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Editorial Roundup: Kansas

Posted

Topeka Capital-Journal. January 8, 2023.

Editorial: Here’s our wish list for 2023 Kansas Legislature, starting with ‘will of the people’

The 2023 legislative session starts Monday.

We’re excited and hopeful for what might come out of it.

The session, which lasts 90 days, during which members of the Kansas House and Kansas Senate work to draft new policies and then hopefully send the good bills to the governor who will sign them into law.

The Topeka Capital-Journal has a stellar team of statehouse reporters Jason Tidd and Andrew Bahl who will cover the session and provide context and analysis. Other reporters, such as Rafael Garcia, will supplement coverage in their areas of expertise. Here on the opinion page, the editorial advisory board will offer commentary and advice on the session when needed.

As we gear up for the session, here’s our wish list for legislators:

• Don’t ignore the will of the people. They voted — loudly and without doubt — to keep abortion legal as a protected right under the Kansas Constitution. Quit trying to chip away at women’s reproductive freedoms.

• Do expand Medicaid in Kansas. We’ve said this over and over but once more for good measure: Do you want to show that you believe in families? This is an opportune way to prove it.

• Work with the governor. First to lower the sales tax on food faster than earlier planned. Work with her on problems in the foster care system. These things aren’t partisan issues and could go a long way toward helping your constituents.

• Work with the governor. First to lower the sales tax on food faster than earlier planned. Work with her on problems in the foster care system. These things aren’t partisan issues and could go a long way toward helping your constituents.

• Stay involved in the process. Bahl reports members of the public are allowed to submit testimony on pieces of legislation in committee. Once a person has identified the bill they are passionate about, they should determine which committee the legislation resides in.

• Go visit the Kansas Statehouse. Meet your legislators. Members of the public can go to www.kslegislature.org to find more information on visiting the Statehouse, find their elected officials and see schedules for floor debate and committee meetings. And enjoy Topeka while you’re here. We’re proud of our hometown.

• Hold your elected officials accountable. If they made a campaign promise, follow their voting record. Stay in touch with them, and let them know where you stand on the issues. If they don’t align with your values, remember that when the next election comes around.

We are looking forward to the session. We are rooting for our lawmakers. When they’re successful, our state is successful.

END