By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Iran’s leaders regularly espouse the goal of eradicating the state of Israel. Earlier this month, Iran acted on that goal, launching for the first time an attack on Israel from its own soil. Iranian leaders have threatened future responses from Iranian territory.

A line has been crossed. This attack and any future escalation pose a threat to Israel and regional stability, as well as to U.S. troops stationed in the region.

Just as concerning: Iran is increasing its defense cooperation with Russia and China, participating in military exercises with both countries, and pursuing advanced military equipment from and to Moscow.

Meanwhile, the Iranian regime continues to provide support to terrorist groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza, where Israel continues its battle against those responsible for the Oct. 7 attack. Iran also has the technical capability to develop a nuclear weapon if the Supreme Leader orders it.

But Iran’s nefarious plans require funding, and the regime’s economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which represent up to 70% of its government revenues. By cutting off Iran’s lucrative oil market, we can drain their terrorist slush funds and weaken Iran’s ability to promote further violence.

Since 2010, Congress has passed numerous bipartisan laws to restrict Iran’s oil exports. In the last six months alone, there have been more than 100 bills introduced in Congress aimed at diminishing Iranian oil sales.

Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of the president to enforce these sanctions, and the Biden administration has failed to do so in any meaningful way.

After the Trump administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and began its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated that Iran’s crude oil fell from 2.5 million barrels per day in 2017 to a mere 400,000 in 2020.

The Biden administration recently announced plans to impose new sanctions on Iran, stating, “These new sanctions and other measures will continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Iran’s military capacity and effectiveness.”

Yet this administration has steadily reduced pressure on Iran and failed to enforce bipartisan sanctions already in place — allowing Iran to return to exporting 1.6 to 1.8 million barrels of oil a day.

I have no confidence in the White House to enforce these new sanctions. Posturing and using one-word phrases mean nothing to Iran.

Six months have passed since the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, and Iranian oil prices and production have reached a multi-year high. Since then, an Iran-backed group killed three American servicemembers, and another has effectively closed the Red Sea to commercial shipping. Iranian intelligence continues to plot to assassinate U.S. officials. Whatever goodwill the president hoped to earn from Tehran by looking the other way on sanctions, his policy has only reaped chaos.

The greatest beneficiary of Biden’s policy, besides Iran, is China, which is the primary customer of Iran’s oil — buying up to 90% of it at a substantial discount. This, in turn, supports China’s economy and its rapid military modernization that is a threat to the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. officials “have privately acknowledged a gradual relaxation of enforcement on Iranian oil sales.” Any relaxation of congressionally-mandated sanctions against Iran while our trusted allies in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific endure threats to their security and stability is wholly unacceptable.

To be sure, sanctions alone are not a panacea to the Iran challenge. They are one tool to be coupled with military and diplomatic pressure to achieve the outcomes we seek. But they are a tool to be wielded. It is far past time for Biden to do so.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698779613018.jpeg" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, member of the Senate Select Committee on IntelligenceIran’s leaders regularly espouse the goal of eradicating the state of Israel. Earlier this month, Iran acted on that goal, launching for the first time an attack on Israel from its own soil. Iranian leaders have threatened future responses from Iranian territory.A line has been crossed. This attack and any future escalation pose a threat to Israel and regional stability, as well as to U.S. troops stationed in the region.Just as concerning: Iran is increasing its defense cooperation with Russia and China, participating in military exercises with both countries, and pursuing advanced military equipment from and to Moscow.Meanwhile, the Iranian regime continues to provide support to terrorist groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza, where Israel continues its battle against those responsible for the Oct. 7 attack. Iran also has the technical capability to develop a nuclear weapon if the Supreme Leader orders it.But Iran’s nefarious plans require funding, and the regime’s economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which represent up to 70% of its government revenues. By cutting off Iran’s lucrative oil market, we can drain their terrorist slush funds and weaken Iran’s ability to promote further violence.Since 2010, Congress has passed numerous bipartisan laws to restrict Iran’s oil exports. In the last six months alone, there have been more than 100 bills introduced in Congress aimed at diminishing Iranian oil sales.Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of the president to enforce these sanctions, and the Biden administration has failed to do so in any meaningful way.After the Trump administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and began its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated that Iran’s crude oil fell from 2.5 million barrels per day in 2017 to a mere 400,000 in 2020.The Biden administration recently announced plans to impose new sanctions on Iran, stating, “These new sanctions and other measures will continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Iran’s military capacity and effectiveness.”Yet this administration has steadily reduced pressure on Iran and failed to enforce bipartisan sanctions already in place — allowing Iran to return to exporting 1.6 to 1.8 million barrels of oil a day.I have no confidence in the White House to enforce these new sanctions. Posturing and using one-word phrases mean nothing to Iran.Six months have passed since the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, and Iranian oil prices and production have reached a multi-year high. Since then, an Iran-backed group killed three American servicemembers, and another has effectively closed the Red Sea to commercial shipping. Iranian intelligence continues to plot to assassinate U.S. officials. Whatever goodwill the president hoped to earn from Tehran by looking the other way on sanctions, his policy has only reaped chaos.The greatest beneficiary of Biden’s policy, besides Iran, is China, which is the primary customer of Iran’s oil — buying up to 90% of it at a substantial discount. This, in turn, supports China’s economy and its rapid military modernization that is a threat to the Indo-Pacific region.U.S. officials “have privately acknowledged a gradual relaxation of enforcement on Iranian oil sales.” Any relaxation of congressionally-mandated sanctions against Iran while our trusted allies in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific endure threats to their security and stability is wholly unacceptable.To be sure, sanctions alone are not a panacea to the Iran challenge. They are one tool to be coupled with military and diplomatic pressure to achieve the outcomes we seek. But they are a tool to be wielded. It is far past time for Biden to do so.

Moran:  Biden’s failure to enforce sanctions fuels Iranian aggression

KANSAS CITY —KC Scout, the bi-state initiative between the Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation to provide travel and traffic information and service for the Kansas City metro area, suffered a cyberattack on April 25. 

Services continue to be offline which includes dynamic message boards, the website and cameras connected to KC Scout. Staff have and continue to evaluate impacts. 

Immediate and critical traffic information impacting the KC metro area is being shared through<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmodot.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0MkWArSrslcQ8o4OoTdnIgr4MR2EOP9an4Ywdo0-3zL6tTmxNrkUp8Q_8_aem_AcdfCS28-5jf3LfldWVKiQrjCBPNkhBzL2DelJsdhnkzDNmht0Ju0woDbizy3V88v1nyfAMkeoLjFzjnvPX1wNGZ&amp;h=AT0WpIBlyqApkbXx-3GHGRyURvKm5lABRhWb6i80ZF5zfXy_eOEWSFcOJdJA3xjEFhS6IPXV6N7STVzNencCLbic1jblIVNwhN5NcFvIwb-jx6l9JWEV5m67kfjbOt7gKhAW-Ho&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank"> modot.or</a>g in Missouri and<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2FKanDrive.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3FCf7UwI9hZ8a4IoFoYfzDOg_2PZixcearl5EeNpilFuK8Uq96caa3IQI_aem_AcePjOOMj6DpoKA9HGuOhRD8skBy_ouar0hEUZ2bah1KozGAHAIZ_W688TAV8E79QD5CdpxQXuwKmIs1-qSyI43T&amp;h=AT1Ahgn74d2jXYNLsQamdvGVOoKozi3uZKVfD-iyn6OvLM1fH-wcE-ttw9TB765ErKtw0HTvQJtpI8qHdkN70L9Qidzmlf0x8rHWqvMwvwNassxLFx3hUrWBvwwg2HuO7hwI2BU&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank"> KanDrive.go</a>v in Kansas.

The Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation understand this is frustrating to partners and the traveling public. Work on service restoration is underway. 

It is too early to provide an estimate, but it is expected to be months before restoration can be anticipated. The DOTs and KC Scout ask for continued patience from partners and the public as efforts to restore services continue.

The Kansas and Missouri DOTs remind motorists that emergency services are still available in Kansas and Missouri. Kansas Highway Patrol Motorist Assist Vehicle (MAV) continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. 

