Latest news with #KDOR
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas appeals court ruling restores ability to change gender markers on driver's licenses
Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Karen Arnold-Burger questions an attorney during a Jan. 27, 2025, hearing in a dispute over whether Kansans can change their gender markers on driver's licenses. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — A three-judge appeals court panel on Friday cleared the way for Kansans to resume changing their gender markers on driver's licenses, rejecting arguments made by Attorney General Kris Kobach and overturning a lower court ruling. The Kansas Court of Appeals panel ordered the case return to the district court level to be heard by someone other than Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson, who abused her discretion and committed legal and factual errors, according to the Friday ruling. Judges Karen Arnold-Burger, Stephen Hill and Sarah Warner determined the state would suffer no harm by allowing transgender residents to be identified by their 'gender,' which is a personal identity or expression, rather than their 'sex,' which relates to reproductive systems. Kobach's office had argued that the two terms are interchangeable. The Legislature passed a law in 2023 that requires vital statistics to recognize a person's biological sex at birth. Kobach sued the Kansas Department of Revenue for continuing to allow transgender residents to change the gender markers on their driver's license, as the office had done since at least 2007. From 2011 to 2022, KDOR issued 9,316,937 driver's licenses. During that period, 380 drivers changed their gender marker. Watson in 2023 issued a temporary injunction to block changes in gender markers on driver's licenses. The appeals court, which heard arguments in January, removed that injunction and replaced it with an order to allow changes. Watson, the higher court said, had committed a legal error by concluding, without any support, that Kobach's mere allegation that KDOR was violating state law had established irreparable harm. Additionally, the higher court faulted Watson's conclusion that changing a gender marker could hinder law enforcement officers. 'The problem with the district court's finding is that the AG presented no evidence to support this claimed injury beyond unsubstantiated speculation,' Arnold-Burger wrote on behalf of the appeals court panel. In fact, she wrote, 'the evidence was overwhelming that there was no harm.' At the district court level, Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill testified that one time, he didn't say when, he arrested a transgender woman who told him that she was a man. One of the problems with that example, Arnold-Burger wrote, is that he relied on the individual's 'outward appearance,' not their driver's license. And, she wrote, the same mistake could be made for any cisgender woman who appears less feminine and more masculine than the average woman. Additionally, the sheriff's gender confusion didn't prevent the arrest or immediate discovery of the person's identity. And, Hill acknowledged that law enforcement officers can't always rely on a driver's license anyway because people change their names. 'The district court committed an error of fact by concluding that there was evidence — any evidence beyond mere speculation — to support a finding that law enforcement would be immediately hindered in the identification of suspects, victims, wanted persons, missing persons, detainees, and others if the driver's license did not display the driver's sex assigned at birth,' Arnold-Burger wrote. The appeals court ruling also noted that the Kansas Supreme Court has recognized a distinction between 'sex' and 'gender' since at least 2002. And it determined that Kobach was unlikely to prevail in the case. The appeals court panel ordered the case return to the district court level for a hearing before a new judge. 'Because of the district court's abuse of discretion, the KDOR has been unable to issue reclassifications of gender designations on Kansas driver's licenses for two years while this litigation languished,' Arnold-Burger wrote.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas seizes Dodge City restaurant assets for $37K tax bill
DODGE CITY, Kan. (KSNW) — State tax agents have seized the assets of a Dodge City barbecue restaurant. The Kansas Department of Revenue said the business is more than $37,000 behind in tax payments. The address of the seizure is Provecho Mexkan BBQ, 202 E. Frontview. The company's Facebook page says the restaurant was voted best BBQ in Dodge City for four years in a row. The agents sealed the restaurant with a public notice posted on the outside. According to revenue investigators, the business owes $37,830.01: Sales tax – $37,273.26 Withholding – $556.75 The types of assets seized included all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, and the owner's personal property. The assets will be sold at a public auction to pay the tax bill. 'Today' team announces death of Sheinelle Jones' husband Customers, employees and others who had items in the restaurant at the time of the seizure can contact the agent assigned to the case at 785-296-3289. A KDOR spokesperson said the department tries multiple times to work with businesses to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements. When that fails, KDOR is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing actions such as bank levies, till taps, and, ultimately, asset seizure. KSN News has attempted to contact Provecho management and will update this story if we get a response. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Blackout license plates available for purchase in Kansas starting on July 1, 2025
