Politics

More than 1,000 anti-abortion advocates gathered at the Statehouse to mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that made abortion legal in the country. The event is one of the largest yearly rallies held on the capitol grounds.

Speakers at the event noted that this year is the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. Gov. Sam Brownback urged the crowd to keep fighting for the cause.

Gov. Sam Brownback has proposed more income tax cuts in Kansas over the coming years. And to help pay for that, he wants to make permanent part of a temporary sales tax increase that is set to expire later this year.

He's also suggested eliminating some tax deductions, like the home mortgage deduction. Though, some lawmakers may try to alter that plan.

There is now a conservative majority in both the House and Senate, and some lawmakers may try to find additional cuts to state spending instead of using the sales tax and tax deductions to help pay for an income tax cut.

Gov. Sam Brownback's administration may ask state legislators to repeal laws that restrict corporate involvement in farming.  

State Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman told freshmen legislators Tuesday that the state's anti-corporate farming laws need to be repealed. He added later that the state can't expand agriculture as much as it could because of those restrictions. 

Also, Attorney General Derek Schmidt recently told Secretary Rodman that some of the restrictions are likely unconstitutional.

Education funding took center stage on the first day of the 2013 Kansas legislative session.

Lawmakers returned to Topeka just days after a district court ruled that the state needs to increase school funding. Some lawmakers may try to change the Kansas Constitution in response to the ruling.