Law allows driving to work, church and school, changes fine payment options

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Wichita Democratic Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau said the bill overhauling Kansas law on unpaid traffic fines signed by the governor would reduce suspension of driving privileges and allow people to drive to work on restricted licenses as they attempted to make necessary payments.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb500/">Senate Bill 500</a>, signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly, had many moving parts and took years to refine, but was endorsed 120-0 by the House and 36-1 in the Senate.

“This bill will help those Kansans continue to take care of their responsibilities and contribute to their communities while they work their way through the legal system,” Faust-Goudeau said.

Sen. Rick Wilborn, a McPherson Republican, said he took pleasure in working to bring GOP majorities together with Democrats to “promote solutions for Kansans caught in a loop of mistakes and bad decisions.”

“I’m proud to give eligible drivers a new chance at responsible citizenship,” he said.

Kelly said when announcing signing of the legislation Friday that it was important to reduce red tape for Kansans overwhelmed by hefty fines that blocked reinstatement of a Kansas license.

Under the new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2025, state courts could restrict individuals’ licenses, rather than suspend them, while offenders kept their job, remained in school and attended church services as they continued to make payments on fees owed.

The statute would limit license reinstatement surcharges to a single fee of $100. Existing law imposed separate $100 reinstatement fees for each charge associated with failure to comply with a traffic citation.

The remodeled law would allow a person who committed the misdemeanor crime of failing to comply with a traffic citation to petition the court to reduce or waive payment of court costs. Current law mandated individuals who failed to comply had to pay fees in full within 30 days. If they didn’t, driving privileges were suspended. The new law would instead require an offender to pay the amount ordered by the court.

Courts would have to consider alternative solutions, including alcohol or drug treatment as well as community service, instead of restriction or suspension of driving privileges. The law would prohibit courts and the Kansas Department of Revenue from considering any conviction for a failure to comply older than five years when making determinations on suspension or restriction of driving privileges.

Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, said the legislation was a tribute to the late Wichita Rep. Gail Finney, who passed away in 2022. She was an advocate for reforming laws that had a disproportionate influence on people with modest incomes and people of color.

“Senate Bill 500, for me, is more than just a great bill for Kansans. It’s more than just the right thing to do. It also serves as a reminder of Gail Finney’s powerful legacy in which my footsteps are entrenched, and that good work continues in her absence,” Ford said.

Meanwhile, the governor also signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2047/">House Bill 2047</a>&nbsp;to reestablish prohibitions on flying drones or aircraft over livestock facilities, field crops and research stations to document allegations of animal mistreatment or environmental damage. The legislation responded to federal court decisions undermining the Farm Animal and Field Crop and Research Facilities Protection Act. The so-called ag-gag statute in Kansas was the oldest law criminalizing undercover videotaping of abusive conduct on agriculture properties.

In 2018, the&nbsp;Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit challenging on First Amendment grounds Kansas’ quarter-century-old law thwarting covert investigations into the treatment of animals and workers at feedlots, slaughterhouses and in crop production zones. Three years ago, the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals agreed with ALDF’s legal claim and a lower federal court’s decision to strike down provisions of Kansas’ law.

“There are some places that people just shouldn’t go without permission,” said Republican Rep. Lisa Moser, a Wheaton rancher.

The Senate adopted 34-2 the bill designed to discourage environmental whistleblowers, while the House concurred 108-12.

Kelly also signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2530/">House Bill 2530</a>, which was the controversial measure stripping the governor of authority to appoint the seven members of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. Rural legislators unhappy with the commission’s discussion about ending the bait feeding of deer on private property joined with Topeka GOP Rep. Ken Corbet, who owns and operates the hunting business known as Ravenwood Lodge, to limit governors to four appointments.

The law requires the current commission to be dissolved June 30 and for a new commission to take over July 1. The governor would fill four seats, while the others would be the jurisdiction of the Kansas Senate president, Kansas House speaker and the Kansas attorney general.

The new commission would select a chairperson to serve two years in that role. Currently, the governor decides who served as chair and there was no term limit.

Sen. Virgil Peck, a Havana Republican, said the legislation was necessary because the state needed a “good, solid” commission that appreciated the provision in the Kansas Constitution that guaranteed the right to hunt, fish and trap game. He was among legislators concerned that too many park-oriented people were on the commission.

The wildlife commission bill was approved 78-45 in the House and by the minimum required, 21-18, in the Senate.

Under a separate bill signed by Kelly, parental consent would be required before a school could provide a minor with health care services.

For example, a school nurse couldn’t without a parent’s consent dispense or administer prescription or nonprescription drugs to a minor student. Nor could that school nurse conduct ongoing behavioral health treatment or administer a medical test with the minor’s blood or other fluid.

The big-stick portion of the bill — passed 111-0 in the House and 26-10 in the Senate — says violation of the law would lead to disciplinary action by the health care providers professional licensing agency.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb287/">Senate Bill 287</a>‘s school nurse reform was bundled with a measure prohibiting medical facilities from isolating patients receiving end-of-life care from visits by relatives, as routinely occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also included a provision allowing first responders, scientists or technicians, including school nurses, to distribute emergency opioid antagonists such as Narcan. It also permitted EMS staff to&nbsp;distribute nonprescription, over-the-counter medications.

Kelly signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb420/">Senate Bill 420</a>&nbsp;to create opportunities for juvenile offenders to leave a correctional facility to take part in workforce and educational skills programs.