MoDOT Emergency Response Continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. While real-time data is not available via KC Scout services, the Missouri and Kansas traveler information sites, apps, and phone numbers are providing limited information on the KC metro area via phone and website/app:• Missouri: Call 888.275.6636 or visit <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modot.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2rvcGGe7BEKiU8YTX4NGc0UjnQmsrdOj7Qyek0DbprTHxdsXz1B-JBVlI_aem_AcdOfwPj9WaSMSf9p6RhtgM-Bz8do93ELxvioRJb1Ob7-Y-sWS3cuG8BM7Q2Mt3dnioKeD_BQvhycPgVl-KCYH0b&amp;h=AT2bdMjGT0slZRGfC5xEAWaHElBxz3hjZZGsFoPrjmnoh0ZEKkMc4-7eKR6iMZgskemnO_3ndgozfODiyPEhk8YwAM0hHRIxD9Q8HPRYeQ8Lh_b7XkK8jqCo_892ReVJLbdNtxI&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank">www.modot.org</a>• Kansas: Call 511 or visit <a href="https://kandrive.gov/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR20BfEiRlrvCT9_coIAXs3kTPXe7IZHOZUNnm1ffNgjHoWuAZyPljvlNQU_aem_AceAMHvxzuvNXm3Aa67-GCbuD50SVy8zK1lJLxO_wK0KeJO0LBNM_N51awMfY527P6MXSTe0JmRB7RG2Pr8l7uhh" target="_blank">KanDrive.gov</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714681676254.png" alt="Image from a traffic crash in May of 2023" />
 <figcaption>Image from a traffic crash in May of 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —KC Scout, the bi-state initiative between the Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation to provide travel and traffic information and service for the Kansas City metro area, suffered a cyberattack on April 25. Services continue to be offline which includes dynamic message boards, the website and cameras connected to KC Scout. Staff have and continue to evaluate impacts. Immediate and critical traffic information impacting the KC metro area is being shared through<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmodot.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0MkWArSrslcQ8o4OoTdnIgr4MR2EOP9an4Ywdo0-3zL6tTmxNrkUp8Q_8_aem_AcdfCS28-5jf3LfldWVKiQrjCBPNkhBzL2DelJsdhnkzDNmht0Ju0woDbizy3V88v1nyfAMkeoLjFzjnvPX1wNGZ&amp;h=AT0WpIBlyqApkbXx-3GHGRyURvKm5lABRhWb6i80ZF5zfXy_eOEWSFcOJdJA3xjEFhS6IPXV6N7STVzNencCLbic1jblIVNwhN5NcFvIwb-jx6l9JWEV5m67kfjbOt7gKhAW-Ho&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank"> modot.or</a>g in Missouri and<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2FKanDrive.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3FCf7UwI9hZ8a4IoFoYfzDOg_2PZixcearl5EeNpilFuK8Uq96caa3IQI_aem_AcePjOOMj6DpoKA9HGuOhRD8skBy_ouar0hEUZ2bah1KozGAHAIZ_W688TAV8E79QD5CdpxQXuwKmIs1-qSyI43T&amp;h=AT1Ahgn74d2jXYNLsQamdvGVOoKozi3uZKVfD-iyn6OvLM1fH-wcE-ttw9TB765ErKtw0HTvQJtpI8qHdkN70L9Qidzmlf0x8rHWqvMwvwNassxLFx3hUrWBvwwg2HuO7hwI2BU&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank"> KanDrive.go</a>v in Kansas.The Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation understand this is frustrating to partners and the traveling public. Work on service restoration is underway. It is too early to provide an estimate, but it is expected to be months before restoration can be anticipated. The DOTs and KC Scout ask for continued patience from partners and the public as efforts to restore services continue.The Kansas and Missouri DOTs remind motorists that emergency services are still available in Kansas and Missouri. Kansas Highway Patrol Motorist Assist Vehicle (MAV) continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. MoDOT Emergency Response Continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. While real-time data is not available via KC Scout services, the Missouri and Kansas traveler information sites, apps, and phone numbers are providing limited information on the KC metro area via phone and website/app:• Missouri: Call 888.275.6636 or visit <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modot.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2rvcGGe7BEKiU8YTX4NGc0UjnQmsrdOj7Qyek0DbprTHxdsXz1B-JBVlI_aem_AcdOfwPj9WaSMSf9p6RhtgM-Bz8do93ELxvioRJb1Ob7-Y-sWS3cuG8BM7Q2Mt3dnioKeD_BQvhycPgVl-KCYH0b&amp;h=AT2bdMjGT0slZRGfC5xEAWaHElBxz3hjZZGsFoPrjmnoh0ZEKkMc4-7eKR6iMZgskemnO_3ndgozfODiyPEhk8YwAM0hHRIxD9Q8HPRYeQ8Lh_b7XkK8jqCo_892ReVJLbdNtxI&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank">www.modot.org</a>• Kansas: Call 511 or visit <a href="https://kandrive.gov/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR20BfEiRlrvCT9_coIAXs3kTPXe7IZHOZUNnm1ffNgjHoWuAZyPljvlNQU_aem_AceAMHvxzuvNXm3Aa67-GCbuD50SVy8zK1lJLxO_wK0KeJO0LBNM_N51awMfY527P6MXSTe0JmRB7RG2Pr8l7uhh" target="_blank">KanDrive.gov</a>

Cyberattack: Network of KC traffic cameras expected down for months

FINNEY COUNTY—Friends started an online fundraiser to assist the family of 16-year-old Israel Adrian Garcia of Garden City&nbsp; who died in an accident&nbsp; just after 6:30a.m. April 22,&nbsp; in Finney County.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tqwhx-israel-garcia">Click here to </a>view the fundraiser

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a vehicle was southbound in the 4600 Block of Big Lowe Road.

The vehicle left the roadway to the right and came back onto the road. It then traveled across the center line into the northbound lane, off the roadway to the left and rolled into a ditch.

The KHP released no additional details on the crash but have confirmed a 16-year-old died in the crash.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.garnandfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Israel-Adrian-Garcia?obId=31281797">The funeral </a>for Garcia was April 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713983659719.jpeg" alt="Israel Adrian Garcia courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Israel Adrian Garcia courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Friends started an online fundraiser to assist the family of 16-year-old Israel Adrian Garcia of Garden City&nbsp; who died in an accident&nbsp; just after 6:30a.m. April 22,&nbsp; in Finney County.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tqwhx-israel-garcia">Click here to </a>view the fundraiserAccording to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a vehicle was southbound in the 4600 Block of Big Lowe Road.The vehicle left the roadway to the right and came back onto the road. It then traveled across the center line into the northbound lane, off the roadway to the left and rolled into a ditch.The KHP released no additional details on the crash but have confirmed a 16-year-old died in the crash.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.garnandfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Israel-Adrian-Garcia?obId=31281797">The funeral </a>for Garcia was April 26.

Patrol confirms 16-year-old died in Kansas crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face unrest over the war in Gaza.

“Dissent is essential for democracy," he said at the White House. "But dissent must never lead to disorder.”

Tensions have been building for days as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-nyu-israel-gaza-protests-2c1f043478570f9206a2ea8470457cf7">demonstrators refuse to remove campus encampments</a>&nbsp;and administrators turn to police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-campus-student-protests-war-8b0d3a0cedb17f5e892c6ca43bbdf628">to clear them by force</a>, leading to clashes that have seized attention from politicians and the media.

Biden said he did not support calls to send in the National Guard. He also said that the protests have not prompted him to reconsider his approach to the war. The Democratic president has occasionally criticized Israel's conduct but continued to supply it with weapons.

His remarks, occurring shortly before he left the White House for a trip to North Carolina, came after days of silence about the protests. Republicans have tried to turn the scenes of unrest into a campaign cudgel, and Biden said he rejected efforts to use the situation to “score political points.”

“This isn’t a moment for politics," he said. "It’s a moment for clarity.”

Biden's last previous public comment on the protests came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-college-protests-politics-election-2337121fb3620d2a4a6b2e22aaaf59bc">more than a week ago</a>, when he condemned “antisemitic protests” and “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”

The White House, which has been peppered with questions by reporters, had gone only slightly further than the president. On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “monitoring the situation closely," and she said some demonstrations had stepped over a line that separated free speech from unlawful behavior.

(Click below to watch Jean-Pierre's comments from Wednesday)

“Forcibly taking over a building," such as what happened at Columbia University in New York, "is not peaceful," she said. "It’s just not.”

Biden has never been much for protesting. His career in elected office began as a county official when he was only 28 years old, and he’s always espoused the political importance of compromise over zealousness.

As college campuses convulsed with anger over the Vietnam War in 1968, Biden was in law school at Syracuse University.

