Clay Wirestone, Kansas Reflector opinion editor

We need a backbone to live, to stand or sit upright when the moment demands it. Instead, your average Kansas lawmaker flops around the floor of the Statehouse like a deboned yet sentient fish. #ksleg

Kansas advocates push again for more affordable period products • Kansas Reflector Young people gathered Tuesday in the Kansas Statehouse to show their support for bills that would make it easier to obtain period products. But they were in the same place last year. And the year befo...

Kansas advocates push again for more affordable period products | via @gracefromkansas.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas congresswoman, farm leader emphasize agriculture's importance to State of the Union • Kansas Reflector U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids said ahead of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday she was concerned about his promises of lower costs, stability and support for American families.

Kansas congresswoman, farm leader emphasize agriculture’s importance to State of the Union | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Court of Appeals examines arguments on constitutionality of state ban on 'fusion voting' • Kansas Reflector Kansas Court of Appeals judges skeptical challenge of state's ban on fusion voting is properly under review by judicial branch rather than the Legislature.

Kansas Court of Appeals examines arguments on constitutionality of state ban on ‘fusion voting’ | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas House passes bill regulating for-profit veterans claims consultants, despite legal concerns • Kansas Reflector The Kansas House passed a bill backed by unaccredited for-profit claims consultants that places restrictions on how much they can charge.

Kansas House passes bill regulating for-profit veterans claims consultants, despite legal concerns | via @gracefromkansas.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas cannot fund a bigger mental health workforce and then let plans shrink the network • Kansas Reflector Kansas keeps saying the quiet part out loud: We have a behavioral health crisis, and we need more providers, urgently.

Opinion from Tara Wallace: Kansas cannot fund a bigger mental health workforce and then let plans shrink the network #ksleg

Kansas House passes election bills targeting noncitizens, advanced voting • Kansas Reflector Kansas lawmakers could transform elections with a series of bills that squeeze advanced voting timelines, stamp out rare instances of noncitizen voting and tinker with some candidate filing and advoca...

Kansas House passes election bills targeting noncitizens, advanced voting | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Republican candidate for Kansas governor offering voters a prescription for change • Kansas Reflector Former Gov. Jeff Colyer, a GOP candidate for governor, offers a vision for transforming state government and praise for President Donald Trump.

Republican candidate for Kansas governor offering voters a prescription for change | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

How an anti-trans bathroom law similar to the one in Kansas forced sweeping changes in Texas • Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Two months after a Texas bathroom law went into effect for government buildings, public officials there are still working through how to comply with the law’s vague language.  Just this week,...

How an anti-trans bathroom law similar to the one in Kansas forced sweeping changes in Texas | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Leaders gamble on extracting a toll from their members to advance an ideological agenda. So if you see your representative or senator around town and they complain about the onerous schedule, ask them who sets that schedule. #ksleg

When judges have to cite Orwell in their rulings, our descent into dystopia is self-evident • Kansas Reflector MAGA-inspired legislation kicking around in the U.S. House and Senate would, if passed, impose onerous new rules that require proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

Opinion from @maxmccoy.com: When judges have to cite Orwell in their rulings, our descent into dystopia is self-evident #ksleg

Kansas state officials begin process of interpreting ‘poorly drafted’ bathroom law • Kansas Reflector Kansas tate officials are delving into the language of the new bathroom law, but vague language makes it difficult to know what to do.

Kansas state officials begin process of interpreting ‘poorly drafted’ bathroom law | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Native American students lead protest against ICE presence in Kansas town • Kansas Reflector Haskell Indian Nations University students and community members on Friday protested the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Lawrence after sightings were confirmed on social media...

Native American students lead protest against ICE presence in Kansas town | via @maya3smith.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Senate maneuvers to limit business operators' liability in negligence lawsuits • Kansas Reflector Kansas Senate passes bill restricting property owners' negligence liability if a person claiming injury was harmed while intending to commit a crime.

Kansas Senate maneuvers to limit business operators’ liability in negligence lawsuits | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Democrat cosponsors bipartisan aviation safety bill in aftermath of 2025 midair accident • Kansas Reflector Kansas' U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran are urging Congress of to pass aviation reform legislation inspired by D.C. midair crash in 2025.

Kansas Democrat cosponsors bipartisan aviation safety bill in aftermath of 2025 midair accident | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

KC metro area leans toward Kansas — more than ever • Kansas Reflector During my twenty-something years living in the Kansas CIty metro, the balance has never been so tilted toward Kansas.

