Missouri & Kansas Politricks: Cash & Parties

Honestly, I have no idea what to do with these links but they seem important so we'll share in hopes that readers can find some useful purpose outside of raising donation cash . . .

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Newsflash: Voters Want Choices

Chairs of Missouri Republican and Democratic parties ask lawmakers to reinstate presidential primary

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri lawmakers could vote to resurrect the state's presidential preference primary a year after deciding to kill it. Leaders of the state's Republican and Democratic parties testified Wednesday in favor of a plan to bring back the primary, which would take place March 12, 2024, if legislators approve the measure.

Show-Me DEI Talking Points

The University of Missouri System cuts diversity statements from its job postings

The University of Missouri System is halting the use of diversity statements in its hiring practices. UM President Mun Choi said in an email Monday that officials will now send a "values commitment" to job applicants instead of DEI statements.

Gutting School Choice?!?

Kansas lawmakers strike several provisions from controversial private school funding program - Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA - In the first of what is likely to be a series of bill negotiations over the next few days, a Kansas senator proposed cutting provisions on teacher salaries and district funding from a controversial, voucher-like K-12 education proposal.

More Deets On Fight For Life

Kansas Supreme Court will weigh abortion rights for first time since overturn of Roe

The Kansas Supreme Court on Monday will consider whether abortion should be a guaranteed right in the state constitution for the first time since the federal right to the procedure was eliminated. Four years after the Kansas court's landmark 2019 decision establishing abortion as a right, justices will hear arguments about whether that decision was correct and what restrictions should be allowed under that right.

Low Turnout Agenda Setting

Kansas City voters to decide on adding local taxes for weed, short term rentals like Airbnbs

Kansas City residents are voting on multiple ballot questions in the April 4 election. Those ballot questions include whether or not to add an additional local tax to marijuana sales and whether or not to impose additional taxes and fees to short term rentals like Airbnbs.

GOP Calls Out Their Own

'He flip-flopped': Missouri legislator one of three in hot water over about-face on school choice

(The Lion) - Missouri Rep. Chris Lonsdale, R-Liberty, is taking heat for voting against an open enrollment bill last week after promising during his election campaign to support it and other school choice measures. The conflict was apparent on Twitter Wednesday, where screenshots of Lonsdale's pledge to support specific school choice measures, including open enrollment, were shared.

Snatching Purse Strings

MO Republicans still want to restrict Medicaid money to Planned Parenthood after abortion ban

Despite Missouri's sweeping abortion ban, some Republicans are still attacking Planned Parenthood's Medicaid reimbursements. Multiple bills attempt to block funding to abortion-affiliated facilities, like Planned Parenthood, from different avenues. One would prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements and another would create a constitutional amendment to stop all Medicaid reimbursements from going to the facility, with voter approval.

Legal Debate Postscript

Kansas Bill of Rights is null and void when it comes to abortion, Kobach's office says | Opinion

Monday morning, the Kansas Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases testing the limits of abortion rights. It did not appear to go well for the state's attorney who sought to undermine a woman's right to choose. At issue are two state laws that remain unenforceable as long as there's a constitutional right to abortion in Kansas.

Rolling For Dollars

Missouri House Republicans scramble for slice of governor's I-70 money for other projects * Missouri Independent

On one end of the Missouri Capitol, House Republicans seem poised to divvy up the money Gov. Mike Parson wants to use widening portions of Interstate 70 on a bunch of smaller projects. Across the rotunda in the Senate, Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough is looking for ways to pour more money into the project to finance a statewide expansion of the highway.

School Daze Q&A

Seven questions with the 2023 North Kansas City school board candidates

Five candidates are facing off for just two seats on the North Kansas City Schools board.

Newspaper Fights For Quotas

'Not a great look.' MO state government workforce is less diverse than state population

Percy Johnson had worked in environmental health for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services since 1995, but after nearly two decades with the agency he had trouble advancing. In 2014, Johnson, who says he was the only Black environmental health specialist in the agency, applied for a higher position.

Citywide Fight For KCMO 4th

An open 4th District at-large Kansas City Council seat draws a crowd of candidates

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Cash Runs Out . . .

Pandemic-era benefits expire for Kansas SNAP recipients

Kansas City Council’s 4th District at-large seat is one of at least six positions on the Kansas City ballot that will be filled with a new City Council member after Katheryn Shields wraps up her second term in August..

Developing . . .