Capitol Insider

Chuck Caisley, a spokesman for KCP&L, and Jeff Martin, vice president for regulatory affairs at Westar, say history suggests the new company — named Evergy — will enjoy 15 years of stable rates. Responding to comments made in an earlier podcast, they say lawmakers are well-informed on energy policy and reject the idea that they have an upper-hand in negotiations.

Ken Selzer says his work as insurance commissioner isn't finished, but the Republican is running for governor so he can have a bigger impact with his cost-saving regimen. He is fond of saying he will "lean in on costs," which he sees as a neccessary step toward making Kansas economically viable.

Josh Svaty is a political rarity in Kansas — a Democrat who gained traction with voters in the Republican-dominated region of the state. The gubernatorial candidate owns a crop and livestock farm in Ellsworth County and said that upbringing offers him an edge with rural constituents. He expressed apprehension Secretary of State Kris Kobach, among leading candidates for the GOP nomination, wasn't being taken seriously enough by Democrats.

Richard Carlson, secretary for the Kansas Department of Transporation, says the condition of state highways is a concern, but roads here are actually among the best in the country. Efforts are underway to craft the next comprehensive plan for road projects, and a task force could consider whether to raise the fuel tax from 24 cents per gallon in order to provide a dedicated stream of revenue for an agency that suffers annual budget sweeps.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor, weighs in on taxes, guns, child adoption, immigration and his recent trial with the American Civil Liberties Union over voter registrations.

A look at how utility companies are regulated and their influence on lawmakers, featuring Dorothy Barnett, executive director of the Climate and Energy Project, Paul Snider, with the Kansas Industrial Consumers Group, and Jeff Glendening, director of the Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity.

Kansas Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka, said motivation to enter the race for governor was derived from a sense of obligation to correct policy mistakes of Republican Govs. Sam Brownback and Jeff Colyer. She also studied the field of Democratic candidates and concluded none possessed the right combination of experience, leadership and relationships to get the job done.

Carolyn Wims-Campbell, a friend of Linda Brown and former member of the Kansas State Board of Education, talks about her experience as "a proud product of segregation." Artist Michael Young discloses finer details in his newsly installed Statehouse mural depicting Brown v. Board — a work championed by Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley.

Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, R-Leavenworth, and Rep. Adam Lusker, D-Frontenac, discuss ongoing efforts to change Kansas law and allow dog and horse racing.

Rep. Tim Hodge, D-North Newton, and Rep. John Whitmer, R-Wichita, are on opposite ends of the political specrum, but they share an interest on at least one univerally popular idea — lowering the sales tax on food in Kansas. They have different ideas for doing it, and both were rejected on procedural grounds before they could be debated.

The possibility of expanding eligibility for health insurance coverage through Medicaid remains a heated political issue. Debating the merits and costs are Rep. Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, who opposes expansion, and Republican Sen. Barbara Bollier, a retired physician from Mission Hills who supports expansion. They are joined by Sheldon Weisgrau, director of Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, a coalition that lobbies for expansion.

Washburn University political science professors Bob Beatty and Mark Peterson analyze top contenders in the Kansas gubernatorial race.

Republicans Mary Martha Good, of El Dorado, and Rep. Mark Schreiber, of Emporia, talk about the dynamics of serving in the House as brother and sister.

Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer's work with the International Medical Corps, a nonprofit humanitarian organization, has taken him to war-torn areas of Rwanda, Sudan, Iraq and elsewhere.

Kansas Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, debate efforts to change gun laws amid wave of social protests.