By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Police arrested a Kansas man after he allegedly led police on a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph early Thursday.

Officers were called to the Country Inn and Suites, 2760 S. Ninth Street, for the report of a fight on the third floor, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

When officers arrived, several people were leaving, as was a dark-color Nissan passenger car. An officer turned on the patrol vehicle's overhead lights and stopped in front of the Nissan, which went around the patrol vehicle and headed north on S. Ninth Street at a high rate of speed, Forrester said.

Another officer caught sight of the Nissan as it approached the intersection with W. Magnolia Road. At that point, still driving at a high rate of speed, it attempted to pass two vehicles by jumping the east curb and driving on the grass, nearly hitting one of the vehicles, Forrester said.

For safety reasons, the pursuit was terminated, however, an officer at the hotel had captured the image of the Nissan's driver and another officer identified him as Brandon Stapleton, 25, of Salina.

Forrester said officers made contact with Stapleton at his residence in the 100 block of S College Avenue and took him into custody.

Stapleton is being held on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, Reckless driving and Interference with a law enforcement officer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660837561231.jpeg" alt="Brandon Stapleton. Photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Brandon Stapleton. Photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostPolice arrested a Kansas man after he allegedly led police on a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph early Thursday.Officers were called to the Country Inn and Suites, 2760 S. Ninth Street, for the report of a fight on the third floor, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.When officers arrived, several people were leaving, as was a dark-color Nissan passenger car. An officer turned on the patrol vehicle's overhead lights and stopped in front of the Nissan, which went around the patrol vehicle and headed north on S. Ninth Street at a high rate of speed, Forrester said.Another officer caught sight of the Nissan as it approached the intersection with W. Magnolia Road. At that point, still driving at a high rate of speed, it attempted to pass two vehicles by jumping the east curb and driving on the grass, nearly hitting one of the vehicles, Forrester said.For safety reasons, the pursuit was terminated, however, an officer at the hotel had captured the image of the Nissan's driver and another officer identified him as Brandon Stapleton, 25, of Salina.Forrester said officers made contact with Stapleton at his residence in the 100 block of S College Avenue and took him into custody.Stapleton is being held on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, Reckless driving and Interference with a law enforcement officer.

Kansas man captured after motel fight, 100 mph chase

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered sex offender on new allegations.&nbsp;

On August 16,&nbsp; the police executed a search warrant on a residence in El Dorado, Kansas, according to a media release.

The search warrant was done as part of an investigation reported by way of a cyber tip, received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), alleging the sexual exploitation of children through the use of electronic devices. 

This search warrant led to the arrest of 38-year-old Thomas Lee Pennycuff, who is a registered offender living in the community.

He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated internet trading of child pornography and child exploitation. In 2011, Pennycuff was convicted in Sedgwick County of electronic sexual solicitation of a child under the age of 16, according to the offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660742067025.png" alt="Pennycuff-photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Pennycuff-photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered sex offender on new allegations.&nbsp;On August 16,&nbsp; the police executed a search warrant on a residence in El Dorado, Kansas, according to a media release.The search warrant was done as part of an investigation reported by way of a cyber tip, received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), alleging the sexual exploitation of children through the use of electronic devices. This search warrant led to the arrest of 38-year-old Thomas Lee Pennycuff, who is a registered offender living in the community.He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated internet trading of child pornography and child exploitation. In 2011, Pennycuff was convicted in Sedgwick County of electronic sexual solicitation of a child under the age of 16, according to the offender registry.

Kansas sex offender accused of trading online child porn

By JOHN HANNA, AARON M. KESSLER, NUHA DOLBY and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An increase in turnout among Democrats and independents and a notable shift in Republican-leaning counties contributed to the overwhelming support of abortion rights last week in traditionally conservative Kansas, according to a detailed Associated Press analysis of the voting results.

A proposed state constitutional amendment would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to tighten restrictions or ban abortions outright. But Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">voters rejected the measure</a>&nbsp;by nearly 20 percentage points, almost a mirror of Republican Donald Trump's statewide margin over Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

In the aftermath of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">U.S. Supreme Court's decision to repeal a woman's constitutional right to an abortion</a>, the threat of new restrictions in the state galvanized Democrats and independents more than anticipated. At the same time, Republicans showed less interest in turning out to support the measure.

The findings reinforce a sense in both parties that the Supreme Court's decision may have altered the dynamics of this year's midterm elections. Here's how it played out:

In 2020, Trump carried Kansas by 18 points. Last week, not a single county in the state favored the ballot measure as much as it had supported the former president, the AP found.

In 99 of the state’s 105 counties, support for the abortion measure was more than 10 percentage points lower than its support for Trump against Biden. In 29 of those counties, that difference was more than 20 points.

And in 14 Kansas counties that Trump won, majorities rejected the amendment.

“The anti-abortion politicians have just overplayed their hand on these bans,” said Tamarra Wieder, director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates in Kentucky, where another abortion measure will be on the ballot in November.

The Kansas county with the largest drop from the presidential election to the abortion referendum was Greenwood, in rural southeast Kansas. Trump won nearly 80% of the vote there in 2020, but there was about a 30-point shift on abortion, with voters narrowly favoring “no,” the position that leaves abortion rights in place for women in Kansas.

Beyond counties that flipped entirely, dozens of deeply Republican counties saw voters favor the abortion amendment as expected, but by much narrower margins than their preference for Trump two years ago. Near Topeka, for example, 72% of voters in Pottawatomie County backed the former president’s re-election, while just 57% supported the amendment.

Abortion opponents said they were stunned by the margin of the results.

“I was surprised for sure,” said Ruth Tisdale, executive director of the Advice and Aid Pregnancy Center. “I thought that it would be a closer outcome either way. I didn’t have a strong sense of whether it would pass or not, but I thought that it would be closer, you know, 51 to 49 kind of thing. ... It was very sad.”

It wasn’t just the amendment’s margin of defeat that jolted the political consciousness. It was also the seam-busting turnout in what otherwise should have been a normal, low-turnout primary in a midterm election year.

The latest AP tallies show that more than 922,000 votes were cast by Kansas voters on the abortion referendum. That’s roughly twice as many voters as turned out for the state’s previous midterm primary election in 2018, and it’s about as many as turn out for Kansas’ midterm general elections in some years. Overall turnout — 48% of registered voters — outpaced the 34% turnout for the 2020 presidential primaries.

The most recent electorate also was considerably less Republican than in a typical Kansas primary. From 2010 through 2020, Republican primary ballots outnumbered non-Republican ballots by about 2-to-1. In last week’s election, according to the Kansas secretary of state’s office, the two groups turned out in nearly equal numbers.

Advocates on both sides of the amendment spent more than $14 million blanketing Kansas with ads and signs, knocking on doors and calling voters, according to state campaign finance reports.

That effort helped attract an unusual variable in Kansas primaries: independent voters. That group is eligible to vote on referenda but not for candidates running in any party primary. But campaign ads emphasized that “no affiliation” voters could indeed vote on the abortion question. It worked: Around 184,000 more votes were cast for the abortion amendment than voted for governor, a likely barometer to measure their portion of the electorate.

“The decision to overturn Roe really was a wake-up call for more moderate voters,” said Ashley All, a spokesperson for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, a group that fought against the ballot measure.

The result from Kansas is rippling into numerous other states.

In Georgia, the membership for NARAL Pro-Choice America jumped from 53,000 to more than 80,000 and could hit 100,000 by the November election, said Alicia Stallworth, the director of NARAL campaigns in the Southeastern U.S.

“I don’t think this is something that disappears,” Stallworth said of the current energy among abortion rights advocates.

Abortion-rights advocates said the decision to strike down Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 case that recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion, energized many voters who had assumed abortion access was safe.

“It was such a beacon of light in this moment,” said Helen Shumaker, director of state abortion access at the National Women’s Law Center, of the Kansas vote. “I think there is energy around ballot measures for the foreseeable future.”

In Ohio, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Nan Whaley has called for a statewide ballot question on a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights as soon as 2023.

In South Dakota, a group called Dakotans for Health is pushing a similar ballot initiative in 2024. And in Colorado, advocates want a 2024 referendum that could allow public funding for abortion.

But getting measures on ballots without going through a state legislature can be difficult. The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which advises liberal groups on initiative campaigns, advises the process could take three years.

In half of the states, including Kansas, only lawmakers can put propositions on the statewide ballot. That means in Texas, which bans most abortions, the only options are to wait for legislators to put an initiative to a vote—as anti-abortion lawmakers did in Kansas — or vote out the incumbents.

