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2023

February 2023

February 16, 2023 - SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: New food assistance restrictions win committee approval

February 16, 2023 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: With families struggling, Welfare Reform Committee focuses on making life harder for Kansans

February 13, 2023 - TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas Republicans want welfare reform. Here's what it means for food stamp work requirement. 

February 8, 2023 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: House Republicans explore new way to punish low-income, aging Kansans seeking food

February 7, 2023 - SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Kelly administration opposes proposed welfare change

January 2023

January 30, 2023 - SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Flat tax proposal would cost more than $3 billion over three years

January 16, 2023 - HUTCH POST: Kansas Action for Children supports Kelly budget priorities in education

January 13, 2023 - KSNT: New legislation eases vaccine exemption requirements in Kansas daycares; advocates respond

January 13, 2023 - SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Will flat tax ‘revolution’ take hold in Kansas?

January 13, 2023 - KWBW: Interview with John Wilson about 2023 KAC Policy Priorities (Starts at the 1:29 mark)

January 12, 2023 - CENTER SQUARE: Kansas governor signs executive order aimed at improving early childhood care

January 11, 2023 - FORT SCOTT BIZ: Governor Establishes Early Childhood Transition Task Force

January 10, 2023 - TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas governor creates task force for cabinet-level child care office via executive order

January 10, 2023 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kelly creates early childhood task force with first executive order of second term

2022

December 2022

December 22, 2022 - KANSAS CITY STAR: Kansas Gov. Kelly campaigned as the ‘childcare governor.’ How will she confront crisis?

November 2022

November 27, 2022 - TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Thousands could be kicked off Medicaid next year in Kansas. Here's why.

November 25, 2022 - TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas lawmakers must do more to support policies to improve all Kansans' health outcomes

September 2022

September 5, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Supporting working parents will help Kansas kids thrive, this Labor Day and beyond

August 2022

August 8, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas ranks 17th in U.S. on child well-being in terms of economic, health, education metrics

May 2022

May 30, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas Action for Children focuses on early education, food security and health insurance

May 15, 2022 - TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Lawmakers heading in right direction to support child care, which is at crisis level in Kansas

April 2022

April 28, 2022 - KANSAS CITY STAR: Kansas will eliminate its grocery tax — slowly: Governor agrees to Legislature’s plan

April 13, 2022 - ABILENE-RC: Dickinson County Childcare Taskforce presented childhood care and education documentary

April 2, 2022 - TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: With record-low unemployment amid 95K open jobs, lawmakers pass bill to move Kansans off food stamps

March 2022

March 24, 2022 - SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Constitutional amendment limiting taxes fails in Senate

March 24, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas Senate GOP fails to secure enough votes to pass anti-tax constitutional amendment

March 11, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Senate committee advances constitutional amendment limiting new taxes, rate increases

March 10, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Out-of-state group’s drive to limit federal benefits in Kansas meets pointed opposition

March 10, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Trio of Kansas Senate redistricting maps introduced by committees with little fanfare

March 5, 2022 - TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Is a food sales tax cut compromise in the works? Kansans 'need to be contacting their legislators'

March 3, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas Republican wants food tax relief for grocers competing with senior centers, schools

February 2022

February 22, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: House health committee approves one-year ban on reworking KanCare provider contracts

February 21, 2022 - THE SENTINEL: School officials oppose Parents’ Bill of Rights, transparency

February 21, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas childhood anti-vax bill slams into wall after falsehood-packed hearing

February 21, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Senate panel signs off on Kansas income tax deduction increase, credit for teachers

February 8, 2022 - SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Senate panel seeks to protect religious vaccine exemptions

February 8, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Masterson muscles gerrymandered map through Kansas Senate, at the price of school kids’ health

February 2, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: By ending Kansas’ sales tax on food, our state can live up to its ideals and help those in need

February 1, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Senate panel's debate on ending Kansas food sales tax focuses on finances

JANUARY 2022

January 23, 2022 - KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas bill would broaden scope of investigation into maternal deaths

January 6, 2022 - GREAT BEND TRIBUNE: A good idea: Kansas should drop the sales tax on groceries

2021

DECEMBER 2021

December 28, 2021 - KWBW RADIO: Interview with KAC President & CEO John Wilson

December 22, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Governor proposes $445 million in tax rebates

NOVEMBER 2021

November 8, 2021 – KANSAS CITY STAR: Kansas governor's race turns to ending food sales tax. Will it finally happen in 2022?