“I’m not big on flak jackets and tie-dyed shirts,” he said years later. “You know, that’s not me.″

Despite the White House's criticism and Biden's refusal to heed protesters' demands to cut off U.S. support for Israel, Republicans blame Democrats for the disorder and have used it as a backdrop for press conferences.

“We need the president of the United States to speak to the issue and say this is wrong," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on Tuesday. "What’s happening on college campuses right now is wrong.”

Johnson visited Columbia with other members of his caucus last week. House Republicans sparred with protesters while speaking to the media at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump, his party's presumptive nominee, also criticized Biden in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.

“Biden has to do something,” he said. “Biden is supposed to be the voice of our country, and it’s certainly not much of a voice. It’s a voice that nobody’s heard.”

He repeated his criticisms on Wednesday during a campaign event in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

“The radical extremists and far-left agitators are terrorizing college campuses, as you possibly noticed," Trump said. “And Biden’s nowhere to be found. He hasn’t said anything."

Kate Berner, who served as deputy communications director for Biden’s campaign in 2020, said Republicans already tried the same tactic four years ago during protests over George Floyd’s murder by a police officer.

“People rejected that,” she said. “They saw that it was just fearmongering. They saw that it wasn’t based in reality.”

Apart from condemning antisemitism, the White House has been reluctant to directly engage on the issue.

Jean-Pierre repeatedly deflected questions during a briefing on Monday.

Asked whether protesters should be disciplined by their schools, she said “universities and colleges make their own decisions” and "we’re not going to weigh in from here.”

Pressed on whether police should be called in, she said “that's up to the colleges and universities.”

When quizzed about administrators rescheduling graduation ceremonies, she said “that is a decision that they have to decide" and “that is on them.”

Biden will make his own visit to a college campus on May 19 when he's scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse University in Atlanta.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is staying mum about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-university-student-protests-mideast-media-israel-hamas-war-b761cdbe7b912a491bfcfe7d59c63c26">student protests and police crackdowns</a>&nbsp;as Republicans try to turn campus unrest over the war in Gaza into a campaign cudgel against Democrats.

Tension at colleges and universities has been building for days as some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-nyu-israel-gaza-protests-2c1f043478570f9206a2ea8470457cf7">demonstrators refuse to remove encampments</a>&nbsp;and administrators turn to law enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-campus-student-protests-war-8b0d3a0cedb17f5e892c6ca43bbdf628">to clear them by force</a>, leading to clashes that have seized attention from politicians and the media.

But Biden's last public comment came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-college-protests-politics-election-2337121fb3620d2a4a6b2e22aaaf59bc">more than a week ago</a>, when he condemned “antisemitic protests” and “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”

The White House, which has been peppered with questions by reporters, has gone only slightly further than the president. On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “monitoring the situation closely," and she said some demonstrations had stepped over a line that separated free speech from unlawful behavior.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714585191259.png" alt="Protests Wednesday at the University of Kansas -Photo by JuYeon Kim courtesy KSHB TV" />
 <figcaption>Protests Wednesday at the University of Kansas -Photo by JuYeon Kim courtesy KSHB TV</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face unrest over the war in Gaza.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on college campus protests: &quot;There&#39;s the right to protest, but not the right to chaos.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wtmvjOrLWH">pic.twitter.com/wtmvjOrLWH</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1786053574687859056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Dissent is essential for democracy," he said at the White House. "But dissent must never lead to disorder.”Tensions have been building for days as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-nyu-israel-gaza-protests-2c1f043478570f9206a2ea8470457cf7">demonstrators refuse to remove campus encampments</a>&nbsp;and administrators turn to police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-campus-student-protests-war-8b0d3a0cedb17f5e892c6ca43bbdf628">to clear them by force</a>, leading to clashes that have seized attention from politicians and the media.Biden said he did not support calls to send in the National Guard. He also said that the protests have not prompted him to reconsider his approach to the war. The Democratic president has occasionally criticized Israel's conduct but continued to supply it with weapons.His remarks, occurring shortly before he left the White House for a trip to North Carolina, came after days of silence about the protests. Republicans have tried to turn the scenes of unrest into a campaign cudgel, and Biden said he rejected efforts to use the situation to “score political points.”“This isn’t a moment for politics," he said. "It’s a moment for clarity.”Biden's last previous public comment on the protests came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-college-protests-politics-election-2337121fb3620d2a4a6b2e22aaaf59bc">more than a week ago</a>, when he condemned “antisemitic protests” and “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”The White House, which has been peppered with questions by reporters, had gone only slightly further than the president. On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “monitoring the situation closely," and she said some demonstrations had stepped over a line that separated free speech from unlawful behavior.(Click below to watch Jean-Pierre's comments from Wednesday)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1525716921659036%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=390" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>“Forcibly taking over a building," such as what happened at Columbia University in New York, "is not peaceful," she said. "It’s just not.”Biden has never been much for protesting. His career in elected office began as a county official when he was only 28 years old, and he’s always espoused the political importance of compromise over zealousness.As college campuses convulsed with anger over the Vietnam War in 1968, Biden was in law school at Syracuse University.“I’m not big on flak jackets and tie-dyed shirts,” he said years later. “You know, that’s not me.″<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714585098880.png" alt="Protesters letter to KU Chancellor" />
 <figcaption>Protesters letter to KU Chancellor</figcaption>
 </figure>Despite the White House's criticism and Biden's refusal to heed protesters' demands to cut off U.S. support for Israel, Republicans blame Democrats for the disorder and have used it as a backdrop for press conferences.“We need the president of the United States to speak to the issue and say this is wrong," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on Tuesday. "What’s happening on college campuses right now is wrong.”Johnson visited Columbia with other members of his caucus last week. House Republicans sparred with protesters while speaking to the media at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.Former President Donald Trump, his party's presumptive nominee, also criticized Biden in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.“Biden has to do something,” he said. “Biden is supposed to be the voice of our country, and it’s certainly not much of a voice. It’s a voice that nobody’s heard.”He repeated his criticisms on Wednesday during a campaign event in Waukesha, Wisconsin.“The radical extremists and far-left agitators are terrorizing college campuses, as you possibly noticed," Trump said. “And Biden’s nowhere to be found. He hasn’t said anything."Kate Berner, who served as deputy communications director for Biden’s campaign in 2020, said Republicans already tried the same tactic four years ago during protests over George Floyd’s murder by a police officer.“People rejected that,” she said. “They saw that it was just fearmongering. They saw that it wasn’t based in reality.”Apart from condemning antisemitism, the White House has been reluctant to directly engage on the issue.Jean-Pierre repeatedly deflected questions during a briefing on Monday.Asked whether protesters should be disciplined by their schools, she said “universities and colleges make their own decisions” and "we’re not going to weigh in from here.”Pressed on whether police should be called in, she said “that's up to the colleges and universities.”When quizzed about administrators rescheduling graduation ceremonies, she said “that is a decision that they have to decide" and “that is on them.”Biden will make his own visit to a college campus on May 19 when he's scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse University in Atlanta.-------------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is staying mum about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-university-student-protests-mideast-media-israel-hamas-war-b761cdbe7b912a491bfcfe7d59c63c26">student protests and police crackdowns</a>&nbsp;as Republicans try to turn campus unrest over the war in Gaza into a campaign cudgel against Democrats.Tension at colleges and universities has been building for days as some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-nyu-israel-gaza-protests-2c1f043478570f9206a2ea8470457cf7">demonstrators refuse to remove encampments</a>&nbsp;and administrators turn to law enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-campus-student-protests-war-8b0d3a0cedb17f5e892c6ca43bbdf628">to clear them by force</a>, leading to clashes that have seized attention from politicians and the media.But Biden's last public comment came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-college-protests-politics-election-2337121fb3620d2a4a6b2e22aaaf59bc">more than a week ago</a>, when he condemned “antisemitic protests” and “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”The White House, which has been peppered with questions by reporters, has gone only slightly further than the president. On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “monitoring the situation closely," and she said some demonstrations had stepped over a line that separated free speech from unlawful behavior.“Forcibly taking over a building," such as what happened at Columbia University in New York, "is not peaceful," she said. "It’s just not.”Biden has never been much for protesting. His career in elected office began as a county official when he was only 28 years old, and he’s always espoused the political importance of compromise over zealousness.As college campuses convulsed with anger over the Vietnam War in 1968, Biden was in law school at Syracuse University.“I’m not big on flak jackets and tie-dyed shirts,” he said years later. “You know, that’s not me.″Despite the White House's criticism and Biden's refusal to heed protesters' demands to cut off U.S. support for Israel, Republicans blame Democrats for the disorder and have used it as a backdrop for press conferences.“We need the president of the United States to speak to the issue and say this is wrong," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on Tuesday. "What’s happening on college campuses right now is wrong.”Johnson visited Columbia with other members of his caucus last week. House Republicans sparred with protesters while speaking to the media at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.Former President Donald Trump, his party's presumptive nominee, also criticized Biden in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.“Biden has to do something,” he said. “Biden is supposed to be the voice of our country, and it’s certainly not much of a voice. It’s a voice that nobody’s heard.”He repeated his criticisms on Wednesday during a campaign event in Waukesha, Wisconsin.“The radical extremists and far-left agitators are terrorizing college campuses, as you possibly noticed," Trump said. “And Biden’s nowhere to be found. He hasn’t said anything."Kate Berner, who served as deputy communications director for Biden’s campaign in 2020, said Republicans already tried the same tactic four years ago during protests over George Floyd’s murder by a police officer.“People rejected that,” she said. “They saw that it was just fearmongering. They saw that it wasn’t based in reality.”Apart from condemning antisemitism, the White House has been reluctant to directly engage on the issue.Jean-Pierre repeatedly deflected questions during a briefing on Monday.Asked whether protesters should be disciplined by their schools, she said “universities and colleges make their own decisions” and "we’re not going to weigh in from here.”Pressed on whether police should be called in, she said “that's up to the colleges and universities.”When quizzed about administrators rescheduling graduation ceremonies, she said “that is a decision that they have to decide" and “that is on them.”Biden will make his own visit to a college campus on May 19 when he's scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse University in Atlanta.___