Opinion from @ericthomasphoto.bsky.social: KC metro area leans toward Kansas — more than ever #ksleg

Former Kansas foster care leader pleads guilty to wire fraud, admits personal charges • Kansas Reflector Former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert Smith admitted in federal court Thursday that he used the organization's credit card for personal expenses and authorized payments for a co-defendant's fraud...

Former Kansas foster care leader pleads guilty to wire fraud, admits personal charges | via @journalist-sherman.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Senate plunges ahead with bipartisan bill targeting prescription drug middlemen • Kansas Reflector Kansas Senate approves major reform bill that brings greater state scrutiny to middlemen companies involved in pricing pharmaceutical drugs.

Kansas Senate plunges ahead with bipartisan bill targeting prescription drug middlemen | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Senate bill outlines cash awards for state workers reporting fraud, wasteful spending • Kansas Reflector Kansas Senate wades into cash awards for reporting waste, while changing rules on reports of travel expenditures and campaign spending on subcontractors.

Kansas Senate bill outlines cash awards for state workers reporting fraud, wasteful spending | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

President Trump nominates three Kansas attorneys for vacancies on U.S. District Court • Kansas Reflector The Kansas Bureau of Investigation's director, the state's solicitor general and a Great Bend lawyer are President Trump's U.S. District Court nominees.

President Trump nominates three Kansas attorneys for vacancies on U.S. District Court | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas House Democrat rebukes Republican’s remarks about ‘filthy’ renters in debate over protections • Kansas Reflector Democratic Rep. Brooklynne Mosley told House members she would pray for those who favor corporate landlords over renters, lashed out at a Republican who complained about "filthy" renters, and told ano...

Kansas House Democrat rebukes Republican’s remarks about ‘filthy’ renters in debate over protections | via @journalist-sherman.bsky.social #ksleg

As Kansas considers restricting food and medical assistance even further, think of those in need • Kansas Reflector I see people with disabilities every day. I see their needs and their hopes and dreams. Let's make their lives easier, not harder

Opinion by Rebecca Phillips: As Kansas considers restricting food and medical assistance even further, think of those in need #ksleg

Kansas disaster declaration prepares state for World Cup visitor boom • Kansas Reflector The 2026 North American FIFA World Cup prompted Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly to declare a state of disaster emergency in three counties, anticipating effects from four base camps in the Kansas City-area.

Kansas disaster declaration prepares state for World Cup visitor boom | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Senate offers tentative approval of bill restricting lawsuits associated with 'lawfare' • Kansas Reflector Kansas Senate working on bill to restrain cities and counties from relying on nuisance laws to check alleged misconduct that harms the population.

Kansas Senate offers tentative approval of bill restricting lawsuits associated with ‘lawfare’ | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg

House overrides veto; ‘bathroom bill’ limiting access to Kansas facilities will become law  • Kansas Reflector Kansans will soon be required to use the bathroom of their biological sex at birth in all government buildings.

House overrides veto; ‘bathroom bill’ limiting access to Kansas facilities will become law | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas Senate clears bill that bars attorneys from suggesting damage amounts in civil suits • Kansas Reflector The Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would make Kansas the first state to stop attorneys from a practice called "anchoring."

Kansas Senate clears bill that bars attorneys from suggesting damage amounts in civil suits | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Members may try to assuage their guilty consciences by telling themselves that courts will block the most egregious parts of this bill. Pardon my French, but that’s pathetic. #ksleg

Kansas Senate overrides governor’s veto of anti-trans ‘bathroom bill’ • Kansas Reflector The Kansas House overturned Gov Laura Kelly’s veto on Tuesday, putting the state one step closer to a "bathroom bill."

Kansas Senate overrides governor’s veto of anti-trans ‘bathroom bill’ | via @crazeywriter.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas cell phone ban applying to both public and private schools clears House  • Kansas Reflector Cell phones are one step closer to disappearing from Kansas classrooms after the House passed a bill that would require a daytime device ban to public and private schools.

Kansas cell phone ban applying to both public and private schools clears House | via @anna-writes.bsky.social #ksleg

Kansas House panel passes bill allowing local taxpayers to sink property tax hikes above 3% • Kansas Reflector Kansas House tax committee approves a bill aimed at undermining decisions by city or county officials to raise property tax revenue more than 3% annually.

Kansas House panel passes bill allowing local taxpayers to sink property tax hikes above 3% | via @kansascarpenter.bsky.social #ksleg