Statehouse Blend Kansas

Episodes

1. 20

   Abortion Vote Fails, And A Look At The Kansas DOT

   The Kansas House of Representatives has stopped — at least temporarily — an all-out push by anti-abortion groups for a constitutional amendment that they say is needed to maintain the state’s ability to regulate the procedure.

   Feb 8, 2020

   16m
2. 19

   We'll Pick That Back Up In 2020

   Battles over a Republican tax cut proposal and Medicaid expansion persisted through the last day of the Kansas Legislature's 2019 session … and remain unresolved. Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning says he plans to address healthcare and tax policy next session, when maybe he'll be Senate President.

   Jun 1, 2019

   8m
3. 18

   All Wrapped Up — But Not With A Medicaid Expansion Bow

   All Kansas lawmakers really had to do to end the 2019 legislative session was pass a budget. They did that, with gusto. But also without passing Medicaid expansion. That's one of the items left on freshman Rep. Brandon Woodard's to-do list for next year.

   May 7, 2019

   9m
4. 17

   School Funding Passed, Commerce Secretary Confirmed, We Are Adjourned

   Things got a little chippy during the final week of the regular legislative session, but Kansas lawmakers came away with a school funding plan and a permanent commerce secretary. And now Sec. David Toland is ready to move on to reinvigorating the state's economic development efforts.

   Apr 7, 2019

   8m
5. 16

   Dollars Vs. Policy — A Clash Of School Finance Titans

   The Kansas Senate has agreed to give school districts raises. The House has not. Instead, negotiators are headed to the bargaining table with a stack of new requirements for reporting how schools spend their money. Rep. Kristey Williams is the one leading the charge for more accountability from...

   Mar 31, 2019

   7m
6. 15

   It's Not Really About The Tweets

   Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's new administration experienced some social media mishaps this past week, and conservative Republicans pounced. Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty says there's more going on than meets the eye.

   Mar 24, 2019

   8m
7. 14

   Governor Kelly Keeps Her Veto In Her Back Pocket

   Just after approving the school funding Gov. Laura Kelly asked for, the Kansas Senate turned around and gave the final okay to a tax relief package she opposes, daring the new governor to issue her first veto.

   Mar 17, 2019

   8m
8. 13

   Round And Round On Medicaid Expansion

   Gov. Laura Kelly signed her first bill and school finance got some attention, but roundtable discussions on Medicaid expansion dominated a short week at the Kansas Statehouse. Sara Collins, a healthcare economist with the Commonwealth Fund, and Michael Cannon, health policy director for the Cato...

   Mar 10, 2019

   8m
9. 12

   Red Light, Green Light For Bills And Highways

   Kansas lawmakers have given the green light to a slew of bills to proceed past a mid-session break, while stopping other proposals in their tracks. Meanwhile, new KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz is looking forward to getting the state highway program back on the road.

   Mar 2, 2019

   8m
10. 11

    Slow The Decline Of Rural Kansas How?

    Rep. Don Hineman got a new assignment this session to figure out how to sustain rural Kansas. The three things the chairman of the Rural Revitalization Committee says rural communities need most: broadband, housing, and, of course, health care.

    Feb 23, 2019

    7m
11. 10

    The Return On The Medicaid Expansion Investment

    The Kansas House has rejected Gov. Laura Kelly's plan to refinance pension debt. But the new governor says that won't tank the state budget or doom her priorities, including Medicaid expansion. Should expansion come to be, it'll be Health Secretary Lee Norman's job to implement it, and he says...

    Feb 16, 2019

    8m