🎥Biden breaks silence on campus protests over the war in Gaza

SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a racially motivated killing.

Last month Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced 29-year-old Roger Gale, Jr. of Wichita to 27-years in prison for the May 2022 shooting death of&nbsp;Emmanuel Hardy, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In March, Gale pled guilty to second degree murder with the added stipulation that the State possessed sufficient facts to establish that the crime was “racially motivated."

In May of 2022, officers responded to a shooting at an apartment complex&nbsp;in the 4900 block of East Harry. Upon their arrival, they located 30-year-old Emmanuel Hardy of Wichita outside of the residence with gunshot wounds, according to Office Paul Cruz. EMS transported Hardy&nbsp;to an area hospital where he died.

The investigation revealed Gale and Hardy were in a verbal disturbance that&nbsp;stemmed from a prior verbal argument while Gale was walking his dog, according to Cruz.&nbsp;

During the disturbance Gale fired several shots at a 39-year-old woman and Hardy. Hardy was shot several times which caused his fatal injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653857468279.png" alt="Gale-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Gale-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a racially motivated killing.Last month Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced 29-year-old Roger Gale, Jr. of Wichita to 27-years in prison for the May 2022 shooting death of&nbsp;Emmanuel Hardy, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In March, Gale pled guilty to second degree murder with the added stipulation that the State possessed sufficient facts to establish that the crime was “racially motivated."In May of 2022, officers responded to a shooting at an apartment complex&nbsp;in the 4900 block of East Harry. Upon their arrival, they located 30-year-old Emmanuel Hardy of Wichita outside of the residence with gunshot wounds, according to Office Paul Cruz. EMS transported Hardy&nbsp;to an area hospital where he died.The investigation revealed Gale and Hardy were in a verbal disturbance that&nbsp;stemmed from a prior verbal argument while Gale was walking his dog, according to Cruz.&nbsp;During the disturbance Gale fired several shots at a 39-year-old woman and Hardy. Hardy was shot several times which caused his fatal injuries.

Kan. man going to prison for deadly dispute while walking dog

Five members of the GOP group stalled action in the Senate for 41 hours before giving in early Thursday morning

By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

None of the demands Missouri Freedom Caucus members said must be met before they would&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/senate-filibuster-of-taxes-that-fund-missouri-medicaid-clears-25-hour-mark/">drop a filibuster</a>&nbsp;against legislation renewing taxes that fund Medicaid were achieved when the group decided to end its resistance a little before 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

After a 41-hour-filibuster, the Senate gave initial approval Thursday morning to a bill renewing taxes on hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes and ambulance services that are essential to Missouri’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;The bill must be approved by the Senate one more time before it heads to the House.

And other than the addition of a 2029 expiration date for the taxes, none of the things that were at the heart of the Freedom Caucus filibuster were accomplished.&nbsp;

One demand, a final Senate vote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=209">on a proposal</a>&nbsp;to change how the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/missouri-initiative-petition-bill-ballot-candy-reinstated/">majority is determined on future constitutional amendments</a>, can’t happen until at least Monday because the Senate won’t return until then.

The other, Gov. Mike Parson’s signature on a bill banning Planned Parenthood&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/24/bill-medicaid-reimbursements-planned-parenthood-governor/">from receiving Medicaid payments</a>&nbsp;for covered medical services, will happen on the governor’s timeline —&nbsp; and he didn’t seem eager to give the caucus a victory earlier in the week.

In an interview after the Senate adjourned, state Sen. Lincoln Hough, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and sponsor of the provider tax renewal, said the end was a complete defeat for Freedom Caucus members.

“What you saw today was the majority of the majority party all sticking together saying we know we have a duty to govern in this state, and we’re going to do whatever we need to do that,” Hough said.

The filibuster did set a record of sorts for the longest attempt to block a single bill, but because some of the time was spent on procedural motions, Democrats challenge whether their record has actually been broken.

Five Freedom Caucus members kicked off a filibuster shortly after the Senate session began Tuesday, determined to monkeywrench the machinery on a bill renewing taxes known as the federal reimbursement allowance.

The five Republicans – Sens. Rick Brattin, Bill Eigel, Denny Hoskins, Andrew Koenig and Nick Schroer – took turns holding the floor, adhering to the Senate rule that they only speak once on a motion and turning routine motions into tests of endurance.

On the Senate floor, the filibuster played out in bursts of euphoric declarations by caucus members interspersed with hours of each reading books, often with a religious theme.

During a shift Wednesday, Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican running for governor, claimed the filibuster would be the longest in Senate history and would set the record at midnight. When Senate Democrats told him that a recess of 15 minutes, plus eight hours on procedural motions, would be subtracted, he took good-natured offense.

“Here we are at the cusp of greatness,” Eigel said, “and now I have other members of this chamber trying to take it away from us.”&nbsp;

But outside the chamber it was all-out warfare on social media.

On Wednesday, Majority Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid028G8oxBvrxM7eTXkzxYiYXZVcndGTQuwLUYP79ts6ArvozNnXvYvyPvKgqa2WEywHl">used her Facebook account</a>&nbsp;to claim that everything the Senate had accomplished as Republican priorities had been done in spite of obstruction of the Freedom Caucus.

The filibuster threatened Medicaid funding for essential services, she wrote.

“Now, our hospitals, nursing homes, and state budget are in jeopardy due to outside lobbyists and dark money working against Missourians through a small faction of our own Senate,” O’Laughlin wrote.

She posted the office telephone numbers of the five in the filibuster and asked constituents to call.

At 10:10 p.m. Wednesday, about the time he left a shift on the Senate floor, Eigel struck back through his social media.&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/BillEigel/status/1785869506042032195">statement from his campaign,</a>&nbsp;Eigel blamed O’Laughlin and Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden for forcing him to filibuster to achieve Republican objectives.

The Freedom Caucus is filibustering, the statement read, “because the Senate leadership and the RINO Brigade, once again, will do everything possible to avoid getting conservative policies across the finish line.”&nbsp;

Eigel did not respond to a text message asking for comment on the end of the filibuster.

The filibuster successfully stalled action on the budget this week.&nbsp;

With the Senate not returning until Monday, there will be only four days left to pass the budget and iron out differences with the House before the May 10 deadline.

The filibuster greatly increased the chances lawmakers will finish a state budget in a special session, House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said.

In an interview Wednesday afternoon with The Independent, Smith said he and House staff were combing through the $53 billion spending plan&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/with-time-running-short-missouri-senate-set-to-debate-50-billion-state-budget-next-week/">adopted last week</a>&nbsp;by the Senate Appropriations Committee. He hasn’t seen anything that would cause an impasse, he said, but he’s still learning about every change to the $50.8 billion budget proposal&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/03/house-gop-advances-50-billion-missouri-budget-rejecting-dozens-of-democrat-amendments/">passed in the House</a>.