November 8, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas governor plans to 'axe' sales tax on food, joins AG in urging legislative action

AUGUST 2021

August 3, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Expanded child tax credit could transform lives — but we have to make it permanent

JULY 2021

July 26, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas racial equity panel calls attention to early childhood, maternal health disparities

July 15, 2021 – ASSOCIATED PRESS: Racial justice panel in Kansas issues recommendations

July 13, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: As Kansas expands paid leave for state employees, advocates look to private sector

July 11, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Sunday Reader: Rural COVID surge feared; GOP straw poll

July 2, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Kansas collects almost $2 billion more in revenue

JUNE 2021

June 25, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Audio Astra: ‘Grassland Groupies,’ Wichita homesteaders, summer school blues

June 21, 2021 – HUTCH POST: 2021 KIDS COUNT® Data Book released Monday

June 21, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas ranks 18th nationally in annual report measuring well-being of children

June 21, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: What the Kids Count report means for Kansas

June 21, 2021 – PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE: Report: Economy Good for Kansas Kids; Health Coverage Needs Improvement

MAY 2021

May 19, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Business group requests stop to federal unemployment aid

May 13, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Racial disparities in infant mortalities persist despite record low rates in Kansas

May 11, 2021 – KANSAS CITY STAR: In KC region, hundreds of thousands of children qualify for expanded tax credits

May 3, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Legislature overrides Kelly on tax bill

May 2, 2021 – WICHITA EAGLE: Kansas simply can’t afford Legislature’s misguided tax policy

APRIL 2021

April 30, 2021 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Legislature can’t return to the self-inflicted budget crises of the past

April 23, 2021 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas economy is poised for big things. Let's not mess it up now.

April 16, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Governor vetoes tax bill

April 11, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: How Kansas kids – and their families – could benefit from the American Rescue Plan

MARCH 2021

March 29, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Broad coalition unifies against vaccine bill

March 24, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: House panel advances less costly tax bill

March 18, 2021 – COFFEE, LUNCH, BEER: The Nonprofit President and Former State Representative - John Wilson

March 8, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: A year of COVID-19 in Kansas has taught us these 4 lessons

March 8, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Clay Wirestone, author

March 1, 2021 – SHAWNEE MISSION POST: Rep. Jarrod Ousley says Statehouse partisan split impacting committee work

FEBRUARY 2021

Feb. 22, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Mother asks Kansas lawmakers to roll back restrictions on food assistance, child care support

Feb. 15, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: A veteran of Kansas’ disastrous tax-cutting era says Republicans have taken ‘several steps backwards’

Feb. 12, 2021 – BILLINGS GAZETTE: Guest opinion: Montana, don't do what Kansas did

Feb. 6, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: The Kansas Legislature’s power imbalance stifles legitimate debate

Feb. 3, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Let’s be brave enough to not learn the Kansas tax-cut lesson all over again

Feb. 2, 2021 – KWBW-AM: John Wilson interview on the Morning Show

Feb. 2, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Senate panel approves less costly tax bill

Feb. 2, 2021 – OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR: Governor Laura Kelly Announces Medicaid Expansion and Medical Marijuana Bill: What They’re Saying

JANUARY 2021

Jan. 31, 2021 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Shift in tone at the Kansas Statehouse includes impatience and contempt toward colleagues and constituents

Jan. 30, 2021 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Governor’s tax council warns against proposals by Republicans to diminish Kansas revenue

Jan. 28, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Majority leader says DCF not complying with HOPE Act

Jan. 25, 2021 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Republicans again want a tax overhaul. COVID-19 gave them a new sense of urgency.