“In Texas we know that’s why we’re losing,” said Delma Catalina Limones, communications director for Avow, an abortion-rights group in that state.

But despite the apparent confidence of Kansas legislators to put the abortion amendment on the ballot this month, their expectations were upended by the resounding defeat.

Value Them Both Coalition, the main group in Kansas that fought in favor of the amendment, called it a “temporary setback” and promised in a statement that “our dedicated fight to value women and babies is far from over.”

By JOHN HANNA, AARON M. KESSLER, NUHA DOLBY and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTHTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An increase in turnout among Democrats and independents and a notable shift in Republican-leaning counties contributed to the overwhelming support of abortion rights last week in traditionally conservative Kansas, according to a detailed Associated Press analysis of the voting results.A proposed state constitutional amendment would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to tighten restrictions or ban abortions outright. But Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">voters rejected the measure</a>&nbsp;by nearly 20 percentage points, almost a mirror of Republican Donald Trump's statewide margin over Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.In the aftermath of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">U.S. Supreme Court's decision to repeal a woman's constitutional right to an abortion</a>, the threat of new restrictions in the state galvanized Democrats and independents more than anticipated. At the same time, Republicans showed less interest in turning out to support the measure.The findings reinforce a sense in both parties that the Supreme Court's decision may have altered the dynamics of this year's midterm elections. Here's how it played out:‘OVERPLAYED THEIR HAND’In 2020, Trump carried Kansas by 18 points. Last week, not a single county in the state favored the ballot measure as much as it had supported the former president, the AP found.In 99 of the state’s 105 counties, support for the abortion measure was more than 10 percentage points lower than its support for Trump against Biden. In 29 of those counties, that difference was more than 20 points.And in 14 Kansas counties that Trump won, majorities rejected the amendment.“The anti-abortion politicians have just overplayed their hand on these bans,” said Tamarra Wieder, director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates in Kentucky, where another abortion measure will be on the ballot in November.The Kansas county with the largest drop from the presidential election to the abortion referendum was Greenwood, in rural southeast Kansas. Trump won nearly 80% of the vote there in 2020, but there was about a 30-point shift on abortion, with voters narrowly favoring “no,” the position that leaves abortion rights in place for women in Kansas.Beyond counties that flipped entirely, dozens of deeply Republican counties saw voters favor the abortion amendment as expected, but by much narrower margins than their preference for Trump two years ago. Near Topeka, for example, 72% of voters in Pottawatomie County backed the former president’s re-election, while just 57% supported the amendment.Abortion opponents said they were stunned by the margin of the results.“I was surprised for sure,” said Ruth Tisdale, executive director of the Advice and Aid Pregnancy Center. “I thought that it would be a closer outcome either way. I didn’t have a strong sense of whether it would pass or not, but I thought that it would be closer, you know, 51 to 49 kind of thing. ... It was very sad.”HUGE TURNOUT, SURGE OF INDEPENDENTSIt wasn’t just the amendment’s margin of defeat that jolted the political consciousness. It was also the seam-busting turnout in what otherwise should have been a normal, low-turnout primary in a midterm election year.The latest AP tallies show that more than 922,000 votes were cast by Kansas voters on the abortion referendum. That’s roughly twice as many voters as turned out for the state’s previous midterm primary election in 2018, and it’s about as many as turn out for Kansas’ midterm general elections in some years. Overall turnout — 48% of registered voters — outpaced the 34% turnout for the 2020 presidential primaries.The most recent electorate also was considerably less Republican than in a typical Kansas primary. From 2010 through 2020, Republican primary ballots outnumbered non-Republican ballots by about 2-to-1. In last week’s election, according to the Kansas secretary of state’s office, the two groups turned out in nearly equal numbers.Advocates on both sides of the amendment spent more than $14 million blanketing Kansas with ads and signs, knocking on doors and calling voters, according to state campaign finance reports.That effort helped attract an unusual variable in Kansas primaries: independent voters. That group is eligible to vote on referenda but not for candidates running in any party primary. But campaign ads emphasized that “no affiliation” voters could indeed vote on the abortion question. It worked: Around 184,000 more votes were cast for the abortion amendment than voted for governor, a likely barometer to measure their portion of the electorate.“The decision to overturn Roe really was a wake-up call for more moderate voters,” said Ashley All, a spokesperson for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, a group that fought against the ballot measure.‘ENERGY AROUND BALLOT MEASURES’The result from Kansas is rippling into numerous other states.In Georgia, the membership for NARAL Pro-Choice America jumped from 53,000 to more than 80,000 and could hit 100,000 by the November election, said Alicia Stallworth, the director of NARAL campaigns in the Southeastern U.S.“I don’t think this is something that disappears,” Stallworth said of the current energy among abortion rights advocates.Abortion-rights advocates said the decision to strike down Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 case that recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion, energized many voters who had assumed abortion access was safe.“It was such a beacon of light in this moment,” said Helen Shumaker, director of state abortion access at the National Women’s Law Center, of the Kansas vote. “I think there is energy around ballot measures for the foreseeable future.”In Ohio, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Nan Whaley has called for a statewide ballot question on a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights as soon as 2023.In South Dakota, a group called Dakotans for Health is pushing a similar ballot initiative in 2024. And in Colorado, advocates want a 2024 referendum that could allow public funding for abortion.But getting measures on ballots without going through a state legislature can be difficult. The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which advises liberal groups on initiative campaigns, advises the process could take three years.‘WHY WE’RE LOSING'In half of the states, including Kansas, only lawmakers can put propositions on the statewide ballot. That means in Texas, which bans most abortions, the only options are to wait for legislators to put an initiative to a vote—as anti-abortion lawmakers did in Kansas — or vote out the incumbents.“In Texas we know that’s why we’re losing,” said Delma Catalina Limones, communications director for Avow, an abortion-rights group in that state.But despite the apparent confidence of Kansas legislators to put the abortion amendment on the ballot this month, their expectations were upended by the resounding defeat.Value Them Both Coalition, the main group in Kansas that fought in favor of the amendment, called it a “temporary setback” and promised in a statement that “our dedicated fight to value women and babies is far from over.”___

Kansas abortion vote shows limits of GOP’s strength

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a double homicide in Kansas City.

Just after 5p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1500 Block of Haskell Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp;

At the scene, officers found two men dead from apparent gunshot wounds outside a home. The KCK Police Department Major Crimes Unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; Police reported no additional details early Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660820022458.png" alt="First responders near the scene of the investigation Thursday -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders near the scene of the investigation Thursday -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a double homicide in Kansas City.Just after 5p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1500 Block of Haskell Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp;At the scene, officers found two men dead from apparent gunshot wounds outside a home. The KCK Police Department Major Crimes Unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; Police reported no additional details early Thursday.

Homicide: 2 found dead outside Kansas home

NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the nation's top public health agency on Wednesday announced a shake-up of the organization, saying it fell short responding to COVID-19 and needs to become more nimble.

The planned changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — CDC leaders call it a “reset”— come amid criticism of the agency's response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>, monkeypox and other public health threats. The changes include internal staffing moves and steps to speed up data releases.

The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told the agency's staff about the changes on Wednesday. It's a CDC initiative, and was not directed by the White House or other administration officials, she said.

“I feel like it's my my responsibility to lead this agency to a better place after a really challenging three years,” Walensky told The Associated Press.

The Atlanta-based agency, with a $12 billion budget and more than 11,000 employees, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. It’s customary for each CDC director to do some reorganizing, but Walensky’s action comes amid a wider demand for change.

The agency has long been criticized as too ponderous, focusing on collection and analysis of data but not acting quickly against new health threats. Public unhappiness with the agency grew dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts said the CDC was slow to recognize how much virus was entering the U.S. from Europe, to recommend people wear masks, to say the virus can spread through the air, and to ramp up systematic testing for new variants.

“We saw during COVID that CDC’s structures, frankly, weren’t designed to take in information, digest it and disseminate it to the public at the speed necessary,” said Jason Schwartz, a health policy researcher at the Yale School of Public Health.

Walensky, who became director in January 2021, has long said the agency has to move faster and communicate better, but stumbles have continued during her tenure. In April, she called for an in-depth review of the agency, which resulted in the announced changes.

"It’s not lost on me that we fell short in many ways” responding to the coronavirus, Walensky said. "We had some pretty public mistakes, and so much of this effort was to hold up the mirror ... to understand where and how we could do better."

Her reorganization proposal must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services secretary. CDC officials say they hope to have a full package of changes finalized, approved and underway by early next year.