She signed into law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2531/">House Bill 2531</a>&nbsp;to establish the Kansas Purple Alert Plan, which would be an alert system for missing people with an intellectual disability. It would operate in a manner consistent with programs such as the Amber alert for missing children and the Silver alert for elderly individuals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715619037808.png" alt="Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, praised signing into law by Gov. Laura Kelly a bipartisan bill overhauling the state’s method of dealing with traffic citations, payment of fees and preserving driving privileges. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, praised signing into law by Gov. Laura Kelly a bipartisan bill overhauling the state’s method of dealing with traffic citations, payment of fees and preserving driving privileges. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Law allows driving to work, church and school, changes fine payment options</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Wichita Democratic Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau said the bill overhauling Kansas law on unpaid traffic fines signed by the governor would reduce suspension of driving privileges and allow people to drive to work on restricted licenses as they attempted to make necessary payments.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb500/">Senate Bill 500</a>, signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly, had many moving parts and took years to refine, but was endorsed 120-0 by the House and 36-1 in the Senate.“This bill will help those Kansans continue to take care of their responsibilities and contribute to their communities while they work their way through the legal system,” Faust-Goudeau said.Sen. Rick Wilborn, a McPherson Republican, said he took pleasure in working to bring GOP majorities together with Democrats to “promote solutions for Kansans caught in a loop of mistakes and bad decisions.”“I’m proud to give eligible drivers a new chance at responsible citizenship,” he said.Kelly said when announcing signing of the legislation Friday that it was important to reduce red tape for Kansans overwhelmed by hefty fines that blocked reinstatement of a Kansas license.<h2>Reform fine print</h2>Under the new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2025, state courts could restrict individuals’ licenses, rather than suspend them, while offenders kept their job, remained in school and attended church services as they continued to make payments on fees owed.The statute would limit license reinstatement surcharges to a single fee of $100. Existing law imposed separate $100 reinstatement fees for each charge associated with failure to comply with a traffic citation.The remodeled law would allow a person who committed the misdemeanor crime of failing to comply with a traffic citation to petition the court to reduce or waive payment of court costs. Current law mandated individuals who failed to comply had to pay fees in full within 30 days. If they didn’t, driving privileges were suspended. The new law would instead require an offender to pay the amount ordered by the court.Courts would have to consider alternative solutions, including alcohol or drug treatment as well as community service, instead of restriction or suspension of driving privileges. The law would prohibit courts and the Kansas Department of Revenue from considering any conviction for a failure to comply older than five years when making determinations on suspension or restriction of driving privileges.Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, said the legislation was a tribute to the late Wichita Rep. Gail Finney, who passed away in 2022. She was an advocate for reforming laws that had a disproportionate influence on people with modest incomes and people of color.“Senate Bill 500, for me, is more than just a great bill for Kansans. It’s more than just the right thing to do. It also serves as a reminder of Gail Finney’s powerful legacy in which my footsteps are entrenched, and that good work continues in her absence,” Ford said.<h2>Ag-gag, wildlife</h2>Meanwhile, the governor also signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2047/">House Bill 2047</a>&nbsp;to reestablish prohibitions on flying drones or aircraft over livestock facilities, field crops and research stations to document allegations of animal mistreatment or environmental damage. The legislation responded to federal court decisions undermining the Farm Animal and Field Crop and Research Facilities Protection Act. The so-called ag-gag statute in Kansas was the oldest law criminalizing undercover videotaping of abusive conduct on agriculture properties.In 2018, the&nbsp;Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit challenging on First Amendment grounds Kansas’ quarter-century-old law thwarting covert investigations into the treatment of animals and workers at feedlots, slaughterhouses and in crop production zones. Three years ago, the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals agreed with ALDF’s legal claim and a lower federal court’s decision to strike down provisions of Kansas’ law.“There are some places that people just shouldn’t go without permission,” said Republican Rep. Lisa Moser, a Wheaton rancher.The Senate adopted 34-2 the bill designed to discourage environmental whistleblowers, while the House concurred 108-12.Kelly also signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2530/">House Bill 2530</a>, which was the controversial measure stripping the governor of authority to appoint the seven members of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. Rural legislators unhappy with the commission’s discussion about ending the bait feeding of deer on private property joined with Topeka GOP Rep. Ken Corbet, who owns and operates the hunting business known as Ravenwood Lodge, to limit governors to four appointments.The law requires the current commission to be dissolved June 30 and for a new commission to take over July 1. The governor would fill four seats, while the others would be the jurisdiction of the Kansas Senate president, Kansas House speaker and the Kansas attorney general.The new commission would select a chairperson to serve two years in that role. Currently, the governor decides who served as chair and there was no term limit.Sen. Virgil Peck, a Havana Republican, said the legislation was necessary because the state needed a “good, solid” commission that appreciated the provision in the Kansas Constitution that guaranteed the right to hunt, fish and trap game. He was among legislators concerned that too many park-oriented people were on the commission.The wildlife commission bill was approved 78-45 in the House and by the minimum required, 21-18, in the Senate.<h2>Other new laws</h2>Under a separate bill signed by Kelly, parental consent would be required before a school could provide a minor with health care services.For example, a school nurse couldn’t without a parent’s consent dispense or administer prescription or nonprescription drugs to a minor student. Nor could that school nurse conduct ongoing behavioral health treatment or administer a medical test with the minor’s blood or other fluid.The big-stick portion of the bill — passed 111-0 in the House and 26-10 in the Senate — says violation of the law would lead to disciplinary action by the health care providers professional licensing agency.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb287/">Senate Bill 287</a>‘s school nurse reform was bundled with a measure prohibiting medical facilities from isolating patients receiving end-of-life care from visits by relatives, as routinely occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also included a provision allowing first responders, scientists or technicians, including school nurses, to distribute emergency opioid antagonists such as Narcan. It also permitted EMS staff to&nbsp;distribute nonprescription, over-the-counter medications.Kelly signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb420/">Senate Bill 420</a>&nbsp;to create opportunities for juvenile offenders to leave a correctional facility to take part in workforce and educational skills programs.She signed into law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2531/">House Bill 2531</a>&nbsp;to establish the Kansas Purple Alert Plan, which would be an alert system for missing people with an intellectual disability. It would operate in a manner consistent with programs such as the Amber alert for missing children and the Silver alert for elderly individuals.

Kelly signs law shifting Kansas toward driving license restrictions rather than suspensions

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Saturday in Shawnee County.

An ATV driven by 44-year-old Blake C. Asher of Topeka was southbound in the&nbsp;7900 block of NW 86th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The&nbsp;ATV left the roadway. Moments later, a friend found Asher unresponsive near the ATV and summoned help from a passerby who called 911. 

The friend and later deputies attempted CPR.&nbsp;Fire and medical personnel arrived and continued lifesaving measures. Asher was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp; He was not wearing a helmet, according to Christian.

 The accident remains under investigation.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Saturday in Shawnee County.An ATV driven by 44-year-old Blake C. Asher of Topeka was southbound in the&nbsp;7900 block of NW 86th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The&nbsp;ATV left the roadway. Moments later, a friend found Asher unresponsive near the ATV and summoned help from a passerby who called 911. The friend and later deputies attempted CPR.&nbsp;Fire and medical personnel arrived and continued lifesaving measures. Asher was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp; He was not wearing a helmet, according to Christian. The accident remains under investigation.

Sheriff IDs Kansas man who died in ATV accident

COWLEY COUNTY —Authorities investigating a weekend drowning in Kansas have identified the victim as 35-year-old Sarah Ouellet, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.

Just after 3:30p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies and EMS were dispatched to the 31000 block of 141st Road for two individuals stranded in the water of Grouse Creek, according to Faletti.

First responders pulled Ouellet &nbsp;from the water and life saving measures were initiated. 

Ouellet’s juvenile son was located downstream holding onto a limb. He was pulled from the water and both he and Sarah were transported to the hospital. Sarah was later pronounced deceased at the hospital, according to Faletti. The child is recovering.

COWLEY COUNTY —A woman drowned over the weekend according to Cowley County Sheriff Dave Faletti.

The drowning occurred Saturday in a creek near the 31000 block of 141st Road east of Arkansas City. According to Faletti, the sheriff's office will release additional on the tragedy later on Monday. 

Check the Post for more information as it is available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715611443517.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Authorities investigating a weekend drowning in Kansas have identified the victim as 35-year-old Sarah Ouellet, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.Just after 3:30p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies and EMS were dispatched to the 31000 block of 141st Road for two individuals stranded in the water of Grouse Creek, according to Faletti.First responders pulled Ouellet &nbsp;from the water and life saving measures were initiated. Ouellet’s juvenile son was located downstream holding onto a limb. He was pulled from the water and both he and Sarah were transported to the hospital. Sarah was later pronounced deceased at the hospital, according to Faletti. The child is recovering.--------------------COWLEY COUNTY —A woman drowned over the weekend according to Cowley County Sheriff Dave Faletti.The drowning occurred Saturday in a creek near the 31000 block of 141st Road east of Arkansas City. According to Faletti, the sheriff's office will release additional on the tragedy later on Monday. Check the Post for more information as it is available.

