Mainstream Messenger: What to Expect from the KS Leg Week 8 -
Another Embarrassing Week for Kansans
Hi Mainstream supporter,
In case you missed it, last week was quite the embarrassment in the KS Legislature. Between legislator tantrums shutting down committee hearings, legislators refusing to answer questions regarding voting rights from the House floor, and continuing investigations into a near-brawl between Republican and Democrat legislators, we don't have a lot of nice things to say about the majority of our Kansas Legislature right now. And that's before we even talk about this gem of a townhall with U.S. Sen Marshall!
This week we have more shenanigans to prepare for, starting with the hearing of SB 76 tomorrow (Tuesday, 3/4) in the House Committee on Education. This bill, titled the "given name act" would restrict teachers' first amendment right of free speech by prohibiting them from using chosen names and pronouns for students unless they have written permission from parents. It also would put into statute that teachers and school staff are not required to use chosen names/pronouns, even with parent consent. We obviously have problems with the hypocrisy of this so called free speech, parents' right bill that is just a mask for trans erasure. You can read our submitted testimony here.
Tomorrow is also Equality Day at the statehouse, making the hearing on SB 76 a slap in the face to the hundreds of LGBTQ+ Kansans who will join us in Topeka to tell their stories and ask legislators to support LGBTQ+ equality. Despite countless Kansans showing up daily to testify on issues that impact them and their loved ones, the KS Legislature continues to pass bills to try to erase queer Kansans, control women's bodies, and gut our public education in favor of private, often religious, schools.
We know it's hard to focus on state and local advocacy when so much is going wrong at the federal level. So thank you to everyone who takes action with us and to everyone who came by at last Saturday's Boots on the Ground Volunteer Fair to learn more about Mainstream. Only a few more weeks to go in this year's KS legislative session - let'd do everything we can to stop these attacks on Kansans!
Stay informed with Mainstream's bill tracking tool, #KSLeg Watch! We're keeping eyes on bills that threaten church-state separation and embrace the Christian Nationalist agenda.
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KEEP CONTACTING YOUR LEGISLATORS TO OPPOSE VOUCHERS!
We're waiting on the two voucher bills still in play this session:
- SB 87, the expansion of the so-called "scholarship program," passed the Senate and is waiting for a hearing in House Education Committee
- SB 75, the Education Opportunity Tax Credit was blessed and is waiting for action in the Senate.
While these bills seem to have been put on pause during the budgeting process, we have no doubt that there will be some action on them still this session. Continue to remind your legislator that public dollars should stay in public schools!
TAKE ACTION:
- Continue to contact your legislators and tell them to vote no on vouchers and yes on increased special education funding.
- Remember, you can find your legislator and how they voted on Mainstream bills at ksleglookup.org
PROTECT TRANS KIDS
On Tuesday the House Education Committee will hold their hearing on SB 76 - the "given name act." For it's Senate committee hearing, this bill had 5 proponents, including the Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom and DC-based Heritage Action for America. In comparison, Kansans turned out with 254 opponent testimonies! This is an incredible showing of support from our education, LGBTQ+, and ally community.
Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped the committee from holding a hearing on the same day as Equality Day. If you're available, come by the statehouse tomorrow during Equality Day to show your support to the LGBTQ+ community and pack the committee room to let our legislators know that hate has no place in Kansas.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your legislator to ask them to protect trans kids.
- Tell your Senator to vote NO on SB 76, the "given name act." Fill out this quick form here.
- Join us at Equality Day!
- Donate today to the Trans Emergency Youth Project for Kansans trans youth needing support after the passing of SB 63
STAY VIGILANT ON ANTI-ABORTION LEGISLATION
HB 2062 -- furthering fetal personhood by allowing for the collection of child support for an "unborn child." -- had a hearing last week. The committee did not take action, but could vote on the bill this week. Make sure to contact your legislator and ask them to vote no on any bills that undermine Kansans' access to safe and legal abortions.
TAKE ACTION:
- Contact your Senator to let them know you oppose HB 2062 and any efforts to make it harder for Kansans to access safe and legal abortions.
- Join us at Bodily Autonomy Day at the statehouse on March 11. Sign up here.
Want to Advocate for church-state separation but not sure how?
Check out Mainstream's newest resource, our 2025 Religious Freedom Advocacy Toolkit!
CAN WE COUNT ON YOU?
Mainstream is a small team of advocates, and we need your support to continue providing these kinds of updates, action alerts, and advocacy inside the statehouse. Please consider becoming a member or making a tax-deductible donation to our Civic Engagement Foundation.