Some changes still are being formulated, but steps announced Wednesday include:

—Increasing use of preprint scientific reports to get out actionable data, instead of waiting for research to go through peer review and publication by the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

—Restructuring the agency's communications office and further revamping CDC websites to make the agency's guidance for the public more clear and easier to find.

—Altering the length of time agency leaders are devoted to outbreak responses to a minimum of six months — an effort to address a turnover problem that at times caused knowledge gaps and affected the agency’s communications.

—Creation of a new executive council to help Walensky set strategy and priorities.

—Appointing Mary Wakefield as senior counselor to implement the changes. Wakefield headed the Health Resources and Services Administration during the Obama administration and also served as the No. 2 administrator at HHS. Wakefield, 68, started Monday.

—Altering the agency's organization chart to undo some changes made during the Trump administration.

—Establishing an office of intergovernmental affairs to smooth partnerships with other agencies, as well as a higher-level office on health equity.

Walensky also said she intends to “get rid of some of the reporting layers that exist, and I'd like to work to break down some of the silos." She did not say exactly what that may entail, but emphasized that the overall changes are less about redrawing the organization chart than rethinking how the CDC does business and motivates staff.

“This will not be simply moving boxes" on the organization chart, she said.

Schwartz said flaws in the federal response go beyond the CDC, because the White House and other agencies were heavily involved.

A CDC reorganization is a positive step but “I hope it's not the end of the story,” Schwartz said. He would like to see "a broader accounting” of how the federal government handles health crises.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637359841305.png" alt="The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told the agency's staff about the changes on Wednesday. It's a CDC initiative, and was not directed by the White House or other administration officials, she said.- White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told the agency's staff about the changes on Wednesday. It's a CDC initiative, and was not directed by the White House or other administration officials, she said.- White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the nation's top public health agency on Wednesday announced a shake-up of the organization, saying it fell short responding to COVID-19 and needs to become more nimble.The planned changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — CDC leaders call it a “reset”— come amid criticism of the agency's response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>, monkeypox and other public health threats. The changes include internal staffing moves and steps to speed up data releases.The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told the agency's staff about the changes on Wednesday. It's a CDC initiative, and was not directed by the White House or other administration officials, she said.“I feel like it's my my responsibility to lead this agency to a better place after a really challenging three years,” Walensky told The Associated Press.The Atlanta-based agency, with a $12 billion budget and more than 11,000 employees, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. It’s customary for each CDC director to do some reorganizing, but Walensky’s action comes amid a wider demand for change.The agency has long been criticized as too ponderous, focusing on collection and analysis of data but not acting quickly against new health threats. Public unhappiness with the agency grew dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts said the CDC was slow to recognize how much virus was entering the U.S. from Europe, to recommend people wear masks, to say the virus can spread through the air, and to ramp up systematic testing for new variants.“We saw during COVID that CDC’s structures, frankly, weren’t designed to take in information, digest it and disseminate it to the public at the speed necessary,” said Jason Schwartz, a health policy researcher at the Yale School of Public Health.Walensky, who became director in January 2021, has long said the agency has to move faster and communicate better, but stumbles have continued during her tenure. In April, she called for an in-depth review of the agency, which resulted in the announced changes."It’s not lost on me that we fell short in many ways” responding to the coronavirus, Walensky said. "We had some pretty public mistakes, and so much of this effort was to hold up the mirror ... to understand where and how we could do better."Her reorganization proposal must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services secretary. CDC officials say they hope to have a full package of changes finalized, approved and underway by early next year.Some changes still are being formulated, but steps announced Wednesday include:—Increasing use of preprint scientific reports to get out actionable data, instead of waiting for research to go through peer review and publication by the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.—Restructuring the agency's communications office and further revamping CDC websites to make the agency's guidance for the public more clear and easier to find.—Altering the length of time agency leaders are devoted to outbreak responses to a minimum of six months — an effort to address a turnover problem that at times caused knowledge gaps and affected the agency’s communications.—Creation of a new executive council to help Walensky set strategy and priorities.—Appointing Mary Wakefield as senior counselor to implement the changes. Wakefield headed the Health Resources and Services Administration during the Obama administration and also served as the No. 2 administrator at HHS. Wakefield, 68, started Monday.—Altering the agency's organization chart to undo some changes made during the Trump administration.—Establishing an office of intergovernmental affairs to smooth partnerships with other agencies, as well as a higher-level office on health equity.Walensky also said she intends to “get rid of some of the reporting layers that exist, and I'd like to work to break down some of the silos." She did not say exactly what that may entail, but emphasized that the overall changes are less about redrawing the organization chart than rethinking how the CDC does business and motivates staff.“This will not be simply moving boxes" on the organization chart, she said.Schwartz said flaws in the federal response go beyond the CDC, because the White House and other agencies were heavily involved.A CDC reorganization is a positive step but “I hope it's not the end of the story,” Schwartz said. He would like to see "a broader accounting” of how the federal government handles health crises.

CDC announces shake-up, citing COVID mistakes

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal July 16 shooting continue asking the public for help to locate a Kansas felon.

Just after 9:30 p.m. July 16, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 Block of SW 8th Street in Topeka, according to Police LT Ronnie Connell.

First responders found <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/bv3sq?member=20743751&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">34-year-old&nbsp; Kirk Sexton </a>suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Topeka Police Department wants to speak with Emmanuel Rashad Walker, 35, of Topeka in reference to this homicide investigation.

 Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault in 2009 and for, obstruction and drug possession in 2019, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Emmanuel Rashad Walker should call police or 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658512386623.png" alt="&nbsp;Emmanuel Rashad Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault, obstruction and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Emmanuel Rashad Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault, obstruction and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal July 16 shooting continue asking the public for help to locate a Kansas felon.Just after 9:30 p.m. July 16, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 Block of SW 8th Street in Topeka, according to Police LT Ronnie Connell.First responders found <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/bv3sq?member=20743751&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">34-year-old&nbsp; Kirk Sexton </a>suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.The Topeka Police Department wants to speak with Emmanuel Rashad Walker, 35, of Topeka in reference to this homicide investigation. Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault in 2009 and for, obstruction and drug possession in 2019, according to the Kansas Department of CorrectionsAnyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Emmanuel Rashad Walker should call police or 911.

Search continues for Kansas murder suspect

GREENWOOD COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol continues working to identify the victim of a fatal accident that occurred just after 10p.m. August 4, in Greenwood County.

The patrol reported a vehicle was westbound on U.S 54 twenty miles east of U.S. 77. It crossed the center line and struck an eastbound semi head-on.

Due to the circumstances, authorities have been unable to identify the female victim from out of state, according to Trooper Brett Goins.&nbsp; Authorities are waiting for the result of a DNA test to confirm her identification. The driver of the other vehicle was able to escape.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available

GREENWOOD COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol continues working to identify the victim of a fatal accident that occurred just after 10p.m. August 4, in Greenwood County.The patrol reported a vehicle was westbound on U.S 54 twenty miles east of U.S. 77. It crossed the center line and struck an eastbound semi head-on.Due to the circumstances, authorities have been unable to identify the female victim from out of state, according to Trooper Brett Goins.&nbsp; Authorities are waiting for the result of a DNA test to confirm her identification. The driver of the other vehicle was able to escape.Check the Post for additional details as they become available

After 2 weeks, KHP still working to ID victim in head-on crash

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who've 
yet to file their 2021 federal income tax return to make sure they take 
advantage of the deductions and credits for which they're entitled and 
to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file electronically</a> as soon as possible.

"Each year, eligible taxpayers overlook money saving deductions and 
credits that can help them with the cost of raising a family, daycare, 
paying for college, saving for retirement or making a donation to 
charity," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "We want to ensure they're
 aware of all the tax benefits for which they may qualify."

This year, the IRS received about 19 million requests for extensions 
to file until October 17. Those who qualify can prepare and file their 
return for free with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>. Electronically filing and choosing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>
 can help taxpayers get their refund faster. If they owe, sending the 
tax return with full payment prevents additional interest and penalties.
 There's no penalty for failure to file if the taxpayer is due a refund.

Filing tips <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc153">for taxpayers who haven't filed their 2021 tax return</a> are available on IRS.gov.

Taxpayers should consider the following tax benefits when filing their tax return:

The IRS urges taxpayers to ensure they have all their year-end 
statements in hand before filing their 2021 return. Besides W-2s and 
1099s, this includes two statements issued by the IRS – <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-6419">Letter 6419</a>, showing their total advance Child Tax Credit payments, and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-6475">Letter 6475</a>, showing their total EIP3 payments.

