Are Kansas’ records really open if you’re charged $575 to access them? | Opinion

Priced out

Transparency shouldn’t come with a $575 price tag.

KORA, the Kansas Open Records Act, promises public access to government information “liberally construed in favor of openness.” Yet when I requested routine court emails from the Johnson County District Court, the response was met with escalating and arbitrary costs — jumping from an initial estimate of $148 to $575 despite no change in the scope of my request.

The court could not provide any written policy or documentation explaining the increase, even though KORA requires agencies to charge only “actual costs” and to adopt published procedures. The lowest staff rate listed on the court’s website is $12 per hour, but that rate was applied only after I objected to the original amount — $22 per hour — proving there is no consistent policy.

When government entities raise fees without accountability, access becomes a privilege instead of a right. Kansans deserve better than a paywall between them and the truth — especially when those records may reflect poorly on the very institutions controlling their release.

Transparency isn’t optional, and it shouldn’t depend on who can afford it.

– Lonnie D. LuPardus, Kansas City

Buyer’s regret?

I have noticed a few things lately. A lot of government employees are not working. A lot of major companies are laying off workers. A lot of farmers do not have a market for their crops. A lot of people are concerned about losing health care. The cost of food is skyrocketing.

Yet, there seems to be a lot of money for Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Are we happy with our decisions at the polls?

- Ken Henderson, Kansas City

Real insight

I was disheartened to see the recent AI video of our president dropping feces on his fellow Americans in response to the “No Kings” demonstrations. (Oct. 20, 7A, “Missouri, Kansas senators: Is Trump’s feces drop video acceptable?”)

I have never witnessed the leader of our great country publicly display such disregard for the people he is elected to serve. But when you sit back and think about how this leader truly views the people, reality sets in. Our president posts a fake video of himself mockingly wearing a crown as he bombards our nation and citizens with feces. With few exceptions, Republican leaders condone it through their silence and inaction, but sadly that’s become the norm and just another day.

But at least House Speaker Mike Johnson deserves some perverse credit by praising the president’s social media skills and calling it “satire.” He is acknowledging the president’s leadership role in creating and starring in this total feces show.

- Steven Cox, Overland Park

Not a Kansan

U.S. senators are the most powerful elected representatives of the people. Sen. Marshall has shown repeatedly he does not represent the people of Kansas. He has refused invitations to hold legitimate town halls. At one of his few open town halls in the last year, he walked out of because he did not like the content of the questions his constituents presented.

On numerous instances, he has made declarations about how the One Big Beautiful Bill was in the best interest of Kansas, contrary to documented public comment. Just before the recent “No Kings” protests, he publicly claimed that the event would be filled with outside, paid agitators, although he provided no evidence. He predicted that the National Guard would be needed to quell the violence. There were nearly no arrests nationwide as a result of the protests.

The man has made no true effort to connect with his constituency. He is not a Kansan, as he resides in Florida. Kansas needs representation, and Roger Marshall does not fill that need.

- Ron Neagle, Wichita

Residents’ voice

I am disappointed in The Star’s editorial on the ballot question about whether Prairie Village should change its form of government. (Oct. 15, 11A, “The Kansas City Star’s recommendation on Prairie Village form of government”) This editorial scares residents rather than informing them.

Residents have clearly shown this issue matters by gathering thousands of signatures to get it on the ballot. Dissent is not limited to any single group, as the editorial implied. Under the current mayor, residents are frustrated with the lack of transparency, poor communication, runaway spending, using tax dollars for pet projects, denying our statutory right to vote, rising property taxes, a culture that shields City Council members from accountability for ethics violations, injection of partisan politics, dismissive responses to resident concerns, ongoing pushes for more housing density in an already dense community and a majority council that rubber-stamps the mayor’s agenda.

Past mayors maintained trust, accountability and inclusivity. Today, that is absent, which is why a change in government is urgently needed. Residents deserve accurate, thorough reporting that informs them of all perspectives.

- Carla Ingraham, Prairie Village

Kidney health

I was 18 when my kidneys failed because of a childhood condition called posterior urethral valves. I spent seven years on dialysis — a life-sustaining but often exhausting treatment for kidney failure.

I’m lucky to have received a kidney transplant in 2021, but I haven’t forgotten how difficult it was to access care or how many patients are still fighting for the treatments they need. Too often, promising new drugs and devices never reach dialysis clinics because payments from Medicare dwindle after a short trial period. Clinics cannot afford to absorb the costs of these treatments, and patients lose access. I could have benefited from these types of innovative drugs and technologies, but I lacked access because of Medicare’s payment structure.

That’s why Congress needs to support the Kidney Care Access Protection Act, which would extend Medicare coverage for innovative products, ensure clinics are paid when those products are used and require equal support for patients in Medicare Advantage plans. It would also fix longstanding underpayments that keep dialysis providers underwater.

Dialysis gave me a second chance. Congress should make sure it gives every patient more than just survival. They deserve innovative treatments to enhance their lives.

- Cole Cato, Kansas City