Sheriff: Mother drowns, child rescued from from Kansas creek

WASHINGTON (AP) — For&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;it was effectively a Day 1 priority.

It's well past time, the newly elected House speaker said in October, to establish a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-debt-congress-commission-social-security-medicare-28f30761a7338e415b9ac4c92a096460">bipartisan commission</a>&nbsp;to tackle the federal government's growing $34.6 trillion in debt. "The consequences if we don’t act now are unbearable,” he said,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-mccarthy-debt-social-security-medicare-acc8aa14cb1958581c52efa9fd6cd05f">echoing warnings</a>&nbsp;from his predecessor and other House Republicans.

More than six months later, the proposal appears all but dead, extinguished by vocal opposition from both the right and the left.

The collapse underscores an unyielding dynamic in Washington, with lawmakers in both parties loath to consider the unpopular tradeoffs that would be necessary to stem the nation's swelling tide of red ink — particularly in an election year. Facing the reality that any fiscal commission would almost certainly suggest that Americans pay more or get less from their government, lawmakers have time and again done what they do so well: punt the problem to the next Congress. And they seem poised to do so again.

Many Democrats and left-leaning advocacy groups oppose the commission because they fear it would recommend cuts to Social Security benefits. Some Republicans and right-leaning groups are against it as well, fearing the panel would recommend tax increases. They’ve labeled the commission a “tax trap.”

“I’m disappointed that we haven’t got as much momentum as I thought we would,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington, the Republican chairman of the House Budget Committee. “The speaker supported it, endorsed it from the outset. But I think there are some outside groups that have weighed in, that have said that this is a backdoor way to raise taxes, and it scared some of my Republican colleagues.”

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., sponsor of the debt commission bill in the Senate, was even more pessimistic.

“No one seems to care,” Manchin said. “It’s a shame, $34.6 trillion in debt. No one cares about it.”

The debt commission legislation, modeled after previous efforts, would create a 16-member panel to recommend steps that could be taken to balance the federal budget at the earliest reasonable date and improve the long-term fiscal health of Medicare and Social Security. The commission would have 16 members — 12 from Congress, evenly divided by party, and four outside experts without voting power. The GOP-controlled House Budget Committee advanced the bill in a 22-12 vote.

The fiscal realities that would face any commission are well documented and center to a large extent on Social Security and Medicare, which consume an ever-growing share of the federal budget, and interest payments on the nation's debt.

For Social Security, the reserves for the The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-medicare-entitlements-treasury-35a2913a3f21a3b0ff40f2c88cbf9cbc">run out</a>&nbsp;in 2033. At that point, the program will have enough tax revenue coming in to pay about 79% of scheduled benefits. For Medicare, the trust fund covering inpatient hospital stays, hospice care and stays at skilled nursing facilities has sufficient funds to pay full benefits until 2036. At that point, 11% spending cuts would be required to match incoming revenue.

The last fiscal commission over a decade ago — chaired by Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson — recommended $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the course of a decade through a combination of tax increases and painful spending cuts. But the 11-7 vote in favor of the package was not enough to force Congress to consider it back in 2010.

Supporters of a new debt panel noted that they modeled their bill on something that has succeeded in the past — commissions to consolidate the nation's military bases. The new commission would work under a similar structure with the legislation requiring each chamber to vote on its final proposal expeditiously.

Still, Democratic lawmakers and the White House are skeptical of forming a debt commission. Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told lawmakers in a recent hearing that the administration was concerned that the one thing on the table for the commission would be Social Security benefit cuts, not asking high-income Americans to pay higher taxes.

“It will be borne on the backs of those who paid into the system and rely on this program to retire in peace,” Young said.

More than 100 Democratic lawmakers also signed onto a letter opposing the commission back in January as powerful groups such as the AFL-CIO and AARP voiced their concerns.

When Republican-aligned groups also came out against the bill, including Americans for Tax Reform and the Club for Growth, prospects for moving ahead dampened considerably. Their opposition weakened GOP leadership’s leverage in attaching the commission to an annual spending bill or other must-pass measure.

“There’s no guarantee about the outcome. I think that’s what scares more people, and this town likes to know what the outcome is,” said the House bill’s author, Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich.

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, said any mechanism that allows for tax increases undermines former President Donald Trump and other Republicans running for office on a platform of cutting taxes. He said the focus must be strictly on spending reductions, and “tax increases are what politicians do instead of making decisions and hard choices.”

“The modern Republican Party is not going to put tax increases on the table as if they were part of the solution to anything,” Norquist said. “Tax increases solve no problem.”

That approach also makes Democrats such as Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas wary of a commission.

“We cannot solve our problems by cutting entirely. It’s got to be with some additional revenue. Unless revenues are very much on the table, I’m not for anything. It has to be both,” Doggett said.

As bleak as things look for the bill now, Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., said getting legislation through Congress is often a long game. Getting a House committee to approve the commission was an important step, he said. “We’re as far along as we’ve ever been.”

Supporters said they will continue pushing for getting a commission approved by the end of this Congress. Manchin mentioned the possibility of attaching it to legislation in a lame-duck session after the election and before the new Congress is sworn into office.