Individuals can also use their IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>
 to see the total amounts of their third round of Economic Impact 
Payments or advance Child Tax Credit payments. Married spouses who 
received joint payments will each need to sign into their own account to
 retrieve their separate amounts.

Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions, and 
easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov. They can use these resources to get
 help when it's needed at home, at work or on the go.

Adjust 2022 withholding now to avoid tax surprises next year

Summer is a great time for taxpayers to check their 2022 withholding 
to avoid a tax surprise when they file next year. Life events like 
marriage, divorce, having a child or a change in income can affect 
taxes. Too little tax withheld can lead to a tax bill or penalty. Too 
much can mean the taxpayer won't have use of the money until they get 
their tax refund in 2023.

The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>
 on IRS.gov helps employees assess their income tax, credits, 
adjustments and deductions, and determine whether they need to change 
their withholding. If a change is recommended, the estimator will 
provide instructions to update their withholding with their employer, 
either online or by submitting a new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4">Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate</a>.

The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office">Taxpayer Assistance Center Locator tool</a>
 has a new look and feel, featuring a dynamic map, a directions button 
and two tabs for entering search criteria. It's important to remember 
that Taxpayer Assistance Centers operate by appointment only. Taxpayers 
must make an appointment by calling the number for the office they want 
to visit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who've 
yet to file their 2021 federal income tax return to make sure they take 
advantage of the deductions and credits for which they're entitled and 
to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">file electronically</a> as soon as possible."Each year, eligible taxpayers overlook money saving deductions and 
credits that can help them with the cost of raising a family, daycare, 
paying for college, saving for retirement or making a donation to 
charity," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "We want to ensure they're
 aware of all the tax benefits for which they may qualify."This year, the IRS received about 19 million requests for extensions 
to file until October 17. Those who qualify can prepare and file their 
return for free with <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">IRS Free File</a>. Electronically filing and choosing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a>
 can help taxpayers get their refund faster. If they owe, sending the 
tax return with full payment prevents additional interest and penalties.
 There's no penalty for failure to file if the taxpayer is due a refund.Filing tips <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc153">for taxpayers who haven't filed their 2021 tax return</a> are available on IRS.gov.Taxpayers should consider the following tax benefits when filing their tax return:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit</a>: Qualified low- to moderate-income workers and families may get a tax break. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-frequently-asked-questions">Child Tax Credit</a>: Families can claim this credit, even if they received monthly advance payments during the last half of 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-and-dependent-care-credit-information">Child and Dependent Care Credit</a>:
 Families who pay expenses for the care of a qualifying individual so 
they can work, or look for work, can get a tax credit worth up to $4,000
 for one qualifying person and $8,000 for two or more qualifying 
persons. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)</a>:
 Those who missed out on last year's third round of Economic Impact 
Payments (EIP3), also known as stimulus payments, may be eligible to 
claim the RRC. This credit can also help eligible people whose EIP3 was 
less than the full amount, including those who welcomed a child in 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/expanded-tax-benefits-help-individuals-and-businesses-give-to-charity-during-2021-deductions-up-to-600-available-for-cash-donations-by-non-itemizers">Deduction for gifts to charity</a>:
 The majority of taxpayers who take the standard deduction can deduct 
eligible cash contributions they made to charity during 2021. Married 
couples filing jointly can deduct up to $600 in cash donations and 
individual taxpayers can deduct up to $300 in donations. In addition, 
itemizers who make large cash donations often qualify to deduct the full
 amount in 2021. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/education-credits-aotc-llc">American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit</a>:
 Tax credits for higher education can help offset taxpayers' tuition and
 other costs by reducing the amount of tax owed on their tax return. 
	&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-savings-contributions-savers-credit">Retirement Savings Contributions Credit (Saver's Credit)</a>: A
 tax credit is available for making eligible contributions to an 
individual retirement account or employer-sponsored retirement plan.</li>
 </ul><h2>Helpful reminders</h2>The IRS urges taxpayers to ensure they have all their year-end 
statements in hand before filing their 2021 return. Besides W-2s and 
1099s, this includes two statements issued by the IRS – <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-6419">Letter 6419</a>, showing their total advance Child Tax Credit payments, and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-6475">Letter 6475</a>, showing their total EIP3 payments.Individuals can also use their IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account">Online Account</a>
 to see the total amounts of their third round of Economic Impact 
Payments or advance Child Tax Credit payments. Married spouses who 
received joint payments will each need to sign into their own account to
 retrieve their separate amounts.Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions, and 
easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov. They can use these resources to get
 help when it's needed at home, at work or on the go.<h2>Adjust 2022 withholding now to avoid tax surprises next year</h2>Summer is a great time for taxpayers to check their 2022 withholding 
to avoid a tax surprise when they file next year. Life events like 
marriage, divorce, having a child or a change in income can affect 
taxes. Too little tax withheld can lead to a tax bill or penalty. Too 
much can mean the taxpayer won't have use of the money until they get 
their tax refund in 2023.The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>
 on IRS.gov helps employees assess their income tax, credits, 
adjustments and deductions, and determine whether they need to change 
their withholding. If a change is recommended, the estimator will 
provide instructions to update their withholding with their employer, 
either online or by submitting a new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4">Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate</a>.<h2>Find a Taxpayer Assistance Center</h2>The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office">Taxpayer Assistance Center Locator tool</a>
 has a new look and feel, featuring a dynamic map, a directions button 
and two tabs for entering search criteria. It's important to remember 
that Taxpayer Assistance Centers operate by appointment only. Taxpayers 
must make an appointment by calling the number for the office they want 
to visit.

File for a tax extension? Don’t overlook these important tax benefits

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.&nbsp;—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple charges after a traffic stop.

Just before 11a.m. August 15, a deputy stopped a southbound Nissan&nbsp; passenger vehicle near 110th&nbsp;and U.S. Highway 75 after the driver of the vehicle was identified as having outstanding warrants, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies arrested the driver, Sklyer Thomas Tosspon, 40, of Hiawatha and passenger Elizabeth Marie Bruning, 40, of Robinson.

&nbsp;Tosspon had a Nebraska warrant for drug violations and a Jackson County District Court warrant, according to Morse.

Tosspon and Bruning were booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660675865788.png" alt="Tosspon-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Tosspon-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.&nbsp;—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple charges after a traffic stop.Just before 11a.m. August 15, a deputy stopped a southbound Nissan&nbsp; passenger vehicle near 110th&nbsp;and U.S. Highway 75 after the driver of the vehicle was identified as having outstanding warrants, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Deputies arrested the driver, Sklyer Thomas Tosspon, 40, of Hiawatha and passenger Elizabeth Marie Bruning, 40, of Robinson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660675840723.png" alt="Bruning -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Bruning -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Tosspon had a Nebraska warrant for drug violations and a Jackson County District Court warrant, according to Morse.Tosspon and Bruning were booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Suspect wanted in 2 states captured in Kansas 

HARVEY COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Wednesday in Harvey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a homemade golf cart driven by&nbsp; Cale M. Lasiter, 22, Newton was eastbound at 1701 James Court in Newton.

The driver fell off the vehicle. The golf car left the roadway to the left, overturned and came to rest in a driveway.

EMS transported&nbsp; Lasiter to Wesley Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

HARVEY COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Wednesday in Harvey County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a homemade golf cart driven by&nbsp; Cale M. Lasiter, 22, Newton was eastbound at 1701 James Court in Newton.The driver fell off the vehicle. The golf car left the roadway to the left, overturned and came to rest in a driveway.EMS transported&nbsp; Lasiter to Wesley Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kansas man injured after fall from homemade golf cart

ROOKS COUNTY — A northwest Kansas man has been sentenced to more than 24 years in prison for second-degree intentional murder in the 2020 death of a woman in northwest Kansas, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Thomas S. Wojtczuk, 42, Woodston, was sentenced late Tuesday in Rooks County District Court by Judge Thomas J. Drees. Wojtczuk was sentenced to 285 months in a Kansas Department of Corrections facility for one count of second-degree intentional murder and eight months for one count of a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Wojtczuk was also ordered to register as a violent offender for 15 years and serve 36 months of post-release supervision.

A Rooks County jury convicted&nbsp;Wojtczuk in June&nbsp;after a seven-day trial for the April 8, 2020, death of Charity Northrop in Woodston.&nbsp;

Wojtczuk has been registered as a violent sex offender since 2020 for an aggravated criminal sexual abuse conviction in 2014 in Illinois, according to the KBI offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587157905240.png" alt="Wojtczuk-photo Rooks Co." />
 <figcaption>Wojtczuk-photo Rooks Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ROOKS COUNTY — A northwest Kansas man has been sentenced to more than 24 years in prison for second-degree intentional murder in the 2020 death of a woman in northwest Kansas, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.Thomas S. Wojtczuk, 42, Woodston, was sentenced late Tuesday in Rooks County District Court by Judge Thomas J. Drees. Wojtczuk was sentenced to 285 months in a Kansas Department of Corrections facility for one count of second-degree intentional murder and eight months for one count of a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Wojtczuk was also ordered to register as a violent offender for 15 years and serve 36 months of post-release supervision.A Rooks County jury convicted&nbsp;Wojtczuk in June&nbsp;after a seven-day trial for the April 8, 2020, death of Charity Northrop in Woodston.&nbsp;Wojtczuk has been registered as a violent sex offender since 2020 for an aggravated criminal sexual abuse conviction in 2014 in Illinois, according to the KBI offender registry.

Sex offender sentenced for murder of woman in NW Kansas

RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a former Hutchinson police officer for serial sexual assault.

Todd Wade Allen, 51, is being held in the Reno County Correctional Facility on a bond of $250,000.

The requested charges filed with the Reno Co. District Attorney include five counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping, nine counts of aggravated sexual battery and five counts of breach of privacy that date back to 2012.

The arrest is connected to a string of sexual assaults and prowler calls including several sexual assaults in Carey Park. According to Chief Jeff Hooper the attacks happened while Allen was with the force.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660773528862.png" alt="Allen-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Allen-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a former Hutchinson police officer for serial sexual assault.Todd Wade Allen, 51, is being held in the Reno County Correctional Facility on a bond of $250,000.The requested charges filed with the Reno Co. District Attorney include five counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping, nine counts of aggravated sexual battery and five counts of breach of privacy that date back to 2012.The arrest is connected to a string of sexual assaults and prowler calls including several sexual assaults in Carey Park. According to Chief Jeff Hooper the attacks happened while Allen was with the force.

Former Kansas  police officer accused of serial sexual assault

WASHINGTON (AP) — With inflation raging near&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-inflation-july-report-ec477624de30115dd49f35009b2659c0">its highest level in four decades</a>, President Joe Biden on Tuesday afternoon signed into law his landmark Inflation Reduction Act. Its title raises a tantalizing question: Will the measure actually tame the price spikes that have inflicted hardships on American households?

Economic&nbsp;<a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55693d60e4b06d83cf793431/t/62f673432e53c65d871f15e6/1660318531450/Senate-Passed+Inflation+Reduction+Act_Estimates+of+Budgetary+and+Macroeconomic+Effects.pdf">analyses of the proposal</a>&nbsp;suggest that the likely answer is no — not anytime soon, anyway.

The legislation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economic-bill-house-vote-be99d8db5bd610c5b1d78bc047a03e77">which was approved by Congress last week</a>, won't directly address some of the main drivers of surging prices — from gas and food to rents and restaurant meals.

Still, the law could save money for some Americans by lessening the cost of prescription drugs for the elderly, extending health insurance subsidies and reducing energy prices. It would also modestly cut the government's budget deficit, which might slightly lower inflation by the end of this decade.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58357">concluded this month</a>&nbsp;that the changes would have a “negligible” impact on inflation this year and next. And the University of Pennsylvania's&nbsp;<a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55693d60e4b06d83cf793431/t/62f673432e53c65d871f15e6/1660318531450/Senate-Passed+Inflation+Reduction+Act_Estimates+of+Budgetary+and+Macroeconomic+Effects.pdf">Penn Wharton Budget Model concluded that,</a>&nbsp;over the next decade, "the impact on inflation is statistically indistinguishable from zero.”

Such forecasts also undercut the arguments that some Republicans, such as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have made, that the bill would “cause inflation,” as McCarthy said in a speech on the House floor.

Biden himself, in speaking of the legislation's effect on inflation, has referred to potentially lower prices in individual categories rather than to lower inflation as a whole. The president said the bill would “bring down the cost of prescription drugs, health insurance premiums and energy costs.”

At the same time, the White House has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22124998-letter-from-economists-to-congressional-leadership">trumpeted a letter</a>&nbsp;signed by more than 120 economists, including several Novel Prize winners and former Treasury secretaries, that asserts that the law's reduction in the government's budget deficit — by an estimated $300 billion over the next decade, according to the CBO — would put “downward pressure on inflation.”

In theory, lower deficits can reduce inflation. That's because reduced government spending or higher taxes, both of which help shrink the deficit, drive down demand in the economy, thereby easing pressure on companies to raise prices.

Jason Furman, a Harvard economist who served as a top economic adviser in the Obama administration, wrote in an opinion column for The Wall Street Journal: “Deficit reduction is almost always inflation-reducing.”

Yet Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who was a top economic adviser to President George W. Bush and later a director of the CBO, noted that the lower deficits won't kick in until five years from now and won't be very large over the next decade considering the size of the economy.

“$30 billion a year in a $21 trillion economy isn’t going to move the needle,” Holtz-Eakin said, referring to the estimated amount of deficit reduction spread over 10 years.

He also noted that Congress has recently passed other legislation to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-technology-united-states-economy-2fa651c540c9869890dfe670bcdcb7ea">subsidize semiconductor production</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. and expand veterans' health care, and said that those laws will spend more than the Inflation Reduction Act will save.

In addition, Kent Smetters, director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, said the law's health care subsidies could send inflation higher. The legislation would spend $70 billion over a decade to extend tax credits to help 13 million Americans pay for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Those subsidies would free up money for recipients to spend elsewhere, potentially increasing inflation, although Smetters said the effect would likely be very small.

Though the measure could have the benefit of increasing the savings of millions of households on pharmaceutical and energy costs, those items typically constitute relatively small portions of household budgets. Prescription drugs account for only 1% of the spending in the U.S. consumer price index; spending on electricity and natural gas makes up just 3.6%.

Starting in 2025, the act will cap the amount Medicare recipients would pay for their prescription drugs at $2,000 a year. It will authorize Medicare to negotiate the cost of some high-priced pharmaceuticals — a long-sought goal that President Donald Trump had also floated. It would also limit Medicare recipients' out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 a month. Insulin prescriptions averaged $54 in 2020, according&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/insulin-out-of-pocket-costs-in-medicare-part-d/">to the Kaiser Family Foundation</a>.

“This is a historic change,” said Leigh Purvis, director of health care costs at the AARP Public Policy Institute. “This is allowing Medicare to protect beneficiaries from high drug prices in a way that was not there before.”

A study by Kaiser found that in 2019, 1.2 million Medicare recipients spent an average of $3,216 on drug prescriptions. Purvis said recipients who use the most expensive drugs can spend as much as $10,000 or $15,000 a year.

The legislation authorizes Medicare to negotiate prices of 10 expensive pharmaceuticals, starting next year, though the results won't take effect until 2026. Up to 60 drugs could be subject to negotiation by 2029.

Holtz-Eakin argued that while the provision may lower the cost of some Medicare drugs, it would discourage the development of new drugs or reduce new venture capital investment in start-up pharmaceutical companies.

The Inflation Reduction Act's energy provisions could also create savings, though the amounts are likely to be much smaller.

The bill will provide a $7,500 tax credit for new purchases of electric vehicles,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/electric-vehicles-tax-credit-cfd3d9322230446f65d629b05c2ae551">though most EVs won't qualify</a>&nbsp;because the legislation requires them to include batteries with U.S. materials.

And the legislation also significantly expands a tax credit for homeowners who invest in energy-efficient equipment, from a one-time $500 credit to $1,200 that a homeowner could claim each year. Vincent Barnes, senior vice president for policy at the Alliance to Save Energy, said this would allow homeowners to make new energy-efficient investments over several years.

