Kansas Congressman Jake LaTurner Won't Seek Re-Election
UNDATED (KNS) – Two-term Republican Congressman Jake LaTurner of Kansas says he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. The Kansas News Service reports that the announcement creates an open seat to represent the Republican-leaning district of eastern Kansas. LaTurner was first elected to the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas in 2020. He was re-elected in 2022 with 57% of the vote. He had previously served as the Kansas Treasurer and in the Kansas Legislature. But LaTurner, who is 36, says he wants to spend more time with his four young children and will not seek another term. The now-open seat will likely attract many Republican candidates. (Read more.)
(– Additional reporting –)
Kansas GOP Congressman Jake LaTurner Not Running Again, Citing Family Reasons
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner is not running for reelection this year in his GOP-leaning eastern Kansas district so that he can spend more time with his four young children, he announced Thursday. LaTurner is among nearly two dozen Republicans in the U.S. House who are not running again or seeking another office. “The unrepeatable season of life we are in, where our kids are still young and at home, is something I want to be more present for,” LaTurner said.
LaTurner's announcement leaves Republicans with no declared candidates in a district he likely would have had little trouble winning again. While the district includes Democratic strongholds in the state capital of Topeka and northern Kansas City, they're offset by rural areas that heavily favored former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.
LaTurner, 36, has put on hold what seemed a promising long-term political career, saying also that he wouldn't seek any office in 2026. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is term-limited and Republicans had mentioned LaTurner as a possible candidate for the job that year. He worked for U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins when he won a state Senate seat in 2012 at age 24, and he became Kansas' youngest-ever state treasurer at 29 when then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback appointed him to fill a vacancy.
LaTurner's statement mentioned “the current dysfunction on Capitol Hill,” with the narrow Republican majority in the House and a threat from the hard-right to topple Speaker Mike Johnson, but he also said he's optimistic about the nation's future. Instead, he said, serving in Congress has taken a toll on him, his wife, Suzanne, and their children. “I am hopeful that in another season of life, with new experiences and perspectives, I can contribute in some small way and advocate for the issues I care most about,” his statement Thursday said.
While Republicans have represented the 2nd District in 27 of the past 30 years, Democrats have waged aggressive campaigns since Jenkins decided not to seek reelection in 2018. One Democrat, former teacher Eli Woody IV, has filed to run in November.
In the 2020 primary, LaTurner handily defeated Republican Steve Watkins and won the November election by almost 15 percentage points. In 2022, LaTurner won his general election race by a slightly wider margin.
In June 2022, the congressman beefed up security at his home and Topeka office out of concern for his family's safety after a man left a threatening voicemail after hours that said, “I will kill you.”
The man, Chase Neill, is now serving a sentence of nearly four years in prison after being convicted in federal court of one count of threatening a U.S. official. LaTurner testified at the trial, and Neill, representing himself, cross-examined him personally.
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Gubernatorial Vetoes UPDATE and CORRECTION:
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — In a story published April 19, 2024, about Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's actions on various bills approved by legislators, The Associated Press erroneously reported the details of an election bill that she vetoed. The bill would require county election officials to track how many ballots an individual delivers for other voters, as the state limits the delivery of 10 ballots per person. It does not eliminate the extra three days a voter has after Election Day to return a mail ballot.
Kansas Has a New Anti-DEI Law, but the Governor Has Vetoed Bills on Abortion and Police Dogs
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Democratic governor of Kansas on Friday vetoed proposed tax breaks for anti-abortion counseling centers while allowing restrictions on college diversity initiatives approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature to become law without her signature.
Gov. Laura Kelly also vetoed a bill with bipartisan support to increase the penalties for killing a law enforcement dog or horse, a move that the GOP leader who pushed it called “political pettiness.” In addition, she rejected two elections measures fueled at least in part by the influence of people promoting baseless election conspiracies among Republicans.
Kelly's action on the bill dealing with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives stood out because it broke with her vetoes last year of anti-DEI measure from the current state budget.
