Vote Tracker

Find out who your legislators are here. Then see how they voted on the following bills of interest to Catholics that are currently active the Kansas Legislature.
Previous Years: 2010

Requesting that the Obama Administration Rescind the Contraceptive Mandate – SCR 1615

March 6, 2012 | , , , , , , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

SCR 1615 calls upon the Obama Administration to rescind the “contraceptive mandate,” as it violates the fundamental right of Americans to freedom of religion and is unconstitutional. SCR 1615 text Status: 03/05/2012 Introduced in House; referred to Senate Judiciary Committee Read More >>

School Choice – HB 2767

February 24, 2012 | , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2767, also known as the “Kansas Education Liberty Program,” would establish a school choice initiative in Kansas that would give parents of low-income children choices over their children’s’ education.  The bill establishes a tax credit scholarship program where individual and corporate donors would receive a tax credit in exchange for donations to scholarship organizations. … Read More >>

Immigration bills – HB 2712, HB 2577, HB 2578

February 13, 2012 | , , , , , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

The state is considering a wide variety of immigration-related bills.  The Kansas bishops have submitted a statement to the Legislature that speaks to the principles that should be given sincere attention as policymakers address this issue. Statement by Kansas Bishops on Immigration bills in the 2012 Kansas Legislative Session Read More >>

Tax reform bills – HB 2560 et al

February 9, 2012 | , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

The state is considering a variety of tax reform bills.  The Kansas Catholic Conference has offered testimony that points to the principles that legislators should keep closely in mind as they address this issue. Read More >>

Pro-Life Protections Act – HB 2598

February 2, 2012 | , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2598: Ends state funding of abortion providers and discontinues any tax credits they may be receiving; Bans sex-selection abortions at any stage of pregnancy; Prevents abortion providers from bringing sex ed materials into public schools; Strengthens Kansas’ informed consent laws; Prohibits state agencies and employees from providing abortions. HB 2598 Status: 03/16/2012 Approved by… Read More >>

Healthcare Conscience Rights – HB 2523/H Sub for SB 62

January 25, 2012 | , , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2523 would protect health care providers from being discriminated against if they refuse to provide — or refer for — drugs and devices they reasonably believe cause abortion.  Protection of conscience rights in health care is a critically important issue for Catholics. H Sub for SB 62 Status: 05/02/2012 Approved by Senate 23-16 03/29/2012… Read More >>

Local Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws – HB 2372

March 5, 2011 | , , , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2372 would provide for the enforcement of federal immigration laws by local police.  Under the bill, E-Verify would be required for state and local contracts and employment.  Illegal immigrants would be denied taxpayer financed services except for in-state tuition (which may be revoked separately) and those required by federal law. The bill also contains… Read More >>

Educational Choice – HB 2367

March 4, 2011 | , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2367 would establish a tax-credit scholarship program in Kansas.  Under the bill, individuals and corporations would receive a tax credit from their state taxes in exchange for making donations to approved educational choice non-profit organizations, which would use the money to fund private school scholarships for students. HB 2367 text Status: 03/15/2011 Hearing in… Read More >>

Abortion Clinic Licensure – HB 2337/SB 36

February 15, 2011 | , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2337 would apply common-sense regulations to abortion clinics that would include unannounced inspections.  For years, abortion clinics in Kansas have operated in an atmosphere of lawlessness.  Numerous women have come forward over the years to give testimony of illegal late-term abortions.  There was the notorious, cockroach-infested abortion clinic operated by Dr. Krishna Rajanna, where… Read More >>

Taxpayer Funding of Planned Parenthood – Amendment to HB 2014

February 14, 2011 | , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

This legislation takes the form of an amendment to the state budget bill.  It would have the effect of preventing Planned Parenthood from being eligible for the roughly $300,000 in Title X federal family planning funding it currently receives from the state. Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the United States.  While the… Read More >>

Abolishing the Death Penalty – HB 2323

February 14, 2011 | , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2323 would repeal Kansas’ death penalty law and abolish its use in the state.  Modern industrialized nations such as ours have the means to permanently imprison those convicted of the most heinous crimes in order to protect society.  Use of deadly force should be a last resort, not the first.  Kansas has not executed… Read More >>

Pre-Tax Abortion Benefit for State Employees – HB 2293 (now part of SB 65)

February 11, 2011 | , , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2293 would prevent state employees from being able to pay for abortions with their “pre-tax” health care flexible spending accounts.  The Kansas Catholic Conference does not believe that pre-tax abortions are an appropriate benefit for state employees. HB 2293 text SB 65 text Status: 03/16/2011 Approved by House Insurance Committee 03/16/2011 Amended into SB… Read More >>

Insurance Coverage of Abortion – HB 2292 (now part of HB 2075)

February 11, 2011 | , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2292 would prevent private insurance providers from covering most abortions under basic health care plans.   Insurance companies would be able to offer a rider for customers who want abortion coverage, but those customers would have to pay an additional premium specifically for abortion.  Currently, many insurance plans in the private sector simply offer abortion… Read More >>

Preservation of Religious Freedom Act – HB 2260/H Sub for SB 142

February 10, 2011 | , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

The Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act would protect the right of religious individuals and institutions to act consistent with the dictates of conscience.  Freedom of religion should not be reduced to a mere freedom to worship in private.  Instead, it should mean the freedom for people to live their faith as full participants in… Read More >>

Fetal Pain – HB 2218

February 9, 2011 | , , , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2218 would prohibit abortions during and after twenty weeks, measured from conception, on the grounds that unborn children can feel pain at that time.  Americans need to be made aware of the barbaric, cruel, and excruciating nature of late-term abortions. Currently, the US Supreme Court only allows states to protect unborn life after the… Read More >>

Making Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity a Protected Class – SB 53

February 9, 2011 | , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

SB 53 would endanger the conscience rights of Kansas citizens by requiring them to participate in activities that they find morally objectionable.  In 2008, a young Christian husband and wife who operated a photography business in New Mexico declined to photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony on the basis of their religious beliefs, and were subsequently… Read More >>

Community Defense Act – HB 2107

January 27, 2011 | , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

The Community Defense Act would prevent sexually oriented businesses – adult bookstores, video stores, arcades, nightclubs, theaters, etc. – from building within 1000 feet of churches, schools, parks, and homes.  Currently, small towns in Kansas are left to fend for themselves when a sexually oriented business decides to move in and set up shop wherever… Read More >>

Late Term Abortion & Parental Consent – HB 2035 & SB 146

January 19, 2011 | , , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

In recent years, the Kansas Legislature has repeatedly passed strong Pro-Life bills only to have them vetoed again and again.  HB 2035 contains Pro-Life language that has already passed both the House and the Senate, in some cases up to three times: Strengthens long-ignored reporting requirements on “late-term abortions” of fully viable unborn children, which… Read More >>

In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants – HB 2006

January 10, 2011 | , , | Posted in Vote Tracker

HB 2006 would deny in-state tuition rates to those living in Kansas without legal documentation, and would have the effect of denying in-state tuition to the children of those here illegally.   The bishops are concerned that young adults — some of whom have been here almost their entire lives — would be made to… Read More >>