Government

A committee in the Kansas Senate continued hearings Thursday on a constitutional amendment that could block some lawsuits over school funding. The proposed change to the state Constitution says only the Legislature can set school spending levels.

Lawmakers are considering the change in response to lawsuits filed by parents and school districts over funding. Republican Senator Steve Abrams said earlier this week that the amendment would make it clear that lawmakers set the level of funding for education and courts can’t order spending increases.

Members of a Kansas House committee are considering a bill known as the Community Defense Act. The measure would put new restrictions on what can take place in strip clubs and where they can be located.

A Senate committee has started work on a constitutional amendment aimed at blocking lawsuits over school funding.

The committee heard from supporters Wednesday. The proposal would alter the Kansas Constitution to say only the Legislature can set school spending levels.

Lawsuits over school funding have riled up some lawmakers, helping drive the push for the change. Last month, a district court ruled that the state needs to increase school funding, and that’s just the most recent in a series of lawsuits over the issue.

More than 200 real estate agents rallied in Topeka Wednesday morning to ask lawmakers to preserve two different income tax breaks for homeowners.

The Kansas Association of Realtors gathered at the Statehouse before sending members to meet with state legislators.