Susan Wagle

Some lawmakers in Kansas aren’t happy Gov. Sam Brownback’s former chief of staff is the lobbyist for the company lined up to build a new state prison.

Top Democrats in the Kansas Legislature — along with the Republican Senate president, Susan Wagle — are calling for a law that would require people lobbying for state contracts to register that activity.

Just like they have to do when they’re lobbying for legislation. David Kensinger, Brownback’s former chief of staff, is registered as a lobbyist for prison contractor CoreCivic.

A Missouri nonprofit has released a list of recommendations it says will help combat and prevent sexual harassment at the Kansas Statehouse.

Gov. Sam Brownback has given few details about what he'll propose to balance the Kansas budget. The leader of the state Senate is raising concerns that Brownback's future political plans could be influencing his decisions.

Kansas voters want change for the 2017 session: They made that clear by replacing a couple dozen conservative Republican legislators with Democrats and more moderate Republicans. The newly elected lawmakers gather today to select their leadership.

The leadership selections will be an early indication of how much the balance of power has really changed in the Statehouse.

For speaker of the House, the race is between a moderate -- Republican Russ Jennings from Lakin in southwest Kansas -- and two conservatives -- Ron Ryckman Jr. of Olathe, and Jene Vickery of Louisburg.

It’s a campaign without ads. There are no TV spots or mailers. The only people voting are the 165 Kansas lawmakers choosing their new leaders.