May 21
Kansas lawmakers pass bill on gun lobbying
The Republican-dominated House approved the bill on an 83-28 vote. The GOP-controlled Senate approved it last week. The measure now goes to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
May 21
Kansas tax and budget negotiations nudge forward
House and Senate negotiators restarted tax talks on Tuesday. They plan to meet again Wednesday with hopes of reaching a compromise that could bring the legislative session to an end.
May 21
Roberts’ plan to cut food stamp program defeated in Senate
A plan by Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas to cut the food stamp program by more than $30 billion over 10 years failed Tuesday in a U.S. Senate vote. Proposed as an amendment to the Senate farm bill, Roberts’ plan was defeated 58-40.
May 21
Court: US can keep bin Laden photos under wraps
A federal appeals court Tuesday backed the U.S. government's decision not to release photos and video taken of Osama bin Laden during and after a raid in which the terrorist leader was killed by U.S. commandos.
May 21
White House admits top Obama aides knew a month ago about IRS probe
The White House acknowledged Monday that senior aides to President Barack Obama knew a month ago that the Internal Revenue Service had targeted conservative groups, expanding on previous administration statements about who in the White House knew about the inquiry and when they knew about it.
May 20
Kansas lawmakers still deadlocked on tax, budget issues
Members of Kansas House and Senate can’t agree on proposals to keep the current sales tax rate and maintain funding for higher education. House Speaker Ray Merrick of Stilwell blamed the Senate. “It’s a disservice to the citizens of the state to operate like this,” he said.
May 20
Kansas lawmakers’ talks on taxes at standstill
Negotiations are at a standstill between the Kansas House and Senate over the state’s sales tax rate and proposals to cut individual income taxes.
May 20
GOP ponders how to capitalize on Obama's woes
The scandals dogging President Barack Obama are a political gift to Republicans, who could use some good luck after recent election losses. It's not clear, however, how Republicans can best capitalize on Democrats' woes, legislatively or politically.
May 20
Higher education spending key issue in Kansas budget talks
Proposed cuts in spending on higher education is a key issue for Kansas legislators as the House and Senate attempt to reconcile their differences on the state budget.
May 20
Missouri lawmakers to study Medicaid, other issues before 2014 session
Committees would continue work on measures that failed to pass during the legislative session that ended Friday.
May 19
In Kansas, it’s lawmakers versus the courts
The 2013 session of the Kansas Legislature nears an end with the chief justice of the state Supreme Court accusing a leading senator with political coercion. Meantime, efforts are picking up steam to force appellate judges into retirement and to build separate civil and criminal appeals courts.
May 19
Missouri GOP’s legislative success in eye of beholder
When the Missouri Legislature adjourned its annual session this past week, the Republican majority claimed it was a successful effort – even “historic” and “monumental” – based on the measures they considered and approved. Yet if results are what matter, their success may ultimately depend upon the decisions of Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.
May 19
Bigger push on Kansas judiciary selection coming
A prominent conservative Kansas legislator has launched what could become the most aggressive campaign to date to rein in the state Supreme Court after a proposal failed that would have changed how its justices are selected.
May 18
Kansas City is set to launch a new tax system
The $13.4 million system for revenue collection goes live June 10. It will replace a system that was close to collapse. The new system should be better for taxpayers and tax enforcement.
May 18
Common Core provision muddies Kansas budget talks
The provision says no money could be spent to implement the new standards for math and reading, which have been adopted by more than 40 states.
May 18
Obama has been the subject of uncomfortable comparisons
“This is Nixonian,” said the Fox Business Network’s Lou Dobbs. “This is a president whose inner Nixon is being revealed.”
May 18
Winners and losers from the 2013 session of the Missouri General Assembly
Jefferson City nightlife, Kansas envy and organized labor found success, but things were tough for Gov. Jay Nixon and House Speaker Tim Jones.
May 17
Kansas bill gags all gun lobbying
Kansas state government could be barred from lobbying for or against gun control in Washington by a gag rule designed to prevent local governments from lobbying in favor of gun control at the Statehouse.
May 17
Missouri General Assembly wraps up ‘historic’ session
GOP calls year a historic success. Democrats call it a historic failure.
May 17
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is busy behind the scenes
Jay Nixon is a hands-off governor. That’s the word in the statehouse. He’s out of sight, disconnected, a distant presence rather than a dominating force, Republicans and more than a few Democrats say. But six hours spent with the two-term governor just two days before final adjournment revealed a chief executive anything but disengaged.
