TOPEKA, (KSNT)— The 2022 Kansas Legislative session came to an end Monday.
Lawmakers in the House and Senate had successful veto overrides on measures dealing with public health and elections, but Democrats said the Republican-controlled Legislature fell short in other areas.
“Despite much work left to be finished, Republicans are eager to adjourn so they can hit the fundraising trail and focus on re-elections. Their first priority needs to be completing the work left on the table. We are public servants but their focus today is on serving themselves,” said House Democratic Leader Tom Sawyer, a democrat from Wichita.
Democrats speculate that Republicans are moving quickly to get a head start on upcoming elections, as filing deadlines approach in June.
Sawyer, along with other party members in the House and Senate, pushed for an immediate 0% state sales tax on food, and a $250 tax rebate, earlier in the year. Both attempts were shot down in months prior. Supporters argued that there was still time to get it done this year, if they didn’t adjourn early.
VETO OVERRIDES
Republican lawmakers returned to override several vetoes from the governor.
One bill that’s back to life is House Bill (HB) 238, which prevents the state from closing down churches during public health emergencies. It also stops Medicare contracts from being negotiated until 2023, which is when the new term for…