“We’re in that classic position where everybody hates us,” said Peters, one of three Democrats who voted for the bill in committee and is a co-sponsor. “We must be doing the right thing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712802529718.png" alt="File photo House Speaker Mike Johnson -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo House Speaker Mike Johnson -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — For&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;it was effectively a Day 1 priority.It's well past time, the newly elected House speaker said in October, to establish a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-debt-congress-commission-social-security-medicare-28f30761a7338e415b9ac4c92a096460">bipartisan commission</a>&nbsp;to tackle the federal government's growing $34.6 trillion in debt. "The consequences if we don’t act now are unbearable,” he said,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-mccarthy-debt-social-security-medicare-acc8aa14cb1958581c52efa9fd6cd05f">echoing warnings</a>&nbsp;from his predecessor and other House Republicans.More than six months later, the proposal appears all but dead, extinguished by vocal opposition from both the right and the left.The collapse underscores an unyielding dynamic in Washington, with lawmakers in both parties loath to consider the unpopular tradeoffs that would be necessary to stem the nation's swelling tide of red ink — particularly in an election year. Facing the reality that any fiscal commission would almost certainly suggest that Americans pay more or get less from their government, lawmakers have time and again done what they do so well: punt the problem to the next Congress. And they seem poised to do so again.Many Democrats and left-leaning advocacy groups oppose the commission because they fear it would recommend cuts to Social Security benefits. Some Republicans and right-leaning groups are against it as well, fearing the panel would recommend tax increases. They’ve labeled the commission a “tax trap.”“I’m disappointed that we haven’t got as much momentum as I thought we would,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington, the Republican chairman of the House Budget Committee. “The speaker supported it, endorsed it from the outset. But I think there are some outside groups that have weighed in, that have said that this is a backdoor way to raise taxes, and it scared some of my Republican colleagues.”Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., sponsor of the debt commission bill in the Senate, was even more pessimistic.“No one seems to care,” Manchin said. “It’s a shame, $34.6 trillion in debt. No one cares about it.”The debt commission legislation, modeled after previous efforts, would create a 16-member panel to recommend steps that could be taken to balance the federal budget at the earliest reasonable date and improve the long-term fiscal health of Medicare and Social Security. The commission would have 16 members — 12 from Congress, evenly divided by party, and four outside experts without voting power. The GOP-controlled House Budget Committee advanced the bill in a 22-12 vote.The fiscal realities that would face any commission are well documented and center to a large extent on Social Security and Medicare, which consume an ever-growing share of the federal budget, and interest payments on the nation's debt.For Social Security, the reserves for the The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-medicare-entitlements-treasury-35a2913a3f21a3b0ff40f2c88cbf9cbc">run out</a>&nbsp;in 2033. At that point, the program will have enough tax revenue coming in to pay about 79% of scheduled benefits. For Medicare, the trust fund covering inpatient hospital stays, hospice care and stays at skilled nursing facilities has sufficient funds to pay full benefits until 2036. At that point, 11% spending cuts would be required to match incoming revenue.The last fiscal commission over a decade ago — chaired by Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson — recommended $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the course of a decade through a combination of tax increases and painful spending cuts. But the 11-7 vote in favor of the package was not enough to force Congress to consider it back in 2010.Supporters of a new debt panel noted that they modeled their bill on something that has succeeded in the past — commissions to consolidate the nation's military bases. The new commission would work under a similar structure with the legislation requiring each chamber to vote on its final proposal expeditiously.Still, Democratic lawmakers and the White House are skeptical of forming a debt commission. Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told lawmakers in a recent hearing that the administration was concerned that the one thing on the table for the commission would be Social Security benefit cuts, not asking high-income Americans to pay higher taxes.“It will be borne on the backs of those who paid into the system and rely on this program to retire in peace,” Young said.More than 100 Democratic lawmakers also signed onto a letter opposing the commission back in January as powerful groups such as the AFL-CIO and AARP voiced their concerns.When Republican-aligned groups also came out against the bill, including Americans for Tax Reform and the Club for Growth, prospects for moving ahead dampened considerably. Their opposition weakened GOP leadership’s leverage in attaching the commission to an annual spending bill or other must-pass measure.“There’s no guarantee about the outcome. I think that’s what scares more people, and this town likes to know what the outcome is,” said the House bill’s author, Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich.Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, said any mechanism that allows for tax increases undermines former President Donald Trump and other Republicans running for office on a platform of cutting taxes. He said the focus must be strictly on spending reductions, and “tax increases are what politicians do instead of making decisions and hard choices.”“The modern Republican Party is not going to put tax increases on the table as if they were part of the solution to anything,” Norquist said. “Tax increases solve no problem.”That approach also makes Democrats such as Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas wary of a commission.“We cannot solve our problems by cutting entirely. It’s got to be with some additional revenue. Unless revenues are very much on the table, I’m not for anything. It has to be both,” Doggett said.As bleak as things look for the bill now, Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., said getting legislation through Congress is often a long game. Getting a House committee to approve the commission was an important step, he said. “We’re as far along as we’ve ever been.”Supporters said they will continue pushing for getting a commission approved by the end of this Congress. Manchin mentioned the possibility of attaching it to legislation in a lame-duck session after the election and before the new Congress is sworn into office.“We’re in that classic position where everybody hates us,” said Peters, one of three Democrats who voted for the bill in committee and is a co-sponsor. “We must be doing the right thing.”

Senator: America's debt tops $34 trillion and no one seems to care

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 2a.m. May 6, police responded to a report of gunshots in the&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2800 block of East Douglas in Wichita, according to Police Lt. Aarom Moses.&nbsp; First responders located a vehicle with the victim later identified as 35-year-old Isaiah Gails, who was driving a dark-colored four-door car.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Saturday Wichita Police Officer Kris Gupilan reported the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect identified as <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=393807">Victor Baxter,</a> according to Sedgwick County arrest records. He is being held on requested charges of First Degree Murder, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715559573377.png" alt="Baxter-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Baxter-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and have a suspect in custody.Just after 2a.m. May 6, police responded to a report of gunshots in the&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2800 block of East Douglas in Wichita, according to Police Lt. Aarom Moses.&nbsp; First responders located a vehicle with the victim later identified as 35-year-old Isaiah Gails, who was driving a dark-colored four-door car.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Saturday Wichita Police Officer Kris Gupilan reported the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect identified as <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=393807">Victor Baxter,</a> according to Sedgwick County arrest records. He is being held on requested charges of First Degree Murder, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.

Police arrest suspect in Kansas murder investigation

KANSAS CITY —A pedestrian was injured in an accident just after 4p.m.&nbsp; Saturday in Kansas City.

The pedestrian and a friend were attempting to start the pedestrian's vehicle at&nbsp;10511 Blue Ridge Boulevard, according Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

After jump starting the vehicle, which had been left in gear, the vehicle lurched forward striking the pedestrian and knocking him down. The left front wheel ran over the pedestrian. 

EMS transported the pedestrian to an area hospital with serious injuries, according Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the pedestrian or additional details.

KANSAS CITY —A pedestrian was injured in an accident just after 4p.m.&nbsp; Saturday in Kansas City.The pedestrian and a friend were attempting to start the pedestrian's vehicle at&nbsp;10511 Blue Ridge Boulevard, according Officer Alayna Gonzalez.After jump starting the vehicle, which had been left in gear, the vehicle lurched forward striking the pedestrian and knocking him down. The left front wheel ran over the pedestrian. EMS transported the pedestrian to an area hospital with serious injuries, according Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the pedestrian or additional details.

KCKPD: Pedestrian run over attempting to jump-start car

RILEY COUNTY— Authorities are working to determine the cause of a weekend fire at a rural home in Riley County.

Just before midnight Friday, crews were dispatched to a fire at 4721 Freeman Road near Tuttle Creek Lake, according to a media release from&nbsp;Riley County Fire District #1.

The volunteer fire crews found smoke and flames showing from the residence.

One resident was treated on scene for minor injuries he sustained while exiting the home. No other injuries were reported and no pets were lost in the fire. Unfortunately, the residence and nearby outbuilding were considered a total loss. &nbsp;

The cause of this fire is under investigation by the Kansas Fire Marshal. Foul play is not suspected.&nbsp;

Manhattan Fire Department Battalion 1 and Engine 1 responded as a mutual aid request. Crews remained on scene until 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning performing mop-up operations and monitoring conditions.