The most pressing problem, Smith said, is having enough time to do the job.&nbsp;

“I’m concerned that the Senate will be unable to move through their appropriations process within a time to get us to conference between the House and Senate or maybe even if they won’t be able to pass a budget at all, within the regular session,” Smith said.

The amount of work to prepare for budget conference committees and to get the results into the form of bills lawmakers can consider is enormous. To make the deadline, Smith said, conference committee talks must conclude by next Wednesday.

Under House rules, substitute bills must be on the calendar for a day before they come to a vote. Wednesday decisions would result in final votes in both chambers on May 10.

“We need to let staff finalize the conference committee reports and that takes some time,” Smith said.

There are ways to shorten the time needed to finish the budget, Hough said. He has been talking with Smith, GOP leadership in both chambers and Democrats. Substitute bills have been prepared for debate as of Monday, he said.

“I think tonight, this morning, was a very good step to explain to people that we’re not going to be held hostage for somebody else’s political game,” Hough said.

The Freedom Caucus members have promised a line-by-line examination of the budget. Hough said he is prepared for that. He will answer honest questions, he said, but he doesn’t think Eigel is honest.

“I have no problem going through this.” Hough said. ”The problem I have is when people are disingenuous about what they’re saying, and Bill Eigel routinely is just borderline lying about things. He either doesn’t understand it, or you know, or he just wants to sensationalize things.”

Under a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III+++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;hl=appropriation%u2044&amp;constit=y">constitutional provision</a>&nbsp;adopted in 1988, lawmakers are required to finish work on appropriation bills one week before the end of their annual session. Lawmakers have failed to meet that deadline only once, in 1997.

That year, two spending bills weren’t passed in time.&nbsp;

This year, there are 17 spending bills stacked up on the Senate calendar, including one to keep programs short of funds operating through the end of the current fiscal year.

As it was in 1997, the central issue is abortion.

Then, the question was how to make Planned Parenthood prove it wasn’t subsidizing clinic administration or abortion services with state-paid family planning services.

This time, it is Republicans desperate to avoid a November vote on whether abortion should remain illegal in Missouri. An initiative petition campaign to put abortion rights on the ballot is expected to turn in signatures any day to the Secretary of State’s office to be placed on the statewide ballot.

The bill that was the focus of this week’s filibuster is a key source of money for Missouri’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;

Levied on all hospitals, nursing homes, ambulance services and pharmacies, the approximately $1.4 billion raised by the taxes draws $2.8 billion in federal matching funds. For most Medicaid programs, Missouri pays about 35% of the cost and the federal government picks up the rest.

The Medicaid program in Missouri cost $16.1 billion in the fiscal year that ended June 30. Parson asked for $17.8 billion for the program for the coming year in his budget proposal.

The taxes, called the federal reimbursement allowance, helped keep the general revenue cost of Medicaid to $3 billion, or about 19% of the total.

Hough, a Springfield Republican running for lieutenant governor, wanted the bill passed without anything but a change to the expiration date of the taxes, currently set for Sept. 30.

The bill he filed eliminated the sunset date but the bill he brought to the floor sets a five-year expiration. Since being enacted in 1991, the taxes have been renewed 17 times, 16 with little or no controversy. Only the most recent renewal, in 2021, became entwined with the abortion issue during the regular session.

Parson called lawmakers back and they&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/30/missouri-house-passes-medicaid-provider-tax-bill-preventing-major-budget-cuts/">renewed the taxes with just hours to spare</a>&nbsp;before the new state fiscal year began.

Even with the provider taxes secured, ironing out a final budget from the House and Senate positions will take time. The budget passed by the House spends $2.2 billion less than the proposal awaiting Senate debate.

The $50.8 billion total includes $14.9 billion in general revenue, with $14.1 billion in the operating budget. The Senate committee proposal is $53 billion, with $15.7 billion in general revenue including $14.9 billion in the operating budget.

Funding either budget, or Parson’s original $52.7 billion plan, requires tapping the state’s massive surplus, which stood Tuesday at about $6.4 billion in general revenue and other funds.&nbsp;

His goal for the budget, Smith said, is to keep general revenue spending for ongoing state needs within the anticipated revenue for the coming year. He defines a balanced budget as one with general revenue spending for ongoing programs like public schools, Medicaid and other services at or below annual revenue.

“All those expenses are ongoing and they need to fit within our ongoing revenues,” Smith said.

The official estimate for the coming fiscal year is $13.1 billion but sustained growth at the year-to-date rate through late April means it could be $13.5 billion. There are numerous one-year general revenue spending items in the operating budget for the coming year, including $373 million for improvements on Interstate 44.

Surplus money is for investing in the state, Smith said.

