|
Dear Friends,
As we move closer to the August vote on the proposed constitutional amendment changing how Kansas selects Supreme Court justices, it is becoming increasingly important for Kansans to understand what is at stake.
This week's newsletter focuses on judicial independence, civic engagement, and several emerging issues affecting Kansas families, farmers, and our state's future.
| | |
More on the Judicial Amendment
The campaign to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices is gaining additional concerns from legal experts, former judges, and civic organizations across the state.
Recent reporting highlights how the amendment's supporters continue to frame the proposal as giving voters more power. However, many observers argue that electing judges through partisan campaigns does not increase citizen influence. Instead, it increases the influence of political parties, special interests, and outside money.
Kansas has benefited from a merit-based judicial selection system for decades. The current system helps ensure judges are chosen based on qualifications rather than campaign fundraising ability.
Read more:
https://hayspost.com/posts/a6dbc9b7-b6ee-4517-86ba-1d4ea8565bd7
| |
Why Elections Matter: 10,000 Kansas Children Lose Food Assistance
A recent analysis found that approximately 10,000 Kansas children have lost access to food assistance programs following policy changes linked to recent elections and legislative decisions.
The article serves as a reminder that election outcomes have real-world consequences for Kansas families. Decisions made by elected officials affect healthcare, education, food security, and economic opportunity.
Whether you agree or disagree with specific policies, participation matters. Voting matters. Staying informed matters.
Read more:
https://kansasreflector.com/2026/05/30/10000-kansas-children-have-lost-food-assistance-because-voters-sat-on-the-sidelines-in-2024/
| | |
Investing in America's Future
Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids recently warned that the United States risks falling behind global competitors without long-term investments in research, innovation, and advanced manufacturing.
The discussion underscores an issue that reaches beyond Washington. Investments in education, workforce development, science, and infrastructure affect Kansas communities directly and help determine whether future generations can compete in a rapidly changing economy.
Read more:
https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-warns-us-risks-falling-behind-china-without-long-term
| | |
Support the work!
Women for Kansas is powered by people who care about this state and the future we are building together. Every conversation, event, and outreach effort depends on grassroots support, and that work is especially critical right now. While one-time gifts make a difference, recurring donations provide the steady, reliable foundation needed to plan ahead, stay engaged in communities, and respond when it matters most. A monthly contribution at any level helps turn momentum into lasting impact and ensures this work continues beyond any single moment.
If you believe in informed voters and strong communities, a recurring gift is one of the most meaningful ways to support Women for Kansas and keep that work moving forward.
Ways to give:
https://womenforkansas.org/ways_to_give/
| | |
Five Reasons to Oppose the Amendment
Based on analysis from legal experts and civic advocates, here are five reasons many Kansans oppose the amendment:
1. It invites more money into judicial races.
Judicial candidates would need to raise campaign funds, creating opportunities for special interests to influence elections.
2. It increases partisan politics in the courts.
Judges should interpret the law, not run political campaigns.
3. Kansas already gives voters a voice.
Under the current system, voters decide whether judges remain on the bench through retention elections.
4. It threatens judicial independence.
Judges should be accountable to the law and Constitution, not political donors.
5. It risks turning Kansas into states where courts are viewed as political institutions. Public trust in the judiciary depends on fairness and impartiality.
Learn more:
https://sentinelksmo.org/constitutional-amendment-supreme-court-justices/
| |
Gilbert Baker Day Celebrates a Kansas Native and Global Symbol of Pride
On June 2, Governor Laura Kelly officially proclaimed Gilbert Baker Day in Kansas, recognizing the Parsons native who created the rainbow Pride flag in 1978.
Baker, a veteran, artist, and activist, designed the original eight-striped flag as a positive symbol of hope, inclusion, and pride. Each color carried its own meaning: life, healing, sunlight, nature, art, serenity, and spirit. While the flag evolved into the six-stripe version recognized around the world today, its message of visibility and belonging remains unchanged.
The effort to establish Gilbert Baker Day was inspired in part by the chapter "Parsons Brings the Pride Flag Home" in Kansas Matters: Twenty-First-Century Writers on the Sunflower State. Working alongside PFLAG Lawrence, local advocates successfully brought attention to Baker's Kansas roots and his lasting impact on civil rights and cultural history.
As we continue conversations about equal rights, civic engagement, and the importance of recognizing all Kansans, Gilbert Baker's story serves as a reminder that people from Kansas have helped shape movements far beyond our state borders. His legacy is one of creativity, courage, and the belief that everyone deserves to be seen.
Learn more about Gilbert Baker and his Kansas connection through Kansas Matters and the growing efforts to preserve and share this important piece of Kansas history.
| | |
Nonpartisan Tools
If you want reliable, nonpartisan tracking on bills tied to core W4K priorities (taxes and budget, elections, Medicaid expansion, judicial selection, school funding, separation of powers), check out these resources!
| |
For the most current Kansas updates, the Governor’s press release page is updated frequently. | | |
Governor Kelly “Kansan to Kansan” and Kansas Updates
If you like a straightforward weekly roundup from the Governor’s office, the “Kansan to Kansan” newsletters are archived through the state’s GovDelivery bulletins.
| | | |
| | |
Kansas Appleseed: Democracy, Courts, and Voting Rights
Kansas Appleseed continues to provide Kansas-focused research and advocacy on judicial independence and the 2026 amendment, including educational resources and toolkits.
| | | |
| | |
Kansas Rural Center: Rural Issues, Water, Local Food, and Policy Watch
Kansas Rural Center’s Policy Watch tracks Topeka decisions affecting the environment, water conservation and quality, diversified agriculture, rural communities, and local and regional food systems. They also publish weekly session updates and a way to subscribe.
| | | |
| | |
League of Women Voters of Kansas
The League of Women Voters of Kansas is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy.
| | | | Shout Out to the Women for Kansas Lawrence and Douglas County Chapter for celebrating Lawrence Pride this last weekend! 🌈🌈🌈 | | |
Thank you for staying informed, engaged, and committed to building a stronger Kansas.
In solidarity,
Women for Kansas
| | |
Join us for an educational panel to understand what's at stake on the August 4, 2026, ballot amendment. Whether you're just learning about the ballot amendment or want deeper context before voting on August 4, this event will offer clear, accessible information to help you make an informed decision! Moderated by Sherman Smith (Editor at Kansas Reflector), our panelists include:
-
John Carlin is a former two-term Governor of Kansas and former Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, he also served as Archivist of the United States for ten years. Following his public service career, Carlin taught leadership and civic engagement at Kansas State University and remained active in Kansas public policy and economic development initiatives.
-
Natalie Haag is Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Capitol Federal Savings Bank. She previously served as General Counsel, Director of Governmental Affairs, and Chief of Staff to former Kansas Governor Bill Graves, and spent a decade in criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Haag is a past President of the Kansas Bar Association and served eight years on the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission.
-
Lawton Nuss is a former Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, serving on the court from 2002 to 2019 after two decades in private legal practice in Salina. Appointed by Governor Bill Graves, he became Chief Justice in 2010 and oversaw the Kansas judicial system statewide. Nuss continues to advocate for judicial independence and veterans' legal services through state and national leadership roles.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:15 PM
Washburn University's Bradbury Alumni Center
1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, KS
| | | |  |
| | | |
