Taxes, vaxes and maps: Kansas lawmakers set to open session

(AP) — Kansas lawmakers are opening an annual session shadowed by redistricting, election-year politics and COVID-19. 

Tax cuts are expected to be a big issue in the session that begins Monday because the state is flush with cash and both the Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly are pursuing tax breaks. 

Legislators must redraw the state’s political boundaries to account for shifts in population over the last 10 years, and they’re likely to consider restrictions on how race and the influence of racism in U.S. history are taught in public schools. 

COVID-19 cases have surged. Meanwhile, Kelly faces a tough reelection race.