The new law, taking effect July 1, prohibits state universities, community colleges and technical schools from requiring prospective students or applicants for jobs or promotions to make statements on their views about diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Kelly let it become law only two days after the state's higher education board adopted its own, narrower ban on the same practices.
“While I have concerns about this legislation, I don’t believe that the conduct targeted in this legislation occurs in our universities," Kelly said in her veto message, contradicting statements made by GOP legislators.
Legislators are scheduled to return Thursday from a spring break and wrap up their work for the year in six days. Top Republicans immediately pledged to try to override Friday’s vetoes.
Republicans in at least 20 states have sought to limit DEI initiatives, arguing that they are discriminatory and enforce a liberal political orthodoxy. Alabama and Utah enacted new anti-DEI laws this year, and a ban enacted in Texas last year has led to more than 100 job cuts on University of Texas campuses.
The new policy from the Kansas Board of Regents applies only to state universities and does not specify any penalties, while the new law will allow a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation.
Backers of DEI programs say they are being misrepresented. The American Psychological Association defines diversity, equity and inclusion as a framework to guide “fair treatment and full participation of all people,” especially those in minority groups.
“We need to move forward and focus our efforts on making college more affordable and providing students from all backgrounds with the tools they need to succeed,” Kelly said in her message on the bill.
With the bill helping the state's nearly 60 anti-abortion centers, Kelly's veto was expected because she is a strong supporter of abortion rights. She already has vetoed two other measures championed by abortion opponents this year.
But GOP lawmakers in Kansas have had increasing success in overriding Kelly’s actions. Republican leaders appear to have the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers on abortion issues and appeared close on the DEI bill.
The latest abortion measure would exempt anti-abortion centers that provide free services to prospective mothers and new parents from paying the state's 6.5% sales tax on what they buy and give donors to them income tax credits totaling up to $10 million a year.
Kelly said in her veto message that it is not appropriate for the state to “divert taxpayer dollars to largely unregulated crisis pregnancy centers.”
The bill also includes provisions designed to financially help parents who adopt or want to adopt children.
“Governor Kelly has shown once again that her only allegiance is to the profit-driven abortion industry, and not to vulnerable Kansas women, children, and families,” Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for Kansans for Life, the state's most influential anti-abortion group, said in a statement.
Abortion opponents in Kansas are blocked from pursuing the same kind of severe restrictions or bans on abortion imposed in neighboring states, including Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. A Kansas Supreme Court decision in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a fundamental right under the state constitution, and a statewide vote in August 2022 decisively affirmed that position.
“This bill goes against the wishes of Kansans,” Kelly said in her veto message.
Kelly also has clashed repeatedly with Republicans on voting rights issues.
One of the election bills she vetoed would stop giving voters an extra three days after Election Day to return mail ballots to election officials. Many Republicans said they are responding to constituents' concerns that accepting ballots after Election Day compromises the integrity of election results — though they are fueled by lies from ex-President Donald Trump.
The other elections bill would prohibit state agencies and local officials from using federal funds in administering elections or promoting voting without the Legislature's express permission. Republicans see spending by the Biden administration as an attempt to improperly boost Democratic turnout.
But Kelly chided lawmakers for “focusing on problems that do not exist."
“I would urge the Legislature to focus on real issues impacting Kansans,” Kelly said in her veto message on the second bill.
The veto of the bill on police dogs was perhaps Kelly's most surprising action. Increased penalties have had bipartisan support across the U.S., and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis this week signed a measure this week.
The Kansas measure was inspired by the November death of Bane, an 8-year-old Wichita police dog, who authorities say was strangled by a suspect in a domestic violence case. It would allow a first-time offender to be sentenced to up to five years and fined up to $10,000.
Kelly said the issue needed more study, saying the new penalties for killing a police dog would be out of line with other, more severe crimes, “without justification."
But House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican and the bill's biggest champion, said: “This veto is a slap in the face of all law enforcement.”