Jan. 23, 2021 – LAW 360 TAX AUTHORITY: Kan. Lawmakers Will Pass GILTI Decoupling Bill, Senator Says

Jan. 22, 2021 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: New tax bill totals more than $300 million in first year

Jan. 12, 2021 – KANSAS PUBLIC RADIO: Headlines for Tuesday, January 12, 2021

 

2020

DECEMBER 2020

Dec. 25, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Here’s to the opinionated Kansans who spoke up in 2020

Dec. 24, 2020 – KANSAS PUBLIC RADIO: Headlines for Thursday, December 24, 2020

Dec. 20, 2020 – INSURANCE NEWS NET: Kansas Action for Children Issues Public Comment on HHS Proposed Rule

Dec. 15, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Read & Reflect Morning Newsletter

Dec. 14, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: New report indicates struggles accessing basic needs extend beyond pandemic

Dec. 4, 2020 – SALINA JOURNAL: Census workers need more time as Kansas communities hang in balance

OCTOBER 2020

Oct. 31, 2020 – CASPER STAR-TRIBUNE: We can learn from Kansas’ mistakes. Wyoming citizens shouldn’t suffer a revenue disaster because of poor policy

Oct. 23, 3030 – IOLA REGISTER: For change, we need to look beyond Election Day

Oct. 22, 2020 – KANSAS RELECTOR: John Wilson: To make big changes in Kansas, look beyond Election Day

Oct. 9, 2020 – WIBW NEWS NOW: Many Children Not Getting Vaccinations

Oct. 8, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas health organizations seek reversal of decline in child vaccination

October 2020 – TECTONICA: Kansas Action for Children

SEPTEMBER 2020

Sept. 1, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: To avoid disaster for Kansas communities, federal government must send aid

Sept. 1, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Emily Fetsch, author

AUGUST 2020

August 31, 2020 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: John Wilson: Ensure your family counts in next 30 days

August 27, 2020 – KSN-TV: Kansas kids the focus of 2020 voter guide

August 27, 2020 – FOURSTATES HOMEPAGE: Kansas Action for Children working for more resources for children

August 24, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansas’ vulnerable children can’t afford to absorb state budget cuts

JULY 2020

July 31, 2020 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Sue Lockett, driving force behind CASA of Shawnee County, dies

July 28, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: Kansans must ask leaders to support child care

July 28, 2020 – KANSAS REFLECTOR: John Wilson, author

July 22, 2020 – KANSAS CITY STAR: Eleanor Ann (Hawkinson) Lowe obituary

July 8, 2020 – WIBW-TV: Kansas Health Foundation approves $5.39 million to improve access to food for children

JUNE 2020

June 27, 2020 – HUTCHINSON NEWS: Reno County Schools Respond to Community Need

MAY 2020

May 28, 2020 – BLOOMBERG NEWS: Bickering and Confusion Stall $150 Billion Meant to Boost States

May 25, 2020 – HOLTON RECORDER: Legislature’s final meeting shameful, KAC leader says

May 11, 2020 – ALLIANCE FOR A HEALTH KANSAS: Facebook Live Town Hall: COVID-19 and the State Budget

May 10, 2020 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Sunday Reader: Abortion lobbying; Kobach & 2022 Olympics

May 9, 2020 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: David Jordan and John Wilson: As crisis hits Kansas, existing federal funds can help families

APRIL 2020

April 24, 2020 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Horn not seeking re-election to House

April 21, 2020 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas coronavirus update: Invest in people

April 3, 2020 – KMUW: Anxious Kansas Parents Keep Kids Home From Day Care Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

