Latest news with #KansasSenate
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas insurance commissioner enters 2026 race for governor
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas' insurance commissioner says she is throwing her hat in the race for the state's next governor. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced in a press release on July 9 that she is entering the 2026 gubernatorial race as a Republican candidate. She was elected to her current role in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. She previously served Shawnee and Wabaunsee Counties in the Kansas Senate. 'Throughout my personal and professional career, I have a track record of serving Kansans and actually getting things done,' Schmidt said. 'If elected governor, my top priority is the people of Kansas and making their lives better.' Kansas lawmakers, organizations react to 'Big Beautiful Bill' passing the U.S. House Schmidt touted her record of recovering millions for Kansas families in her role as insurance commissioner and reducing costs of doing business by more than $75 million. She previously announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Chiefs seek extension for Kansas stadium financing, raising possibility of move across state line
The Kansas City Chiefs have requested an extension to an end-of-June deadline for a stadium financing package from the state of Kansas, an indication that the NFL franchise's potential move across the state line from Missouri is a legitimate possibility. Chiefs president Mark Donovan requested the extension Thursday in a letter to Kansas Senate president Ty Masterson, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. Donovan explained that the Chiefs have made 'significant progress' on plans for a new stadium development but that more time is needed to 'bring the effort to full fruition.' The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council is scheduled to meet July 7 to consider extending the incentive deadline. 'The letter from Mark Donovan indicates that the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field,' Masterson said in a statement. 'Now that we are in the red zone, this extension will provide stakeholders sufficient time to ensure the ball crosses the goal line.' The Chiefs and Royals have played for more than five decades at the Truman Sports Complex on the east side of Kansas City, Missouri, where Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium share parking facilities. But leases with Jackson County are due to expire in January 2031, and the two franchises have been trying to plot a course forward for years. Donovan indicated in his letter to Masterson that Kansas remains an enticing option. 'Together,' he wrote, 'we have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new team headquarters, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a vibrant mixed-use and entertainment district.' Last year, Jackson County voters defeated a sales tax extension that would have helped to finance an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium — the home of the Chiefs — and a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals in downtown Kansas City. While local and state officials in Missouri were considering another a stadium financing package, lawmakers in Kansas quickly and aggressively authorized bonds for up to 70% of the cost of new stadiums to be built in their state. Many believed the Chiefs and Royals would use the Kansas offer as leverage for a better deal from Missouri — including Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas, who acknowledged that "the teams are in an exceptional leverage position.' Finally, earlier this month, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers into a special session to approve a stadium financing deal that included disaster relief for the St. Louis area, where a series of devastating tornadoes caused widespread damage. The legislation authorizes bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums in Missouri, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments. The prevailing belief was that the package would be enough to keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, where they have floated plans for a $1.15 billion renovation, and perhaps hold onto the Royals, who are still interested in building downtown. Yet news surfaced about a month ago that an affiliate of the Royals purchased the mortgage on a large property in the southern Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, raising the possibility of building a new stadium and ballpark district there. And the letter from Donovan requesting an extension in Kansas indicates the Chiefs also are serious about switching states. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has long professed his affinity for Arrowhead Stadium, which was built by his father and team founder Lamar Hunt. But he also is keenly aware of the revenue streams available by building a new domed stadium, including the chance to host the Super Bowl, the Final Four and other marquee sporting events. It is unclear where the Chiefs would build in Kansas, but one possibility is the juncture of Interstates 435 and 70 in Kansas City, Kansas. That's the site of Kansas Speedway, a mixed residential and commercial district called The Legends, the home stadiums of MLS club Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Monarchs minor league baseball club, as well as a casino, hotels, a major soccer training center and the infrastructure necessary to support a domed football stadium. 'We are excited about the potential for this project, which would represent the largest economic development initiative in the state's history," Donovan wrote in his letter Thursday. "Just as important, the presence of an NFL franchise in (Kansas) will serve as a powerful engine for immediate and long term-growth — driving national attention, sustained tourism, and billions more in private development across the state.' ___
Associated Press
26-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Chiefs seek extension for Kansas stadium financing, raising possibility of move across state line
LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have requested an extension to an end-of-June deadline for a stadium financing package from the state of Kansas, an indication that the NFL franchise's potential move across the state line from Missouri is a legitimate possibility. Chiefs president Mark Donovan requested the extension Thursday in a letter to Kansas Senate president Ty Masterson, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. Donovan explained that the Chiefs have made 'significant progress' on plans for a new stadium development but that more time is needed to 'bring the effort to full fruition.' The Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council is scheduled to meet July 7 to consider extending the incentive deadline. 'The letter from Mark Donovan indicates that the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field,' Masterson said in a statement. 