(–Additional reporting–)
Kelly Vetoes Bill Directing Tax Money to Anti-Abortion Counseling Centers
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) – Democratic Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on Friday vetoed a bill that would send tax money to anti-abortion counseling centers. The Kansas News Service reports that the centers provide free baby supplies and other resources to people with unplanned pregnancies. But they’ve also been criticized for using misleading tactics to dissuade people from getting abortions. Kansas already gives $2 million to the centers. But the bill would direct up to $10 million per year to the centers through a tax credit and give them additional tax breaks. Kelly, a Democrat, said the bill goes against the wishes of Kansans, who in 2022 voted to protect abortion rights. Anti-abortion advocates said her veto was heartless and extreme. Republicans are expected to try to override her veto next week.
Kelly Allows Anti-DEI Legislation to Become Law Without Her Signature
UNDATED (KNS) – A new state law bars public universities in Kansas from requiring job candidates to affirm support for diversity, equity and inclusion. The Kansas News Service reports that Democratic Governor Laura Kelly allowed the measure to become law Friday without her signature. It prohibits colleges from requiring DEI pledges from any student or from anyone seeking a job or promotion. Supporters of the new law say DEI statements amount to left-wing ideology. Kelly said in a statement that universities already don't require D-E-I statements. The Kansas Board of Regents approved a policy change earlier this week that prohibits the practice.
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New, Stable Fiscal Forecast for Kansas Reinforces the Dynamics of a Debate over Tax Cuts
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The picture for tax cuts in Kansas and the next state budget remained stable Friday with the release of a new fiscal forecast that reinforced the dynamics of a conflict over proposed tax cuts between Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the Republican-controlled Legislature.
The new forecast from state officials and legislative researchers came with lawmakers scheduled to reconvene Thursday after a spring break for the final six days of their annual session. Kelly has until Thursday to act on a bill cutting income, sales and property taxes and another measure containing the bulk of the next state budget.
The new forecast replaces projections made in November for tax collections through the end of June 2025. It trims the previous estimates by about 1.2% or $119 million for the current budget year, which ends June 30. But it boosts them by $80 million for the budget year that begins July while projecting that the state also will earn more interest than previously expected on its idle funds.
In both budget years, the state's annual tax collections are expected to exceed $10 billion, and a new profile of the state's finances by legislative researchers projects that Kansas will have more than $3.7 billion in surplus funds at the end of June 2025, even with the tax cuts approved by lawmakers.
“Everything is relatively stable at this point,” Shirley Morrow, the acting director of the Legislature's research staff, said during a Statehouse news conference.
The tax bill on Kelly's desk would cut taxes by a total of more than $1.5 billion over the next three years. Kelly's chief of staff has described it as larger than Kelly deems affordable over the long term, and the governor said Tuesday that she wanted to see the new fiscal forecast before making any decision.
House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said in a statement that the new forecast should make signing the tax bill "an easy ‘yes’ for the governor.”
The bill would move Kansas from three individual income tax rates to two, with the top rate dropping to 5.55% from the current 5.7%. Republican leaders wanted to go to a single rate, but Kelly views that idea as helping “the super wealthy.” She has told fellow Democrats that she opposes going to two rates.
The measure also would eliminate income taxes on Social Security benefits, which kick in when a retiree earns $75,000 a year. It would reduce the state’s property taxes for public schools and eliminate an already-set-to-expire 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.
The plan split Kelly's fellow Democrats. Those in the Senate largely opposed it and echoed Kelly's concerns. The House approved it without any opposing votes — and many Democrats there praised it as providing tax relief for all classes of Kansas residents.
The same unity among House Democrats isn't likely during a vote to override Kelly's veto because some will want to support Kelly. But House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, said he can't in good conscience ask Democrats to back a veto if he can't be sure a better plan is possible.
"I’m very happy with the product that we ended up with,” he told reporters Tuesday. “I don’t know that there’s anything out there that would be better than this one.”
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Northeast Kansas Town Still Cleaning Up After This Week's Storms
ST. MARYS, Kan. (KSNT) – Several communities in Northeast Kansas are still cleaning up after severe storms slammed the area Wednesday night. KSNT TV reports that thunderstorms and strong winds caused major damage to houses, schools, and cars in Pottawatomie and Jefferson counties and left many people in Northeast Kansas without power. The Kaw Valley School District cancelled classes in St. Marys Friday because of extensive damage to school property.
