senate and House would collapse the personal income tax structure to a two-rate system. Kelly previously vetoed a single-tier flat tax plan, calling it too expensive.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins say a bill for STAR bonds to lure the Chiefs to Kansas is in the works. The bill could be brought to the floor during the special session called by Gov. Laura Kelly to address tax cuts later this month, if there's support from rank-and-file members.

The centrist group was officially recognized last month as the state’s third minor party. The party's chairperson says the goal is to provide a middle ground for Kansans who don’t feel represented by Democrats or Republicans.