Lawmakers hold off on pot, tax, budget issues

Kansas Senate hits 'turnaround' deadline in legislative session. First half was marked by fight over anti-abortion amendment to state constitution.

By

State News

February 28, 2020 - 4:46 PM

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are leaving their first big votes on the state’s next annual budget, cutting income taxes and the medical use of marijuana to the second half of their annual session.

The Senate hit the Legislature’s annual “turnaround” deadline Thursday with a debate on 20 bills touching on a wide range of topics, while the House completed its first-half work Wednesday. Most bills had to clear their chamber of origin Thursday to be considered further.

The first half of the 90-day session was marked by abortion opponents’ failed attempt to pass a proposed anti-amendment to the state constitution on abortion. Afterward, they blocked a bipartisan plan to expand the state’s Medicaid program.

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