Something’s going on, just look around
Fear is on the rise and there’s blood all over the ground
Let’s all just blindfold the poor, we must remind them what’s in store
We got’em now, just break’em down a little bit more

Feed the Machine, Poor Man’s Poison

Welcome to 2025–a tidal wave of change. We’ve had premonitions about this new season for over a decade now (Citizens United? Tea Party? Trump?), hints of a narrative where truth erodes from the constant ratatat of the growing influence of money.

The cynic in me would perhaps say ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ or “that’s capitalism!” But that was then. There’s no denying how difficult it’s becoming to advocate for issues or beliefs without a flow of dollars to give it life. I expect this will be doubly true in 2025; in just the past few weeks, there’s no shortage of headlines to support such a forecast:

It would be easy to look at the world and convince yourself that it’s just business as usual. But if you’ll stay with me for a moment, I hope to persuade you (through a series of predictions for 2025) that business is far from normal.

I (and many others) spoke to this issue quite a bit during the election cycle, and now we get to see if we were right. Analysts expect to see state action on private school vouchers in up to 12 states this year–including Kansas. Topeka Republicans have previously tried to push vouchers through more than once, and the Kansas Catholic Conference is pushing hard (again), starting with a school voucher rally. I won’t go so far as to predict how vouchers will be implemented, but there’s enough of a state budget surplus and cash reserve for something to get through a veto override.

In an era where financial clout defines the narrative, traditional mechanisms of accountability are eroding. (In the traditional media, you might call that “erosion of norms.”) The dissolution of fact-checking programs by major platforms like Meta exemplifies this trend. Without independent verification, misinformation proliferates unchecked, allowing those with resources to birth their versions of truth.

Anyone who’s used social media over the past decade has seen these changes firsthand and probably already knows the different personalities and dynamics of Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. It’s hard to hold anyone accountable in these ecosystems; most of the time, the best anyone can do is block an offender to remove them from their personal feed. These limited guardrails will break down further in 2025.

The Kansas legislative session is poised to be swift and aggressive, with an official end date no later than April 12. This compressed timeline suggests:

By the end of the week, I expect we’ll have a healthy pile of draft legislation to talk about.

What defines “good” or “bad” tax policy is obviously not universally agreed-upon, but current trends indicate a shift towards regressive taxation¹. Personally, I call this “bad tax policy.” Proposals favoring the wealthy and corporations, such as flat taxes or reductions in corporate tax rates, will likely get implemented at both the state and federal level.

One of the less-discussed factors in the 2024 election results was the large (20+ points!) shift to Trump among men under 30. There’s a shocking overlap between this subculture and the economic trifecta of cryptocurrency², sports betting³, and “meme stocks”; the parts of our economy that tap into these themes are experiencing unbelievable financial success right now.

The integration of artificial intelligence into the workforce is accelerating. Companies are deploying AI-driven systems to perform tasks traditionally handled by human employees, from customer service to data analysis. Some companies have publicly stated they are freezing new hires as they expect AI to enhance or replace parts of their current workforce.

Government policy is going to lag developments on this front by a light year. Our legal frameworks for dealing with data privacy, social media, and the Internet in general are still a couple decades behind the reality of our world; expect the tech giants to run the game.

Most economists still forecast strong global growth for 2025. This will be good for stock portfolios and 401(k) accounts, perhaps, but riskier for workers: Middle management jobs in all industries are particularly vulnerable, as corporate structures will continue to flatten.

What does this look like? Conflicting headlines such as “record profits” and “layoffs” will share airspace. Which version of this economic truth you believe will depend on where you get your news (and which side of the coin your personal finances experience).

Locally here in Kansas, 2025 is another school board election season. The past two cycles have been increasingly contentious, particularly here in Johnson County where out-of-state forces like Moms for Liberty have targeted school boards with slates of candidates. Their goal has always been to assume majority control over local school policy, and this year will be no different.

Today marks the beginning of this year’s Kansas legislative session. Our vision for Capitol Bee is to track what’s actually happening in Topeka and to make that information accessible to readers and residents; what this means for now is you’ll likely be seeing much more email from us over the next few months.

We’re working on ways to make it easier for you to say which topics you care about and how frequently you want to hear from us, so if it starts to get a little “spammy” please hang in there! Our shared goal is that every email you receive is one you actually want to open.

Sponsors: Representatives Fairchild, Rhiley, and Xu (bill link)

HB 2001 proposes extending the reimbursement mechanism for county clerks' printing and postage costs for taxpayer notifications through 2029. This reimbursement comes from the Taxpayer Notification Costs Fund, ensuring that counties are financially supported in complying with K.S.A. 79-2988, which mandates notification to taxpayers about valuation changes and tax-related matters. By shifting the financial burden from counties to the state, this bill seeks to help smaller or rural counties maintain financial stability while fulfilling their notification responsibilities.

Without this extension, counties would need to shoulder these costs themselves after 2024, which could strain local budgets or delay critical communication to taxpayers. This legislation reflects a commitment to preserving transparency in property tax administration while minimizing the financial impact on local governments​.

HB 2002: Lay Caregiver Act Compliance Audit

Sponsor: Legislative Post Audit Committee (bill link)

HB 2002 focuses on ensuring hospitals adhere to the Kansas Lay Caregiver Act, which outlines patient rights to designate caregivers who assist with aftercare following hospitalization. The bill mandates annual audits, beginning in 2026, by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to verify compliance. Results from these audits will be reported to legislative health committees, promoting transparency and accountability within the healthcare system.

This measure reflects growing concerns about the discharge process and the quality of support provided to caregivers tasked with complex medical responsibilities at home. By emphasizing education and clear communication for caregivers, the legislation seeks to reduce readmission rates and improve overall patient outcomes. It also underscores the legislature’s focus on patient advocacy and the role of family caregivers in healthcare​.

HB 2003: EV Energy Equity Road Repair Tax Act

Sponsor: Representative Rhiley (bill link)

With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming more popular, HB 2003 introduces a $0.09 per kilowatt-hour tax on electricity distributed at public EV charging stations. The revenue generated would be allocated to the state highway fund to address road repairs and maintenance. This measure aims to compensate for the decline in fuel tax revenue caused by the increasing shift from gasoline to electricity.

The bill also sets forth licensing and reporting requirements for public charging stations, ensuring tax compliance and operational transparency. While EVs reduce carbon emissions, this legislation addresses concerns about equity in road infrastructure funding, ensuring all vehicle types contribute fairly to the upkeep of state highways. Critics, however, may argue that this could discourage EV adoption, potentially slowing the transition to greener transportation​.

HB 2004: Seward County Sales Tax Authorization

Sponsor: Representative Francis (bill link)

HB 2004 grants Seward County the authority to propose a 0.5% countywide sales tax to its voters. The revenue from this tax would fund critical roadway and bridge construction, maintenance, and improvements. If approved, the tax would be in place for 10 years, with the possibility of extensions through future elections. This bill adds Seward County to a growing list of counties authorized to levy sales taxes for infrastructure projects.

Roads and bridges are vital to economic growth and public safety, and this legislation is particularly important for rural areas where infrastructure often lags behind urban standards. By allowing local control and voter approval, the measure empowers residents to prioritize and fund infrastructure needs, reducing dependence on state or federal funding​.

HB 2005: Veterans' Valor Property Tax Relief Act

Sponsors: Representatives Proctor, Barrett, and others (bill link)

This bill provides financial relief to veterans deemed totally disabled under federal guidelines by offering a tax credit of 75% of property and ad valorem taxes paid on their principal residence. The measure applies to taxes paid beginning in 2025 and includes a provision to refund excess credit if it surpasses the veteran's income tax liability.

The act excludes veterans who already benefit from other property tax relief programs, ensuring resources are targeted to those not receiving similar support. By easing the financial burden on disabled veterans, the legislation acknowledges their sacrifices and enhances their ability to afford and maintain housing.

Sponsor: Senator Titus (bill link)

SB 1 proposes that Kansas stop observing daylight saving time (DST) beginning in November 2025. This would put Kansas on standard time year-round, barring any federal mandates to the contrary. The bill also includes a provision that, should Congress require permanent daylight saving time, Kansas would adopt that standard.

This bill addresses the controversy surrounding DST, with proponents arguing it could improve health, reduce energy use, and simplify schedules. However, critics worry about potential disruptions to commerce and travel, especially with neighboring states possibly maintaining DST. The proposal reflects a broader national conversation about the relevance and effectiveness of DST​.

Sponsors: Senators Blew and Clifford (bill link)

SB 2 validates the results of a May 2024 bond election in USD 200, Greeley County, authorizing the issuance of $4.6 million in general obligation bonds. These funds will be used for comprehensive improvements to local school facilities, including safety upgrades, gymnasium renovations, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This bill not only addresses infrastructure needs but also enhances educational opportunities and safety for students. By ensuring that bond election results are legally upheld, the legislature supports local school boards in pursuing necessary investments without legal uncertainty.

Sponsor: Legislative Post Audit Committee (bill link)

SB 3 mirrors HB 2002 in its focus on auditing hospital compliance with the Kansas Lay Caregiver Act. This reflects the legislature's commitment to enforcing caregiver rights and ensuring hospitals provide adequate resources and information to family caregivers.

The dual introduction of this bill in both the House and Senate highlights its significance and bipartisan support. The audits aim to strengthen the partnership between hospitals and caregivers, reduce patient readmissions, and ultimately improve health outcomes across the state​s.