Connect with us

Kansas

Free advice for Kansas politicians as the 2024 session begins: Follow your own laws for a change – Kansas Reflector

Published

on

Free advice for Kansas politicians as the 2024 session begins: Follow your own laws for a change – Kansas Reflector


The Kansas Legislature gathers today in Topeka, 125 representatives and 40 senators representing 2.9 million people, wielding the mighty power of state law to reward the righteous and punish the wicked.

Unless, of course, that law applies to politicians.

State statute requires that the government reimburse 92% of school districts’ extra special education costs. That statute hails from the same Legislature that steadfastly refuses to legalize cannabis and targets transgender kids.

We’re expected to follow those laws. They represent officials’ priorities, skewed though they may be. But representatives and senators have decided to ignore the special education one.

Advertisement

They only pay 69%.

You can dig into the statute here. While the language explaining how to calculate costs might be complicated, this part isn’t: “The computed amount is the amount of state aid for the provision of special education and related services aid a school district is entitled to receive for the ensuing school year.”

As Kansas Reflector’s Tim Carpenter and Rachel Mipro made clear last week, however, legislative bigwigs have little interest in that text. Rep. Kristey Williams and Sen. Renee Erickson both panned the idea of convening a task force to look at special ed funding. They suggested, in the reporters’ words, that the “remedy suggested by education advocacy groups was too simplistic.”

“We do not need a special education task force meeting to consider their position,” said Erickson, a Wichita Republican. “We have their input, which is just more money. We don’t need a task force to convene to discuss that part.”

Williams, an Augusta Republican, panned the idea of a task force and called its Friday meeting only after other members pushed her to do so. (The task force, perhaps unsurprisingly, called for full funding.) She wants lawmakers to rewrite the special education rules altogether.

Advertisement

Rather than follow a law that helps Kansas kids, those in power would rather change it.

Let’s all sit with that thought for a minute.

This might be a good place to note that the Legislature didn’t fully fund K-12 schools in Kansas until judges forced the issue. That is, until judges forced them to follow the state constitution.

 

Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden speaks during a June 20, 2022, forum on election security in Olathe. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Ballot destruction law

State statute also requires that ballots from state and national elections be destroyed after 22 months.

Advertisement

It’s right there, in statute: “The county election officer shall preserve all county, city, school district and township ballots for six months and all state and national ballots for 22 months. At the expiration of such time, the county election officer shall destroy them without previously opening any of the envelopes, in the presence of two electors of approved integrity and good repute, members of the two leading political parties.”

Yet Attorney General Kris Kobach, he of continuing legal education classes, has asked Johnson County to retain its ballots as Sheriff Calvin Hayden conducts a bogus investigation into nonexistent election fraud. That’s according to reporting from the Kansas City Star’s Katie Bernard.

Yes, the law makes an allowance ballot preservation in case an election is being contested, but more than three years have passed since the 2020 election. As folks repeatedly try to tell a certain ex-president, the 2020 election is over. Secretary of State Scott Schwab certainly thinks so; he’s told county it has a legal duty to destroy the ballots.

Does Kobach think the law only applies when it helps rather than hinders his pet political projects?

I might also note this Reflector headline from Dec. 31, 2022: “Kobach’s U.S. Senate campaign, We Build the Wall hit by $30,000 fine for campaign law violations.” I’m not sure what made me think of it in this context.

Advertisement

Listen: Lawmakers pass laws. It’s right there in their name. The state attorney general is our chief law enforcement official.

I don’t think it’s too much to ask that if you pass and enforce laws, you do your very best to follow them. Otherwise, you send the message that government’s power exists only to further your own personal agenda and lust for power, not the good of those people you represent.

Kids receiving special education services at school don’t travel to the majestic Statehouse in Topeka to cast votes. Senators and representatives do. These kids deserve legislators who care about their futures. For that matter, Kansans bamboozled by election deniers deserve straight talk and strict adherence to the law, not politicians feeding them a line.

If you’re a Kansan caught with marijuana or a transgender high schooler who wants to play sports, you will face consequences.

If you’re a lawmaker neglecting special ed? Eh.

Advertisement

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.



Source link

Kansas

Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home

Published

on

Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home


KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.

As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.

“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”

The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.

Advertisement

“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”

Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.

“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.

Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.

There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.

Advertisement

“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.

The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.

“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.

You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Kansas

Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal

Published

on

Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal


Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.

“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.

“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”

Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.

Advertisement

He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.

Passengers gather on the tarmac at Kansas City International Airport after being evacuated due to a “threat” on March 8, 2026. J McDonough via KCTV

Airport staff gathered on the tarmac in front of a terminal and jet bridge.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, a spokesperson said. Peter Everett via KCTV

FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”

Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.

“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.

Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.

Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.

Advertisement

With Post Wires



Source link

Continue Reading

Kansas

Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention

Published

on

Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention


SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.

Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.

With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.

A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.(Janet Fulgham)

Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.

Advertisement

“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.

“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.

“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.

Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.

“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.

Advertisement

Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending