Rising States of America

Hypocrisy Alert: Senate Debates "Let Counties Decide" While Bill Retroactively STRIPS Counties of All Water Control—Your Farm, Your Future at Risk!

Rising States of America — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:05:06 GMT

Dear Rising States readers,

If you've been following our coverage of HB2433—the so-called "Hays Water Bill"—you know this legislation is nothing short of a statewide assault on local water rights. In our previous posts, we've detailed how this bill would centralize control over water transfers in the hands of the state's Chief Engineer and Water Transfer…

Big Week In Topeka

Rising States of America — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:42:03 GMT

Property Tax relief is on everyone’s demands from legislators in Topeka, and tomorrow there is a rally at the capitol along with a legislative hearing on a total elimination of property taxes in Kansas:

Also, the alarm was sounded by grassroots on an attempt by cities to exclude county government from have any say in the future of water resources in thei…

Property Tax Freedom Rally Planned in Topeka

Rising States of America — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:14:41 GMT

Image source freestatenews.net - Check them out for Citizen Journalists for Accountable Goverment

The Senate Committee on Taxation will hold a hearing on SB 488 next Tuesday! Plan to be there if you can for the hearing and rally to follow! The hearing will be at the capitol building in room 548-S at 9:30 am.

Here is the article on the proposal we wrote wh…

Petition --- Stop the Green Scam in Kansas!

Rising States of America — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:39:01 GMT

This petition is to be delivered to your state legislators, and other local officials that might be considering GREEN SCAM legislation or programs.

As your constituent, I am asking you not to use any taxpayer funds to fuel initiatives that further a believe in man made global warming, or to any non-governmental organization (NGO’s) or non-profit organiza…

Urgent Alert: Act Now to Protect Local Water Rights!

Rising States of America — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:01:10 GMT

Fellow Kansans,

Today marks a critical escalation in the fight over HB 2433, the so-called "Hays Water Bill" that's poised to strip away county home rule powers across our state. After a rushed process, the bill has just passed out of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency, and Ethics, and it's now barreling toward the full Senate floor w…

Hays Water Bill Set to Drain County Control Across the State

Rising States of America — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:04:00 GMT

The Senate committee hearing on HB 2433 took place last Thursday, February 26, 2026, in Room 142-S before the Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics. What struck me most about the discussion was how frequently legislators referred to it as the "Hays Water Bill"—a shorthand that underscores its origins in addressing the long-standi…

HB 2433: A Water Grab That Puts Big Cities First and Leaves Rural Kansas High and Dry

Rising States of America — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:02:35 GMT

As Kansas grapples with its ongoing water crisis, House Bill 2433 has emerged as a contentious piece of legislation that, on the surface, aims to “clarify” authority over water transfers and appropriations. But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear this bill tips the scales heavily in favor of larger cities at the expense of rural counties. By stripping counties of their ability to regulate water movements within their borders, HB 2433 enables urban areas to siphon resources from rural regions without meaningful local oversight. This isn’t just about water—it’s about power, representation, and the potential for unintended consequences that could devastate small communities. Let’s break it down.

The Bill’s Core: Shifting Power from Counties to the State

HB 2433 amends K.S.A. 19-101a, the statute governing county home rule powers, by adding a new restriction: Counties can no longer enact or enforce resolutions that conflict with, duplicate, or exceed state oversight on water transfers or appropriations. This means no local permits, fees, conditions, or charges related to water movement—except for domestic wells regulated via zoning or sanitary codes. The authority shifts entirely to state entities like the Chief Engineer of the Division of Water Resources and the Water Transfer Hearing Panel. Proponents argue this ensures uniformity under state law, but critics see it as a blatant erosion of local control, applying retroactively to nullify existing county measures.

While the bill doesn’t explicitly hand power to cities, it effectively does so by removing barriers that rural counties use to protect their resources. Big cities, with more resources and political clout, can now push through state-approved transfers to pull water from distant counties where they have no stake or representation. This creates a scenario where urban demands override local interests, all without a truly neutral arbiter— the state panel, after all, may prioritize statewide economic growth over rural sustainability.