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas drivers will soon be able to start buying sleek new 'blackout-style' license plates this summer. The Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) announced on Monday, May 12 in a press release that blackout-style license plates will be available for purchase starting on July 1, 2025. People interested in acquiring one of these new plates will simply need to pay a fee and visit their local county treasurer's office. 'I'm always happy to listen to my constituents about issues that matter to them,' Governor Laura Kelly said. 'By introducing the blackout license plate style, we are giving Kansans more options on the road while still adhering to safe license plate requirements.' KHP trooper warns of 'tire gator' danger on Kansas highways Zach Denney with KDOR said the new plates have an all-black background with sharp white lettering, which makes them stand out. Kansas lawmakers approved the new plates earlier this year, with Kelly giving them the green light near the end of the 2025 session of the state legislature. 'Kansans take pride in their license plates, and we've heard how much they love the blackout plate design offered in surrounding states,' Denney said. 'So, we knew we had to bring this design to Kansas.' What are 'sovereign citizen' license plates and are they legal? 'The blackout plate design has proven to be very popular in surrounding states, and we've had many Kansans ask for it to come to Kansas,' said Division of Vehicles Director Deann Williams. 'We've heard them loud and clear, and we are very excited to bring this highly requested plate design to Kansas vehicles this year.' KDOR will offer blackout plates for standard passenger vehicles and motorcycles. People will need to pay some additional fees including: One-time plate fee – $40. Annual royalty fee – $50. Optional personalization fee – $45.50. What is the Kansas 'Left Lane' law? Denney said the cash collected through the royalty fee will go towards the state's License Plate Replacement Fund and State Highway Fund. He said KDOR expects the new license plates to be a big money-maker for the Sunflower State. 'Based on first-year sales in surrounding states, the Department estimates that around 30,000 blackout plates will be sold in the first year they are available, generating $2.6 million in revenue,' Denney said. '$1.5 million of that revenue would come from the royalty fee, which would go to the newly created license plate replacement fund to be used by the Department to replace license plates that are past their lifespan.' Kansas residents can currently pick from a wide variety of distinctive license plates. You can check the full available list of options by clicking here. What new Kansas laws go into effect on July 1, 2025? For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas seizes Wichita restaurant assets for $32K tax bill
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The state released more information Friday on why agents seized The Anchor restaurant's assets near Old Town on Wednesday. The Kansas Department of Revenue said The Anchor is more than $32,000 behind in tax payments. Sales tax $29,678.66 Withholding tax $1,930.51 Liquor drink tax $939.90 Total $32,549.07 The agents seized assets from two properties: 1109 and 1113 E. Douglas Ave. The types of assets seized included all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, and the owner's personal property. The assets will be sold at a public auction to pay the tax bill. Spirit AeroSystems to lay off workers due to backlog Customers, employees and others who had items in The Anchor at the time of the seizure can contact the agent assigned to the case at 785-213-4453. Zach Denney, KDOR spokesperson, said the department tries multiple times to work with businesses to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements. When that fails, KDOR is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing actions such as bank levies, till taps, and, ultimately, asset seizure. KSN News has attempted to contact The Anchor management and will update this story if we get a response. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Results of property valuation appeals in Sedgwick County, so far
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — One month ago, almost 8,000 people appealed their Sedgwick County property valuations. So far, 763 of them have succeeded in getting the valuation changed. The Sedgwick County Appraiser's Office mailed the valuations in March. The county appraiser said 87% of residential and 73% of commercial properties increased in value. Many people did not like the number they saw on their valuation notice because the valuation affects their property taxes. Sedgwick County says 7,850 people filed appeals. As of Monday, informal hearings have been held on just under 4,500 of them. While 17% have been successful, many have not, and many more are still pending. Appeal hearings conducted so far: Successful 763 17% Unsuccessful 2,057 46% Decision pending 1,671 37% More than 3,000 appeals still need to be heard. Restaurant in Old Town seized for overdue taxes: KDOR Property owners who missed the deadline to appeal the 2025 valuation have another chance when their December property tax payment is due. They can file a payment under protest appeal. Click here to learn more about the appeal process. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
