According to the USA Today, the state says the Indiana couple lost custody not due to their religious views but rather because of the need of addressing the teen’s severe eating disorder. The IndyStar reported the state’s Department of Child Services received two reports of abuse or neglect related to the teen’s transgender identity in 2021. The state also dropped allegations of parental abuse or neglect but argued that if the parents regained custody, the eating disorder might worsen.
Titus says he believes Kelly, in her framing of her opposition to the bill, is setting it up so that Kansas lose their rights and ability to talk to doctors and their children if they don’t happen to agree with them.
Legislators are also still anxiously awaiting the governor’s decision on the tax bill.
Gov. Laura Kelly has until Thursday to act on House Bill 2036, which earned bipartisan support from legislators and would reduce the state income, sales and property taxes by $1.5 billion. Consensus estimates released on Friday show economists and fiscal analysts believe about 1% should be trimmed from the current year’s revenue forecast, though both fiscal years 2024 and 2025 are expected to exceed $10.1 billion in revenue.
Titus says he believes the governor is leaning toward a veto, due to its high cost, but defended the plan, which received unanimous support in the Kansas House.
Among other things, the bill would accelerate the reduction in the state sales tax on food to zero by July 1 instead of the end of this year.