But for all Americans, including those who aren't homeowners, the impact will likely be limited. The Rhodium Group estimates that by 2030 the bill's provisions will save households an average of up to $112 a year as gas and electricity becomes cheaper as more Americans drive EVs and houses become more energy- efficient.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660679447127.png" alt="President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrate during Tuesday's signing ceremony-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrate during Tuesday's signing ceremony-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — With inflation raging near&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-inflation-july-report-ec477624de30115dd49f35009b2659c0">its highest level in four decades</a>, President Joe Biden on Tuesday afternoon signed into law his landmark Inflation Reduction Act. Its title raises a tantalizing question: Will the measure actually tame the price spikes that have inflicted hardships on American households?<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3VWauAOR-gw?start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Economic&nbsp;<a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55693d60e4b06d83cf793431/t/62f673432e53c65d871f15e6/1660318531450/Senate-Passed+Inflation+Reduction+Act_Estimates+of+Budgetary+and+Macroeconomic+Effects.pdf">analyses of the proposal</a>&nbsp;suggest that the likely answer is no — not anytime soon, anyway.The legislation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economic-bill-house-vote-be99d8db5bd610c5b1d78bc047a03e77">which was approved by Congress last week</a>, won't directly address some of the main drivers of surging prices — from gas and food to rents and restaurant meals.Still, the law could save money for some Americans by lessening the cost of prescription drugs for the elderly, extending health insurance subsidies and reducing energy prices. It would also modestly cut the government's budget deficit, which might slightly lower inflation by the end of this decade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660769479347.png" alt="President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law – lowering costs for families, combatting the climate crisis, reducing the deficit, and making the largest corporations finally pay their fair share." />
 <figcaption>President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law – lowering costs for families, combatting the climate crisis, reducing the deficit, and making the largest corporations finally pay their fair share.</figcaption>
 </figure>The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58357">concluded this month</a>&nbsp;that the changes would have a “negligible” impact on inflation this year and next. And the University of Pennsylvania's&nbsp;<a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55693d60e4b06d83cf793431/t/62f673432e53c65d871f15e6/1660318531450/Senate-Passed+Inflation+Reduction+Act_Estimates+of+Budgetary+and+Macroeconomic+Effects.pdf">Penn Wharton Budget Model concluded that,</a>&nbsp;over the next decade, "the impact on inflation is statistically indistinguishable from zero.”Such forecasts also undercut the arguments that some Republicans, such as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have made, that the bill would “cause inflation,” as McCarthy said in a speech on the House floor.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660680943615.png" alt="Biden signed the bill into law during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon-White House phto" />
 <figcaption>Biden signed the bill into law during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon-White House phto</figcaption>
 </figure>Biden himself, in speaking of the legislation's effect on inflation, has referred to potentially lower prices in individual categories rather than to lower inflation as a whole. The president said the bill would “bring down the cost of prescription drugs, health insurance premiums and energy costs.”At the same time, the White House has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22124998-letter-from-economists-to-congressional-leadership">trumpeted a letter</a>&nbsp;signed by more than 120 economists, including several Novel Prize winners and former Treasury secretaries, that asserts that the law's reduction in the government's budget deficit — by an estimated $300 billion over the next decade, according to the CBO — would put “downward pressure on inflation.”In theory, lower deficits can reduce inflation. That's because reduced government spending or higher taxes, both of which help shrink the deficit, drive down demand in the economy, thereby easing pressure on companies to raise prices.Jason Furman, a Harvard economist who served as a top economic adviser in the Obama administration, wrote in an opinion column for The Wall Street Journal: “Deficit reduction is almost always inflation-reducing.”Yet Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who was a top economic adviser to President George W. Bush and later a director of the CBO, noted that the lower deficits won't kick in until five years from now and won't be very large over the next decade considering the size of the economy.“$30 billion a year in a $21 trillion economy isn’t going to move the needle,” Holtz-Eakin said, referring to the estimated amount of deficit reduction spread over 10 years.He also noted that Congress has recently passed other legislation to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-technology-united-states-economy-2fa651c540c9869890dfe670bcdcb7ea">subsidize semiconductor production</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. and expand veterans' health care, and said that those laws will spend more than the Inflation Reduction Act will save.In addition, Kent Smetters, director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, said the law's health care subsidies could send inflation higher. The legislation would spend $70 billion over a decade to extend tax credits to help 13 million Americans pay for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.Those subsidies would free up money for recipients to spend elsewhere, potentially increasing inflation, although Smetters said the effect would likely be very small.Though the measure could have the benefit of increasing the savings of millions of households on pharmaceutical and energy costs, those items typically constitute relatively small portions of household budgets. Prescription drugs account for only 1% of the spending in the U.S. consumer price index; spending on electricity and natural gas makes up just 3.6%.Starting in 2025, the act will cap the amount Medicare recipients would pay for their prescription drugs at $2,000 a year. It will authorize Medicare to negotiate the cost of some high-priced pharmaceuticals — a long-sought goal that President Donald Trump had also floated. It would also limit Medicare recipients' out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 a month. Insulin prescriptions averaged $54 in 2020, according&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/insulin-out-of-pocket-costs-in-medicare-part-d/">to the Kaiser Family Foundation</a>.“This is a historic change,” said Leigh Purvis, director of health care costs at the AARP Public Policy Institute. “This is allowing Medicare to protect beneficiaries from high drug prices in a way that was not there before.”A study by Kaiser found that in 2019, 1.2 million Medicare recipients spent an average of $3,216 on drug prescriptions. Purvis said recipients who use the most expensive drugs can spend as much as $10,000 or $15,000 a year.The legislation authorizes Medicare to negotiate prices of 10 expensive pharmaceuticals, starting next year, though the results won't take effect until 2026. Up to 60 drugs could be subject to negotiation by 2029.Holtz-Eakin argued that while the provision may lower the cost of some Medicare drugs, it would discourage the development of new drugs or reduce new venture capital investment in start-up pharmaceutical companies.The Inflation Reduction Act's energy provisions could also create savings, though the amounts are likely to be much smaller.The bill will provide a $7,500 tax credit for new purchases of electric vehicles,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/electric-vehicles-tax-credit-cfd3d9322230446f65d629b05c2ae551">though most EVs won't qualify</a>&nbsp;because the legislation requires them to include batteries with U.S. materials.And the legislation also significantly expands a tax credit for homeowners who invest in energy-efficient equipment, from a one-time $500 credit to $1,200 that a homeowner could claim each year. Vincent Barnes, senior vice president for policy at the Alliance to Save Energy, said this would allow homeowners to make new energy-efficient investments over several years.But for all Americans, including those who aren't homeowners, the impact will likely be limited. The Rhodium Group estimates that by 2030 the bill's provisions will save households an average of up to $112 a year as gas and electricity becomes cheaper as more Americans drive EVs and houses become more energy- efficient.

🎥Inflation Reduction Act may have little impact on inflation

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/17/schmidt-proposes-construction-of-four-lane-highway-linking-pittsburg-to-garden-city-liberal/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Republican governor 
candidate Derek Schmidt proposed Wednesday construction of four-lane 
highway connecting southwest and southeast Kansas by way of Wichita to 
promote the kind of economic return on investment Interstate 70 
delivered for decades to the state’s northern tier.

Schmidt, who is challenging Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in November, 
said significant portions of the project existed or were planned, 
budgeted or under construction. The idea would be to connect U.S. 54 at 
Liberal and U.S. 400 in Dodge City with the four-lane highway extending 
west to Kingman from Wichita, link to the Kellogg corridor and an 
extension to Andover, before following U.S. 400 through Parsons to U.S. 
69 near Pittsburg.

His campaign statement didn’t include a preliminary cost for the 
transportation initiative, but Schmidt vowed to make a priority of 
pulling together each of the components and closing gaps necessary to 
complete the vision.

It would be modeled after President Dwight Eisenhower’s commitment 70
 years ago to creating I-70 as an east-to-west connector in the northern
 tier of Kansas, he said.

“In my view, the construction of Interstate 70 across northern Kansas
 continues to provide perhaps the biggest economic return on capital 
investment of taxpayer dollars in Kansas history,” Schmidt said. 
“Southern Kansas needs and deserves that same opportunity because in the
 21st century, four-lane access is essential for economic growth, 
particularly in manufacturing and agriculture, which are staples of the 
region.”

In addition, Schmidt proposed an amendment to the Kansas Constitution
 that would prohibit lawmakers from diverting state highway money to 
other government priorities.

Former Gov. Sam Brownback, while struggling to maintain an agenda 
devoted to slashing state income taxes, seized hundreds of millions of 
dollars annually from the Kansas Department of Transportation to balance
 his budgets. Other Kansas governors have relied on highway funds, but 
not to the level perfected by Brownback.

In 2022, Kelly and the Legislature completed a multiyear process of 
weaning the state budget off highway funding in a move to close the 
“Bank of KDOT.”

On Monday, Kelly was in Andover to outline 11 major 
highway projects with a total investment of $520 million. The package 
was part of the bipartisan transportation program named in honor of 
Eisenhower. Adding this batch to the construction pipeline brought to 
$1.3 billion the Kelly administration’s commitment to highway 
modernization and expansion.

The highest priority in south-central Kansas in this 
round of projects was the $230 million upgrade of east Kellogg along 
U.S. 54 and U.S. 400 from the Kansas 96 interchange to the 159th Street 
interchange. This piece would fit into the four-lane highway concept 
raised by Schmidt.

