Government

A Democratic senator from Topeka says Governor Sam Brownback is packing the Kansas Board of Regents with too many Republicans.

As of Monday, properly licensed firearms will be allowed in all state office buildings, except those exempted by law.

The new law stipulates that concealed carry is permitted in any state or municipal building unless the building has adequate security measures to make sure no weapons are allowed inside.

State correctional facilities, courtrooms and law enforcement agencies are generally exempt from the new law.

Some state health care facilities and post-secondary educational facilities have asked for temporary exemptions from the law.

A Kansas judge has temporarily blocked parts of a sweeping state anti-abortion law set to take effect July 1.

Kansas Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau returned from Topeka last week after "sine die," the ceremonial adjournment at the statehouse. KMUW’s Carla Eckels sat down with Faust-Goudeau, a democrat, to discuss some of her views about the 2013 legislative session.

Gov. Sam Brownback won't release the names of applicants for a new position on the Kansas Court of Appeals, even though the names of candidates have been disclosed for more than 30 years.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt says counties and cities that exempt themselves from a new law on concealed weapons need to change any "No Guns" signs on public buildings.

The law, which takes effect Monday, allows people with concealed-carry permits to bring their guns into public buildings that don't have adequate security, such as screening.

Many cities and counties have taken advantage of a provision letting them exempt their buildings for six months.

As Kansas supporters of gay marriage celebrated two U.S. Supreme Court rulings Wednesday, Republican Congressman Tim Huelskamp said he would take action.

The Supreme Court struck down a provision of a federal law that denies federal benefits to married gay couples. It also cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California.

Many Kansas residents celebrated at the rainbow-colored "Equality House" in Topeka. Leaders of the Planting Peace organization there unfurled a large banner from the roof of the house that said, "Bye, Bye DOMA."

The state of Kansas will need to do less internal borrowing next fiscal year to pay the state's bills. Tuesday, a group made up of legislators and the governor approved $300 million in transfers for the new fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Every year tax collections go up and down month to month, meaning the state has to temporarily move money from various programs into the general fund to pay the bills. Those transfers have been going down in recent years. Gov. Sam Brownback says that’s good.

A top political supporter confirms that Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback will seek a second term next year.

The architect of the new Kansas concealed-carry gun law used the final day of the 2013 legislative session Thursday to respond to his critics.

Republican Senator Forrest Knox of Altoona, Kan.,  urged local governments, schools and courts to abide by the letter and the spirit of the law.

"Armed and law-abiding citizens in Kansas are not a problem," Knox says. "Matter of fact, they're a solution, when trouble comes."

He says the law is intended to enhance public safety.