'Now that we are in the red zone, this extension will provide stakeholders sufficient time to ensure the ball crosses the goal line.' The Chiefs and Royals have played for more than five decades at the Truman Sports Complex on the east side of Kansas City, Missouri, where Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium share parking facilities. But leases with Jackson County are due to expire in January 2031, and the two franchises have been trying to plot a course forward for years. Donovan indicated in his letter to Masterson that Kansas remains an enticing option. 'Together,' he wrote, 'we have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new team headquarters, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a vibrant mixed-use and entertainment district.' Last year, Jackson County voters defeated a sales tax extension that would have helped to finance an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium — the home of the Chiefs — and a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals in downtown Kansas City. While local and state officials in Missouri were considering another a stadium financing package, lawmakers in Kansas quickly and aggressively authorized bonds for up to 70% of the cost of new stadiums to be built in their state. Many believed the Chiefs and Royals would use the Kansas offer as leverage for a better deal from Missouri — including Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas, who acknowledged that 'the teams are in an exceptional leverage position.' Finally, earlier this month, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers into a special session to approve a stadium financing deal that included disaster relief for the St. Louis area, where a series of devastating tornadoes caused widespread damage. The legislation authorizes bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums in Missouri, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments. The prevailing belief was that the package would be enough to keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, where they have floated plans for a $1.15 billion renovation, and perhaps hold onto the Royals, who are still interested in building downtown. Yet news surfaced about a month ago that an affiliate of the Royals purchased the mortgage on a large property in the southern Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, raising the possibility of building a new stadium and ballpark district there. And the letter from Donovan requesting an extension in Kansas indicates the Chiefs also are serious about switching states. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has long professed his affinity for Arrowhead Stadium, which was built by his father and team founder Lamar Hunt. But he also is keenly aware of the revenue streams available by building a new domed stadium, including the chance to host the Super Bowl, the Final Four and other marquee sporting events. It is unclear where the Chiefs would build in Kansas, but one possibility is the juncture of Interstates 435 and 70 in Kansas City, Kansas. That's the site of Kansas Speedway, a mixed residential and commercial district called The Legends, the home stadiums of MLS club Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Monarchs minor league baseball club, as well as a casino, hotels, a major soccer training center and the infrastructure necessary to support a domed football stadium. 'We are excited about the potential for this project, which would represent the largest economic development initiative in the state's history,' Donovan wrote in his letter Thursday. 'Just as important, the presence of an NFL franchise in (Kansas) will serve as a powerful engine for immediate and long term-growth — driving national attention, sustained tourism, and billions more in private development across the state.' ___ Associated Press writer John Hanna contributed from Topeka, Kansas. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Gov. Jeff Colyer joins Republican primary for Kansas governor
Former Gov. Jeff Colyer announced his campaign for Kansas governor on May 15, becoming the fourth candidate to enter the race. Colyer served about a year as governor, assuming the office after the resignation of Gov. Sam Brownback. He served as Brownback's lieutenant governor and prior to that served a term in the Kansas House and half a term in the Kansas Senate — which he vacated to join Brownback's ticket. Colyer announced his candidacy on Mundo in the Morning, a Kansas City-area talk radio show, on May 14. In a newsletter, he listed his priorities as the following: Make the state more affordable for families. Create a Kansas Department of Government Efficiency to address waste, fraud and red tape. Remove diversity, equity and inclusion directives in schools and universities. Simplify the tax code, lower property taxes and attract jobs. Protect parental rights. Securing the border. Colyer highlighted his ties to President Donald Trump. Colyer chaired Trump's 2024 campaign in the state. "President Trump is leading the greatest American comeback in history — and Kansas needs a Governor who will fight side by side with him. I'm your man. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves, take on the special interests, and deliver real results — for you, your family, and every Kansan who dreams big," Colyer's newsletter said. Colyer sought the governorship in 2018 but narrowly lost the primary to then-Secretary of State Kris Kobach by fewer than 400 votes. Kobach was bolstered by an endorsement from Trump a day before the election. Colyer considered running for the role again in 2022 but left the race after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Outside of politics, Colyer is a plastic surgeon who has volunteered with the International Medical Corps in war-torn regions. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Jeff Colyer is seeking his first full term as Kansas governor
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Election reform bills hit Gov. Laura Kelly's desk
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Two election reform bills were sent to Governor Laura Kelly's desk on Monday. Senate Bill 6 focuses on ranked-choice voting (RCV) methods. In Kansas, RCV lets voters rank candidates in order of preference. Under RCV, votes are tabulated in multiple rounds until a candidate receives the majority. SB 6 would remove any RCV voting methods in federal, state, county or municipal offices in Kansas. The Kansas Senate passed the bill on March 17 at a vote of 30 to 10. The Kansas House passed the bill on Thursday, March 13 at a vote of 86 to 37. Under Senate Bill 5, election officials and government agencies cannot take or spend money from a person or federal government for election activities unless authorized by the state. Violations of the act would be considered a level 9, nonperson felony. The Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 5 on March 17 at a vote of 32 to eight. The Kansas House passed the bill on Thursday, March 13 at a vote of 86 to 37. $72m KDHE Lab in Topeka opening this week Another bill on the Governor's desk, Senate Bill 4, would require the return of advance voting ballots by 7 p.m. on the day of the election. It passed the Kansa Senate on March 6 at 30 to 10 and the Kansas House on Feb. 27 at 80 to 39. Both SB 5 and 6 passed with veto-proof majorities in both chambers. For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
