State Feed: Kansas

Incoming Kansas Secretary of State Kobach Honored for Plan to Bring Citizen Initiative Rights to State

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:07:58 -0500

(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented incoming Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach with the December 2010 John Lilburne Award in recognition of Kobach’s outspoken advocacy during the recent election campaign for establishing a statewide citizen initiative and referendum process in Kansas.

Kansas AG Honored for Supporting Federal Lawsuit Against Unconstitutional Petition Requirements

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:17:02 -0400

(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented Kansas Attorney General Steve Six with the September 2010 Lilburne Award. Steve is honored this month for agreeing with, rather than fighting, the plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging Kansas’ residency requirement for petition circulators, which resulted in U.S. District Judge Sam Crow permanently enjoining enforcement of the statute as an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment rights of citizens.

Kansas: Despite low turnout, tax measure passes

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:03:15 -0400

Only 255 of Louisburg’s 3,700 voters turned out April 6. City Manager Jeff Cantrell said he’s not surprised at the low participation. “The city council positions were unopposed, which didn’t raise interest in voting,” he said. “(The voters seem to think) the incumbents are doing a good job and are going to stay in office.” The 1/4-cent sales tax increase on the ballot last week passed with 131 “yes” votes and 124 “no” votes, but the results were not official until Tuesday morning when the Louisburg City Council instated the infrastructure initiative with a vote.

Kansas: Congressman endorses 2nd Amendment initiative

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:33:09 -0400

Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) announced his endorsement of the Second Amendment ballot initiative slated to appear on the November ballot. The Kansas Legislature overwhelming passed the initiative last session to cement the right of the individual to bear arms in the Kansas Constitution. The Kansas Constitution currently states, “The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security” which was interpreted in a 1905 Supreme Court decision to mean collectively, not individually.

Residents allow themselves to buy and sell alcohol on Sundays

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:00:26 -0400

Tonganoxie residents now will be able to purchase retail liquor on Sundays and select holidays. In a special election conducted Tuesday, voters, by about a 2-1 margin, approved a ballot question asking whether retail liquor sales should be allowed on those days. The “yes” vote prevailed, 250-132.

Read the story from the Lawrence Journal

Date for mail in ballot decided

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:00:17 -0400

A date has been set for the mail ballot election in which Butler County residents will decide between a .25 cent increase in the sales tax or a mill levy increase to pay for federally mandated upgrades to the countywide emergency management communications system. Butler County Commissioners announced at their Tuesday meeting the mail ballots will be sent to active registered voters on Nov. 10 and will be due Nov. 24.

Read the story from the El Dorado Times

Possible future vote on Wichita Greyhound Park

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:44:15 -0400

The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission on Friday is expected to take action on a proposed reopening plan for Wichita Greyhound Park. The plan calls for the facility to reopen if the Kansas Legislature during the 2010 session, which starts in January, approves slot machines for the track. The plan also would be contingent on a public vote on the issue.

Read the story from the Wichita Business Journal

Oklahoma tinkers with petition law; Kansas has none

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:42:20 -0400

Sometimes we in Kansas like to poke fun at our neighbors to the south in Oklahoma. I’m sure they do the same to us.

But one way in which Oklahoma has Kansas beat is in Oklahoma citizens’ ability to petition their government through the process of initiative and referendum.

Kansas's Ballot Initiative History

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:37:53 -0400

The movement to establish the initiative process in Kansas was well
under way by 1900, when the Democratic and Populist parties in the state
endorsed the idea. In 1909, initiative supporters won approval of their
amendment in the state’s lower house but were defeated in the state
senate.

Opponents start petition drive to vote on smoking ban repeal

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:48:05 -0500

Opponents of a new tougher anti-smoking ordinance for the city of Salina have begun a petition drive aimed at repealing the measure before it takes effect.

But if the petition drive succeeds in bringing the measure to a vote in April, and a repeal is approved, the current ordinance restricting restaurant smoking to between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. would remain in effect. The current ordinance doesn’t apply to bars.

Colorado Spending Transparency

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:16:22 -0500

At COST we don’t pursue a personal agenda. We promote financial transparency because we believe taxpayers (that does include us — so maybe it is personal) have a right to know how their money is spent. We aren’t fishing for praise or accolades. Our rewards will come when every level of government in Colorado embraces full financial transparency. That doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate compliments when we get them.