"This is an unfortunate loss for the homeowner, but we are thankful no one was seriously injured and the fire didn't spread to neighboring homes," &nbsp;said Doug Russell, Deputy Chief of Operations for Riley County Fire District #1. "We are incredibly grateful to the crews who spent long hours keeping this fire contained to the initial structures.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715595520566.png" alt="-Photos Riley Co. Fire District #1" />
 <figcaption>-Photos Riley Co. Fire District #1</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY— Authorities are working to determine the cause of a weekend fire at a rural home in Riley County.Just before midnight Friday, crews were dispatched to a fire at 4721 Freeman Road near Tuttle Creek Lake, according to a media release from&nbsp;Riley County Fire District #1.The volunteer fire crews found smoke and flames showing from the residence.One resident was treated on scene for minor injuries he sustained while exiting the home. No other injuries were reported and no pets were lost in the fire. Unfortunately, the residence and nearby outbuilding were considered a total loss. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715595575707.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The cause of this fire is under investigation by the Kansas Fire Marshal. Foul play is not suspected.&nbsp;Manhattan Fire Department Battalion 1 and Engine 1 responded as a mutual aid request. Crews remained on scene until 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning performing mop-up operations and monitoring conditions."This is an unfortunate loss for the homeowner, but we are thankful no one was seriously injured and the fire didn't spread to neighboring homes," &nbsp;said Doug Russell, Deputy Chief of Operations for Riley County Fire District #1. "We are incredibly grateful to the crews who spent long hours keeping this fire contained to the initial structures.”

One injured in rural Kansas fire; home a total loss

JERUSALEM —U.S. warships faced terrorist additional threats in and adjacent to the Red Sea over the past three days.

Just after 3:30a.m. Sunday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed one uncrewed aerial system or drone launched&nbsp;by Iranian-backed Houthis over the Gulf of Aden from Houthi controlled areas&nbsp;in Yemen, according to the&nbsp; U.S. Central Command.

Just before&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1789482421194215829?t=285">4:45</a> a.m. Saturday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed three drones&nbsp; launched by Iranian-backed Houthis over the Red Sea from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen.

At approximately <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1789482421194215829?t=525">8:45</a> p.m. Friday, the terrorists launched a drone over the Gulf of Aden.&nbsp;A coalition aircraft successfully engaged the UAS.

 There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels from these attacks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703990687604.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —U.S. warships faced terrorist additional threats in and adjacent to the Red Sea over the past three days.Just after 3:30a.m. Sunday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed one uncrewed aerial system or drone launched&nbsp;by Iranian-backed Houthis over the Gulf of Aden from Houthi controlled areas&nbsp;in Yemen, according to the&nbsp; U.S. Central Command.Just before&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1789482421194215829?t=285">4:45</a> a.m. Saturday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed three drones&nbsp; launched by Iranian-backed Houthis over the Red Sea from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen.At approximately <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1789482421194215829?t=525">8:45</a> p.m. Friday, the terrorists launched a drone over the Gulf of Aden.&nbsp;A coalition aircraft successfully engaged the UAS. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels from these attacks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Terrorists continue attacks on U.S. forces in the Red Sea

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; two more homicides in Kansas City, Missouri over the weekend and a deadly officer involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 3a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched on reports of a disturbance involving a weapon in the area of 12th and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, according to&nbsp; according to&nbsp;KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The call was then updated to a shooting. First responders contacted a person at a nearby business who stated their friend had been shot.

Officers located a man inside of a vehicle later identified as&nbsp;27-year-old Zachary H. Trivitt unresponsive suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS responded to the scene and declared him deceased.

Just after 9a.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 2600 block of E. 29th Street on a reported sound of shots call, according Gonzalez.

Officers arrived on scene and were summoned into a nearby apartment within the complex stating someone had been shot. Officers located a man unresponsive, and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Medical aid was rendered until EMS arrived and could take over. The victim was declared deceased on scene.

The preliminary investigation reveals this incident started over an argument. Police have identified a man as a possible subject of interest and detectives are working to locate him.

In addition to these two homicides, The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Friday night in Kansas City, Kansas

A silver Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen on May 10. KCKPD developed information suggesting the stolen car was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway and I-35. Soon after, around 11:10 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway, and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, a KCKPD officer arrived and observed three male subjects fleeing from the car. He chased them, initiating a foot pursuit.

Preliminary information indicates that the officer pursued the subjects who ran up the I-35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the men hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the man multiple times. The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old male into custody.

Lifesaving measures were attempted and EMS responded, but the man who was shot was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities are still working to identify him. The third subject has not yet been apprehended. The officer was not injured in the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715430909928.png" alt="Police investigate at 12th and Benton Boulevard Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police investigate at 12th and Benton Boulevard Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; two more homicides in Kansas City, Missouri over the weekend and a deadly officer involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 3a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched on reports of a disturbance involving a weapon in the area of 12th and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, according to&nbsp; according to&nbsp;KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.The call was then updated to a shooting. First responders contacted a person at a nearby business who stated their friend had been shot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715430886482.png" alt="Police at 12th and Benton Boulevard early Saturday-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police at 12th and Benton Boulevard early Saturday-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers located a man inside of a vehicle later identified as&nbsp;27-year-old Zachary H. Trivitt unresponsive suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS responded to the scene and declared him deceased.Just after 9a.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 2600 block of E. 29th Street on a reported sound of shots call, according Gonzalez.Officers arrived on scene and were summoned into a nearby apartment within the complex stating someone had been shot. Officers located a man unresponsive, and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Medical aid was rendered until EMS arrived and could take over. The victim was declared deceased on scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715467871896.png" alt="Police at the apartment shooting in the 2600 block of E. 29th Street-Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police at the apartment shooting in the 2600 block of E. 29th Street-Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>The preliminary investigation reveals this incident started over an argument. Police have identified a man as a possible subject of interest and detectives are working to locate him.In addition to these two homicides, The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Friday night in Kansas City, KansasA silver Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen on May 10. KCKPD developed information suggesting the stolen car was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway and I-35. Soon after, around 11:10 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway, and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, a KCKPD officer arrived and observed three male subjects fleeing from the car. He chased them, initiating a foot pursuit.Preliminary information indicates that the officer pursued the subjects who ran up the I-35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the men hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the man multiple times. The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old male into custody.Lifesaving measures were attempted and EMS responded, but the man who was shot was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities are still working to identify him. The third subject has not yet been apprehended. The officer was not injured in the shooting.

Police: Deadly weekend of violence in Kansas City

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; two suspects on multiple drug allegations.

On May 7, Sheriff's Deputies on patrol in Independence, Kansas, spotted a suspect's&nbsp; black Jeep parked near the Main Street overpass, close to the railroad tracks, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

The vehicle was connected to a drug investigation.&nbsp; Deputies approached the occupants, identified as 19-year-old Quayland Johnson and 18-year-old Trinity Schlegel. Both had outstanding warrants in Montgomery County, leading deputies to take them into custody.

During the initial encounter with Johnson, deputies observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle, which appeared to be used for smoking fentanyl pills, also knows as "Dirty 30s."

 Johnson was also being sought in connection with a narcotics-related search warrant that had been served at 633 W. Beech Street in Independence, Kansas.

