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Category Archives: Kansas
11th Judicial District Nominating Commission sends names of three nominees for district judge to governor
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KS Supreme Court accepting public comment on updates to child support guidelines
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Bourbon County Is In the Ask For Disaster Declaration
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KANSASWORKS Hosts June Virtual Job Fair for Open Positions Across Kansas
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Kansas GOP Chair issues statement on Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iran
In response to the Israel’s strikes on Iran, Kansas GOP Chair Danedri Herbert issued the following statement:
“The Kansas GOP stands behind our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel, in its preemptive strikes against Iran. It was an act of self defense, and Israel was well within its rights to protect its citizens by destroying Iran’s nuclear capability.”
Paid for by the Kansas Republican Party, Roger Lomshek, treasurer.
KS Governor Supports California’s Request To Block The Federalization/Deployment of National Guard
Governor Kelly Joins States Opposing Trump’s Military Deployment Without
Gubernatorial Coordination
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly joined an amicus brief with leaders from 20 states supporting California’s request for a court order blocking the president’s unlawful federalization and deployment of that state’s National Guard.
“The United States of America is founded on the rule of law, including respect for states’ rights. The federalization of the California National Guard by President Trump, without the coordination of the Governor of California, is a violation of states’ rights,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “President Trump’s actions constitute a threat to the authority of the nation’s governors to command their National Guards. I joined this brief to preserve state sovereignty and halt federalization of state National Guards without the coordination of their governors.”
The amicus brief outlines how Trump’s action is wholly inconsistent with our nation’s founding principle that freedom depends on the subordination of the military to civilian authority.
“By calling forth troops when there is no invasion to repel, no rebellion to suppress, and when state and local law enforcement is fully able to execute the laws, the President flouts the vision of our Founders, undermines the rule of law, and sets a chilling precedent that puts the constitutional rights of Americans in every state at risk,” the brief reads.
The president’s memo federalizing the Guard does not restrict these actions to just Los Angeles, California, or any specific U.S. region. Instead, it is an unlimited claim of presidential authority to deploy the National Guards of any state for the next 60 days. The states have an interest in standing up against this unnecessary and legally unjustified military call-up.
The states also have an interest in ensuring their National Guards are available to perform the essential services they provide the states on an ongoing basis. They provide critical services responding to natural disasters, counter-drug operations, and cybersecurity support, among other daily contributions to public safety. This unlawful federalization pulls volunteer service members away from performing vital services, and states are not in a position to replace them.
The president’s unlawful and unconstitutional use of the military has exacerbated safety issues and threatened constitutionally protected activity under the First Amendment. Every state has an interest in protecting their residents from these threats.
The brief is led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. Others joining are the state attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the amicus brief is available here.
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Give Your Comments To KS Supreme Court on Rule 1204
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New virtual self-help center connects Kansans with legal information, resources
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KS Tax Collections Up 32% in May
May Total Tax Collections Over $657M;
31.7% Above Estimate
TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends May 2025 with total tax collections at $657.7 million. That is $158.3 million, or 31.7%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were down 0.2% from May 2024.
“Surpassing estimates this month is a positive indicator, but we remain diligent and focused on maintaining long-term financial health,” Governor Laura Kelly said.
Individual income tax collections were $314.7 million. That is $144.7 million, or 85.1% above the estimate, and up 3.1% from May 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $29.2 million. That is $840,880, or 2.8% below the estimate, and down 26.8% from May 2024.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $282.1 million, which is $11.1 million, or 4.1% above the estimate, with no change from May 2024.
Click here to view the May 2025 revenue numbers.
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KDOT to begin Bridge Repair on U.S. 69 June 9
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin a bridge repair project on the U.S. 69 bridge over Wall Street in Fort Scott the week of June 9.
Project activity includes patching and resurfacing the bridge deck.
One-lane traffic will continue through the work zone. Drivers can expect delays of no more than 15 minutes, weather permitting, through the end of December 2025.
KDOT awarded the $1.5 million construction contract to PCI Roads, LLC of St. Michael, Minnesota. People with questions may contact Construction Manager Warren Ebberts at (620) 901-6549.
KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones.
For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 5-1-1. For updates on construction projects in Southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
May 23, 2025
Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and can be a busy weekend, especially with all the cemetery services, decorating graves, picnics, and other events. It is a time to remember and pray for those brave men and women who sacrificed by laying down their lives for our country. They inspire us to live with courage and gratitude, never forgetting the sacrifice they made for our freedom.
One Big Beautiful Bill is working its way through the U.S. legislature. Kansans need the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, not only to keep our federal taxes lower but to also keep us from a massive state income tax increase. Our state income taxes start with the federal adjusted gross income (AGI). It’s not hard to see, a higher AGI means a higher baseline for state income taxes. If this bill doesn’t become law, it will be a drastic tax increase.
There are other items in the One Big Beautiful Bill besides tax policy, including Medicaid work requirements for able bodied individuals without children under 7. Dr. Oz recently reported over $14 billion in Medicaid fraud. The changes in the bill are an attempt to stop fraud and abuse. The bill also has funding to build the wall and increase border security. The legislation is posted at https://www.congress.gov/bill/
K-12 Funding has been a topic discussed for years. With spending increases over the years, the money still doesn’t get to the teachers and classrooms. From 2020 to 2024, it was reported the statewide average spending per pupil increased $3,476, from $14,848 to $18,324. It is the largest expenditure in the state budget and increasing spending isn’t helping. An Education Funding Task Force has been established to do a deep dive on K-12 funding. The task force is made up of legislators and lay people. A post-audit report completed in 2022 by a non-partisan group reported that only about 1/3 of students met state standards in three major subjects. It’s also been reported that school districts have over $1 billion in cash reserves. Hopefully, the task force will consider how the money is being spent and managed.
Property Taxes are too high. The valuation process is broken and subjective. The burden to prove the valuation is not accurate is on the taxpayer. Many say the valuation is based on fair market value. How fair is it that you are paying a tax on unrealized gains? You don’t pay income tax on estimated future earnings or sales tax on what you think the product will sell for, but you pay property taxes based on an estimated value. The Senate passed a Constitutional Amendment to limit taxable valuation increases to a maximum of 3% each year (SCR 1603), but it stalled in the House. This would help stop the bleed on a broken system. It needs to pass next session so we can get it on the ballot for voters to pass it to become law.
Have a good summer.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
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