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The Leavenworth Times
Help for small businesses, Medicaid expansion and medical marijuana were among the topics discussed this weekend during a forum featuring local legislators.
The Government Affairs Committee of the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce organized the event Saturday morning. The legislative update was conducted through the Zoom online videoconferencing service.
One state senator and four members of the Kansas House of Representatives who represent areas of Leavenworth County participated in the forum.
During the forum, legislators were asked what they are willing to do to help small businesses survive.
State Rep. David French, R-Lansing, said Kansas must reopen following the COVID-19 shutdown.
State and county elections officials have long encouraged voters not to dilly-dally when sending in their advance ballots. But lawmakers are weighing changes that could mean anyone who hesitates in voting by mail could be lost.
Currently, voters have to postmark their advance ballots by 7 p.m. on Election Day for their vote to be counted, as long as their ballots arrive at the county elections office by Friday, three days later. County election officers say the window shouldn t be relied upon but can serve as a useful get-out-of-jail-free card for those who procrastinate on their civic duty.
Under legislation proposed in the Kansas House, however, ballots would need to arrive by 5 p.m. on the day after Election Day a shortened time frame that officials say could make things more difficult for residents amid potential changes to the U.S. Postal Service.
Abortion amendment will not appear on ballot until 2022
The Leavenworth Times
The Value Them Both amendment recently passed in the Kansas House of Representatives and Kansas Senate with the required two-thirds majority votes. But voters in Leavenworth County will have to wait more than a year before they have the opportunity to help decide the fate of the proposed amendment to the state Constitution.
The issue will not be put before voters across the state until August 2022 primary election.
If approved by voters, the amendment would add language to the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights stating “there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion.” The amendment also would affirm the Legislature’s ability to pass laws to regulate abortion to the extent allowed under the U.S. Constitution.