After their arrest, Johnson and Schlegel were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where they were booked on their respective warrants. The Jeep was impounded and transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for further examination. Following a search warrant, deputies found additional drug paraphernalia and more fentanyl pills inside the vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715250249863.png" alt="Johnson-Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; two suspects on multiple drug allegations.On May 7, Sheriff's Deputies on patrol in Independence, Kansas, spotted a suspect's&nbsp; black Jeep parked near the Main Street overpass, close to the railroad tracks, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715250229157.png" alt="Schlegel-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Schlegel-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The vehicle was connected to a drug investigation.&nbsp; Deputies approached the occupants, identified as 19-year-old Quayland Johnson and 18-year-old Trinity Schlegel. Both had outstanding warrants in Montgomery County, leading deputies to take them into custody.During the initial encounter with Johnson, deputies observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle, which appeared to be used for smoking fentanyl pills, also knows as "Dirty 30s." Johnson was also being sought in connection with a narcotics-related search warrant that had been served at 633 W. Beech Street in Independence, Kansas.After their arrest, Johnson and Schlegel were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where they were booked on their respective warrants. The Jeep was impounded and transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for further examination. Following a search warrant, deputies found additional drug paraphernalia and more fentanyl pills inside the vehicle.

Sheriff: Kansas couple caught transporting fentanyl pills

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly incident that left a teen dead.

This week,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=233056"> Fabian Griffin</a>, 49, Wichita, was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for an&nbsp;incident that involved the unsafe handing of a weapon that resulted in the death of a teen in 2017, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November of 2022 Griffin pled guilty to second-degree murder in the case.

Just after 11:30p.m. March of 2017, police responded to the 1700 block of South Yale in Wichita and found three people including Griffin, a 25-year-old and a teen later identified as&nbsp; Casey Lawrukiewicz inside the home.

EMS transported Lawrukiewicz to a local hospital. He died on March 4, 2017.&nbsp;

The judge also ordered $5,000 in restitution to be reimbursed to the Kansas Crime Victims Fund, which paid for the cost of Lawrukiewicz's funeral, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715283719098.png" alt="Griffin-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly incident that left a teen dead.This week,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=233056"> Fabian Griffin</a>, 49, Wichita, was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for an&nbsp;incident that involved the unsafe handing of a weapon that resulted in the death of a teen in 2017, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In November of 2022 Griffin pled guilty to second-degree murder in the case.Just after 11:30p.m. March of 2017, police responded to the 1700 block of South Yale in Wichita and found three people including Griffin, a 25-year-old and a teen later identified as&nbsp; Casey Lawrukiewicz inside the home.EMS transported Lawrukiewicz to a local hospital. He died on March 4, 2017.&nbsp;The judge also ordered $5,000 in restitution to be reimbursed to the Kansas Crime Victims Fund, which paid for the cost of Lawrukiewicz's funeral, according to the district attorney's office.

Prison for Kansas man for deadly unsafe handing of a gun

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — School districts with shrinking student populations have been addressed with a bill setting out state aid guidelines for the next year.&nbsp;

Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, estimated the state has 11 school districts with fewer than 100 students enrolled. As an emergency measure, the Legislature passed a bill addressing one district expected to have eight students total enrolled in the 2024-2025 school year.&nbsp;

“In this situation of extreme declining enrollment, it’s not the intent of the Kansas legislature to fund anything but those students, and so when they are contracted to go to an outside district, that district should not be able to maintain their money locally for purposes other than for students,” Williams said during April 30 bill debate.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb339/">Senate Bill 339</a>,&nbsp;sent to the governor after it passed 117-2 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate, will prohibit state foundation aid from being allocated to a school district with no students attending school in the district in fiscal year 2025. Students who are residents of the district but enrolled elsewhere will have to be counted in the other school district, with state foundation aid sent there.&nbsp;

The move comes at the same time as a 2022&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li_2022/b2021_22/measures/hb2567/">statewide open enrollment law</a>&nbsp;goes into effect. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the law allows Kansas students to attend schools outside of their own school district as long as there’s space available.

Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Merriam Democrat, said the issue of extremely low district enrollment would be examined again during the next legislative session.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We’ll come back and give a better fix to this next year,” Ousley said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643994445130.jpg" alt="&nbsp;School districts in Kansas are readjusting due to a 2022 school district law.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;School districts in Kansas are readjusting due to a 2022 school district law.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — School districts with shrinking student populations have been addressed with a bill setting out state aid guidelines for the next year.&nbsp;Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, estimated the state has 11 school districts with fewer than 100 students enrolled. As an emergency measure, the Legislature passed a bill addressing one district expected to have eight students total enrolled in the 2024-2025 school year.&nbsp;“In this situation of extreme declining enrollment, it’s not the intent of the Kansas legislature to fund anything but those students, and so when they are contracted to go to an outside district, that district should not be able to maintain their money locally for purposes other than for students,” Williams said during April 30 bill debate.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb339/">Senate Bill 339</a>,&nbsp;sent to the governor after it passed 117-2 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate, will prohibit state foundation aid from being allocated to a school district with no students attending school in the district in fiscal year 2025. Students who are residents of the district but enrolled elsewhere will have to be counted in the other school district, with state foundation aid sent there.&nbsp;The move comes at the same time as a 2022&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li_2022/b2021_22/measures/hb2567/">statewide open enrollment law</a>&nbsp;goes into effect. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the law allows Kansas students to attend schools outside of their own school district as long as there’s space available.Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Merriam Democrat, said the issue of extremely low district enrollment would be examined again during the next legislative session.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’ll come back and give a better fix to this next year,” Ousley said.

Lawmakers pass bill responding to low Kansas school district enrollment

KANSAS CITY(AP) — The first-ever tornado emergency in Michigan was issued Tuesday, one of many called across the country in recent weeks as severe weather tears through states in the Plains and Midwest. As massive storms barrel East, homes and property have been destroyed and thousands of people have gone without power.

The National Weather Service&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-midwest-storms-michigan-tornadoes-1ac4133f09069997f926e434a28c75ac">called an emergency for areas of Michigan on Tuesday evening</a>&nbsp;amid forecasts of a damaging tornado and hail. At the time, other spots in Michigan and portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch. Tuesday's severe weather followed an ugly twister that battered a small Oklahoma town and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-weather-oklahoma-kansas-b8def43f7b0402d12911573ea5b4233b">killed at least one person a day earlier</a>.

Tornado emergencies were also called in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-nebraska-midwest-iowa-missouri-kansas-491cd033f91eb27f4139bf5582e57903">Nebraska and Iowa late last month.</a>&nbsp;During those storms, tornadoes flattened homes in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, and northeast, a small city of Minden, Iowa, also sustained damage.

Tuesday marked the 6th emergency issued in the U.S. this year. There were 15 issued in 2023.

Here’s what to know about a tornado emergency:

A tornado emergency is the weather service’s highest alert level. One is issued when a few criteria are met during a rare weather situation.

“Language like that gets people out of their chairs and into basements and storm shelters,” said Kevin Laws, a National Weather Service science and operations officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It spurs a different kind of reaction and action that you need to really save your life in those kind of events.”

There has to be an imminent or ongoing severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage. A damaging tornado also has to be confirmed visually or with radar imagery.

“You generally reserve that designation for the worst of the worst,” Laws said.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A TORNADO WATCH OR WARNING?

When the NWS Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch for an area, it means tornado development is possible and people in the area should be prepared to respond quickly if a warning gets issued. It's a “heads up,” Laws said, roughly up to 10 hours in advance of the storm.