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Kansas Supreme Court Strikes Down Suspension of Woman's Driver's License
UNDATED (KNS) – The Kansas Supreme Court Friday struck down the suspension of a woman’s driver’s license for failing a breath alcohol test when her car was stuck in mud. The Kansas News Service reports that the court ruled she was not violating the state’s DUI law because she could not move her vehicle. Shana Jarmer was arrested for DUI in Sumner County in 2021 when police found her and her husband trying to move their car out of a muddy ditch. Her husband had reportedly wrecked the car. Jarmer was in the front seat and pressing the gas pedal. The tires were spinning but the vehicle was not moving. Jarmer’s blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit. But the court ruled Jarmer did not violate state law for DUI because its language requires the vehicle to be in motion.
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Kansas City Pharmacist Convicted of Diluting Drugs to Be Released to Halfway House
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KC Star) - A Kansas City pharmacist who was convicted of diluting prescription drugs will be released to a halfway house in June while families of victims are calling for him to be charged with murder and kept in custody. The Kansas City Star reports that Robert Courtney was convicted of diluting patients’ medications to treat cancer, AIDS and other serious medical conditions. Authorities estimated that his scheme could have affected more than 4,000 patients. The 71-year-old former pharmacist was sentenced in December 2002 to the maximum sentence of 30 years. Courtney is currently incarcerated at the federal prison in Littleton, Colorado. Federal officials sent a letter to victims and their families informing them that Courtney will be released to a halfway house in Springfield, Missouri, until his release in May, 2026. Courtney admitted to diluting 72 different medications over nearly a decade. His insurance company agreed to pay $35 million to victims.
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Kansas Governor Says She's Not Involved in Efforts to Relocate Kansas City Chiefs
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) – Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kelly says she’s not involved in an effort to get the Kansas City Chiefs to relocate to Kansas. That effort surfaced after voters in Jackson County, Missouri rejected the renewal of a sales tax that supports the team. The Kansas News Service reports that the sales tax would have helped fund renovations at Arrowhead Stadium. Instead, it will now end in 2031 when the Chiefs’ lease expires. Some politicians say that gives Kansas a chance to lure the team across state lines to build a new stadium. But Kelly says the state doesn’t have the money to do so. “We claim them as our team, but we are fine – recognize that it’s probably in their best interest to stay where they are,” she explained. Chiefs President Mark Donovan says he hopes to extend the partnership between the team and Jackson County. (Read more.)
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Kansas Police Lieutenant Accused of Child Sex Crimes
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. (KPR) — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has arrested a southeast Kansas police officer for child sex crimes. KBI agents took 55-year-old David Justice, of Baxter Springs, into custody Wednesday morning. Justice is charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation and promoting obscenity to a minor. Justice served as a Lieutenant with the Columbus Police Department but has been on unpaid administrative leave since February 2023, when allegations against him were first reported.
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Kansas Woman Indicted for Making Threats Against U.S. Presidents
TOPEKA, Kan. (Kansas Reflector) — A Kansas woman has been indicted for making threats against President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. A grand jury returned the indictment Wednesday against Lori Davis, of Park City, who allegedly threatened to kill both presidents. The Kansas Reflector reports that Davis is accused of posting a series of threats to social media and leaving threatening voice messages. Davis faces up to five years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines if convicted. The Secret Service is investigating the case.
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Low-Income Kansans Wait to Learn If Internet Discount Bill Will Be Allowed to Expire
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) — Thousands of Kansans could see their internet bill go up if Congress fails to extend a pandemic-era program by the end of April. The Kansas News Service reports that the program gives a discount of up to $30 per month on internet service to lower income households. More than 130,000 Kansas households are set to lose that discount when the program expires at the end of the month. Jade Piros de Carvalho leads the Kansas Office of Rural Broadband Development. She says people need affordable internet access to participate in the economy, especially in rural areas. “People can’t apply for a job without a broadband connection. They can’t work from home; they don’t have remote work opportunities,” she explained. Piros de Carvalho says there’s widespread support in Congress to renew the program but House leaders have not yet allowed a vote.