A Rushed Path Through the House: Slipping Under the Radar

HB 2433 didn’t face the scrutiny it deserved in the Kansas House, where it slipped through in a remarkably rushed final week. Introduced on January 12, 2026, after prefiling on January 9, it was quickly shuffled from the Water Committee to the Local Government Committee by January 13. A hearing was held on January 28, and the committee issued a favorable report just days later on February 3. From there, it accelerated: The Committee of the Whole advanced it on February 9, and final passage came the next day on February 10 with an overwhelming 116-6 vote.

This compressed timeline—especially the sprint from committee report to floor vote in under a week—left little room for deep debate amid a session already packed with divisive issues like culture wars and other fast-tracked bills. Only a handful of really conservative legislators raised concerns during the process, but by then, the inertia was unstoppable. The five GOP nay votes came from Reps. Bradley Barrett, Brett Fairchild, Samantha Poetter Parshall, Rebecca Schmoe, and Gary White—voices from the right who likely saw the bill as an overreach on local control, but their opposition came too late to halt the momentum. In a chamber dominated by party-line pushes, this bill glided through without the amendments or extended floor time it warranted.

The Hays Connection: A Clear Case of City-Driven Legislation

This bill didn’t materialize in a vacuum. It’s deeply tied to the long-running dispute over the R9 Ranch in Edwards County, where the cities of Hays and Russell have been fighting for over a decade to convert irrigation water rights for municipal use. Hays, facing chronic water shortages, purchased the ranch in the 1990’s and has since navigated state approvals, but Edwards County responded with zoning resolutions to protect local impacts like aquifer depletion, construction damages, and economic harm to agriculture.

Enter HB 2433, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Wasinger (R-Hays), chair of the House Local Government Committee. The bill’s timing is no coincidence—it’s designed to override Edwards County’s restrictions, allowing Hays to proceed with pipelines and transfers. Proponent testimony in the House hearing on January 28, 2026, was dominated by Hays interests: local chambers of commerce, businesses, and Hays residents testified in support, emphasizing that counties shouldn’t duplicate state regulations. Opponents were outnumbered, with only the Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC) speaking against it, calling it an overreach that centralizes power at the state level. Edwards County’s county attorney submitted written opposition, highlighting the bill’s role in ongoing litigation over R9.

If enacted, it could fast-track Hays’ project, setting a precedent for other cities to raid rural water supplies.

Favoring Cities Over Counties: The Rural Disadvantage

Rural counties like Edwards have little say in Topeka compared to urban powerhouses. With populations under 3,000, they lack the lobbyists and legislative muscle that bigger areas wield. HB 2433 exacerbates this by sidelining counties entirely, allowing cities to demand water from afar without addressing local fallout—think depleted aquifers, lost farm jobs, and strained infrastructure. Unintended consequences? Absolutely. What happens when the next drought hits and rural areas are left parched because their water was piped to growing cities? Or when small counties face legal battles they can’t afford against well-funded urban applicants?

The state oversight isn’t as neutral as it sounds. The Chief Engineer and panel focus on statewide metrics, often favoring economic development in population centers. Rural voices get drowned out, especially since the bill presumes any local regulation conflicts with state authority.1

The Silence of the Kansas Association of Counties

One glaring issue is the Kansas Association of Counties (KAC), which represents all counties but hasn’t strongly opposed HB 2433. Their fiscal note mentions potential increased costs for counties to comply but stops short of outright resistance. Why? Loyalties are split—larger counties with urban ties may benefit or stay neutral, while rural ones suffer. This dilutes KAC’s advocacy, leaving small counties without a unified voice in the legislature.

A Potential Game-Changer: Reviewing the Proposed Senate Amendment

As HB 2433 moves to the Senate, a proposed amendment—titled the “Kansas Areas and Activities of State Interest Act”—has surfaced, which could significantly alter the bill’s impact. This amendment, if adopted, would enact a new framework empowering both cities and counties to designate and regulate “projects of statewide importance,” including large-scale water supply systems, energy facilities, transportation projects, and natural resource extractions that cross boundaries or have major local effects.

For rural counties, this proposed change offers several key benefits that could counteract the original bill’s centralization of power:

- Restored Local Control and Permitting Authority: Counties would gain the ability to require permits for big projects like water transfers or pipelines, allowing them to address direct impacts on roads, bridges, emergency services, water quality, and soil conservation. This is a direct win for places like Edwards County, where officials could enforce setbacks, screenings, or mitigation measures to protect aquifers and farmland—tools stripped away by the House version.

- Protection of Infrastructure and Resources: The amendment explicitly recognizes the “distinct local character” of these projects and authorizes regulations to safeguard economic activity, property values, and community character. Rural areas, often bearing the brunt of infrastructure strain from distant urban demands, could demand financial security bonds for site restoration or decommissioning, ensuring they’re not left with depleted resources or environmental damage.

- Balanced Oversight with State Preservation: While preserving the Division of Water Resources’ authority over water appropriations, the amendment clarifies that local regulations are a valid exercise of home rule powers. This creates a more neutral process, requiring public hearings and specific findings for permit denials, which could give rural counties a stronger voice in state-level decisions without fully preempting them.

- Broader Safeguards for Rural Economies: By including exemptions only for true agricultural uses (excluding commercial energy projects on ag land), the amendment helps prevent exploitation of rural landscapes. It could mitigate unintended consequences like job losses in farming by requiring compatibility with local comprehensive plans and impact assessments.

If this amendment is added in the Senate, it could transform HB 2433 from a rural disadvantage into a more equitable system, providing rural counties with the tools to negotiate fair terms and protect their vital resources. However, as of now, it’s just a proposal—its fate depends on the upcoming hearing.

A Path Forward: Insights from Edwards County Citizens

In conversations with Edwards County residents, a potential compromise has surfaced: Amend the bill to include mandatory local impact assessments or veto rights for affected counties in transfers exceeding certain volumes. This could ensure neutral oversight, perhaps through an expanded panel with rural representation, balancing city needs with rural protections. Without such tweaks, HB 2433 remains a raw deal for places like Edwards, Pawnee, or any rural spot eyed for its water.

A Narrow Window in the Senate: Act Now to Protect Rural Water Rights

The House’s rushed approval has left a very small time window before the Senate takes this up. HB 2433 is now in the Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics, with a hearing scheduled for next Thursday, February 26, 2026. This is our chance to push back—citizens need to email the committee members ASAP to voice concerns and demand protections for rural counties’ water rights. Key members include:

- Chair: Sen. Elaine Bowers (R)

- Vice Chair: Sen. Ronald Ryckman (R)

- Sen. Tory Marie Blew (R)

- Sen. Troy Bowser (R)

- Sen. Kenny Titus (R)

Tell them this bill favors big cities over rural interests and needs amendments for fair, neutral oversight, and this bill needs to voted “NO” without clear protections for rural counties.

DATA CENTER CONCERNS?

Time to Act: Stop HB 2433 in Its Current Form

This bill may solve Hays’ problems, but it creates bigger ones for rural Kansas. It’s innovative for cities, sure, but at what cost? Unchecked urban expansion could accelerate the decline of our agricultural heartland. Contact your senators and the committee before the February 26 hearing—demand amendments for fair representation and local safeguards. Rural Kansas deserves better than being a water ATM for the big cities. Let’s rework this into something equitable, or scrap it altogether.

https://kansascounties.org/news/718854/January-23-2026-Legislative-Update-by-Jay-Hall.htm

UPDATE Slush Fund = Killed for 2026

Rising States of America — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:22:06 GMT

FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR

Contact your State Representative NOW and tell them to be a “NO” on HB2063 - Slush Fund!

Real Leadership Step Up NOW on Property Tax Reform

Rising States of America — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:37:55 GMT

In my previous article, "A Breath of Fresh Air in Kansas: Ending the Property Tax Nightmare," I outlined how our current property tax system is suffocating homeowners, retirees, and families across the state. Skyrocketing appraisals and opaque mill levies have turned what should be a fair contribution into an unpredictable burden, discouraging homeowner…

A Breath of Fresh Air in Kansas: Ending the Property Tax Nightmare

Rising States of America — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:32:45 GMT

For too long, Kansas homeowners—and drivers—have been the unwitting ATM for state and local governments. Property taxes have skyrocketed, driven by ever-rising appraisals, convoluted mill levies, and a system that treats your home and your car like perpetual cash cows—regardless of whether you're selling, moving, or just trying to get to work. Property owners, often fixed-income retirees or families stretching every dollar, shoulder the full burden of funding schools, roads, police, and parks that everyone in the state uses. It's an outdated, unfair relic that punishes ownership, distorts the market, and hits drivers with annual vehicle taxes year after year.