“You treat those surpluses,” he said, “as more one-time funding.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714664587185.png" alt="State Sen. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville speaks Wednesday morning during the Freedom Caucus filibuster blocking approval of provider taxes essential to funding Medicaid. The filibuster ended just before 4 a.m. Thursday (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville speaks Wednesday morning during the Freedom Caucus filibuster blocking approval of provider taxes essential to funding Medicaid. The filibuster ended just before 4 a.m. Thursday (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Five members of the GOP group stalled action in the Senate for 41 hours before giving in early Thursday morning</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>None of the demands Missouri Freedom Caucus members said must be met before they would&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/senate-filibuster-of-taxes-that-fund-missouri-medicaid-clears-25-hour-mark/">drop a filibuster</a>&nbsp;against legislation renewing taxes that fund Medicaid were achieved when the group decided to end its resistance a little before 3:30 a.m. Thursday.After a 41-hour-filibuster, the Senate gave initial approval Thursday morning to a bill renewing taxes on hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes and ambulance services that are essential to Missouri’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;The bill must be approved by the Senate one more time before it heads to the House.And other than the addition of a 2029 expiration date for the taxes, none of the things that were at the heart of the Freedom Caucus filibuster were accomplished.&nbsp;One demand, a final Senate vote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=209">on a proposal</a>&nbsp;to change how the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/missouri-initiative-petition-bill-ballot-candy-reinstated/">majority is determined on future constitutional amendments</a>, can’t happen until at least Monday because the Senate won’t return until then.The other, Gov. Mike Parson’s signature on a bill banning Planned Parenthood&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/24/bill-medicaid-reimbursements-planned-parenthood-governor/">from receiving Medicaid payments</a>&nbsp;for covered medical services, will happen on the governor’s timeline —&nbsp; and he didn’t seem eager to give the caucus a victory earlier in the week.In an interview after the Senate adjourned, state Sen. Lincoln Hough, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and sponsor of the provider tax renewal, said the end was a complete defeat for Freedom Caucus members.“What you saw today was the majority of the majority party all sticking together saying we know we have a duty to govern in this state, and we’re going to do whatever we need to do that,” Hough said.The filibuster did set a record of sorts for the longest attempt to block a single bill, but because some of the time was spent on procedural motions, Democrats challenge whether their record has actually been broken.Five Freedom Caucus members kicked off a filibuster shortly after the Senate session began Tuesday, determined to monkeywrench the machinery on a bill renewing taxes known as the federal reimbursement allowance.The five Republicans – Sens. Rick Brattin, Bill Eigel, Denny Hoskins, Andrew Koenig and Nick Schroer – took turns holding the floor, adhering to the Senate rule that they only speak once on a motion and turning routine motions into tests of endurance.On the Senate floor, the filibuster played out in bursts of euphoric declarations by caucus members interspersed with hours of each reading books, often with a religious theme.During a shift Wednesday, Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican running for governor, claimed the filibuster would be the longest in Senate history and would set the record at midnight. When Senate Democrats told him that a recess of 15 minutes, plus eight hours on procedural motions, would be subtracted, he took good-natured offense.“Here we are at the cusp of greatness,” Eigel said, “and now I have other members of this chamber trying to take it away from us.”&nbsp;But outside the chamber it was all-out warfare on social media.On Wednesday, Majority Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid028G8oxBvrxM7eTXkzxYiYXZVcndGTQuwLUYP79ts6ArvozNnXvYvyPvKgqa2WEywHl">used her Facebook account</a>&nbsp;to claim that everything the Senate had accomplished as Republican priorities had been done in spite of obstruction of the Freedom Caucus.The filibuster threatened Medicaid funding for essential services, she wrote.“Now, our hospitals, nursing homes, and state budget are in jeopardy due to outside lobbyists and dark money working against Missourians through a small faction of our own Senate,” O’Laughlin wrote.She posted the office telephone numbers of the five in the filibuster and asked constituents to call.At 10:10 p.m. Wednesday, about the time he left a shift on the Senate floor, Eigel struck back through his social media.&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/BillEigel/status/1785869506042032195">statement from his campaign,</a>&nbsp;Eigel blamed O’Laughlin and Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden for forcing him to filibuster to achieve Republican objectives.The Freedom Caucus is filibustering, the statement read, “because the Senate leadership and the RINO Brigade, once again, will do everything possible to avoid getting conservative policies across the finish line.”&nbsp;Eigel did not respond to a text message asking for comment on the end of the filibuster.<h2>Budget deadline looms</h2>The filibuster successfully stalled action on the budget this week.&nbsp;With the Senate not returning until Monday, there will be only four days left to pass the budget and iron out differences with the House before the May 10 deadline.The filibuster greatly increased the chances lawmakers will finish a state budget in a special session, House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said.In an interview Wednesday afternoon with The Independent, Smith said he and House staff were combing through the $53 billion spending plan&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/with-time-running-short-missouri-senate-set-to-debate-50-billion-state-budget-next-week/">adopted last week</a>&nbsp;by the Senate Appropriations Committee. He hasn’t seen anything that would cause an impasse, he said, but he’s still learning about every change to the $50.8 billion budget proposal&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/03/house-gop-advances-50-billion-missouri-budget-rejecting-dozens-of-democrat-amendments/">passed in the House</a>.The most pressing problem, Smith said, is having enough time to do the job.&nbsp;“I’m concerned that the Senate will be unable to move through their appropriations process within a time to get us to conference between the House and Senate or maybe even if they won’t be able to pass a budget at all, within the regular session,” Smith said.The amount of work to prepare for budget conference committees and to get the results into the form of bills lawmakers can consider is enormous. To make the deadline, Smith said, conference committee talks must conclude by next Wednesday.Under House rules, substitute bills must be on the calendar for a day before they come to a vote. Wednesday decisions would result in final votes in both chambers on May 10.“We need to let staff finalize the conference committee reports and that takes some time,” Smith said.There are ways to shorten the time needed to finish the budget, Hough said. He has been talking with Smith, GOP leadership in both chambers and Democrats. Substitute bills have been prepared for debate as of Monday, he said.“I think tonight, this morning, was a very good step to explain to people that we’re not going to be held hostage for somebody else’s political game,” Hough said.The Freedom Caucus members have promised a line-by-line examination of the budget. Hough said he is prepared for that. He will answer honest questions, he said, but he doesn’t think Eigel is honest.“I have no problem going through this.” Hough said. ”The problem I have is when people are disingenuous about what they’re saying, and Bill Eigel routinely is just borderline lying about things. He either doesn’t understand it, or you know, or he just wants to sensationalize things.”Under a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III+++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;hl=appropriation%u2044&amp;constit=y">constitutional provision</a>&nbsp;adopted in 1988, lawmakers are required to finish work on appropriation bills one week before the end of their annual session. Lawmakers have failed to meet that deadline only once, in 1997.That year, two spending bills weren’t passed in time.&nbsp;This year, there are 17 spending bills stacked up on the Senate calendar, including one to keep programs short of funds operating through the end of the current fiscal year.As it was in 1997, the central issue is abortion.Then, the question was how to make Planned Parenthood prove it wasn’t subsidizing clinic administration or abortion services with state-paid family planning services.This time, it is Republicans desperate to avoid a November vote on whether abortion should remain illegal in Missouri. An initiative petition campaign to put abortion rights on the ballot is expected to turn in signatures any day to the Secretary of State’s office to be placed on the statewide ballot.<h2>Value of the reimbursement allowance</h2>The bill that was the focus of this week’s filibuster is a key source of money for Missouri’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;Levied on all hospitals, nursing homes, ambulance services and pharmacies, the approximately $1.4 billion raised by the taxes draws $2.8 billion in federal matching funds. For most Medicaid programs, Missouri pays about 35% of the cost and the federal government picks up the rest.The Medicaid program in Missouri cost $16.1 billion in the fiscal year that ended June 30. Parson asked for $17.8 billion for the program for the coming year in his budget proposal.The taxes, called the federal reimbursement allowance, helped keep the general revenue cost of Medicaid to $3 billion, or about 19% of the total.Hough, a Springfield Republican running for lieutenant governor, wanted the bill passed without anything but a change to the expiration date of the taxes, currently set for Sept. 30.The bill he filed eliminated the sunset date but the bill he brought to the floor sets a five-year expiration. Since being enacted in 1991, the taxes have been renewed 17 times, 16 with little or no controversy. Only the most recent renewal, in 2021, became entwined with the abortion issue during the regular session.Parson called lawmakers back and they&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/30/missouri-house-passes-medicaid-provider-tax-bill-preventing-major-budget-cuts/">renewed the taxes with just hours to spare</a>&nbsp;before the new state fiscal year began.<h2>Big differences</h2>Even with the provider taxes secured, ironing out a final budget from the House and Senate positions will take time. The budget passed by the House spends $2.2 billion less than the proposal awaiting Senate debate.The $50.8 billion total includes $14.9 billion in general revenue, with $14.1 billion in the operating budget. The Senate committee proposal is $53 billion, with $15.7 billion in general revenue including $14.9 billion in the operating budget.Funding either budget, or Parson’s original $52.7 billion plan, requires tapping the state’s massive surplus, which stood Tuesday at about $6.4 billion in general revenue and other funds.&nbsp;His goal for the budget, Smith said, is to keep general revenue spending for ongoing state needs within the anticipated revenue for the coming year. He defines a balanced budget as one with general revenue spending for ongoing programs like public schools, Medicaid and other services at or below annual revenue.“All those expenses are ongoing and they need to fit within our ongoing revenues,” Smith said.The official estimate for the coming fiscal year is $13.1 billion but sustained growth at the year-to-date rate through late April means it could be $13.5 billion. There are numerous one-year general revenue spending items in the operating budget for the coming year, including $373 million for improvements on Interstate 44.Surplus money is for investing in the state, Smith said.“You treat those surpluses,” he said, “as more one-time funding.”

Freedom Caucus ends filibuster in Missouri Senate without action on its demands

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives are investigating the eighth homicide of the year in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just before 1a.m. Thursday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to a shooting in the 1700 block of Cleveland Avenue, according to a media release.&nbsp;

First responders discovered two men with apparent gunshot wounds. They was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

A third man was located outside of the residence with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on scene. 

 This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714658439034.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives are investigating the eighth homicide of the year in Kansas City, Kansas.Just before 1a.m. Thursday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to a shooting in the 1700 block of Cleveland Avenue, according to a media release.&nbsp;First responders discovered two men with apparent gunshot wounds. They was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;A third man was located outside of the residence with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on scene. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time.

Police: 1 dead, 2 hospitalized after shooting at Kansas home

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;</a>

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers approved a new, slightly smaller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb37_02_43024.pdf">package of tax cuts</a>&nbsp;before adjourning their annual session early Wednesday, expecting Gov. Laura Kelly to veto it and call a special legislative session to push for a plan more to her liking.

The Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature agree on a good deal of policy that would save taxpayers a total of between $1.42 billion and $1.92 billion over the next three years on their income, sales and property taxes. Their remaining differences are over how the state's personal income tax is structured and whether the state can avoid future budget shortfalls if the tax cuts are worth much more than $430 million a year as of 2029.

The impasse over cutting taxes, particularly income taxes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/income-tax-cuts-kansas-state-budget-immigration-44e6e4a592c8483d3b102664611a97fd">has continued</a>&nbsp;over the past 18 months. Kansas has been unable to enact major tax cuts even though its coffers are bulging with surplus revenues.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result,” Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said just before senators adjourned for the year, quoting scientist Albert Einstein. “I will see you all in a couple of weeks.”

Republican leaders spent Tuesday afternoon and evening revising one last tax bill after they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/income-tax-cuts-kansas-budget-1c53e86eec7e2d1c8b1c649dc05585d4">couldn't muster</a>&nbsp;the two-thirds majority necessary in the Senate on Monday to override Kelly's veto of a bill approved earlier this month that would cut taxes by $1.56 billion over the next three years. They needed 27 of 40 votes and were one short, thanks to what has become&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240429162206_838387/print/">a solid bloc</a>&nbsp;of the Senate's 11 Democrats and three GOP dissidents.

The governor's stance has increasingly exasperated some fellow Democrats in the House, most of whom supported both the last bill she vetoed and the one headed to her desk. The latest version of the big tax bill, one of four measures cutting taxes, would save taxpayers $1.46 billion over three years.

