Bryan Richardson

The Senate’s failure to pass a constitutional amendment to limit property tax valuation growth signals an likely end to property tax relief efforts this session, Senate President Ty Masterson said.

Less than 24 hours after the fate of property tax relief was in doubt, the Kansas Senate revived efforts by passing a constitutional amendment to limit property tax valuation growth.

About 24 hours after property tax relief was in peril and about five hours after a revival, the efforts on Kansas Republicans’ top priority reached a bitter conclusion.

The Kansas Legislature approved its budget bill — one that’s projected to put the state in the red two fiscal years earlier than discussed in December.

Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill that doubles state funding for conservation districts to address water and other environmental concerns.

While Kansas lawmakers passed a bill to decrease minors in police protective custody, the state’s child advocate said Kansas will continue to rely on law enforcement action without 24-hour access to the child welfare system.

A memorial service will happen in Topeka next week for the late Statehouse fixture John C. Peterson. An arts fund for the Kansas Statehouse also has been started in his honor.

A Kansas bill meant to prohibit the enforcement of child welfare policies that conflict with foster and adoptive parents’ religious and moral beliefs received Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto.

By the summer, Kansans should know the fate of Evergy’s proposal to build two natural gas plants and a solar facility.

This past year, no new names were added to the list of fallen Kansas law enforcement officers, so a ceremony honored the memory of two officers who died in years past.