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.

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.

Smith: Lobbyists Have Too Much Influence Over Writing Legislation

Lobbyists have a right to influence legislation, but in today’s Kansas and other legislatures, they are increasingly taking over the process of actually writing it. This is bad for democracy and leads to bad policy, wrote Michael Smith in last week’s column.*

*Note: To clarify, the Kansas Revisor of Statutes does write the final language of bills and amendments considered by the Kansas Legislature. However, Dr. Smith stands by his point about lobbyists having too much influence over the process.

Smith: The Past, Present, and Future of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Name

There are growing calls from Native American advocates to change the Kansas City Chiefs’ Name. But that name comes with a complicated history, wrote Michael Smith in last week’s column.

Smith: History of Schmidt, Kobach’s Interaction Could be a Clue to How They Would Govern Together

Governor Laura Kelly is trying hard to tie her opponent Derek Schmidt to former Governor Brownback–but the real story is Schmidt’s inaction while Kris Kobach usurped the power of the Attorney General’s office, wrote Michael Smith in last week’s column.

Smith: Has Kris Kobach Changed?

The “new” Kris Kobach is running for Attorney General this year. Is he the same as the old Kris Kobach? Michael Smith reviewed Kobach’s long history of controversy and drama in last week’s column.

Smith: Redistricting Means Big Changes for Kansas

The Kansas Legislature radically altered the shapes and demographics of Kansas’ Congressional districts this year. This means big changes for many voters, wrote Michael Smith in last week’s column.

Miller: Life, Health Exemptions Not as Simple as You May Think

If voters amend the Kansas Constitution to allow the Legislature to ban abortion, anti-abortion legislators promise that any new laws will have exceptions for the life and health of pregnant women. But how exactly are threats to life and health going to be defined in the legislation? It’s not so simple, wrote Patrick Miller in last week’s column.

Smith: What Else is on August 2nd Ballot?

With all the attention given to the “Value Them Both” Amendment, Kansas voters may be wondering what else is on this summer’s primary ballot. In his most recent column, Michael Smith discussed the requirements for voting and two primary races worth watching.

Smith: Love, Respect, and Concern for iGen (“Generation Z”)

In last week’s column, Michael Smith offers a celebration for the kindness, inclusiveness and sincerity of iGen/GenZ. He also expresses concern for their high levels of anxiety.