Republican leaders said their differences with the governor amount to only a few million dollars in cuts a year.

“If we can't get a signature on this, I'm not sure what she will sign,” House Taxation Committee Chair Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican, told fellow Republicans during a meeting before the House approved the big tax bill.

The votes on the bill were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240430234739_959465/print/">108-11</a>&nbsp;in the House and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240501001454_868874/print/">25-9</a>&nbsp;in the Senate. While five senators were absent and one passed, there's still no sense that GOP leaders can muster a two-thirds majority.

Kelly and top Republicans have agreed on eliminating state income taxes on retirees' Social Security benefits, which kick in when they earn $75,000 a year. They also agree on reducing a state property tax for schools and eliminating the state's already set-to-expire 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.

But top Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-8fbaf4d7aa99b0b23f38daddd7dc2c28">began the year</a>&nbsp;hoping to move Kansas from its current three personal income tax rates to a single rate. They view that as simpler and fairer, though Kelly told them&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-veto-kelly-1c321169e87d69480efe91db0ef55f28">in vetoing their first plan</a>&nbsp;this year in January that the move would benefit the “super wealthy.”

The plan Kelly vetoed earlier this month and the one approved late Tuesday night would move Kansas to two personal income tax rates. The highest rate, now 5.7%, would have been 5.55% under the bill Kelly vetoed and would be 5.57% under the one going to her desk.

Kelly told House Democrats earlier this month that she sees going to two personal income tax rates as a step toward the single-rate “flat” tax that she opposes.

But she has focused far more of her criticism in recent weeks on predicting that GOP proposals would lead to budget shortfalls in five or six years. She contends they would eat away too quickly at the $4.3 billion in surplus funds the state expects to have on hand at the end of June — equal to 41% of the state's annual general tax revenues.

“The governor has moved the goalposts on us many, many times,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said during the caucus before the House vote on the last big tax bill. “Quite frankly, it's on her. What we have right now is as close to what she wants as we can give her.”

Kelly has argued that tax cuts should cost no more than $433 million during the state's 2029 budget year. The latest version of the big tax bill came in at $439 million, compared with the $469 million for the last bill Kelly vetoed.

Legislators ended their annual session the same day the Kansas Department of Revenue reported that&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/10_April_Revenue_FY2024_05-01-2024_Final.pdf">the state’s tax collections</a>&nbsp;in April exceed expectations by nearly $102 million, or almost 8%.

“What we’re arguing over is almost silly,” Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said during a post-adjournment news conference with other GOP leaders. “In the scope of the Kansas budget, it is a fraction of a percent apart, and we’re supposed to believe that one is sustainable and one is devastating.”

But Kelly and her staff argue that Republicans' math is faulty because their figures don't include other tax bills.

Kelly's top figure of $433 million a year for 2029 includes one of them, and when that one is added to the latest bill, its 2029 cost is $487 million, a gap of $54 million between it and Kelly's top number.

“They just want to pretend that those bills don’t count towards this,” her chief of staff, Will Lawrence, told reporters Tuesday evening. “She’s the only one who’s been responsible in that scenario.”

But some lawmakers have grown weary of the back and forth. With elections for all legislative seats looming this year, they just want to confirm for their constituents that big tax cuts are coming.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;</a>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers approved a new, slightly smaller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb37_02_43024.pdf">package of tax cuts</a>&nbsp;before adjourning their annual session early Wednesday, expecting Gov. Laura Kelly to veto it and call a special legislative session to push for a plan more to her liking.The Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature agree on a good deal of policy that would save taxpayers a total of between $1.42 billion and $1.92 billion over the next three years on their income, sales and property taxes. Their remaining differences are over how the state's personal income tax is structured and whether the state can avoid future budget shortfalls if the tax cuts are worth much more than $430 million a year as of 2029.The impasse over cutting taxes, particularly income taxes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/income-tax-cuts-kansas-state-budget-immigration-44e6e4a592c8483d3b102664611a97fd">has continued</a>&nbsp;over the past 18 months. Kansas has been unable to enact major tax cuts even though its coffers are bulging with surplus revenues.“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result,” Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said just before senators adjourned for the year, quoting scientist Albert Einstein. “I will see you all in a couple of weeks.”Republican leaders spent Tuesday afternoon and evening revising one last tax bill after they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/income-tax-cuts-kansas-budget-1c53e86eec7e2d1c8b1c649dc05585d4">couldn't muster</a>&nbsp;the two-thirds majority necessary in the Senate on Monday to override Kelly's veto of a bill approved earlier this month that would cut taxes by $1.56 billion over the next three years. They needed 27 of 40 votes and were one short, thanks to what has become&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240429162206_838387/print/">a solid bloc</a>&nbsp;of the Senate's 11 Democrats and three GOP dissidents.The governor's stance has increasingly exasperated some fellow Democrats in the House, most of whom supported both the last bill she vetoed and the one headed to her desk. The latest version of the big tax bill, one of four measures cutting taxes, would save taxpayers $1.46 billion over three years.Republican leaders said their differences with the governor amount to only a few million dollars in cuts a year.“If we can't get a signature on this, I'm not sure what she will sign,” House Taxation Committee Chair Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican, told fellow Republicans during a meeting before the House approved the big tax bill.The votes on the bill were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240430234739_959465/print/">108-11</a>&nbsp;in the House and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240501001454_868874/print/">25-9</a>&nbsp;in the Senate. While five senators were absent and one passed, there's still no sense that GOP leaders can muster a two-thirds majority.Kelly and top Republicans have agreed on eliminating state income taxes on retirees' Social Security benefits, which kick in when they earn $75,000 a year. They also agree on reducing a state property tax for schools and eliminating the state's already set-to-expire 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.But top Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-8fbaf4d7aa99b0b23f38daddd7dc2c28">began the year</a>&nbsp;hoping to move Kansas from its current three personal income tax rates to a single rate. They view that as simpler and fairer, though Kelly told them&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-veto-kelly-1c321169e87d69480efe91db0ef55f28">in vetoing their first plan</a>&nbsp;this year in January that the move would benefit the “super wealthy.”The plan Kelly vetoed earlier this month and the one approved late Tuesday night would move Kansas to two personal income tax rates. The highest rate, now 5.7%, would have been 5.55% under the bill Kelly vetoed and would be 5.57% under the one going to her desk.Kelly told House Democrats earlier this month that she sees going to two personal income tax rates as a step toward the single-rate “flat” tax that she opposes.But she has focused far more of her criticism in recent weeks on predicting that GOP proposals would lead to budget shortfalls in five or six years. She contends they would eat away too quickly at the $4.3 billion in surplus funds the state expects to have on hand at the end of June — equal to 41% of the state's annual general tax revenues.“The governor has moved the goalposts on us many, many times,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said during the caucus before the House vote on the last big tax bill. “Quite frankly, it's on her. What we have right now is as close to what she wants as we can give her.”Kelly has argued that tax cuts should cost no more than $433 million during the state's 2029 budget year. The latest version of the big tax bill came in at $439 million, compared with the $469 million for the last bill Kelly vetoed.Legislators ended their annual session the same day the Kansas Department of Revenue reported that&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/10_April_Revenue_FY2024_05-01-2024_Final.pdf">the state’s tax collections</a>&nbsp;in April exceed expectations by nearly $102 million, or almost 8%.“What we’re arguing over is almost silly,” Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said during a post-adjournment news conference with other GOP leaders. “In the scope of the Kansas budget, it is a fraction of a percent apart, and we’re supposed to believe that one is sustainable and one is devastating.”But Kelly and her staff argue that Republicans' math is faulty because their figures don't include other tax bills.Kelly's top figure of $433 million a year for 2029 includes one of them, and when that one is added to the latest bill, its 2029 cost is $487 million, a gap of $54 million between it and Kelly's top number.“They just want to pretend that those bills don’t count towards this,” her chief of staff, Will Lawrence, told reporters Tuesday evening. “She’s the only one who’s been responsible in that scenario.”But some lawmakers have grown weary of the back and forth. With elections for all legislative seats looming this year, they just want to confirm for their constituents that big tax cuts are coming.

Kan. legislators expect governor to veto latest tax cuts, call a special session

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an unattended death at a home in the 2100 block of S. Volutsia in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

Police received an anonymous tip that a person had been deceased inside a residence for two weeks.

Just after 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, investigators attempted a welfare check on a person living in a home on Volutsia. However, they were unable to enter the house. 