But now, a Kansas State Senator, Mike Murphy, is flipping the script with a bold, innovative pair of proposals: Senate Concurrent Resolution 1621 (SCR 1621) and Senate Bill 488 (SB 488), the Kansas Property Tax Freedom Act of 2026. If passed and approved by voters in November 2026, this duo would abolish all property taxes—on homes, land, and personal property like cars—by the end of 2027, replacing them with a simple, consumption-based surcharge that spreads the load to all users of government services. It's a refreshing reset that puts fairness first and bureaucracy last.

The Core Problem: Property Owners (and Drivers) as the State's Personal Piggy Bank

Kansas property taxes have ballooned in recent years, fueled by aggressive reassessments and local spending sprees. Homeowners face complex formulas they barely understand—mill rates, appraised values tied to hypothetical sales. Drivers get slammed with annual vehicle property taxes at registration time, even on cars they've owned for years. Most folks aren't flipping houses or trading vehicles constantly; they're raising families, commuting, or retiring in place. Yet they're forced to subsidize services that benefit tourists, renters, businesses, and non-owners alike.

This isn't sustainable. It discourages homeownership, inflates housing costs, burdens mobility, and creates a vicious cycle where governments chase higher valuations instead of cutting waste.

The Solution: A Constitutional Ban on All Property Taxes

SCR 1621 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit any property taxes by the state or local subdivisions on real or personal property after December 31, 2027. (A phased wind-down handles 2026 and 2027.) Voters decide in November 2026.

Paired with it, SB 488 makes it real:

- Phased Elimination: Property taxes (including on vehicles) drop to 50% of 2025 levels in 2026, 25% in 2027, and zero thereafter. During the transition, the state provides revenue replacement grants to local governments, schools, and counties, funded from the new surcharge.
- The Kansas Fair Share Purchase Surcharge: Starting January 1, 2027, a flat, easy-to-understand charge on every retail purchase:
- Under $20: 7.6% of the price.
- $20 or more: A simple $1.60 per transaction.

Collected like sales tax and distributed:
- 48% to school districts (proportional to old shares).
- 35% to counties, cities, townships, etc.
- 12% to the state general fund.
- 5% to a Property Tax Freedom Reserve Fund—for buffers, transition, and potential "freedom dividend" rebates.

Exemptions keep it family-friendly: groceries (SNAP-eligible), prescription drugs, medical devices, motor fuel, rent/mortgage payments, utilities, child care, and K-12 tuition.

Kansas Property Tax Freedom: A Game-Changer for Mortgage Holders, First-Time Buyers, and Drivers

This isn't just relief for homeowners—it's a seismic shift across the board. Phasing out all property taxes by 2028 delivers massive wins:

- Mortgage Holders: Escrow for the "T" in PITI shrinks dramatically (50% in 2026, 25% in 2027, gone by 2028), cutting monthly payments by hundreds and freeing cash flow.
- New Buyers: Lower PITI boosts affordability, eases DTI ratios for loans, and expands buying power—making the American Dream more reachable.
- Car Owners: Annual vehicle property taxes vanish in stages—half in 2026, a quarter in 2027, zero from 2028. Registration renewals get simpler and cheaper, no more yearly "tax on wheels."

The surcharge spreads costs to everyone shopping in Kansas—without hitting home equity or vehicle ownership directly.

Why This is a Game-Changer

1. Fairness for All: Owners and drivers no longer foot the bill alone. Shop, eat out, buy goods? You contribute.
2. Simplicity: Goodbye appraisers, mill rates, appeals—and annual car tax bills. Just a straightforward surcharge on what you choose to buy.
3. Economic Boost: Relief for families, retirees, commuters; indirect wins for renters; thriving businesses; protected reserve fund.
4. Local Control Preserved: Schools and cities funded without property tax handcuffs; bonds need voter approval.

This is grounded in Kansas values—limited government, personal responsibility—and gaining traction. As of mid-February 2026, the bills are in early committee stages.

A Model for the Rising States

Kansas must lead on this: Ditch the archaic property tax machine for a modern, equitable system. Other states could follow, sparking affordable housing, stronger mobility, and fiscal sanity.

