Top 5 Kansas news stories
March 5 2026
Kansas Senate Approves $26.8 Billion Budget on Narrow 21-19 Vote After Education Funding Amendments Fail
Sedgwick County Property Valuations Surge More Than 20%, Burdening Homeowners After Sales Tax Defeat
Sedgwick County Extends Data Center Moratorium to Allow Public Input on Zoning Rules
Kansas Senate Rejects Drug Law Amendments, Advances Bill to Ban Kratom
USDA Approves Kansas SNAP Restrictions on Candy and Soda After Budget Maneuver Bypasses Governor's Veto
Senate Approves $26.8 Billion Budget on Narrow Vote After Education Funding Amendments Fail
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Senate on Wednesday approved Sub Senate Bill 315, a multi-year state appropriations bill authorizing $26.8 billion in spending through fiscal year 2030, on an unusually close 21-19 vote that reflected deep disagreements over education funding. The bill, representing a 3.4% reduction from the current fiscal year, cleared the chamber after senators defeated an amendment by Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, to increase special education aid by $24 million beyond the bill's $5 million addition, as well as an amendment by Sen. Beverly Gossage, R-Eudora, to cut $16 million from K-12 mental health services — a proposal opposed by fellow Republicans who noted 81 school districts rely on the program. The measure includes $5 million for university research at Kansas State University, Wichita State University and the University of Kansas Medical Center, $41 million for water projects statewide, authorized pay increases for Kansas Highway Patrol officers and a 10% raise for legislative staff. The House passed its own budget bill 68-53 last week, and the two chambers are expected to negotiate differences in a conference committee before sending a final version to Gov. Laura Kelly.
Greg Loving
Sedgwick County Property Valuations Surge More Than 20%, Burdening Homeowners After Sales Tax Defeat
WICHITA, Kan. — New property valuations in Sedgwick County have increased more than 20% for some homeowners, drawing hundreds of calls to county offices and renewed frustration over housing affordability in south-central Kansas. Derby homeowner Matthew Leake said his valuation rose approximately 23% in a single year, calling the increases a barrier for first-time buyers. The valuations arrive after Wichita voters rejected a sales tax proposition that had promised property tax relief. Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell said the increases are tied to market conditions — not county decisions — and noted that property tax revenue is distributed across multiple taxing entities, not solely to the county. Leake said he does not plan to file an appeal because he lacks faith in the process.
KWCH
Sedgwick County Extends Data Center Moratorium to Allow Public Input on Zoning Rules
WICHITA, Kan. — Sedgwick County commissioners voted 5-0 on Wednesday to extend the county's moratorium on data center development from April 17 to June 11, citing the need for more time to draft zoning regulations and incorporate public feedback. During the extension, the county will not accept, review or process any data center applications. County officials said the additional time will allow them to consider input from town halls scheduled for March 12 and March 31. The pause was originally implemented to give county staff time to develop zoning rules for data center projects.
KSN
Kansas Senate Rejects Drug Law Amendments, Advances Bill to Ban Kratom
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Senate on Wednesday rejected two amendments to relax state drug laws by lopsided margins, then advanced Senate Bill 497 to add kratom — a plant-based substance derived from a Southeast Asian tree that produces opioid-like effects — to the state's Schedule I controlled substances list. An amendment by Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Johnson County, to remove criminal penalties for possessing a personal-use quantity of marijuana failed 9-30, while a second amendment by Sen. Silas Miller, D-Sedgwick County, to create a regulatory framework for kratom rather than banning it failed 7-32. Supporters of regulation argued oversight was preferable to a ban, while opponents said the substance's risks warranted the Schedule I classification. The unamended bill was advanced by the Committee of the Whole, a procedural step required before the full Senate takes a final floor vote; if passed, SB 497 would move to the House for consideration.
Greg Loving
USDA Approves Kansas SNAP Restrictions on Candy and Soda After Budget Maneuver Bypasses Governor's Veto
TOPEKA, Kan. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Kansas' waiver to restrict candy and soda purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, making Kansas the 22nd state to implement such restrictions when the policy takes effect Feb. 15, 2027. The waiver originated as SB 79, a bill passed by Republican legislators that Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed in April 2025, arguing SNAP changes should be made at the federal level and raising concerns that items like protein bars and trail mix would be restricted while candy bars containing flour would remain eligible. Republican lawmakers subsequently embedded the waiver requirement into the state budget, tying it to $1.8 million in funding for a summertime food assistance program for children, leaving Kelly unable to veto the provision without eliminating summer meal funding. Kelly praised the approved policy as promoting healthy eating but urged the USDA to create nationwide standards to reduce confusion for retailers and recipients across states with varying restrictions.
Greg Loving
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