KS - March 27 2025

Measles Cases Grow to 23 in Kansas, Linked to Texas and New Mexico Outbreaks

Kansas Senate Falls One Vote Short on Property Tax Amendment

Kansas House Advances Income Tax Cuts, Democrats Warn of Risks

Kansas KDHE Loses $49 Million in Federal Grants, DOGE Claims

Royals Kick Off 2025 Season Against Guardians Today

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1. Measles Cases Grow to 23 in Kansas, Linked to Texas and New Mexico Outbreaks

The number of measles cases reported in Kansas more than doubled in the past week, and the outbreak may have a possible link to the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, a state health official spokesperson said Thursday. As of Wednesday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reporting 23 positive cases of measles, up from 10 they reported last Friday. The measles outbreak is concentrated in the southwestern part of Kansas, with the disease spreading to three additional counties this past week. It now includes cases in Grant, Gray, Haskel, Kiowa, Morton and Stevens counties. “The confirmed cases in Kansas have a possible link to the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico,” said Jill Bronaugh, communications director for the KDHE. “While genetic sequencing of the first Kansas case reported is consistent with an epidemiological link to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks, the source of exposure is still unknown.”
Source: Kansas City Star

2. Kansas Senate Falls One Vote Short on Property Tax Amendment

In a narrow defeat Wednesday, the Kansas Senate failed to pass a constitutional amendment that would have limited annual property tax valuation increases to 4%. The measure, aimed at addressing rising property taxes across the state, fell just one vote short of the required two-thirds majority, with five Republicans joining Democrats in opposition for a final tally of 26-14. While this vote effectively halts the resolution's progress, legislative pathways remain for its revival through either a motion to reconsider or by reintroducing it under a different bill name before the legislative session concludes at the end of the week.
Source: Kansas Reflector

3. Kansas House Advances Income Tax Cuts, Democrats Warn of Risks

Personal and corporate income taxes could see major breaks under Republican-led legislation that advanced Wednesday out of the Kansas House, but Democrats warned of repeating past mistakes. Senate Bill 269, also known as “the income tax trigger bill,” would reduce the individual and corporate income tax rates to as low as 4%. Bank rates could drop as low as 2.6%. However, the cuts are contingent on maintaining the state’s budget stabilization fund, also known as the rainy day fund. House lawmakers advanced the bill Wednesday mostly along party lines in an 84-38 vote. The Senate still needs to give its stamp of approval in the two remaining days of the regular session. No Republicans defended the bill, but Democrats called it “a ratchet” and “dangerous.”
Source: Kansas Reflector

4. Kansas KDHE Loses $49 Million in Federal Grants, DOGE Claims

Kansas state government entities are losing federal funding from canceled grants, and while the exact amount is unconfirmed, the Department of Government Efficiency claims it is saving about $49 million. Most of the grants that DOGE listed as canceled were through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The agency confirmed to The Capital-Journal that it had has received several notices of terminated federal grants, but KDHE didn't confirm the number of grants or the amount of lost funding. "This decision impacts COVID-19-related funding for immunizations, health disparities, community health workers, and epidemiology programs," KDHE spokesperson Jill Bronaugh said March 26. Bronaugh said the grants were terminated by President Donald Trump's administration, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source: The Capital-Journal

5. Royals Kick Off 2025 Season Against Guardians Today

Opening Day is officially here. The Kansas City Royals will begin the 2025 season against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. Central. The Royals will look to build upon their 2024 campaign. The club finished with an 86-76 record and made the postseason for the first time since 2015. In the playoffs, KC defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Wild Card round.
Source: Kansas City Star

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Sources

1. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article302927824.html (Kansas City Star)
2. https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/26/kansas-senate-falls-one-vote-short-of-approving-constitutional-amendment-on-property-taxes/ (Kansas Reflector)
3. https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/26/kansas-house-passes-bill-to-trigger-income-tax-cuts-as-long-as-state-has-surplus-funds/ (Kansas Reflector)
4. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/03/27/doge-cancels-hhs-covid-grants-to-kansas-claims-49-million-in-savings/82659955007/ (The Capital-Journal)
5. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article302881134.html (Kansas City Star)