MARCH 2020

March 16, 2020 – KANSAS ACTION FOR CHILDREN: A message from KAC

March 10, 2020 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas House panel considers $63M tax credit for food

FEBRUARY 2020

Feb. 21, 2020 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Social services reorganization stumbles in Senate

JANUARY 2020

Jan. 23, 2020 COFFEE COUNTY REPUBLICAN: Kansas families face challenges

Jan. 14, 2020 – KANSAS PUBLIC RADIO: Kansas State of the State Address 2020

Jan. 6, 2020 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: No shortage of controversial ideas for reshaping Kansas tax policy

Jan. 3, 2020 – THE HOLTON RECORDER: Top stories in our New Year’s edition

 

2019

DECEMBER 2019

Dec. 18, 2019 – WIBW-TV: New data shows how economic, health, and education indicators are affecting Kansas kids

Dec. 13, 2019 – LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD: New reports show Kansas’ health ranking is plummeting, rate of uninsured children is on the rise

Dec. 12, 2019 – WIBW NEWS NOW: Not Expanding Medicaid Appears to Leave Fewer Kids Insured, Even if They Are Eligible

Dec. 9, 2019 – THE KAC PODCAST: KAC President John Wilson (special preview episode)

Dec. 4, 2019 – GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY: Kansas Tax Council Supports Internet Sales Tax Changes

Dec. 3, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Gov. Laura Kelly’s tax council supports internet, digital tax changes

NOVEMBER 2019

Nov. 28, 2019 – WICHITA EAGLE: Kansans likely to get food tax relief in 2020, but will it be rate cut or refund?

Nov. 8, 2019 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Revenue estimates skyrocket more than half billion dollars

Nov. 7, 2019 – KSNT-TV: Former Kansas Rep. working to improve state policies for children and families

Nov, 4, 2019 – WICHITA EAGLE: Ending Brownback tax experiment gave Kansas a cash boost. But spending is catching up

Nov. 2, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: John Wilson: Poverty challenges present, future of Kansas children, families

OCTOBER 2019

Oct. 17, 2019 – KCUR-FM: Lawmakers Say Sex-Trafficked Kansas Teen’s Story Is ‘Heartbreaking’

Oct. 15, 2019 – KCUR-FM: Kansas Foster Care Instability Led To Surge In Runaways, Left Children Vulnerable To Sex Traffickers

Oct. 14, 2019 – KCUR-FM: Kansas Made This Sex Trafficking Survivor A Criminal — She Wants Another Chance

Oct. 6, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Capitol Insider podcast: Kansas Action for Children backing partial paid leave for child, family care

Oct. 6, 2019 – THE MESSENGER: Education is key foundation in Nancy McCarthy Snyder’s life

SEPTEMBER 2019

Sept. 29, 2019 – LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD: New data shows fewer Kansas children live in areas of concentrated poverty; 51,000 still do

Sept. 29, 2019 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Sunday Reader: Pricey noncampaign; Kansas lawsuit culture

Sept. 26, 2019 – WIBW NEWS NOW: Concentrated child poverty still an issue in Kansas, new numbers say

Sept. 25, 2019 – WIBW-TV: Data shows more than 50,000 Kansas kids live in concentrated poverty

Sept. 25, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: New report: Rate of Kansas children in concentrated poverty dips to 7%

Sept. 23, 2019 – LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD: Former Lawrence Rep. Wilson to lead Kansas children’s advocacy group

Sept. 22, 2019 – KANSAS PUBLIC RADIO: Headlines for Sunday

Sept. 21, 2019 – ASSOCIATED PRESS: Former Kansas House member to lead children’s advocacy group

Sept. 20, 2019 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Former lawmaker to lead children’s group

Sept. 10, 2019 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Kelly introduces members of tax reform commission

Sept. 10, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Wichita anti-tax organization bashes Gov. Laura Kelly’s new tax reform council

