Insight Kansas

Democrats are lining up to run for certain offices in Kansas this year. So, why so many uncontested legislative seats? Russell Fox posed this question in last week’s column. hayspost.com/posts/2ab71745…

In todays hyper-polarized era, political debate may seem beside the point. In fact, robust, fair debate is exactly what is called for by controversies past and present, wrote Alex Middlewood in last week’s column. hayspost.com/posts/48661544…

This session, the #ksleg passed a bill lowering the qualifications for nursing instructors, to address shortages in the field. They should’ve raised pay instead, argued Mark Joslyn in last week’s column. hutchpost.com/posts/c8eee517…

AI technology is growing rapidly. What are the consequences? What are the risks? How should we prepare? @MuphdSmith summarized the perspectives of a poet, a pastor, a philosopher, and a programmer in last week’s column. hayspost.com/posts/85bfbe2e…

There’s a lot of talk about faith and politics in the #ksleg and elsewhere these days– but not all Christians, let alone all people of faith, have the same priorities, wrote Russell Fox in last week’s column. hutchpost.com/posts/d5850f2a…

Housing costs are skyrocketing. Yet despite promising starts in earlier years, the #ksleg has done little about it during the last two sessions, wrote Bill Fiander in last week’s column. hayspost.com/posts/b34c3411…

This session, the #ksleg considered a bill to restrict student protest walkouts. But that discourages democracy itself, wrote Alex Middlewood in her recent column. hayspost.com/posts/2c9e233c…

In Kansas and across the country, fewer young men are going to college, opening up a diploma gap between them and women, who continue to attend college and seek professional careers at higher rates. What are the implications of this, asked Mark Joslyn. hutchpost.com/posts/ed807ed7…

Revisionist history appears to be taking hold regarding Governor Sam Brownback’s “Glide Path” tax experiment that began in 2012. Michael Smith set the record straight in last week’s column. #ksleg #moleg hayspost.com/posts/97d60042…

In last week’s column, Russell Fox considered the evidence for a cell phone ban in schools, and found it strong. So, he asked, why is the bill faltering in the Kansas Legislature… and why the carve-out for private schools? hayspost.com/posts/df3dc157…

Bills being considered in the Kansas Legislature would limit the use of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in university coursework. But the purpose of higher education is to foster critical thinking, not shield students from it, wrote Alex Middlewood. hayspost.com/posts/9ec9eea5…

Kansas' economy is showing healthy growth these days--but these are not translating into population gains. Bill Fiander explored the conundrum in last week's column. hayspost.com/posts/8ec8a57b…

Kansas Democrats have the longest losing streak in the nation for U.S. Senate races. They haven’t won one since 1932. But if Sharice Davids gets into the race, this just might be their year, wrote Mark Joslyn in last week’s column. hutchpost.com/posts/dffd48d0…

Sam Brownback began a tax-cutting experiment that slashed state revenues, increased sales & property taxes, cut the safety net & landed the state in court over school funding. The #ksleg, #moleg & @GovMikeKehoe are already forgetting, wrote @MuphdSmith hayspost.com/posts/2a12b0ea…

The Kansas Legislature would like for judges to be elected, and have sent a proposal to the voters that would amend the state constitution accordingly. But is this a good idea? Russell Fox explored this in last week’s column. hayspost.com/posts/61fec61d…

What do Kansans really think about immigration? In last week's column, Alex Middlewood reviewed the results of the latest Kansas Speaks survey and found that public opinion is a lot more nuanced than politicians might think. hutchpost.com/posts/2d427e37…

We hear a lot about polarization these days, but in last week's column, Mark Joslyn reviewed public opinion polls found a remarkable amount of common ground among Kansans and Americans more generally, regarding key political issues. hayspost.com/posts/cdf25236…

In his year-end wrap up column, Bill Fiander reviewed underwhelming developments in property taxes, gerrymandering, and town halls and concluded that for 2025, old acquaintance should indeed be forgot. hayspost.com/posts/bb1d6bb6…

@LauraKellyKS and @Chiefs owners are ecstatic over the new deal to build a $3.3 billion stadium in Wyandotte County. But is it a good deal for Kansas? @MuphdSmith said no in last week’s column. #ksleg hayspost.com/posts/354f0075…

Reflecting over the holiday break, Russell Fox appreciated the role that strong women past and present have had in making Kansas what it is today. hayspost.com/posts/ab54da72…