Top 5 Kansas news stories
February 5 2026
House Democrats Advance Comprehensive Marijuana Legalization Tied to Tax-Funded Social Programs
Argentina Selects Kansas City as World Cup Training Headquarters for 2026 Tournament
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Proposes More Than Doubling Kansas Minimum Wage to $16 Hourly
House Approves $8.2 Million Aviation Tax Breaks Exposing GOP Rift Over Business Subsidies
House Narrowly Approves Constitutional Convention Call for Congressional Term Limits
House Democrats Advance Comprehensive Marijuana Legalization Tied to Tax-Funded Social Programs
House Democrats introduced a four-bill cannabis legalization package Wednesday, marking the party's most aggressive push yet to bring legal marijuana to Kansas. The legislation includes two statutory measures creating a medical cannabis program and legalizing adult recreational use, along with two proposed constitutional amendments that would enshrine cannabis rights in the Kansas Constitution and send the question directly to voters in November. Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, is the lead sponsor on all four measures, which drew support from 27 House Democrats as co-sponsors. The bills would fund child care, mental health services, affordable housing and property tax rebates through cannabis excise taxes while requiring expungement of prior cannabis-related charges. The dual-track approach represents a significant escalation from past incremental efforts and reflects growing Democratic frustration with Republican inaction on an issue that polls show most Kansans support.
Greg Loving
Argentina Selects Kansas City as World Cup Training Headquarters for 2026 Tournament
Argentina's national football team will train and live in Kansas City throughout the 2026 World Cup, officials announced Wednesday. The reigning World Cup champions selected the Kansas City region as their base camp for the tournament, which includes an opening match at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and a potential quarterfinal match in the city. The announcement solidifies Kansas City's role as a host city for one of soccer's premier international competitions.
Fox4KC
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Proposes More Than Doubling Kansas Minimum Wage to $16 Hourly
Senator Cindy Holscher, a Democrat running for governor, has proposed legislation to raise Kansas' minimum wage from $7.25 to $16 per hour. The bill awaits action in the Senate Committee on Commerce and would bring Kansas in line with many states that have increased their minimum wage floors in recent years. According to Wichita State University's Center for Economic Development and Business Research, the change would affect 22 percent of Kansans who currently earn less than $16 hourly, though only 2 percent of the population makes less than $10 per hour. Economic analysts have raised concerns that the increase could raise prices for goods and strain small businesses unable to afford higher payroll costs, though CEDBR director Bekah Selby-Leach said the limited affected population likely would not trigger significant inflation. Supporters argue the raise could help Kansas compete with neighboring states and improve the state's reputation for quality of life and competitive wages.
KWCH
House Approves $8.2 Million Aviation Tax Breaks Exposing GOP Rift Over Business Subsidies
The Kansas House passed legislation Wednesday extending aerospace and aviation education tax credits despite sharp criticism from conservative Republicans who called the measure corporate welfare. The bill passed 81-39, but the vote exposed a rift within the GOP majority over economic development incentives. Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall, R-Paola, voted against the measure and argued the $8.2 million in credits "could wipe out the county portion of property taxes in 56 of 105 counties," adding that CEOs at benefiting companies "make over $8.2 million annually." Rep. Paul Waggoner, R-Hutchinson, also opposed the bill, writing that the credits "reduce overall state revenues and thus reduce the chance all taxpayers will see their tax rates ratchet down." The dissent reflects growing conservative populist skepticism of tax breaks for large corporations while middle-class Kansans struggle with property taxes. Separately, the K-12 Education Budget Committee introduced legislation that would expand the state's school voucher program beyond low-income families.
Greg Loving
House Narrowly Approves Constitutional Convention Call for Congressional Term Limits
The Kansas House approved a resolution Wednesday calling for a limited constitutional convention to propose congressional term limits, sending the measure to the Senate on a 78-42 vote. The resolution would make Kansas among 34 states needed to trigger an Article V convention restricted to proposing a term limits amendment. The measure drew support from Republicans who see structural federal reform as essential and from some Democrats frustrated with congressional dysfunction. Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, explained his yes vote in remarks entered into the House journal: "I think having a convention of states is a bad idea. I hope we never have one. But I am voting yes because I believe that Congress is broken. And it has been broken for years. My hope is that if enough states pass this resolution Congress will wake up and fix themselves." Most Democrats opposed the measure, fearing a runaway convention could open the Constitution to broader changes beyond term limits.
Greg Loving
Sources
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