Dr. Droge shared the following details with The Eureka Herald last week:
SCR 1611
Judicial Selection
•Gives Kansans the power to choose justices instead of a small, unelected group of lawyers deciding
•Elected justices are accountable to the public, not just lawyers and appointees, and can be replaced every six years if they don’t serve well
•The current system favors the lawyer-heavy Supreme Court Nominating Commission, but SCR 1611 abolishes it and lets all citizens decide
•Twenty-two other states elect their supreme court justices, showing Kansas would follow a proven method to keep courts tied to the people
•Elections are open and public, unlike the current closed-door process, Kansans deserve justices who reflect their values, not just a governor’s or commission’s, and direct elections ensure this
•The commission limits choices to three names for the governor, allowing quiet politics, while elections make it fair and open
•Opponents doubt voters, but Kansans already elect lawmakers, governors, and local judges, proving they can choose justices too
•We are the only state in the country that has a nominating commission set up the way we do.
SB 14
Preventing Government Shutdowns
•Prevents government shutdowns by keeping last year’s budget in place if a new one fails.
•Ensures state agencies and services stay funded during budget disputes.
•Gives flexibility to adjust funds to match federal money and avoid waste.
•Allows smart borrowing with clear limits to keep things running smoothly.
•Prioritizes the Budget Stabilization Fund to protect other resources.
•Keeps lawmakers informed with monthly borrowing reports.
•Motivates quick budget fixes by pausing pay for lawmakers and the Governor.
•Backed by Senator Billinger and Senator Masterson for a stronger Legislature. HB 2329
Protecting Our Youth
•Fills a gap for troubled juveniles who exhibit behaviors too disruptive for foster care placement but don’t meet the threshold for long-term incarceration in a prison setting
•Cracks down on gun crimes by authorizing courts to commit juveniles to a correctional facility for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 24 months if they used or possessed a firearm during a felony
•Gives judges more options by allowing them to sentence chronic offenders, as defined by law, to a juvenile correctional facility if they score as moderate-risk on a risk and needs assessment, not just high-risk
•Adds 35 to 45 beds in youth residential facilities, funded through the Evidence-based Programs Account up to $10 million, to provide structured support rather than just punishment •Puts help where it’s needed most by directing the Secretary of Corrections to analyze juvenile case filing data and allocate these beds to regions with the highest demand
•Quick fixes for tough spots by having the Secretary contract with emergency shelters and therapeutic foster homes for juveniles adjudicated of specific offenses where the victim lives in the same household
•More time to figure things out by increasing the cumulative detention limit from 45 days to 90 days, giving courts and intake workers extra time to assess and place juveniles appropriately
•Locks up gun cases fast by mandating an override of the detention risk assessment tool, requiring immediate placement in a juvenile detention facility when a juvenile is alleged to have used a firearm in an offense
•Supported by people who know the system, including the Kansas Sheriffs Association and organizations like the Children’s Alliance of Kansas with firsthand experience.
SB 6
Banning Ranked Choice Voting
•SB 6 keeps elections simple and clear by sticking to the one-vote, one-winner system Kansans already know
•Ranked-choice voting confuses voters with multiple rounds and rankings, risking lower turnout and mistakes
•Banning RCV protects public trust in elections by avoiding a complicated process that can feel less transparent
•The current plurality system works fine—SB 6 ensures we don’t fix what isn’t broken
•RCV throws out ballots when voters don’t rank enough candidates, potentially silencing voices SB 5
Fair and Transparent Elections
•Ensures that all election- related funds are only accepted or expended by election officials if explicitly authorized by state law or acts of appropriation, enhancing transparency
•Prevents federal overreach by prohibiting government agencies from accepting unapproved federal funds for election administration unless appropriated by state law
• Addresses concerns raised by proponents about federal influence, such as Executive Order 14019, which could use taxpayer funds to sway elections through targeted voter registration efforts
•Protects Kansas taxpayers’ money by requiring legislative approval for any new federal election funding, ensuring expenditures reflect state priorities •Exempts the receipt and expenditure of federal funds specifically for election security, maintaining critical resources while still enforcing oversight on other election activities
•Aligns with existing practices, as confirmed by the Secretary of State’s neutral testimony, indicating that federal funds like those from the Help America Vote Act are already appropriated appropriately •Strengthens the Kansas Legislature’s authority by mandating that any new federal election-related funds be vetted and approved before distribution SB 126
Children’s Health Insurance Gets a Booster •One of the most important things we can do as legislators is make sure Kansas families have access to the healthcare they need. That’s why I’m supporting House Substitute for Senate Bill 126, which helps more kids get affordable healthcare by expanding eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill also sets up an improved newborn screening program, so we can catch and treat genetic conditions early. On top of that, it provides more funding for local health departments, ensuring communities— especially in rural areas— have the resources they need to care for families.
HB 2217
Auditing Assistance
One of my top priorities as your representative is making sure our government runs efficiently and responsibly. That’s why I’m supporting House Bill 2217, which expands the authority of the Office of the Inspector General to investigate and audit all state cash, food, and health assistance programs. This bill strengthens oversight by ensuring that taxpayer-funded programs are used properly and that fraud, waste, and abuse are identified and stopped. By giving the Inspector General greater ability to conduct audits and investigations, we’re making sure these programs serve the people who truly need them.
SB 58
Banking Your Water
Water is one of our most precious resources, and as Kansans, we understand the importance of managing it wisely for future generations. That’s why I am supporting Senate Bill 58, which improves the Multi-Year Flex Account (MYFA) program to give farmers and landowners more flexibility in how they use their water rights while ensuring long-term conservation. This bill allows water users to better plan their water usage over a five-year period without exceeding their overall allocation, preventing waste while maintaining fair access for all. By modernizing these water management tools, we are helping Kansas agriculture thrive while safeguarding our water supply.
To Verify if you have unclaimed property and to initiate the claim process, visit the official website. https://unclaimedproperty. ks.gov/.
To be added to the list to receive this newsletter, email [email protected] Dr. Duane Droge is serving on the following committees during the 2025 Session: Legislative Modernization; Water; Agriculture & Natural Resources; and Health & Human Services.
