Kansas axes food tax, limits health authority power

The curated articles discuss Kansas's transformative policy changes with a common focus on tax relief and restrictions on health authority. Kansas ended its grocery sales tax, saving families an estimated $500 annually. However, public health officials face limitations, restricting their ability to manage disease outbreaks. In a significant legal change, Kansas revamped driving regulations related to unpaid fines, introducing a restricted license option. Additionally, a contentious new bill curtails health officials' power during the tuberculosis and measles outbreaks.

As part of broader policy adjustments, Kansas lawmakers received significant salary increases, including those for the Governor and Attorney General. Moreover, despite hopes for substantial property tax relief, legislative gridlock led to limited progress in addressing the issue.

NO. 1: WHAT NEW LAWS START IN 2025 IN KANSAS? NO MORE FOOD TAX, LAWMAKER RAISES & MORE

Some of the 111 bills passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2024 will become law on New Year’s Day along with a number of provisions approved in previous years. | Published January 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly holds a small axe on Monday during an event at Dillons in Topeka. Kelly is calling on lawmakers to eliminate the state sales tax on food, among the highest in the nation. By Jonathan Shorman

NO. 2: KANSAS GOV. LAURA KELLY AXED THE TAX ON GROCERIES. WILL SHE GET CREDIT FROM THE GOP? | OPINION

The Democratic governor prioritized ending grocery taxes since her 2018 campaign, achieving it despite Republican opposition. | Opinion | Published January 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joel Mathis

NO. 3: KANSAS GOV. KELLY OPENS DOOR TO PROPERTY TAX CUTS AMID GOP PRESSURE. BUT SHE’S RELUCTANT

The Democratic governor made clear she would prefer discussions about tax cuts to take place next year. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly Jonathan Shorman

NO. 4: KANSAS ROLLS BACK PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS’ AUTHORITY AMID TB, MEASLES OUTBREAKS

Under a new law, local health officials will have to prove “probable cause” to make someone quarantine. Orders about public gatherings and masking will just be recommendations now. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

Among the many churches, and bars, in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood is St John the Baptist Catholic Church on N. 4th St and Barnett Ave. By Shelly Yang

NO. 5: SHE WAS COUNTING ON KANSAS’ PROMISED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. GOP FIGHTING FOILED IT

“We wanted more this year, as everyone did. But we’ve got to come to an agreement on how to get there,” one Republican state senator said. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. By Emily Curiel

NO. 6: KELLY ALLOWS KANSAS ELECTION OFFICIAL IMPERSONATION BILL TO BECOME LAW

Prosecutors must prove that people accused of falsely representing themselves as election officials acted with the intent to deceive. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Kirby

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.