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Kansas

Court ponders gambling law


With hundreds of millions of dollars riding on the outcome, the Kansas Supreme Court on Wednesday considered whether the new gambling law complied with the constitutional requirement that casinos be state-owned and operated.
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Sebelius signs bills that affect doctors, soldiers  Registration Required


Doctors will face tighter scrutiny and deployed soldiers will get more help with custody issues under bills the governor signed into law Wednesday.
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Statewide smoking ban proposal will be back


The state's top health policy leader said Wednesday that her group plans to ask state legislators again next session for a statewide smoking ban.   Read More
Kansas Supreme Court considers question of casino ownership  Registration Required


Kansas Supreme Court justices lost little time Wednesday getting to the key question about the state?s new gambling law: Would the casinos really be owned and operated by the state?   Read More
Regents direct universities to undertake background checks on new employees


The Kansas Board of Regents Wednesday afternoon directed all six state universities to implement background checks of new employees by September.   Read More
State names winning plate, wrong artist  Registration Required


A plan to allow Kansans to submit license plate designs and then vote for their favorite went awry Wednesday when the Department of Revenue notified the wrong artist he had won.   Read More
WORTH NOTING: South Carolina's shampoo specialists
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer

The Palmetto State cleans up a law requiring hairstylists to get more training than cops. Frog legs are frowned upon by Florida health officials. And an aide to Utah's lieutenant governor gets way ahead of his boss. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.   Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois treasurer shows his knowledge of charges
By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in.   Read More
Legislator dies at 73 after suffering stroke


Rep. Ted Powers, a retired music teacher known for injecting levity into debates with humorous comments and snatches of song, has died from complications following a massive stroke.   Read More
State - juvenile center is working to improve


A state agency says a company is taking steps to properly operate a Goddard juvenile offender facility under investigation for child abuse allegations.   Read More
Music, service defined Powers  Registration Required


Ted Powers taught music in Mulvane for almost four decades, then took the qualities that defined him as a teacher -- honesty, a sense of humor and a love of music -- to the Capitol.   Read More
Kansas justices consider casinos


A high-stakes legal drama played Wednesday during oral argument before the Kansas Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the state's plan to expand casino gambling.   Read More
KU graduation on Sunday


LAWRENCE, Kan. - More than 4,000 members of the class of 2008 are expected to make the traditional walk down Mount Oread and into Memorial Stadium during The University of Kansas' 136th commencement Sunday.   Read More
States to enforce molester law on tribal land
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer

A little-noticed provision in a 2006 federal sex-offender law is rankling American Indian tribes in six states — Alaska, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon and Wisconsin — because it would give state law enforcers unprecedented authority to monitor child molesters living on tribal land.   Read More
States, locals swamp immigration program
By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Sudden demand by state and local police to join the federal 287(g) initiative, which lets local police start deportation proceedings for suspects and criminals who are illegal immigrants, is overwhelming the federal government. That means long waits and alternative programs offered to police departments that want to join.   Read More
In school sports, who makes the call?
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

A shot at the buzzer of a high school championship game — was it in time or not? — led the South Carolina Legislature to consider a bill to require referees to watch video replays. It was hardly the first example of armchair quarterbacking by lawmakers.
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Neutral govs to remain on sidelines
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

In the homestretch of an unprecedented presidential primary season, spinning with competing sound-bites and endless rhetoric, voters still heading to the polls in four states can’t look to their governors for any pre-election advice. These governors plan to wait until after their states vote to make their own endorsements.   Read More
Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer

(Updated 9:30 a.m EST, May 8, 2008)

When an elderly person with dementia is lost, eight states can trigger an alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states.
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At-risk gubernatorial seats increase
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

After a pair of hard-fought primaries, North Carolina joins Missouri, Washington and Indiana on Out There's list of states where partisan control of the governorship could flip this fall.
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Will states fix 2012 primary process?
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

While voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls today (May 6) to help Democrats pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their nominee and Republicans rally behind John McCain, party insiders and state election officials are in informal talks to improve the presidential nominating contests for 2012 and beyond.
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Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
By Kim Mendelsohn, Special to Stateline.org

Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state.   Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.   Read More
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views.   Read More
Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

For the past several election cycles, the Democrats have been on a roll in legislative elections. This year, the party is well-positioned to hold its majority of chambers — but greatly expanding Democratic control may not be in the cards.
  Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. California corrections officials install “flushometers” to control wasteful toilet flushing in prisons. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.   Read More
Governor Photo

 

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D)
Elected: November 2002, 2006
Term expires: January 2011

 

State capital: Topeka
State nickname: The Sunflower State
Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson (D)
Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh (R)
Attorney General Stephen Six (D)
Senate President: Stephen Morris (R)
House Speaker: Doug Mays (R)





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NGA celebrates centennial

The National Governors Association was born 100 years ago this week. In his latest commentary for Stateline.org, NGA Executive Director Raymond C. Scheppach recounts how governors in the past century have played a key role in shaping national policy.


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