Kansas Reflector: READ & REFLECT Morning eNewsletter, Jan. 15 2021

 

Morning newsletter of the Kansas Reflector

Sherman Smith | Editor in chief Good morning. "My polling is 80% are ready for it to end. I’ve asked waitresses. I’ve asked health care workers. I’ve asked farmers. I’ve asked business entities. They want the freedom to continue practicing health care based on their education and the sources they go to and trust. I want freedom put back in place so we can freely go about our lives." — Sen. Dennis Pyle, R-Hiawatha, urging senators to let the state's disaster declaration for COVID-19 expire

Kansas legislators weigh security risk as police gear up for threat of violence TOPEKA — Kansas legislators and Capitol Police are bracing for the potential of violence in the days leading up to and including the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Gov. Laura Kelly told legislative leadership in a security briefing Thursday morning that she plans to close the Statehouse to the public for one week, starting at 5 p.m. Friday. Legislators will still be allowed to invite individuals into the building, but only through the north door. All other entrances will be shut off. “It’s gonna be a little awkward,” Senate President Ty Masterson told Senate Republicans during a caucus meeting. “I don’t share the same concern, but I’m also not going to fault them for being overly cautious as we are in some weird times.” There are no specific threats to attack the Kansas Statehouse, but federal authorities have warned about general plans to attack all 50 state capitols following last week’s invasion of the U.S. Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters, fueled by lies about the integrity of the November election and other conspiracy theories. Read more.

What the ‘culture of life’ looked like during the Kansas Legislature’s first week At the end of the Kansas Legislature’s first week, writes opinion editor C.J. Janovy, let's take a moment to appreciate the soaring success of Ty Masterson’s debut as Senate president. He's so powerful he doesn't even have to pretend he’s not a hypocrite. Read more.

Kansas Senate rejects attempt to force expiration of state’s COVID-19 disaster declaration Republican Sen. Dennis Pyle failed to gain traction for an amendment Thursday allowing the state’s COVID-19 emergency disaster declaration to expire Jan. 26 rather than extend it through March while lawmakers worked on an overhaul of the governor’s authority in the crisis. Read more.

Kansas Senate embraces new restrictions on local property taxes The Kansas Senate on Thursday passed legislation to require local governments to notify residents by mail and hold public hearings before increasing property tax collections. Read more. Republican frustrated after Kansas health department opts out of hearings A Republican legislator voiced frustration with the state health department for ditching a planned presentation to the Senate health committee amid distrust with the governor’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy. Read more.

Kansas nursing homes working to address staffing and safety problems, agency official says A Kansas senator says federal pandemic aid has not been enough to alleviate ongoing issues with staffing and funding at Kansas nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state. Read more.

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