Kansans: Spread the word about this proposal. We will be tracking this legislation as it likely will get a committee hearing in the near future. That will require citizens like you, to be ready to provide testimony in support of this initiative. It will take a tremendous amount of support to get this on the November 2026 ballot. Rising States of America salutes this bold stand against tax tyranny. Freedom from property taxes—on homes and cars—is within reach.

What do you think? Are you ready for your mortgage and car tag renewals to go down?

-David Schneider

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UPDATE The Same Old Greenie Slush Fund Returns – Even Republicans Can't Resist Expanding Government

Rising States of America — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:08:24 GMT

***UPDATE*** This bill (HB 2063) was not taken up before the legislative deadline, and is considered “killed”. That is not to say that it clearly had GOP support to get out of committee this year, and that is something to watch as these legislators are waiting for their opportunity to move this forward in the future.

UPDATE Kansas Joins the Convention of States: A Historic Victory for Grassroots Activism

Rising States of America — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:14:24 GMT

Hello, fellow patriots! This is Rising States of America, coming to you from the heart of the Midwest in Kansas. January 22, 2026, marks a monumental day for Kansas and the entire nation as the Sunflower State becomes the 20th to join the Convention of States (COS) effort. With the final passage of SCR 1604 in the Kansas House of Representatives, Kansas…

The Green Grab Reloaded: Slush Fund Lobbyists Keep Pushing and Some Legislators Keep Listening

Rising States of America — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:25:08 GMT

Kansas is broke by 2029 unless someone slams the brakes. That’s not hyperbole; it’s the Kansas Legislative Research Department’s own forecast. Since 2018, general-fund spending has exploded 64 %—more than double inflation—driven by court-mandated K-12 bloat, one-time COVID cash turned permanent, and a Democratic governor who’s added thousands of state e…

The ‘No Kings’ Rallies: A Manufactured Spectacle of Media Hype, NGO Funding, and Political Theater

Rising States of America — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 20:59:06 GMT

Photo courtesy of veritenews.org

In the wake of yesterday’s “

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No Kings” rallies across the United States, we’re left with a stark contrast between the breathless pre-event promotion and the underwhelming reality on the ground. Organizers claimed millions would flood the streets in a nationwide uprising against President Trump’s administration, but eyewitn…

Kansas Can’t Wait To Redraw

Rising States of America — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:26:09 GMT

Democratic-run states didn’t wait to stack the deck. Look at Illinois, where the 2021 congressional plan was widely scored as advantaging Democrats by independent analysts like the Princeton Gerrymandering Project (PGP). Gerrymander
Even in Connecticut, a “bipartisan” commission left in place a contorted map that protects incumbents and preserves a Democ…

Fully Funded, Fully Failing

Rising States of America — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:18:23 GMT

Governor Laura Kelly likes to boast that Kansas schools have been “fully funded for seven years in a row.” That sounds impressive—until you look at the results. Student achievement is falling, standards are slipping, and outcomes are worse than ever before. Kansans are paying more, but our children are learning less.

Why? Because teachers unions and the …

The Kansas Governor’s Race: Who Will Lead Conservatives Forward? - POLL

Rising States of America — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:47:15 GMT

The 2026 Kansas governor’s race is already shaping up to be one of the most important primaries in our state’s recent history. The Republican field is coming into focus, and conservatives across Kansas must begin asking: Who should be our standard-bearer?

I am Charlie

Rising States of America — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:18:25 GMT

The news hit like a thunderclap last week: Charlie Kirk, the fiery conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was gunned down while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

In the days since, as the nation grapples with this senseless act of violence, I've found myself reflecting deeply on Charlie's life and legacy. He wasn't just …

Calling All Kansas Patriots - Senate Set to Debate Convention of States

Rising States of America — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 21:14:32 GMT

Tomorrow, the Kansas Senate will debate one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in our state's history: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1604. If passed, Kansas will join 19 other states in calling for a Convention of States to rein in the overreach of the federal government and put permanent constitutional barriers in place to prevent futur…

Democrats - Antics and Outrage

Rising States of America — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:33:04 GMT

Democratic at various levels have increasingly employed strategies centered on performative outrage and sensationalism. This approach appears designed to provoke reactions from their Republican counterparts, thereby diverting attention from substantive policy discussions and reforms.

The Squad's Staged Protests