Smith: Pi is Irrational. Kansas Legislators Shouldn’t Be

For this year’s Pi Day (3.14), Michael Smith recounted the true story of the notorious “Indiana Pi Bill”— and the dangers of state legislators trying to micromanage things they don’t understand.

Iorio: Is Voucher Bill a Good Compromise?

Legislation tying school vouchers to increased teacher pay is moving in the Legislature. The compromise might sound too good to be true–and Kansans should ask tough questions and scrutinize the details. The bill will not help low income families afford private schools, wrote Sharon Iorio in a special bonus column last week.

Heidbreder: Kansas is an Outlier on Medical Cannabis

Welcome new IK contributor Brianne Heidbreder! In her 1st column, she points out that Kansas is one of only 13 states left in which marijuana is not legal for any purpose. She notes several bills moving through the Kansas Legislature that would change this, but also points out that their fate is uncertain.

Middlewood: Voter Suppression Unnecessary, Unpopular in Kansas

The Kansas Senate recently passed legislation banning the use of drop boxes and eliminating the use of grace periods for mail in ballots. Such legislation is both unpopular and unnecessary, wrote Alex Middlewood in last week’s column.

Iorio: Tax Credits, Other Funding Diversions Undermine Public Education

Various proposals to aid private and homeschooling being advanced in the Kansas Legislature would divert money from the state’s public schools, with too little public accountability, wrote Sharon Iorio in last week’s column.

Fox: Two Steps Forward, One Back for Kansas GOP

The defeat of election denier Mike Brown by incumbent Secretary of State Scott Schwab in last August’s primaries meant two steps forward for the Kansas GOP–but Brown’s recent election as party Chairperson means one step back, wrote Russell Fox in last week’s column.

Smith: Not a Drop to Drink

Kansas’ farmers help feed the world, but the water level is falling in the High Plains Aquifer that irrigates Western Kansas and neighboring states. We have known about this for some time but not passed effective policies to manage the water. It’s time for action, wrote Michael Smith in last week’s column.

Frazier: The Folly of Legislating Against Diversity Education

Welcome to new IK Author Nishani Frazier! Nishani’s first column considers the errors of state legislators trying to control diversity education.

Middlewood: Let’s Not Forget Home Rule and Popular Sovereignty

Today’s political culture varies a great deal from place to place within Kansas. Yet a number of bills in the Kansas Legislature seek to override local control–a troubling trend, wrote Alex Middlewood in last week’s column.

Iorio: Education Savings Accounts are Not as Simple as Legislators Think

State legislators are enamored with education savings accounts, but their implementation invites a host of complications when it comes to equity and accountability, wrote Sharon Iorio in last week’s column.