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Kansas River Cleanup Part of Earth Day Activities
LAWRENCE, Kan. (Lawrence Times) — A group called the Friends of the Kaw has been trying to keep the Kansas River clean for the past 10 years and on Saturday, the group will host yet another cleanup. The Lawrence Times reports that Dawn Buehler, the executive director of the Friends of the Kaw, says the cleanup will take place from 9 am to 1 pm Saturday at North Second Street and Locust Avenue in North Lawrence, as part of Earth Day activities. The Lawrence Earth Day Fair will be held after the Kansas River cleanup, from 1 to 4 pm Saturday afternoon at South Park.
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FHSU Student Research Shows Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Wastewater
LIBERAL, Kan. (KNS) – Students at Fort Hays State University have been testing wastewater in northwest Kansas for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The Kansas News Service reports that the research used antibiotics that are commonly prescribed in both humans and livestock. Prescribing too many antibiotics can increase bacteria’s resistance to them and lead to a superbug, an illness not easily treated with medicine. The study found bacteria resistant to antibiotics at a level slightly above the national average before water treatment. Claudia Carvalho, who supervised the study, says this type of water surveillance could help detect harmful trends. “Imagine we are able to detect a knowable resistance in a wastewater before we even get to see it in the community,” she explained. Carvalho says it’s too early to come to any conclusions. She hopes further research can focus on the impact of livestock on rural health.
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KU Secures Federal Grant to Support Legal Aid for Military Veterans
UNDATED (KNS) – The University of Kansas has received a $1.6 million federal grant to provide legal assistance to military veterans. The Kansas News Service reports that the program will help veterans with matters like disability benefits claims. The grant will be used to launch a new veterans clinic at the University of Kansas law school. The clinic will staff legal professionals and KU law students. Stephen Mazza, with the KU School of Law, says the clinic can also provide veterans with legal services that are outside of their military status. “If they happen to be experiencing landlord-tenant issues, we can assist them with those,” he explained. Kansas Republican Senator Jerry Moran helped secure the funding for the program. Mazza says he aims to launch the clinic in 2025.
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Federal Official Urges Wichita to Establish Interagency Housing Council
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) – A federal official working on homelessness initiatives encouraged Wichita officials to set up a statewide interagency council on housing. Tamara Wright is the senior regional advisor with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, which brings together federal agencies to reduce homelessness nationwide. KMUW reports that Wright spoke Wednesday at Wichita's housing conference. She also met with Mayor Lily Wu, Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty and state representatives earlier this week, where they discussed the potential for a statewide housing task force. "I offered my assistance to do that if they were interested in building an infrastructure for coordinating that response. And this would really help with youth homelessness and with people that are exiting institutions, making sure they're not exiting to a homeless situation," Wright said. She says states like Arizona have their own councils, which bring together local and state governments and nonprofits.
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Former Kansas City Royals Infielder Charged in Florida Insurance Fraud Case
MIAMI, Fla. (KCTV) - Yuniesky Betancourt, a former Kansas City Royals infielder, is facing legal trouble in Florida. KCTV reportsthat Betancourt was arrested Friday, April 12, and charged in connection with a fraud case in Miami-Dade County. Betancourt and three other individuals were arrested for allegedly staging an automobile accident, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services. An investigation determined that Betancourt, Abel Vera, Nancy Mercedes Pena and Maura Perez were all involved in a staged crash in Miami on Dec. 6, 2022. Authorities said evidence showed that the accident did not occur in the way it was reported to the police and Kemper Insurance. The former third baseman, who played for the Royals from 2009-10 and again in 2012, was charged with one count of false insurance claims, one count of organized scheme to defraud, one count of insurance fraud and one count of third-degree grand theft. He and the three others charged face up to 10 years in prison if convicted on all charges. Betancourt, 42, hasn’t played in Major League Baseball since 2013.
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