“Expanding and modernizing our highways will improve 
roadway safety, create good jobs and deliver more economic opportunities
 across Kansas, both now and in the future,” Kelly said. “These 11 
projects demonstrate that investing in transportation benefits 
our communities, taxpayers and businesses.”

Another of the 11 projects of the governor’s list was 
the $124 million widening to four lanes of a seven-mile stretch on 
Kansas 10 in Douglas County. Additional transportation projects were 
announced for Ellis, Geary, Franklin, Miami, Morris, Osborne, Saline, 
Sheridan and Wabaunsee counties.

Bob Totten, former executive vice president of the Kansas Contractors
 Association, said in July that Brownback inappropriately relied on 
revenue earmarked for roads and bridges as a slush fund to pay for his 
unsuccessful “tax experiement.” Cash transfers from KDOT decimated the 
state’s highway construction fund and left the state without sufficient 
resources to complete essential infrastructure jobs, he said.

He said that since 1989 a series of Republican and Democratic 
governors had understood a robust transportation program was necessary 
for the state to grow economically.

“Unfortunately, the only governor in that time frame that I didn’t 
mention was Governor Brownback and unfortunately he had a different idea
 about how we were supposed to go in regards to transportation,” Totten 
said. “His budget leadership took a million dollars a day from KDOT, which hurt the economic benefits derived from the transportation program.”

Andy Sanchez, executive secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO in Kansas,
 said Brownback caused the delay of $500 million in construction 
projects, triggered job losses and unnecessarily placed motorists at 
greater risk.

“As our bridges and roads went without maintenance and routine 
upkeep, it was all caused by Sam Brownback, with Derek Schmidt at his 
side,” he said.

Schmidt, who is from Independence, said development of four-lane 
highway across the southern part of the state was generations overdue.

“It’s time to be bold in this corridor so we can get the maximum 
economic benefit from the power of a four-lane highway in attracting new
 investment and career opportunities in southern Kansas and expanding 
existing operations,” he said.

He said adoption in 2020 of the state’s&nbsp; Eisenhower highway program 
and passage last year of federal funding for infrastructure investments 
would make billions of dollars available for transportation initiatives 
in Kansas.

The state’s five Republican members of Congress — U.S. Sens. Jerry 
Moran of Manhattan and Roger Marshall of Great Bend and U.S. Reps. Jake 
LaTurner of Topeka, Ron Estes of Wichita and Tracey Mann of Salina — 
voted against that $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill. It was 
supported by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat from Kansas City.

“Expanding and enhancing roads like U.S. 400 is an economic
 win for rural and urban parts of our state,” said Estes, who endorsed 
Schmidt’s infrastructure proposal. “As someone who grew up on a Kansas 
farm and now lives in the state’s largest city, I can say with certainty
 that having better connectivity along this critical corridor will 
provide benefits well beyond just a smooth drive between communities.”

LaTurner, who serves the 2nd District that includes 
southeast Kansas, said Schmidt’s plan would improve roads, bridges and 
other infrastructure while boosting local economies. He said eastern 
Kansas was “in desperate need of real infrastructure reform and 
investment.”

Jim Zaleski, economic director in Parsons, said a four-lane
 highway through that city would open up opportunity for economic 
development. Highway access is ranked among the top criteria job 
creators looked for when deciding where to invest, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660759732267.png" alt="Derek Schmidt, a Republican candidate for governor, proposed construction of a four-lane highway linking southwest Kansas to southeast Kansas via Wichita to promote economic development in that broad region. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Derek Schmidt, a Republican candidate for governor, proposed construction of a four-lane highway linking southwest Kansas to southeast Kansas via Wichita to promote economic development in that broad region. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/17/schmidt-proposes-construction-of-four-lane-highway-linking-pittsburg-to-garden-city-liberal/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Republican governor 
candidate Derek Schmidt proposed Wednesday construction of four-lane 
highway connecting southwest and southeast Kansas by way of Wichita to 
promote the kind of economic return on investment Interstate 70 
delivered for decades to the state’s northern tier.Schmidt, who is challenging Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in November, 
said significant portions of the project existed or were planned, 
budgeted or under construction. The idea would be to connect U.S. 54 at 
Liberal and U.S. 400 in Dodge City with the four-lane highway extending 
west to Kingman from Wichita, link to the Kellogg corridor and an 
extension to Andover, before following U.S. 400 through Parsons to U.S. 
69 near Pittsburg.His campaign statement didn’t include a preliminary cost for the 
transportation initiative, but Schmidt vowed to make a priority of 
pulling together each of the components and closing gaps necessary to 
complete the vision.It would be modeled after President Dwight Eisenhower’s commitment 70
 years ago to creating I-70 as an east-to-west connector in the northern
 tier of Kansas, he said.“In my view, the construction of Interstate 70 across northern Kansas
 continues to provide perhaps the biggest economic return on capital 
investment of taxpayer dollars in Kansas history,” Schmidt said. 
“Southern Kansas needs and deserves that same opportunity because in the
 21st century, four-lane access is essential for economic growth, 
particularly in manufacturing and agriculture, which are staples of the 
region.”In addition, Schmidt proposed an amendment to the Kansas Constitution
 that would prohibit lawmakers from diverting state highway money to 
other government priorities.Former Gov. Sam Brownback, while struggling to maintain an agenda 
devoted to slashing state income taxes, seized hundreds of millions of 
dollars annually from the Kansas Department of Transportation to balance
 his budgets. Other Kansas governors have relied on highway funds, but 
not to the level perfected by Brownback.In 2022, Kelly and the Legislature completed a multiyear process of 
weaning the state budget off highway funding in a move to close the 
“Bank of KDOT.”<h2>Kelly’s $520M package</h2>On Monday, Kelly was in Andover to outline 11 major 
highway projects with a total investment of $520 million. The package 
was part of the bipartisan transportation program named in honor of 
Eisenhower. Adding this batch to the construction pipeline brought to 
$1.3 billion the Kelly administration’s commitment to highway 
modernization and expansion.The highest priority in south-central Kansas in this 
round of projects was the $230 million upgrade of east Kellogg along 
U.S. 54 and U.S. 400 from the Kansas 96 interchange to the 159th Street 
interchange. This piece would fit into the four-lane highway concept 
raised by Schmidt.“Expanding and modernizing our highways will improve 
roadway safety, create good jobs and deliver more economic opportunities
 across Kansas, both now and in the future,” Kelly said. “These 11 
projects demonstrate that investing in transportation benefits 
our communities, taxpayers and businesses.”Another of the 11 projects of the governor’s list was 
the $124 million widening to four lanes of a seven-mile stretch on 
Kansas 10 in Douglas County. Additional transportation projects were 
announced for Ellis, Geary, Franklin, Miami, Morris, Osborne, Saline, 
Sheridan and Wabaunsee counties.Bob Totten, former executive vice president of the Kansas Contractors
 Association, said in July that Brownback inappropriately relied on 
revenue earmarked for roads and bridges as a slush fund to pay for his 
unsuccessful “tax experiement.” Cash transfers from KDOT decimated the 
state’s highway construction fund and left the state without sufficient 
resources to complete essential infrastructure jobs, he said.He said that since 1989 a series of Republican and Democratic 
governors had understood a robust transportation program was necessary 
for the state to grow economically.“Unfortunately, the only governor in that time frame that I didn’t 
mention was Governor Brownback and unfortunately he had a different idea
 about how we were supposed to go in regards to transportation,” Totten 
said. “His budget leadership took a million dollars a day from KDOT, which hurt the economic benefits derived from the transportation program.”Andy Sanchez, executive secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO in Kansas,
 said Brownback caused the delay of $500 million in construction 
projects, triggered job losses and unnecessarily placed motorists at 
greater risk.“As our bridges and roads went without maintenance and routine 
upkeep, it was all caused by Sam Brownback, with Derek Schmidt at his 
side,” he said.<h2>‘Economic win’</h2>Schmidt, who is from Independence, said development of four-lane 
highway across the southern part of the state was generations overdue.“It’s time to be bold in this corridor so we can get the maximum 
economic benefit from the power of a four-lane highway in attracting new
 investment and career opportunities in southern Kansas and expanding 
existing operations,” he said.He said adoption in 2020 of the state’s&nbsp; Eisenhower highway program 
and passage last year of federal funding for infrastructure investments 
would make billions of dollars available for transportation initiatives 
in Kansas.The state’s five Republican members of Congress — U.S. Sens. Jerry 
Moran of Manhattan and Roger Marshall of Great Bend and U.S. Reps. Jake 
LaTurner of Topeka, Ron Estes of Wichita and Tracey Mann of Salina — 
voted against that $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill. It was 
supported by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat from Kansas City.“Expanding and enhancing roads like U.S. 400 is an economic
 win for rural and urban parts of our state,” said Estes, who endorsed 
Schmidt’s infrastructure proposal. “As someone who grew up on a Kansas 
farm and now lives in the state’s largest city, I can say with certainty
 that having better connectivity along this critical corridor will 
provide benefits well beyond just a smooth drive between communities.”LaTurner, who serves the 2nd District that includes 
southeast Kansas, said Schmidt’s plan would improve roads, bridges and 
other infrastructure while boosting local economies. He said eastern 
Kansas was “in desperate need of real infrastructure reform and 
investment.”Jim Zaleski, economic director in Parsons, said a four-lane
 highway through that city would open up opportunity for economic 
development. Highway access is ranked among the top criteria job 
creators looked for when deciding where to invest, he said.

