Government

Abortion opponents are urging a Kansas Senate committee to back legislation barring doctors from terminating pregnancies solely because a woman doesn't want a baby of a certain sex.

Monday's hearing by the Public Health and Welfare Committee began a push by anti-abortion groups and legislators for new restrictions on abortion and abortion providers.

The bill on so-called "sex-selection abortions" would make it a misdemeanor the first time a doctor was caught performing such a procedure. Doctors also could face lawsuits from family members of abortion patients.

Democrats in the Legislature have unveiled their jobs proposals for this session.

In the Kansas House Friday, work on a technical bill that would make adjustments to last year's tax cut turned into a debate over Governor Sam Brownback's latest tax plan.

Rep. Mike Pompeo issued a press release Friday saying that House Speaker John Boehner is putting him the committee that oversees the U.S. Intelligence Agency.

The committee is charged with oversight of the United States Intelligence Community, which includes the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the CIA, NSA, and more than a dozen other elements of the U.S. Government, as well as the Military Intelligence Program.

Kansas Lawmakers considered a series of bills aimed at protecting gun rights Thursday.

One measure would ban local governments from passing laws that restrict the open carry of firearms. Another bill bars the enforcement of federal gun laws in Kansas. 

"The intent of the provision is in the event that a Federal entity would declare gun confiscation, it's hands off if the gun is owned in Kansas," said Patricia Stoneking of the Kansas State Rifle Association.

The bills will now be considered by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.