Investigators remained on location while working to obtain a search warrant. During that time, investigators learned that multiple propane tanks were inside the residence. After obtaining the search warrant and before entering, they requested assistance from WPD's Ordinance Disposal Unit to ensure that the residence was safe to enter.

Upon entering and clearing the residence for safety, officers discovered a victim. Sedgwick County EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased, according to Ford.

The identity of the individual, as well as the cause and manner of death, are still pending further investigation and confirmation from the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner's Office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an unattended death at a home in the 2100 block of S. Volutsia in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.Police received an anonymous tip that a person had been deceased inside a residence for two weeks.Just after 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, investigators attempted a welfare check on a person living in a home on Volutsia. However, they were unable to enter the house. Investigators remained on location while working to obtain a search warrant. During that time, investigators learned that multiple propane tanks were inside the residence. After obtaining the search warrant and before entering, they requested assistance from WPD's Ordinance Disposal Unit to ensure that the residence was safe to enter.Upon entering and clearing the residence for safety, officers discovered a victim. Sedgwick County EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased, according to Ford.The identity of the individual, as well as the cause and manner of death, are still pending further investigation and confirmation from the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police: Death inside Kansas home occurred two weeks ago

LYON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Emporia.

According to Emporia Police Captain Ray Mattas, a Toyota Camry was northbound on Mechanic Street. The driver failed to yield at the stop sign at 12th Avenue.

The car crossed 12th Avenue, left the roadway, traveled onto Emporia State University property and struck a tree.&nbsp; EMS transported the driver to Newman Regional Health where they were pronounced deceased.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the driver.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714607568367.png" alt="Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Emporia.According to Emporia Police Captain Ray Mattas, a Toyota Camry was northbound on Mechanic Street. The driver failed to yield at the stop sign at 12th Avenue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714603639346.png" alt="Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Chuck Samples courtesy KVOE</figcaption>
 </figure>The car crossed 12th Avenue, left the roadway, traveled onto Emporia State University property and struck a tree.&nbsp; EMS transported the driver to Newman Regional Health where they were pronounced deceased.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the driver.

Driver dies after crash into tree on Emporia State campus

WASHINGTON— Cargill Meat Solutions, a Hazleton, Pa., establishment, is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Wednesday.

The raw ground beef items were produced on April 26-27, 2024. The following products are subject to recall&nbsp; Click <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/food_label_pdf/2024-05/recall-labels-016-2024.pdf">here to view all labels</a>

The products subject to recall all bear the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the product label, and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the product label. These items were shipped to Walmart retail locations nationwide.

The establishment reported the issue to FSIS after they identified that previously segregated product had been inadvertently utilized in the production of ground beef.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Cargill Meat Solutions at 1-844-419-1574. Members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Chuck Miller, Senior Communications Manager, Cargill Meat Solutions at 612-430-2882 or media@cargill.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:MPHotline@usda.gov">MPHotline@usda.gov</a>. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at&nbsp;<a href="https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/">https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714614484262.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— Cargill Meat Solutions, a Hazleton, Pa., establishment, is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Wednesday.The raw ground beef items were produced on April 26-27, 2024. The following products are subject to recall&nbsp; Click <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/food_label_pdf/2024-05/recall-labels-016-2024.pdf">here to view all labels</a><ul>
 <li>2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.</li><li>1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.</li><li>2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.</li><li>2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.</li><li>1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.</li><li>1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.</li>
 </ul>The products subject to recall all bear the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the product label, and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the product label. These items were shipped to Walmart retail locations nationwide.The establishment reported the issue to FSIS after they identified that previously segregated product had been inadvertently utilized in the production of ground beef.There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Cargill Meat Solutions at 1-844-419-1574. Members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Chuck Miller, Senior Communications Manager, Cargill Meat Solutions at 612-430-2882 or media@cargill.com.Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:MPHotline@usda.gov">MPHotline@usda.gov</a>. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at&nbsp;<a href="https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/">https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/</a>

16,000 pounds of ground beef recalled nationwide over E. coli concern

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Wednesday announced that&nbsp;total tax collections&nbsp;for April&nbsp;were&nbsp;$1.42 billion. That is $101 million, or 7.7%,&nbsp;more than&nbsp;the&nbsp;monthly&nbsp;estimate. Total tax collections are up 9.6% from April 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyNC8wNS8xMF9BcHJpbF9SZXZlbnVlX0ZZMjAyNF8wNS0wMS0yMDI0X0ZpbmFsLnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA1MDEuOTQxNzIxMjEifQ.n8ER-HXnPo56i_SbBk8n5cf8MxEqlCJguWDAsuvKjNU/s/1303160919/br/241700669252-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the April 2024 revenue numbers.&nbsp;

"These revenue numbers underscore how important it is to provide responsible tax relief now,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “I remain committed to cutting taxes in a fiscally responsible, comprehensive manner that doesn’t jeopardize the progress we’ve made.”&nbsp;

“The overage for April is largely&nbsp;due&nbsp;to the&nbsp;fact that&nbsp;we are processing&nbsp;63,000 more&nbsp;‘balance due’&nbsp;checks&nbsp;from taxpayers this year than we were at the same time last year,”&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.&nbsp;“A combination of two&nbsp;additional&nbsp;processing days and recently upgraded check remittance technology at the Department of Revenue have allowed payments to be processed&nbsp;faster and&nbsp;much more efficiently.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Secretary Burghart went on to say, “the spike in processed payments for April is&nbsp;really just&nbsp;a carrying forward of payments that would normally be processed in May. As a result, individual income tax receipts for May will&nbsp;likely be&nbsp;lower than the estimate.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Individual income tax collections were $740.3 million&nbsp;in April 2024. That is $91.0 million, or 14.0%,&nbsp;more than&nbsp;the estimate, and up 24.7% from April 2023.&nbsp;

Corporate income tax collections were $338.2 million&nbsp;last month, which is $6.3 million, or 1.9%, more than estimates. It does, however, reflect a 4.5% drop from corporate income tax collections at this same time last year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $295.1&nbsp;million, which is $3.1 million, or 1.1%&nbsp;more than&nbsp;the estimate&nbsp;but&nbsp;down $13.5 million, or 4.4%, from April 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Consensus Revenue Estimating group met on April 19 to revise estimates for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Wednesday announced that&nbsp;total tax collections&nbsp;for April&nbsp;were&nbsp;$1.42 billion. That is $101 million, or 7.7%,&nbsp;more than&nbsp;the&nbsp;monthly&nbsp;estimate. Total tax collections are up 9.6% from April 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyNC8wNS8xMF9BcHJpbF9SZXZlbnVlX0ZZMjAyNF8wNS0wMS0yMDI0X0ZpbmFsLnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA1MDEuOTQxNzIxMjEifQ.n8ER-HXnPo56i_SbBk8n5cf8MxEqlCJguWDAsuvKjNU/s/1303160919/br/241700669252-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the April 2024 revenue numbers.&nbsp;"These revenue numbers underscore how important it is to provide responsible tax relief now,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “I remain committed to cutting taxes in a fiscally responsible, comprehensive manner that doesn’t jeopardize the progress we’ve made.”&nbsp;“The overage for April is largely&nbsp;due&nbsp;to the&nbsp;fact that&nbsp;we are processing&nbsp;63,000 more&nbsp;‘balance due’&nbsp;checks&nbsp;from taxpayers this year than we were at the same time last year,”&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.&nbsp;“A combination of two&nbsp;additional&nbsp;processing days and recently upgraded check remittance technology at the Department of Revenue have allowed payments to be processed&nbsp;faster and&nbsp;much more efficiently.&nbsp;&nbsp;Secretary Burghart went on to say, “the spike in processed payments for April is&nbsp;really just&nbsp;a carrying forward of payments that would normally be processed in May. As a result, individual income tax receipts for May will&nbsp;likely be&nbsp;lower than the estimate.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Individual income tax collections were $740.3 million&nbsp;in April 2024. That is $91.0 million, or 14.0%,&nbsp;more than&nbsp;the estimate, and up 24.7% from April 2023.&nbsp;Corporate income tax collections were $338.2 million&nbsp;last month, which is $6.3 million, or 1.9%, more than estimates. It does, however, reflect a 4.5% drop from corporate income tax collections at this same time last year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $295.1&nbsp;million, which is $3.1 million, or 1.1%&nbsp;more than&nbsp;the estimate&nbsp;but&nbsp;down $13.5 million, or 4.4%, from April 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Consensus Revenue Estimating group met on April 19 to revise estimates for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;