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Countdown to March 25th: The Final Stretch Week 8 of the legislative session is in the books, and now we’re racing toward March 25th. Why does this date matter? Because that’s the deadline for getting bills passed if there’s a chance they’ll get vetoed. The Kansas Constitution requires the Governor to make a decision within a set timeframe, and we need at least three days to override any veto if necessary. So yeah, it’s crunch time. Property Taxes: Power to the People Let’s talk property taxes, because let’s be honest, they never go down. That’s why HB 2396 is a game-changer. This bill does three important things: Gives Kansans the power to challenge ridiculous property tax hikes through a protest petition. If your local government tries to pull a fast one, you can fight back. Creates the ASTRA Fund—a pool of state money to help cities and counties that keep tax increases in check. Responsible budgeting should be rewarded, not punished. Cuts outdated red tape that slows down the system and makes taxes more confusing than they need to be. Bottom line? This bill puts taxpayers back in control. No more automatic, sneaky tax increases. Local governments have to be transparent, justify their spending, and actually be accountable. Imagine that. For homeowners, business owners, and farmers, this means stability. No more getting taxed out of your own home. No more surprise hikes that crush small businesses. Just fair, predictable, common-sense tax policy. The Lesser-Expensive of Two Evils: House Concurrent Resolution No. 5011 is a serious step toward fixing Kansas’ outdated property tax system. Right now, valuations swing wildly based on short-term market fluctuations, which is just insane. This amendment fixes that by using the lower of the fair market value or a multi-year average to determine taxable value. Translation? No more getting wrecked by sudden spikes in property values. Predictability. Stability. A tax system that actually makes sense. At its core, this is about fairness. The government shouldn’t be a predatory entity that punishes success. If you work hard, buy a home, or build a business, you shouldn’t get blindsided by unpredictable tax increases. This amendment makes sure taxation remains a tool for public service, not a weapon against taxpayers. Free Speech & Campaign Contributions: Fixing an Outdated System: Money is speech. The courts have said it, and honestly, it’s common sense. That’s why HB 2054 updates Kansas’ campaign finance laws to reflect reality. Right now, the max individual donation for House races is $500, basically half of what it was worth in the ‘90s due to inflation. So we’re bumping it to $1,000. Why? Because if we don’t, we’re effectively suppressing Kansans’ political voices. Inflation already devalues everything else; why let it devalue democracy too? Oh, and let’s talk about political parties. Right now, there are limits on contributions to them, but not on Super PACs. That’s ridiculous. Super PACs raise unlimited money with little oversight, while political parties have to follow strict rules and disclose their donors. By removing caps on party donations, we’re making the system more transparent, not less. If you care about accountability, this is the way to go. We’re at a pivotal moment. The decisions we make in the next few weeks will determine how Kansas handles taxes, governance, and political transparency for years to come. The goal? Less bureaucracy, more accountability, and policies that work for the people who pay the bills. Let’s get it done. — Rep. Sutton