The watch area typically covers a lot of ground, such as several counties or even multiple states, the weather service said.

When a tornado warning is issued by local forecast offices, the weather radar indicates a tornado is coming, or it’s been seen already. People in the area need to act because there is “imminent danger to life and property,” according to the NWS. This could mean moving to a substantial shelter on the lowest floor possible, and quickly avoiding windows.

Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area, such as the size of a city or small county, that may be hit by a tornado.

The tornado emergency designation first came about when a large and destructive tornado hit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1999, per the weather service.

It was called because the storm was expected to be too severe for the tornado warning, already in effect, to be considered sufficient language to alert people.

The “emergency” name was not yet formalized, but was used again during a storm impacting Greensburg, Kansas, on May 4, 2007.

Five tornado emergencies were issued in Tennessee and Alabama during the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak on February 5, 2008, according to the weather service. When one wasn't issued in Arkansas during similarly dangerous weather, the designation was codified and became recognized officially.

According to Laws, 296 emergencies have been called since 1999 (both before and after the designation was formalized).

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A TORNADO EMERGENCY IS ISSUED IN YOUR AREA?

People should call friends and family to ensure loved ones are keeping watch on the weather.

"Don't ever try to get in the car and outrun it... You need to shelter in place," Laws said. “You've got to have a plan ahead of time.

“Don’t wait until that last ten minutes, because you feel panicked and you don’t know where the tornado is and where it’s coming from."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714172157352.png" alt="View of the April 26 tornado as seen by theNebraska Dept. of Transportation camera" />
 <figcaption>View of the April 26 tornado as seen by theNebraska Dept. of Transportation camera</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — The first-ever tornado emergency in Michigan was issued Tuesday, one of many called across the country in recent weeks as severe weather tears through states in the Plains and Midwest. As massive storms barrel East, homes and property have been destroyed and thousands of people have gone without power.The National Weather Service&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-midwest-storms-michigan-tornadoes-1ac4133f09069997f926e434a28c75ac">called an emergency for areas of Michigan on Tuesday evening</a>&nbsp;amid forecasts of a damaging tornado and hail. At the time, other spots in Michigan and portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch. Tuesday's severe weather followed an ugly twister that battered a small Oklahoma town and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-weather-oklahoma-kansas-b8def43f7b0402d12911573ea5b4233b">killed at least one person a day earlier</a>.Tornado emergencies were also called in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-nebraska-midwest-iowa-missouri-kansas-491cd033f91eb27f4139bf5582e57903">Nebraska and Iowa late last month.</a>&nbsp;During those storms, tornadoes flattened homes in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, and northeast, a small city of Minden, Iowa, also sustained damage.Tuesday marked the 6th emergency issued in the U.S. this year. There were 15 issued in 2023.Here’s what to know about a tornado emergency:WHAT IS A TORNADO EMERGENCY?A tornado emergency is the weather service’s highest alert level. One is issued when a few criteria are met during a rare weather situation.“Language like that gets people out of their chairs and into basements and storm shelters,” said Kevin Laws, a National Weather Service science and operations officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It spurs a different kind of reaction and action that you need to really save your life in those kind of events.”There has to be an imminent or ongoing severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage. A damaging tornado also has to be confirmed visually or with radar imagery.“You generally reserve that designation for the worst of the worst,” Laws said.HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A TORNADO WATCH OR WARNING?When the NWS Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch for an area, it means tornado development is possible and people in the area should be prepared to respond quickly if a warning gets issued. It's a “heads up,” Laws said, roughly up to 10 hours in advance of the storm.The watch area typically covers a lot of ground, such as several counties or even multiple states, the weather service said.When a tornado warning is issued by local forecast offices, the weather radar indicates a tornado is coming, or it’s been seen already. People in the area need to act because there is “imminent danger to life and property,” according to the NWS. This could mean moving to a substantial shelter on the lowest floor possible, and quickly avoiding windows.Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area, such as the size of a city or small county, that may be hit by a tornado.WHEN WAS THE FIRST EMERGENCY ISSUED?The tornado emergency designation first came about when a large and destructive tornado hit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1999, per the weather service.It was called because the storm was expected to be too severe for the tornado warning, already in effect, to be considered sufficient language to alert people.The “emergency” name was not yet formalized, but was used again during a storm impacting Greensburg, Kansas, on May 4, 2007.Five tornado emergencies were issued in Tennessee and Alabama during the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak on February 5, 2008, according to the weather service. When one wasn't issued in Arkansas during similarly dangerous weather, the designation was codified and became recognized officially.According to Laws, 296 emergencies have been called since 1999 (both before and after the designation was formalized).WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A TORNADO EMERGENCY IS ISSUED IN YOUR AREA?People should call friends and family to ensure loved ones are keeping watch on the weather."Don't ever try to get in the car and outrun it... You need to shelter in place," Laws said. “You've got to have a plan ahead of time.“Don’t wait until that last ten minutes, because you feel panicked and you don’t know where the tornado is and where it’s coming from."

The difference between a tornado emergency, watch and warning

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and additional allegations.

On May 8, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3100 Block SE Dupont Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation.

While conducting the search warrant, officer’s located fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.

As a result police arrested 48-year-old Rae Conley, 58-year-old Robert Hayes and 34-year-old and Gracie Preston, 34, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

Rae Conley is being held on requested charges of Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent and Aggravate Child Endangerment

Robert Hayes is being held on requested charges of, Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Distribution of Certain Hallucinogenic, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction,&nbsp;&nbsp;Drug Tax Violation and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent

Gracie Preston is held on an Arrest Warrant

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715285045425.png" alt="Hayes-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hayes-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and additional allegations.On May 8, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3100 Block SE Dupont Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation.While conducting the search warrant, officer’s located fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.As a result police arrested 48-year-old Rae Conley, 58-year-old Robert Hayes and 34-year-old and Gracie Preston, 34, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715284991236.png" alt="Conley-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Conley-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Rae Conley is being held on requested charges of Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent and Aggravate Child EndangermentRobert Hayes is being held on requested charges of, Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Distribution of Certain Hallucinogenic, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction,&nbsp;&nbsp;Drug Tax Violation and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715284725328.png" alt="Preston-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Preston-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Gracie Preston is held on an Arrest Warrant

Police found fentanyl and cocaine at Kansas home

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-greatly-ease-marijuana-regulations-11">proposed loosening</a>&nbsp;the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level – but that doesn’t mean the federal government now condones recreational or medicinal use in the many states that have legalized the drug.

Moving marijuana from the government’s list of the most dangerous and least useful substances to a less serious category was a clear signal that the federal government, at least under President Joe Biden’s administration, wants to ease restrictions on a drug that’s been legal in an increasing number of states for more than a decade.

For years, the federal government has not pursued enforcement of state-legal marijuana operations, and the recent move appears to solidify that approach.

But it didn’t solve the many thorny issues that have resulted from a split between what is legal in dozens of states and what the federal government allows.

It’s unclear exactly what the rescheduling will mean. The Justice Department has not made public the text of Garland’s proposal — a DOJ spokesman declined States Newsroom’s request this week for a copy and state regulators say it has not been shared with them.