Sept. 9, 2019 – KSAL: Gov. Kelly Begins Overview of Kansas Taxes

Sept. 2, 2019 – HUTCHINSON NEWS: Trio named to HHS Wall of Honor

AUGUST 2019

August 26, 2019 – KCUR: Kansas Sees A Path To Prosperity By Getting More Kids Into Child Care And Preschool

August 16, 2019 – WICHITA EAGLE: Kansas boots reading company after it wrongly got millions, used welfare cash for trips

August 16, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas drops literacy program provider for allegedly bilking welfare fund to inflate salaries

August 13, 2019 – HAYS POST: Kansas Interfaith Action condemns Public Charge Policy change as ‘inhumane and unjust’

August 2, 2019 – WIBW: Governor signs proclamations

JULY 2019

July 28, 2019 – SALINA POST: Salina’s Wearing among 28 appointed to Kansas Complete Count Committee

JUNE  2019

June 19, 2019 – MORNING EDITION: From A Napkin To A White House Medal — The Path Of A Controversial Economic Idea

June 18, 2019 – WIBW NEWS NOW: KIDS COUNT Survey Strong, But Medicaid Expansion Would Have Made It Better, Says Kansas Action For Children

June 17, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas falls to 15th in annual Kids Count report on health, education, economics, family

June 17, 2019 – WIBW-TV: New report says Kansas fell in children’s health ranking

June 17, 2019 – KVOE-AM: Kansas slips to 15th in Kids Count Data Book

MAY 2019

May 29, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Kansas House falls short in bid to override governor’s veto of tax bill

May 29, 2019 – ASSOCIATED PRESS: Kansas lawmakers fail to override tax bill veto

May 29, 2019 – LAW 360: Kan. Lawmakers Fail To Override Veto Of Fed. Conformity Bill

May 2, 2019 – KANSAS CITY STAR: Stephen Moore, an adviser on Brownback’s tax cuts, won’t serve on Federal Reserve

APRIL 2019

April 29, 2019 – TWITTER: Sen. Sherrod Brown’s account quotes Annie McKay

April 18, 2019 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Lawmakers consider tougher fines against unlicensed day cares

April 7, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Capitol Insider podcast: Children’s Cabinet strives to magnify early childhood safety net

MARCH 2019

March 17, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Annie McKay: Quality early education holds key for Kansas’ future

FEBRUARY 2019

Feb. 25, 2019 – LAW 360: Kansas Panel Rolls Food Tax Cut, Remote Tax Into GILTI Bill

Feb. 19, 2019 – ASSOCIATED PRESS: Lawmakers hear testimony on lowering sales tax on groceries

Feb. 18, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Advocates for reducing Kansas sales tax on food make case before tax committee

Feb. 18, 2019 – KSNT-TV: Bill promises cheaper food for Kansas families

Feb. 7, 2019 – KANSAS CITY STAR: Former State Rep. Melissa Rooker named executive director of Kansas Children’s Cabinet

JANUARY 2019

Jan. 25, 2019 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Governor’s Council on Education members introduced

Jan. 24, 2019 – TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL: Gov. Laura Kelly issues order authorizing education advisory council

Jan. 18, 2019 – WALL STREET JOURNAL: Kansas’ New Gov. Kelly Aims to Unwind Brownback Legacy

Jan. 15, 2019 – KCUR: Now That Kansas State Employees Get Parental Leave, Advocates Are Eyeing The Private Sector

Jan. 12, 2019 – HAYS POST: Rep. Hineman part of ceremony to open new State Capitol lactation room

Jan. 11, 2019 – KSN-TV: Capitol opens new lactation room

Jan. 9, 2019 – SUNFLOWER STATE JOURNAL: Kelly administration takes shape with key appointments

Jan. 7, 2019 – THE AMERICAN PROSPECT: States of Change

Jan. 3, 2019 – KCUR: Kansas Governor-elect Halting Deals With Private Foster Contractors, Names New Welfare Agency Boss