Kansas Democrats Revive Medicaid Expansion Push As 150,000 Remain Uninsured

Legislature Extends Angel Investor Tax Credits, Expands Physical Therapy Scope In Pro Forma Session

Kansas Lawmakers Propose AI Study Task Force Amid Federal Regulatory Scrutiny

Republican Primary Contenders Clash Over Experience And Loyalty As Party Seeks To Reclaim Governorship

Cessna Crashes After Three Takeoff Attempts At Augusta Airport, Pilot Uninjured

Kansas Democrats Revive Medicaid Expansion Push As 150,000 Remain Uninsured

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas House Democrats introduced legislation Thursday to expand Medicaid eligibility to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, marking the latest attempt to extend health coverage to an estimated 150,000 uninsured residents in one of only 10 states that have declined expansion since 2014. House Bill 2600, sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Wikle, D-Lawrence, and 33 Democratic co-sponsors, faces steep odds in the Republican-controlled Legislature, where the GOP holds an 88-37 House advantage and 31-9 Senate margin capable of overriding Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's support. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government would cover 90% of costs for newly eligible recipients, with supporters projecting more than $1 billion in economic impact and 23,000 new jobs, while opponents argue expansion would create long-term budget obligations for working-age adults who should obtain private coverage. The bill has been referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee, where Republican leadership's decision on scheduling a hearing will likely determine its fate.

Kansas Democrats Introduce Medicaid Expansion Bill, Face Uphill Battle in GOP-Controlled Legislature

HB 2600 would extend health coverage to an estimated 150,000 low-income Kansans; state remains one of 10 that have not expanded Medicaid under federal law

citizen journalGreg Loving

Legislature Extends Angel Investor Tax Credits, Expands Physical Therapy Scope In Pro Forma Session

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas lawmakers introduced legislation Friday to extend tax credits for angel investors through 2031 and authorize physical therapists to perform certain blood tests, as both chambers held brief pro forma sessions before adjourning until Monday. The Senate Commerce Committee introduced SB 429 to push back the sunset date for the state's angel investor tax credit program by six years, while the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee introduced SB 430 to allow licensed physical therapists to perform capillary blood tests, potentially expanding patient access to basic diagnostic services. The Senate Utilities Committee also recommended approval of Governor's appointee Dwight Keen to serve as Kansas Corporation Commission Commissioner through March 2030.

Citizen Journal

Kansas Lawmakers Propose AI Study Task Force Amid Federal Regulatory Scrutiny

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday to create a state task force on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, joining a growing number of states examining how to address rapidly advancing technology amid federal scrutiny. House Bill 2592, introduced by the House Committee on Legislative Modernization, would establish the task force to study AI applications and provide recommendations to the Republican-controlled Legislature, where the GOP holds an 88-37 supermajority. The measure arrives months after the Trump administration's December executive order creating a federal task force to challenge state AI laws deemed to burden interstate commerce, though the Kansas proposal's study-first approach appears to face less opposition than comprehensive regulatory bills introduced in states such as Colorado, California and Texas. The bill's prospects appear favorable given its origin as a committee bill with bipartisan implications for legislative operations during Gov. Laura Kelly's final year in office.

Kansas Lawmakers Propose AI Task Force as States Navigate Federal Scrutiny

House committee introduces bill to study artificial intelligence amid national debate over state technology regulation

citizen journalGreg Loving

Republican Primary Contenders Clash Over Experience And Loyalty As Party Seeks To Reclaim Governorship

WICHITA, Kan. — Six Republican candidates for Kansas governor sparred Friday over political experience and party loyalty while finding unanimous agreement on abortion restrictions, marijuana prohibition and judicial elections at a debate sponsored by the Kansas Republican Party. Former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O'Hara opened by criticizing Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and Senate President Ty Masterson as insufficiently conservative, while first-time candidate Philip Sarnecki attacked "career politicians" for losing to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly twice in an era when President Donald Trump carried Kansas by double digits. Former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Masterson, Joy Eakins and Sarnecki all pledged to reduce Kansas' 19,000 annual abortions, oppose marijuana legalization, and support a proposed August constitutional amendment requiring popular election of Kansas Supreme Court justices. Schmidt boycotted the event, criticizing the state party's $10,000 participation fee as "pay-to-play" that picks winners and losers, while Democratic Governors Association spokeswoman Johanna Warshaw characterized the field as embracing "the administration's unpopular, cost-raising agenda" in their race to succeed Kelly.

Kansas Reflector

Cessna Crashes After Three Takeoff Attempts At Augusta Airport, Pilot Uninjured

WICHITA, Kan. — A single-engine Cessna Skyhawk crashed Saturday morning at Augusta Municipal Airport after the aircraft veered left during its third takeoff attempt and flipped onto its top in snow alongside the runway, according to Kansas Highway Patrol. The 2023 aircraft, connected to Textron Aviation's employee flying club, attempted to straighten before leaving the runway around 10 a.m., but the pilot was unable to regain control. The pilot, who was alone in the plane, was not injured in the crash. Textron Aviation confirmed company officials, flying club representatives and emergency services responded to the scene to evaluate the incident and offer support.

KWCH

Sources

1. Citizen Journal
2. Citizen Journal
3. Citizen Journal
4. Kansas Reflector
5. KWCH

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