Even if the proposal were public, it would be expected to go through changes over months of rulemaking.

Here are some questions covering what is known at this early stage about what rescheduling would and would not do.

Even in states that have legalized recreational use, the federal government would likely still consider the state system as illegal under federal law.

Other Schedule III drugs, including Tylenol with codeine and anabolic steroids, are tightly regulated and available only by prescription at pharmacies.

State-legal medicinal marijuana dispensaries do not fit that description and recreational-use dispensaries are even further from what the Food and Drug Administration requires of Schedule III drugs.

“This does not make marijuana state operations legal,” Shawn Hauser, a partner at Denver-based marijuana law firm Vicente LLP, said on a May 3 webinar. “They are not selling FDA-approved drugs and they are not licensed or meet the control requirements for Schedule III. So cannabis and state-legal dispensaries will remain in violation of federal law.”

Q: What is the difference between Schedule I and Schedule III?

A: Among the most significant is the recognition that the drug may have some medicinal value.

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, the Drug Enforcement Administration has five levels of drug classifications.

Schedule I is the most restricted level, comprising the drugs most ripe for abuse that have no medicinal value. Other drugs on the list include heroin and LSD.

Because the definition of Schedule I substances includes no medicinal use, it is illegal to even study substances on the list.

Schedule III is the strictest level that acknowledges some medicinal value, making some hopeful that research on the drug could be improved.

“Moving cannabis to Schedule III would be a big step for recognition of the medical uses of cannabis, what voters here recognized by a wide margin in 1998,” the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board said in a May 1 statement. “And it would say very clearly that the federal government no longer considers cannabis among the most dangerous drugs.”

A: Until they have more details, state regulators cannot do much, Amanda Borup, the senior policy analyst for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, said in an interview.

“We really have to wait and see what they release,” she said, referring to the DEA’s rulemaking.

Other states are considering what the impacts might be.

The statement from Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board said rescheduling would “hopefully” ease restrictions on cannabis research, while it is “possible” the move would allow state-legal businesses to take advantage of tax deductions available to other industries.

A: Marijuana advocates have had trouble providing evidence of any marijuana benefits because research has been restricted, which in turn made it more difficult to show that the restrictions should be lifted.

It could also help establish industry guidelines for ancillary issues. For example, the restrictions on research contribute to a lack of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/">data on what pesticides are safe</a>&nbsp;for use in marijuana cultivation.

Q: How does this affect policy on taxes, banking and criminal justice?

A: On its own, rescheduling likely won’t address several complaints marijuana industry members and advocates have about federal prohibition.

Some are hopeful, though, that the signal from the Biden administration will spur momentum toward other changes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698531124512.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-greatly-ease-marijuana-regulations-11">proposed loosening</a>&nbsp;the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level – but that doesn’t mean the federal government now condones recreational or medicinal use in the many states that have legalized the drug.Moving marijuana from the government’s list of the most dangerous and least useful substances to a less serious category was a clear signal that the federal government, at least under President Joe Biden’s administration, wants to ease restrictions on a drug that’s been legal in an increasing number of states for more than a decade.For years, the federal government has not pursued enforcement of state-legal marijuana operations, and the recent move appears to solidify that approach.But it didn’t solve the many thorny issues that have resulted from a split between what is legal in dozens of states and what the federal government allows.It’s unclear exactly what the rescheduling will mean. The Justice Department has not made public the text of Garland’s proposal — a DOJ spokesman declined States Newsroom’s request this week for a copy and state regulators say it has not been shared with them.Even if the proposal were public, it would be expected to go through changes over months of rulemaking.Here are some questions covering what is known at this early stage about what rescheduling would and would not do.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692273868300.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Q: Is weed legal now?</h2>A: No.Even in states that have legalized recreational use, the federal government would likely still consider the state system as illegal under federal law.Other Schedule III drugs, including Tylenol with codeine and anabolic steroids, are tightly regulated and available only by prescription at pharmacies.State-legal medicinal marijuana dispensaries do not fit that description and recreational-use dispensaries are even further from what the Food and Drug Administration requires of Schedule III drugs.“This does not make marijuana state operations legal,” Shawn Hauser, a partner at Denver-based marijuana law firm Vicente LLP, said on a May 3 webinar. “They are not selling FDA-approved drugs and they are not licensed or meet the control requirements for Schedule III. So cannabis and state-legal dispensaries will remain in violation of federal law.”<h2>Q: What is the difference between Schedule I and Schedule III?</h2>A: Among the most significant is the recognition that the drug may have some medicinal value.Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, the Drug Enforcement Administration has five levels of drug classifications.Schedule I is the most restricted level, comprising the drugs most ripe for abuse that have no medicinal value. Other drugs on the list include heroin and LSD.Because the definition of Schedule I substances includes no medicinal use, it is illegal to even study substances on the list.Schedule III is the strictest level that acknowledges some medicinal value, making some hopeful that research on the drug could be improved.“Moving cannabis to Schedule III would be a big step for recognition of the medical uses of cannabis, what voters here recognized by a wide margin in 1998,” the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board said in a May 1 statement. “And it would say very clearly that the federal government no longer considers cannabis among the most dangerous drugs.”<h2>Q: How are states preparing?</h2>A: Until they have more details, state regulators cannot do much, Amanda Borup, the senior policy analyst for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, said in an interview.“We really have to wait and see what they release,” she said, referring to the DEA’s rulemaking.Other states are considering what the impacts might be.The statement from Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board said rescheduling would “hopefully” ease restrictions on cannabis research, while it is “possible” the move would allow state-legal businesses to take advantage of tax deductions available to other industries.<h2>Q: Why does research matter?</h2>A: Marijuana advocates have had trouble providing evidence of any marijuana benefits because research has been restricted, which in turn made it more difficult to show that the restrictions should be lifted.It could also help establish industry guidelines for ancillary issues. For example, the restrictions on research contribute to a lack of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/">data on what pesticides are safe</a>&nbsp;for use in marijuana cultivation.<h2>Q: How does this affect policy on taxes, banking and criminal justice?</h2>A: On its own, rescheduling likely won’t address several complaints marijuana industry members and advocates have about federal prohibition.Some are hopeful, though, that the signal from the Biden administration will spur momentum toward other changes.Most businesses can deduct their costs from their income and pay taxes on their net income. Marijuana businesses cannot take that deduction, known as 280E, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, an advocacy group.Schedule I status also makes access to the U.S. banking system difficult.Others complain that making marijuana legal in some states has not been fair to the communities of color that saw the most active enforcement.Rescheduling would not fix those issues on its own, but advocates are hopeful it is a sign of momentum toward full legalization.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-dems-launch-renewed-push-full-marijuana-legalization">reintroduced a bill</a>&nbsp;last week to de-schdule the drug altogether. The measure includes expanding the 280E tax break and several provisions meant to address social justice.<h2>Q: Could Trump reverse this if he wins in November?</h2>A: Probably, though there’s no indication that’s on his agenda.It’s unclear what the status of the rescheduling will be when the next Inauguration Day arrives on Jan. 20.If former President Donald Trump wins back the presidency and the rescheduling is still pending, he could direct the DEA and DOJ to scrap the change.Trump has not commented on the issue.