Schmidt proposes 4-lane highway linking Pittsburg to Garden City, Liberal

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri could become the first state to pass a voter-led effort to require courts to automatically forgive past marijuana crimes as part of a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational pot on November's ballot.

Of the 19 states where recreational marijuana is legal, only seven states require some sort of judicial forgiveness for those punished for committing crimes that have since been decriminalized, according to the advocacy group National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

It was lawmakers in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3b9e25266e1c4fb1800f84f7a70eccbb">California</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ct-state-wire-connecticut-bills-philanthropy-290534f6f3c0f6c857754ae3e1e2ecc5">Connecticut</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-burlington-health-4b617addc2f14a58acc05575f9212025">Vermont</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/illinois-marijuana-crime-6aebb02cc0c725bd7579fbbacbd727fb">Illinois</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-new-york-recreational-marijuana-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-491b71aa6d90c480cc4f36e868580fea">New York</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recreational-marijuana-new-jersey-legislation-marijuana-laws-3425c46d73e951b9663e38c1e5aee29d">New Jersey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-rhode-island-marijuana-recreational-3c8ce18ece73d871d9a3003dbeabc59a">Rhode Island</a>&nbsp;who took action to provide amnesty for past marijuana crimes.

Missouri voters would be the first to spearhead what's called automatic expungement on their own, said John Payne, the campaign manager for the push to legalize recreational marijuana.

Payne said the goal is to allow people with pot-related convictions to “reclaim their lives.”

“This is going to allow those people to live more full and complete lives,” he said. “That also helps society at large, because they’re essentially being somewhat locked out of the economy and productive lives by that burden. We’re going to remove that for them.”

Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature for years resisted addressing marijuana policies, prompting voters to lead a successful effort in 2018 to amend the state constitution to allow medical marijuana.

Thanks to another advocate-led ballot initiative, Missouri voters in November will decide whether to allow those age 21 and older to buy and grow weed for personal consumption and whether to grant automatic expungement to past marijuana-related crimes.

Recreational legalization proposals are also on the ballot this fall in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sd-state-wire-south-dakota-marijuana-legalization-recreational-9426bf3208b9b53aa5804fb2b33b9bb9">South Dakota</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/larry-hogan-maryland-marijuana-constitutional-amendments-constitutions-1f60d69c21e364499b81b0e76caf65ed">Maryland</a>. The Maryland measure would similarly require automatic expungements, although that proposal was referred to the ballot by state lawmakers.

The Missouri proposal would erase past marijuana-related convictions for nonviolent offenders and those whose convictions didn’t include selling to minors or driving while high.

Under current Missouri law, it’s up to past offenders to request a clean slate. Missouri lawmakers in 2016 passed legislation that allowed people to apply to expunge two misdemeanor or ordinance violations that carry jail time and one felony. Certain felonies, such as sex offenses and dangerous felonies, are not eligible for expungement.

Leslie Corbett, executive director of the low-income legal aid group Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, said she's concerned an Illinois law that's described as automatic expungement but requires past offenders to take action has been underused because it's confusing.

Corbett said the law, which has been described by supporters as automatic expungement because police records are immediately wiped, requires the majority of past offenders to request to also have their court records cleared.

“Folks don't realize that they still need to take action, even if it was auto-expunged,” she said.

In most cases, Payne said the Missouri amendment puts the responsibility on courts, not past offenders, to wipe records, although prisoners would need to petition courts for early release on marijuana charges.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri could become the first state to pass a voter-led effort to require courts to automatically forgive past marijuana crimes as part of a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational pot on November's ballot.Of the 19 states where recreational marijuana is legal, only seven states require some sort of judicial forgiveness for those punished for committing crimes that have since been decriminalized, according to the advocacy group National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It&#39;s time for Missouri to legalize marijuana. It&#39;s also time for Missouri to expunge records for those convicted of past non-violent marijuana offenses. I am still reviewing the Constitutional amendment, but appreciate progress in an end to nonsensical weed prohibition.&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1557121308541976576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It was lawmakers in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3b9e25266e1c4fb1800f84f7a70eccbb">California</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ct-state-wire-connecticut-bills-philanthropy-290534f6f3c0f6c857754ae3e1e2ecc5">Connecticut</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-burlington-health-4b617addc2f14a58acc05575f9212025">Vermont</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/illinois-marijuana-crime-6aebb02cc0c725bd7579fbbacbd727fb">Illinois</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-new-york-recreational-marijuana-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-491b71aa6d90c480cc4f36e868580fea">New York</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recreational-marijuana-new-jersey-legislation-marijuana-laws-3425c46d73e951b9663e38c1e5aee29d">New Jersey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-rhode-island-marijuana-recreational-3c8ce18ece73d871d9a3003dbeabc59a">Rhode Island</a>&nbsp;who took action to provide amnesty for past marijuana crimes.Missouri voters would be the first to spearhead what's called automatic expungement on their own, said John Payne, the campaign manager for the push to legalize recreational marijuana.Payne said the goal is to allow people with pot-related convictions to “reclaim their lives.”“This is going to allow those people to live more full and complete lives,” he said. “That also helps society at large, because they’re essentially being somewhat locked out of the economy and productive lives by that burden. We’re going to remove that for them.”Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature for years resisted addressing marijuana policies, prompting voters to lead a successful effort in 2018 to amend the state constitution to allow medical marijuana.Thanks to another advocate-led ballot initiative, Missouri voters in November will decide whether to allow those age 21 and older to buy and grow weed for personal consumption and whether to grant automatic expungement to past marijuana-related crimes.Recreational legalization proposals are also on the ballot this fall in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sd-state-wire-south-dakota-marijuana-legalization-recreational-9426bf3208b9b53aa5804fb2b33b9bb9">South Dakota</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/larry-hogan-maryland-marijuana-constitutional-amendments-constitutions-1f60d69c21e364499b81b0e76caf65ed">Maryland</a>. The Maryland measure would similarly require automatic expungements, although that proposal was referred to the ballot by state lawmakers.The Missouri proposal would erase past marijuana-related convictions for nonviolent offenders and those whose convictions didn’t include selling to minors or driving while high.Under current Missouri law, it’s up to past offenders to request a clean slate. Missouri lawmakers in 2016 passed legislation that allowed people to apply to expunge two misdemeanor or ordinance violations that carry jail time and one felony. Certain felonies, such as sex offenses and dangerous felonies, are not eligible for expungement.Leslie Corbett, executive director of the low-income legal aid group Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, said she's concerned an Illinois law that's described as automatic expungement but requires past offenders to take action has been underused because it's confusing.Corbett said the law, which has been described by supporters as automatic expungement because police records are immediately wiped, requires the majority of past offenders to request to also have their court records cleared.“Folks don't realize that they still need to take action, even if it was auto-expunged,” she said.In most cases, Payne said the Missouri amendment puts the responsibility on courts, not past offenders, to wipe records, although prisoners would need to petition courts for early release on marijuana charges.The amendment gives courts six months to expunge past misdemeanors and a year for eligible felonies.Marijuana sales would be taxed at 6% under the Missouri amendment, which the state Auditor's Office&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/FiscalNote/ViewFiscalNoteFile/1341">estimated</a>&nbsp;would bring in at least $41 million a year. Funding is earmarked to pay for oversight, administration and the expungement process. Remaining funds would go to veterans' homes, public defenders and drug addiction treatment services.Municipalities could tax marijuana sales at an additional 3%, or as much as $14 million a year.Cost estimates compiled by the Missouri state auditor do not include expenses for administrative court costs related to clearing past marijuana convictions.

State